german shepherd puppies stages of development

german shepherd puppies stages of development - An 8 week old German Shepherd puppy is a bundle of antics and endless energy! Your 8 Week Old German Shepherd Puppy An 8 week old your puppy requires a daily routine and training to help them become the dog of your dreams. This article will not only help you understand your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy but will also explain to you why your little puppy has certain behaviors. Raising a German Shepherd puppy can feel like an overwhelming task at first! Just remember, your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is also adjusting to its new life with you. You should expect your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy to feel stressed and uncertain. They may seem timid and unsure of their surroundings. They might cry, whine, and not want your attention. Having structure and consistency will help create a bond and help you both in getting along more peacefully and calmly. Introducing A Puppy Crate Many dog owners choose to use a crate when it comes to caring for their 8-week-old puppy. While some people consider crates unnecessary, or even cruel, crate training is a useful skill to offer your dog. With the right training your pup will see its crate as their private safe space and will even go there to relax. Leaving your puppy at home unsupervised can get them and you into a heap of trouble. Crate training helps prevent your home from being a destruction zone. This useful guide to crate training a German Shepherd puppy gets you on the right track to success! Crate training your puppy can: help speed up housetraining teach your dog to settle calm down offer your dog privacy But you must introduce the crate slowly and positively so your puppy builds a strong connection to the benefits of the crate. Never just shove or push your young German Shepherd into the crate without using positive training. Your new dog also needs a routine and schedule to help them through the early days with you and set the expectations you have for them. Having a schedule helps your puppy to know what to expect in their daily routines. It keeps you from losing your mind and helps ease a worried puppy. While you might work from home or have other obligations, try to follow a schedule that looks similar to this: Early morning: Take your puppy out for the first potty break of the day! So, they may need to go outside even before the sun rises. Breakfast time: Your puppy may want to go back to sleep after going outside and this is perfectly normal. On the other hand, some puppies are wide awake and ready for their breakfast. Either way, always take your puppy back outside shortly after their breakfast so they can sniff and have another potty break. Mid-morning: Puppies should eat 3 — 4 small meals a day. Mid-morning is a good time for another small meal. Afternoon: This is a good time for their lunch followed by a potty break and plenty of sniffing time to work off some of their energy. Late afternoon: Puppies need another potty break in the afternoon, and some puppies need more breaks outside. Evening: Their dinner meal and their evening potty time. Remember to let them explore outdoors in a safe area to help build their confidence. Scheduling exercise, potty breaks, and play at the same times every day helps ensure that your puppy learns their daily routine more quickly and settles in nicely. And, even young puppies can learn basic training in their first weeks with you. Try training your German Shepherd puppy at home to start with. In the beginning, you may find a few accidents in the house. But, stick with your potty training and remember to always watch your puppy to keep them from having messes in the house. When you stick to a regular potty schedule, the likelihood of potty training mishaps decreases, and you and your puppy are less stressed. Always, always, always… Supervise your puppy indoors when you are potty training. Your toughest time together with your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy might be the first few nights. Your puppy has only known the comfort of his mother and siblings before. Having your puppy sleep away from you will only scare them more. And, although they are little, their cry is loud! Having a place for them near your bed is the best way to avoid a night full of tearful cries and howling. Can I let my German Shepherd puppy sleep in bed with me? Plus, when your puppy is an adult and tries to sleep in bed with you there will be no room for you! A full-grown German Shepherd can weigh up to pounds and will push you right out of your own sheets. Your puppy sleeps most of the day. A new puppy sleeps more often than they are awake. An 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy may sleep as many as 18 hours a day! Sleeping this much allows your puppy to have the energy they need to grow and keeps them ready to explore their new world. Feeding An 8 Week Old German Shepherd Your puppy should stay on the same food they were eating before you brought them home to keep them less stressed. This helps keeps your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy from having an upset stomach and becoming ill. Sometimes, you might want to switch them over to a different food. If you choose this route, do it slowly and in stages over a few weeks. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should eat 3 to 4 small meals per day. Although their stomachs are small if you overfeed them they could get sick and have stomach problems. Spreading their meals out throughout the day in regular intervals is best to avoid any upsets. Look for a balanced, complete puppy food for large breed dogs. As a large breed dog, your German Shepherd you should only feed your puppy food that is specially formulated for large breed puppies. Large breed puppies have different nutritional needs that are not found in ordinary puppy food. Feeding a commercially available food that is formulated for large breed puppies helps them to grow at a sustained rate. Steady growth in a large breed puppy helps to avoid stress on their bones and gives them a strong skeletal foundation for their athletic muscles. Limiting food intake in growing German Shepherd puppies has also been associated with fewer signs of hip dysplasia. This is of extreme importance in this breed due to the high incidence of hip problems and the pain associated with this joint disorder. A growing puppy is best fed a proprietary pet food that has been specifically formulated to meet its nutritional needs. Foods that are available as dry kibble are especially suitable to rear even the youngest of puppies. Opt for this specially formulated food for large breed puppies to keep your dog growing at a healthy rate that helps them stay strong. It is a complete balanced diet so nothing is missing. Within the first few days of arriving to their new home with you is a stressful time. Your puppy has just made a drastic life change and left everything they knew to be with you. Diarrhea and other stomach issues are sometimes stress induced. You can help your puppy by keeping to a regular feeding schedule and feeding them the same food they were on before coming to you. Sometimes diarrhea is also a sign of an underlying health issue and, if left untreated, can become life-threatening. If your puppy vomits blood, has bloody stools and diarrhea, becomes lethargic, or refuses to drink, call your vet immediately! To an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy biting and nipping are all part of playing with their siblings. And, your puppy will most likely bite and nip you at some point too. They may even growl at you and tug at your hands or nip your ankles. This is all part of puppy play. But… It can really hurt you or make you bleed! Understanding bite inhibition means they know how to control the power of their play bites and how hard or soft they nip you. Preventing Nips and Bites If you know the right way to prevent and stop German Shepherd puppy biting, you can train your puppy to understand how to keep their razor-sharp tiny teeth from sinking into you. Instead… Offer them plenty of puppy-safe chew toys appropriate for their size. When they bite or nip you, calmly show them the toy to chew instead. Get their attention by moving the toy in a playful way around them so they begin to chase and bite the toy, instead of you or your furniture. Use these links to help you stay on the right track throughout their life. Keep calm! German Shepherd puppy training is fun and a great time to bond with your new dog! Instead… Follow these puppy training tips to break down your training into manageable steps that are easy to teach and train. German Shepherd puppies are brilliant! And as they grow, they become the most loyal canine friends. Teach Them Handling Skills While your dog may enjoy gentle caresses and hugs from you they will also need to learn other important handling skills. Think about the grooming your dog will need and how the vet might handle your pup in the future. These are all areas where they will be touched in the future. Handling skills involve intentional, purposeful touch that acclimates your dog to uneasy situations in the near future. Ignoring fear and stress signals such as cowering, lip their lips multiple times, turning their head away, even shaking will only teach your dog to fear that object. Fear can cause your dog to become aggressive or suffer from anxiety. Never, ever try to become the alpha! Instead, learn to become their favorite teacher and speak their language. It also prevents undesired behaviors. Think of positive training in terms of showing, teaching, influencing, and trusting. These terms build trust. Focus on the Good Things Some puppy owners all too often think about punishment and discipline as their first steps in training. What you want is to focus on catching your dog behaving well — and reward that! If you see your puppy chewing on the right chew toy, then praise them. When you see them look at you, offer them a treat for paying attention. When you find your dog lying down being quiet and calm, pet them gently and offer them verbal praise. The more you focus on the good things, the less your dog concerns itself with doing bad things. Call them to you or offer them a better option that is what you prefer, then praise them for choosing the right thing. Pick one skill at a time to practice, and build upon their success. Think of the easiest way for your dog to understand the command and stick to the same word. You can begin basic German Shepherd obedience commands from your own home, even! Small bits of training, spread out in multiple sessions throughout the day, is better than an hour-long session. Aim for the 5-minutes worth of training using 4 to 5 sessions daily. This is where brain games and brain training come into play. You can make up your own brain games for their mental exercise or, even better… Signup for an online course that teaches fun Brain Training for Dogs using that positive, reward-based training you read about earlier. Using the unique intelligence of your German Shepherd puppy this brain training program helps your dog to learn not only their basic commands but also to play fun games that work on good behavior. Training games help your dog to learn impulse control, basic commands, and to watch and listen to you. What games do you play with a young dog? Try these great German Shepherd puppy training games to give your 8-week-old puppy a head start! Include different games throughout the day in between your training sessions to give your dog a break and have fun with them! There are 5 critical focus areas in which you must train your 8-week old German Shepherd appropriately. Here is the most important training that you need to teach your new puppy so they enjoy a successful life with you. Keep in mind, your young dog is unable to hold its bladder for more than a couple of hours at 8-weeks-old. They simply lack the muscle control to hold their bladders any longer. Instead, opt to train your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy using positive methods and watching for the natural times that your dog chooses to eliminate. Adjust the times as necessary to avoid any accidents in your house and help keep your puppy to their unique schedule. Early morning: Let your pup outside first thing every morning to let them relieve themselves. After breakfast: After its morning breakfast meal let your dog back outside. Let them walk around and sniff to help encourage them to explore and let them stretch their legs. Before and after lunch: Let your puppy outside before and after their lunchtime meal. Eating stimulates the bowels and your puppy needs to got outside at least every 2 hours. Before and after dinner: Remember that eating stimulates the response for your puppy to eliminate. So, before and after every mealtime your puppy should be let outside for a walk and sniff. Before bedtime: Your puppy needs to relieve themself before they settle down for the nighttime. This is a good time to let them have a long sniffing exploration and to really explore a safe area. During the night: Yes, your puppy will probably need to go potty during the night. You might hear them whine and cry to get your attention. Remember, they cannot hold their bladders for more than 2 hours! After naptime: Take your puppy out for a potty break after naptime, as soon as they wake up. Keep repeating the same routine. Your puppy will soon catch on, but this generally takes weeks or even months. The more diligent you are about preventing accidents the quicker your puppy will learn housetraining. Never, ever punish your puppy or rub their nose in it for punishment. This may stress them out and cause even more accidents. Socializing your 8-week-old German Shepherd means that you must provide your dog with interesting and positive interactions where they feel safe. This helps give your young dog confidence in its environment. German Shepherd Dogs are extremely loyal and have a tendency of apprehensiveness with strangers. Socialization helps ensure that your puppy not only grows a strong bond with you without developing over-protectiveness but also learns to trust that you have their best interest in mind and will keep their experiences as positive as possible. German Shepherd puppy socialization training tips: Without their full set of vaccinations, your puppy is vulnerable to infectious diseases. However, consider taking your young dog to early socialization classes where all other dogs have also been immunized. This reduces the risk of becoming sick and helps your German Shepherd become a confident, well-adjusted, and friendly dog. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior promotes early socialization source , even before your dog receives its full set of vaccines, as lack of socialization is detrimental long-term. Every new interaction or must be followed with a reward — a tasty treat! This ensures your puppy has positive associations with new experiences, people, and other dogs. With the proper socialization training, your puppy should become eager to explore new places and meet new people and animals. Taking your German Shepherd puppy to new places exposes them to different people, dogs, sights, and sounds. As a puppy, you can help teach your German Shepherd important social skills through intentional training moments that are positive and allow your puppy to develop their confidence in social situations. This is where bite inhibition comes in useful. Bite inhibition helps your puppy to not only control what they bite but also how hard or soft they close their jaws. It teaches your dog how to properly apply force with its mouth without hurting you or anyone else. How to Teach Your Puppy to Bite Without Hurting You To teach your puppy not to hurt you with their nipping and biting do your best to not let them get to this energy level. If you know your puppy tends to bite you when you play with them too long, then cut your playtime short. If they tend to bite and nip you when they are tired, then have them go to their nap area sooner to rest. Puppies also tend to bite you when they are cranky from not eating soon enough or when they want attention. You can get up and leave the play area for a few moments. Return once they are calm. Never use only your hands for play. You should have a few puppy-safe chew toys around to grab quickly to offer your puppy during play. If your puppy nips or bites any of these areas, the game is immediately over. Get up slowly and calmly and leave. Only return when they are calm again. Offer your puppy their chew toy when they are too excited to play softly with you. Encourage them to find their toys and bite them instead of you. Never yell or punish your puppy for play-biting and nipping. Doing so can lead to anxiety, aggression, or your puppy fearing you. Even though German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs, learning and teaching bite inhibition requires a lot of repetition and consistency. You might even walk to walk around with one of their toys in your pocket to help reinforce the right behavior offering them the chew toy when they decide to nip your ankles or bite your legs. Continue with your bite-inhibition training as long as it takes for your dog to learn to use its soft mouth. This could take months, but soon they will master the art of a soft bite. But, crate training your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy can improve the speed of their house training and accustom them to times they may need to be in their crate such as during travel or at the vets and groomers. Crates are also a useful area for your dog to have their own private space when they want alone time or are stressed and need some quiet. Choose a crate that gives your dog enough room to turn completely around, stand comfortably, sit upright, and lie down easily on their side with their legs stretched for rest. The best crates grow with your German Shepherd and allow you to partition the space off to suit their size. Offer them a treat or even their meal in their crate to help them develop positive associations with it. Start closing the door when they are inside for just a few seconds at first. Then, open the door and let them out calmly. Continue to increase the time your puppy stays inside the crate, working up to longer and longer times. This may only encourage them to cry and whine harder and louder when they want out. Instead, wait just a couple of seconds for them to be quiet, and let them out only when they are not crying and whining. If they appear too stressed or panicked, let them out immediately! This also encourages your dog to seek out the crate when they want their private space and time alone, as they will know where to find their crate. Avoid placing a blanket over the crate since puppies chew and are extremely active. Your pup could accidentally pull the blanket inside and hurt themselves by either wrapping it around their neck or choking on it. Place the crate in an area away from drafts and out of the direct sun so they get too cold or too warm. The best way to do this is to practice leash skills at home first. After they are comfortable wearing their leash around the house, you can work on the skill in the backyard, front yard, or on the sidewalk outside. A good time is during their favorite meal. Only leave them on your dog for a short time to gauge their reaction. If they seem fine, place your puppy into the harness and attach the leash. Offer them praise and a reward for letting you leash them. Now, let your puppy drag the leash around the house so they know how it feels to wear it. You can play with them a bit, or even better have them follow you around which simulates an outdoor walk but indoors. Remove the harness and leash if your GSD puppy becomes too upset and agitated! Keep it upbeat and positive! Now, introduce your puppy to a short walk outdoors in the safety of your backyard. Let your puppy wander around while you hold the leash. They may begin to pull. Get their attention by calling their name and showing them a treat to lure them back to you gently. Reward them every time they come to you while on the leash. Should they ignore you then offer them the treat to lure them to you after giving the command. Try kneeling or squatting down to get on their level when you give them the command. It seems to get their attention better. You can even slap your leg or clap your hands to entice them back to you. Always ensure that your puppy is not stressed by their new harness and leash. Some owners prefer to use a collar for leash training. If this is your choice then only choose life-saving break-away collars since your puppy could get hung up and seriously injure themselves if their collar catches on something during their outside walk. Your dog can learn the basic commands with a bit of training. If you have time to train basic commands and are still focusing on the core areas of raising your German Shepherd puppy, then follow these helpful articles that will put your puppy on the right track to obedience training. Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. Check Price on Amazon 7. Make Commands Only Once When it comes to training, what you give is what you get. Teach your pup to heed a command at its first mention. If a command is not executed the first time, show your puppy what you want them to do and make the command again. Repeat that until they can learn to obey the first time the command is made. Unless he is born with a hearing defect that is detected by a vet, your German Shepherd puppy has a perfect hearing ability. If you do, you will train him to be anxious or eventually create the idea that shouting is the norm. Otherwise, your poor puppy will be confused about what you expect and will not know how you want them to behave. Eventually Wean Your German Shepherd Puppy off Training Treats At some point, your puppy needs to learn that skills and commands are not learned or obeyed for the sole motive of a treat. For this reason, it is important to wean your puppy off treats when the time is right. The AKC Pet Insurance advises that this should be done when your dog has repeatedly performed the behavior or trick that you are training him in and mastered it completely. Nonetheless, your German Shepherd puppy is still a dog in training, and you need to replace the treat with some emotional reward. With these ten principles, you can now apply them to the key areas that your German Shepherd puppy needs to be trained in. It might be training for a sport in their early adult years or training to cope with an age-related life change. But, as a puppy, there are five key areas in which you must appropriately train your 8-week old German Shepherd. In the next section, I tell you what training entails for each of these areas. If you are looking for a step-by-step guide on how to train a German Shepherd , I have just the article for you. Humans become social through socialization. Canines become social with training. Humans who are well trained in the first years of life will be well behaved as adults. If you want some scientific proof to the rule that training your German Shepherd young is important for their adult life, here are two key findings from this study: Dogs that are well socialized as puppies will behave more positively with humans and are less likely to display behavioral problems such as fear and aggression. These dogs learn better how to play games with humans than those without proper socialization as puppies. Your dog will learn social skills throughout his life, depending on the situations that he gets exposed to. As a puppy, however, you can teach your German Shepherd socialization through intentional training moments in the family, in public places, or by sending the pup to socialization classes. Taking your German Shepherd out often to social places like parks exposes him to other people and dogs. This helps the canine to be less wary or aggressive around strangers. Being among other puppies also helps your little furry friend build confidence. The earlier mentioned study indicates that puppies can learn social skills better when put in socialization classes with other puppies. So, what does that mean? Usually, dogs will need to relieve themselves early in the morning and once they have had their meal. Use that natural rhythm as a reference for his daily pee or poop walks. Dogs hate messing up their sleeping space and will usually hold it. Nonetheless, young puppies might be unable to do so. If they learn that a relief walk happens first thing in the morning, though, they will eventually make an effort to hold it. Walk your dog after his morning meal and hang around for 15 minutes or so to give him time to do his thing. Repeat the same in the evening. In addition to this for dogs that have had their shots , a short walk every hours is an ideal routine to prevent your dog from peeing around the house. If you crate your puppy because you are out, find someone to help you stick to the routine. The best dog crates will give your pet enough room to stand, sit, turn, and lie down comfortably on his side with paws outstretched. When purchasing a crate for your puppy, you might go for the standard metal model with either a single or double door. I like the double door one as it gives you more options where you can place it in your home, and this one has a carrying handle which makes it easy to move around. Travel kennels like this Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel check Amazon for the latest price are also hardy when you are on the move with your dog, and this one even meets the cargo specifications for airlines. Here are five key things you should practice when crate-training your German Shepherd puppy: Keep your puppy in the crate at night always. Letting him into your bed should be a complete no. Initiate crate training from the very first day you bring your puppy home. It will be harder to succeed in crate training if your puppy gets the idea that there are other options. You will likely hear your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy cry during the first night, but after that, he will be just fine. Keep your dog in the crate when you are out of the house and for his own safety, such as cooking in the kitchen or in exceptional situations like when you have visitors. Instead, reward good behavior in the crate. A blanket and some toys will offer some comfort for your dog. Older dogs may refrain from biting because they have been trained to. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Contrary to the widespread idea that we should yelp like a puppy and quickly withdraw our hand or clothing when a puppy bites, the best way to teach your German Shepherd puppy that his bite hurts is to cry like the human that you are. If you watch the video, you will see what I mean. Do the same when they bite your clothing and other parts of the body like ears or hair. While doing this training, let your dog differentiate between a bite that hurts and one that is soft and part of playing. Also, training your puppy to soft bite is best initiated early in the first six weeks and continued until 4 to 5 months, or when they have mastered the art of soft biting. The best way to do this is to practice at home first before going out for walks with your pup. Consider the following steps: Introduce your German Shepherd puppy to a harness or collar and leash by first allowing him to get used to it gradually. You can play with your puppy for a while and give a treat before or soon after removing the leash. I find the best no-pull harness to be those that are not rear-attached. Give a treat when the command is obeyed. Introduce your puppy to short walks outside on a leash. Your puppy will get distracted during the walk and may try to pull. Do not pull back; instead, stand firm until he gives up and walks back toward you. Timing is crucial here. Reward every time commands are obeyed and gradually reduce the rewards as the art of walking on a leash is perfected. You can learn how to stop a GSD from pulling on the leash in this article. Final Thoughts 8-weeks-old is a good time to train a German Shepherd puppy in key areas such as socialization, crate training, potty training, leash training, and not biting. To successfully train your puppy in these areas, you must train them young and follow other good training principles like not shouting at your puppy, being consistent in your commands, and rewarding obedience to commands, among others. Always bear in mind that a puppy is just starting. So, be patient and begin with basic commands before introducing the more complex trick commands. Good luck with your new friend! Related Posts You May Like:. Can a German Shepherd puppy start training at 8 months? How to Potty Train Your 8-week-old German Shepherd Puppy Potty training your 8-week-old German Shepherd can be stressful at first, but with a bit of persistence and patience, your puppy will learn correct behavior in no time. The potty area can be outdoors or indoors. Having a designated potty place will help your dog understand that this is the only place they should go to poop or pee. Watch Out for Signs One of the first signs is usually an increased awareness of their surroundings. You may notice that your puppy starts sniffing around more often or seems particularly interested in certain places of the house. Watch out also for changes in behavior. If your pup suddenly starts having accidents inside or seems antsy and restless, they may be trying to tell you that they need to go outside. Use Cue Words One way to help your new puppy understand what you want him to do is to use cue words. Cue words will help your German Shepherd puppy learn the connection between the words and the action. You can also use cue words when rewarding him for going in the right spot. Give Training Treats When potty training your puppy, use treats as a form of positive reinforcement. Doing this teaches your puppy that good things happen when they go outside to do their business. When choosing treats for potty training, select something small and easy to eat. This way, the puppy can eat the treat quickly and then get back to playing. It would be best if you also chose training treats that your puppy finds irresistible. Otherwise, they may not be motivated to keep trying. Puppy Crate It is an enclosure to confine your new puppy for short periods. It is also helpful in transporting puppies from one place to another. German Shepherd owners use it for crate training as they can also help with separation anxiety and boredom. Puppy crates usually have a removable tray on the bottom for easy cleaning. They also have wire, plastic, or fabric as the primary materials, and they typically come in different sizes to accommodate puppies of different ages and breeds. When buying a crate, it must be big enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down but small enough so that the puppy does not have too much space to eliminate in one corner and sleep in the other. When used correctly, it can provide a safe, comfortable space for your new furry friend. Early Morning: Bring your Puppy Outside When your German Shepherd is a still puppy, he may have trouble holding his bladder throughout the night. If you do not let your puppy out early enough, it might create potty accidents because he cannot control their bladder. Morning: Time for a Nutritious Breakfast Puppies need a lot of nutrients to grow up healthy and strong. A nutritious breakfast helps them get the energy they need to start the day. Even though puppies spend most of their time sleeping and cuddling, puppies require several daily feedings. Place your puppy on your lap and snuggle while sleeping. It would be best if you also let them rest throughout the day. Afternoon: Lunchtime Take your puppy outside after lunch to relieve themselves. Allow your puppy time to exercise and release any built-up energy. Feeding your puppy .Between naps, you can do playtime and training activities to help release energy, encourage physical activity, and develop a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd. Evening: Last meal of the Day During the evening, feed your puppy their fourth and last meal. Afterward, take your puppy for a short stroll. Before returning, have your puppy go potty outside, then snuggle up on the sofa for some quality time. Night: Potty Break Before Bedtime Take your puppy out for one more potty time before putting him to bed. Remember that you should establish a reasonable bedtime for your puppy early on. Moreover, an 8-week-old German Shepherd may develop a better appetite for other solid meals. These include constipation, bloating, and diarrhea. Diarrhea Diarrhea is a common problem that many German Shepherd puppies face. This condition has several possible causes, including dietary indiscretion, viral infections, and intestinal parasites. In most cases, diarrhea is not a serious concern and will resolve itself within a few days. However, seek veterinary care if your puppy displays other symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or lack of appetite. Constipation A young German Shepherd is particularly susceptible to constipation due to their large, muscular build and fast metabolism. If your puppy is constipated, you may notice that he has difficulty passing stool and seems uncomfortable or restless. If your puppy is constipated, take him to the vet for treatment. The vet may give him a laxative or enema to help relieve constipation. Bloating Bloating occurs when the stomach fills with gas, causing it to swell. German Shepherds are especially prone to bloating because of their deep chests. There are several possible causes of bloating, including eating too fast, drinking too much water, and exercising immediately after eating. Stress can also be a factor. To prevent bloating, feed your German Shepherd several small meals daily instead of one large meal. It is also important to avoid exercising immediately after eating and ensure that your dog has access to fresh water. Yes, a German Shepherd puppy can start training at eight months. But remember that every puppy is different and will learn at its own pace. Consistency is key, and with patience, your puppy will get the hang of obedience training in no time. Training should be a bonding experience for you and your pup! Remember to have fun and keep it light. At eight weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy sleeps for around 18 hours daily. It may seem like a lot, but puppies need a lot of sleep to grow and develop properly. As they get older, German Shepherds will sleep for less time each day. German Shepherd puppies use their mouths to explore their surroundings and socialize with other dogs and people. In addition, puppies typically start teething around eight weeks old, which can cause them to bite more as they try to relieve the discomfort caused by their emerging teeth. Puppies also explore the world with their mouths, and biting is a way for them to learn about their environment. In addition, puppies may bite out of excitement or frustration, especially if they are not getting enough exercise. If your puppy is biting excessively, provide him with plenty of chew toys and opportunities to run and play. Also read:. Leash training Avoiding undesirable behaviors So. There are no taking chances with a puppy: leave the room for even a moment and you might come back to a mess, however accidental. Concentrate on the basics: teaching your pup where it is okay to do their business and establishing a routine for the appropriate times to do so. Puppies are a big commitment! Use treats as a positive reinforcement when they do so in an appropriate place. Below is a basic schedule for puppy potty training. Push on with the same routine, providing them a safe spot in an area where they can be away from other dogs if they need to. Puppies, especially young ones, may be frightened to go to the bathroom around older pooches, especially bigger ones. You will also notice that eventually, your dog gives certain cues or behaviors to indicate they need the bathroom, like standing by or barking at the nearest door that leads there. This is the best way to ensure they will pay attention to what it is you want them to do. Every day your puppy is exposed to new sights, smells, sights, sounds and sometimes even tastes if you turn your back for long enough. You need to keep them reassured that everything is okay and remove them from anything that appears to be overstimulating. The primary concern here is to make sure your dog feels safe and secure, and that the experience will be positive as much as you can anticipate. Therefore, they might be a little aloof and resistant the first few times you interact with somebody. This means checking that those you are introducing to the puppy know how to properly handle and treat one, especially any children who happen to be around. Likewise, you should also ask in advance whether any animals you might come into contact with have proven they are able to stay relatively calm and behave appropriately when spending time with other dogs. When it comes to spontaneous street interactions, you should try and work out if the other dog and human are friendly, bearing in mind anything you know about your pup and any time they have spent with animals and people before. Other owners are not your concern, the safety and welfare of your dog is. Adventure: Go to new places and check out new things! Likewise, as long as they have enough room to fully stand, sit completely upright and lie down comfortably with their legs outstretched, most dogs quite like being in a crate. It offers them a safe, comfortable, private space to relax if stressed or have some alone time. Like us humans, your pup might just want to hang out by themselves for a bit! Worried about accidentally doing something neglectful, or just stressed about crate training in general? Here are some tips to follow that should help you succeed and keep your German Shepherd happy at all times. Gradually begin closing it, just for a few seconds and then longer, increasing the amount of time they spend in the crate little by little. However, whilst they still seem calm, offering up a little snack — potentially even a meal — inside the crate will create positive associations with spending time in there. You can start teaching them some basic commands like sit, stay, lie down, and shake as soon as they come home! Use your voice: it is, after all, your primary method of communication. You might be surprised to learn that tone is more important than what you say until those certain words and their meanings have been learned and understood. When giving commands, use a neutral, authoritative tone; save the high pitched cooing for tummy rubs. Keep it short and sweet: a couple of minutes at a time, every once in a while or at least once a day, will be far more effective and rewarding than an hour straight of saying the same word over and over to no reaction. Finish positively: always try to finish with a command that your dog knows and has successfully completed a few times, as this will ensure they end on a treat and remain positive about the possibility of more training in the future. Focus Five: Leash Training When your dog is all vaccinated and ready for walks, they should be prepared! Initially you should show your puppy the harness and leash — allow them to smell both items, place them in the area or on their backs and give them a treat, so they learn to associate their presence as a good thing. Then consider popping the harness on for a minute or two to see how they react — if they get upset, remove it and try again another time. Otherwise, offer them a treat and some praise for the successful time spent leashed and harnessed. This will allow them to get used to the sensation of being controlled whilst still inside and feeling safe. Every time they return to you, they get a treat! How to discourage your German Shepherd puppy from biting, scratching and jumping up If they bite, jump up or scratch you and it hurts, even if it only hurts a little — but it probably stings quite a bit! Stick to the most basic of commands and only do a couple at a time, though never all at once. The simpler the request, the quicker and easier it will be for your dog to understand it. At first, go somewhere with few or no distractions to train, then gradually introduce new stimuli over time, though nothing too loud. Stress signals like shaking, constantly licking or smacking their lips, cowering away or turning their back to you suggests something is the matter. Crates can be very useful in this situation! Making your dog anxious will throw a spanner in the works and prevent successful training. Get an appropriate toy and play tug of war! You should also use the same words for commands, and ask others to do so as well. Too many variants of the same command will only be confusing, so keep it simple and advise everyone of what to say. A couple of short daily sessions will serve you much better than an hour a week, as well as give your pup plenty of time for snoozing, eating, playing and, of course, getting lots of fuss, attention and cuddles. Consider mental training — not just physical Yes, getting enough exercise, learning commands and being taught how to walk appropriately is important, but your clever and capable German Shepherd needs to do some brain training as well. There are plenty of toys that encourage your dog to work out a variety of puzzles to be rewarded with a treat, stimulating their mind and allowing for a cognitive workout. Make it fun Much like with little kids, there are plenty of games you can play with your dogs that are both highly enjoyable for all involved, but also teach your dog skills and encourage good behavior…covertly. Check out these suggestions from the American Kennel Club for inspiration — you could even make up your own! This is especially important for German Shepherds, as remember, they are especially wary of strangers. Have patience and stick it out It can be disheartening work at first, but training a puppy is one of the most rewarding, satisfying experiences you can have when you get it right. It secures your bond, enables you to have a whole lot of fun and avoids them developing negative characteristics like aggression, fear of strangers or other animals, or running off in public. The more you follow the advice laid out in this guide and continue the same hard work, the better your German Shepherd will respond to you. Check out this video for more great advice! Need more support? There are steps you can take to make things a little easier or give you and your German Shepherd a helping hand. First of all, take a breath and think about it — has it really been a considerable amount of time since you started working with your pup? For instance, toilet training requires at least four to six months of training on average for a puppy to completely stop having accidents altogether. Overexcited dogs can be calmed down in time, but a serious issue with anger needs to be addressed by a professional. A general rule is to allow for five minutes of exercise for each month they are old, so a six month old puppy can do around half an hour of continuous walking in total. This should help avoid any destructive behavior, acting out, accidents or other puppy shenanigans — you may even want to give them a puzzle-based treat like a Kong filled with peanut butter or something more intelligent, to serve as a distraction when you make your exit. Remember, attempts to reprimand or redirect by punishing or shouting will either serve as giving your dog the attention they want, or make them anxious and eventually scared of you. This could even cause them to develop aggressive tendencies. There is no shame in seeking the assistance of a puppy training school or dog expert if you find yourself at a loss for what to do — we all need a little help sometimes and certain dogs can have their misbehavior explained.

Related services:

german shepherd puppies stages of development - F2 — Cross between two F1 Labradoodles: This breed is almost the same as F1, more likely to shed hairs, and hence, not much suitable for allergetic people. F3 — Cross between two F2 Labradoodles. Multi-generation — Like the common crossbreed Australian Labradoodles, this is a cross between two F3 or higher generation Labradoodles. Temperament and Behavior This inherently intelligent, compassionate and tolerant dog, good with children and other pets, apt for an apartment life, need less space to live. They love water, playing in the bathtub or bathroom, engaging in water sports, and need some good training from puppyhood. Being a loyal, affectionate and friendly breed, they love playing with their owner and the family, making an ideal family pet, interacting with people of all ages and being adaptable to any setting. Although some first generation labradoodles would need even more exercise to stay fit. Grooming Be sure brushing them daily to avoid coat-entangling and shedding, which depends upon their bloodlines. Also, clean their ears with a pH-balanced ear cleaner to avoid general infections. Clean their eyes with a wet cloth for discharges. Health Problems This generally-healthy breed might face some common dog diseases like eye discharges, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, progressive retinal atrophy PRA and hypothyroidism. Take them to a vet from time to time for general check-ups. Training The miniature labradoodle can make an excellent pet for the first-time owners. In order to ensure brisk pick-up of tricks and training effectively, train these intelligent dogs to socialize with children, other people, strangers and pets from their puppy days. The act of being trained runs in their veins, since they are ever-ready to please their owners. You can employ a professional trainer for the purpose to avoid probable injures for their exuberant boisterousness. Feeding A well-nutritioned dog is less prone to allergies, and that ensures a longer life span as also a less poop to clean up. Some vets do prefer barf foods, while others are against it. However, in general, dehydrated, processed canned food is highly recommended. Also, add cheese in or cottage cheese and yogurt. You can as well go for powdered greens, fresh veggies frequently. This can been pureed in a food processor or juicer, But fr a better nutrition, add the pulp and the juice back together. Interesting Facts In , Dr. The miniature labradoodles have even made its place quite much in popular culture, even being included in the Oxford Dictionary by creating a new word placement for scrabble gamers. The Labradoodle is bred by crossing a Poodle with a Labrador Retriever , while the Miniature Labradoodle is created by crossbreeding a Miniature Poodle with a Labrador. Still intelligent, affectionate and great family dogs, you get all the same qualities of the loving Labradoodle in a much smaller form! History Of The Mini Labradoodle The Labradoodle is known for being an excellent service dog, often being used as a therapy dog or service dog due to their sweet and affectionate nature. The Mini Labradoodle, also known as the Toy Labradoodle, was originally bred to be the companion counterpart to the Standard Labradoodle — a smaller version that people could live happily alongside. They were also bred because of their hypoallergenic coat that they could inherit from their Poodle parent, although this is also one of the reasons the Standard Labradoodle was bred! We will go into more detail about their hypoallergenic coat later on. There are different generations of these designer dogs. A F1 hybrid is a Miniature Poodle crossed with a Labrador. A F2 cross is breeding one Mini Labradoodle with another. A F2 Mini Labradoodle is likely to be far more expensive that a F1 or F1B because their temperament and characteristics are more easily predicted. However, it is registered with the Designer Breed Registry. Always find a reputable breeder when you are buying one of these pups or any dog! Breed Origin We can take a look at the parent breeds origins first to understand the beginnings of the Labradoodle. The Poodle originated from the French and German border in the 15th and 16th century and was associated with the upper class. Because they are excellent water dogs, they were used to hunt water-fowl. Later on, because of their adorable look, these pups became a very popular dog. The Toy Poodle was bred from the Standard Poodle by choosing the smallest pup from each litter and breeding with them. They were first seen in America in the 20th century. The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog in America. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs in the s and used to accompany hunters and retrieve animals that had been shot. They were also used in Newfoundland to retrieve fish that came in off the trawl, which is why they love the water. Their loyal and loving nature mean that they quickly became a very popular family dog and are still used today as working dogs, such as guide dogs. The Labradoodle was first bred by Wally Conron in and they have been growing in popularity ever since. The Standard Labradoodle was first bred in Australia with the purpose of being a hypoallergenic guide dog in the s. Not long after, the Miniature Labradoodle was in demand as people wanted a smaller version of this low shedding and friendly pet. At some point between and , Dr Kate Schoeffel first bred the Mini variation of the standard size Labradoodle. Characteristics Of The Mini Labradoodle Because the Mini labradoodle is a crossbreed, it can be difficult to determine the exact characteristics that they are going to inherit from each parent. One litter may take more traits from the Poodle parent, while another litter may take more traits from the Labrador parent. We can, however, say that the characteristics of the Mini Labradoodle are the same as the Standard Labradoodle — they really are the same dog, just in a smaller size! A F2 Mini Labradoodle has a more predictable temperament and appearance. However, based on past Mini Labradoodle litters, we can predict some of the traits of these pups no matter the generation. Appearance The Toy Labradoodle looks almost identical to their Standard cousins, except they are much smaller. These little pups normally stand between 14 to 16 inches tall and usually weigh under 45 lbs, with the average weight being anywhere between 15 to 25 lbs. Much like the Standard Labradoodle, the Mini looks a bit like a teddy bear! Coat These dogs can inherit different coat types from their parents. Some Mini Labradoodles may inherit a long, curly and thick coat from their Poodle parent, or they inherit a short, straight and dense coat from their Labrador parent. This is very difficult to predict and sometimes the coat will even be a perfect hybrid of both parents! However, as the Labradoodle became more popular, careful breeding went out the window. That being said, if your pup inherits their coat from their Poodle parent, it is likely they will be hypoallergenic and great for those with allergies. Normally, the Labradoodle will have a solid colored coat, but this is not always true. The most common coat colors for this breed are black, brown, chocolate, apricot, cream, golden, silver and white. Temperament The Labradoodle is a smart, loving and playful dog that inherits desirable traits from both parent breeds. Bred to be companion dogs, these pups certainly live up to it and love to be around people. They love to please their owners too, which makes them easy to train and fun to learn tricks with! Their intelligence means that they make excellent service dogs, especially guide dogs and therapy dogs, and they are highly intuitive, too. Their friendly nature means they will want to spend time with you and they are extremely sociable. They will love a trip to the store or a walk in the park where they can socialize with other people and dogs. A great family pet, the Labradoodle gets on with everyone and just wants to love you! Their playful and active nature means they love to spend time outside too, having fun and burning off energy. If you need a dog to brighten up your day, the Labradoodle might be for you. Lifespan Mixed breed dogs normally have a longer life expectancy that purebred breeds. You can expect your Miniature Labradoodle to fall into this range. Known Health Issues Unfortunately, the Mini Labradoodle is susceptible to some health problems that their parent breeds are prone to. We have laid out the most common health concerns seen in the Labradoodle below. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA — this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. The symptoms of it include excessive drinking and urinating, as well as increased heart rate and panting. Bloat — this affects both parent breeds and is potentially fatal. You need to know the symptoms of it. Feeding your dog smaller more frequent meals instead of one big meal can help to reduce the risk. Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable. Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any issues to offspring. Daily Life Now we know the characteristics and traits of a Mini Labradoodle, it is time to take a look at what looking after and living with one of these pets is like. Read on below to find out about their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs. You should always check the back of the dog food packet to see how much of a particular food you should feeding them based on their weight. The food you feed your Labradoodle should be high-quality and nutritious. Try to find a food that is formulated specifically for their size. Try to space their meals over at least two meals a day. This will also help with the bloat that this breed is more prone to and can be a life threatening issue. The client had a husband with severe allergies and needed a guide dog that did not shed excessive hair or dander. The Labradoodle, aka "Doodle", worked for the client's household. As the breed grew in popularity, breeders began breeding Doodles as both guide dogs and companion dogs. The Labradoodle has a coat that ranges from soft and wavy fur or a wiry and curly fur to a straight and coarse coat. The breed comes in three sizes: Miniature: 14 to 17 inches and 26 to 55 pounds Medium: 18 to 21 inches and 40 to 55 pounds Standard: 23 to 26 inches and 45 to 60 pounds for females and 55 to 77 pounds for males The First Miniature Labradoodle The American veterinarian and geneticist Dr. Kate Schoeffel bred the first Mini Labradoodle as a companion dog in .The miniature is the result of breeding a male Toy or Miniature Poodle with a female Labrador Retriever. Temperament Miniature Labradoodles are loyal, affectionate and friendly dogs that enjoy interacting with people of all ages. The dogs are very intelligent and easy to train. They have a gentle nature that makes the Miniature Labradoodle an ideal family pet. Responsible Breeding When you search for a Miniature Labradoodle breeder, you'll want to find a responsible breeder. This person will be highly selective in their choice of which dogs to breed, the timing of the litters and the care of the dogs. A responsible breeder practices the following: Breeds only one or two litters a year: A responsible breeder should have only one or two litters a year to allow him to have time to give each puppy the right amount of attention and care. The only exception would be if the breeder has a sizable staff that can provide individualized attention for a larger number of annual litters. Protects dam's health: A good breeder also only breeds a dam over two-years-old. The dam should only be bred once a year or less to protect her health. Requires an application process with interviews: Many breeders have a comprehensive application process that includes an initial phone interview and then meetings with all family members. The process may also include a house visit. Good breeders require this type of application process because they want to make sure that you have the right home environment for a Mini Doodle, understand the needs of the breed and the commitment of dog ownership. Provides a written contract: Responsible breeders provide a written contract that explains the terms of the sale and the responsibilities of both the buyer and seller. Demonstrates expertise on the breed: The can answer most questions about temperament, health issues and provide care advice. She should be willing to answer specific questions about the health and temperament of a litter's parents. Policies on puppy placement: A responsible breeder will not separate a puppy from its mother until the puppy is at least between eight and twelve weeks old. She will also ask questions about other household pets and may require the existing pets to meet the new puppy to make sure temperaments match. Socializes the puppy: Careful breeding includes puppy socialization before placement. A good breeder will socialize a puppy in a home so that the puppy can interact with people, children and other animals. The puppy can also learn acceptable home behavior from its mother. Provides initial health care: This includes first vaccinations and full health care check. Recommends puppy care: A responsible breeder should provide detailed instructions on puppy care, food recommendations and training advice. Allows customers to return dogs: A good breeder should insist that a customer can return the dog at any age if he can no longer care for the dog. In fact, the written contract may require that the customer promise not to ever turn the dog into an animal shelter. Are you InTheKnow? Sign up for our newsletter featuring all the latest stories and products we love. Invalid email I agree to receive email communications from LoveToKnow. Breeders disagree over whether or not these dogs should be crossed with other Labradoodles since these multi-generational breeding sometimes produce health and temperament issues. Many Doodle breeders only breed first generation dogs, meaning that one parent is a Labrador Retriever and the other is a Poodle, or they breed back cross Labradoodles. These dogs are the result of breeding a first generation Labradoodle with a non-related Poodle. This tends to result in healthier pets. Questions to Ask Breeders Here are some questions to ask Miniature Labradoodle breeders to help you find the right pet: Do you breed first generation, backcross or multi-generation Doodles? What are your buyer requirements? Please describe the application process. How do you get a puppy ready for placement? The Goldendoodles. Both sites also provide detailed information on the breed. Buying a Mini Labradoodle from a responsible breeder will help you find a healthy dog and protect you from pet sale scams. Research breeders carefully and you will find the right dog for your family. The reasons people have kept dogs have changed over the millennia. The earliest domestic dogs may have alerted their masters to intruders, cleaned up debris, and helped to hunt. The dogs proving to be the most useful were kept and after generations the early breeds began to define themselves. Water dogs were useful to fishermen and shore dwellers. Hunting dogs helped to flush out and retrieve. Some breeds have been lost to time, their functions outlived or bettered by other breeds. Today many breeds continue to perform the function they were intended to. Others are bred to the same standard as working dogs but are kept as companions. As more and more people live in the city, needs have changed. Most are not looking for dogs who can hunt, we are looking for companions. We look for dogs who are playful, friendly towards people and pets, easy to train and easy to maintain. Goldendoodles The Goldendoodle gets its name from its mixed heritage - golden retriever and poodle. Goldendoodles are a hybrid dog, a first generation cross, and as such they exhibit "hybrid vigour". The first generation cross is healthier and grows better than either parent line. With each successive generation F2, F3, etc. Goldendoodles were first deliberately bred in North America as a larger version of the popular Cockapoo around the mid s. Labradoodles are still bred by the AGDA as demand requires it. Their popularity as healthy family pets spilled into North America during the late s. Kate Schoeffel in NSW, Australia was the first to breed miniature Labradoodles in the early 90's, and still breeds them to this day. The Labrador Retriever heads the list at first place, with Golden Retriever ranked 4th and the Poodle ranked 5th out of breeds. Poodles scored 2nd, Golden Retrievers were 4th and Labrador Retreiver ranked 7th. The hybrid cross between these parent breeds are terrific family dogs, friendly, intelligent, affectionate and easy to train. Many poodle crosses inherit the fur qualities of the poodle, but not the texture. This means that most don't shed, or shed lightly, and may not produce an allergic reaction. There is a table in which Labradoodle and Goldendoodle owners have stated the coat types and shedding qualities of their dogs. Click here to see the table. Sizes The size of the Dood depends on its parentage. Breeders often offer a range including Standard, Medium and Miniature. A general rule of thumb is to add both the parents weights together and divide by 2 to get an average adult weight on the puppies. Within any litter there may be puppies that fall above or below the projected adult weights. Some Standard sized have grown to over pounds. Standard - a Dood that is predicted to be 45 lbs or more at adulthood. Medium - predicted to be lbs at adulthood. Miniature - predicted to be lbs at adulthood. Fur Types The Goldendoodle can inherit fur which looks retriever-like, or poodle-like, but usually something in-between. Breeders Owner recommended Goldendoodle breeders, Labradoodle breeders and Australian Labradoodle breeders are listed on this website. These breeders all come highly recommended by the owners of their dogs - the pups are healthy, and the breeders maintain a great relationship with the owners of their dogs. Each breeder tests their breeding dogs for genetic diseases, most notably their hips,and they stand by their dogs by providing great two year health warranties. These are our Breeders' Criteria. It is important that breeders test for genetic diseases in their breeding dogs. If you have a great Goldendoodle breeder, Labradoodle breeder or Australian Labradoodle breeder you'd like to recommend - let us know! This website is a place for Doodle owners; Goldendoodle owners, Labradoodle owners, Australian Labradoodle owners and Aussiedoodle owners, to share their dogs and stories. Enjoy our site - We love our Doods! Shadow a curly Dood Harley a wavy Dood Welcome to the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle Owner's Website where we share resources, pictures and stories about the two hybrids we've come to love The information contained on this site is in no way intended to replace that of proper veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is meant to provide resource, so that we can better understand canine health related issues. All rights reserved. You may not copy or otherwise use anything on this site without our written permission Made with Xara. Welcome to the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle Owner's Website where we share resources, pictures and stories about the two hybrids we've come to love The information contained on this site is in no way intended to replace that of proper veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. All rights reserved. You may not copy or otherwise use anything on this site without our written permission Made with Xara. Contact Us Thank you for visiting Goldendoodles. We hope you enjoyed it. One of the great resources of the Dood community are its owners. Most of the entries in the database have email addresses to the owners, so avail yourself of the opportunity to get direct feedback from owners of dogs of breeders you are considering. Are you a Dood lover, or do you want to learn more about them? Join our community! Online Community To contact the webmaster of Goldendoodles. My academic background is in Health Science and I have a B. In the Fall of my family was looking for the perfect dog and through an internet search discovered the Labradoodle. At that time in southern Ontario, Labradoodles were nowhere to be found - but we had Golden Poos! While I was waiting for my two Doods to come home from the breeder I built the Goldendoodle website all 7 pages of it and put together the Doodle Discussion Forum to try to meet other Goldendoodle owners. As soon as people started finding the Goldendoodle Website, they said 'Gorgeous dog - where can I get one? I made it my goal to listen to owner feedback and to list only responsible breeders on the site. We were fortunate back then in that Dr. Kate Schoeffel often posted on our forums. Kate is an honours geneticist, Vet and breeder of miniDoods in Australia. These Dood breeders shared similar philosophies of testing their breeding dogs and providing good health warranties. To view exactly what site breeders agree upon - click here. Some breeders screen their breeding dogs for more health tests than others, and almost every warranty is different. Always ask questions. Since January of , I've tried to help people find responsible breeders and be responsible owners. I advocate more testing and better warranties from breeders. I answer correspondence, provide resource, post new information, update the database and individual Dood pages on the site. If anyone ever has a problem working with their breeder through the warranty, I try to help by acting as an advocate on their behalf - whether the breeder is listed on the site or not. It's been my experience all around, that most problems between any breeder and owner are usually just about miscommunication, and once the process starts up again it all works out. The Goldendoodle website now requires a small international team of people to manage it and help moderate the forums that Dood owners and breeders use. A few years after I started the website, I sent out letters to every working dog group that I could find asking if they had ever used a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. One or two said that they did, but also some of them were interested in working with a Dood and asked if I could find breeders to donate pups to them. What has followed has been a wonderful testament to the qualities of these hybrids and also to the generosity of our breeders. One of the tools of the Dood community is its forums. The Doodle Discussion Forum was the first forum on the net for Goldendoodle and Labradoodle owners and it was started in January of .The first breeders forum - the Doodle Breeders' Discussion Forum - was created about a year later as a place for all Dood breeders to share information and trade dogs. They are remarkable dogs! Let us all revel in our Doods! Warm regards, The information contained on this site is in no way intended to replace that of proper veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is meant to provide resource, so that we can better understand canine health related issues. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement PDS to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing or choosing to continue with the product. Testimonials and customer experience may vary depending on individual circumstances. Claims are assessed subject to policy terms and conditions. The discount will be spread over the course of the first year and deducted from the standard monthly payment. This offer only applies to new policies for eligible pets under the age of 12 months and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. We may revoke this offer at any time without notice to you. Limit of one 1 Pet ID Tag per policy year. Cover is subject to the terms and conditions of the policy for each renewal period. For further details, refer to your PDS. Whether that is the case will depend on the nature and experience of the condition, and some conditions are eligible for review after an month period — refer to your Policy Booklet for more information, terms and conditions. To do so, your Vet will need to certify and provide veterinary records verifying that the Condition remains a Temporary Condition and has not existed, occurred or shown noticeable signs, symptoms or an abnormality for a period of 18 months. The Pre-existing Condition exclusion s shall not be deemed to have been lifted unless agreed to by us in writing. For more details refer to the Product Disclosure Statement , or download the form here. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for further details. Refer to the applicable Product Disclosure Statement for further details. Not all conditions and treatment will be covered.

Similar services:

german shepherd puppies stages of development - Yes, you can shave a Labradoodle. Labradoodles have a Poodle style coat with a single layer — which means you can safely shave most of their coat with very few drawbacks. Labradoodle Max looking handsome even before his haircut. The downside is that the shaved look will mean a fairly long wait for regrowth if you want to go back to a full-coated look later on. There are pros and cons to shaving your Labradoodle. You gain utility, but lose looks. Blue Merle Labradoodle Guide A shaved coat can help to reduce heat during hot weather. If you live in an area where temperatures regularly reach high heat or high humidity, shaving your Labradoodle may be beneficial. There is less chance for moisture and heat-related rashes — as well as general overheating. You ARE removing some of the protective sun-blocking hair though so be mindful of dog sunburn, Shaving your Labradoodle can make them easier to groom. There is less matting under the leg areas like where harnesses and collars rub. A shaved coat makes it easier to clean your Labradoodle. It is much easier to shampoo and wash a dirty Labradoodle with shorter hair. Shaving your dog is an extremely controversial topic among dog owners. There is a distinction between the types of coats that dogs have they makes all the difference. It should NOT be controversial to shave the coats of dogs with a single coat like Doodle dogs Labradoodles, Cavapoos, Goldendoodles, etc. If your dog DOES have a double coat though — listen to the expert advice from groomers and Vets — and steer well clear of a full shave. A Labradoodle with shaved hair looks like… a Labradoodle. Obvious point aside, check out the images throughout this article. Shaved Labradoodles DO appear more Poodle-like in most cases. Many Labradoodles have a higher percentage of Poodle genetics. F1b and F2 Labradoodles are super low shedding and sometimes smaller. They are the most in-demand generations of Labradoodles. They have a higher percentage of Poodle genetics learn about the Labradoodle generations here and therefore have the body type of a Poodle. Hiding beneath the glorious and fluffy Labradoodle coat is the lithe body of a dog breed that was specifically bred for water retrieval while hunting. Surprisingly skinny! Shaving a Labradoodle to the bare skin will often leave them looking naked. Try to leave a little length for some dignity. Most Labradoodle owners will trim the face and ears of their Labradoodle but leave them a little longer. This helps maintain some of that gorgeous and distinct Oodle look the teddy bear face that Labradoodles are so known for. With Max my apricot miniature Labradoodle — we DO trim the ear hair a little — but try to leave the furnishings around the snout to give a less extreme look. Most Labradoodles have surprisingly long hair, making grooming simple, when there is no knots. Labradoodle hair regrows fairly quickly, give it 8 weeks and you will be back to fluffy. If you do commit to a shaved Labradoodle — remember the old saying that the difference between a bad haircut and a good haircut is a few weeks of regrowth. For a shaved Labradoodle though expected 8 weeks before you get decent growth that makes your Labradoodle much more like a teddy bear again. How fast does Labradoodle hair grow? The average length of time for a Labradoodle to grow back after being shaved is approximately 8 weeks. The first week is usually the hardest visually — but the hair IS growing. The hair grows at a steady pace. It takes about months to fully recover from a shaved Labradoodle back to luscious locks. You just need to wait. Labradoodle puppy sitting on a tree trunk. Brush your dog daily. Just brush their coat once a day while waiting. Over brushing can cause hair loss itself — but this is unlikely from a quick slicker brush once every day or so. Keep up with bathing — but only when needed. Bathing, when required, helps prevent dry skin and keeps your dog clean — and stops irritation that can slow down hair growth. Make sure to use a Labradoodle-appropriate dog shampoo even when they have short hair. Use a blunt stainless steel comb. Try using a wide-toothed comb, especially if your dog has long hair. Skin can become infected through excessive scratching. Check for fleas. A flea infestation can lead to itching and irritation — which in turn slows down hair growth. Remove dead fleas immediately. Monitor for skin allergies from food or treats — as this can reduce the regrowth rate of hair. Will Shaving my Labradoodle Prevent Shedding? Shaving your Labradoodle will not reduce shedding. The hair that does shed will be shorter which can benefit some people — but the hair and dander will still shed. There are risks associated with the process of shaving if done poorly which could increase shedding. These shedding increasing issues include injury to the skin and underlying tissue, infection, bleeding, and allergic reactions. If you want to try shaving, start small. Try just trimming around their ears and muzzle. How to Shave a Labradoodle It is fairly easy to shave a Labradoodle — once they are used to it. Of the Labradoodle haircuts — this is the easiest for amateurs and at-home groomers. There are other bits of equipment that are nice to have — but are not really necessary. A grooming table or restraint, nail clippers, a blunt stainless steel comb, and even detangling spray can be useful but are not essential in most cases. The hardest part is getting your Labradoodle to stand still for you to groom. We just hold Max our Mini Labradoodle by hand but a restraint or collar will help for some. Start with a moderate length and then adjust once you get an idea of how the shaved Labradoodle will look. We go fairly short for the beach with about a mm 0. Start with the flat easy areas. The back and body first. Legs are tricky and fiddly with many angles. Do these next. The chest and belly that was not finished in step two is next. If your dog has longer ears akin to a Cockapoo determine length and cut the length first before gently shaving the other surface only. You can use blunt ended scissors for a clean finish if your shaver is not up to scratch. Consider cutting the cheek and jowl area first, then under the chin, then finish up with the moustache. Leave the furnishings moustache if you want a teddy bear look on your shaved Labradoodle. If whiskers get cut during the shave this is not the end of the world — but it is ideal to leave them alone where possible. A rich Apricot coat Labradoodle at the groomer. It should take about an hour to DIY shave a Labradoodle. The first few times may be a bit longer. Remember the following tips to make your life easier Putting your Labradoodle on a raised surface provided they are secured will save your back and neck Have plenty of treats handy for bribery You can do a solid first pass then do a tidy-up the next day. No points for perfection — spend the extra time rewarding and treating your dog. Should I Shave My Labradoodle? Labradoodle with white and black coat. This is a common reason many of us do go for a shaved Labradoodle look. Personally, we live so close to the beach and the days are so warm that overheating from exercise outweighs many of the risks of shaving the Labradoodle coat. There are two sides to shaving your Labradoodle. Shaving too short causes problems when it comes to grooming and hygiene. This can lead to skin infections. And that can lead to serious health issues. And it helps prevent parasites. The same goes for fleas. If you want to avoid getting bitten by fleas, make sure your pet gets a trim every month. This will help reduce the number of flea eggs they shed throughout the season. Your dog will dry faster when washed and his skin will be better protected against bacteria. When you groom your dog, you are helping him maintain a healthy immune system. In addition to preventing infection, grooming keeps the skin moisturized. Dry skin can lead to itching and irritation. Here are some things to consider before you decide to shave your pet. Labradoodle grooming ideas and tips 1. This can cause irritation and possibly even bald spots. You might find yourself spending more time grooming your pooch, while less time getting ready to go out. In reality, there is little to no difference to a single-coated Labradoodle coat when shaved. It is basically just a really short haircut. How to keep your Labradoodle cool in summer Dog owners know how important it is to take care of their furry friends, especially during the warmer months. But what do you do when your pup gets overheated? A black Labradoodle on a paddleboard. Wearing a floatation vest. They are good swimmers but all dogs can get tired. A cooling vest If you have a dog that tends to get hot, try using a cooling vest. They come in various sizes and styles so you can choose one that fits your dog best. Use Ice Cubes You can also freeze ice cubes in a plastic bag and place them inside cooling best. You can also put ice cubes in water that might be warmer to provide a cool drink throughout the day 3. Limit sun exposure Less time in the sun, less heat, less issues. Monitor the time your longer haired Labradoodle spends outside Labradoodle shaking dry after bath. Takeaways for the Shaved Labradoodle grooming style Shaving a Labradoodle is a legitimate haircut with many upsides all year round but particularly during the hot summer months Shaving a Labradoodle does NOT change the coat color or type of coat a Labradoodle has Shaved Labradoodles still shed the same amount though the physical hair shed is smaller Shaving a Labradoodle can reduce heatstroke and overheating risk, but increases the risk of dog sunburn while exposing the skin to sun damage It takes around 8 weeks for a shaved Labradoodle to return to the longer-haired look You will avoid severe matting, but will still need regular brushing and regular grooming every couple of weeks. A consistent grooming routine is still necessary I love my Labradoodle Max and his adorable teddy bear look — but the benefits of a shaved haircut for our beach-loving pup mean he gets a shave or two every summer. 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. When nearing July or August, It is not uncommon to see Doodles wondering around shaved almost to the skin, and by reading the rest of this article, you will get to learn why their owners are doing more harm than good. Basically, the only time you should ever really shave your Labradoodle is when a vet does it for a medical purpose. If you start to mess around with where the hair grows and how long it should be, you might screw up a basic function that keeps your dog comfortable and safe. Why Is Shaving Labradoodles Popular? But if there are so many problems that originate from shaving a Doodle, why is it so common? The main reason for that is probably because shaving is a good solution for other breeds. The Poodle, for example, is a breed of dog that is generally shaved quite a lot and seeing as Labradoodles stem from those, it would often make sense that they should be shaved equally as much. But unless your Labradoodle has extensive Poodle within its DNA genetic make-up, the Doodle coat is never as thick as a purebred Poodle. Double-coated Dogs Unlike breeds with hair, a Labradoodle has two layers of fur. This type of fur is different from the hair on other breeds. One example of this is that double-coated dogs have fur that grows to a determined length. The layer on the bottom is called an undercoat and is softer and shorter, where the longer hairs are more coarse and they are placed over the undercoat much like a blanket. When talking about temperatures, the outer oat and undercoat work together to insulate your dog against the heat and cold. So if you shave the outer layer, it will allow the heat to come in. Think of it like leaving the lid open on a cooler and then expecting that it will still be able to keep your drinks nice and cold. Protection From Sunburn Not only is the double-coat able to insulate the Labradoodle but it also gives great protection against the sun. Sunburns can lead to very severe issues for your dog, including heatstroke which can be fatal to anybody. This is another example of how our efforts to alleviate one issue expose our dogs to even more serious issues. As an example, the coat under the legs is usually longer and softer and this helps to provide some friction relief when your dog is running around playing for hours or if he is following you for a long run. The problem with that situation is that the undercoat gets all messed up whenever you shave the outer coat. Congratulations, your dog can now end up being too hot in the summer and too cold for the winter. How To Keep Your Labradoodle Cool In The Summer So, if you really want to make sure that your doodle stays cool in the summer, shaving is perhaps the worst possible solution. Panting is one of the only ways that dogs can regulate their body temperatures. The way a dog regulates their body temperatures is by panting. And when people then assume that shaving their Labradoodle will help it endure hotter temperatures, the problem is that it only gets worse. So, what can you do to keep your Labradoodle cool? There are many different ways you can help your dog stay cool for the summer, and here are a few of my tips. Get a pool in the backyard Labradoodles love the water, and getting a pool in your backyard is a guaranteed success! Place water in the shade Remember that shade moves throughout the day, so moving a water bowl with the shade will prevent the water from getting overheated. Avoiding Heat Strokes Heat strokes can be fatal to anybody, so you should do anything possible to avoid it happening to your dog. A shaved Labradoodle is much more likely to get issues with the heat in the summer than one that has just been groomed properly without overdoing it. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Labradoodle Grooming instructions, Labradoodle Haircuts Should your Labradoodle coat be short, medium or long? How to groom a labradoodle. I believe Australian Labradoodles should have a natural look even after being groomed. If you find a picture of a labradoodle cut you like, print it and take it in to the groomer. This does not mean twice a year is the only time you give them a bath or minor trim of course. This is what I do. Twice a year I shave the main body down to about a half inch. This is neck, body to knees including belly and tush. Monthly, I do a minor trim. This involves trimming the head, tail, tush, and feet. As needed, I use an excellent pair of thinning shears to remove matts. I find the more you brush and fuss with their coat the more they tend to matt. If they smell for some reason I give them a bath. In a nut shell: Trim the ears. Along the back edge of the ear tight and curved along the ear leather. Length of ear should be short to just short of the nose if pulled forward. Hair on the ear should be layered on the outside to about an inch and shaved underneath the ear leather and behind the ear against the neck. Clean out hair in ear canal. Top of the head layered about an inch or two long. Trim the top of the head above the eyes at an angle short just over the eyes, try and leave long eyelashes to allow the eyelash to hold up the hair on top as it grows. You want to see their eyes easily. Below the eye at the muzzle, trim the top of the muzzle short at an angle just under the eyes so they can see easily. The muzzle should be layer and round NOT long and blunt cut. Feet, shave the body but leave below the knees what I call "Doodle Boots" hand trimmed to be big, round and floppy. Not short poodle feet. Shave the entire body not head, feet or tail What tools I own to groom my dogs? Bath: I use any puppy shampoo that smells good. To trim above and below the eyes: Tweezerman Baby Nail Scissors, these are sharp, curved and have a blunt end, so no poking eyes. To work in the ears: Miracle care, Ear care, Ear powder, step 1. This makes it super easy to just pull ear hair out with your fingers and for hair that is deeper inside I use a pair of hemostats my vet gave me. Note, I also feed coconut oil daily 1 tsp per 10 lbs to keep bacteria away. To work all over in general: a fantastic pair of thinning shears the Geib thinning shears I have are no longer made but I suggest Geib Gator Tooth Double-sided thinning shears plus a great pair of scissors, make sure the point is not too sharp. Remember, I do not brush much just where matts are found. In detail: General Labradoodle Grooming BODY Cut Thin all mats with thinning shears, brush or pull the matts out, trim with scissors all over to the desired length Or shave the dog down to about an inch all over the body not knees to feet, head, or tail and let it just grow out number 10 blade and E comb. This can be done twice a year and ends with the least amount of grooming required over a year. TUSH area Taper hind quarters to tail gradually with shaver or scissors don't shave the top of the tail. Make the transition from body to tail a gradual transition. Shave or trim close the tush and private areas. In the summer, I usually shave the belly super short to keep cool and dry fast if swimming. Pull all hair from the ear canal and shave the underside of ear leather near ear canal. To clean the ears: Click for Ear Powder this is the product I use which works great. I do not squeeze it in, it tends to clump out in a big spurt or not at all. I take a Qtip and open it up and dip the q tip into the powder. This will give you a good amount. Rub the Qtip in the ear canal, if you lift up the ear the ear tends to open wide. You can twist the Qtip around and most hair will stick and pull out. Then using your fingers it is easy to remove the hair once the powder is in there. This will both remove the hair and dry out the ear. I do shave the ear underneath and behind the ear to allow more airflow. You can ask the groomer to do this as well. This will keep ears from getting bacteria. Thin out or shave with medium blade, the hair on neck just behind and under the ears to allow ears to lay flat and air to get under the ear. Usually the coat below the ear flap and along the neck gets matted due to a collar, so shaving it helps with matting as well. Grooming EARS outside Trim outside of ear flap this is the hair hanging down on the ear flap pictured below left , it should be layered. The outside of the ear should NOT be a long blunt cut like a cocker spaniel. The hair should be pulled outward and layer trim to about an inch. The length of the ear hair should be cut to a length that when you pull the ear forward the hair ends between the nose and canines long teeth. Pictured below right. I then trim the back side of the ear in a curve along the ear leather line. It should be a round circle with a short edge at the top near the eyes, so they can see. Trim the top side of the muzzle from the eye to the nose at an angle starting at the nose about inches above the nose angled down into the stop point where muzzle transitions to head. Pictured below left. Top along eye. Trim the muzzle below the eyes short just inside the eyes almost to a point to allow clear vision. Trim hair along lip line to keep hair out of mouth, you can also just thin out that area. Lip line hair should be thinned and left about 1 inch at most below lip. You may want to thin out with thinning shears under chin to neck, an area that can mat easier. The beard should round out the look. I trim the muzzle to about an inch or two all around. Conclusion What coat does a Labradoodle have? Labradoodles are a mix between a poodle and a labrador. Typically, there are 3 possibilities. The first is a haircoat or straight coat, much like a labrador. This hair-coat type tends to shed more and is not as hypoallergenic. You need to brush it just once every 2 weeks to get rid of any loose hairs and prevent shedding. Matting is usually not an issue with this coat type. Fleece Coat The second type is a fleece coat my personal favorite! They have wavy locks that are separated into loose curls. This often gives them an adorable teddy bear look. This hair is more hypoallergenic and sheds less than a straight coat. Wool Coat type The final type is a wool coat type, which closely resembles poodle fur. In this case, the entire coat has a sheep-like texture. This hair is often hypoallergenic but can mat easily. Therefore, these dogs with very curly hair need everyday grooming brushing to prevent mats and extra consideration of the grooming style. Evidently, Labradoodles come in a variety of fur types. Therefore, the decision to place your pooch on the grooming table is a personal one, dependent on its coat type and your free time. However, one common factor is that all doodles have a double coat. This means they have an inner, softer coat that serves to keep the dog dry and an outer, oilier coat that repels water. The outer coat, or the guard coat, also helps to repel dirt. Therefore, it helps the pup stay cleaner for longer. What do they look like shaved? What your doodle will look like shaved is greatly dependent on how much you shave off and the style you choose. If you shave close to the skin, your doodle might end up looking naked. This is because skin may be exposed when you cut past the undercoat. If you only shave the outer coat and leave the undercoat untouched, your dog will look entirely different! In this case, you will be able to see their labrador characteristics a little better, such as their strong nose, and athletic body. However, the soft undercoat layer will still remain. Finally, if you style their outer coat like in a teddy bear cut, lamb cut, or lion cut, the illusion created by their thick and wavy fur can help shape your doodle is something brand new! Should I Shave? To shave or not to shave? That is the question! First, we must consider what the fur does if we want to pick up the hair clippers. The most important feature of fur is its ability to insulate. So, in the hotter months, the coat traps the cool air around it, sort of like a thermos. This prevents your pooch from overheating. This clever system of insulation prevents heat strokes, which dogs are especially prone to. When is shaving necessary? This is where we must make an important distinction based on coat types. There are only some instances where curly-haired doodles can be shaved. If you shave your doodle with straight hair , this can cause sensitive skin. This can cause the skin to rub on itself severely, creating red, itchy patches. The simple answer is the difference in coat type. Poodles are not double coated; they have a single layer of fur which means that they can be shaved with little repercussions. Poodle fur is a lot like human hair. There is only one layer of very curly hair. When this hair falls out, it stays in the coat. This is one of the main reasons that Poodle grooming is so tedious. Poodles are very prone to matting; their loose hairs can easily bunch together and stay on the skin. So, owners will often take hair cutters and shave their Poodles close to the skin. Instead, it makes it very easy to groom them and manage their coat. On the other hand, Labradoodles have two layers of fur. So, shaving them can lead to all sorts of health complications, as mentioned above. This is why you should avoid shaving your hair-coated labradoodle at all costs. However, if your curly-haired labradoodle has severe matting that can not be removed with hair clippers or a brush, then you may be forced to shave parts of the fur off. In this case, try to loosen the mat out with a wide-toothed comb. Your goal is to gently! You may also use a detangling spray to help you. Once the mat is a few inches away from the skin, you can carefully place scissors in the mat and then open it up. Finally, when the mat is almost at the end of the fur, you can cut off the mat. This helps prevent it from becoming a huge infection later on. Reduced infections: Since your dog will dry faster, he is less likely to develop a skin infection that is often caused by bacteria growing on wet fur. By removing it, you expose its skin to increased UV radiation, which can cause irritation and skin cancer. Removing the fur can cause overheating, especially if you live in an area with over degree weather. Irritation Due To Friction: Without fur, bare skin rubbing together easily becomes red and inflamed. For example, the hair has lost its texture and is now a different color. While this has mainly anecdotal evidence, it is one of the most common complaints about shaving. The evidence shows that the consequences of shaving your doodle greatly outweigh the benefits. If you do decide to take a bit of fur off, we recommend not going under 1 inch. Keep around 1. You can use dog hair clippers with the largest attachment. Keep your movements light and topical. Conversely, you can also use scissors to trim off the excess. Labradoodle fur usually grows back to its maximum length in weeks. So, if you want a short style, you have to keep up the trimming every few months. How to keep your dog cool Now we know that shaving does not keep your dog cool in the summer months. So, how can we keep our puppies cool without harming them? Brush them frequently. Removing any loose hairs can prevent heat retention. Give your dog cold water. If their bowl is outside, place it in the shade. Provide treats like frozen bone broth, ice cubes, or frozen fruit. Temperatures rise fast in the summer, and your little errand can quickly turn lethal. How to Prevent Mats One of the main reasons that people shave is to prevent matting of the fur. However, there are many other ways to stop matting. The most important is to make sure that your dog is completely dry. While it is pretty adorable to see your dog run around and rub themselves on everything after their bath, this is a surefire way to create stubborn mats. After this is done, you can also brush out the fur to get rid of any loose hairs. You can also try an undercoat rake to quickly remove any stubborn dead hairs. Conclusion The debate on shaving Labradoodles is definitely a confusing one. However, we know that shaving your dog for the sake of heat protection is a big no-no. If you found this article illuminating or have any questions on this topic, please leave a comment down below. Thanks for reading! Meet our writer Alison Page Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish. Leave a Comment. Shaving to combat shedding and grooming Labradoodles are low shedding dogs that often have wavy or curly fur. Though this fur type can help to trap shedding hairs, and stop them from falling around your house, Labradoodles need more grooming than the average dog. So, some owners naturally wonder if shaving all that fur off will be easier. Can You Shave a Labradoodle? Labradoodles are a popular modern mix that combines Labrador Retrievers with Standard Poodles. The resulting puppies can be quite varied. Some will have fur like their purebred parents — either straight double coats like the Lab, or very curly Poodle coats. And, others will have wavy fur that falls somewhere in between. Though Labradoodles are known as teddy bear dogs, there are tons of haircuts available for Doodles, just like their purebred Poodle parents. One popular option for purebred Poodles is to be partially shaved. So, many Labradoodle owners will consider the same option for their mixed breed dogs. Advocates of shaving claim that a shaved coat can help to keep your dog cool in hot summer months. Shaving certain body parts can also be functional. However, shaving fur too short does have some drawbacks that owners should learn about first. The appearance of a shaved Labradoodle will depend how short their fur has been cut and how much of their body has been shaved. In these cases, they will still often look quite Doodle-like. But, they may look a little more Labrador than Poodle! In other cases, owners choose to, or have to, shave their Labradoodle to the skin. They will have little to no fur on their bodies. Sometimes, owners will choose to shave only some areas of their Doodle, such as the face or feet. The purebred Poodle parent can have some interesting haircuts, like the Continental Cut. This involves shaving their face, throat, feet, hindquarters, and the base of the tail. This haircut is possible on Poodles because of their fur texture. So, a haircut like this will often not have the same striking, sculpted effect. Because the options vary so much, one shaved Labradoodle can look very different from the next. The fur type that your Labradoodle has can also play a part. For instance, whether they are hair type, fleece type, or wool type. Should I Shave My Labradoodle? When it comes to shaving your Labradoodle down to the skin, the answer is usually no. Most Labradoodles will not need to have their fur shaved so short. In fact, it can do more harm than good. They will no longer have a barrier to protect them against cuts and scrapes on walks, and will need some form of sun protection, like a dog-safe sunscreen. If your Labradoodle is more like its Lab parent, and has a double layered coat, shaving can impact the growth of their undercoat. Shaving advocates claim that shaving your Labradoodle can help to keep your dog cool in the summer. But, it can be dangerous for a shaved dog to go out in the sun, as they will be much more prone to sunburn. There are many other ways to help your dog stay cool in hot months, which we will look at a little later in this guide. When Shaving is Necessary Sometimes, professional groomers will have no other option but to completely shave a Labradoodle. Extreme matts and knots can be very painful for your dog, and are near impossible to brush out without causing a lot of pain. So, most groomers will have to shave the entire coat instead. How to Shave a Labradoodle Shaving a Labradoodle is usually a lot harder than it sounds. And, you may need to introduce your dog to the process gradually, from a young age, so they are comfortable with the sound that your clippers make. But, take care not to cut your dog, especially on sensitive areas like their paw pads and the webbing between their toes. Hair growth rates vary from one dog to another. But, generally, Labradoodle fur is fast growing. Once shaved, your Labradoodle will likely have fur all over their bodies once again in as little as 3 weeks. But, these rates will vary. Some dogs may take longer, and others might take even less! Most Labradoodles need their fur trimmed every two to three months. Will Shaving my Labradoodle Prevent Shedding? Despite popular belief, Labradoodles are not hypoallergenic dogs. Many Labradoodles are low shedding, but not all. This is because any loose hairs get trapped in the curls. Especially in hot months. Shaving can help to reduce shedding for a short period. And, if your Labradoodle has very curly fur, it can actually increase the amount of dander that sheds around your home, because there is no fur to catch the dander. It may help for a few days, but Labradoodle fur grows quickly, so the benefits will often not outweigh the cons in this case. Most owners will need to groom their Labradoodle multiple times per week to prevent knots and tangles. Shaving a Labradoodle would remove their fur, and so, would remove the need for grooming. So, though less time will be spent on grooming, you may need to spend more time and money fixing and preventing these other problems. Grooming is a huge part of owning a Labradoodle. But, if this is not an option for you, it may be better to consider an alternative breed with lower grooming needs, like the purebred Lab. Many groomers will recommend trimming it more frequently in those hotter months, but shaving a Labradoodle in the summer can actually just expose their skin to sun damage. Labradoodles, like all dogs, will pant to keep themselves cool. In the summer, make sure your dog has constant access to water and shade, particularly if they are outside. You could also choose to invest in a doggy pool. Heatstroke can be a real problem for dogs in the summer, so stick to the cooler times of day when exercising, such as early mornings or late evenings. Shaved Labradoodle — A Summary Most groomers will recommend a regular trim for your Labradoodle dog, and they will only fully shave them to the skin if it is absolutely necessary. Shaving a Labradoodle has pros and cons. It is easier to manage than longer fur, but can leave your dog prone to sunburn and other skin-related injuries. Have you had to shave your Labradoodle before? Do you prefer to shave certain parts of their bodies, like the feet and face? Let us know in the comments! Readers Also Liked.