what food should a labrador puppy eat

Both parents come from a 5-generation pedigree. Mother is IKC registered. Grandparents and great grandparents are field trial champions. Father is a strong, chunky Labrador with an excellent breeding background, he was never registered but both grandparents were IKC reg. Both mother and father are cherished family pets, live together and can be seen. Parents are gentle natured, excellent with kids and have great personalities. Owners are vets themselves. This is our first and last litter as we are not breeders. We wanted to keep a line from both parents which was the motivation to have a litter. Our beautiful puppies are happy, healthy, and very confident. They have a fantastic temperament. Pups have been raised in our family home ensuring they have been well socialised with kids and other animals such as cats. These confident puppies are extremely intelligent and will be easy to train! They are already semi-toilet trained and have great re-call. Puppies are very affectionate and loved by all the family hence we are only looking for suitable home as a family pet or loyal companion. All pups are - Vet health checked - Vaccinated - Microchipped - Wormed at 2,4,6 and 8 weeks - Treated for fleas and mites. Pups will be ready to go to their forever homes from September 17th. For more information or to arrange to view the puppies please call or email me on or megandoherty00 gmail. If I do not answer please leave a message and I will get back to you. Thank you! Life Span Did You Know? Black Labrador Retrievers, or just Black Labs, are a common coat color variation of one of the most popular dog breeds. The Black Labrador Retriever is not necessarily a separate dog breed. Black Labs are still Labrador Retrievers; they just have a distinct coat color that is a specifically-bred characteristic. Like other Labrador Retrievers, Black Labs are energetic, playful, and affectionate dogs that make great family companions. Although they are active and energetic dogs, Labs are also known for their gentleness and patience with other family members. Well-socialized Black Labs tend to get along well with just about everyone including children, other dogs, pets, and even strangers. They are considered one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , Black Labs thrive on attention, especially from their favorite humans. They are happiest when they are spending time with their families and receiving affection and attention from them. Despite their high energy, Labs are highly adaptable dogs. They do tend to be better suited to homes with fenced yards where they can run, but they also adapt well to apartments provided they get enough daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. They do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold like many dog breeds. As such, they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Black Labrador Retriever can include elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia, heart disease, hereditary myopathy, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. Another potential health concern is EIC exercise-induced collapse , which can occur in young adult Labs and has a genetic link. Because carriers can be identified by DNA tests, it is recommended that breeders test for them. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you talk to the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Labrador Retrievers are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Although their high energy and puppylike exuberance can sometimes be a challenge, they are intelligent dogs that are eager to please. As long as training is kept consistent and focused on positive rewards and praise, novice owners still tend to do well with Black Labs. Puppy training classes are always an option and offer plenty of benefits aside from training too. Black Labs have a short, water-resistant double coat that sheds year-round and sheds heavier as seasons change. Depending on how active your Black Lab is and what they get into, they may need a bath more often, especially if they are swimming a lot. Weekly ear checks and careful cleanings when needed help prevent ear infections. Good dental care for dogs , like daily brushing and cleanings at the vet when needed, can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. As one of the most active dog breeds , a Black Labrador Retriever will need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus some playtime and time to run are a minimum. Your Black Lab will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood. They tend to maintain a puppylike exuberance until they are years old. Although they do tend to mellow out as they get older, they are still active, energetic, and playful dogs. Once they are fully grown, you can try other things like hiking, running, dock diving, and more to find other activities you and your Black Lab can enjoy together. Fully-grown Black Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Black Labs generally live for years on average. Black Labrador Retrievers came before the also-popular Chocolate Lab. All modern Chocolate Labs can be traced back to three Black Labs in the s. It was the December issue of .Featured Black Labrador Retriever Article.

Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article. Questions about Boxer puppies for sale in New York? We have answers. How much are Boxer puppies for sale in New York? There are a lot of factors to take into account when you are looking for Boxer puppies for sale New York. Breeders will price their Boxers differently based on factors like gender, color, size, eye color, and more. Will I only find local Boxer pups here? No, you will find Boxers from all over the country. Our network of breeders and businesses is located all over the country, including New York Boxer breeders and those in other states. They are experienced at transporting pups safely and securely, so wherever you find your perfect pup, you can go and meet them at your nearest major airport. Do you screen and vet the breeders in the network? We are very strict when it comes to adding Boxer breeders New York to our network, and only the best are approved. We have a strict set of standards that must be met. We take ethics, cleanliness, legal compliance, and more into account, so you can search for Boxer puppies for sale in New York with complete peace of mind. You can search online for Boxer puppies New York, but be aware that what you are likely to find are the Boxer New York breeders that are just best at marketing. There is absolutely no guarantee they are the best. Puppy mills are sometimes chosen by people looking for the cheapest Boxer puppies in New York they can find. But puppy mills are best avoided. They are like factories for dogs where proper breeding practices are often not followed. And dogs who are not bred properly can be more prone to developing harmful behavioral problems and health issues. Are Boxer puppies available right now? Do you have something very specific in mind for your puppy when you begin searching for a Boxer for sale New York? Then search our network today to find exactly what you want. We have a huge number of businesses and breeders in our network, and they have lots of Boxer puppies to choose from, making it easier than ever to find your perfect puppy. Where exactly do Boxer dogs come from? Boxers were bred as guard dogs in the s from a mix of dogs including the Bulldog and the German Bullenbeisser. They quickly became popular for their mix of desirable characteristics including strength, loyalty, intelligence, and playfulness. What are Boxers like? Boxers are famously clownish in their behavior, and they just love goofing around. They are also very intelligent and incredibly loyal. If you find a New York Boxer for sale, they make great guard dogs and will take their job of looking after you and your family very seriously. How big are Boxers normally? Boxers are characterized as medium to large dogs. However, as with all dog breeds, some will be larger than others. On average, fully grown Boxers usually weigh between about 60 and 70 pounds. If I live in an apartment, can I still get a Boxer? As Boxers are dogs with a lot of energy, you may be wondering whether they are suitable for apartment living. The answer is yes! But just keep in mind when you look for Boxers for sale New York that they will need a lot of exercise. Daily exercise is essential, so make sure you take them out for a long walk or two.

For the complete list please Click Here. This number can vary depending on the breeder and where you purchase your new puppy from. This will guarantee that the puppy is purebred, healthy, and up-to-date on its vaccinations. The health of any breed is largely dependent upon its breeding practices, so this becomes even more important with purebred dogs such as boxers who are prone to hereditary diseases. Be aware that the vast majority of the pet stores have their puppies supplied by unscrupulous breeders. The best place to find reputable boxer breeders will be through the local boxer breed clubs, they will be able to put you in touch with responsible breeders who are aware of the health issues specific to this breed. Above all, take your time. Do not ever, rush into any decision when purchasing a new family member. If you do so, then chances are that it may turn out to be one of the biggest mistakes of your life. Visit Your Arizona Boxer Breeder in Person Every responsible breeder will insist on you visiting them in person before buying a puppy. The breeder should be happy to offer you references from previous purchasers, as well as conducting an interview with yourself the potential new owner. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your Boxer Breeder in Arizona Most responsible breeders will have no problem in offering you references from people that they have sold puppies to previously, even better if they can provide more than just one. Other than asking for references from previous buyers, always ask the breeder what type of after-care is provided. Reputable breeders will also offer at least a 6-month health guarantee with their puppies; this means that they will either fix or replace your boxer puppy at no cost to yourself if it falls ill within this time frame. This way you can be assured that you are purchasing a healthy boxer pup, free of known genetic issues. The most reputable boxer breeders will have no issues in allowing their clients to meet one another. Find out whether the breeder uses a good vet. If they do, then they will be more than willing to give you contact information for their veterinarian, as well as provide you with a recommendation. It is unfortunate but true that puppy mills do exist and finding one can be extremely difficult as most will go out of their way to make it appear as if they are running a legitimate business. Healthy boxer pups grow into healthy boxers, so quality over quantity should always be the goal. This is not a sign of distrust but rather one of concern for both you and your new boxer pup. A good breeder will ask you what type of contract you would like before selling a puppy to you. By asking this question you can ensure that your boxer pup has never had ANY health problems such as Parvo or other issues that may become apparent in later life such as heart disease. How to Prepare Your Home for Your Boxer Puppy The age at which your new boxer pup is received will often determine how much preparation you need to do. While it may seem like a daunting task, if done properly it can be achieved within just a week or two of arriving home — providing that everyone in the household understands what is expected and are prepared for this new addition. Boxers are very intelligent dogs which means that, with patience on your part, they will soon learn exactly where they are supposed to go. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Boxer Description The Boxer has a compact and powerful body. Their head is proportionate with the body and has a short muzzle with an underbite. The tail is set high and typically docked. Their coat is short, smooth, and comes in multiple colors including fawn, tan, brindle, mahogany, and black and often with white markings. Boxers also come in a white coat, but some clubs will not register them. Discover more about our Boxer puppies for sale below and see why they are one of the most popular breeds in the U. Disposition and Temperament Boxers are happy, playful, curious, and energetic. So much so that many remain extremely fit and athletic into their old age. They are very intelligent, eager, quick to learn and known to be a good breed for competitive obedience. Boxers bond closely with their family and are loyal and affectionate. In fact, they are known to get along well with children. A properly socialized Boxer will get along with dogs and other household pets, such as cats, but small animals such as rodents or birds may be too tempting. Being energetic and playful, the Boxer can become boisterous and jump on people without proper training and leadership. Boxers need to go on a daily walk and get daily mental and physical exercise. Without it, they can become stressed out. You should start training your Boxer while it is a puppy: Boxers do best with dominant owners who can be firm, consistent and committed. You need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack with this dog breed. Owners who do not establish dominance often find their dogs to be stubborn or demanding which can hamper the owner-pet relationship. Living Conditions As for living arrangements, they can be fine in an apartment if sufficiently exercised even though they are active indoors, but Boxers really do best with an average-sized yard. They are also temperature sensitive, overheating easily and chilling quickly. Boxers have a natural tendency to protect their owners and home, and although visitors who the dog recognizes are not seen as a threat, will protect their owners if they sense danger. Boxers are courageous which makes them great watchdogs and will even restrain intruders. It is important to know Boxer puppies require human leadership and need to be taught not to be boisterous or jump up on people. It requires very little grooming. Brush it with a rubber curry brush once or twice a week to keep it looking good. The Boxer tends to be a clean breed only occasionally needing a bath. Origin The name Boxer is thought to come from the way they use their front paws for just about everything; pawing at its food bowls, toys, and even its owner in a playful way. The Boxer was developed in Germany in the 19th century and its ancestors were two German mastiff-type breeds. They were later bred with the ancestors of the Mastiff and Bulldog. Boxers were first used for dog-fighting, bull-baiting, cart pulling, cattle dogs, rounding up livestock, and to catch and pin wild boar and bison until hunters could arrive. Later they became popular theater and circus dogs. There are two types of Boxers: the German and the American Boxer. German Boxers have bigger heads and are generally more muscular than American Boxers. See store for details on a puppy. The American Canine Association, Inc. The American Canine Registry. This gentle and loving soul is it ready for his forever family! He is a young, healthy, and playful boy that loves to have fun with his toys! He loves to be with his people, check out his video clip, he is affectionate and wants to be your best friend. Boone loves his toys and he loves to play ball in the backyard! With a heart full of playfulness, Boone is your go-to companion for endless fun and boundless affection. Boone loves to chase a ball in the backyard and go for walks. This affectionate boy thrives on human connection and is ready to be your loyal best friend, always eager to snuggle up after a day of adventures. Boone is crate trained, showcasing his quick learning abilities. He is the perfect match if you're seeking a four-legged partner who embodies playfulness, companionship, and unwavering devotion. Embrace the joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments Boone brings into your life — adopt him today and embark on a journey filled with love and shared adventures. His adopter will get a his medical file that has complete documents. Some lucky family will be so happy to have such a wonderful companion in their home!

We only breed from dogs with no known health issues and with exceptional temperaments and we have bred many show champions, and loyal and much loved family companions. You can view our valued adopter's Testimonial's here or on our Facebook Page where our Buyer's regularly update us on our puppies. We are delighted to still receive updates about dogs that we bred a decade ago. Our puppies are born and raised in our home literally in our lounge room with our young children and other pets not in kennels or runs! We have a trusted courier and I can organise to safely ship our puppies across Australia or internationally, at reasonable rates. We are hearing every week of people that have been scammed out of thousands and thousands of dollars with nothing to show for their money. The scammers use stolen photos and their false adverts, Facebook pages and Websites can look very professional and convincing and their low prices are attractive to people desperate to purchase a cheaper Frenchie. I have been contacted by many people have been fooled into depositing large sums of money into bank accounts Western Union and the like with no puppy ever arriving and never hearing from the seller again. One lady told me she received a stuffed toy dog in the mail for the thousands she paid. If it sounds to good to be true then it generally is! These fraudsters use stolen photos, pedigrees and health records and are continuing to steal thousands of dollars from their victims, so please be careful! Breeding pedigree healthy French Bulldogs is an expensive hobby, and you get what you pay for. Make sure both parents have pedigree papers and have undergone health checcheck to see the breeder is registered with one of the State Canine Association's affiliated with the Australian National Kennel Council not as a breeder with the local municipal council - do not be fooled when they say "registered breeder". You can check their contact details and that they are registered with their State Canine Association by phone or email. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Welcome a registered purebred to your family. Welcoming a purebred French Bulldog into your family starts here. Highlander French Bulldogs is a small boutique breeding program located in the Central Highlands, Queensland. We are a family run business, working only with the finest bloodlines to produce purebred French Bulldogs. Meet Our Dogs Freddie You can call me Freddie my mum named me after the famous Freddie Mercury I can hold a nice tune too just ask me to sing you a song. I am a 1 year old French bulldog and I love my family, just being around them is the best. I can do lots of tricks sit, stay you know the basics but i can also do some tricky ones like high 5, roll over, play dead and jump through a hoop. My mum loves it when I show them off. In my my mums eyes anyway. I am a super loving dog just need to be around people. I pull funny faces and am always up to something if there is a kids toy on the ground or a peg I am bound to have it in my mouth. Apply to Adopt If you are interested in welcoming a French Bulldog puppy into your home, please fill out our application form via the button below. Inquire Please fill out the form below to enquire about our Puppies. The more info you give us the bette! We will contact you within 48hrs.

Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger and require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen. As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity. How big should a 6-month-old German Shepherd be? A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will be quite large, as many German Shepherds undergo massive growth spurts between two and five months old. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. How much bigger will my German Shepherd get? There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. First, check your puppy's age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing! Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog and means your pup is likely still growing! Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents. What is the size of a full-grown German shepherd? An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds. Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. Preventive care is key in helping your German Shepherd live a healthy and long life. Helping your dog maintain an optimal weight is one of the best things you can do for their health. Taking your German Shepherd to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they are healthy and feeling their best. Compare German Shepherd health insurance plans before they get sick or injured. They are also more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract and hip issues. A veterinarian should regularly assess your pet for these health problems and run tests for anything they may be more prone to due to their breed. Treatment for many conditions, including bloat and GI issues, can cost thousands of dollars. Dog insurance is a wise investment that can give you peace of mind by covering pet emergency expenses. Wellness plans are also available to help cover the cost of vaccinations, vet exams, microchips, and more. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Get Peace of Mind Today Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Welcome to our German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Different breeds like all different babies develop at different rates. There are going to be many exciting events for you to look forward to. Whether you are bringing your 8 week German Shepherd puppy home or about to be blessed with a litter of puppies. This is going to be an exciting, demanding but hugely rewarding journey. Newborn puppies are born at around days after fertilization. Newborn puppies are born with their ears and eyes tightly sealed. The reason eyelids are sealed shut is to form a protective barrier for the fragile developing eye. This helps to protect them from any foreign object, bright lights, bacteria or any other microorganism that can cause disease or damage. In the same way puppies ear canals are closed at birth to make them effectively deaf. This is a protective barrier to protect the fragile underdeveloped machinery needed to hear. In a mature ear the pressure caused by sound will mechanically move structures in the ear. German Shepherd puppies are highly dependent upon their noses. Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born. This helps them to identify their mom, the very important milk supply, siblings and surroundings. Newborn puppies are born with a fur coat however they cannot control their own body temperature yet. To keep them warm they are dependant on their mothers or another heat source. If you live in a cooler climate installing a heat lamp would be ideal to help keep the puppies nice and warm. Germans Shepherds make amazing mothers and will be relied on a lot at this stage. Mother dogs will only leave their newborn puppies to go to the toilet, eat and drink. However, when mom has gone the newborn puppies are not completely useless. They are able to use their front paws to drag themselves towards a heat source. When mom is away the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat. Along with being able to drag themselves to a heat source newborn puppies are also able to drag themselves to their mothers to locate the milk supply. They will move their heads around to search for a nipple, latch on and suck strongly. Newborn puppies are not born with teeth these will also develop in the next several weeks. Other than the above puppies are completely dependent upon the care of their dedicated mom. Newborn puppies have little control over the rear end of their bodies. To encourage their pups to pass urine and bowel movements the mom will lick their bottoms. Anything produced mom will then lick up and swallow to keep her puppies and nest clean. Some pups will even double their birth weight! Your German Shepherd puppy will still be highly dependent upon their mom at this stage. Beneath all their fur the vital organs will be working hard to mature. This includes the eyes. Your puppy will not be ready to open their eyes yet but lots of changes are taking place to prepare them for grand opening. The ear canals will begin to open around the same time as the eyes. When the ear canals do open, the ears are much more formed than the eyes are at this point in time. Their eyesight usually takes around 8 weeks to reach its full potential. When their eyes become wider, they will reveal blueish-gray eyes which are hazy in appearance. Their eyesight will continue to develop until around 8 weeks old. The ear canals will also open around 2 weeks. The puppies hearing has been developing much quicker than their eyesight and they will be able to hear most things by the time their ear canals fully open. However, their amazing hearing ability will continue to enhance over the next several weeks. At the moment your German Shepherd puppy will have cute floppy ears. Their adorable tall ears can come up anywhere between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Floppy ears are common until your German Shepherd finishes teething. By then the ear cartilage will become strong and hard enough for the ears to stand up permanently. Now is a good time to start handling the puppies and get them used to your voice. Most puppies are wormed for the first time when they are 2 weeks old. All this development has happened so quickly, but things are about to get even more exciting. Between 2 and 4 weeks your German Shepherd puppy will begin to stand up this is when the real fun begins. Puppies milky teeth will also start to develop between 2 to 4 weeks. These sharp little teeth will remain until about weeks of age. These little daggers play an important role during the weaning process. Even the most patient moms will struggle to nurse with these sharp painful teeth. This reluctance to nurse will prompt the German Shepherds to seek alternative food sources. These sharp teeth will then help to make up for the lack of jaw strength when eating solid foods. Finally, these sharp puppy teeth play an important role in teaching the pups to gauge their bite pressure when playing with their mom and siblings. This is an essential life lesson that enables our powerful German Shepherds to become safer companions as they mature into strong adult dogs. During the last few weeks mom has done an amazing job of getting her babies strong and their mobility will have come on leaps and bounds well not quite yet but by 3 weeks of age your German Shepherd puppy will begin to trotter around. Most 3 week old German Shepherd puppies can stand and sit. With their baby teeth starting to cut through a lot of breeders. Especially those with large litters will start introducing some solid foods. This helps relieve some of the pressure for the devoted German Shepherd mom. When weaning puppies, you need to start off by soaking their food in either water or puppy milk replacement formula to make it mushy and more comfortable for them to eat. As they start to interact and play with their siblings their personalities will really start to show. You may also notice them starting to playfully growl at each other. At 3 weeks old it will become easier to start identifying different members of the pack. Breeders and moms will be kept on their toes and paws over the next few weeks. As the pups start getting more confident on their feet they will be running around and playing enthusiastically. At 4 weeks old they will begin to wag their adorable little tails. With solid food becoming a major part of their diet the pups will be passing bigger bowel movements. They will be able to show more control of their bowel movements as they take themselves away from their brothers and sisters to perform their business. At this stage mom will be taking a much more relaxed approach to parenting and there will be a lot more for the breeder to clear up. By this point mealtimes are a messy process. If it is warm and safe enough to do so we would recommend taking the pups out in the yard for feeding. German Shepherd puppies are becoming a lot stronger at vocalisations by 4 weeks old. When mom returns to her babies the litter will noisily greet her. Around 4 weeks of age your puppies will need to be wormed again. From this week onwards human interaction is very important in order to form relationships with people. Including different noises and smells. This exposure will ensure your German Shepherd puppy turns into a confident, friendly individual. Mom will also be doing an important job of teaching her puppies to not bite too hard. Even an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy would have the power in their jaws to break the smaller bones in humans fingers. This is why mom teaching her puppies bite inhibition is so important. For more information on bite inhibition please see our guide on German Shepherd bite inhibition. By 5 weeks old German Shepherd puppies will be eating a lot of solid foods, several times throughout the day. Those sharp little teeth would have done their job and mom will be gradually weaning her pups of the dependency on her milk. When mom does feed her puppies, she will only do so for a short period whilst standing up. They will be eating between five and six small meals a day. Although the pups no longer rely on mom for milk, they still need her help and guidance for the next few weeks. Mom will be teaching her babies important life skills to live alongside humans. In some countries 6 week old puppies are taken away from their mothers and moved into their new home. We would not recommend this as the puppies will miss out on continued bite inhibition training from their siblings and mother. This can result in a puppy who bites too hard which can be challenging to manage as they get older. In the USA your puppy will be due their first combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 6 weeks old. This vaccine helps to immunizes your puppy against hepatitis, parvo, distemper, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Most puppies will also need to be wormed again at 6 weeks old. Their last week together will consist of plenty of socialization and playing. Most breeders will arrange a 7 week health check up with the vet to make sure your bundle of fluff is fit and healthy to go to their new home. In the UK some breeders will arrange for the pups first 8 week vaccination to take place during this check. Although some vets advise against it. By the end of this week German Shepherd puppies are ready to leave their mothers and move into their new homes for good. The week you get to take your new puppy home. This will be a very exciting time, but you may also be feeling a bit nervous. There will be some challenged along the way for new puppy owners and your puppy will take some time to adjust to life without its mother and siblings. In the UK the first combined vaccination will help to immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. The first puppy injection in the UK typically will happen between 8 and 10 weeks. Some breeders would have trained the puppies to poop and pee on newspapers or puppy pads. From the moment you get them home it is important to show your German Shepherd puppy where to pee and poop. Puppies naturally like to pee where they have done so before so to avoid building history of peeing in your home is best if you can to avoid it. The more you can avoid accidents from happening as much as possible from the start the faster the puppy training process should be. All puppies are different, and some will get this quicker than others. The main thing to remember is not to discipline your puppy for accidents. The most successful way to potty train is to reward success and ignore accidents. Just clean them up quickly and thoroughly. Your puppy will love nothing more than being praised. For more information please see our guide on How to potty train your German Shepherd puppy. Already your German Shepherd puppy will feel like part of the family. German Shepherds puppies are always adorable but at 9 weeks they are at the age where they are still puppy-like but very clumsy,curious and keen to play with her new family, which is very cute. Your German Shepherds unique personality will make you feel very proud. At 9 weeks your cheeky German Shepherd pup will be feeling more confident, with this the need to explore everything and anything may end up getting them into trouble. Your puppy will develop new sleeping patterns and feeding routines which you will need to adapt to. Most puppies will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day at 9 weeks old. During the day when you are with your puppy generally you will not need to shut them away in a crate to nap. German Shepherd puppies are often more than happy to sleep whilst family life goes on around them. However, there will be times when sleeping in a crate is better and safer for your puppy. You must not leave a 9 week old puppy to sleep outside the crate if you are not home to watch them if they wake. Puppies are into everything and many innocent items found in the house could be a potential hazard to your inquisitive pup. For more information please see our guide on how to puppy proof your home. Even if your puppy can barely keep their eyes open other pups and children will still want to play and your German Shepherd puppy may find it hard to refuse. After a hard day of play the peace and quiet of a crate will enable your pup to have a well-deserved nap. If your German Shepherd puppy does need to go to the toilet in the night make sure you keep it short and to a minimum. Establishing a daily routine is the best way to get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep through the night. Part of this schedule will involve mealtimes. Your 9 week old puppy will need four meals a day. Split these up throughout the day and try to stick to similar times. This is to stop encouraging your puppy to wake up earlier and earlier because they associate waking with food. You should always reward your puppy either vocally, with a favourite toy or treats for good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Puppies and dogs want to be praised so they respond very well to positive encouragement. Punishing puppies and dogs may have a short term positive effect on their behaviour but long term you could be setting them up to fail. It is very important to socialise and expose your puppy to other humans, dogs and different scenarios whilst they are young. This maybe hard before your puppy has had all its vaccines however getting many different people to come and visit you at your home will enable them to get used to visitors. Before their full vaccinations you can also, you can take you German Shepherd puppy out and about with you to expose them to the outside world as long as you can carry them. If you live in the USA, your puppy will be due their second combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 9 weeks old. In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required for your puppy. Although you cannot put your puppy down outside until after their final vaccination. Puppies 10 week injection In the UK is a booster vaccination to help immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. Check with your vet what date after their jabs your German Shepherd puppy will be able to go down outside. Your puppy will then need a booster between 6 and 12 months old. If you live in the USA at 12 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be due their booster for the combined 5in1 vaccine against hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo and coronavirus and a vaccine against rabies and leptospirosis. If you live in a high risk area, they may also need to be given the vaccination to help immunize them against Lyme. If applicable at 16 weeks your German Shepherd puppy may need to have a fourth combined 5in1 vaccine. A minimum of three combined injections are required in the USA. Check with your vet what date they will be able to be out down outside. By 10 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more. Potentially up to several hours. This is great time for you to introduce them to the big wide world and develop their social skills which you have already been building the foundations. When taking your German Shepherd puppy out try to introduce them to as many other friendly dogs, humans and noises you can. This will help your German Shepherd puppy to grown into a confident well-rounded dog. At 3 months old your German Shepherd will go down from four daily meals to three. These three portions will be larger than what they are used to which may cause stomach upset. If your German Shepherd puppy does get an upset stomach, try going back to four smaller meals for a couple of days and they try the three larger portions again. This can be a challenging time as your adorable German Shepherd puppy turns into a furry crocodile. Luckily the teething stage is only a phase as with human babies and short lived. In most cases your puppy biting should stop around when they are around 7 months old and have their adult teeth. You maybe noticing your German Shepherds gorgeous ears fluctuating between floppy and pointy. By the time your puppy has finished teething their ears should tick up all the way. This usually happens around months. As they grow their cartilage becomes stronger. Some puppies need another month or so to help them cope without going out for frequent toilet breaks. Even when your German Shepherd puppy is toilet trained occasional accidents are normal. German Shepherds do have large ears but they tend to grow into them as they get older. German Shepherd puppies will begin to grow their new adult coat between 4 and 6 months old. To make way for their adult coat all the puppy hair has to go. For several weeks you will notice an increase in shedding. This is a completely normal part of growing up for your German Shepherd. Being a double coat breed German Shepherds dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat. Twice a year your pup will shed their undercoat. Usually in spring and again in fall. They also shed in general days a year so be prepared for a lot of fur! They will very much look like a smaller version of their adult selves. Although your German Shepherd may look older on the inside, they are still very much a puppy. If you are looking to get your puppy neutered or spayed the recommended age is 6 to 9 months. However, it is common for some female puppies to get spayed at 4 months old. Summary: Your German Shepherd is bound to give you so much joy and happiness throughout its life. There will be challenges along the way but remember this is completely normal. German Shepherds are such an amazing breed and you will have a loyal friend for life. Related Posts. Though they typically only average nine to thirteen years, those years can be very memorable and special to dog and owner. Along the way, there are several German Shepherd growth stages that they will encounter including several fun and exciting breakthroughs. They will go through many different levels of development stacking up in inches and packing on the pounds. German Shepherd Growth Stages: This article will cover in detail, all of the month-to-month growth stages including their size from 1 month old to 3-year-old. It will also include important milestones along the way. This is the puppy portion of the German Shepherd growth stages and these cute little fur balls are beginning their journey into the new world. They are independent, spry and ready to explore! They are starting to grow but stand no taller than half a foot. Cuteness Factor: Through the roof! Height: Male: 4 — 6 in 11 — 16 cm Female: 3 — 6 in 8 — 14 cm Weight: Male: 5. They stand up for the first time. They start exploring independently and playing. Bowel movements are partially controlled. Light barking and growling begin. Puppy teeth should be filling in. This is a good time to introduce them to some kibble. They may or may not be interested. Month 2: Socialization Growth Stage Once the fuzz balls reach month 2, they start socializing more with other animals and people. This is also the time that their little chompers should be complete. They have grown up a little but still remain under a foot tall. Cuteness Factor: Just look at my ears! Height: Male: 7 — 9 in 17 — 22 cm Female: 6 — 9 in 14 — 22 cm Weight: Male: 16 — 20 lbs 6 — 9 kg Female: 11 — 17 lbs 5 — 7. They start to bond with animals and people. Their mental development starts to speed up. Fear reaction begins. They are typically ready to find their forever home. Food: Weaning should be wrapping up at this age. They should transition to a diet of puppy kibble. One and a half cups total three times a day is recommended but stick to a solid schedule. Vaccines: Puppy should have distemper and parvovirus by this time. Teething will be in full force at month 3 and their adult canines and incisors will start to push through. Those cute little fluffy ears may start to go up and down. They will start to lose their puppy coat and you may notice a racing stripe on the spine where the adult hair is starting to grow in. At this point they have almost made it to the height of a standard ruler. Cuteness Factor: Equal to fluffy pillows! Height: Male: 9 — 11 in 23 — 27 cm Female: 8 — 10 in 20 — 25 cm Weight: Male: 22 — 30 lbs 10 — 14 kg Female: 17 — 26 lbs 8 — 12 kg Milestones: Ears begin to stand up. Teething stage begins and continues for several months. Lots of biting and chewing ensures. Potty training and socialization should be consistent. Puppy fuzz begins to be replaced with adult double coat of fur. Food: Two cups of puppy kibble total three times a day is recommended. Vaccines: DHPP which includes distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus are recommended. Month 4: At this point GSDs will be very playful and getting into some trouble. They have left puppy hood and become adolescents. Multiple skills will be developing as they learn, socialize and train. Height: Male: 11 — 14 in 29 — 35 cm Female: 10 — 12 in 26 — 31 cm Weight: Male: 35 — 40 lbs 16 — 18 kg Female: 31 — 35 lbs 14 — 16 kg Milestones: Ears continue to perk up. Teething continues as adult teeth come in. They continue to play and explore everything around them. Training continues as they constantly learn. Food: Puppy should continue to eat two cups of kibble total three times per day. Vaccines: DHPP and rabies are recommended. Month 5: At 5 months of age, they are still growing fast and should have gained close to 10 pounds. They are still in the juvenile stage and have plenty of energy to go around. They are looking much more like an adult but still have that puppy spirit. Ears may have perked up at this point. Cuteness Factor: Cute as pumpkin pie! Height: Male: 14 — 16 in 35 — 40 cm Female: 12 — 14 in 31 — 36 cm Weight: Male: 40 — 49 lbs 18 — 22 kg Female: 35 — 44 lbs 16 — 20 kg Milestones: Ears may be standing up. Adult features are filling out. They are at least half of their adult size. They are still teething. Sexual maturity begins to emerge. Food: Juvenile should still be eating around two cups total three times a day. Month 6: Adolescent Growth Stage At 6 months old, they are making their way into the adolescent part of the German Shepherd growth stages. They will be starting to get into their sexual maturity stage which will last until they are around two years old. Hormones will kick in and males will begin to mark their territory and look for females to mate with. Females may go into heat for the first time. Their adult coat should be completely grown in but it could take a bit longer. Cuteness Factor: Equivalent to a teddy bear! Height: Male: 16 — 18 in 41 — 46 cm Female: 15 — 17 in 37 — 42 cm Weight: Male: 49 — 57 lbs 22 — 26 kg Female: 44 — 49 lbs 20 — 22 kg Milestones: Ears should be standing up. Adult features are more filled out. They are sexually active and will begin marking their territory and roaming for mates. Teething should be close to finished and all 42 of their adult teeth should be almost grown. Full adult double coat of fur should be present. Food: Adolescent should be eating around two to three cups total two times a day. Month 7: At 7 months old , a German Shepherd should be well developed cognitively. Their sexual maturity continues, and your leg may just become their next mate. Some aggression may be present as their hormones go up and down. Their weight gain begins to slow down for the first time only adding around 5 pounds from the previous month. They are looking much more like an adult dog. Aggression and sexual maturity continue. Teething should be close to finished. Food: Adolescent should be eating two to three cups total two times a day. They are still maturing and could still be aggressive and bark or lunge at other dogs, kids or people. This behavior must be reined in with the proper training. Teaching them new tricks is a great way to curb their aggression. Cuteness Factor: Still able to melt your heart! Height: Male: 20 — 22 in 51 — 56 cm Female: 18 — 20 in 45 — 50 cm Weight: Male: 62 — 66 lbs 28 — 30 kg Female: 53 — 57 lbs 24 — 26 kg Milestones: Ears should be well formed and perky. They continue to transition into adulthood. They are still maturing, and aggressive behavior may be present. Teething should be finished, and all of their adult teeth should be grown. Month 9: At 9 months old, German Shepherds have reached most of their milestones. They should be sporting a full set of 42 adult chompers and some nice big perky ears. They are still maturing sexually and could be exhibiting aggressive behaviors, but training should be in full force. Cuteness Factor: Not puppy cute but still irresistible! Height: Male: 21 — 23 in 54 — 59 cm Female: 19 — 21 in 48 — 53 cm Weight: Male: 64 — 71 lbs 29 — 32 kg Female: 55 — 60 lbs 25 — 27 kg Milestones: They are still growing but only gaining a few pounds a month now. Month By 10 months of age, GSDs are still trucking along in the adolescent stage. They will still be acting like teenagers and may be getting into some trouble. Although clever and smart they will sometimes act clumsy and goofy. They are still learning and should be in training. Cuteness Factor: Cute and nutty like peanut butter! Height: Male: 22 — 24 in 55 — 60 cm Female: 19 — 21 in 48 — 53 cm Weight: Male: 66 — 73 lbs 30 — 33 kg Female: 57 — 62 lbs 26 — 28 kg Milestones: They are still growing but slowly. Month Moving into month 11, German Shepherds are becoming more and more adult but may be stubborn. They may start to challenge their owner with respect to leadership. They need to know that you are in charge and that they must respect your commands. Training and reinforcement is crucial during this time period. Cuteness Factor: Cute enough to get out of trouble! Height: Male: 22 — 24 in 57 — 62 cm Female: 20 — 22 in 51 — 56 cm Weight: Male: 66 — 75 lbs 30 — 34 kg Female: 60 — 64 lbs 27 — 29 kg Milestones: They are still growing slowly. Month 1 year old German Shepherds are moving out of the puppy phase of the German Shepherd growth stages and into adulthood. By now they have most likely formed a strong bond with their owner. They may still misbehave occasionally but proper training should be paying off. Food: Adolescent should transition to adult food and be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Vaccines: DHPP, rabies are recommended. Year 1. They are getting closer to sexual maturity. Cuteness Factor: Furry and plushness overload! Height: Male: 23 — 25 in 59 — 64 cm Female: 21 — 22 in 53 — 55 cm Weight: Male: 71 — 79 lbs 32 — 36 kg Female: 60 — 66 lbs 27 — 30 kg Milestones: They are still growing but slowly. Food: Adolescent should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Year 2: At 2 years old, they should be well along in their journey to adulthood. With the proper training and socialization, they should be transforming into the alert, confident, courageous, loving and loyal German Shepherd companion that makes them so popular among dog owners. They are pretty much full grown at this point with only a few more pounds to pack onto their athletic frame. Cuteness Factor: Perfectly precious! Height: Male: 23 — 25 in 59 — 64 cm Female: 21 — 22 in 53 — 57 cm Weight: Male: 71 — 84 lbs 32 — 38 kg Female: 62 — 66 lbs 28 — 30 kg Milestones: They are still growing but almost full grown. Vaccines: DHPP is recommended. Year 3: Adult Growth Stage Your German Shepherd is finally an adult with all of the beautiful characteristics and traits that people admire. They have reached physical and sexual maturity and are ready to brave the new world. Consistent training should have payed off. They should be calm and well disciplined. Height: Male: 24 — 26 in 60 — 65 cm Female: 22 — 24 in 55 — 60 cm Weight: Male: 79 — 88 lbs 36 — 40 kg Female: 66 — 70 lbs 28 — 32 kg Milestones: They are done growing. They have matured physically and sexually. Food: Full grown adult should be eating three to three and a half cups total two times a day. Vaccines: Rabies is recommended and can be required by law depending on your state. A full grown adult German Shepherd will stand approximately 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 70 and 88 pounds on average. However, some German Shepherds will get bigger even getting over a pounds. Hopefully your GSD is in the correct range. Keep an eye out for any deficiencies during their growth. These German Shepherd growth stages should help you determine all of the proper measurements to make sure they are right on track in their development. Each stage in their maturation is important. Remember to give them a high-quality healthy diet, plenty of exercise and sufficient training and socialization. These will all help lead to a stable and well-adjusted German Shepherd. Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! Do you have any experience with a growing German Shepherd? Let us know! We would love to hear about your personal story! Share this:. Puppyhood The first growth phase — puppyhood — has six development stages. During each of these stages, a puppy learns a lot of things. Neonatal Stage This period lasts from birth to 13 days. The puppy needs a lot of nursing from its mom because it is rather helpless. Its ears and eyes are closed, so it does not have any senses. The little pups should completely rely on their mothers for nourishment and care. By 2 weeks, they double their birth weight. They start crawling, and then their eyes and ears begin to open. The first milk teeth appear. The puppy can even stand up, but too unstably and shakily. This makes it possible for little ones to hear, smell, and taste. They even try to walk. Their baby teeth continue growing. The period between weeks is also called a transitional one. At the end of the third week, the motor skills start developing fast. The puppy can already control its temperature and body, namely, bowel movements. It begins to interact with its littermates. Nevertheless, the pup is still largely dependent on its mother. Though, you can interact with it. At the end of this period, the little cub is ready to explore the world. Its baby teeth are almost complete, and it can stand up more stably. It starts barking and growling a bit. The puppy grows quickly now. It actively interacts with its littermates. The baby dog can walk, and its baby teeth are complete. You can also consider the German Shepherd behavior stages from now. Its mental development starts because it discovers the world actively with its senses. Its walking improves, and it can make attempts to run, so it can even sometimes get in trouble. The puppy can start eating dog food. That is why it is important to begin weaning. The little one can recognize and greet its littermates and people, get interested in new things, and continue to explore the world. However, at this age, the first fear period can be experienced. Read our detailed guide about 6 week old German Shepherd puppy. It is the best period for taking your pet home. This period can be psychologically traumatic, so be careful not to expose the pet to direct sunlight because it may be afraid of it for its entire life. All the fears need your special attention. You need to nurture, but not encourage them. Read our detailed guide about 2 month old German Shepherd puppy. So, your puppy is three months old now. It is playful and active. Its teeth are complete. It is weaned and eats dog food. The feeding recommendation here is the overall one and a half cups, three times a day. It is also time to get your pet vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus. At the end of the third month, your little GSD can simulate its behavior after other dogs and humans. Training can start. Read our detailed guide about 3 month old German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy already has all its baby teeth, and adult canines and incisors begin to push through. It can even try to bite or nip you. The puppy coat begins to disappear and gets ready for replacement by the adult double-layer coat. You can see a racing stripe on its spine where the adult hair will grow. The puppy displays quick growth at this time, and it becomes stronger to withstand the possible fierce competition with its siblings if it is still staying with its family. It needs a lot of biting and chewing now for the correct growth of its adult teeth. Your pet needs consistent socialization and potty training now. After three months old, you should think about such vaccination as DHPP — distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. The juvenile phase lasts from 3 to 6 months, and it can be divided into three stages by month. Continue socializing and start more substantial training. You can consult the German Shepherd weight chart here to see whether your pup develops properly. So, be attentive to the games you play with your pet. Some of them can be dangerous and traumatic because your puppy may not know how to manage its body during them. You can give it two cups of kibble totally three times per day because it needs a lot of nutrition to grow. DHPP and rabies vaccines are recommended at this age. Your little pup is ready to explore the world. However, as a true teenager, it can become more stubborn and try not to listen to your commands. It starts to understand dominance and tries to persuade you in its leadership. Read our detailed guide about 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. During this month, it can gain about 10 pounds 4. Its ears have stably perked up by this time. It looks more like an adult dog but, as a true teenager, it is very playful and is always ready to go around. The adult teeth continue to appear. Sexual maturity starts emerging. You should feed your pet around two cups three times per day. A lot of training is also needed. Read our detailed guide about 5 month old German Shepherd puppy. It needs a lot of training and positive reinforcement. Now, your pet is fully house-trained, and it needs a lot of new experiences. The sixth month is a transition period to the Adolescent Phase. The ears are completely upright. Males achieve sexual maturity, while female puppies can experience heat cycles. Hormones start working, and male puppies can start marking the territory and looking for females to mate. The adult coat grows longer and gets its normal double layers. Adult teething is about to finish, and all 42 teeth appear. You should feed your dog with the overall two or three cups two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. Adolescence Phase Months German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years 36 months old. Females become adults when they are 2 years 24 months old. However, these criteria differ for every puppy. That is why the adolescence phase lasts from the end of the 6th month to the end of the second year of age 24 months on average. By the end of this phase, the puppy reaches its full size though it will continue slightly growing. Your dog can display testing boundaries, so disobedience is widely encountered if the dog is not properly trained. German Shepherds do not look like puppies anymore. Within this period, some dogs can display their second fear period at approximately months old , though to avoid long-lasting psychological trauma, you should ignore the fears. Some dogs may occasionally forget their skills that they have already acquired, so you may need to repeat training again. Here, the reinforced training is useful because some puppies can become entirely rambunctious. Your pet will also need more socialization since it reaches its sexual maturity, and some of its reactions can be pretty unexpected. Its sexual maturity continues, which may cause some aggression because of increases and decreases in hormones. The puppy does not gain weight so fast. Teething is finished. The German Shepherd starts looking more similar to an adult dog, with its standing up ears and well-developed muscles. The food your dog needs involves two or three cups total, given two times per day. Read our detailed guide about 7 month old German Shepherd puppy. It displays a lot of aggression. It can bark or lunge at other animals, kids, and unfamiliar people. A lot of training and reinforcement is needed. You can teach the youngster new tricks to deal with their aggression. The dog has strong adult teeth, and its ears are well-formed and perky. The transition to adulthood continues. As for food, your dog needs two-three cups in total two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 8 month old German Shepherd puppy. It does not grow fast, gaining about a couple of pounds per month. The dog needs two-three cups of food two times a day. Read our detailed guide about 9 month old German Shepherd puppy. They are very active and need a lot of attention and training. Sometimes, they can be really goofy or clumsy because they are still learning and do not know how to behave in many events. Your pup is very smart and clever but tends to display a lot of aggression if not supported and reinforced properly. The dogs should eat two-three cups in total per day. Read our detailed guide about 10 month old German Shepherd pupp y. It starts to challenge you as an owner and likes to demonstrate its leadership. You should teach it to be responsible and obey your commands. A lot of training and reinforcement is crucial. Still, give it two or three cups in total per day. It becomes a bit destructive, but be sure not to get angry or upset with it. It needs your patience and positive attitude. Such vaccines as DHPP and rabies are recommended at this age. It should also transit to adult food. Give it three or three and a half cups total twice a day. Read our detailed guide about 1 year old German Shepherd puppy. Years 1. This time is considered a transition period. The dog may have problems with fears and memory breakdowns. It may even forget how to do familiar things and should be trained again. However, its attention span is longer at this age, so it can have a more thorough obedience training. The dog should eat three or three and a half cups two times a day. Year 2 months — The Second Transition Phase This is one more transition period known as young adulthood. Your dog still displays some aggression. That is why they continue to need reinforcement, training, and socialization. It has already gained its athletic frame and strong muscle, and only several pounds are lacking for reaching its adult weight. In fact, you get a German Shepherd full-grown pet now. The DHPP vaccination is recommended at this age. Continue to feed your dog with three to three and a half cups in total twice per day. It has become a loyal and protective family pet or an obedient and enduring working dog. The young adulthood stage lasts from the second to the third year after the puppy was born. Its size is typical now for an adult dog. However, it may continue to grow slightly, but the changes are not noticeable at all. At this phase, you can also notice that your pet becomes more and more active. It needs a lot of exercise and training. A lot of physical activity is essential for the dog to stay in high spirits. The period between the second and third years of life is also called the adult growth stage. This is the time when your friend gets its excellent breed characteristics. It loves attention very much and continues to learn new things eagerly. The dog enjoys training sessions and strives for new experiences. It becomes calmer and more confident. Its hyperactivity slightly decreases. It displays a lot of self-control and discipline. Continue feeding your dog with three to three and a half cups twice per day. It will be its constant adult diet. Vaccination against rabies is recommended and required by authorities at this age. Seniority Phase This is the last phase of German Shepherd development. It may seem wonderful, but your dog can continue to slightly grow. The phase is divided into two periods — early senior years old and late senior years old. Unfortunately, you need to focus on its health rather than on training. Such health issues as hip dysplasia, joint pain, and decreased stamina can appear at this age. You need to have consultations with your vet more often. During this period, your dog does not change its weight and height considerably. Though, you can observe slight changes in weight. On average, these dogs live years. You need to attend to their health and comfort. The dog may remain energetic and playful, but it slightly slows down. It wants to rest more and gets much calmer. The animal may suffer from some pains, so it may need pain relievers for spine and joint problems and arthritis. It may also need nutritional supplements and changes to its diet. Special senior and sensitive stomach food may become the best choice. Avoid jumping and hard playing. Continuous veterinary monitoring is needed if some symptoms are worsening. The accepted proportion that is considered ideal is .The weight is usually not taken into consideration. If your pet does not correspond to this proportion, there may be a health issue you do not know about yet. That is why you need to monitor the parameters carefully. To be sure that everything is OK, multiply the length of your dog by 0. You will get the perfect height. However, there can be some divergences. If they are minor, you have nothing to worry about. The German Shepherd is rather thin, or even skinny. This results in bad proportions. The ideal weight of your German Shepherd is lbs kg for males and lbs kg for females. You can get either a heavy or obese dog, and it can be a result of overfeeding or certain health issues. How to Check the Weight of Your German Shepherd The simplest method to see whether your dog is underweight is to check whether the ribs are visible on the sides. If you can see that the shape of your dog reminds you of a barrel on the ribs, it means that it is overweight. If you cannot feel the ribs, but there is too much skin on the sides, your dog is overweight. However, if you feel the ribs and only a thin layer of skin, it is underweight. It does not matter whether your dog is underweight or overweight. In any case, it can cause health problems if you do not repair the situation. The best way to succeed is to make changes to the diet. If your German Shepherd is underweight, you should enrich the content of its food. However, do not make it eat if the dog does not want to. That can lead to more severe problems. Make a slow transition to food with higher fat content. Or you may even give your dog puppy food because it is rich in nutrients. If your pet is obviously overweight, the best thing is to cut off the food. However, you also need to do it step by step so that the dog finally can eat just half of the amount you have recently fed it. The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder and an average weight of pounds kg. Nevertheless, some German Shepherds can grow bigger and even reach pounds kg. You need to be sure about its proportions though to understand if your pet meets the standards. If you see some deficiencies, meet your vet for a more thorough evaluation. When does a German Shepherd stop growing? German Shepherd males are thought to be grown-up when they are 3 years old. Females become adults when they are 2 years old. How tall is a German Shepherd? The adult dog has a height of inches cm at the shoulder. An average male reaches inches cm in height, while an average female should be inches cm tall. The body of both males and females should be longer than their height. How big do German Shepherds get? How much does a German Shepherd weight? In general, an average male reaches pounds kg in weight, while an average female should be pounds kg heavy. This is a very strong and brave dog that can become a perfect guardian and protector. If you decide to take a GS puppy, you need to follow its growth stages accurately to be sure that it develops properly. You should follow a high-quality diet, provide your dog with a lot of exercise, and ensure its proper training and socialization. Your German Shepherd cannot stay healthy and active if it gets some health problems related to its weight or height. Sometimes, these issues are not obvious and understandable to the owner. That is why it is important to know the main development parameters of your German Shepherd growth stages to cope with possible challenges. We hope that this article, together with the weight and height chart, will become your effective and helpful guide. 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.

Let me define and give a brief description of each… Crate Training: Confinement And Supervision The first method of house training makes use of a crate and a constant mix of supervision and confinement. Our favorite is the Midwest Life Stages Crate. We bought one for Linus over 14 years ago an still use the exact same crate today. Using a crate during house training works so well because dogs have a natural instinct not to soil their dens, to keep the place that they sleep free of feces and urine. This teaches and encourages your puppy to learn how to control their bowels and bladder. So by supervising your puppy when they are outside the crate and taking them to their toilet spot when they need to go, and crating them when you cannot supervise them, a puppy never gets a chance to make a mistake by toileting in the wrong place. This dramatically speeds up the house training process. For a more detailed discussion of using a crate during house training, please click here. And you can find a complete and detailed guide to crate training your puppy by clicking here. Paper Training: Starting Inside Then Moving Outside With this method, the idea is to train your puppy to toilet on papers or specially manufactured pads inside your home. Once they are consistent with this, you begin to move the pads or paper closer to a door to the outside, and then place similar pads or paper outside for them to use before eventually completely removing the pads from inside the home unless indoor training of course. This works well because a puppy very quickly learns to potty only ever on the paper or pads and they are always accessible in the home. Also, Puppy pads are steeped in a specially formulated scent that strongly encourages a puppy to toilet on these and not on the floor or other places in your home. However, the biggest disadvantage to this method is initially your puppy will have learnt that toileting indoors is acceptable behavior. So if your end goal is to train your dog to only ever toilet outside, the house training process will take far longer with this method. Constant supervision This method is exactly what it sounds like and is simply where you constantly supervise your puppy. You must never allow any accidents to happen inside the home or your training can suffer a set back. As this method requires nothing but your attention and speed of action, this is the cheapest of all options as you need no crate, no pads, no nothing. But this method is very time-consuming and takes more effort and concentration than using a crate as you can never let your guard down and allow puppy the chance to make a mistake. Finally we have… Umbilical Cord House Training This method also relies on constant supervision for its success and is exactly what it sounds like: You have your puppy attached to you by looping their leash around the belt on your jeans or trousers. Puppy will be right by your side so you can correct any mistakes and take them to the right spot every time. This is also a very good alternative method to use for those who would prefer not to crate or confine their dogs at all. But so you know what to expect, here a few universal truths that apply to house training: Very young puppies have very little control over their bowels and bladder. The larger the breed, the quicker the control comes. For a Labrador, you cannot expect them to have any control until 12 weeks of age, for smaller and toy breeds, this could be as much as 16 weeks old. Start house training the minute you get your puppy home. Do not delay. This will pay dividends in the long run. Some puppies learn quicker than others. This is normal. Even when a puppy can control their bladder and bowels, they cannot hold it for long. Frequent toilet trips are essential! Continue with the house training plan and it will stick eventually. You cannot expect any puppy to be fully house trained before 6 months of age. With proper house training, expect your puppy to be fully house trained by 6 to 7 months of age. By fully house trained, I mean you can completely trust them and will never see any more accidents going forward. As long as you follow the advice given throughout the many parts of this guide, from 16 weeks onwards accidents will be rare. With a decade or more of love to come. The generally accepted rule of thumb written in most books and articles is: A puppy can hold their bladder for A MAXIMUM of one hour for each month of their age So a 2 month old puppy can hold it for 2 hours, a 3 month old puppy can hold it for 3 hours, etc. After this time period, an accident is all but guaranteed. However, I have some bones to pick with this rule myself… All puppies are different. Generally speaking, the bigger the puppy, the longer they can hold it. Not all are the same and bladder control varies too wildly to use a rule like this. Outside of a crate and roaming around with you in the home, I would say: A puppy can hold their bladder for 30 to 45 minutes max at 2 months old. Use this as a rule of thumb and you will be closer to reality. But if you follow my guide, you will see in article 6 that we will be keeping a diary and forming schedules so there will be no guess-work needed. Certainly far less than during the day! A puppy at 8 weeks old should be able to last between 4 and 5 hours, varying from puppy to puppy. Over the next few weeks, the time they can last through the night will lengthen and lengthen until at 16 weeks a puppy will be able to last a 7 hour night without you having to take them to their bathroom spot for relief. Though many will reach this point at any time between 10 and 16 weeks. Some puppies need to go immediately after eating or drinking, while others cannot go until a full half hour later. What you can rely on though is that after eating or drinking, all puppies will need to go very shortly after. As a general rule, all puppies should be taken to their bathroom spot: First thing in the morning when you rise. Just before the last person in the house goes to sleep. Immediately after the puppy wakes up. This is after any nap, at any time of day. Within the first half an hour after eating. Within the first 15 minutes after drinking. After play or experiencing any form of excitement such as a visitor saying hello. And because, like us, puppies and dogs need to go often throughout a day, You also want to take them to their bathroom spot on a schedule such as the following: 8 weeks old — take them to their bathroom spot every 30 minutes. Common ailments such as urinary tract infection, gastroenteritis and many medical problems affecting internal organs and the genitalia can cause a dog to toilet much more frequently than they usually would. So have your puppy or dog checked, and if further down the road they start to have accidents you cannot explain, have them checked again. It may not be their fault. After reading this article you now know what house training is, how long it should take, will have some respect and understanding for the fact a puppy has little bladder and bowel control and know how often and when you need to provide toilet breaks. You should also now have realistic expectations of time-scales, the amount of effort required and exactly what your growing puppy can do at different ages. At first, an 8 week old puppy will relieve themselves without hardly knowing, they cannot help it and yes this is frustrating. But be patient, stay calm, and with consistency and patience eventually your puppy will develop enough control of their little bodies to hold it longer and longer. In this article we discuss the attitude and approach you should take and the mindset you need bring with you to be successful at house training. We also cover the skills and attitude your puppy brings with them to the process. If your puppy can still smell the scent of urine he will want to potty again in the same spot. Please see the entire series linked to below:. Print Potty train your puppy quickly Housebreaking is one of the least desirable tasks when adding a new puppy to your family. It is never fun but consider it a necessary task. You will never regret having a dog that knows your home is not a bathroom. When to start housebreaking Housebreaking should begin the day you bring your puppy home from the breeder. It is important to establish quickly that there is a right and wrong place for your puppy to go potty. How long does it take to house train a lab puppy? I wish I could give a definitive answer for this, but the truth is that every puppy is different. Most puppies can be completely house broke by the time they are months. But assume there will be a lot of ups and downs through the process. Some puppies learn very quickly and rarely have an accident. Others take more time to make the connection. Here are some things you can do to help the process go smoothly. Have the right attitude! Keep your attitude in check to help this process go quickly and smoothly. Have patience! As already stated, potty training can take some time. It may happen, but it is unlikely. Instead, plan for a long haul and then you will be more patient and understanding when mishaps happen. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. Step 1: Establish a place for your puppy to go potty To get started housebreaking your puppy, you must first establish a place where it is okay for your puppy to do his business. Find a place outside that is not too far from your home, but an area where you are not worried about killing the grass or trampling plants that are important to you. Consider this carefully, because once your puppy starts going potty in this area it will be exceedingly difficult to move or change the area. Once the scent is there, it is natural for dogs to continue going potty in the same area over and over. Do I have to potty train outside? In some areas of the country, winters can be very cold. Some new puppy owners wonder if it is too cold for their Labrador puppy to go outside to potty train during these times. The answer is no. Most Labs can easily be outside for a few minutes even during the coldest nights to go potty. A pee pad is a disposable, leak proof pad that is scented to attract your dog and encourage going potty on them. We highly discourage using pee pads because in the long run it is confusing to your dog. If you spend time teaching your puppy to NOT go potty inside your home and then flip-flop and begin letting them go inside your home on a pee pad, your dog will be confused. Besides, eventually you must retrain them to going outside, so the best policy is to never start letting inside be an option. Step 2: Establish a routine and schedule for your puppy Establishing a routine is the single most important step for housebreaking. The more consistent you are, the faster your puppy will learn to go outside for potty. This time will increase rapidly over the next few weeks, but that first week is going to take a lot of time and energy on your part to consistently let your puppy out on a schedule. To make being consistent easier, consider this: Set a timer When housebreaking puppies, we find that setting a timer is helpful. An hour flies by and you hardly realize it. For the first few days at least, set a timer and let your puppy out hourly, especially if your puppy is not in a crate. We will discuss that more in a bit. Timing is everything There are other times when you need to let your puppy outside. Immediately after eating or drinking your puppy should go outside. Eating and drinking will trigger a need to go potty, so to avoid accidents, take your puppy out every time they eat or drink. And if they drink a lot of water, you may have to take them out several times before they are back on schedule. Anything you can do to make going potty a routine will help your dog learn and associate that going outside is where I need to go to go potty. Use a command I know this sounds crazy but using a command can help your dog form an association between the command and going potty. At first this is meaningless to the puppy. And you cannot discipline your puppy for a potty accident in the house that you never saw happen. The solution for this is never let your puppy go unsupervised. This can be exhausting, that is why we suggest using a crate to help. The stern words must be said during the accident or immediately after to have any effect. Using a crate to house train your puppy First, while your puppy may not love his crate right away, if properly introduced and used consistently, Labs usually come to love their crates. As den animals, dogs will view their crate as a den where they can go to sleep or get away from the business of the home. Learn more about crate training your Labrador puppy here. When using a crate to housetrain your puppy, you first want to make sure that you have a very small crate. One that is just a little bigger than your puppy. This is particularly important because you do not want your puppy to be able to move around much in the crate. If they can move around, they can and often will go potty in the crate. So, start with a very small crate and get bigger crates as the puppy grows. Whatever you choose to use to block off the larger area, make sure that it is not something your puppy can chew on or ingest. You will still need to find a way to gradually increase the area that the puppy has access to, so I just find the multiple crate solution easier. You should still set a timer and take your puppy out on a regular basis, and you will want to schedule some time each day for the puppy to run around the house and play while supervised. Step 4: Using praise to speed the house breaking process You can help your puppy more quickly understand that going potty outside is the right thing to do by giving your puppy well-timed praise. But the praise must be well-timed. You should give the praise while your puppy is going potty outside or immediately after. Timing is very important! Lots of people get upset when the dog goes inside but fail to praise when the dog does the right thing. Not all dogs are the same. Some puppies will whine just before they go potty in the house, or whine at the door when they need to go. Some will hide somewhere you cannot see them and do their business there. Still others may scratch at the door. How long can a puppy hold it overnight? With young puppies, weeks old, you will need to get up several times a night to let them out. It can be helpful to limit the amount of water your puppy has access to close to bedtime. We usually aim for every 3 hours and then steadily increase the time as they get older. But each puppy is different. Final thoughts on how to house train your Labrador puppy Remember that housebreaking is a process. It rarely follows a straight line and more often there will periods of success and occasional mishaps. Stick with it and before long your puppy will understand that going potty in the house is not okay. Until next time, happy retrieving. How to housebreak your Labrador puppy. Learn to spot the signs Never punish your Lab after an accident Use potty pads as a temporary indoor alternative Recognize excitement urination Be aware of submissive urination Allow more freedom as your puppy improves The ultimate aim of housebreaking your puppy is to prevent accidents. Control His Environment When potty training your puppy, the first thing to do is to control his environment. Use a long leash and attach your pup to your waist, even when inside the house. This allows you to look out for warning signs. Your pup will sleep in the crate, whereas the playpen provides extra space. Make sure to choose a pen with a door so that you can attach it to the crate, such as the Midwest Homes for Pets Folding Exercise Pen from Amazon. I also recommend the Midwest Homes for Pets icrate. Introduce the Crate Slowly introduce the crate when crate training your Lab over the first few days. When you let your pup out of his crate, immediately take him outside. When he is away from his own room, make sure you closely supervise him by keeping him attached to you on a long leash. Allow Frequent Potty Breaks Give your dog lots of opportunities to go outside. Create a Puppy Potty Schedule Dogs thrive off routines, including mealtimes, exercise, and potty training! You can set an alarm on your watch or phone to remind you to take your dog outside to his toilet area. Your pup will need to go first thing in the morning, after a meal or drinking, when he wakes from a nap, after playtimes, and before bedtime. Look for clues such as sniffing the floor or carpet, circling, restlessness, becoming overexcited, whining, or making towards the door. This includes whether you catch him in the act or if it happened a while ago. Moreso, the latter, as your dog will have no idea what he is being punished for! This is because dogs have a terrible short-term memory and will forget an event in two minutes. Instead, take him straight outside and reward him with a treat and lots of praise if he finishes off his business. Use Potty Pads as a Temporary Indoor Alternative Potty pads can be handy in extended periods of bad weather or if you live in a high-rise apartment and it takes longer to get outside. They can also be useful when traveling. This is when your Labrador gets so excited he will pee a small amount. It may happen when a family member or friend visits. To prevent this, allow your dog to eliminate before a visitor arrives and ensure visitors make their entrance low-key with no fuss, even ignoring the pup for a few minutes. Dogs will usually grow out of excitement pee by 18 months of age. Be Aware of Submissive Urination This is also common, but your puppy will outgrow it. It occurs when your Labrador wants to show submissive status to a person or another animal. He may squat and urinate during specific situations. To prevent it, avoid yelling and physical punishment, appear less intimidating when approaching, kneel down, and stroke under his chin instead of the top of his head. At first, keep his sleeping area small and then gradually increase the size slowly and methodically. Remove the divider in the crate or make the playpen area larger if you arent using a crate. You can use a crate to your advantage as it helps your pup develop quicker bowel and bladder control. To potty train a Lab puppy with a crate, use the crate as a tool. When the door is closed, your Lab will let you know he needs to eliminate by whining or scratching. He will learn self-control quicker. Crates are great when you cannot fully supervise your puppy and are an ideal way to control his environment. However, you still need to keep a close eye on him and spot the signs when he needs to go. Make it smaller using a divider. He will be less likely to eliminate in a smaller sleeping area. Check out my recommendations for the Best Dog Crates for Labradors and Playpens , including soft crates, travel crates, and furniture styles. Just be aware that it will probably take a little longer. Use dog gates to section off an area of the house. When away from his confinement, tether your pup to you with a long leash and establish a strict potty break schedule. If you choose dog gates, there are many styles you can choose to match your decor and configure how you like. This area should contain training pads or newspapers. Potty Training Puppies Between Months Old Most puppies are around eight weeks old when they leave their mother and littermates, but occasionally your pup may be a little older when you first bring him home. You may wonder how to potty train an older puppy and whether you should do anything different. Generally speaking, you should follow the same principles as training an 8-week-old Lab. However, a more mature puppy should be able to grasp housebreaking quicker. Labrador house training routines. We want them to learn to wait until they are outdoors before emptying their bladder or bowels. It is about maturity too. We need to understand that tiny puppies have immature bodies and are not physically capable of waiting very long. On your side There are two factors on your side in the potty training process. When it comes to bladder control, fortunately your puppy improves with every day that passes, so this factor does not work against you forever. The same applies to the fact that the puppy has been removed from his nest, he will soon learn to accept his new nest. The principles of puppy potty training The puppy is learning the principle of extending the nest area, which he keeps clean instinctively, to include your entire home. Punishment is counter-productive in this process as it teaches the puppy to avoid emptying himself in your presence. Rewards are helpful, but given the right routine, a puppy will naturally learn to be clean without them. The secret to successful house training lies in selecting targets that the puppy can achieve. If your puppy sometimes needs to wee every 15 minutes whilst he is awake and active, you will have to take him outside every 15 minutes. Restricted access Start small applies here too. Allow your puppy access only to a small part of your home. Increase the area he has access to, only when he is capable of keeping the current area clean. Just because he can. And because the sensation of a filling bladder is a new one. Your job is to teach him to wait a little longer. You do this by confining him for a short time, every time his bladder fills. You can confine him in his nest within a crate , or in your arms. He will be reluctant to wee in either location. If he wets himself, you have waited too long! It takes two You need to go outside with your puppy, and stay out there with him, each time he needs to wee. A tiny puppy is unlikely to empty himself on his own. This especially applies in cold or wet weather. Routines Matter When House Training a Labrador Retriever Based around these practical requirements you can create your own house training routine. For a puppy that needs to wee every half an hour, it will go something like this Take puppy outside to the toilet area and wait with him until he empties himself Bring him indoors and allow him free access to your kitchen for fifteen to twenty minutes Crate or cuddle the puppy until it is thirty minute since his last wee Take the puppy back out to the toilet area If at any time the puppy does not empty himself then confine him for another ten minutes and try again. As soon as he is regularly not needing to wee after thirty minutes you can extend the duration of free access to your kitchen. Provided you stick to these principles and strategies, the house training process, though quite intense for a short while, will pass smoothly. Time to start potty training your Labrador Puppy Potty training or house training is one of the first things that you will have to focus on after bringing home a Labrador Puppy. However, you must know what to expect when toilet training a Lab puppy, you must be prepared with patience and dedication since house training can be difficult in the beginning. Here are the house-training basics that you will need to follow to train your puppy. House training is done over time, and here is how. You can also take your puppy into your yard if you have one. Teaching your lab puppy go potty in the yard is the best idea since Labradors produce a lot of waste when they are grown. If you live in an apartment you have no other option but to take your Lab outside to evacuate. Lab puppies love to go outside and explore new territories. So for apartment dwellers, the first months of potty training will happen indoors. Puppies can refuse to go potty on surfaces that they are not used to. For example, if your puppy gets used to evacuating on hard floors, going potty in the grass will feel awkward to your puppy, and will prefer to do it on the sidewalk. So, using an artificial grass puppy pad while you potty train your Lab indoors can help to transition to real grass when your puppy is ready to explore the outside world. How to toilet train a Labrador Retriever Puppy Keep an eye on your puppy for signs like circling, sniffing, and scratching the floor. This means that your puppy needs to potty. Take your puppy outside or to the designated potty place in your house or apartment. This will help your dog know that is the place to go do the thing. If the activity is successful praise your puppy for doing a good job. You can also give your Lab puppy a treat for doing a good job, Labs are a food-motivated breed, so yummy treats help a lot with training. Positive reinforcement will help your Labrador to go potty in the right place. Limiting the movement of your puppy will make it easier to keep an eye on during this process. Consider using baby gates to close an area of your house. The area must be big enough so that your puppy can move and play inside. It should be close to your yard or the area of your house where you want your Lab to go potty. Also, this area must be easy to clean, you can expect accidents in this part of the potty training. Then take the puppy to the potty place and let it finish there. Do not scare the puppy if you catch it in the act, the goal is to get its attention and let it know that it is not doing the right thing. This is something you must teach your dog. Do it patiently and be consistent with the training and eventually, you will get your Labrador fully house-trained. Use some white vinegar diluted in water or an enzymatic odor remover to thoroughly clean the area. For this period, you might need the following items to begin potty training your Labrador puppy. Make sure they are all pet-friendly and of a reputable brand name. Absorbent pee pad : Dog training pads mostly come in handy in the first stages of house training, before your puppy can go potty outside. The benefit of a pad is that the mess your puppy makes will be confined to just one place and it will be easier for you to clean up. Stain Remover : As a routine, accidents are bound to happen. And this is why having a good cleaner is extremely important. Along with a pet, cleaner make sure you also have ample small towels on hand. Dog poop bag and Pooper scooper : Having these is also very important. They will come in handy when you have to pick up and discard the mess your little friend makes. You can carry these in your bag or even in your pocket when you go out on a walk with your dog. Treats: Many dogs are motivated by food, and this is why you will need food treats that your Labrador puppy enjoys. After your dog listens to your commands and goes to the right place, give him a treat, so he understands that food comes after he goes to the right place. A leash and collar: This will allow you to show your dog where the right place is. Barrier gates : This is also an essential supply as it will confine your dog to a specific place. Barrier gates make it easier to keep your house floors clean. Pee finder : Finding and cleaning dried pee will help prevent future accidents. You might also want a car seat cover in case you have to travel somewhere with your little friend. An artificial grass pad to train your puppy for the outside. When to start house training your Labrador puppy: On a general note, younger Labrador puppies have very short attention spans. At what age should a lab puppy be potty trained? House training should begin as soon as your Lab puppy arrives at your home. Which is normally at 7 to 9 weeks of age. So, if your little Labrador puppy is a few weeks old, you might begin with basic command words to get familiar with the house routine and also your voice. You can use this time to show your new Lab puppy the areas of your house it is allowed to be in, and close off any part of your house that is off-limits to your dog. The best moments to train your Lab puppy are: After a nap. Supervise Your Puppy Your second job is to supervise or contain your puppy when his bladder is filling up. You can do this by crating him for a few minutes, or by cuddling him in your arms. I recommend the cuddle option for the first few days, that way you can introduce the crate gradually once he has settled into his new home. Either spend your first day together in the yard getting a feel for how frequently they pee. As you can see, there is some guesswork involved in house training a puppy, but not too much. The secrets of successful outdoor toilet trips Not wanting to pee outside is a common toilet training puppy problem and one we look at in more detail in this article. Keeping your puppy company is the key. You need to go outside with your puppy and wait there with him until he has done a wee. This may take longer than you would like, and you probably have better things to do than stand in your yard while your puppy chases butterflies or plays with your shoe laces. But stay outside you must, until he has done that wee. Coming Indoors Early If you must come indoors before your puppy has relieved himself, you need to supervise him very closely. Hold him in your arms — or put him in a small crate for a few minutes — before going back out to try again. It is a new puppy problem, and it will pass. And if you teach your puppy to pee on command, it will pass even quicker! Rewarding success If you put plenty of effort in, and take your puppy out a great deal in those first few days, he will quickly learn that the place you have allocated to him for potty purposes is the place to pee. You can praise him and give him a little treat for doing so. Have your treat on hand keep them next to your poop bags so you remember to grab both on the way out , and deliver it right after your puppy has completed their business. Rewarding his successes and ignoring his accidents is the quickest way of successfully communicating what you want, and quickly potty training your puppy. Stage 2 — Learning self control During stage 2 your puppy begins to develop some self control. This means he can wait a few minutes before emptying himself when his bladder starts to feel full. Keep an eye on your puppy for the tell tale signs that he needs to use the toilet: whimpering, whining or barking sniffing about, especially sniffing in circles! Using Your Crate If your puppy is now used to his crate, you can start using it stretch out the gaps between toilet trips. Accidents during stage 2 At some point during stage 2, many puppies will be able to last an hour or so between wees. This is when puppy parents often relax their vigilance, and their puppies start having accidents in the house again. Simply go back to shorter gaps between trips to the yard for a few days. Then start to space out those trips again, but more gradually this time. Stage 3 — Extending the clean zone This is where all your hard work starts to really pay off. Once your puppy is confidently and consistently toileting outdoors, and you can further stretch out the gaps between toilet breaks, and start to introduce your puppy to the rest of your home. Take it slowly, and if accidents occur, to go back to shorter gaps between trips outdoors for a few days. Bear in mind that your puppy may be used to peeing in the yard and not in the kitchen by now, but they might not automatically understand which rule applies to the lounge. Method 2: How to potty train a puppy indoors This section has a lot in common with how to potty train a puppy when you work. So follow method 2 if you need to know how to potty train a puppy in an apartment as well. And that means using pads. How to potty train a puppy on pads The simplest way to do this is to restrict the puppy to a smallish room with washable floors. Cover the floor with puppy pads to begin with, with their bed in one corner. How do you train a puppy to pee on a pad? With this arrangement in place, as long as your puppy leaves his bed to pee which his mom will have encouraged him to do , he will pee onto the pads. So over the next few days, reduce the area of the floor that is covered with puppy pads by half. You should find he begins to make an effort to pee and poop on the part of the floor that is covered — but it needs to be a sizeable part to get this good habit established. How to potty train a puppy fast using pads — reducing the toilet area By the end of the first week, you can begin to reduce the part of the floor that is covered with puppy pads right down to a small area, preferably near the back door. It is usually best to do this when you have some time booked off work — or during a long weekend when the weather is fine. But if you choose to crate train your puppy LINK alongside potty training him, the crate can be a useful aid for potty training too. Once your puppy thinks of the crate as their bed, they will be reluctant to soil in it. You Still Need To Watch Your Puppy Always watch puppies closely in their crate during potty training, and whisk them out to the right spot at the first sign they might need to relieve themselves. You can find out a lot more about crate training and the role it plays in rapid house training on this page. As well opportunities to use the toilet, Labrador puppies need company and socialisation while they are small. So, if you are going to go back to work you need to arrange someone to look after him, or to come in at intervals throughout the day to play with him and take him out. Here are some articles which will be of interest if you are thinking of getting a puppy and work full time:. As I mentioned earlier, I think this is a somewhat subjective question. Why is it a subjective question? Here are a few questions you might ask yourself when deciding if your puppy is potty trained: Is she potty trained when she knows to go to the door and wait for your to let her out? What if she has an accident waiting for you to get to the door? Is she potty trained after she learns to ring the bells on the door to let you know she needs to go out? Or try the Might Paw Smart Bell. My definition of a potty trained puppy is: I can give my puppy freedom around the house without worrying about potty accidents. My puppy will go to the back door when she has to potty and wait at least 30 seconds for me to let her out. Now, this definition does not eliminate all potty accidents. Elsa is 6 months old and potty trained by my definition. One last thing I want to say about when a puppy is potty trained. While your puppy may be potty trained and perfect in your own home that may not be the case everywhere your puppy goes. If you leave your puppy with a friend, your pup may not know where she is supposed to potty in her new environment. You should keep in mind and advise any novice puppy sitters that your puppy may need some help learning where to go potty. Golden puppy potty break Frequently Asked Questions How long does it take to potty train a puppy is one of the most common questions we get on the blog, but as I said earlier, it feels like we are a blog about pee and poop. However, I was talking to a colleague of mine who has experience working with hundreds of puppies. So, the answer to the question of can an 8-week old puppy be potty trained is yes, but it very rarely happens. In order for them to be fully potty trained by 8 weeks old, they would have to be trained by their previous caretakers. Our most recent puppy, a black Labrador Retriever named Elsa came home to us when she was exactly 8 weeks old. Her breeder started potty training her by teaching her to do her business on a piece of artificial turf. When she came home to us at 8 weeks old Elsa still had accidents in the house. Even though she understood the place to go potty I think at 8 weeks old she lacked the bladder control to hold it. First of all, most week old puppies lack the bladder control to hold their potty. It would be difficult to potty train a puppy in 7 days, but not impossible. When we brought home Raven she was just over 1 year old and she was not potty trained. We were able to potty train her in less than 7 days. However, she was older and could control her bladder, we had potty trained many puppies before her and understood how to potty train a puppy. Finally, I think her previous caretaker may have started her training before she came to our home. Since we crate train all of our puppies our answer to this question is the same as our original answer. Of course, our answer is not without a little insight. I suspect new puppy owners who use their crate properly to potty train their puppies are accident-free sooner than those who do not use a crate. The key to potty training is to prevent your puppy from having accidents in the house. The crate is a great tool to help prevent accidents in the house. A properly crate-trained puppy will not pee or poop in the crate. Therefore when you go to bed at night you should not have to worry about accidents in the house. During the day when you need a puppy break, you can crate your pup and not worry about accidents during your puppy break. Check out our blog post about how to crate train a puppy for more information on crate training. I am not an expert on all dog breeds. However, I have worked with many different breeds apprenticing as a trainer at our local doggie daycare. That being said I have worked extensively with Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers and the majority of my experience is based on these two highly trainable breeds. I have talked to many trainers and in general, the more trainable breeds tend to learn potty training more quickly. Final Thoughts Every puppy is different. Every puppy is different. In our experience, it takes our puppies approximately weeks before they are potty trained. Now back to you! Did it take longer or shorter than weeks to potty train your puppy? Tells us about your experiences in the comment section below.

Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Chabrador Highlights The Chabrador is a mixed breed dog. They are not purebreds like their Chow Chow or Labrador Retriever parents. The coats are usually solid, although spotting is sometimes present. Chabradors posses dense, double-layered, waterproof coats that are short to medium in length. This breed is a shedder. The Chabrador can be a snappy canine when undertaking guard dog duties. They are also often wary when strangers approach them for the first time. A well-trained Chabrador can be a great addition to a family and will form strong and loyal bonds with your kids. Their guardianship instincts will also kick in if strangers are around. In general, Chabradors need moderate amounts of exercise. As long as you can commit to regular walking sessions, these dogs can usually adapt to living in smaller home situations. These dogs were often employed to guard sacred temples, and their scenting abilities were used in hunts. Over on the Labrador Retriever side, this breed originated in Canada and was originally known as the St. Skilled hunting and working dogs, the Labrador Retriever is often cited as the most popular dog in the USA today. The Chabrador has become known as a designer dog breed, but many of them unfortunately end up in shelters. Chabrador Size The Chabrador is usually described as a medium-sized dog. Although, as is always the case with newer mixed dog breeds, exact size standards might vary. Most weigh in at 45 to 80 pounds and range in height from 18 to 24 inches. Female Chabradors are usually marginally smaller than their male counterparts. Due to their parental breeds historically being used in hunting and guarding activities, the Chabrador can be a snappy canine when undertaking guard dog duties. The Chabrador is a smart breed that learns very quickly. Adding interactive toys to regular play sessions can really benefit the development of this breed. As long as you can commit to regular walking sessions, these dogs can usually adapt to living in smaller home situations that might not have unfettered outdoor access. Chabrador Health Chabradors are generally considered to be healthy dogs—although the breed can be predisposed to some of the same conditions that the Chow Chow and Labrador Retriever face. Some of the more common health problems Chabradors suffer from include: Cerebellar Abiotrophy. The Chabrador is no exception, even though all of them have friendly eyes, a dark blue tongue, and furry ears. One is a loyal, but proud and independent spirit frequently called the cat dog , while the other is friendly with everyone and loves to play and hang around her owners all the time. The results from mixing these unique temperaments vary from one puppy to another. In all situations, though, your dog will be your loyal companion, affectionate towards her family and with excellent watchdog abilities. Professional training might be needed Labradors are generally easy to train, but they can become stubborn as they grow up. Potty training is not hard, but you need to teach your Chow Lab Mix more than just how to ask herself out. If this is your first dog, or you have limited experience with training, I would recommend that you get professional help. Training an adult is much harder — but not impossible. Just take a look at the progress this two-year-old Chow Lab Mix has made in just a few weeks: A Chow Lab Mix will keep you busy This dog can be very demanding when it comes to exercise and grooming, so be ready to dedicate at least two hours a day to her. A Chabrador, just like a Labrador, likes to play. Start with short walks several times a day, and gradually introduce running and more intense activities. Luckily, these dogs love swimming, which is a lower-impact alternative to traditional exercise. As an adult, your dog needs daily walks, at least one short play session, and mental stimulation. Conclusion A Chow Lab Mix has the potential of being a great dog, for both singles and families. From my point of view, any responsible owner can control these traits through consistent training. What do you think? Do you like this mix between the Chow Chow and Labrador Retriever? Would you get one or do you have one already? Tell us your opinion of this beautiful dog in the comments 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. She was a rescue who came to live us at age 5 and was the most delightful and loyal companion imaginable. She was playful and enthusiastic almost to the end. She got along perfectly with other dogs, cats, horses and guinea pigs. She liked humans, too. People loved her sweet spirit and playful nature. I would have another of that parentage any time. Godspeed, DeeDee. See you on the Other Side. Lab-Chow Puppy Video Temperament and Behavior Because both the parents of this breed have completely different kinds of behavioral characteristics, it is tough to predict how the temperament of the lab chow will be. It mostly depends upon which of its parents your puppy will take after. On a general note, this new breed is affectionate and loving, that makes a good companion. They are calm and sweet-tempered, and are loyal to their owners and family. They are good with the kids and other pets of the household. However, if they mostly go by the genes of their chow chow parents, they are often wary about strangers and might not be too tolerant of other animals. In that case, they also have a highly territorial instinct. Some lab-chows might display independent behavior, and might lead a life very aloof. They are large size dogs and need space to live in. Especially, if they are apartment dogs, they need frequent outings. But they love to play, and often expect that their owners would accompany them in their games. They also have a tendency to show some guarding behavior, when it comes to guarding their territory, or their family. Thus, lab-chows usually make a good guard dog as well. Because of their size, they need to burn down their daily calories, for which, they need to be taken out. Let them accompany you for a long walk or a strenuous jogging session, without which they might end up being destructive and display independent behavior. It is also good for them if you would allow them to play openly in an open space, or if you have a yard. Open their leash and see them run around in joy. Participate in different games like retrieving and fetching. Their potent instinct inherited from their lab retriever parent would surprise you. Grooming Grooming them is also dependent upon their coat, as to which of its parents side your puppy has taken. If your dog is much up to the lab side, it needs comparatively lesser grooming than if it has taken the side of its chow parent. If it has taken mostly the side of chow, its thick hair needs regular brushing to prevent its thick hair from getting matted. Like both its parents, they are mostly seasonal shedders. However, they have some regular shedding as well, and weekly grooming would brush off the dead hairs. You can bathe them once every one or two months, depending upon how dirty your dog has been. Health Problems This breed is a cross, and has no known health problems that is specific to this breed, or is life-threatening. Training Training this dog is very important. Considering its genetics, you should take the training issue very seriously. As it is, those lab-chows that have taken after their chow parent might end being disruptive and independent-natured, and lack of proper training might enhance this behavior further more. Begin socialization, obedience and housebreaking trainings when your dog is still a puppy, soon after you adopt it from the breeders, because once your dog gets older, it will become very difficult to break its old habits. This would ease your job. However, you can as well seek help from professional trainers. They must be taught how to behave properly, and how to show proper mannerisms to other pets and dogs. The quantity should also be the same, and this depends upon the amount of energy your big doggie possesses. Pick up foods that are recommended for dogs of such a size and levels of energy. Interesting Facts These dogs are also said to be available in a rare silver-gray color referred to by the AKC as a shade of chocolate. Lab-chows love swimming. Unsociable Angry If you can impress them at an early age with your ability to be the pack leader, they will have no trouble following you. The Chabrador may wait until the perfect time to strike and become the alpha, which is why it is essential for you to constantly train them. They should not get their food, treats, or play with their toys until they work for the right to eat, play, or go outside. Your training of the Chabrador will take place throughout puppyhood, and if your dog is a stubborn dog breed then you might need to train throughout their lifetime. The intelligent Chabrador has a very strong mind and will need a steady drip of activity to feed an active brain. Labradors are famous for their ability to become obese quickly so control those treats. Labrador Chow Mix. Notice the bluish-purple tongue! A properly trained Chow Chow Lab Mix fits in perfectly with the family lifestyle. That includes little children, however, I would supervise the first months of interactions with the baby and dog. Socialization Needs of the Chabrador I often say that socialization, training, and exercise are the key to having a well-behaved dog. They are like the foundation for a well-built house. Socialization is vital for any dog, whether they are a chihuahua or a giant dog breed , socialization is the key to having a well-behaved and well adjusted dog. This is so that the puppy can start to become adjusted to sights, sounds, smells, humans, and other animals. Avoid Dog Parks With Puppies There is only one no-go place to take a puppy, and that is the dog park. There are several different reasons why not to allow your puppy into the dog park. The dog park can become rough, and some dogs can be mean, which means that your puppy could be scarred for a long time. Your dog has not had his or her shots and is susceptible to diseases and carrying them. Exercise of the Chabrador mix Exercising your dog cannot be a quick up and down to get the mail or a stroll down the sidewalk. Better to include a brisk strenuous walk or even a jog for a minimum hour of exercise for the most well-balanced dog. Both parents of this breed are active dog breeds bred to hunt and or retrieve throughout the day. Animals are happier and healthier when fit and lean, but they will keep eating if you keep feeding! Eye Problems — Cataracts are very common once they reach a certain age Glaucoma — Glaucoma is an elevation of the intraocular pressure IOP with associated optic nerve and retinal damage. Glaucoma in dogs is always due to a decreased drainage of aqueous humor AH —increased production does not occur. Cold tail — Cold tail normally happens to sport dogs. It is where the tail gives out due to overuse this can be very painful to a dog. Patellar Luxation — This is when the knee cap moves about and is very painful to the dog. My grandmother had a King Charles Cavalier, as a baby, he had a loose knee cap and he had to have surgery to fix it. The health list on this dog breed is very long, and quite a few of them are serious health concerns. Some of it can be smoothed over by buying from a reputable breeder who has ALL the paperwork and health info on both parents. The better health of the parents, the better chances of not getting a dog with all the health problems. Conclusion on the Chow Chow Lab Mixed Breed The Chabrador must have an experienced dog owner who knows what they are doing in training and socialization. The health record is very long compared to some other mixed dog breeds, other than those facts if you are an experienced dog owner who is looking for another dog breed then the Labrador Chow mix may be for you! We have several articles that may fit what you are looking for:. It is possible that these rescue animal shelters have a Labrador Chow Chow mix who is looking for a lovely home. Here are some reliable rescue groups to contact. Try www. Its hair needs higher maintenance than most crossbreed dogs. However, it is nothing a normal person could not handle. The Chow Chow Labrador Mix hair could either be smooth or have a hard coating, depending on the favored parent. Needless to say, both hair types have a lavish double coat that will require steady and frequent grooming. It is recommended that there be consistent brushing at least twice a week to pull the hair to stiffness. The regular brushing must be consistent to help maintain the coat and keep the shedding of hair and loose ones from sticking to the carpet, floor, sofas, and other house furniture. A monthly bath is also highly encouraged. After each bath, it is recommended that he be brushed gently and blown dry with a neat blow dryer on a low-setting cool heat. The ears of a Labrador require constant cleaning, and the same goes for the Chow Chow mixed with Labrador. This is to keep wax and moisture under control. The nails also need constant trimming to avoid those nasty splits and cracks. Note, however, that grinding their nails need extra care and precision so as not to cause bleeding and prevent infection. Labrador crossed with Chow chow Health Problems It must be noted that all crossbreeds can be prone to an array of issues from either of its purebred parents. As such, before addressing the issues own the Chow Chow crossed with Labrador, we must first focus on those which its parent purebreds face, to give an overview before the specifics. In those 13 years, the common problems it has are hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, stomach cancer, gastric torsion, cataracts, and autoimmune thyroiditis. They are known to suffer from elbow or hip dysplasia. Similarly, they also develop eye problems such as cataracts or PRA blindness. With that information in mind, the life expectancy of your Chow Chow Mixed with Labrador could be anywhere from years, depending on its favored parent. The Labrador crossed with Chow Chow have usually been shown to be vulnerable to ailments that affect their parent: Hip Dysplasia: A lot of Chow Chow Labrador mix suffers from this. This is why it is vital to lessen the exercise of the dog at a young age. Over-exercising could lead to Hip Dysplasia in the long run. Eye Problems: Cataracts and other problems are also common for this crossbreed. Making sure to provide them with the best and healthiest food is key to their general good health. The amount of dog food needed is different for each breed, much more for crossbreeds. For a Chow Chow crossed with a Labrador, close monitoring is necessary. In the whole day, they can easily consume up to 3. However, since its parent Labrador tends to overheat, this daily intake must be monitored carefully. Administering of treats and scheduled feedings must be intermixed with free-feeding of at least once to twice per week. This is to ensure that your dog does not become obese. The focus on a healthy feeding pattern is to help avoid hip dysplasia. It is recommended that the dry food be included with one that is high in Omega-3 fatty acids to help ease the diet and avoid the susceptibility to this disease. The proper mix of vitamins and minerals for your dog must be consulted with the veterinarian. The doctor will be able to assess the nutritional needs of your dog relative to their age, weight, and size. Should you notice that the Labrador crossed with Chow Chow is feeling overheated or getting a tad bit too stocky, ask the veterinarian for exercise and diet tips. Monitor the weight of your dog following what is normal for their size and age. What must be the focus of the proper diet is a blend that would be good for joint and bone health. Such is done with the consultation with the veterinarian. Owners should be able to focus on purchasing dog foods that have glucosamine or chronodotin, or both. These nutrients help in lowering the risk for hip dysplasia. Ask your local pet store or dog food provider for products with these specific characteristics. Here are some examples of high-quality dog food available in the market: BlueLife Food: This company has a specialty in making all-organic and all-natural dog food. DHA is incorporated into their ingredients for more significant help in mobility and brain growth. In addition, this dog food is made with free-range chicken without added growth hormones and steroid to provide your dog with the necessary amino acids which help define muscle tone and fiber. It has fiber from real fruits and vegetables, which support digestion and intestinal health. The multiple protein sources from this dry dog food provide a healthy balance of amino acids, supporting muscle development and maintenance. Plus, it would be a flavorful change of palette for your dog with the natural flavors it possesses. Lastly, it has high levels of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for diet control along with a hint of Vitamin E to help maintain a shiny and healthy skin and coat. It is crafted as an ideal choice for average to large dogs for stocking them up with muscle fibers. This complements the joint health because without strong muscles the bone would remain to be susceptible to problems. Its main ingredients, among other things, are salmon meat high in glucosamine , real beef, and chicken, perfect for a Labrador and Chow chow mix to enjoy. SmartBlend One: One of the essential benefits from this Purina One product is its ability to provide a rich and delicious diet for your pup. Wellness Complete Health Senior Debone Chicken and Barley Recipe Dry dog food: What this fresh-tasting meal consists of is primarily deboned chicken, blueberries, apples, carrots, and spinach. This is ideal for your Chow chow Labrador mix because of its versatility in terms of what nutrients it can thusly provide for your dog. Not only does this provide an answer for those joints, but it also packs the fibers from berries and vegetable for their natural bowel movement. If you have a little munchkin at home, check out our list of the best puppy food brands. If the opposite is true, and you have an elderly furry companion, make sure to give them only the best senior dry dog food to keep those brittle bones intact! For every gorgeous mixed doggo out there, we recommend trying the best dry dog food for small dogs or the best large breed dry dog food and seeing which one sticks! It is required to be taken to a quick walk daily. This will require for the owner, a focused attention and mental stimulation. In these daily outings, one could expect not just a simple walk but sometimes also a playful jog and run. The Labrador Chow Chow Mix. Mix those two together, and you have the training attitude of a Chow Chow mixed with Labrador. That is if you teach it at the earliest instance that you can. Its obedience training must start at an early age. Before a Chow Chow mixed with Labrador turns to around months old, it must be at least expected to know how to sit and stay on your command. In addition, they must be, by that age able to sit closely with you. This is since it is especially difficult to train an adult Chow Chow mixed with Labrador. After such, they would be adaptive and straightforward to training, provided that you exercise patient and positive training methods. If your Chow Chow Labrador Mix takes more from its Labrador parent, it would be able to pick up commands efficiently and effectively than if it takes after the Chow Chow parent. It would tend to be territorial and aggressive against those people it is not familiar with. This is especially difficult for families with kids, because one moment they would be playing with the dog, the next second it would get territorial and aggravated. Because of this, it is a dog not ideal for families with a bunch of little kids. It must be explained to the children how the dog might get a bit too tempered at times. The only remedy to this is training your Chow Chow crossed with Labrador to be trained to be social and active. Labra-Chow Description The Chabrador is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Chow Chow and the Labrador Retriever. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. Another reason for keeping her trimmed is she also competes in agility competition. It was an activity that helped burn off some of her excess energy in her younger years and she continues to love the competition. I've had dogs throughout my whole life and at the age of 54 I must say that Gracie is that once in a lifetime dog for me. She gives me love, companionship and a whole new exciting purpose to my life. As a puppy Gracie's eyes were a startling blue. Time is going way too fast, for my baby Gorilla puppy is already 7 years old. He is such a baby and loves toys. He is 7 months old in this picture. Her owner calls her a miniature Newfi ;- because she looks just like one. She is quite intelligent and very easily trained. Here she is posing for the camera from her new bed. This is Thunder Dogg. He likes to "Sik Balls" hee hee. See more examples of the Chabrador. Finding a healthy Chabrador puppy. They also benefit from living in homes where someone is around for most of the day, and where plenty of training, socialization and exercise are provided. Origin of the Chow Chow Lab Mix Since the Labrador Chow mix is considered a first-generation crossbreed, there is very little known about his origin. But the results of this cross has made this mix more popular over time. By digging into the histories of the Chow Chow and the Labrador Retriever, we can learn a little more about their offspring, the Chabrador Mix. Chow Chow The Chow Chow has been around for quite some time. In fact, it is believed that this is actually one of the oldest dog breeds in the world! The Chow Chow is believed to have held a variety of trades during his long history, from being a loyal companion dog to the nobility in China, to hunting, guarding, and hauling. But mostly, this is a dog with a royal record. In fact, an emperor during the Tang Dynasty owned over 5, Chow Chows in his lifetime! Today the Lab is the most popular, number one dog in the US! These days, the Labrador Retriever is primarily known as a loving pet. They are renowned for their sweet disposition while at the same time being recognized as a phenomenal service dog and emotional support dog. This means features like coat color, weight, and height are left up to chance depending on which parent the Chabrador takes after most. An adult Chow Chow is a compact dog, around 17—20 inches tall. A male Chow Chow weighs around 55—70 pounds while a female will weigh around 45—60 pounds. Labrador Retrievers are muscular and range from 21 to 24 inches in height. They can weigh between 55 and 80 pounds. So a Chow Chow and Lab mix will likely fall somewhere within those numbers. He can come in both rough and smooth coats of different color markings, including: Red Ranging from gold to reddish brown Cinnamon Ranging from light tan to brown Black Blue The Labrador Retriever comes in three main colors — black, yellow or chocolate. As mentioned above, both the Chow Chow and the Labrador will have very thick coats, so a potential Chow Chow and Lab mix owner can prepare for a crossbreed that is similar. For instance, a black Lab Chow mix, especially if the Chow parent has black fur, will likely be black. And of course a yellow Lab Chow mix with a cream colored Chow parent will likely be lighter in color. Grooming and Shedding Labradors are known for their thick coats and seasonal shedding. And Chow Chows have a similar reputation! Since both the Chow Chow and the Labrador are shedders, a prospective Chabrador owner can certainly prepare for a bit of maintenance when it comes to grooming. And this is true whether you have a yellow Lab Chow mix, a black Lab Chow mix, or any other coat color! Chow Chow mixes will likely need a monthly bath as well, and it is recommended that after bathing he is brushed carefully and then blown dry with a blow dryer on cool heat. The Lab is less maintenance, with a shorter coat that sheds only seasonally. Still, a Lab mix should be brushed regularly to maintain a healthy coat and to help keep all that loose hair off your furniture and clothes! Nevertheless, both the Chow Chow and the Labrador share a few similarities, including energy level, loyalty, and friendliness. But what unique temperamental traits could the Chabrador inherit from each of his purebred parents? Chow Chow Temperament The Chow Chow is a serious dog with a dignified nature who can be standoffish with strangers, but very loving and affectionate with his family members. In fact, a properly trained Chow Chow makes a fantastic family dog and does very well with children. The Chow Chow is easily trained, considering his intelligent nature. He can be very adaptable to apartment living as long as he is exercised properly and given an adequate amount of attention. The nature of the Chow makes them protective over their family, with some guarding or watchdog instincts. So socialization is extremely important for this mix. Labrador Temperament We all know the Labrador Retriever for his intelligence. He is also one of the top choices when it comes to families with kids, due to his affable nature. The breed tends to be very friendly. In fact, they are sometimes almost too keen to spend time with their family and even random strangers they meet at the dog park. Labs are typically thought of as happy-go-lucky, but they are easily trained and make excellent service dogs. As always, we recommend early socialization and proper training to ensure the health and happiness of your Chow Chow and Lab mix. Introduce him, little by little, to new sights, smells, sounds, people, children, animals, and environments. This is important for any breed, even a notoriously overly-friendly breed like Labs. Proper socialization promotes a well-balanced, well-behaved, happy dog who acts appropriately in different situations without becoming overly nervous. And especially considering that Chows may be rather reserved and suspicious of strangers, your Chabrador mix definitely needs good socialization. This can be true of the Chabrador as well. Still, with patience and positive training methods, training your Chabrador should be simple. Remember, training can also serve as a wonderful bonding experience between you and your Chabrador. If the Chabrador takes after his Labrador parent, you can expect him to pick up commands easily and efficiently. However, and as we previously mentioned, the Lab is a very high energy dog, especially as a puppy. Keep in mind the Chabrador could inherit this trait. For more tips on how to train a puppy, check out some of the guides towards the end of this article. This means their Chabrador offspring will need to be walked daily, and he will need attention and mental stimulation. The Lab especially enjoys running outdoors, so a prospective Chabrador owner should expect lots of play and daily outings. Chow Chow and Lab Health The purebred Lab is known to suffer from hip or elbow dysplasia, where the joints are not properly formed. They can also have eye problems including PRA blindness or cataracts. They should be health tested for these three issues, at a minimum. You will also need to be aware of the potential for conditions such as cranial cruciate ligament disease. Labs are also more prone than average to suffer from the gastrointestinal syndrome, bloat. They can also suffer from acquired issues as they grow older, such as obesity, skin allergies, and ear issues. Chows are relatively healthy dogs. However, they do have some inheritable health issues to be aware of, including hip and elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, eye problems, and even cancer. Chow Chows have a slightly longer lifespan, averaging years. Keeping the above in mind, your Lab Chow mix life expectancy could be anywhere from 10—13 years. As crossbreeds like the Chow Lab mix grow in popularity, there are more breeders looking to capitalize on that popularity. As always, we recommend doing plenty of research before you decide where you get your Chabrador. If you are still unsure about where to go to find your Chabrador puppy, you can always attend local dog shows. Networking at events like dog shows can help point you in the right direction. Labrador Chow Mix Breeders One of the benefits of going to a breeder is the ability to ask questions and dig into the history of your potential Lab Chow puppies. So make sure to take advantage of this and use your voice. You should ask about previous litters and any concerns that have arisen in the past. Also, be sure to ask about health screening. A reputable breeder will answer questions, provide health test results, and be open to visits to meet the parent dogs. What About Shelter Dogs? Patience and care is required when bringing an adult dog home. Labrador origins The Labrador Retriever breed was originally developed in Britain over the course of the 19th century, using dogs imported from Canada. Their original purpose was to retrieve fallen game, including ducks shot over water, and return it to their handler. Later on, their genial temperament combined with winning intelligence made them successful service dogs too. And as owning a pet dog became accessible to more and more people, they quickly soared in popularity as companions as well. So much so, that they have been the most popular dog breed in America for nearly three decades now. In fact, they are one of the 14 basal breeds from which most modern breeds today were originally refined. Over the course of their history they have served as companions to Chinese aristocracy, and also been employed as guard dogs. They were introduced to America in the late 19th century, and first recognized by the AKC in .Crossing Labs and Chows Producing litters of black Labrador x Chow Chow puppies is part of a wider trend for breeding designer dogs — puppies with parents from two different pedigrees. Interest in mixed breed dogs moved into the mainstream in the s and 90s following the enormous success of the Labradoodle. First generation hybrids of black Labs and Chows are affectionately known as Chabradors. What to expect from a Black Lab Chow Mix Chabradors are popular with people who like both Labs and Chows separately, and who hope that a mix of the two will capture the best qualities of each breed. And since Labs and Chows are so different to begin with, that means there are lots of ways a Chabrador can fail to meet expectations. Chow Chows are a fraction shorter and lighter, weighing in at 45 to 70 pounds. So a black Labrador Chow Chow mix can grow to anywhere between 45 and 80 pounds. But in general females will be smaller than males, and puppies from small parents will also grow up to be at the lower end of the scale. Black Labs and black Chows both owe their coat color to a dominant gene for black pigment. Lots of genes also control coat length and texture. So a Labrador Chow mix dog could have a very bouffant coat like a Chow, with a distinct mane around their shoulders and chest. Or they could have a sleek coat, more resemblant of a Lab. Or, something in between. The classic Labrador and Chow Chow personalities are very different, and mixed breed dogs can inherit aspects from both. Friendliness Labradors are famously, indiscriminately friendly. They tend to greet everyone as a long lost pal, and love to be approached and petted by new people. Chow Chows on the other hand are notoriously reserved. They tend to form a close emotional attachment to just one or two people, and remain aloof from everyone else. They may even attempt to guard their favorite person, by barking at other people who come close to them. Intelligence Labradors are widely regarded as being one of the easiest breeds to train. Their history as working dogs means they have a strong natural inclination to engage and cooperate with humans. They are easily motivated to take part in training games, and pick up new cues quickly. Chow Chows on the other hand are often described as being difficult to train. But this completely misunderstands how and why dogs are motivated to learn. Energy Labradors have bags of physical energy, and lively minds to match. Chow Chows on the other hand tend to be more placid, and from a younger age. Despite their size, many owners say they make good city dogs, because they are quite tranquil souls, who need relatively little stimulation before they take their next nap. Aggression Although their breed standard specifically says that Chow Chows should not be aggressive, they have a reputation for aggression. This may be the result of individuals being inadequately socialized as puppies. Since they are substantial and powerful dogs, a dog who reacts with fearful aggression to an unwanted social interaction can do a lot of harm. Even Labradors, who are very open to forming positive opinions of things, need lots of socialisation opportunities to foster that while they are under 12 weeks old. But socialization is even more important for breeds like the Chow Chow, which is more naturally inclined to be wary of unfamiliar experiences. Early exposure to other people, places and animals is vital to give them the confidence to handle the same things again in adulthood. So the black Lab Chow mix will usually fall somewhere in between Labradors usually need around two hours of exercise per day, including some time off leash playing running games like fetch. In addition, they need engaging in further training and play time at home, to meet their need for mental stimulation. How much training and exercise they need depends partly upon whether they come from working or show lines. Working Labs need more activity than show Labs. Chow Chows meanwhile can be satisfied with an hour of exercise at a walking pace, and some games at home. Before you commit to a black Lab Chow mix puppy, ask the breeder whether the Labrador parent comes from working or show lines, ask yourself if you can still meet the needs of a dog who needs several hours of exercising and engagement every single day. Training Training a black Chabrador puppy starts from the moment you bring them home. Our complete potty training guide can help too. This training guide can help you here. Crate training is also useful for dogs of all types. As they get older, teaching a Chabrador good manners such as recall , how to walk on a leash without pulling, and when to go to bed on cue will make them especially pleasant to live with. All breeds of dogs can be taught these skills using positive reinforcement training. Puppies with a very Lab-like temperament might learn them a little quicker, but the same principles will work for Chow-like dogs, with a little patience and commitment. Chabrador dogs with a very Lab-like personality might also enjoy advanced training activities when they get older, such as agility and fieldwork. Black Lab Chow Mix Health And Care One advantage of mixed breed dogs is that they may be less likely to inherit genetic diseases specific to either of their parent breeds. But, breeding from healthy parents is the most important step towards achieving healthy puppies. Potential health problems of black Labrador Chow Chow mix dogs are: Problems with their hip, elbow, knee, and shoulder joints The neurological condition degenerative myelopathy Exercise induced collapse.

He is looking for his forever home Great with other dogs! He has been around large breed dogs as well. Browse thru our ID Verified puppy for sale listings to find your perfect puppy in your area. Meet Jellybean, he was born on April 9, .Pug puppies looking for their forever homes! They will be up to date on shots and deworming Medical exam done Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! The typical price for Shih Tzu puppies for sale in Chattanooga, TN may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy. Pomeranians for Sale in Chattanooga. Buy, Sell or Adopt Pets in Chattanooga. She is a tan colored F2B Mini goldendoodle. Call or text Bruce C Breeding beautiful Labrador. Prices may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy for sale in Chattanooga, TN. Based on her ears and body and voice she is likely a hound-mix. His mom is a F1B medium goldendoodle weighting 35 pounds and his dad is a F1 mini goldendoodle weighting pounds. All have had first round of shots and been dewormed 3 times. Save this search and we'll notify you when they are. The Maltese can serve as a lapdog but it loves to play with humans of all ages. Both parents are my dogs that live in my home as well as the puppies. Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Chattanooga, TN from …. They will go home with 1st vaccinations, dewormed, puppy pack, and puppy papers Please no emails… more. Meet April, she was born on April 9, .Access Road Chattanooga, Tennessee katie mckameyanimalcenter. Coonhound Puppies for Sale. If interested please call or text me at XXXX. Chihuahuas for Sale in Chattanooga. All donations are tax deductible. Learn more 74 puppies available certified breeders Transportation Location Color. Miniature Schnauzer puppies for sale in Chattanooga, TN from …. How much do Maltese puppies cost in Chattanooga, TN? She has a black body with brown legs and gorgeous expressive eyes. Best Mini Goldendoodle Puppies for sale in Chattanooga …. Medical exam done, up to date on shots, dewormed. Chattanooga, Tennessee adoptions thalppc. How much do Bulldog puppies cost in Chattanooga, TN? She is very playful, smart and super sweet. Lakeside labs - Labrador Retriever Puppies - Chattanooga, Tennessee Breeding beautiful Labrador Retriever puppies for home, field or assistance Subscribe to get news on litters and shows! We hope to breed Willow. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. Goldens are very loyal, and need a whole lot of time to run around and play. We also have partnered up with several other high quality. He is a cream colored F2B Mini goldendoodle. French Bulldog puppies for sale in Chattanooga, TN from. French Bulldog puppies for sale in Chattanooga, TN from trusted. We have many years of experience raising this sweet breed. Descendents of German farm dogs, they love attention — and with that beard and those eyebrows, they often get it! Learn more puppies available certified breeders Transportation Location. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets adoption. Great with other dogs. The average life span of the Siberian Husky is 12 to 14 years. AmericanListed features safe and local classifieds for everything you need! Quality Labrador Retriever puppies for sale! Beautiful black, chocolate, white, yellow lab puppies for sale. Up to date on vaccination and dewormer. April is a Miniature Goldendoodle puppy for sale in. Pet Classifieds Chattanooga. Find your puppy for sale in Chattanooga, TN Puppies. Meet Peep, she was born on April 9, .They began as a mix of Retrievers, Spaniels, and Red Setter. We recommend speaking directly with your breeder to get a better idea of their price range. I take a lot of pride into my animals and love them to. She has had 2 beautiful litters. Boxer puppies for sale in Chattanooga, TN from trusted breeders. She is an Apricot with white markings on her head colored F2B Mini goldendoodle. Many rescues and shelters will have smaller than-average size puppies and dogs for. We are also a Belgian Malinois cross Breeder. We also go to Petco on Gunbarrel in Chattanooga every Saturday from 11 to 3 for adoptions, see more at Petfinder. Premier Pups is committed to providing four-legged dog lovers with happy, healthy Yorkshire Terrier puppies for sale near Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is a light golden colored F2B Mini goldendoodle. We specialize in top quality German Shepherd Puppies for sale as well as Belgian Malinois cross puppies for sale. One black female left from litter of eight. Jellybean is a Miniature Goldendoodle puppy for sale in. He has been around large breeds as well. They will go home with 1st vaccinations, dewormed, puppy pack, and puppy papers Please no emails more. Poodles for Sale in Chattanooga. We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. Meet Lily , she was born on April 9, .Maltese puppies for sale in Chattanooga, TN from trusted breeders. Dachshund Puppies for Sale near Chattanooga. The average price for a Yorkie puppy in Tennessee can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the breeder that you choose and the. Will be ready to go home June 24th. Teacup Puppies for Sale in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Goldendoodles for Sale in Chattanooga. Tennessee Huskies is located in Chattanooga, TN. Meet cottontail , he was born on April 9, .Poodle puppies for sale in Chattanooga, TN from trusted …. Puppies for Sale from Chattanooga, Tennessee Breeders. Siberian Huskies come in a variety of colors and patterns, usually with white paws and legs, facial markings, and tail tip. He is a sweet little fellow that loves to sit close and snuggle. On average, Shih Tzu puppies from a breeder in. Male Red Factor Canary-1 year old. Shih Tzu puppies for sale in Chattanooga, TN from trusted …. They are part of our family and each one of our puppies is raised in home with the. Coton de Tulear puppies and dogs in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her mom is a F1B medium goldendoodle weighting 35 pounds and his dad is a F1 mini goldendoodle weighting pounds. He is a cream colored with white markings F2B Mini goldendoodle. Find your puppy for sale in Chattanooga, TN. I take a lot of pride into my animals and love them to death! Jellybean has started potty. Do every chore you need to do before your pug arrives. This way, your pug would have all the attention it needs as it settles down for the first time. Avoid doing the following things. Allow it to settle and be familiar with its new home first before doing so. Start to crate-train your pug. Crate training is essential for pugs for many reasons. For instance, it will help them learn much quicker and have toilet training at the same time. You can do this by putting your pug into its crate the first thing after it arrives at home. You can add a nice treat for your pug to eat in the crate. Begin the house training. As soon as your pug starts to settle, try to make some schedule for house training. It would be best if you do it at the same time of the day. This way, your pet will learn to abide by a specific routine. You can also do this with potty training, mealtimes, playtimes, and other activities. Thus, you may find it overwhelming to choose which one would be best. Research to find out more about your chosen Pug breeder. Though we offer you a list of Pug breeders, you still need to get to know your chosen one. You can contact the phone number and visit their website to learn more about what kind of breeder they are. If you can, it would be better to visit their address. This way, you can avoid going into business with unreputable breeders. Ask the right questions. Once you have your breeder, reach out to him or her and ask the right questions. Visit your future pup in its current home. If you have connected with a breeder, chances are it will give you weeks to prepare your home. In those weeks, the breeder will also prepare the puppy. Between those weeks, you should get invited to meet and bond with your future pup. When you do, try to see and check the environment and how your puppy reacts. Such things will tell you a lot about how the breeder has been treating the puppy. Your breeder should ask more about you. A good breeder wants the puppies to be under good parents in the future. Other states. We have beautiful AKC registered pug puppies. We have been raising puppies for around 25 years and make every effort to raise healthy quality pets. Expecting 2 females heat cycle Nov and Dec .Puppies available most times. UTD on shots and dewormings. Raised in my home! Shots, and Vet checked. Adorable little girls full of energy and playful. Very sweet and love to be held. Dewclaws removed and first vaccine. I have 1 fawn female left. This little girl is started on her shots. She is out of show parents. Will sell full or limited registry. I have fawns and blacks, all are AKC registered. Boys available at stud. We breed sweet, healthy companions and occasional show pups. Up to date on vaccinations and worming. My puppies are raised in a loving home with lots of socialization! I grew up with pugs and there is no other dog that compares! All of our dogs live in our home with us and are part of our family. We have standard as well as rare colors including fawn, brindle, white, apricot, merle. Mountain View Puppies Woodbury, PA, Services: Puppies Looking for a forever home for Lucky, a sweet 7 month old gal, who loves attention, is good around small children and other dogs. Hand raised. Honest, reputable breeder. Approved homes only. Please contact for more info. To view photos of parents and their pups available check out our website, millerclanpugs. Great selection, have fawn and black girls and boys. Pups go home 2nd week in oct. See pictures just posted. Will be ready in Sept. We have 3 beautiful fawn girls born May 22nd. Puppies come with CKC registration, first shots, micro-chipped and 1 yr health guarantee. Visit our site for more info. They are health guaranteed and raised with children, dogs and cats. We do NOT ship. It is too high of a risk. We have only a few litters a year. All of our dogs and puppies live in our home. We have been doing this for 13 yrs. The pups are raised in our house and our parents have absolutely no health issues. Kurtz's Pugs.

Conclusion Hyperactivity in German Shepherds By definition, hyperactivity stems from the inability to be calm or completely relaxed. Still, you might have wondered if the absurd humping would ever end. This hyperactive particularity and their herding capacities affect their relationship with humans and also explains why they always have the knack to lead, rather than the other way around. They indeed display a lot of hyperactive currents. Still, their level of hyperactivity can vary depending on their age. What age is that? Follow closely to find out. There are a few reasons why your German Shepherd might be a little hyperactive. Here are some common reasons: Childhood Although German Shepherds have rapid-fire physical growth, it takes time for their internal appreciation to measure up with the outside growth. In other words, while they grow fleetly, they have low internal development. The active energy at utmost times is a result of a retarded internal growth. Nevertheless, there are situations of hyperactivity particularly common to German Shepherds. It humps and peaks as they grow older. German Shepherd hyper actively plays with a ball. Historical Background The hyperactive nature of a German Shepherd, as it is with any other breed, has been attributed to their ancestral descent or history. The antecedents of German Shepherds contended in packs and were always victorious over other contending creatures. Two German Shepherds lying on the grass after a training. Need for Attention Now, this is another reason for the hyperactive actions displayed by your German Shepherd. A German Shepherd left unattended can become overwhelmed and put up a largely reenergized front. German Shepherd being curious beside his owner. Minimum Engagement German Shepherds are trained to stick to routines. These routines may involve exercises that gauge for at least 90 twinkles daily, as well as violent cardio conditioning once a week. German Shepherd in its kennel. Signs That Point to Hyperactivity in Your German Shepherd Although it might be confusing to decipher if your dog is simply happy or hyperactive, there are some physical signs you can look out for that point to a display of hyperactivity in your canine. One of their happiest moments is when you gently pet them or give them treats. A hyperactive canine, on the other hand, may display some aggressive actions like biting on effects unnecessarily, smelling, gratuitous jumping, and nipping. Other actions can be running around, engaging you in a chase, jumping , spinning around, and submerging. German Shepherd runs on the water. Generally, German Shepherds are anticipated to calm down during their early times as puppies, which generally ranges from 6 months to 3 years. The fact is, like kids, they just want to be merry. Also, studies have proven that German goatherds can be calm when fixed. Altering your canine reduces the aggression position and the inherent nature of being territorial. Although the primary purpose of neutering is to help with severe health conditions when they grow old, it also calms the jitters of your legend. That is like killing two cats with one gravestone, right? On a final note, when your canine is in its early stages, you should prioritize helping your canine to interact and connect with its new terrain. At that moment, they must be given acceptable training in obedience during this critical moment of their life. What this does for your dog is that it helps him understand the place of respect in your relationship, as he also learns how to manage his feelings more and keep calm in needed situations. Relaxed German Shepherd lying on the floor. Black German Shepherd running. Engage them in challenging exercises The exercises you put them through must be more challenging than those of average dogs. You can also encourage their inner athletic spirit on a walk by removing the leash on them so they can run freely, or put up hoops for them to jump through. Neutering If administered early enough, this might be another way to help with that super surge of energy. Revisit the routine timetable If your German Shepherd still exhibits signs of absorbing hyperactivity, then you might need to recheck the routines you set up to measure up with their level of energy. That way, he drains his energy, and, rather than display aggressive traits, he might want to tone it down after doing so much. Daily walks, fetch and catch games , sports, etc. The owner and German Shepherd go for a walk. Give commands in low-pitch Do not give commands in a fast, high-pitched tone. Rather, in a low-pitched and controlled manner. Trust me, you also do not want to correct your dog with anxious and high-pitched tones; it only regurgitates their surge of excitement and energy. Owner trains her train German Shepherd. The calming therapy of scents Another trick is aromatherapy. You should calm down. The scintillating fragrance has its undoing, hiking nerves and adding calmness. It can work for your German Shepherd too. This is another trick you can use to calm your German Shepherd. Be sure to place fragrance diffusers around your home. Essential oils like vanilla, chamomile, sweet, and lavender do the job perfectly. You can try multiple scents to find the ones that are most effective in soothing your dog. Essential oils can help calm your dogs. Try a treat trick You can distract your dog with food. When your German Shepherd becomes extremely hyper, using this tricky way of giving them treats engages them mentally. It helps. Try it. German Shepherd plays with his toy at the park. Conclusion There are levels to the hyperactivity trait common to German Shepherds. With this hyper-active nature common to them, German Shepherds need owners that can keep up with their physical and mental requirements. With their fast-going and hyperactive nature, German Shepherds need owners who are patient and who can keep up with the intense physical and mental requirements. We hope you find this helpful. 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. German Shepherds will start to calm down around 2 to 3 years of age. And this will continue as they get older. Then at 7 or 8 years old, owners might see significant changes in their behavior. The dogs will still be active, but not as hyper as before. So this is when their playfulness will begin to show. Phase 2: 2 to 4 months Next, German Shepherds at this age will be more active than before. So aside from being playful, they may also show other behaviors, such as: Humping. Being aggressive. Phase 4: 2 to 6 years German Shepherds might reach maturity at the beginning of this stage. Either at 2 or 3 years old. So as adults, their attention span will start to increase. And they may also calm down a bit. German Shepherds were reported to have calmed down at 7 or 8 years old. Note: This is generalized. So your doggo can experience it earlier or later. As there are other factors that can affect this. What are they? Scientists found a certain allele a type of a gene in German Shepherds. Which is linked to hyperactivity in dogs. As well as impulsiveness. Which are known for having heaps of energy as well. You may know this already. But the 1st registered German Shepherd was a sheepdog. Their ancestors used to run and control thousands of sheep before. This is why being active must be in their blood. And from then on, German Shepherds were trained more as working dogs. Which is a wider category and has many roles. Such as assisting people in need or doing search and rescues. Wanna know more cool trivia about them? I know that was something I thought all the time when Allie was a young pup. Unfortunately, every German Shepherd is different so there is no exact answer that will work for every GSD but this article can give you a guide. Working line German Shepherds especially are made to have a job, thus they require a lot of exercise and activity or they will be hyper. Ways to help your German Shepherd to calm down 1. Proper Exercise Exercise is key to helping your German Shepherd calm down. A daily exercise routine will help your GSD burn off energy which will help them to be calmer. Check out this article on 21 ways to exercise your German Shepherd for ideas. Exercise is also important because it helps to prevent destructive behavior. A tired German Shepherd is less likely to be mischievous and more like to quietly lay on their bed and rest. Because German Shepherds are working dogs, you should aim to give your adult German Shepherd at least one-two hours of exercise each day. Puppies should be exercised multiple times a day but for shorter durations. Check out this article on how long to exercise a German Shepherd puppy for more detail. Training Training is important for two reasons. One it helps you have more control over your dog when needed in everyday situations; and two, it is a form of mental stimulation that will tire your dog out. Participate in some type of training with your dog and you will find your dog is exhausted afterwards. For a puppy try a basic obedience class, for an older dog maybe try agility or Schutzhund. Many forms of training also involve exercise which is a win-win for you! You can also teach your dog new tricks at home at any time. Tricks training is a great way to bond with your dog as well as calm them down. Mental Stimulation German Shepherds aim to please and love to work. They also love to learn new things, in fact, they need to learn new things. Training is one form of mental stimulation, but puzzle toys are another. These toys usually involve the hiding of a treat in a manner where your dog has to figure out how work around the device to get to the treat. If you are interested in some great puzzle toys for German shepherd click here. Dogs should be socialized sufficiently as a puppy. The extra benefit of socializing your dog with other people or animals is that those other parties will tire your dog out for you. If you set up a doggie play date, the dogs will play and play by the time they get home they will pass right out. Some options for socialization include, doggie daycare, taking your dog to the dog park, doggie play dates, field trips to new places, or having a friend or family member who has time to spend the day with your dog. Trust me all that socializing is exhausting! Of course, when I got her home I suddenly realized I was in over my head with my first German Shepherd. She was hyper and I never seemed to be able to tire her out for long. A short rest and I do mean short and she was back to being bananas! My beautiful Black Germa Shepherd! I asked her vet when she was about a year old, when will she calm down? I was told around 5 years old! I was thinking 4 more years! I noticed the calming down process began around age 7. She was and is still is very active, but she could rest longer and be content. Some of the activities I used to do with her at age 1 where she would bounce right back in 10 minutes would tire her out for a longer time period. Now, at 9 years old — she is still NOT a super calm dog. However, she is the calmest around me. We can be active or relax together. Let other people come around and she is back to being a crazy young puppy full of excitement jumping up and down ready to play. Final Thoughts So when do German Shepherds calm down? German Shepherd calm may not be the type of calm you are thinking. They will calm down somewhere between the age of but may never be a full couch potato. Each dog is different and some may calm down earlier or later. Keep in mind that German Shepherds may never be as calm as another dog breed but they will get calmer over time. When I look back at it now, life would have been so much more boring with a calm German Shepherd: When did your German Shepherd calm down? Let me know in the comments. They may become more peaceful between 2 and 3 years old, but this is a generalization. The less mature a pup is, the more wired it may be. Although your dog may look like an adult, it may not have matured mentally. Your German Shepherd may display the most amount of energy and hyperactivity during the age of 4 to 12 months. At this point, your pup has a lot of energy to burn and is interested in exploring everything around them. They now also have the physical capability to carry out these desires. When your German Shepherd is between a year and two years old, its hyperactivity will decrease. They will still have a lot of energy, but they may appear to be more manageable to you. You will have to wait until your dog is around two and a half to three years old before they are calm. At about 3 years old, your German Shepherd is considered a mature , adult dog. They will retain some of their energy, but be considerably calmer than before. Once your dog is around eight or so years old, you will find a marked drop in physical activity. It is only at this point that they become more relaxed. Many German Shepherds mature at around three years old, but there is no guarantee. Some dogs, especially females may mature at a faster rate. Others, however, may take a longer time. Due to this, they may calm down only around 3 years old or perhaps even later on. Each German Shepherd is different — even dogs from the same litter can differ. Training can mold your dog to a certain extent, but there are intrinsic factors that can limit this impact. This means that there is no way to know when a German Shepherd will calm down at any point, even as an adult dog. Your dog may be a senior pooch and could still have lots of energy. Only time will tell if your dog will ever calm down. As you know, German Shepherds need a lot of exercise. Most experts agree that this breed needs 90 minutes to 2 hours of physical activity each day. At the very least, they should be getting a solid hour of brisk exercise daily. This can often manifest by them jumping up on you and other people. They may rush through your house and even exhibit destructive tendencies. As working dogs, German Shepherds are incredibly intelligent. More than this, they have been bred to work. These dogs are used to herding sheep and handling other tasks by themselves. They have been bred to maintain attention and focus on tasks for hours on end. A lack of mental stimulation may cause your dog to appear to be hyperactive. To add to this, your dog will also not listen to you when you ask them to sit or calm down. The training process also acts as a form of mental stimulation. A lack of training can mean that your German Shepherd is not utilizing their full mental capacity, which will have repercussions. German Shepherds are loving and loyal dogs. They can get highly attached to their family members and want to spend a lot of time with them. These dogs also require much of your attention. If you have been busy or are unable to spend quality time with your dog, they may begin to act out. Being hyperactive and destructive could be how your dog tries to get your attention. This behavior may continue if you react to how they are behaving. Hyperkinesis is a condition that is similar to human ADHD. Dogs with this medical issue will be hyperactive, have short attention spans, and exhibit impulsive behavior. It should be noted that this condition is quite rare. There are several tactics that you can try to help your dog calm down a little before they reach maturity. This way, they will stay adequately active throughout the day and get tired out. Also, think about playing fetch and Frisbee with your dog to work their muscles. Taking them to a dog park and playing with other dogs can also be a great way for them to work off their energy. On the weekends, you can try to take them hiking or swimming. The more physical activity you can offer your German Shepherd, the better. This will prevent them from getting bored. If it is possible, let your German Shepherd run outside in your yard every few hours. In case you are at work, you can try hiring a dog walker to give your dog the exercise they need. You can find several activities that combine both physical and mental elements. This includes herding, dog sports, dock diving, and agility training. Engaging your German Shepherd in any one of these or even all of them is a great way to keep your dog mentally occupied. Teaching your German Shepherd new tricks and commands works just as well here. In particular, try to focus on commands that require your dog to carry out different tasks. At home, this could include picking up laundry, turning light switches on and off, and more. This gives your dog a sense of accomplishment as well. It is best to begin training your dog from the moment you bring him or her home. This establishes a pattern that your German Shepherd will get used to. See also German Shepherd Temperament To start with, focus on commands surrounding obedience. Since your dog is hyperactive, you can start by teaching them commands such as to stop barking, sit still, or lie down. German Shepherds are incredibly intelligent and will learn a wide variety of commands quite quickly. The more you can teach your dog to do, the better. Make sure to come back to the basic commands now and then and reiterate them so that your pup can keep them in mind. When training your German Shepherd , always use positive reinforcement. This is what they will respond to best of all. Avoid using any kind of punishment or negative reinforcement. If you are having trouble training your dog, especially if they are older, it may be worth it to hire a dog trainer. They may have more luck getting through to your dog and may be able to teach you some valuable training tips as well. In case your dog is younger, enrolling them in puppy classes may be quite helpful as well. Not only will this make it easier for you to train your pup, but it will have the bonus of socializing your dog as well. When your German Shepherd does become hyperactive, try not to react to them. You should certainly avoid playing with them or offering them treats. Remember to always wait until your German Shepher d is calm before trying to engage with them, or play with them. This will show your dog that they get positive attention for being calm and quiet and ignored when they behave badly. If you do this enough times, your German Shepherd will create this connection. They will then begin to model the desired behavior more often. This will naturally result in them becoming calmer. In most instances, a German Shepherd may calm down when they reach emotional maturity at around three years old. There is no guarantee of this transformation, however. Dogs can mature at a slower or faster rate, depending on their independent nature. Only you know your dog, so follow these tips accordingly. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. This is actually one of the most popular questions we receive from German shepherd owners! This article will explain everything you need to know on this important topic. German shepherds calm down after years. This is the most common age range when most German shepherds mature and calm down a little. How do GSDs have so much energy to begin with? To this day, German shepherds remain to be one of the top working dogs, if not the no. To perform at such a high level, German shepherds have adapted to have impeccable endurance, stamina, attention, and energy levels. I personally noticed a change in hyperactivity and energy level after 3 years with my GSD. The best way to get a calm German shepherd is to manage their energy levels appropriately. A quick word on Training! Results show improvement in obedience and behavior quicker than we thought possible! Definitely check it out. Stick to a routine The power of routine and sticking to set times is not spoken about enough! Dogs, especially highly intelligent breeds like German shepherds, absolutely need daily routines. Having set times for everything will instantly reduce stress, anxiety, and can even improve obedience. Eating, exercising, training, playing, socializing, and even brushing, should ideally be around the same time every day. Your German shepherd will learn to expect these activities at certain times, allowing them to remain calm during all other times. Exercise twice per day and first thing in the morning Although most owners exercise their German shepherd once per day, exercising them twice per day is extremely beneficial. Along with exercising twice per day, exercising your GSD first thing in the morning is a game-changer. German shepherd adults over 1 year should ideally receive minutes of exercise per day. Split this up into two sessions, once in the morning and another in the evening. German shepherd puppies, under 1 year should stick to a set puppy exercise routine to ensure their joints and bones can develop properly before receiving too much stress. Important read: German shepherd hip dysplasia information 3. Increase socialization activities Socialization is a hugeee one. Perhaps the most potent form of mental stimulation comes when two dogs sniff, play, and interact with each other. In most cases, socialization and mental stimulation are not focused on enough in daily routines. To increase socialization, you can stay longer at the dog park, visit doggy play groups, find Facebook groups online in your local area for the purpose of dog socialization, or visit friends that have dogs more often. Use puppy pens for cool down periods Puppy pens are an excellent tool when used correctly. Not only will they keep your puppy safe and contained, but they can act as a place where your puppy learns to calm down. Puppy pens are essentially like crates, but far more liberating and comfortable. By placing your pup in the pen, it will limit their movement and encourage them to calm down. If your pup considers the puppy pen as a punishment, it will not work to calm them down. Spend a week or so building positive associations with the pen. This means spending time with your pup around the pen, throw toys in there, treats, and give plenty of praise. As long as your puppy enjoys being in the pen, then this will work wonders for whenever you need your pup to calm down quickly. Related: Why are German shepherds so dramatic 5. Puzzle toys usually require your pup to figure out a simple or hard challenge in order to receive the treat. Some puzzle toys are better suited for when you are there to assist, and others are set-and-forget, perfect for when you leave the house. As explained before, providing more mental stimulation for your German shepherd will without a doubt reduce their energy and hyperactivity. Keep up with daily command training! Of course, any German shepherd owner knows just how important training is… But still, I speak to so many owners who stop command training way too early! With a little creativity you can make each training session different and more complex. Try to incorporate minutes of dedicated command training on a daily basis ideally at the same time! This will keep their stress and anxiety levels down, prevent bad behavior and reduce the chances of hyperactive behavior. If you are leaving your GSD home alone for a few hours per day, then ensure they have had some exercise before, and provide them with a puzzle toy, or training prior to leaving them. This could certainly be the case for German shepherds too, considering just how much they crave their owners attention and time. If a German shepherd starts to feel alone, understimulated, or disengaged, then many unwanted behaviors can be the result hyperactivity being just one of them. The 8 tips above all work to help keep your German shepherd calm because they are all stimulating and engaging. Working dogs like German shepherds absolutely need to be stimulated physically, mentally, and socially. The tips above accomplish this in one way or another. By adjusting your GSDs daily routine to include these tips, not only will their hyperactivity reduce, but their overall behavior, happiness and stress levels will improve. Prioritise what your German shepherd needs when they need it, and their behavior and temperament will be exemplary. German Shepherds Are Energetic Dogs! This last section is just a reminder that German shepherds are energetic dogs after all! These dogs are not couch potatoes, and will have energy way into their senior years. As long as we raise a friendly, obedient, and happy German shepherd, their energy levels will be manageable with fairly little effort. Thank you for reading! If you have any questions please message in! The Puppy Mag makes an active effort to search for plagiarized content using plagiarism detection software. If plagiarized content is found, action will be taken. They are strong, intelligent and full of unbridled energy. A German shepherd puppy will be curious and find mischief where mischief is to be found. He will bite, chew and eat everything he can get his paws on and teeth through. That is his nature and even with training, he might not fully shed that tendency. His coat on the other hand, he will shed all day, every day. You can ensure that they calm down by exercising and training them. German Shepherds Have Strong Protective Instincts Genetic predisposition: It is ingrained in them, ingrained in the genetic code passed on from their ancestors who were herders, hunters and guard dogs, to protect and take care of their pack—you and your family in this case. Your German shepherd is the product of his kind. Some of it is just him being a big puppy, but most of it is his instincts flaring up mixed with caution. This is what makes him a great guard dog, as long as his instincts and energy are honed by training to become a skill and not end up being a nuisance. They are sociable as well, which makes them wonderful friends and champions for your children. Again, what you think of as aggression: excessive chewing, eating your socks, barking boisterously and bounding about in an over-enthusiastic manner, is part adolescent pent-up energy and hormones—yes, even dogs can act out—and part him trying to be a good guard dog to you. He might growl at some strangers and bark at the pigeons, but he will be fiercely loyal to you and your children. The usual way—barking, whining, zoomies, prancing, jumping and in general, being hyper-active albeit in different ways. Chewing, Biting, Scratching I hate to be the one to tell you this, but all dogs chew, bite, scratch and then eat up what they bite, chew and scratch. Why is he chewing or biting so much? Sure, your German shepherd might just be an active pup, but a dog actually starts teething when he is three to four weeks old, and by the six to eight week stage, all his deciduous teeth baby teeth will have erupted. His adult teeth usually come in when he is 6 months old. Teething, and the consequent chewing and biting, will and should stop around that 6 month point when all his baby teeth fall out and adult teeth set in. Teething can be uncomfortable and painful for your German shepherd, and equally hard on your toes, socks and furniture if he decides to chew on them. What you can do is give them alternatives to bite, chew and rip. Consider investing in some chewable toys like this one for aggressive chewers , rawhide bones and a scratch post or board. Also buy some interactive toys to keep them occupied and away from your socks, shoes and furniture. In addition, frozen treats will not just keep him occupied, it will also cool down and soothe his gums. German Shepherd Barking and Howling This, too, is characteristic of German shepherds who love nothing more than to howl at the moon if you let them; so the point is to not let them all the time. If you think you have it bad with a GSD, a husky will be a shock to your system. A GSD puppy, especially under six months, who is just finding his voice will whine and yowl more than a dog who is a year or older. They should calm down a little at this age, especially since they can be trained not to as they mature. You want them to alert you to an approaching intruder, or to growl at someone who comes off as a threat to either of you. These vocal warnings are often enough to turn away most threats. The only way to get them to stop annoying the neighbors by barking at passing cars, cats and birds, and to instead bark only when necessary is to train them, starting early and doing it systematically. Running or jumping all over the house: When you give your German shepherd the playtime and exercise he needs, he will not be so active and hyper all the time. All of the above are signs of an active and hyper dog. Some of them outgrow it at the one year mark and some take longer and require more training, exercise and attention than others. But in the end, you can calm your German shepherd down. What can you do? Affordable, no price hikes, and a complete dog attitude change. So here are the basics of how you go about it. First, stay calm. Bark on command: Teach your German shepherd how to bark on command! Get your dog excited, a definite way to get him to bark. The minute he does, mark the bark. Remember to praise them. You, in return, must learn to recognize his concern and act accordingly. Give him a treat and praise him when he alerts you to real threats. Soon, you and your dog will be in tune with each other and he will alert you to trouble by barking at the right time. Give Your German Shepherd A Proper Diet Every breed requires a different kind of diet, suited to their age, activity level and their dietary requirements. A vet can chart up a good diet plan for you to follow if you are so inclined. A balanced diet will give him just the right amount of energy he needs—no more and no less. Make sure your German shepherd gets enough protein to build his muscles and keep up his energy. But too much protein in his diet will not only make him excessively energetic, but it will also affect his kidneys. The same goes for his sugar and carb intake. When you castrate your dog, you are effectively removing the glands that provide their system with hormones. These glands are responsible for the amount of testosterone and other hormones that make him overly hyper, rouse his libido and have him acting out aggressively. So, while neutering or spaying your German shepherd does help regulate his hormones —completely remove them, rather—and that in turn subdues them to an extent, he can continue to be an energetic dog if he is so inclined. It is not a quick-fix solution to hyperactiveness. Concluding Thoughts A combination of good training, a balanced diet, plenty of exercises and yes, even neutering, is necessary to effectively calm your German Shepherd down. When that will happen varies from dog to dog, but in the end, a healthy, happy and well-trained dog should and will calm down and be well behaved.