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Ian discusses how we should learn to see the world from our dogs perspective and in doing so, how we can better earn their love and trust. Armed with this love and trust, we will form a better relationship and as a result, effective training becomes just that much more effective and enjoyable for both you and your dog. But please, first make sure to use the search facility in the footer of this website and browse our other sections as the subject may have already been covered: Labrador health and care , Labrador behavior , Labrador puppies , infobites and Labrador breed information. External Resources On Labrador Training Although referring to all breeds in general and not purely Labradors, for those of you that love to watch and not read, the series of dog training videos on www. If you like reading books then check out one of our favorite Lab books: The Complete Labrador Handbook. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. If this is the case,…. Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. These smart, social dogs are known for their amiable temperaments and their patience. Traditionally bred as hunting dogs, Labs also are among the most popular service dogs, acting as guide dogs for blind people and as therapy dogs. By socializing these dogs early, you can tap into their natural instincts as protectors and companions. Socialize Puppies Labs are natural born people pleasers. Introduce your Lab puppy to as many new people and places as possible during the early months of its life. Keep each new meeting and experience positive and upbeat. Doing this will reinforce your Lab's natural tendency to be friendly and accepting of everyone. If you have young children in the home, be sure to socialize them to the animal as well as the reverse. Although Labs are patient and tolerant, they may still nip at a child who teases or hurts them during play. Make sure everyone knows the boundaries and rules. Exercise Every Day Labrador retrievers are high energy dogs, which is part of the reason they are such great pets for active families. But if Labs aren't given sufficient exercise, they can quickly become bored. This often leads to destructive behavior and other common behavior problems , such as barking, chewing, and digging. It's also why Labs are not well-suited for apartment living; they're too big and too active. Plan on giving your Lab an hour or more of exercise each day. Most Labs love long walks or a game of fetch. These are the perfect way to burn off your Lab's energy. Take advantage of their innate trainability by starting an obedience program as soon as you bring your Labrador retriever home. You can work on basic obedience commands on your own, or sign up for a dog obedience class with a local dog trainer. Classes are a great way to train your Lab while socializing at the same time. Since Labs get to be fairly large and have a tendency to pull on the leash, make walking on a loose leash your first priority. You should also teach your Lab to "come," "drop it," and "fetch," so you can take advantage of its natural tendency for retrieving. Use Positive Reinforcement Training Their eagerness to learn, playfulness, affectionate natures, and their love of treats make Labrador retrievers fantastic candidates for positive reinforcement dog training. Reward their good behaviors with a small treat, a game, or some cuddle time with you. You'll find your Lab is soon offering you the behaviors you like with little prompting. If you decide to use treats in your training, remember that Labs have a tendency to become overweight. Plan on a Long Adolescence One of the most endearing qualities of Labrador retrievers is that they remain very puppy-like long after they've reached adulthood. The downside is that their energy level and tendency to get into mischief continues well into adulthood as well. Therefore, it pays to have behavior management tools handy. The training to become a service animal will vary depending on what the dog will be doing; some are trained to be animal companions to sick children and adults in the hospital, while others are trained to serve as seeing-eye dogs. Others may provide assistance to people with mental illnesses, or behavioral problems. Check the requirements for licensing and training where you live; some places have more strict rules and requirements for service dogs than others. Problems and Proofing Behavior Many Labrador retrievers are happiest and the most well-behaved when they have a job to do. Consider getting involved with a dog sport or training your Lab as a service animal or pet therapy dog. Crate train your Labrador so it doesn't have the run of the house when you're not there to supervise Provide your Lab with a variety of interesting toys and chews to keep it from getting bored. Continue practicing basic obedience commands; it reinforces your Lab's training and provides mental stimulation. No matter what training you decide on, keeping your Lab busy and active is sure to keep one of those famous Lab smiles on its face. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. McGreevy, Paul D et al. Labrador retrievers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders. Canine genetics and epidemiology vol. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the bathroom at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialization Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the yard Besides the gnomes and questionable yard furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own yard is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and yard to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favorite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. Print Early obedience first step to better hunting dog Labrador puppies start out sweet and innocent. All you want to do is cuddle up with your pup and love them! And you should! But rest assured the innocence will not last. As your pup gains confidence and courage, they will begin to test you in many ways. That is why you must obedience train your Labrador puppy. Early obedience training is key to establishing borders and boundaries that will help your puppy grow, learn, and adjust with a good attitude. There is no shortcut to doing this, just use the name often when you talk to your puppy. Over time, the pup will start to respond to the name. Socialization, while not technically obedience training, is the single most important thing you can teach your puppy during the first few months of life. If you are not sure how to do this, refer to this post. Tools needed to obedience train Labrador puppy You will need a few tools to teach your puppy obedience. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. Collar — You should purchase a size appropriate collar for your new puppy. You may have to buy new ones as your dog grows, but it is important for your puppy to get used to wearing a collar early on. A simple nylon adjustable collar works great. Chain collar — If your puppy is more than a few months old, a chain or prong collar is extremely helpful in teaching obedience, but they must be used correctly. For more information on how to put a chain collar on your dog correctly refer to this video. A longer lead, called a check cord, is also useful for teaching HERE and retrieving. You can learn more about that here. Heeling stick optional — While optional, a heeling stick can be especially helpful in teaching basic obedience. Treats — Treats are good for teaching very young puppies. I use treats for pups under 12 weeks of age, but treats should be discontinued rather quickly. When to start basic puppy obedience training Obedience training can and should start within the first couple weeks of having your puppy home. Young puppies are ready and willing to learn and teaching obedience to a young puppy is much easier than teaching it to an older dog. How long should obedience sessions be? Most labs do not enjoy obedience training. For this reason, we aim to keep obedience sessions short, especially if your dog is under 4-months of age. Five to ten minutes of obedience a day can work wonders. Especially if you are consistent. Using rewards or praise to teach obedience Many people like to use treats or rewards for obedience training. And this can work, especially with very young dogs. But for hunting dogs, over the long-term treats can become a problem. We do not want our dogs, or the dogs we train to be obedient only because they are getting a food reward. We want them to be obedient because they understand their place in the family and respect the owners. To get these lasting results, we use praise words and petting and a reward that retrievers live for — retrieves! Well-timed praise is a particularly important part of dog training. A message that it is okay to ignore me the first 9 times! This simply means that after a few minutes of formal obedience training, we release the dog with an OKAY command and that means they can run around and be a dog. We then throw a bumper or plug a for the dog to retriever. We do this a few times with a lot of excitement and allow the dog to retrieve the bumper. For retriever breeds, this is often more effective than a food reward. Be careful that you are not letting your puppy get into bad habits with retrieving. For instance, if your puppy often goes out to retrieve the bumper but then runs away with it, or picks it up and drops it, do not continue doing retrieves. While retrieving is a reward for many Labs, it is not an excuse to engage in behaviors that are not going to be acceptable in the field. If you want to learn more about how to properly teach your Lab to retrieve, check out How can I teach my retriever puppy to fetch? Introduction to leash and nylon collar The very first step for any puppy obedience is to introduce your puppy to a regular collar and leash. This should be done in two separate steps, first the collar and then the leash. Introduce the collar by putting a nylon type collar on your puppy. This is normal and you should not react to it. Introducing the leash is a little different. We like to do this outside. After a few sessions of this introduction, you can start holding the leash by the end and walking with the puppy. When the puppy tries to run or walk away, hold tight to the leash, and just let the puppy get used to the resistance. Some puppies have a hard time with this and will growl or whine and whip themselves around at the pressure, but most will not. Remain calm and after a few sessions the puppy should get used to the resistance of the leash. Do not allow the puppy to pull you around. That will make for some bad behaviors that you will need to correct later. If you cannot control your puppy with just a regular collar and leash, you may need to move to a chain or prong collar to keep control. What commands to teach Lab puppy There are only four basic obedience commands that you need to teach your young puppy. Remember when it comes to commands, less is more. OKAY — this is a release command, basically tells your dog were done training, go be a dog. As your puppy grows and learns more, there are some other commands that may be needed, but for puppies I like to start with just the four above. Dog training requires consistency Before you start with obedience training, I want to make a note about the importance of consistency. Obedience training only works if you are consistent. This means that when you say a command, you expect the puppy to perform the command, and are willing to take steps to make the puppy perform the command. If you do not remain consistent in this expectation, you will confuse your dog and get poor results from your training. You and your family must be consistent! How to start obedience training Lab puppy The first command you want to start teaching your puppy is SIT. This is quite easy to teach with a small puppy but gets a little tougher as they get bigger. Then release the puppy with the OKAY command. Repeat this process several times, then stop. If your puppy is weeks old, you can repeat this training several times a day for only a couple minutes at a time. This will be a two-person job for a little while. The other person will put the food down a few feet from the puppy. Then release the puppy to eat saying OKAY. As the pup learns and understands the command better, you will no longer need a second person to hold the puppy. You must be a little careful here because young puppies do not have great bladder control and making them wait, even a few seconds, can mean the difference between an accident and them doing their business outside. But this is a great way to teach impulse control and manners to your puppy. I do not want to have to fight for a position by the door. You can usually start working on this within a week or two of teaching SIT. A great way to teach this command to young puppies is to use two people and sit in a long hallway, one at each end. Take turns calling your puppy with a HERE command. A toy or treat can often help the process. Let your puppy run around a bit but hold onto the end of the cord. Occasionally, call you puppy with a HERE command. It can be helpful at first to crouch down to encourage the puppy to run towards you. Then release the puppy with an OKAY command. Do this a few more times and repeat daily until the puppy is coming to you without you needing to pull the cord. It is also the command most of our clients struggle with the most. Mostly because they are using the wrong tool for the job. For heeling work, it is important that you work with a chain or prong collar. This will give you more control and stop the pulling and surging that many people struggle with. Using a chain or prong collar and a six-foot leash, start walking your puppy at your side. If your puppy is young, be sure to use a puppy chain collar which is smaller than chain collars for adult dogs. And make sure that you are putting it on correctly! An alternate tool to a chain collar and leash is the Wonder or Command Lead. These work great for teaching HEEL. As you start walking use gently tugs on the chain collar with the command HERE to keep your puppy at your side. If your puppy surges or pulls ahead, simply make a degree turn and start walking the other direction giving a sharp, upward tug on the chain collar and saying HEEL several times until the dog is back in a heeling position. Many of our clients have told us they never left their driveway the first few days! But if you are patient and consistent, your dog will quickly learn that if they want to go for a walk, they need to stay at your side. If you want to learn and progress in more obedience work, check out these obedience drills for retrievers. Final thoughts on how to teach your lab puppy obedience Teaching your puppy obedience may take a lot of patience, time and work, but it is such an important thing to do. You will never regret the time! A well-mannered dog is such a joy to be around both in the home and in the field. How to obedience train Labrador puppy. Labrador Retriever pups are working dogs. This means they live to please you for a treat. The more you engage them with different puppy training behaviors the happier they will be. Of course, Labs will be Labs, and this means that dogs do dog things unless they are trained to follow your expectations. Potty training your puppy is just the beginning of you making clear expectations for your Lab. Puppy training from long leash training to potty training, to not nipping is discussed in greater detail along with clear, easy to follow videos at www. But we will give you an expert training tip summary below. For this reason, you need to become an expert on puppy training. Contact us for a discount on the Puppy Trained Right positive reinforcement training program. Expose your puppy to as many different people and situations possible. Teach dog to dog manners when required. Use Positive Reinforcement. Allow for Play with Other Puppies. Play with other Lab Puppies not only allows your pup to get some exercise it is a form of puppy socialization. Bond with your Puppy. Once a strong bond is formed your Lab Puppy will want to please you even more. Potty Train Right Away. Learn how Dogs Learn. Training a Lab puppy is easy if you understand how to go about it. Give your Lab Puppy Play time to Explore. Labs need this as part of their natural development. Spend more time with your puppy when young. This is the time when your expectations should be clearly outlined and can decrease as she gets older. Begin Training day 1. This happens weather or not you intend it to. Every action and reaction is something your puppy uses to form new habits. So ignoring them jumping up as an 8 week old puppy is training them to jump up and will be much more difficult to un-train once they are 70 lbs. Relax and make learning fun. Your pup needs you happy and enjoying yourself! Use Positive Training Methods because they work. This means reward what you desire. Ensure most Experiences are Positive. Imagine a training session of No, No, No, No! Expose them to as Many Human Situations possible. One cause is that there was not adequate socialization with different men. Be Patient. You are building an amazing K9 personality. The window is between 8 and 20 weeks old. Make the most of it. The better your Lab is socialized the happier they will be. Anxiety in dogs comes from many things. The more things your dog is comfortable with the less chance for anxiety and therefore the happier they are. Prepare yourself, your family and your home before your puppy comes home. It is too late once you meet your puppy as simply interacting with her is training. Allow for Safe Experiences both in the home and outside. Seek professional trainers to help guide you when faced with a problem. Be consistent. Clear expectations are easiest to learn. Focus on Guiding not controlling. Best Start Training or Training Classes are beneficial for both you and your puppy. Expect Success. We tend to move in the direction we believe we will travel. Reward the Behaviors you want to see even something as simple as 4 paws on the ground if you are trying to train your Lab not to jump up on you. Become Well informed. You are teaching a skill like reading that takes clear expectations and builds upon last session. Lab Puppies need constant supervision either human, a crate, a fenced area or a baby gate across a doorway. Encourage a soft mouth. Keep your training up or it will be forgotten. Begin Walking on a Loose Leash Right away. This is always easier for your Lab when they are 12 lbs not 70lbs. Change direction before the leash tightens so they are followers not leaders. This is much easier to train before it happens than correct. Allow alone time for your Lab. Know when to end a training session. End training before your puppy quits. Make time for a few shorter training Sessions. Three fifteen minute sessions are better than one 45 min one. Teach your Lab to respond to their name. Teach your Labrador basic obedience before tricks-come, sit, stay, down, leave it. Have all humans learn the commands and be consistent. Ignore undesirable behaviors. Ignoring includes not saying no, bad dog, touching your dog or making eye contact. Find rewards that your Retriever loves and use them when you have breakthrough training moments. Adjust your expectations as your Lab puppy matures, the older more experienced the higher the expectation. Set Realistic Expectations. Minimize distractions when you begin training. Be aware of your Body Language, Labradors pick up cues from you. Be aware of your leash tension. A tight leash says anxiety from the handler. Know when to get Help .Have fun! Understand that Labs do Lab things. Make them work for food and treats. Exercise your Retriever properly for both intensity and duration. Learn some exercise games Labs love. Give lots of repetition. Stop before they get bored. Establish a Pattern by Praising. Redirect undesired behavior. Accept partial actions at first and gradually increase your expectations. When treats end Verbal treats and chin scratches rule. They will know. Enjoy your well balanced purebred Lab puppy for many years. Purebred Lab Retrievers, are they easier to train? The answer to that is definitely maybe! Not all purebreds are bred for intelligence. For example, if a Labrador Retriever breeder chooses to breed their dogs for a certain look then they may overlook intelligence as one of the important characteristics in order to get a specific Lab look. We however breed for intelligence, health and temperament. So in our case, yes, our Purebred Lab Puppies are easier to train than many because we choose the parents and their puppies specifically for their smarts!

Andorra and Spain Hello Starting Again and welcome to the forum. As for your question, as an outsider, you really can't tell much about the finished article by looking at a very young puppy, even at 8 weeks of age, which is when I assume you'll be bringing your puppy home. Your best indication is looking at the temperament of the parents; if you have chosen a litter with a good sire and dam calm, confident and biddable through genetics rather than through suppression then you have a high chance of having a calm dog yourself. I would always look, above all else, for confidence in the dogs; no anxiety when being left, no issues around other dogs of any size or breed, no noise sensitivity. This may give you a more rambunctious puppy and adolescent, but the final dog will have more chance of bring able to cope around these sorts of stimuli. I say this from the experience of having two anxious adult Labradors and one confident 6-month-old puppy. To be perfectly honest, I'd be a little concerned in your situation. Breeders who are breeding dogs that are going to go on to do jobs of whatever description generally do the choosing themselves, as they spend so much more time with the puppies. I didn't know until 7 weeks which puppy was to be mine. In that litter, there were puppies going to show homes, to be gun dogs, one to be a service dog and the rest pets I wanted a pup that could do some showing and train as a gun dog, too. The breeder chose which was most suitable for each new home, and I believe that's how it should be when you are after something specific. If your breeder isn't doing this, then it may be worth considering that it's not the right litter to be choosing something as important as a future service dog from. Good luck and I hope you hang around to let us know how you get on. Print The dreaded 3-month-old puppy I really enjoy young puppies. Seven- to week-old puppies can be so much fun and while they can be trouble, it is easy to contain them. But when a puppy turns weeks-old…. Three-month-old puppies start feeling good about themselves. They think they have the world all figured out and they will get into everything and run circles around you, even after being scolded or punished. Here is what you need to know about training your week-old Labrador puppy. About this series of posts This is post five of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Bubba at 12 weeks old Training and socialization for week-old Labrador puppy — week five home Bubba should have been named Spunky because she is a handful. She runs around our home with her head and tail high, like she is all that. She pulls our shoes out of the organizer, chews on closet doors and digs and splashes in her water dish. So is the life of a 3-month-old Lab puppy. Patience is required to raise young lab pups. They will give you a run for the money. Even the well-behaved ones. No one escapes the terror of the 3-month-old Lab. So, how can you survive this time. Firm and well-defined boundaries that are enforced endlessly. Now is not the time to give up on training your puppy. It is the time to buckle down and show your puppy that there are rules and boundaries, and they must be obeyed. You puppy can and will learn the rules if you are firm and consistent in your corrections. Whatever you do, do not allow the puppy to do whatever it wants with no corrections. That is not being a good puppy mama or dad and it is really not fair to the dog, because training will require much more pressure and correction when the dog is bigger and stronger. Here are the things we worked on this week for training of Bubba. Crate training Bubba is now completely at home in her crate. She remains in her crate a full 4-hours at a time without accidents, is quiet while in there and walks into her crate on a KENNEL command from feet in front of the crate. Bubba will come to me when called, even when she knows that she is going into the crate. While there are still some consistency issues to work on, Bubba is well crate trained at this point. Looking for more information on crate training? Housebreaking Housebreaking is such a difficult job. You will have periods when the puppy is doing so well that you will think you are done. And then, when you least expect it, your puppy will have an accident right in front of you. Bubba has been good at housebreaking. She has had less than a half-dozen accidents in the house and all of them pee accidents. She has never pooped in the house. So, we thought she was pretty much house broke. Then suddenly, she just up and peed right on the dog bed. Housebreaking is always an ongoing process, and we know that over time the accidents will become less and less. Looking for more information on housebreaking? Obedience training your week-old puppy With any dog training, obedience is key! She will SIT on command about 90 percent of the time. The only time we really have issues is when there is a lot of distractions. That is normal for a puppy of her age, but that does not mean that we just allow her to be disobedient when there are distractions. Rather, we look for distractions and then train through them. This is very important because you do not want your dog to just be obedient when everything is calm. You want, even need, your puppy to be obedient when the everyday distractions happen. HERE command As I have already stated, twelve-week-old puppies are cute, but they can also be little terrors. This is the age when they start to get very independent. With that independence comes the desire to run away from you, run around you, play keep-a-way and just generally terrorize your life. We get lots of calls from owners of puppies this age. They all want to know if we can take their dog now for training instead of at the usual months of age that we usually require for hunting dog training. This is very hard, even for professional trainers. But that is almost always a mistake since Bubba will decide to make a game out of not coming to us. Getting your puppy to come to you There are some techniques to help with this matter. Sometimes this is a good time to start treat-training your dog on HERE. This is a short-term fix that we will not continue for long, but it can sometimes help to get us through the next month or two. Labs are almost always driven by food, so it can help you get a better response to the HERE command. You can also have the dog drag a long check cord. The check cord gives you something to grab onto if the dog tries to make a game of coming to you, but you must be careful since the lead can get caught on something and injure your dog. Remember that each time you say HERE, you need to pull your puppy towards you. You need to associate the HERE command with coming towards you. You need your puppy to understand that coming to you is a good thing. That is why treats can help with this. If every time your puppy comes to you, you put her away or take something away from her, soon your puppy will not want to come to you. You must work hard to make coming to you a good experience for your puppy. Last week we introduced Bubba to water and got her swimming. Since then, she has been swimming a couple more times and she is very comfortable retrieving in the water. We also introduced her to decoys on land. Introduction to live birds This week we introduced Bubba to a live bird. We do this using a pigeon with the flight feathers pulled out. The pigeon can walk around and flap its wings, but it cannot fly. We ultimately would love to see the puppy chase down the bird, grab it in their mouth and bring it to us or at least prance around with it a bit. For some dogs, this can take a bit of encouragement the first time. But generally, once the puppy grabs hold of the bird, we see their whole demeanor change. This was the case for Bubba. Once Bubba picked up the pigeon, she pranced around the yard with her tail high and a spring in her step. She was so excited and proud of herself. This is a great response. Introduction to gun fire As I stated in last weeks post, we do not want to rush the introduction to gunfire. We have never had a dog we have raised and trained become gun shy and that is because we introduce gunfire is a very slow and painfully methodical way. The first step is that the dog or puppy is in a box on our dog trailer. While in this box, our other dogs are getting marks in the field. The gunners for these marks are anywhere from yards away from the dog trailer and they are using primers or starter pistols. The puppy is hearing these shots, but they are a long way away and are muted by being in the dog trailer. Our puppies hear these shots for weeks, or months before they ever hear anything closer. This is our first introduction to gun fire. Bubba was exposed to this last week and will be every week for a while before we move anything closer to her. Learn more about introducing your dog to gunfire. Continuation of assistant marks Bubba will continue to get assistant marks most days from now until she is done her training. The marks will continue to increase in distance and complexity but all our marking scenarios for our afternoon sessions involved gunners out in the field throwing marks for Bubba. Final thoughts on training for your week-old Labrador puppy You are really in the thick of it if your puppy is around the week mark. The next month or two will likely be the most challenging of your time raising a Labrador puppy. That will make obedience training easier and faster, but that is still a bit of a ways out. Hang in there and push through. Keep your commands and corrections firm and consistent and you will make progress with your puppy. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. Training your week-old Labrador puppy? But those first weeks of puppy development are very similar whatever the breed, and these landmarks are good general rules for any dog. Puppy development week by week, changes quickly. Newborn Puppies Newborn puppies are born at the end of nine weeks of pregnancy, with their eyes and ears tightly closed. They already have a fur coat but they cannot yet control their own body temperature. They are dependent on their mother or another heat source to keep them warm. Newborn puppies may cry if cold. But they do not have the strength to cry for long. Newborn Labrador puppies snuggle together to keep warm when their mother is away How Helpless are Newborn Pups? Although they rely on mom for a lot at this stage, newborn puppies are not completely helpless. They can use their front feet to drag themselves towards a heat source or their milk supply. This means their mom, not milk alternatives like cow or goat milk. Newborn pups have no teeth yet. But they can move their heads about to search for a nipple, and they can latch on and suck strongly. Their mother leaves them only to eat, drink and for bathroom purposes. While she is away, the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat, as you can see in the photo above. They may also crawl under a heat lamp source to keep warm. In every other respect newborn puppies are completely dependent on the care of their mother. Newborn pups have little control over the rear end of their bodies. The mother dog washes them and licks their bottoms to encourage elimination, licking up and swallowing anything they produce to keep her babies and their nest scrupulously clean. In fact, he may even double his birth weight! One week later and the puppies have doubled their birth weight. Changes are taking place under his eyelids to prepare them for opening. And usually begins during the second week of life. Ears open at this point too, so your puppy will begin to hear. The Labrador puppies in this picture are two weeks olds. Two weeks old and the puppies eyes are now open! You can see that their eyes are now open and the puppies are beginning to look a little more dog-like. The breeder will be handling the puppies more now. And most puppies are wormed for the first time at two weeks old. Most 3 week old puppies can stand and sit, and are beginning to totter about. They are also starting to develop their individuality. No longer are they just a row of identical little fat furry sausages! This little three week old puppy :- Can easily be distinguished from his brother: Teething and Further Development At 3 weeks old, this is also the point at which puppies start teething — cutting their first deciduous baby teeth. Obviously the teeth are appearing for a reason! Some breeders will start to offer the first tastes of solid food at this point. Especially if the litter is a large one and putting a strain on the mother dog. It is lovely to watch a litter of 3 week old puppies beginning to interact with their brothers and sisters. They are running, playing enthusiastically, and have started to wag their little tails. The puppies will start to show bowel control as they move away from the other puppies to defecate. And solid food is becoming a major part of their diet. These little pups are tucking into some puppy food. Four week old puppies having their dinner in the fresh air If the weather is warm enough, puppies will be spending some time outdoors now. Mealtimes are a messy process, so feeding puppies out in the yard can be a good idea. Breeder Involvement Some mother dogs will lose interest in cleaning up after their pups at this point or soon afterwards. And many puppies will be wormed again this week. Vocalizations are becoming stronger at this puppy development stage. The litter will greet their mother noisily when she returns to them, and try hard to follow her out of the whelping box whenever she leaves. The puppies themselves are now eating solid food several times a day and gradually being weaned of their dependency on her milk. Puppies will still suckle ravenously when their mother returns and she will now often feed them standing up and only for a short time. She will also be teaching the puppies not to bite too hard. So, they should be increasingly spending time with humans and learning to be familiar with the sounds and sights of a human family environment. Puppies being raised in kennels must be brought into a home environment regularly from now on to ensure they develop into confident, friendly dogs. Six weeks old and full of mischief Puppies Still Have a Lot to Learn at 6 Weeks In some countries, puppies are taken to their new homes at this age. But this is not a good idea, and can result in a puppy that has poor bite inhibition and is challenging to manage. The puppies are learning not to bite too hard from the reactions of their mother and siblings. Growth is not quite so fast now. But the puppies will still grow strongly for the next few months. Many puppies will be wormed again this week. All that remains is for plenty of great socialization experiences to be packed into this week, with final checks on health. Many breeders will arrange for each seven week old puppy to have a vet check this week. And though some vets advise against it, some puppies are also given their first vaccinations before they leave for their new homes. Some breeders will now have the puppies trained to pee and poop on puppy pads or newspaper. And some will have been whistling to the puppies at meal times to get them used to coming to a human signal. Potty training is now underway and puppy socialization plans are being made. At this point, many of you will be thinking about training your puppy too. The next four weeks are vital in puppy development stages. Your main job is socializing your puppy. This means taking him to lots of new places and exposing him to lots of new experiences. So, life will be starting to get back to normal. Most puppies in the U. In the U. So, not all puppies will get their vaccinations at the exact same age. Socializing your puppy is still the most important job for you at this age. But, you cannot put your puppy on the ground outside until they have received their final vaccination. So, make sure you know exactly when their final jab is. And carry on introducing them to as many new people, things, and experiences as possible throughout this puppy development stage. Some people can suffer from the puppy blues at this stage too, as your life has completely changed! But, that does not mean socialization can stop. Puppies who are isolated at this point will soon lose that friendly fearlessness. You have an important job now, building on what has been achieved so far, and introducing your puppy to the world at ground level. This part of his education can begin once his vaccination cover is complete. He should be fully immunised at around this point. But check with your vet for confirmation of the actual date. Three months also marks the point at which many puppies will drop down from four daily meals, to three. This can cause problems for some puppies because the portions are larger If your puppy gets an upset tummy when you make this change, just go back up to four meals again for a few days, and give smaller portions for a few days when you try again. But, many will need another month before they can cope without frequent bathroom breaks and the occasional accident. Your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth. This can also be a time at which biting can be most challenging. And try not to worry, this stage will soon be over! A few will need another month or two to complete the process. Remember, no two puppies are the same. That puppy fluffiness will have gone. For many puppies, five months is an awkward, gangly time. A five month old puppy may have shed the last of his soft puppy lines and be looking quite skinny. By the end of this month most puppies will have finished teething but an urge to chew may continue for another few months in some breeds, Labradors included. Some female dogs will have their first season during this month. But, for many, it will be another three or four months before this happens. This is a major milestone for your puppy. He is now looking very much like an adult Labrador. Still a Puppy Because he looks quite grown up, people expect a lot of their 6 month old puppy. But inside, he is still very much a puppy. The beginnings of adolescence and with it an increasing independence of spirit can bring its challenges, but also a whole lot of fun. Save to Pinterest The Stages of Puppy Growth and Development Month by Month The following are the stages of puppy growth and development, starting at birth and ending when your dog reaches adulthood. The Neonatal Stage 0 to 2 weeks This is the newborn puppy growth stage that lasts until two weeks of age. At this developmental stage, puppies are blind and deaf. Expect puppies at this point to sleep almost constantly and their mother will take care of everything, keeping them warm, feeding them, and keeping them clean. The Transitional Stage 2 to 4 weeks At this puppy growth stage , they will start to open up their eyes and respond to sounds, light, and movement around them. You will also notice a puppy at this point starting to get more mobile, although they will still tend to crawl instead of walking. They do, however, have enough strength to stand up, but will stumble a lot. A puppy in this developmental stage will just be starting to recognize their siblings and mother. Lab puppies open their eyes at about two weeks old. By this time, Labrador puppies will have their eyes fully open and most will be at least partly open. Ears open at this point too and your puppy will begin to hear. Period of Awakening of Senses 3 to 4 weeks At this period , a puppy develops various senses rapidly. They start to get fully alert and aware of their environment and may recognize you and other humans that are frequently around. The Socialization Period 4 to 7 Weeks Once a puppy is around four weeks old, they start to learn the most important things in life-related to social development. They will learn to not bite all the time and how to interact with their siblings. Interactions with humans are especially important between five and seven weeks. This is also the time they will start to understand discipline thanks to their mother. She will start weaning her puppies and teaching them manners, like acknowledging she is in charge. As the owner, you can start introducing food to your puppy when they are around four weeks old. Start small and begin to give them more food as the mother continues to wean them. You should also continue handling the puppy every day. However, be sure not to separate them from their siblings or mother for over ten minutes each day, since this can lead to issues with training and socialization. Dogs who are separated too soon may also be nervous and more likely to bark and bite. During this period, let the mother dog take care of discipline; you should not correct the dog for mouthing or housebreaking mistakes until later in life. To help ease them through this process, avoid traumatic events, loud voices, or harsh discipline. You should also make sure your pooch has plenty of human contact during this stage. If you want, you can start leash training and even teach simple commands such as sit, down, stay and come. In terms of development, you will notice that your puppy can sleep through the whole night and starts to develop better control of its bowels and bladder. Most vets suggest that new outings should wait until they are fully vaccinated. We rub the Calmeroos Puppy Toy on littermates and mom to get their scent. When we get home the Calmeroos Puppy Toy helps our puppy feel comfortable and adjust more quickly to his new environment. Many puppies will go to their new homes at around 8 weeks old. We recently put together a blog post on our sister site detailing what you can expect from an 8-week-old puppy. The Juvenile Stage 3 to 4 Months At this point in development, a puppy can be compared to a juvenile. They will be more independent and may ignore the basic commands that they know very well. If this happens, firmly and gently reinforce the commands and other training. You may also notice your pup starting to test your authority by play biting or similar actions. You can also redirect your dog to a toy that they can bite. Either can end up teaching your pooch that it is okay to fight with you and challenge your authority. The Ranking Period 3 to 6 Months When your puppy is between four and six months old, you should expect them to be somewhat bratty, showing more willfulness and independence. They are more likely to test your limits and may try to show dominance over children or other family members. If they fail to listen to you or come when called, it can be dangerous as it puts them at risk of injury when in public. It can also hurt future responses to you, making them less likely to listen. This is also when your dog will be teething, so give them toys like frozen dog Kong toys to relieve pressure and pain. Chewing behaviors will also start growing at this point so look for some safe chew toys to keep your dog entertained. This is when hormonal changes start to occur and is the ideal time to spay or neuter your pup. UC Davis published a study comparing the long-term health effects of neutering in Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. Adolescence 6 to 18 Months After six months, your pup is already in the final stage of puppy development but is still young. This is a fun and exciting time for your pooch since they will be learning, full of energy, and exuberant. During this time, it is important to remember that even if your puppy now looks like a grown-up dog, they are still a puppy, at least in its mental capacity and emotional maturity. Work to slowly increase training and other activities. You can even work on advanced training such as agility or herding. Another option is to simply keep training them to ensure they interact in a non-aggressive and non-threatening way with other animals. It is also possible that your dog will go through another fearful period of time at some point after they reach six months. You can speed up the process with counter-conditioning and desensitization. It fits very well and is quite apt! Final Thoughts With the knowledge of how and when your new puppy will develop, you are better able to meet their needs. Provide socialization at the appropriate times and be sure to give your puppy plenty of social interactions with their siblings as well as humans and any other pets in your home. Your dog should reach maturity at some point between one and two years old with plenty of variation based on breed, Labradors are considered mature at between 2 and 2. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

Sign up to receive information about our upcoming litters! God has blessed us with two beautiful daughters, but we had more love to give! A lifetime dream of owning an English Bulldog has led to not only owning several of these amazing dogs, but breeding and rescuing. They are so similar to humans. Talk about emotional support. One look into their beautiful eyes and you will understand exactly what we mean. They are a challenging breed to produce, especially correctly and responsibly, but oh so worth it! We breed very few litters a year personally, but we do whelp litters for some friends! Just ask when our next litter is arriving and we should have some info for you! Just like a potato chip. Cannot stop at just one! Due to our overwhelming love for the breed we have opened our hearts and home to many rescues along the way as well. If you know of a bulldog in need, please do not hesitate to contact us! Also, if you are looking for the most amazing companion ever, message us about adopting one of our pups, retired adults or adult rescues! Sign Up For Updates. Questions about Bulldog puppies for sale in Austin TX? We have answers. How much are Bulldog puppies for sale in Austin TX? The cost of any Bulldog for sale in Austin will vary due to a few factors. The combination of coat color, pattern, and eye color will make a difference, as some combos are more unusual than others. The experience and location of Austin Bulldog breeders will also play a part in how much they charge for their pups. What if there are no Bulldog breeders in Austin right now? Bulldogs are a super popular breed so you should have too much trouble finding Bulldogs for sale in Austin. The businesses in our network can even arrange for pups to fly to your nearest airport! How do you screen Bulldog breeders Austin? Each of them also has to sign our Breeder Pledge. What makes Uptown Puppies different from anywhere else with Bulldog puppies Austin? What are puppy mills? Puppy mills are grim places that put profit above welfare. Sadly, pups born in mills are far more likely to suffer from health conditions, behavioral issues, or both. Are there any Bulldog puppies for sale Austin right now? In fact, we reckon you should check them out right now! Our network of approved companies have some seriously cute Bulldogs for sale Austin that are just waiting to find their forever homes. Will you be it? While they may have been bred as working dogs, the modern day Austin Bulldog for sale are chilled out pups who would rather curl up for a nap with their favorite humans than head out to earn their keep. How big does a Bulldog get? Bulldogs are built low to the ground but with plenty of chunk! They might only stand 15 inches tall when fully grown but they can weigh a huge 50 pounds. Are Bulldogs good family dogs? They absolutely are! The Bulldog for sale in Austin on the Uptown network want nothing more than to find their perfect family. Their kind and loving natures mean that a Bulldog is never happier than when surrounded by their people both young and old. This keeps the breed characteristics constant. Mixed breeds are created by crossing two purebred breeds together to create a new breed with characteristics that are a combination of both the parent breeds. Both are awesome options!

Articles German Shepherds are considered the best working dogs around the world. Similarly, the Pomeranians are excellent working dogs and were initially bred as sled dogs. Imagine what will happen when we combine these two unrelated working buddies of dissimilar sizes to give a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix. Also known as the Pomeranian Shepherd or the German Shepherd Pom, you will soon find out that this fluffy medium dog breed is adorable and playful despite being loud and aggressive. In this article, I will let you know about the world of these fun-loving buddies, and I will let you know about their life span, their temperaments, and how to take care of them. German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes can grow up to 15 inches tall. The average height they can reach is 12 inches tall and is expectedly bigger than that of a Pomeranian but less than that of a German Shepherd. For their weight, a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix can weigh between 15 to 20 lbs. Hence, this mixed breed falls under the medium-sized dog breed category, and its size will lie between a German Shepherd and a Pomeranian. In other words, the weight of a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is often greater than that of a Pomeranian. However, it is also less than that of a mature German Shepherd. So if you are looking for a miniature-sized pooch that looks like a German Shepherd, you should go for a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix. In addition, it is for this reason that a Pomeranian is never used as the female when breeding a German Shepherd Pom. This is because the female Pomeranian will not be able to carry the weight of many German Shepherd Pom puppies. Image from Instagram: princesspommom Physical Appearance The physical appearance of German Shepherd Poms depends on the characteristics they inherited from their parents. Their coat color and patterns also depend on this. If their fluffy coat is well inherited from their German Shepherd parent, their coat appears smoother and less fluffy. However, if their fluffy coat is inherited from their Pomeranian parents, they have a more fluffy and long coat. For their coat color, if it is inherited from a German Shepherd, it will be tan, sable, dark red, or black. On the other hand, if their coat color is inherited from a Pomeranian, it will appear red, orange, cream, sable, or black. German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes typically can live between 12 to 14 years. During their lifespan, they may get affected by common health issues that will impact their quality of life. Here are some common health issues affecting this mixed breed. Collapsed Trachea Some canines are genetically susceptible to collapsed trachea. Since a genetic factor is involved, a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix will likely get affected. When it does happen, the tracheal rings of cartilage that support your doggie windpipe become slack, and it collapses. Hence, your furry friend finds it difficult to breathe. It is accompanied by a lack of strength and reduced stamina because the heart can not pump enough blood to the tissues. Faulty heart valves, like the mitral valves, are the major cause of this disease. Another cause of this disease is irregular heart rhythm and narrowing blood vessels. In a situation where you observe your furry friend coughing persistently, you should consult your veterinarian. Diabetes Diabetes affects dogs, especially German Shepherd Poms. It influences how their body uses glucose for energy. It occurs when there is no glucose-insulin connection in the body. This may be due to insufficient insulin production or resistance to the insulin produced. Some of the symptoms are increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and increased appetite. However, it can still be managed by visiting your veterinarian if you observe that your canine buddy has any of these symptoms. Other health issues affecting German Shepherd Poms to note are hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and cataracts. Due to their high-energy nature, taking care of the German Shepherd Poms requires proper nutrition, sufficient exercise, and the use of dental water additives to keep them in good health. Exercise Routine We recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise for your German Shepherd Pom every day. This can be in the form of a slight jog and walk in between. If the exercise will take longer than 45 minutes, ensure that your canine buddy has breaks to regain its energy. Alternatively, there are canine games your furry friend can participate in canine games, such as ball fetching and weave pole exercise for sprinting. To strengthen your German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix hip muscles, we also recommend that you include 5 to 10 minutes of canine squats daily in your exercise routine. This canine squat exercise is good for preventing hip dysplasia. Food containing meats, vegetables, fruits, and grains provides your canine buddy with a wholesome diet. Most commercial dog foods meet this requirement. More so, they are approved by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition as a safe and healthy option for feeding pets. One such example we recommend is the Pet Plate. It is made with human-grade ingredients and supplies your canine buddy with a balanced diet containing proteins, multivitamins, and minerals. Many of these things are harmful and can cause infections in the mouth and plague the teeth of your doggie. Having your canine buddy wash their mouth and brush their teeth with dental water additives kills these germs and prevents the growth of plagues on their teeth. For this reason, we recommend using dental water additives for the safe oral health of your dear buddy. Ideally, you should brush the teeth of your canine buddy every day. With a barking tendency, the German Shepherd Poms are an ideal candidate for being a watchdog and can alert their owners of any intruders. But do they show any aggression towards such intruders? Aggressive Yes, the German Shepherd Pomeranian Mixes display moderate aggression, especially towards strangers who intrude their living spaces or the house. They can be aggressive towards strangers and those whom they are not familiar with. Early socialization training is required for this mixed breed, especially when there are children in the household. Image from Instagram: finnthedawgg Separation Anxiety Just like their parents, the German Shepherd Poms can deeply suffer from separation anxiety when left unattended for more than 6 hours. Leaving them alone for a long time causes them to be frightened. Hence, they show destructive behaviors such as tearing shoes apart, chewing furniture foams, and barking aggressively. There are many reasons why your Pomeranian Shepherd can suffer from separation anxiety, some reasons include a change in its owner, a transition into a new home from a shelter home, or the loss of one of its loved relatives. There are many treatments for separation anxiety. For instance, rewarding your canine buddy with a special treat just before you leave the house will make it get excited, especially when it sees you leaving. This is because it knows it will have a special reward. Letting your canine buddy have its room and teaching it to be alone even when you are at home will also help in curbing its separation anxiety. Involving your pooch in crate games and exercises can relieve its stress and may help with separation anxiety. Having your pooch in dog day care centers or taken care of by a dog sitter in your absence will also relieve its stress. Though it takes time for your dog to learn to be alone, alternatively, using the above treatment options will enable it to better adjust to its new lifestyle. Besides being loud and aggressive, German Shepherd Poms can be thought to be fun-loving, playful, energetic, and courageous. Be it indoors or outdoors, and you will definitely be enjoying every moment and interaction with this mixed breed. They replace their coats seasonally, twice a year. To keep your German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix clean and have a shiny-looking coat all through the year, you should brush, trim, and wash its coat on a regular basis. Hypoallergenic The German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is not considered to be hypoallergenic due to its moderate shedding levels. Therefore, to reduce its shedding levels, its coat should be brushed 3 to 4 times every week and trimmed once every six weeks to retain its shape and fluffiness. Grooming Having grooming tools keep their coat length moderate and clean. A clean-looking German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is the goal of every pet parent. This tool is safe on the skin of your German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix, gently rolling to remove any loose hair and trimming off excessive hairs. Removes loose hair: reaches through the topcoat to remove loose undercoat hair without cutting skin or damaging the.FURejector button: just push the button to release hair with ease. Check Price on Amazon Bathing In addition to brushing and trimming your furry friend, you should also bathe them with the appropriate shampoo products. The product is specially formulated using oatmeal as an active ingredient to prevent itching and irritation on sensitive and dry skin. Because of its rarity, German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is considerably expensive. However, if you choose to adopt it, you should expect its price to be much lower. Yes, a German Shepherd can breed with a Pomeranian. However, as both breeds greatly differ in size, crossbreeding is a challenging process. During the breeding process, do ensure that the German Shepherd is the female and the Pomeranian is the male. This will enable her to carry the German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix puppies. Alternatively, artificial insemination serves as a safe method for crossbreeding. Yes, a German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix can swim just like how both their parents, the German Shepherd and the Pomeranian, are great swimmers. However, you should never leave them to swim unsupervised. Always be there to guide and play with them during swimming. What is a Pomeranian German Shepherd Mix? However, this hybrid is definitely a very recent development. The first designer breed, the Labradoodle , emerged in .Since then, people have been captivated by creating new designer breeds. These crossbreeds are often very cute, but there is a deep concern among animal welfare professionals that this trend is not a good thing. Designer Dogs -What's the Problems For example, puppy mills take advantage of this consumer craze and flooding the market with puppies that were created in squalid, inhumane conditions. Many puppy mill puppies are riddled with health issues and temperament problems due to poor breeding practices. However, people are so desperate to have these fashionable puppies that they buy them anyway. There is also a real concern that people will get tired of these puppies after the craze dies down. However, unlike a fashion item or a tech gadget that can be cast aside, these dogs will end up neglected or abandoned. This scenario has already played out with other breeds that became wildly popular for a short period of time. A few years after the trend fades away, thousands of dogs end up unwanted in animal shelters. If you are considering getting one of these dogs, please think hard and long about this decision. Keep in mind that this is a living creature, and if you get one, you must commit to loving it and caring for it for its whole life. Also please make sure that you get one from an ethical source and you are not supporting a cruel and exploitative industry by putting money into a puppy mill. We will talk more about how to acquire a dog from a responsible source later in the article. The GSD was developed in Germany to herd and guard sheep. Today, German Shepherds are primarily kept as companions, but some are still used for working purposes including herding, protection, and scent work. German Shepherds are often used by the police force and the military. Some are even used as service dogs for people with disabilities. German Shepherds require a lot of exercise, training and mental stimulation. They are not the best dogs for novice dog owners. They do best with experienced handlers who can channel their energy into constructive outlets. Check out this article for more information about the German Shepherd Temperament. Meet the Pomeranian The Pomeranian, on the other hand, is a very different type of dog. Pomeranians originated in Europe for the sole purpose of companionship. Pomeranians were popular lap dogs for European royalty. These dogs are loving, joyful, playful, and cuddly. They love to be near people at all times. They do not require an excessive amount of exercise, and they usually do fine in city apartments. On the downside, Pomeranians are known for being vocal, anxious and hard to housetrain. You can learn more about Pomeranians in this article about the Pomeranian temperament. As you can see, Pomeranians and German Shepherds have very different temperaments. Therefore, there can be a lot of variability in the traits of German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes. In general, German Pomeranians tend to be intelligent, active, alert, lively and loyal. They have fluffy coats and they definitely shed a lot! These dogs are usually medium-sized, although their height and weights can vary widely. German Shepherd Pomeranian mix colors are likewise highly variable. They can be black, tan, red, brown, or a combination of these. Their coats are usually thick, and they require a lot of grooming. We will talk more about German Shepherd Pomeranian grooming in the next section. Grooming This is a breed that has a lot of hair and requires a lot of grooming. You will need to stock up on basic grooming supplies such as combs, brushes, nail trimmers, wipes and scissors. Brushing your Pomeranian German Shepherd mix every day is a must. This helps to prevent the coat from matting. You will also need to take your Pomeranian German Shepherd mix to a professional groomer a few times per year for a haircut. Otherwise, the coat will become extremely tangled and dirty. Shedding Does the German Shepherd Pomeranian mix shed? Yes, this hybrid is definitely a shedder! Both the German Shepherd and the Pomeranian are known for shedding heavily throughout the year—especially during shedding season. You should invest in a very good vacuum cleaner! If you are not a fan of dog fur in your house, this mix is probably not the right dog for you. No, this mix is not hypoallergenic. If you are looking for a breed that is hypoallergenic, check out this article for a list of hypoallergenic dog breeds. German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix Training If you are thinking about getting one of these dogs, you are probably wondering what is the best way to train your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix? Research shows that positive reinforcement training is the most effective and humane form of obedience training. If possible, sign up for a positive reinforcement obedience class or puppy socialization class in your area. Classes are a great way for your dog to be exposed to other dogs in a safe, supervised setting. Once you have gone through basic obedience, there are endless opportunities for more advanced activities with your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix. For example, you can try out agility, nosework, rally obedience, and much more! This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more. Luckily, mixed breed dogs tend to be a bit healthier since they come from a larger gene pool. However, it is still a good idea to be familiar with the genetic health conditions that are common in German Shepherds and Pomeranians. Talk with your vet about the symptoms and treatments for the following conditions:. Lifespan Sociability Generally speaking, crossbred dogs are less expensive than pure breeds. On top of this, German Pomeranians are a relatively new and unknown breed. Because both parents command a high price, German Pomeranians do as well. These pups need lots of exercise and space, therefore it is probably best you have a yard. It is also important to be able to spend time with your dog, so consider things carefully before choosing a breed. The Pomeranian parent must be male. The strangest thing about this crossbreed is the massive size difference between the parents. There can be more than an pound difference in weight between German Shepherds and Pomeranians. So, how exactly do they breed? The Pomeranian must be male. A Pomeranian male can mate with a female German Shepherd, even though the logistics still seem a little off. The Pomeranian is likely to die from the attempt. They can be difficult to housebreak. You can get puppies from the same litter that take after different parents. Both parents were bred to work. Most people know that German Shepherds were bred to work. But fewer people know that the Pomeranian was also bred to be a working dog. Pomeranians are part of the Spitz family of dogs, which includes canines like Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes. But Pomeranians were thrust into prominence when Queen Charlotte got two of them in the 18th century. German Shepherds are known as some of the most easy-going and laidback dogs of all time. These dogs are joyous, loving, loyal, and endlessly happy. Are These Dogs Good for Families? A few of these dogs might bond closely with just one person, but most German Poms are going to bond with every member of the family. Your German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is unlikely to chase or attack smaller dogs. German Poms are often filled with more confidence than their little bodies can hold, which often results in them acting much larger than they are. Of course, with proper socialization starting at an early age, your German Pomeranian should be able to get along great with just about everyone. They need a lot of exercise. Try a toy specifically for mental stimulation to help with boredom. But this will be dependent on which parent they take after more. If your dog takes after the Shepherd side more, then their coat will be shorter and easier to care for. These dogs will only need to be brushed once or twice a week with occasional baths thrown in when necessary. For German Pomeranians that take after the Pom side more, you can expect to spend twice as much time grooming at least. These pups will have tons of hair that will need brushing nearly every day. Forgo the brushing and you can expect a matted, tangled dog. And these dogs shed quite a bit as well. In the case of German Shepherds and Pomeranians, the list of health problems that are commonly associated with these breeds is extremely long. Minor Conditions Luxating Patella : Simply put, a luxating patella is a kneecap that can move out of place. If you see these signs, you ought to have your German Pom checked out just to be safe. Serious Conditions Hip Dysplasia : This is one of the most common health conditions that faces dogs today, particularly large breeds. German Shepherds are known to be highly vulnerable to hip dysplasia. Because of this, they rub together, causing pain, limiting motion, and eventually resulting in lameness. Elbow Dysplasia : Similar to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia is when the elbow joint grows incorrectly, resulting in pain and limited motion. It results in unprovoked seizures that can happen at any time. Photo by wearesunnycoco IG Authorized and reputable breeders of Pomeranian German Shepherd mix puppies are hard to come by, especially in the United States. Aside from the controversies about intentional crossbreeding, many breeders are discouraged from producing German Shepherd Pomeranians because of the difficulty in making them. Luckily, there are still some reputable places where you can find German Shepherd Pomeranian puppies for sale: Puppies. You can find the essential information about their puppies on their website, including the puppy prices. Petango — Petango is one of the largest pet advertising websites in the United States. Their website contains comprehensive details about the puppies on their listings. You can also use their filter feature to find the nearest German Shepherd Pomeranian puppy for sale near your area. PuppySpot — This online pet website lists hundreds of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, including the German Pom. You can also try your chances on Pomeranian and German Shepherd breeders. They may be producing this mix from time to time. You should check out their website as they regularly update their listings. They are a foster-based rescue that provides medical and emotional support to the dogs they rescue. You might luckily find a German Shepherd Pomeranian mix in their listings. Aside from the rescues listed above, you can also review our directory of German Shepherd and Pomeranian rescues. But before you do, read our ultimate dog adoption guide first! Before taking home a Pomeranian German Shepherd mix, you should first know all of these so you can weigh if it is the right dog for you. Here are some of the pros of owning a German Shepherd Pomeranian mix: Unique appearances: German Sheperd Pomeranian mixes truly have astonishing appearances. They can come in different coat colors, and they can boast the unique features of their parent breeds, such as the German Shepherd mask and the Pomeranian mane. Highly intelligent hybrids: Because of their innate intelligence, German Pomeranian mixes are not that difficult to train. They also love pleasing and obeying their owners. Good family dogs: Properly socialized German Shepherd Pomeranians can get along pretty well with children and other pets. They are also good watchdogs because of their vigilant and watchful traits. Meanwhile, here are some of the cons of owning German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes: Unpredictable growth: Since this hybrid is relatively new, no established growth guide is available yet. Hence, the growth of a German Sheperd Pomeranian is very difficult to predict and monitor. Not suitable for people with allergies: German Sheperd Pomeranians have double coats, which they shed throughout the year. They also blow their undercoats heavily twice when the season changes. Tend to bark a lot: Unfortunately, German Pomeranians tend to bark a lot. They howl and bark more frequently than other dogs. Highly energetic: If you are a busy person, the German Shepherd Pomeranian mix might not be the right dog for you. This hybrid requires regular exercise and stimulation. If you think that the pros of owning a German Shepherd Pomeranian mix outweigh the cons, nothing should stop you from taking home one. However, I also suggest that you assess first whether your bank can shoulder the financial responsibility of owning this hybrid dog. You should know that having a dog as a pet is a lifetime commitment. Are you considering adding a unique and exciting pet to your family, like the German Shepherd Pomeranian mix? This rare designer breed blends the bold characteristics of two popular purebred dogs into one package. Understanding the Pomeranian German Shepherd Mix Diving into the world of hybrid dog breeds can be quite fascinating, especially when dealing with a unique mix like the Pomeranian German Shepherd. This rare combination results from artificially inseminating a female GSD with a male Pomeranian, due to the size disparity between these two purebred breeds. The resulting breed embodies characteristics from both parent breeds, presenting potential owners with an intelligent, alert and active canine companion. Because this crossbreed is not common in nature, it may prove difficult and expensive to acquire one owing to demand exceeding supply — sparking concerns about unethical breeding practices at puppy mills. Just like any pet adoption process, commitment to lifelong care for your furry friend should take precedence over novelty or aesthetics. Origin of Pomeranians Pomeranians, a purebred breed recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC , have an intriguing history dating back to the 15th century. Towards the late 19th century, these endearing dogs made their way to America where they quickly became a favored pet breed among dog lovers across the nation. Their distinct appearance and charming temperament endeared them to all who encountered them. Over years ago, these dogs were meticulously developed for their exceptional herding and guarding capacities. As versatile workers, they swiftly gained recognition for their intelligence and strength. These esteemed traits extended beyond the pastures, finding use in various roles such as police work and search-and-rescue missions. Their popularity spread globally, solidifying them as one of the most loved breeds today. Characteristics of Pomeranian German Shepherd Mix Breed Pomeranian GSD mixes are medium-sized dogs with a mix of traits from both parent breeds, including an attractive appearance and a friendly temperament. Appearance and Size The German Shepherd Pomeranian mix is an enchanting designer breed that combines the distinct characteristics of both its parent breeds. With the signature pointy ears and upright posture inherited from the German Shepherd dog, paired with the small size and thick double coat reminiscent of the Pomeranian, they are undeniably eye-catching. Their coats can be straight or curly and come in various colors such as black, white, and brown. The unique appearance of these mixed-breed dogs is sure to turn heads wherever they go. Temperament German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes have a wide range of temperaments, as they inherit traits from both parent breeds. Generally, German Pomeranians are intelligent, active, alert, lively, and loyal dogs. They are known for their playful nature and enjoy being the center of attention. These mixed breed dogs often display a strong sense of loyalty towards their families and can be protective when it comes to guarding their loved ones. Despite their small size compared to purebred GSDs, these mixes can still possess some herding instincts and may try to round up family members or other pets. Common Health Issues The German Shepherd Pomeranian mix dog is generally a healthy breed, but there are some common health issues that potential owners should be aware of. These include: Hip Dysplasia: This is a genetic condition where the hip joint is improperly formed, leading to arthritis and pain. It can cause lameness and difficulty in walking. Luxating Patellas: This condition occurs when the kneecap slips out of place, causing discomfort and difficulty in walking. It can range from mild to severe and may require surgery. Degenerative Myelopathy: This is a progressive disease that affects the spinal cord and leads to weakness and paralysis in the hind legs. It is more common in older dogs. Hypothyroidism: This condition occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, which can lead to weight gain, lethargy, and skin problems. Epilepsy: Some Pomeranian and German Shepherd mixes may be prone to seizures due to an inherited neurological disorder. Medication can help control seizures in most cases. Dental Disease: Both German Shepherds and Pomeranians are prone to dental issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. Regular dental care, including brushing their teeth, is essential for their overall health. Lifespan The German Shepherd and Pomeranian mix has an average lifespan of 10—14 years. By providing them with a balanced diet, regular exercise, grooming, and veterinary check-ups, you can give your furry friend the best chance at living a long and healthy life. So make sure to take good care of your Pomeranian GSD mix, so they can enjoy many happy years by your side! Training and Exercise Needs of Pomeranian GSD Mix To ensure a well-behaved and physically fit Pomeranian Shepherd, consistent training using positive reinforcement techniques is essential along with regular exercise to meet their high energy needs. Training Techniques Here are some training techniques that can help you in successfully training your dog: Start early: Begin training your German Shepherd Pom mix as soon as you bring them home. This will help establish a strong foundation for their obedience and behavior. Consistency: Be consistent in your training methods and commands. Use the same cues and gestures every time you want your dog to perform a specific action or behavior. Rewards-based training: Use treats, praise, and rewards to reinforce positive behaviors. Rewarding your dog for following commands will motivate them to repeat the desired actions. Short training sessions: Keep the training sessions short and focused, as Pomeranian German Shepherd mixes have shorter attention spans. Aim for minute sessions multiple times throughout the day rather than one long session. Socialization: Expose your Pomeranian Shepherd to different people, animals, environments, and situations from an early age. This will help them develop confidence and prevent behavioral issues. Basic commands: Teach basic commands such as sit, stay, come, down, and leave it using consistent cues and hand signals. Leash training: Practice leash walking with your German Shepherd and a Pomeranian mix to ensure they walk calmly on a leash without pulling or reacting to distractions. Positive reinforcement only: Avoid using punishment or harsh methods during training as it can cause fear or anxiety in your dog and hinder their progress. Exercise Requirements German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes are active and energetic dogs that require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Here are some key points to remember when it comes to their exercise needs: Daily exercise: Aim for at least one hour of exercise each day to keep your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix physically and mentally stimulated. Physical activities: Engage in activities like brisk walks, jogging, or running together. These high-energy dogs will benefit from vigorous exercise sessions. Mental stimulation: Besides physical exercise, provide mental stimulation with puzzle toys, obedience training, or interactive games to prevent boredom. Playtime: Allow them ample playtime in a safe and enclosed space. Fetch, tug-of-war, and hide-and-seek are great ways to keep them entertained. Training classes: Consider enrolling your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix in obedience classes or agility training. This not only adds variety but also helps channel their intelligence and energy in positive ways. Socialization: Regularly expose your dog to different environments, people, and animals from a young age. This promotes good behavior and helps prevent behavioral issues. Weather considerations: Be mindful of weather conditions when planning outdoor activities. Extreme heat or cold can be uncomfortable for these dogs due to their double coat. If they appear tired or show signs of exhaustion, take a break and provide plenty of water for hydration. Consistency: Establish a routine for exercising your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix, as consistency is key for their physical health and overall well-being. Grooming and Care for German Shepherd with a Pomeranian Mix Grooming and care for a German Shepherd and Pomeranian mix is essential to maintain their healthy coat and overall well-being. Regular brushing is necessary to prevent matting and reduce shedding, especially during seasonal changes. Shedding and Coat Care The Pomeranian Shepherd is known for its thick coat, which requires regular grooming to keep it healthy and manageable. Shedding is a common occurrence with this breed mix, so owners should be prepared for some extra cleaning around the house. Regular brushing sessions can help minimize shedding by removing loose hairs and prevent matting. Diet and Nutrition Proper diet and nutrition play a crucial role in the health and well-being of your Pomeranian German Shepherd mix. These hybrid dogs have specific dietary needs that should be met to keep them healthy and happy. As an active breed, they require high-quality dog food that is rich in protein to support their energy levels. Regular feedin g schedules with portion control are recommended to prevent obesity, as this can lead to various health issues such as joint problems. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best diet plan for your German Pomeranian based on their age, activity level, and any specific dietary requirements they may have due to potential health concerns like hip dysplasia or hypothyroidism. By providing them with the right nutrition, you can ensure they thrive both physically and mentally. German Pomeranian can make excellent family dogs due to their affectionate and loyal nature, as well as their potential for being good with children and other pets. Compatibility with Children and Other Pets German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes are generally compatible with children and other pets, making them great additions to family households. Due to their friendly and sociable nature, they often form strong bonds with children and enjoy playtime together. When properly socialized from a young age, these mixed breeds can get along well with other pets in the household, including cats and smaller dogs. Remember that proper training and positive reinforcement techniques will contribute to a harmonious environment between your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix and your family members or furry companions. Adoption and Rescue Options Adopting a German Pomeranian is possible through various rescue centers and animal shelters. They have a network of foster homes where you can find a loving companion. Although they primarily deal with purebred Pomeranians, they occasionally have Pomeranian mixes available for adoption. Websites such as Petfinder. You can filter your search criteria to find specific breeds or mixes like the German Shepherd Pomeranian mix. This guarantees that you are getting a well-bred puppy with proper care and socialization. Reputable breeders prioritize the overall welfare of their dogs and conduct necessary health tests to minimize genetic issues. While the initial costs may be higher compared to other designer breeds, choosing a reputable breeder ensures that you are making a long-term investment in a healthy and happy companion. Websites like Puppies. Remember, when bringing home your new furry friend, always pick quality over convenience or cost-cutting measures! Estimated Costs The cost of owning a healthy German Shepherd Pomeranian puppy can vary depending on various factors. Additionally, there are initial expenses to consider when bringing home your new furry friend. Are you ready to handle the high-energy levels and exercise needs of a Pomeranian German Shepherd mix? Pros Cons A German Pomeranian can exhibit a blend of the intelligence and loyalty of the German Shepherd and the affectionate and playful nature of the Pomeranian. Acquiring a German Pomeranian can be difficult, expensive, and controversial due to concerns about unethical breeding practices and puppy mills. These hybrids can potentially be adapted to a variety of living situations — from apartments to houses with yards, given the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation. The breed is not officially recognized by major kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club, which can bring legitimacy and health concerns. If socialized and trained correctly, they can get along well with children and other pets, making them a potential choice for families. The differing temperaments of the parent breeds can make the Pomeranian German Shepherd mix a wildcard — they can be loving and playful, or perhaps vocal and anxious. With the right care and regular vet visits, these dogs can lead a healthy life. They are prone to certain genetic health problems inherited from their parent breeds, necessitating regular vet visits and preventive care. They can make great companions for experienced dog owners who can manage their exercise and training needs. German Shepherds are not recommended for novice dog owners due to their high exercise, training, and mental stimulation needs. To Sum Up In conclusion, the Pomeranian Shepherd is a unique and fascinating hybrid breed that combines the intelligence and athleticism of the German Shepherd with the compact size and charm of the Pomeranian. However, potential owners must be aware of the challenges associated with acquiring this rare breed and ensure they are committed to providing lifelong care for their furry companion. By choosing a reputable breeder or considering adoption from rescue groups, you can give these special dogs a loving forever home. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Given the numbers above, it can be assumed that a Pomeranian German Shepherd cross would fall somewhere in the middle of the two breeds in terms of size and weight. Females GSD Pom mixes can be expected to stand around 14 — 17 inches tall and weigh between 26 — 39 pounds. Whereas males can be expected to stand between 15 — 19 inches tall and weigh between 34 — 49 pounds. Coat German Shepherds have a double coat of medium to long fur with an undercoat. The Pomeranian is also a double-coated breed with an undercoat; however, their fur is longer and fluffier. Accordingly, the coat of a Pomeranian GSD mix will largely depend on which parent the pup takes after. If the pup takes after their GSD parent their coat will be smoother whereas if they take after their Pomeranian parent, their coat will be longer and have more fluff. This mix will shed year-round. If they take after the GSD parent they are more likely to be sable, black and tan, all black, blue, or liver. Whereas, if they take after their Pomeranian parent they can be, red, orange, cream, sable, black, tri-colored, brown, or blue. Grooming The grooming needs of a GSD Pomerania mix will be a little more involved, especially if the pup takes after their Pomeranian parent. Between grooming visits, they should be brushed twice weekly, and their face should be cleaned at least every other day, as they are prone to get eye stains. Teeth cleaning and nail clipping requirement are in the same frequency as any other dog. Since German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes will have erect ears , they should be cleaned once a month, and more often if they are prone to ear infections. Strength As larger more muscular dogs German Shepherds are definitely stronger than the Pomeranian. German Shepherds have a bite force of around psi whereas Pomeranians bite force has not been documented. One could expect a mix between these breeds to lead to a medium-sized dog of average strength with a bite force ranging somewhere in the mid s. Speed German Shepherds have been documented to run at a top speed of up to 30 miles per hour. The Pomeranian being smaller obviously runs slower at speeds of up to 12 miles per hour. A mix between these breeds would likely result in a dog that runs at speeds between 19 — 21 miles per hour. Exercise Requirement Although German Shepherds and Pomeranians are energetic dogs, a mix between these two will be easier to manage exercise wise. Thirty to forty minutes of exercise a day should be sufficient for a German Shepherd Pomeranian mix. However, monitor your dog as this can vary from dog to dog. If you find your dog is starting to exhibit some destructive behaviors you may need to increase their daily physical activity. Since both Pomeranians and German Shepherds are really smart , a mix from these breeds will also benefit from engaging their minds regularly. This can be done with puzzle toys and learning new tricks. Trainability Both German Shepherds and Pomeranians are very trainable , meaning a mix between the two will be trainable as well. German Shepherds rank as the 3rd most intelligent dog breed, and Pomeranians rank as 23rd most intelligent dog breed. Accordingly, a Pomeranian German Shepherd mixed breed would be a dog of excellent intelligence making for a very trainable dog. Temperament German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes are fun-natured, active dogs with a spunky unique personality. Expect this dog to be vocal and like to bark, whine and maybe even howl. With proper socialization and training, this dog can be friendly with both their family as well as people outside their circle. You will need to focus on socialization around other pets from a young age, as sometimes these dogs can be less friendly with larger dogs and animals as they feel threatened because of their size. These dogs are better with older children but can be trained on how to interact with younger children if that is needed. Overall, these dogs will have a confident eager to please attitude and will show their family lots of love and affection. Health The Pomeranian German Shepherd cross can be prone to hypothyroidism, diabetes, cataracts, collapsed trachea, and congestive heart failure most commonly. All dogs have genetic predispositions to certain ailments, however, having a good vet and going to regular visits helps catch any potential problems that may arise early enough for them to be addressed. Lifespan Pomeranian typically live between 12 to 16 years, while German Shepherds tend to live between 12 to 14 years. A cross between these two would most likely have an average lifespan around 13 to 15 years. It is important to remember that the best way to increase the odds of your dog living longer is to provide them with a healthy lifestyle containing high-quality dog food and regular exercise and vet visits. The AKC only maintains a registry of purebreds. German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes are very rare and so are not very popular. Usually, this mix is a result of an accidental mating situation. However, there are some breeders that are intentionally mating these two breeds via artificial insemination to create this dog. When this occurs, the female is usually the German Shepherd and the male is usually the Pomeranian for safety since the size of the puppies may be too large for the tiny Pom to carry to term. Final Thoughts The German Shepherd Pomeranian mix is a medium-sized dog with a fun-loving spunky temperament. They are extremely intelligent, easy to train, and loyal to their family. This mix needs proper socialization and training to be well balanced around other dogs, small children, and strangers. The mix of these two breeds are opposites in so many ways but they make up for it by being a harmonious blend whose personality traits range from active to stable! The German Shepherd is a popular breed, ranking second in the world. However, it does not hold that position for long when compared to other breeds like Pomeranians who are the 23rd most common according to The AKC rankings! When it comes to personality, the German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is a cuddly animal. They have so much fur and are typically very friendly with everyone they meet! German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is a man-made creation that cannot occur naturally. To make this designer dog, you have to fertilize the female with sperm from another species of a small breed like Poms or Gizmos; however, it is illegal for them to receive gametes outside their own kind breed. The process does not work vice versa because if there was no artificial intervention then these large puppies would never exist! They might be more expensive than purebreds too. Pomeranian and German Shepherd Mix are so popular because they have a friendly demeanor, above-average intelligence for canines, and an easy-going personality. Intersections of breeds are usually safe, but veterinary experts are deeply concerned that this practice may not be safe for animals. It might be difficult for your puppy to understand you but with love and affection they can learn better than others. Do You Love Reading Ebooks? A male German Shepherd will not mate with a female Pom, but the reverse situation may end in tragedy for both parties involved with this experiment gone wildly wrong! They may find it challenging to get into the house: Designer breeds like the German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix are unpredictable. You will not have invented it from the small body structure, but this model weighed over 30 pounds [30 kg] when used to trailer snowboards in frosty weather! Their height varies depending on their parentage. Pomeranian and German Shepherd Mix can be either medium to large in size with the larger specimens weighing anywhere around lbs. The height varies depending on whether they take after their Shetland Sheepdog or Pomeranian parent, but it is usually not too much taller than 15 inches at the shoulder. Height: This breed is less than normal tall in height. A male dog is 7 — 12 inches tall whereas the female dog has the similar height to the male breed. Weight: The German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix has some variations in weight depending on diet and nutrition provided. The normal weight seen until now is lbs. Lifespan: Their expected life duration or time is years. These dogs are trusted and happy companions. They can even smile moodily like their adorable faces would suggest — but only if they inherit some of that joyousness from both parents which is most likely! German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix comes with endless happiness and can be taught to do tricks! The reason why so many folks love owning one? It comes down largely due to their wonderful temperaments which include strong loyalty towards family members. These dogs are like gentle warriors, always ready to fight for their owners. Pomeranian and German Shepherd Mix are not as high-strung or intense as their more doglike parents. Can families adopt these dogs? This small yet lively breed can be found bonding closely with their human companions in many different ways; some might only bond with one person while others could easily become best friends with every member of your household! A few tiny Pommy buddies may like to stay close by you on Allen factions though most will prefer interacting through play , making this furry friend perfect for families looking forward to having kids around too. .Can this dog get along well with other pets? The German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is an energetic, bold breed that loves to explore the world. However, this pup needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation because they can be quite dominant around other dogs — even if yours are bigger! With its friendly demeanor and gentle nature, the Pomeranian is a great choice for families with children or other dogs. The German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is not one of the larger breeds, but they still have an abundance to offer. These dogs are always on their feet and will do anything for some playtime or activity time — even if it means running around like crazy! Necessary Trainings: Pomeranian and German Shepherd Mix are the perfect choices for those who want a highly intelligent, but also easy-to-train pet. They have an excellent sense of smell and hearing which will benefit their human companions greatly in any kind of profession where these skills come into play! However this will depend on which parent they take after more: if your dog takes after Shepherd side with its short coat then these little dogs only need to be timely brushed one or two times a week while regular baths can fit perfectly well into their schedule too! Some scientists argue Pomeranian and German Shepherd Mix breeds suffer from just as many genetic diseases as purebreds. However further study has shown low numbers in certain breeds skew results when looking at hip dysplasia rates which makes it difficult for us to get accurate information about what type or combination may lead an animal into difficulty later on down the road with their mobility; therefore preventing any unnecessary pain and suffering! Final Thoughts German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix — Breeding Mixed breeds have become increasingly popular in recent years as people look for dogs that combine the best qualities of different breeds. One mixed breed that has gained a lot of attention is the German Shepherd Pomeranian mix. As the name suggests, this mixed breed is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Pomeranian. This mix was first bred in the United States in the s and has since become a popular choice for families looking for a loyal and loving pet. While mixed breeds can sometimes be unpredictable in terms of personality and physical appearance, this mix is generally considered to be a good-natured and even-tempered dog. These dogs typically stand between 18 and 22 inches tall and weigh between 35 and 60 pounds. These pups have a thick, fluffy coat that can be straight or curly. The most common coat colors are black, white, and brown, but there is a wide range of colors and patterns that these pups can come in. One of the most distinctive features of this mixed breed is their curled tail. This tail is covered in the same fluffy coat as the rest of their body and gives them a playful and friendly appearance. While they may be small, these pups are full of energy and love to play. If you are looking for a fluffy little companion to add to your family, the German Shepherd Pomeranian mix is the perfect pup for you! The German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is a popular crossbreed that is known for being an excellent guard dog. They are loyal and protective of their family, and will bark to warn of any strangers or perceived threats. This mix is a popular choice for families looking for a guard dog, as they are both loyal and protective. However, it is important to note that they will need proper training in order to prevent them from becoming too aggressive. This hybrid mix can be found in most animal shelters, and they make excellent pets for families willing to invest their time in training them properly. The German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix — Training Needs If you have your heart set on a German Shepherd Pomeranian mix, be prepared to put in the time and effort required to properly train your dog. Providing proper training for your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix will help ensure he becomes a well-behaved, well-mannered member of the family. German Shepherds are notorious for being difficult to potty train, and Pomeranians can be stubborn as well. This generally means that this mix will also be difficult in this area. Be patient, consistent, and use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats or praise when your dog goes potty in the proper place. Crate training may also be helpful in Potty training this mixed breed. This will give your dog his own space where he can feel safe and secure and will help teach him that he needs to hold it until he is taken outside to do his business. This is a powerful, energetic dog with a strong prey drive. Without proper obedience training, your dog may be difficult to control and could present a danger to himself and others. Start obedience training as early as possible, using positive reinforcement techniques such as treats or praise. With time and patience, your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix will learn what you expect of him. Proper socialization is also important for this breed. German Shepherds are naturally distrustful of strangers, and Pomeranians can be territorial. This will help your dog learn to trust and accept new people and situations, and will make him a well-rounded, confident adult dog. With proper training, socialization, and obedience training, your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix can be a wonderful companion dog who is loyal and loving to his family. No, the German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is not aggressive. However, they do have a strong prey drive and may not be the best choice for families with small children or other pets. They need daily exercise to burn off their high level of energy. This mixed breed can occasionally show signs of aggression, but this is usually due to lack of socialization or training. Typical situations that may result in aggression include: — feeling threatened or cornered — perceiving a family member to be in danger — being startled or surprised With proper socialization and training, this mix should show minimal signs of aggression. This mix breed is a popular one among dog lovers. They are known to be very loyal and loving dogs. But how much exercise do they need? The German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix is a high-energy dog. They need at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. An active family that can provide plenty of exercise is the best fit for this breed. Daily exercise is important for this breed, so regular walks, runs, or hikes are a must. If you are not able to provide this amount of exercise, then this is not the right breed for you. The German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix — Mental Stimulation This crossbreed is an intelligent family pet that requires a lot of mental stimulation. They are easily bored and can become destructive if not given enough to do. You can do many simple things to keep their minds active and engaged. Try hiding their food around the house for them to find, or teaching them new tricks and commands. You could even create an obstacle course in your backyard for them to navigate. Whatever you do, just ensure your dog gets the mental stimulation they need to stay happy and healthy. A variety of toys, puzzle feeders, and daily walks or play sessions will help keep their minds active and happy. Training is also important for this breed, as it gives them something to focus on and builds the bond between you. Agility courses, obedience classes or simple tricks at home are all great ways to give your German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix a mental workout. When it comes to grooming your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix, you need to keep a few key things in mind. Coat — Their coat can be either long or short, depending on the parentage. If your dog has a longer coat, you must brush them regularly to prevent matting and tangles. A shorter coat will require less brushing, but you should still brush them occasionally to remove any loose hair. This will help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. You can use a doggy toothbrush or a finger brush designed for dogs. If you do not keep them trimmed, then they can start to grow into the pads of their feet, which can be very painful. This is because their long ears can easily become infected if they are not kept clean. By following these simple grooming tips, you can keep your German Shepherd Pomeranian mix healthy and looking their best. Some of these health issues are more common than others, and some may be more severe. Hip dysplasia is one of the most common health concerns for German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes. Another common health concern for German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes is elbow dysplasia. One of the more serious health concerns that this mixed breed can develop is degenerative myelopathy. Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord disease that leads to paralysis. These are just a few of the common health concerns that German Shepherd Pomeranian mixes can face. Of course, every dog is different and will not necessarily develop any of these conditions. As with all dogs, the German Shepherd Pomeranian mix should have a high-quality diet that is balanced and nutritious. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to this particular breed. This mixed breed is a high-energy dog. They need a lot of exercise, which means they will also need a lot of food to fuel their bodies. High-quality dry dog food is the best option for this breed. Look for brands that are high in protein and low in fillers. The other thing to keep in mind with this breed is that they are prone to weight gain. Avoid giving them too many treats and make sure they get plenty of exercise. Are they good with other Dogs? The German Shepherd Pomeranian mix should be friendly and good with other dogs, as both parent breeds are generally good-natured around other canines. With the right training and socialization, this mixed breed should be a great companion for another dog in the family. Are they Child Friendly? Fortunately, this dog tends to inherit the best qualities of both parents, which means they can make great companions for children of all ages. They are typically friendly and playful, but also loyal and protective, so you can rest assured knowing that your kids will always have a furry friend to watch over them. Do they drool? German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix dogs may drool when they are excited or nervous. However, with proper training and socialization, most GSPOMs will learn to control their drooling instinct. They can help you determine if there is a medical reason for the increased drooling and make recommendations for treatment. In terms of barking levels, German Shepherds are known to be one of the most vocal breeds, while Pomeranians are relatively quiet. They are bred to be smaller in size than their German Shepherd parent and have a thick, double coat that helps protect them from cold weather. While they do well in colder climates, this dog can also adapt to warmer weather. However, they will need access to shade and water to stay cool. If you live in an area with hot summers, keeping your dog inside during the hottest hours of the day is best. Life Expectancy German Shepherd Pomeranian mix dogs have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. Also, keep in mind that puppies from reputable breeders are more likely to be healthy and have longer lifespans. However, both parent breeds have long been recognized. The German Shepherd was recognized in , and the Pomeranian was recognized in .This is because this mixed breed is a relatively new hybrid dog breed. When it comes to finding a reputable breeder, make sure you do your research. A good breeder will be able to provide you with health clearances for both of the parent breeds. Occasionally, you may find this hybrid breed in animal shelters or rescue organizations. However, because they are still relatively rare, it may be difficult to find one that is up for adoption. They are loyal, loving, and make excellent protectors. However, they do require a fair amount of exercise and may not be the best choice for first-time dog owners. The joint for the bone of their elbow or hip will not fit properly together, and this can cause friction, destruction of the joint, and more. This becomes more and more pronounced with excessive use and will often need pain medication, physiotherapy, and other professional services. Luxating Patellas From their Pom parent, this is another common health concern. It involves the patella their kneecap moving out of place without warning. It can be occasional or regular. As they age, it can be more frequent. This will lead to abnormal walking and even reluctance to exercise if it happens a lot. Epilepsy Caused by unknown causes, this is when the body starts to shake uncontrollably. It is often hard to treat and will require professional consultation from experienced veterinarians who can make treatment recommendations. Disc disease This is a condition where the discs start to degrade and cause pain in the nerves and spine in general. This condition is primarily due to the Pomeranian parent, but it can happen in larger dogs. Surgery is often a treatment recommendation, but it would depend on how severe it is and where the discs are in the back. Cancer Just as with humans, cancer is prominent in dogs. It can be any kind of cancer and any kind of security. Proper vet check-ups and good health are vital criteria for helping keep your dog as healthy as possible and catching any potential cancer early in life. Degenerative myelopathy This comes mostly from their German Shepherd genes. When the nervous system starts to degrade , it leads to progressive weakness and eventually paralysis, mostly of their hind end. They will need some sort of wheelchair or harness to help them walk and move comfortably. It can lead to difficulty eating and powerful jaw and tooth pain. Proper dental hygiene is, of course, a great way to help prevent this. What is the temperament of a German Pomeranian? One of the reasons that these dogs are so popular is because of their excellent temperament. These sweet dogs tend to be alert, loyal, friendly, and active members of the family. They have a lot of energy but tend to get along with everyone. They often will get along well with kids, other pets, and more. They can sometimes be territorial if their German Shepherd traits allow it, so if you have another alpha dog, it may take a while for everyone to figure out their turf. These dogs may not always adapt well to newcomers or strangers, however. While polite and attentive to your guests, they might not like to be handled by them specifically. This is also the case with new pets or visiting pets. Are German Pomeranians good family dogs? In most cases, yes! German Pomeranians are excellent family dogs because they tend to be perfect playmates for your child. They get along well with kids and teens and will enjoy being in the thick of things. If you are a family that likes to walk, hike, or go camping, your German Pomeranian will be a great companion for the adventure. If you have a dog with especially strong German Shepherd traits, you may notice that they act similarly to a watchdog. What is the German Shepherd Pomeranian mix price? They are hard to find from reputable breeders outside of Europe, which drives the price point up. This crossbreed takes a lot of effort to design, especially with artificial insemination. All of this comes at a literal price! Pros and cons of a German Pomeranian Of course, part of doing your research on your new furry addition is going to be in weighing the pros and cons of this adorable and fluffy breed. Here they are for you to take a look at: PROS Great for apartments or small homes Blend well with active families All things considered, German Pomeranians are easy-going dogs. They enjoy being around their humans and are great additions to active families who want a dog to participate in camping trips and hikes. They adapt well to apartments and small homes. While they will need exercise, it will be much easier to exercise them properly, even with smaller spaces available instead of large dogs. They are lovely additions to families that want a loving and attentive family dog that will be a great companion to kids, other pets, and parents, too. CONS Can be difficult to house train Need 60 minutes per day or more Lots of health conditions Thanks to their Pomeranian heritage, these dogs can be challenging to house train. You may want to consider looking at crate training where you can place pee pads, just so that they contain their messes in one area, at least. These are active dogs that, despite their size, will require 60 minutes of activity a day. Many will need 90 to minutes even. Many families will choose to exercise their Pom before and after work specifically because they can destroy things out of sheer boredom if left alone all day. Another option is to get them distraction toys or consider doggy daycare. Lastly, the list above will be something to consider when it comes to possible health conditions. These will require vet visits and specialist appointments if necessary when you are looking for a way to help them feel at their best as they get older. How to take care of a German Shepherd Pomeranian mix From daily maintenance to long-term care for their health, there are several areas that you can focus on for their benefit. These areas are primarily around their beauty routine, weirdly enough, since both breeds will have some essential cosmetic needs to consider. Get used to a groomer Since they are long-haired, they will need to have regular trips to the groomers. Most will aim for weeks. Going longer means that you will need to prioritize their grooming at home with a brush. Skipping these grooming habits means that you will end up with tangled fur that can be loaded with bacteria, cause skin irritations, mats, and more. Even with a groomer, you will need to help them stay comfortable with brushing their fur at home every few days. This will help prevent any mats and can help them relieve themselves of loose fur as they shed their coats during shedding season. This is fine, but you can also look at blending it with their grooming specialist care too. These are the professionals who will know how to properly cut them down to help with wear and tear to your home and their health. Think of it as a trim at home between appointments. This is often done with cotton balls and a bit of warm water if you need it. In case of infection, you will have antibiotics to use, so the sooner you get your dog used to the attention, the better. Brush their teeth, too, so that they can avoid issues like dental decay and other common complications that can lead to a lot of health conditions as they age. You can do this through actual teeth brushing and even toys that are all about shaking plaque loose. Face washed every other day Another thing to get used to doing at home is caring for their face! Due to their Pom parent, they are prone to eye issues. On the whole A mix between a German Shepherd and a Pomeranian, these tend to be fluffy and medium-sized dogs. While they can vary in size greatly due to genetics from each parent, most end up to be inches cm high and weigh between pounds kg. Some will have German Shepherd markings, and others will have Pomeranian colors and combinations. They have long hair and cured tails. They can be prone to many health conditions, so proper care is needed for their best quality of life. German Pomeranians are beautiful and attentive family dogs for those that like to be on the move. While caring for them will be a little different than many may be used to, it will be a lifetime full of fun for those families who love a medium-sized dog. If you know someone who will love one of these, consider sharing this with them to spread the love further!

Dogs are loved by most humans, and the Golden Retriever happens to be one of the most popular breeds in America. They are beautiful, hardworking, and fun-loving dogs who are unconditionally affectionate toward their owners. They are very competitive and are often used in hunting scenes for sniffing out and retrieving game for hunters. Others are employed as walking guides for the blind. The high-spirited nature of puppies tends to last longer in this breed up until adulthood, so you are sure to have lots of fun with your Golden Retriever. Knowledge about their coat from pup to adulthood can help you better care for your Golden Retriever. As puppies, they are born with soft and fluffy hair coats which help to keep them warm. This hair begins to change as they grow, starting from the tail. The new growth is darker and coarser, pushing the soft and fluffy hair aside so that it forms an undercoat; this is what makes them double-coated. Shedding The Golden Retriever is quite a generous shedder, dropping the most hair during late Spring and late Fall. Care of the Coat As most Golden Retrievers have long hair, it is important to properly manage their coat. Especially as they get older, dogs of this breed may not be able to groom their fur properly, and when the thick coat is shed it may clump together and form mats. If there are twigs, leaves or grass seeds tangled up in their hair, they will be even more difficult to remove after the bath. Adult Golden Retrievers might not need to be bathed any more than once in six to eight weeks, but as puppies are much more energetic and prone to dirtying up, they might need to be bathed twice a week. You can find the best shampoo to use on a Golden Retriever's fur here. Brushing the Golden once or twice a week is good for their coat; this should, however, be increased to a daily activity during the shedding season. If you own a puppy, then you should start brushing them sooner so that they get used to it. Start with a soft brush and progress to a stiff-bristled one as they grow. A lot of commercial dog foods are well formulated to cater to those needs. There are also numerous supplements available for a long, shiny coat. If you decide to feed them homemade food, it may help to enlist the help of a veterinary nutritionist to ensure you are meeting all their nutritional needs. We recommend using an inch-wide collar for your long-haired Golden Retriever, as using a wider collar could lead to matting, and using a narrower one can cause skin irritation, asphyxiation, and hair loss. Also, while this breed is great in search and rescue operations, they can be just as clumsy and may still go missing. They will bathe your dog, clean their ears, and cut their nails. A grooming salon also takes care of trimming their coat to the length you want. If your Golden has a skin condition that requires special shampoo, you can discuss this with your groomer so that they use the prescribed skincare on your dog during their grooming session. Conclusion Golden Retrievers are a lovable breed of pets that are loyal to their families. But that beautiful coat needs care and attention to avoid getting matted. Taking proper care of them is part of our responsibility as pet owners to ensure our Golden Retrievers are healthy and happy. During this time, the coat may shed, or the feathering process starts from the tail and progresses to the legs and stomach. People also refer to this long coat by its feathers. A Golden Retriever does not shed its puppy fur; rather, the adult coat pushes aside the puppy fluff. As a result of this grooming process, golden retrievers can have soft undercoats and hard outer coats. Additionally, the feathering process of golden retrievers takes quite some time. Which is why they are known for their beautiful hair and lovely appearance. The long coat of golden retrievers is also known as its feathers. During shedding season, golden retriever owners must brush their dogs often to prevent tangles and loss of hair. Also, trimming the hair with scissors should be done carefully to avoid cutting into skin or fur. During this time, golden retriever puppies will have a puppy coat that gradually becomes thicker with adult hair as they age. Remember that golden retriever hair does not always grow evenly and is prone to shedding. When it comes to genetics, diet, health, spay and neuter, and breed variation, these factors all play a role in determining golden retriever hair length. Brushing the hair regularly helps to keep it in good health and shape. Also, bathing your golden retriever in the recommended shampoo can help to remove dirt, grime, and bacteria while preserving hair oils. It would help if you also groom your golden retriever regularly to ensure its coat is healthy and shiny. Your golden retriever will be happy and healthy if you follow these grooming practices religiously. Grooming golden retriever puppies with long hair is an important part of keeping their coat healthy and looking their best. And trim its hair periodically to prevent shedding and keep its fur looking tidy and healthy. Regular grooming and brushing, a bath or two a month, and low allow-allergenic shampoo can help control shedding. And tangles to keep their coat neat and tangle-free. If your golden retriever puppy has long hair prone to get tangled or knotted. The coat of a golden retriever is medium- to heavy-weight, with a glossy appearance. The large, dark eyes of the golden retriever, set well apart, give the dog an alert appearance. But it is always clearly demarcated from the black saddle. People often use these dogs as therapy dogs due to their gentle natures, affectionate demeanor, and positive outlook on life. Regular brushing helps remove loose dead hair and stimulates hair growth. Bathing your golden retriever regularly removes dirt and debris, which helps the coat stay clean and healthy to stimulate hair growth. Proper nutrition is another important part of grooming golden retrievers with long hair. Another way you can help improve golden retriever hair growth is by visiting your veterinarian regularly if you notice any significant hair loss or lack of hair growth. By grooming golden retriever puppies in the puppy stage, you can help manage to shed early on and avoid issues down the road. Start grooming golden retriever puppies at a young age to help them learn how to groom themselves and avoid issues down the road. Long hair growth in golden retrievers causes by a recessive genetic mutation in the FGF5 Gene, which controls the hair cycle and determines how long the hair can grow. This mutation results in an under-expression of growth factors that prevent hair growth. Inadequate development of hair follicles, such as deficiencies of vitamin A or D3, can also cause loss of hair. Underdeveloped hair follicles can be inborn or hereditary, so grooming and adequate nutrition are important for golden retriever coat health and growth. Their long fur coats help keep them warm and dry while also making grooming easier. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Field Golden Retrievers have shorter hair than show Goldens, but they still have long coats. Golden Retrievers typically have short hair as puppies and grow into adult coats by age two. Some dogs may have longer hair by the time they are three to six months old. But this is typically due to breed variation specifically in hair length among golden retrievers from different breeding lines and not due to environmental or dietary factors. Golden retrievers are born with a coat of fur that is thin at first. And will become thicker throughout their lives as they age. Regular grooming is necessary as their coat naturally becomes darker due to the thicker guard hairs. Golden Retrievers should be brushed once or twice per week. And you should trim their claws as well as the hair between their pads regularly. Ans: One of the reasons golden retriever puppies have long hair is that it typically starts growing at around three months old. The long hair on golden retrievers is also known as their feathers. Some golden retriever puppies have shorter coats than others due to external factors such as climate. Golden puppies are not born with full hair, though. Instead, they have short, fluffy coats, which later grow into a long, shiny hair. So, at what age does a Golden Retriever get long hair? A Golden Retriever starts growing long hair on its tail at three months of age. The feathers on its legs, chest, and stomach start showing at about one year. Some dogs might sport longer or heavier coats than others. This article will explore what determines the age at which your Golden Retriever gets long hair. Finally, you will learn how to take care of your Golden Retriever to ensure his coat remains healthy and shiny. This article may contain affiliate links and loyalgoldens may earn a commission if a purchase is made. Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear. This is the best at home dog training I've ever used! The outer coat of long hair extends to the tail and underbody but is longest in the areas where it feathers out away from the body. These areas include the tail, chest, legs, and stomach. This comes down to the specific genes they received from their parents. Note: In traditional Scotland, Golden Retrievers accompanied hunters on their hunting trips, and their work was to retrieve prey. The dogs sported long hair and thick undercoats, which protected them from the biting cold and heat. It will take about 3 months before you begin to see the first signs of longer hair, usually on their tail. From this stage on, a Golden puppy starts sprouting feathers aka longer hair. This growth marks a departure from puppy fluff and the beginning of the long, full coat characteristic of a mature Golden Retriever. This will help you estimate more accurately when your puppy might get his longer hair. Golden Retriever Hair Growth Stages As mentioned earlier, a Golden Retriever puppy starts growing adult hair at approximately three months old. However, this growth is subtle and may not be noticeable until he is closer to one year old. Your Golden Retriever can be considered to have a fully grown coat when he is two years of age. Long adult hair starts growing first at the tail. This feathering process then proceeds to the legs and stomach. With time, the entire body gets the adult coat, which tends to be darker than the former puppy fur. Feathered fur is usually light and soft and is useful for temperature regulation; it thickens during the cold season and thins during warmer months. Interestingly, Golden puppies do not shed their puppy fur. Instead, once new hair starts growing, the puppy fur gets nudged aside by the newer and longer outer coat. Golden Retriever puppies are actually born with their undercoat. They grow their long hair out over the top as they get older. Eventually, the undercoat grows thicker as the longer outer coat begins to cover it. This transition takes almost 18 months, though, for most Retrievers, the full coat grows once the dog is more than a year old. If he spends considerable time outdoors, he is bound to get a much thicker coat than if he were to stay indoors. The mature coat helps keep your dog both warm and dry, depending on the weather. The dog also sheds more during the summer months in order to keep cool. The thing is, for double-coated dogs, the undercoat grows much faster than the outer coat. As such, when you shave your Golden, the hair that grows back tends to look dull and uneven. Furthermore, your dog needs his full coat to protect him from the sun. Besides, Golden Retrievers are heavy shedders, and frequent grooming reduces the amount of shed hair found around the house. Early grooming is also beneficial in other ways: It allows your puppy to get used to grooming, thus making the activity easier and even enjoyable to him as he becomes an adult. For Golden Retrievers with long hair, grooming helps keep the hair in check and reduces excessive shedding Brushing encourages blood circulation in the skin, which stimulates the hair follicles and promotes hair production. Start by using a soft brush and always ensure that you brush parallel to the hair growth. Do this daily or once a week. You may add a pin brush and a rake Amazon to your grooming tools as your puppy matures. The rake is excellent for removing debris and detangling messy undercoat hair. Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games : 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved! This will help make way for new growth and reduce the amount of fur that settles on your clothing. When washing your Golden retriever, try to use shampoos with the least amount of chemicals like this one at Amazon. This helps retain the hair better by reducing shedding. If your dog has skin issues, consult your vet. The vet will determine the cause of the problem and advise on diet change or the appropriate mode of treatment. These beneficial Omega acids can be in fish oil, coconut oil, and olive oil, or through additional vitamin supplements Amazon found to be good for Golden Retrievers. Also, beef bones containing bone marrow are excellent for healthy skin. Remember to clear this with your vet if your dog has allergies that would prevent him from consuming any of the recommended foods and supplements. Watch Out for Unusual Shedding Golden Retrievers shed their hair year-round but the shedding becomes especially heavy twice a year in the spring and fall seasons. However, if the shedding seems unusual or: The shedding is excessive and out of season Your dog is losing large patches of hair You may need to visit your vet since this could be a medical issue. Your dog might be suffering from a fungal or bacterial infection, a food allergy, or external parasites such as fleas or mites. If the hair loss is accompanied by a strong odor, see my article Smelly Golden Retrievers What Stinks? Here are some useful suggestions on how to accomplish this: Keep your dog clean. Long hair coats can trap twigs and leaves, which could cause the hair to tangle and mat. Always remove such items before your dog takes a bath — every weeks for adults but more often for puppies as they get dirtier. Brush the coat often. Have a regular brushing routine. Brush your Golden Retriever more often during shedding season — like daily. Provide high-quality nutrition. This should contain the right nutritional balance and include minerals, vitamins, fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Final Thoughts Every Golden Retriever follows a unique timeline when it comes to growing long hair. Even their hair color appears in different shades of gold. Keep looking out for the initial feathery patches, and once these kick in, you will be sure that long hair is on the way. With time, your reward will be a coat full of lustrous, shiny golden hair. They are slimmer and more athletic than a classic Golden Retriever. The Golden Field Retriever is smaller in stature, with more energy and drive and has a hunting and retrieving instinct. Different Types To reiterate, the Golden Field Retriever does have shorter hair than most other retrievers, but it would still not be considered short. Technically, there is only one type of Golden Retriever, however, there are multiple variations of the breed. One being the Golderman, one is the field Retriever. A shorter coat is actually inherited. Yes, the coat comes from the parents. Obviously, all breeds, all dogs grow at different rates. What is advanced for one, may not even be average for many. So at what age will your Golden Retriever begin to grow the long coat? The Golden Retriever actually grows quite quickly. For the majority, they will reach their full growth by the time they are a year old. The coats, however, will take longer to grow. On average, the coat will not fully fill in until the dog is roughly 1. This does actually make it somewhat easy to estimate the age of a Golden Retriever. If they have long hair, then you know they are at least 1. Of course, their coat may still grow a little more. Long Coats and Allergies To be perfectly honest, it is not the coats that people are allergic to when they say they have an allergy with dogs. The allergy is likely from the dander, which is dead skin cells. This should be known before purchasing a Golden. Truth be told, when the coat on a Golden is trimmed or cut, this could cause health issues for the Retriever and it could also ruin the gorgeous coat of the Golden Retriever. Another issue you will need to consider before choosing a Golden Retriever. If you are considering a Golden, but want short hair to eliminate the shedding. You likely do not want a Golden. Most animals, dogs and cats included, do shed at least twice a year. Some animals, it may be minimal, for others, it seems endless. You may also find hair in some of the strangest locations. Even if you take your Retriever to a groomer, this will not entirely prevent loose hairs from floating all over the house. Including landing on your dinner plate. There is likely going to be dog hairs everywhere including the furniture and also rooms that the dog never enters. There are a few things that you can do to help minimize the amount of hair floating through your home. Brush your Golden Retriever on a daily basis Bathe the Retriever every other month Be sure to feed them a high quality dog food Never Shave Even in the hottest weather, or when you are tired of the dog hair, you cannot make a sudden decision to shave the hair off your Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever is gifted with a Double Coat. The undercoat is shorter and soft. The outer coat is lengthier, smooth and waterproof. This is meant to keep the dirt and debris off of them. Again, you really are harming your Golden Retriever when you shave him. That undercoat is there to regulate the body temp even when it is hot outside. Options There are options if you want a short haired Golden Retriever. Goldens are known for the long hair, even when the hair is shorter than some other dogs, the hair is longer than a short haired dog. One option is to consider a different breed of dog. You may want to consider one that has short hair or even very little hair. However, even a short haired dog will shed at times. I was a parent to a Chihuahua, until she took a trip over the Rainbow Bridge. Very short hair on her, yet she still shed. There are times now, if I go into a storage tub, I will still find some of her short hairs. Basically, you will come across dog hair whether it is long or short. You could consider a Golden Doodle, a Labrador or another breed known for short hair. There are breeders who specifically breed Golden Retrievers with short hair. This will take research on your part if you insist on a Golden Retriever, but prefer short hair. The variations in hair length on the Golden Retrievers is due to mutant genes that have been passed down generations. To be considered a Golden Retriever, the American Kennel Association requires that the list of characteristics for each dog breed is adhered to tightly. This means to be a purebred Golden Retriever, the coat must be X inches in length. If it is not, that means that the dog has been mixed somewhere in the generations. When originally bred over in Scotland, the intention was to accompany the owner and retrieve the game that is shot while on a hunting trip. The breeder knew the weather would be a factor for the animal, so the hair needed to be long, with a short undercoat to regulate the canine's body heat. The outer coat should resist water and debris and dirt. What started as a need and requirement, soon became an aesthetic want in those who chose to have one of these Golden colored dogs. Breeding for a pure Golden Retriever created uniformity of the long hair. The uniformity also applied to the texture and the coloring. The breeder needed to choose breeds that had long hair in order to obtain that in the offspring. Today, however, the length is unimportant when it comes to the Golden Retriever for families. These dogs spend less time outside versus dogs in the past. The Growth When a Golden Retriever is first born, he or she will have short hair. This hair will not complete growing in length until the dog is past the puppy stage. This will be approximately 1. It will actually start to feather in slowly around the time the Golden Retriever is 3 months old. Again, you will notice some, however, the thick and full coat will be completely in at around 1. The original hair that the dog is born with does not fall out or disappear. The lengthier hair will grow out as a top coat of hair. As this longer hair begins to come in, it pushes the shorter hair to the sides, which will then become the undercoat. The new coat of hair coming in will also be slightly darker also. The top coat is known as the Guard coat once it comes in fully. Shedding happens twice a year, Spring and Fall. The thick undercoat will mean more grooming is necessary to maintain a lower amount of shedding, however, it can not be avoided altogether. The other options that will help keep the shedding on the lower side is consistent grooming, a good quality food in the diet and avoiding a stressful environment. All in all, to summarize clearly, the Golden Retriever is only recognized by the American Kennel Association if it has long hair. There may be a one in a million shot that your Golden Retriever has short hair and that you were sold the dog as a purebred Golden Retriever. There are genetic tests now available that will give you and the Kennel Association the information needed. The hair length should never be a factor when it comes to loving a fur baby. Dogs are not just four legged creatures. They should be loved, cared for and treated like family. Their overall health should be more important than the length of the hair on a Golden Retriever. The Golden Retrievers flowing coat is just outer beauty. For breeders it is extremely important, for those who choose a purebred Golden Retriever, it is important to be able to see the long hair, however, it must be remembered that there is a tiny percentage that your purebred Golden Retriever will have short hair. This will not change the nature of the dog or the way the dog feels about you. More Dogs.

Greetings from the Wysongs! As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Entropion and Cherry Eye What feature on a bulldog gets us very excited? Healthy eyes! The bulldog breed struggles with two primary eye issues that we focus on eliminating: entropion and cherry eye. Cherry eye is best identified as a protruding gland mass extended from the eye. The pink, circular mass looks somewhat like a small cherry, hence the name. Cherry eye is thought to be caused by both environmental and hereditary factors. Hereditary factors are not the only cause of cherry eye however. Cherry eye can be caused by eye irritation and the constant rubbing of the eye. Allergy season always causes a spike in cherry eye issues in vet offices across the nation. Entropion is another common eye issue that effects the bulldog breed. The overdone, heavy wrinkled bulldog is most prone to entropion issues. Causing this condition is the heavy wrinkle set of the bulldog itself. The heavy wrinkles of the bulldog will push up the face and actually cause the eyelid to curl inward. The pressure of the heavy wrinkles not only causes breathing problems, it creates eye issues as well. This is just another reason the ultra-wrinkly bulldog breeder is irresponsible and is creating long term damage to the breed. Great eyes are another important factor that we look at in our adults. We want all of our adult bulldogs and puppies to have healthy eyes that do not suffer from entropion or cherry eye. Heart Disease Heart murmurs and enlarged hearts are two issues the we test for and focus on eliminating from our bloodlines. A heart murmur is extra vibration in the heart that indicates a disturbance in the blood flow. Heart murmurs are graded on a scale and often grow worse as the bulldog ages. Enlarged hearts show up in bulldogs occasionally as well. While not as common, the enlarged heart often affects older bulldogs when they do occur. There is good reason to believe this is a heart condition that is affecting the line. We require all of our bulldogs to have healthy hearts and show no signs of either a heart murmur or enlarged heart to be considered for breeding. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Sight Sensitivity Stability These categories are scored using a number system and the results determine which type of home would be most suitable. Scoring primarily in certain categories will help an owner determine the temperament of their specific puppy and if their lifestyle matches the needs of the animal. Your English bulldog puppy will most likely follow traits typical of its breed, but every dog is different! This test will tell you more about your specific puppy and how you can provide the best environment for them! We have done this test with everyone of our dogs and it has perfectly predicted their personality so I highly recommend doing so. Living with Other Dogs As a general rule, English bulldogs live well with other dogs as they are friendly and sociable. It is important that your English bulldog puppy is socialized at an early age to ensure that they are comfortable around others. Female English bulldogs may be more aggressive with other female dogs. Keep an eye on them as they become familiar and learn to coexist. English bulldogs are generally very possessive over their food. Keep them separated from other dogs during feeding with no access to their food. This is the one instance when the well-tempered bulldog may become aggressive. Life Expectancy English bulldogs have been bred for a very specific look, one that has created for many mutations. These mutations have led to increased risk of health problems, therefore shortening their lifespan compared to other breeds. The average lifespan for an English bulldog is years. There have been bulldogs that have passed earlier as well as ones that have lived into the year range. Their lives may be shorter, but it just means you have to make the most of the time you get to spend with them! Prone to Health Problems English Bulldog puppies may be perfectly healthy with no problems in the beginning, but English bulldogs are prone to a variety of health problems. Brachycephalic Syndrome We all know a bulldog is coming from a mile away because we can hear them! Being bred for their short noses and head, this creates shortened nasal passages, a small trachea, and an elongated soft palate. This causes more difficulty in breathing and may lead to more serious issues as they age. Many young bulldogs will undergo a staphylectomy, or shortening the soft palate to allow for easier breathing. Infections Bulldogs are particularly prone to infection in the folds of their face, skin, eyes, ears, and between the toes. These infections can be controlled through medication and prevented through consistent bathing. Food allergies may be cause of some of these infections and diet should be monitored to prevent inflammation. Hip, Spinal, and Joint Pain Bulldogs may develop joint problems as they age. Their heavy, low, and long body structure puts stress in their bones and joints, making them more susceptible to deformities and skeletal conditions. Bulldogs are deemed more likely to get tumors than other dogs. These could appear within the neuroendocrine and central nervous systems. Heart Problems English bulldogs are at a high risk for cardiac muscle problems and other related heart diseases, especially as they age. Make sure you have your bulldog examined for heart murmurs and other cardiac issues. Some Have Corkscrew Tails Along with the rest of the bulldog, their tails have been selectively bred to form a corkscrew. While this may be very cute, it could cause some health concerns. This may lead to twisted vertebrae in the spine, causing nerve and disc disease as well as spinal pain. In addition to structural problems, you need to make sure you help them clean behind the tail. This area has a high chance of becoming infected as feces or dirt can become trapped. Wipe them down after they use the bathroom to reduce problems in this area. Coat Care One of the things about English Bulldog puppies is they tend to have very dry skin and you might see dandruff build up on their coat. Our favorite method to keep their skin healthy is giving them some coconut oil. Your bully will love it and their coat will be much less dry. Give about 2 teaspoons a day. This could be once a week or every other week based on activity level. Increased bathing will keep bacteria and yeast under control, preventing infection. This is particularly important between their toes, in their facial folds, and near their anus. Keeping these areas clean will promote overall wellness. With their short hair, they do shed, but there is little you need to do other than give them a good shampoo with warm water! Exercise Bulldogs do not require a lot of exercise. A bulldog puppy will be full of energy, requiring more exercise than an older bulldog. When exercising, you should expect walks to be short. English bulldogs are not well-suited for hiking or strenuous activity. They tend to roll at a more leisurely pace. Make sure all exercise is done in cool temperatures as they are at great risk of overheating especially during exercise. While they come with their quirks, English bulldogs are lovable companions for almost any home! Love Water but Not Swimmers Our bulldog puppy loves the water, unfortunately, they are not strong swimmers. I highly recommend getting a life vest if you have a pool in your backyard. If you have any question about English Bulldog Puppies, leave a comment below or checkout our Facebook Group Leave a Reply: Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. July 31, .Our love for the English Bulldog breed has been a lifelong passion, and we are committed to improving this man-made breed, one litter at a time. Our bulldog puppies are raised with love and care, and are provided with a comprehensive puppy curriculum to ensure their well-being. We are continuously striving to enhance the health and appearance of the English Bulldog breed, in accordance with the ethical breeding standards set by the American Kennel Club AKC. Our bulldogs are exclusively healthy, and we take pride in breeding them to produce healthy bulldog puppies. Top-Quality, Healthy Bulldog Puppies for Sale Our specialty lies in breeding high-quality bulldog puppies that are known for their wrinkly, big-boned structure, compact size, and low-to-the-ground stance. At our facility, we follow the Badass Breeder Puppy Curriculum, which exposes our puppies to a range of scents, handling, textures, colors, and other items, helping them understand that the world is a safe place, dogs are friendly, and people are kind. We raise our puppies with love from the very beginning and ensure that they are well socialized with our family and other furry pets, resulting in playful and loving temperaments that make them the perfect addition to any family. Improving the English Bulldog Bloodline: A Top Priority Our main mission is to enhance the English bulldog breed and address the various health concerns that are commonly associated with it. All of our bulldogs undergo genetic health testing by Embark and OFA breed recommended tests before they are considered for our breeding program. This additional step is crucial to avoid passing on any genetic disorders to our puppies, ensuring a long and healthy life for your beloved bulldog. All of our bulldogs are also AKC registered. We strongly support our puppies with a month health guarantee and lifetime breeder support for all of our puppy families. We are committed to providing you with the best knowledge on diets, products, exercise, training, and preventative care that comes with owning an English Bulldog.

Read on for detailed tips on when you should expect your Labradoodle to be trained and milestone ages. Did you know that back in , Labradoodles were bred by an Australian breeder Wally Conron for a blind woman whose husband had a dog allergy? Since then, Labradoodles have only grown in popularity. The average lifespan of a Labradoodle is around 10 to 14 years , and they come in three different sizes — miniature or toy, medium, and standard. Their sizes can also affect how they behave. Your Labradoodle will undergo various changes through every stage in their lives. Their five different life stages include: Puppyhood — 1 to 5 months Adolescence — 6 to 18 months Adulthood — until three years of age Middle Age — until seven years of age Old Age — the last stage; until 12 to 14 years of age. At every stage, your Labradoodle will depict different behaviors, and you will have to modify how you train them accordingly. Can Labradoodles smile? The correct training approach is to start coaching your Labradoodles from the first day when you bring them home. Compared to adult dogs, puppies are easier to train. You will have a much easier and fun time training them when and where to pee, how to socialize, how not to put everything in their mouth, how to stay away from chewing the new sofa set, etc. First 30 Days with a Labradoodle The first 30 days are an exciting time with new Labradoodles. With a crossbreed, you often have no idea what surprises are about to unfold. Your furry friend will obviously go on to explore every nook and cranny of your house. While you might feel like spending every second cuddling and playing around with them, this is the time when you should start training your dog. The sooner you begin, the more adaptable the routine becomes to the dog. When they are young, it is recommended that you initiate the process of Early Scent Introduction to amplify their senses. This will allow them to quickly identify and react to particular smells. A helpful activity is putting a leash on your Labradoodle while it walks around the house and sniffs different household objects. You can also include a few more games and habits into their routine to make them put their senses to good use. You will often find them jumping around the house and licking everyone. All their sensory organs will be heightened, so behaviors like wagging their tails and play-biting people will be common. If their erratic behavior changes are not kept in check, you might even find them baring teeth at anyone who attempts to touch their belongings or fiddle with the safe environment they are used to. Potty Training This is the age to establish a potty schedule for your puppy. Include multiple potty breaks throughout the day so that the dog knows where to go to release themselves. Train them to hold their pee in until they reach their designated point. Every time they successfully pee outside , make sure to reward them with a treat. Leash Training Leashes are going to be a life-long friend of your dogs. Make sure you introduce them to the concept of a leash right from the very beginning. It will help your Labradoodle get accustomed to the feeling of having a leash around them every time they are taken for a walk. When at home, put the leash on the dog, and let them walk around freely without pulling on it. Two Labradoodles sniff eachother out at a dog park. The puppyhood phase is about to end, and the new adulthood chapter is about to commence. By this time, they should have mastered most of the training commands and techniques so you can move on to teaching them more advanced training options. Loose leash training, clicker, and positive reinforcement training all become possible now. We must keep a strict eye on reinforcing positive behavior and obedience and redirect unwanted behavior with just as much consistency as when they were a young puppy. By this time, your dog should also be vaccinated, so they can go to a nearby park and play with other dogs. Command Training This is the stage when you start teaching your Labradoodle some basic commands. The best way to introduce it is during their mealtime. You can hold the food in your hands and use it to lure them. Identify a definite marker that you can use to communicate to your Labradoodle if they perform a particular command correctly or incorrectly. Sit with your Labradoodle on the floor and play around to try to communicate with them. Make them comfortable with your touch and sound. Find other puppies that your Labradoodle can spend time with. It is a good idea to begin socializing your puppy to help them become more comfortable with humans as well as other dogs. This will also reduce the risk of anxiety and fear, help them listen to others better, and ensure that they live a fulfilling and happy life. Regardless of what training routine you establish for your dog, make sure you only do it through positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is a reward-based training option. So, if your dog successfully performs a task or follows a command, you praise them or reward them with treats. You can use a favorite treat or a toy to encourage them to follow the command again. Avoid punishing your dog at all costs as it would instill life-long fear in them. Use puzzle toys and different mentally stimulating exercises to improve their physical and mental capabilities even simple food toys like frozen Kongs or slow feeder bowls do the trick. Our best Labradoodle name ideas. I am sure you have been planning the arrival of your Labradoodle and are excited for all the joy and happiness they are about to bring into your life. I got a puppy a few months back too, and there are a few tips I wish someone had told me about before: Have two separate bowls ready for your Labradoodle — one for food and one for water. Feed them with food specific to their breed, and make sure to replace their bowl with fresh water every day. Proper nutrition and a balanced diet are part and parcel of a good puppy training routine. You can also treat them with a toy every time they follow the commands you teach them. Invest in a comfortable dog bed. Although bedding can be expensive, your Labradoodle needs a decent place to relax. Make sure the size of the bed is appropriate, neither too big nor too small. Puppy-proof your house before the new member settles in. Keeping the electrical cords out of reach, properly latching the doors and windows to avoid risking your puppy wandering off, and designating a specific bathroom area for the puppy are some of the vital precautions you must take. It not only keeps them clean and smelling fresh but also eliminates the risk of illnesses and diseases in your dog. But they still need to be regularly groomed to avoid matting. To do this, however, you need to train your Labradoodles to be comfortable with the different grooming tools and sit still for some time. Here are a few tips on how you can do that successfully: Sensitize your Labradoodle to the sounds of different grooming equipment like nail trimmers, scissors, combs, brushes, etc. Play with their paws and make them feel comfortable. You should massage their feet and touch their nails to make them feel at ease with your touch. The more you delay grooming your dog regularly, the more complex and painful the procedure will get. Brushing becomes easy, pain-free, and you will be surprised to see your Labradoodle eventually starting to look forward to it. While doing facial trims, your dog needs to remain calm and still. To do a facial trim, gently hold their head in one hand and rest their chin on another. There are high chances your dog will be placed in a crate when attending grooming sessions at a salon. So make them accustomed to being placed inside a crate at home. You can keep their favorite toys and treats inside to make them feel more comfortable. Most of the advanced Labradoodle training options and methods are built on basic training methods. If your Labradoodle has successfully mastered basic training skills, the advanced training period will be relatively easy. If you want your dog to behave even better and learn new tricks, or get them registered as a service dog or a guide dog, or make them participate in an upcoming dog event, you can consider enrolling them in professional advanced training courses. Labradoodles, as the name suggests, are a cross between Poodles and Labradors, combining the best characteristics of both breeds. Labradoodles are bred to be friendly and loving and they are very easy to train. In terms of background, if the breeder or adoption service you got your pup from did not start any training, then you will have to start slow and be patient. A Labradoodle that has been trained and brought up well can serve as the perfect service dog, guide dog, or therapy dog. Are Labradoodles Easy To Train? Labradoodles are great companions that can fit in as easily in a large family as they can in a small one. They are easy to train, friendly, social, and intelligent. If they are trained consistently, they develop a friendly temperament and bond well with their owners. Do Labradoodles Bark Excessively? As with any other breed of dog, Labradoodles are at high risk of barking excessively if they are not adequately trained or if their day-to-day requirements are not met. A Labradoodle has a lot of energy. If the energy is not channeled in the right place through coaching, exercising, and proper stimulation, they might get stressed and anxious and bark unreasonably. A Red Miniature Labradoodle looks happy in the studio. Final Words The happiness that comes with having a Labradoodle as your companion and raising them is unmatched. However, as with any other dog, training them involves hard work and discipline. I hope this guide makes Labradoodle training easy for you. The biggest hurdle you may face when training your dog is a lack of motivation and consistency. Luckily, Labradoodles are inclined to learn from their owners quicker than other breeds. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Limiting water in the evening will help limit your pups need to toilet in the night. However, if a crate is not used correctly, a dog can feel trapped and frustrated. Never use the crate as a punishment. Puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time except at night. They can't control their bladders and bowels for that long. Normal Puppy Behaviours Your puppy is a baby. Jumping, nipping or biting, chewing, toileting accidents, limited attention span, grabbing objects and running off, not listening, etc. It is our job to teach our puppies how to live in our world, according to our rules, in a gentle and positive way. If you and your pup are struggling with some of these behaviours, please check out some of the resources noted below for tips on how to address them. Behavioural Issues Obedience issues and behavioural issues are not the same thing. Sometimes our pups need more one-on-one focused effort to address behavioural issues. Often the best way to deal with behavioural issues is to hire a trainer or behaviourist to come to your home for a one-on-one consult. We recommend trainers that use positive training methods. As an intelligent, trainable breed, Labradoodles do not respond well to strong aversive training. Positive reinforcement and clicker training are far more successful and fun for Labradoodles. Formal Training To best teach your pup how to live in our world, through socialization and training, it is important to understand the developmental phases of puppies. Their reaction to similar stimuli will be different depending on their stage of development. Socialization is the first step in creating a well-behaved dog. Once the pup has had a negative experience, you need to work harder to turn it into a positive experience. Present them in a way that your pup can draw confidence from you, without coddling them. Once your pup has had its second set of vaccines DAP , it can attend puppy socialization classes. It lists the situations to expose your dog to for optimal socialization. They also provide an opportunity for your dog to interact with other dogs in a controlled and supervised environment. You can find information at this link below:. Challenge Their Mind Labradoodles are highly intelligent dogs, so prevent boredom. Most dog owners know that a new puppy requires proper nutrition and daily exercise, but they often forget to challenge them mentally. This is a problem that can lead to a lot of behavior issues, from aggression and, biting to full-on destructive behavior. But perfect and precise practice is by far the best road to success. If you have to choose between making a specific exercise easier or lowering your expectations of the final result, always go for the first option. Always start at the point where your Labradoodle is able to do the exercise correctly, and then move ahead from there. Reactions towards humans, cars, other animals, and so on, aggressive behavior, growling being overly excited. The solution to all these problems starts with the ability to do nothing. Labradoodles, like humans, need to focus and use their attention to be able to learn new things. Small problems might seem just like that, small, but they have a tendency to grow larger over time. Most of the problems you might encounter during to daily walk or someplace else should be solved even before leaving your home. Perhaps your dog will eventually become tired and end up walking more slowly and what seems to be more well-mannered than you, but having a tired Labradoodle is not the same as a well-behaving Labradoodle. Have a Point of Restoration Labradoodles connect certain emotions with very specific areas. So if you are having problems with a specific behavior, and your dog ends up stressed or losing interest, try moving to a different area and training something that you know your dog is good at. This will give the Labradoodle a sense of accomplishment. Try finding a lower table or some other platform to exercise with instead. When your dog manages that, then you can return to the table that was too difficult, to begin with. It is then highly like that your dog will be able to jump onto the table, without even having to think much about it. You might have a dog that jumps onto visitors, or perhaps on your furniture. Now when opening the door, this will prevent your dog from jumping onto the visitor. Usually, it will quickly stop attempting to jump up, and then you tell it to sit down. Have your guest pet it for a short amount of time, and only as long as the dog keeps sitting. You can then start over and try this exercise several times. Labradoodles who jump on the furniture when told not to. Grab a hold on the end of the leash, and pull the dog down from the furniture. Again, start over and try multiple times until the message is clear to the dog. Put your dog on a long training leash and make sure that you have a firm grip on the other end before calling for your dog to return. When the dog returns, give it a treat or its favorite toy. Repeat this until you get a satisfactory outcome. This is also where most people start making mistakes with Labradoodle training. They are very enthusiastic about training and buying all the best products, but after the first week, they lose interest and end up letting the dog do pretty much what it wants. And if it takes you a month to get to the point where the dog returns to you even without you pulling on the leash, keep the leash on for the same amount of time before removing it, just to be sure. Make sure that you get the result you want every single time until it is certain your Labradoodle is done taking chances. Sometimes we end up training our Labradoodles for so long that they will eventually lose their motivation. And now your dog is tired and really in need of a good rest. Stop the exercise as soon as you know your dog understands the concept of what you are doing. In the Case of a Stressed Dog Go back to the point where your dog the last time felt perfectly comfortable. When a dog is stressed it will usually go back to instinctive and unwanted behavior, so it is not a good idea to only train your dog in surroundings where it is totally calm. You have to work with situations where your dog usually has a strong reaction. And then you have to work through those situations. The only way to train your Labradoodle to overcome these situations is by getting them to a point where they master it. Try doing that in a controlled environment, after you have thought your dog the most basic training. If you are hesitant at putting your dog in these situations because you fear what reaction it might show, work with it in less stressful surroundings before moving forward. Taking One Step Backwards To be able to take two steps forward. Try looking back at rule number 6. The rule applies to every single time you and your dog find yourself in a new situation. This is especially important when training your dog in that phase where it has learned something, but now it needs to be able to do it every single time without any hassle. So put the leash on until you are certain that your Labradoodle also has this new situation under control, before continuing with your exercises. As mentioned earlier your is most likely a gambler or at the very least an opportunist. Putting your dog on a leash makes it easier for you to follow through on your command, and think very carefully before commanding your Labradoodle to do anything. Never Test Your Dog Tests and exams are fine with kids going to school. But instead, be sure that you are there to lead and guide your dog as much as necessary. This is extremely important to remember. And that makes all the difference in the world to a Labradoodle just trying to find its place in this human world. 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. Get Started Labradoodle Training We know how challenging it can be training your doodle puppy, and adjusting your new puppy's schedule and routine to yours. Below are some tips and suggestions on how to make your puppies first few weeks together with you and your family a stress free and exciting time for all involved! Bringing Your New Puppy Home The first few days home with you, can be overwhelming for your new puppy. Everything is a new experience to them. Try to bring the puppy into your home during a time that is slow for you. Once you arrive home with your puppy, you want to start a routine as quickly as possible. Try giving your puppy a few minutes of playtime before beginning any training. This is brought on by the stress of a big change, and as long as it is not excessive or bloody, it is nothing to be concerned about. High quality Puppy and Dog foods have all the necessary vitamins and nutrients that your dog needs. One ingredient to avoid in your puppy food is corn. Corn offers little nutritional value and is mostly a filler. You may feed your puppy whatever food you prefer. However, If you are changing foods, you want to do it slowly to give them a chance to adjust to the new food. Each day, gradually add more of the new food and less of the old food. If changed too quickly, the puppy may experience diarrhea. Once in the morning and once at night. We recommend the evening feeding to occur by - pm. It is recommended that you do this until they are around 6 months of age. Remember to offer water every 2 to 4 hours, not just when offering food. As with feeding we don't like to give water too close to bedtime when training a labradoodle puppy. House Training Your Labradoodle Puppy "The key to house training is to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Such deterrence may seem impossible if you have a puppy that seems to eliminate every few minutes. But by following a few simple steps, you can teach your canine companion proper potty deportment. Pick A Potty Spot - Choose a grassy area that is close to your home and easy to clean up. Whenever your puppy needs to go, take him to this spot and use the same route to get there every time. Supervise Your Puppy - To prevent accidents, watch your puppy closely whenever he's not confined. Get Him A Den a crate, more on that below - When you can't watch your puppy, put him where accidents are less likely to occur: In a crate. The crate is a safe, enclosed area where your puppy will instinctively refrain from eliminating. Put your puppy in its crate any time you can't watch it every single second, but don't leave your pup there too long. No more than one hour longer than its age in months four hours for a 3-month-old dog. Keep A Schedule - Puppies need to eliminate after sleeping, eating, and playing, and before bedtime. By setting up a schedule for those activities, you can make your puppy's bathroom breaks more predictable and greatly reduce the likelihood of accidents. Stick With It - It may take awhile before your puppy becomes trained. If this process sounds like work ,it is, but the better you do it -or in other words, the fewer accidents you have while training-the more quickly your dog will succeed. Crate Training Your Labradoodle I have heard many people say that crate training is mean and only serves as a punishment to the dog. They couldn't be more wrong. These are some of the many benefits of crate training: Crates are perfect for the dog to sleep in. When a dog is coming into a home where other dogs already live, the crate is a safe place for the new dog. You should never confine your pet as a form of punishment. Make sure that you invest in a good sturdy crate made either of hard plastic or of heavy steel wire. Cages with rounded edges make it easier to clean them. Make sure the cage is big enough for the dog. Puppies need a cage that is appropriate for their size. They have crates that can be divided so that a large cage can work for a smaller puppy. This eliminates the need to buy several different cages as the puppy grows. We hope you have success training your doodle puppy and find it as rewarding as we have! Follow Along on Social Media! Popular Links. But in the early days, we recommend keeping them close to you at night. It will help them feel safe and cared for — leaving their litter is quite a big step, after all. Your puppy may be unsettled and will most likely need at least one bathroom break through the night. It will all be okay in a few weeks time, though. The crate should be a cozy warm den for your puppy. Soft blankets and a cuddly toy should do the trick to help them settle. It is also a good idea to cover over the sides but keep the front uncovered so your pup can still see out. Just before bed, take your pup out for one last potty stop. With that beautiful voice of yours, gently reassure them and rest your hand in the crate so they know you are there. When your puppy wakes up in the night they definitely will at some point , listen to see if they are settling back down. Expect to be out at or am to take them straight to the loo. They will be bursting! That just about covers the first steps of Labradoodle sleep training. Very tired. But early mornings, late nights and disturbed sleep are all part of owning a puppy. As they mature emotionally and settle into their new home they will be happy in other parts of the house, and even outside of their crate. Having them in your room does not cause separation anxiety later on. Stick to a routine! Consistency is everything. It will backfire on you. Check out our guide on how to get a puppy to sleep through the night for more tips. Alone Training Labradoodles are very sociable. That can mean two things — they will always be happy to see you and that being alone can be challenging for them. This will help them feel at ease without you and also help them love their crate a little bit more too. While they are eating, go and do something close by. No need to go completely out of sight, but try not to focus on your puppy either. Labradoodles love to eat, so use this time wisely to distract them away from you. Just a few seconds is good enough in the early stages. Repeat: Practice makes perfect! Do this exercise at least once a day to build up alone time, and check out our guide to puppy separation anxiety. We expand on our little secret in our puppy potty training article. Every 30 minutes, after eating, sleeping or playing. Socialization Exercises to do This Week Early socialization is important for all puppies. It gives them confidence and teaches them to view the world in an optimistic way. Here are some puppy socialization exercises to do with your Labradoodle. Let your Labradoodle Puppy Explore the Yard The yard is a great way to introduce your puppy to the great outdoors. They will also get used to walking on different types of surfaces such as your tiled, wet lawn or open flower beds. To get them there, here is a quick exercise you can run through: Exploring different surfaces exercise Have plenty of treats ready. Only use safe surfaces, nothing too slippery. Gather surfaces such as: A piece of carpet A large tray with a thin layer of water A large piece of tin foil or cardboard, something that makes a noise. Put the surfaces out on the floor and let your puppy investigate. Let them take their time and go at their own pace. In our experience Labradoodles are quite food motivated, and you can probably use a low or medium value treat for this. You can even try to use their kibble as many will be delighted to work for their food. For more info on what rewards to use check out our article on rewards and treats. Teach your puppy their name One of the first things your puppy will learn from you is their name. Fortunately, teaching a Labradoodle puppy their name is rather simple. Pretty easy, right? Practice this a few times everyday until they start flipping their head at you every time you call their name. Make sure everyone in the family uses the same name too! Teach your puppy to sit Labradoodle training is often started by teaching them how to sit. We call this a marker word. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow with a tasty treat. Bits of smelly sausage or cheese will definitely do the trick. If this happens, try to keep it simple at first and just use their own kibble if they are motivated to work for it. Save the big guns in treat terms for when you really need it! How to do it Always begin training at home. The outside world is far too exciting at the moment, and your puppy will probably not focus on you. Stand in front of your pup with a treat in your hand and place the treat on their nose, then bring it up to your waist. Recall — How to teach your Labradoodle puppy to come back when called Your puppy should have a good grasp of their name by now, which should make recall training pretty straightforward. Pun intended. How to do it You will need plenty of those high value treats and your best cheery voice. Call your puppy only once! This is super important as you want them to learn that their name only has to be called once for them to react to it. How to do it Get your puppy excited by showing them their favorite toy and making it come to life by waving it around. Once they are interested in the toy, throw it a short distance away from you. With that lovely singing voice of yours, encourage them to bring it back to you. When they do, swap the toy in their mouth for another identical toy. Repeat about 5 times and practice everyday. Get your puppy excited by showing them their favorite toy and making it come to life by waving it around. Prevention of Resource Guarding This part of Labradoodle training is important — it will prevent resource guarding by teaching your puppy how to give up items willingly. Resource guarding is this thing that happens when dogs are unwilling to give up items back, or when they get protective over something from humans or other dogs. From the training tips above, preventing resource guarding always comes down to a good swapping. Resource guarding starts when we force our dogs as puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. To avoid that, resist your temptation to reach deep inside their mouths to get whatever it is they have. Ultimately, we want our puppies to be willing to give things up when we need them to. What we really mean is care, handling, health and grooming. Start by just showing them the brush and running it over them with the apartment side so they get used to the sensation minus the bristles. Hand Touch and Handling If you handle your puppy too roughly or grab at them, not only are they going to have a bit of a fright, but it could make them feel scared about being touched in the future. Use plenty of treats, and remember to stop if they walk away. Touch should be a pleasant thing not forced. Week 2 — Training your Labradoodle puppy Week 2 already! Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Fireworks — Watch the world go by outside your house — Play dress up. If you put in the effort early on, then you will be rewarded with a well-mannered dog who will be a joy to spend time with for years to come. Labradoodles are intelligent, friendly, and playful, but if you let your youngster do whatever he wants and allow him to think that he is the boss, then you may well end up with a naughty, attention-seeking adult. Lack of training usually plays a big part in why the dog develops some unwanted behavior traits. If you want a dog that you can take anywhere and who will be a perfect companion, rather than a pain in the neck, then spend time early on teaching him some manners and your ground rules. You may consider seeking the help of a professional trainer, but that option may not be practical or within the budget. This way, your puppy will get to learn and socialize with other dogs at the same time. You could also watch some Labradoodle training videos on YouTube, but it should not replace training with other dogs. If you decide to train your Doodle yourself, then remember the golden rule: training should always be based on rewards and not punishment. It should be a positive learning experience for both of you. Labradoodles can be sensitive little critters, and bawling at the top of your voice or smacking should not play any part in training. Are Labradoodles Easy to Train? Labradoodles are very intelligent and generally regarded as easy to train due to their easy-going temperaments and desire to connect with and please their humans. They have curious minds, and most will thrive on training if they get the chance to exercise their grey matter with some fun. Some Labradoodles are professionally trained to a very high standard to become guide or therapy dogs. Over the years, Labradoodles, especially Australian Labradoodles , have been bred with a specific easy-going temperament in mind. Early Labradoodles were often headstrong and hyper-active, but well-bred Aussie Doodles these days usually have great personalities and fit well into family life. Like most dogs, Labradoodles are pack animals and hierarchical. They respect the pecking order and are happy when they know and are comfortable with their place in it. They need to learn their place in the pack and accept you as a pack leader. You cannot force this on a dog by shouting and hitting. It has to be established by the natural order of things like mutual consent and brought about by proper training. If your puppy is not made aware of his place in the household and the rules to abide by, then he will end up ruling you and your family. Be firm, but never aggressive with your dog. If you do it wrong then, you will either frighten him or teach him to be aggressive. Keep training short and fun, especially at the beginning. If you have adopted an older dog, you can still train him, but it is a lot harder for them to unlearn bad habits. Training Tip 2: Your voice is your most important training tool Your dog has to learn to understand your language. The tone of your voice is very important. You should command in a calm, authoritative voice without shouting. Praise the puppy in a cheerful, encouraging voice, followed by a stroke or a pat. If your dog has done something wrong, use a firm, stern voice, not a harsh scream. This rule still applies even if your Labradoodle is unresponsive at the beginning. Training Tip 3: Only give command that you can enforce Labradoodles are intelligent dogs. Training Tip 4: Train your dog gently and humanely. Use positive and motivational methods to teach your puppy. Keep training sessions upbeat, so the whole experience is enjoyable for both of you. Training Tip 5: Begin your training from home How well your dog responds to you at home affects his behavior away from home as well. Training Tip 6: One command equals one response Give your dog only one command — twice maximum — then gently enforce it. Repeating commands or nagging will make your Labradoodle tune out. It also tells him that the first few commands are a bluff. But a relationship based on fear is not a good one, and it will undermine your relationship with him. He should trust that when he hears his name, good things happen. His name should always be a word that your Doodle responds to with enthusiasm, never hesitancy or fear. If he gets lots of attention when he jumps up on you, his bad behavior gets reinforced. Training Tip Timing is critical When your puppy does something right, praise him immediately. Similarly, when he does something wrong, correct him straight away. This technique works surprisingly well. Training Tip Give your dog attention when YOU want Labradoodles are sociable creatures, and they love being with you and involved with the family. While you are training him, it is good to give your puppy lots of positive attention when he is good. But if he starts jumping up, nudging you constantly or barking for your attention, then ignore him. If you give in to his every demand, then he will begin to think that he is the boss and become more demanding. Wait a while and pat him when you want, and when he has stopped demanding your attention. Training Tip Be Consistent In terms of rules and training, treat your fluffy little Doodle pup as a grown-up. Make him abide by the rules you want him to live by as an adult. You may want to put your pup on a leash to hold his attention in the beginning. Stand facing each other and hold a treat a few inches above his head. Stroke and praise him for as long as he stays in the sitting position. Practice it in short sessions until he does it every time. After a while, he should do it just from command, without moving the treat over him. When he does, give him a treat anyway. If he jumps up on his back legs and paws while you are moving the treat, be patient, and start all over again. Another method is to put one hand on his chest and with your other hand, gently push down on his rear end until he is sitting. Give him a treat and praise, even though you have made him do it. For example, when you are putting his leash on, while you are preparing his meal, when he fetches the ball, or when he is demanding attention or getting over-excited. They do it all the time with their siblings in the litter. It is a game for them. But when they arrive at your home, they have to be taught that human body parts are not for biting. Try not to encourage play-biting. As a puppy grows and feels more confident in his surroundings, and he may become slightly more aggressive. His bites may hurt someone, especially if you have children or older people at home. Make sure to have a soft toy nearby every time you have a play session with your puppy. When he starts to chew your hand or feet, clench your fingers or toes to make it more difficult and distract him with the soft toy in your other hand. Keep the game interesting by moving the toy around or rolling it around in front of him. He may continue to chew you, but will eventually realize that the toy is far more exciting and livelier than your body parts. If he becomes over-excited or too aggressive with the toy and starts growling a lot, then stop playing with him, and walk away. If your pup is more persistent and tries to bite your legs as you walk away, thinking this is another fantastic game, stand still and ignore him. Your puppy may well jump back in amazement, surprised that he has hurt you. Train a Labradoodle Not to Jump The reason why a labradoodle jumps up onto humans is that they want to get your attention and say hello. As you are taller than him, he has to jump to get your attention. Sadly, it might not be enjoyable for your guests or other people having an unknown dog jumping on them. As a dog owner, you must stop your dog from bothering other people. You can try the below techniques to train your labradoodle not to jump: When your dog starts jumping, follow training tip 9. Do not look into his eyes and stand straight up with your arms crossed. When his paws touch the ground, pat him. Repeat the exercise until he stops jumping. If your dog is jumping on a guest, then ask your guest to turn around and ignore him. Labradoodle Crate Training Crate training is the process of teaching your pup how to behave and enjoy spending time in a crate. Along with housetraining, this is one of the first things you should do when you get a new puppy. The idea behind crate training is that dogs like to have their particular spot. This place is a Safe Haven where only they can go. It teaches them to hold it until they are let outside to potty. Crates are not for every Labradoodle, and you should NEVER use them to imprison the dog while you are out of the house all day. Doodles are not like hamsters or pet mice, which can adapt to life in a cage. But, used correctly, a crate can help to: Housetrain your dog Keep your dog safe when traveling Create a doggy bedroom or place where your Labradoodle feels safe. If you use a crate, then remember that it is NOT a prison to restrain the dog. It should only be used humanely, and time should be spent to make the puppy feel like the crate is his safe little haven. Place the crate in the corner of a room, away from cold draughts or too much heat. Labradoodles like to be near their pack so, leave him where he can hear you. Crate Training Here are some techniques that you can follow to make your puppy to accept a crate and then to want to spend time in there. He might not be very happy about going in at first, but he will be a lot easier to crate train than an adult dog Drop a few tasty treats around and then inside the crate. Keep the door open. Do not close the crate door yet. Place a chew or treat inside the crate and close the door while your pup is outside the crate. He will be desperate to get in. Open the door to let him in and praises him. Fasten a long-lasting chew inside the crate and leave the door open. Let your puppy go inside and spend some time eating the chew. After a while, close the crate door and feed him some treats through the mesh. At first, do it for a few seconds at a time, then gradually increase the time. If you do it too fast, he will become distressed. Slowly build up the amount of time he is in the crate. For the first few days, stay in the room, then gradually leave the room for a short time, first one minute, then three, then 10, 30 minutes, and so on. The next points are very important to make the crate training successful: Do not let the dog immediately out of the crate while he is barking, or he will think that barking is the key to opening the door to the crate. Wait until the barking or whining has stopped for at least 10 seconds before letting him out. If you do decide to use a crate, remember that a dog is NOT a caged animal. Use the crate for limited periods and only if your dog is comfortable in there. NEVER force a dog to go in and then lock him in for hours on end. From about the age of three weeks, a puppy will leave his sleeping area to go to the toilet. Therefore, you need to teach him that it is unacceptable to make a mess anywhere inside the home. It depends on how quickly your puppy learns and how persistent and patient you are. Follow these steps to speed up the potty-training process: Constant supervision is essential for the first few weeks if you want to house train your puppy quickly. This is why it is necessary to book the week off work when you bring a new puppy home. Making sure you are there to take him outside regularly. If nobody is there, he will learn to urinate or poop inside the house. Take your puppy outside to the same place every time. Dogs naturally develop a preference for going in the same spot or on the same surface -often grass. Take him to the same patch every time, so he learns this is his toilet — preferably an area in a far corner of your garden or yard. No pressure — be patient. You must allow your Doodle pup to wander around and have a good sniff before he does his duties. Stay around a short distance away instead of leaving him. Sadly, puppies are not known for their powers of concentration. They may become easily distracted, and it may take a while for them to select that perfect spot to wee pee on! Share the responsibility. Just make sure you stick to the same routines and patch of ground. Take your pup outside at the following times: As soon as he wakes — every time Shortly after each feed. The Labradoodle is a gorgeous cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, and the Goldendoodle is an adorable mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Characteristics and traits can vary significantly because these pups are a hybrid breed, but they are usually incredibly people-focused, laid back, and playful, making Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training an enjoyable moment. Doodles make awesome pets, especially if their owners fully comprehend the importance of training from a young age. The type of adult dog breed you end up with depends a little bit on their personality and a lot on how you take care of them. Before you begin Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training, it helps to decide exactly what kind of dog you want to have. Do Plenty of Research It is vital that you have an understanding of canine learning theory because dogs learn very differently from people. A puppy does whatever it can to get what it desires the most at that moment. There are plenty of online resources that can teach you about methods to get the best out of your training. It may be helpful to consult a puppy training professional or spend some time at doggy school to get a headstart and pick up tips from experts. Your pup is a blank slate — with your guidance, they can develop the traits and learn the behaviors that you value the most. Labradoodle and Goldendoodle puppies are curious and they love exploring their new home as they make it their own. Getting it right during the early stages sets a precedent for the rest of their life. Spending as much time as you can with them helps build the foundation for a happy, confident and well-behaved dog. Form a Bond and Gain Trust With Your Doodle Before you do anything, you will need to develop a strong bond with your new pal to make sure they trust you. Try to keep your own energy as calm as possible — they bounce off you. While it may be tempting to get excited by their cuteness and mirror their enthusiasm, this makes it more difficult for them to listen to you and regulate their own behavior. Teach your furry friend what to expect from the moment they get into the home to stop them from getting confused. Use Positive Reinforcement Intimidation or fear tactics are never the best way to build a loving and secure bond between you and your fur baby. To make the most of this method, reward your pooch for good behavior and ignore bad behavior. Treats, verbal praise, and clicker training reward them for a job well done. This also helps them to make positive associations with you and training time. Everyone has their own list of priorities and yours will depend on factors such as whether you have children or other pets. Potty training is a straightforward, formulaic process that your new puppy will adapt to. A consistent routine is the key to getting them toilet trained as efficiently and effectively as possible. Let them outside at the same time each day, and take them to the same spot. In the early days, it may be difficult for them to make it all the way through the night, so try to make provisions for this stage. Select a word for them to associate with potty training and repeat it over and over whenever you take them to the toilet. Every time they do their business outside, give them lots of cuddles and praise, treat them and play one of their favorite games. There will be setbacks — getting it right takes time! If they mess in the wrong place, take them outside to their toileting spot and give them the chance to relieve themselves. We cannot emphasize the importance of praising them when they get it right enough! Crate Training Not everyone opts to crate train their puppy, but it can be useful for the earliest stages of Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training. The crate gives them a safe place they can call their own. Be sure to make the time they spend in the crate a positive experience, and never leave them in there for more hours than their age in months plus one hour. For example, a three-month-old puppy can be kept in their crate for no more than four hours. Socialization Dogs are social animals, and Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, in particular, are happiest when they spend time pleasing people and playing. However, building confidence takes effort and guidance from their pet parent. If you want to ensure they grow up to have a balanced personality, you need to expose them to plenty of dogs, people and different situations. Take them out and about as much as possible to help them become accustomed to a range of noises, sights and sounds. Bring them to a local dog park to get them used to spending time around other dogs. Manners Your adorable little pup has the potential to develop a host of bad habits, but these behaviors can be nipped in the bud. Temperament and Dealing with Small Children There are several steps to take while getting your canine cutie used to being a member of a family with children. Both pup and child will need to have clear boundaries mapped out for them so they can build mutual trust and be kind to each other. Let the child practice with a toy before they pick up or cuddle the pup. Ensure the child sits down when they play with the dog; this helps to prevent the pup from getting overexcited. Teach the child to do small tasks to help care for the dog, such as filling the bowl or helping with grooming. Knowing what to expect according to the time of day helps them to settle and feel reassured. Always wake them up at the same time, feed and walk them around the same time and do training exercises at a set time. Patience Is Everything! The best piece of advice for Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training is to have patience. Spend lots of time bonding and playing with your pooch so you can make training something fun that you both enjoy. If you would like one of these wonderful dogs for your family, please take the time to fill out our owner application. Application Form Care and Training Trainers agree that most pet problems which dog owners experience have to do with the training they receive and the excess freedom they are given in the home. Your Labradoodle puppy is a sweet, intuitive, intelligent dog and capable of being a pleasing companion. Labradoodles enjoy training, playtime, and direction. If you take the time to establish your loving authority early on, you will reap the benefits for years to come. Train your pup to be a good canine citizen and a welcome addition to your neighbourhood. I have listed common mistakes which owners make, and a way for you to prevent those hardships. Click on the links below to read the tip, click on the link again to close them. Mistake 1: Not being puppy-educated. Attend a puppy kindergarten class if possible, and read several training books before your new pup arrives. Do role-playing with your children on sit, stay, and come commands, with you being the puppy and your child being the trainer. You will need to teach your children firmness in voice commands. Mistake 2: Idealistic expectations. Dogs are expensive. Dogs are trouble. Dogs are frustrating. Dogs are noisy. Dogs are messy. Be prepared for the bumps in the road a chewed shoe , and the valleys an emergency trip to the vet when an army man gets swallowed. You will be a much happier owner if you have realistic expectations. Mistake 3: Lack of communication with children or adult owners. What are your expectations for your children? Do you want your new pup to teach them responsibility? Be reasonable about how you expect your children to fit into the life of your new pet. A good way to begin your puppy adventure is with a contract between you and your children which states the needs of the puppy with clear plans for who will meet these needs. An example follows: By having a contract in advance, if your child balks at taking your dog on a walk, you may remind them of the agreement they signed. Mistake 4: Not being prepared to sacrifice. My husband and I often laugh about our experience bringing home our first child. We had spent weeks attending classes and breathing, reading books and breathing, visiting delivery rooms and more breathing. Then the delivery occurred. Days later, we brought home this squirmy, screeching, sleepless boy with no idea what to do with him. Be prepared for the worst, and then reality will be a cupcake. Exercise your pup well before your bedtime. Do not offer water within a few hours of your bedtime. At bedtime, put your puppy in the crate with his comfort toys which the breeder sent along with him. Expect whining for a good long bit, but do not cave in and let your puppy sleep with you. Coo and comfort your new pup; pet him through the crate. You have the wisdom and you are in charge. You can train your pup to sleep through the night. Your goal is the get the little sweetheart through the night with only two potty outings, perhaps around AM and AM, but never wake a sleeping puppy — let him wake you. During potty outings, do not cuddle or comfort your pup, although you will always carry your pup to the door in the beginning weeks of housebreaking, rather than have him walk. While on this nighttime potty outing, communicate to him that this is strictly business. Take him to his designated potty place and set him down. Then go back to bed, settling him into his crate. This should only last a few nights, and he will soon surprise you by stretching a few more hours between potty outings. Always check his crate with your hand for a mistake. There is no need to scold mistakes at this stage. Simply remove his bedding and replace with dry bedding. Then, after he becomes fond of his crate in a few days, you may return to your bed. He will feel secure, and you will feel your sacrifice has been worthwhile. Mistake 5: Expecting housebreaking too soon. Many authors and even some trainers tout methods of housebreaking guaranteeing results in eight weeks. Most trainers would say that this is not a reasonable for all puppies. While some puppies may possibly be housebroken at that age, it is rare. For a puppy to be reliably housebroken, it must first meet a physiological developmental milestone in control. While most puppies will be housebroken before that, it is wise to have reasonable expectations. Mistake 6: Too much freedom too soon. Your puppy will naturally want to keep his crate clean, provided it is only small enough for him to turn around in. Instead, begin immediately with crate training, which is the most humane and natural living quarters for your pup. By nature he wants a safe den to cuddle in remember his wolf ancestry. Your pup will be very sleepy in the beginning weeks, so take advantage of this. After each potty outing will be your play time, cuddle time, and training time. Afterwards, you will return him to his crate for a nap. The playtime may be done in a small area 6-foot by 6-foot which you designate as his romper room. This area, as well as the crate, should be in a part of the home the family gathers in, such as the kitchen. A flexible gate system is a terrific option. This system will keep your pup safe from the myriad of choking hazards throughout your home. The flexible gate and crate combination prevents those unwanted accidents — in short, it will keep your stress level low. My mistake with this system was in allowing my pups freedom beyond the gate before they were tried and true. Be quite sure your pup is housebroken reliably before extending his boundaries. When you do choose to extend the boundaries beyond the pen, do it gradually, adding a room at a time. Wait several weeks or a month of no accidents before you expand boundaries again. It is wise to have agreement early on as to which rooms will eventually be opened to your pet and which will not. If you plan for your puppy to never enter the study, for example, then make that known ahead of time. Most trainers suggest that your trained dog should sleep on a dog bed beside your bed, but not on the bed. This prevents them from thinking that they are on your level of authority in the pack of your family. We routinely break this rule. Do as the trainers say, not as we do. Praise him cheerfully. This takes commitment, and your pup should only be out of the pen when you are willing to pay attention and do training. Mistake 7: Using too many words. Your Labradoodle will be trained faster if everyone in your home uses the same terminology during training. Mistake 8: Grazing and over-treating. We hope you will feed your Labradoodle with excellent health as your goal. At eight weeks, your puppy will need to eat three times a day on a regular schedule. The last feeding should be before PM. No treats or water after dinner is best to help your dog achieve housebreaking. Feedings should be in the crate. Take your puppy out for potty immediately after a meal. After the meal has been offered for fifteen minutes, the food is removed. Keep track of how much your pup eats during the first months, as your vet may find this helpful. The reason that continual feeding or grazing is not best is twofold: It solidifies your role as the alpha, provider of the meal, and it also prevents your dog from becoming obese. Obesity in dogs is never healthy and may be an environmental factor contributing toward hip dysplasia. Treats should be given only for performing a command. It is expensive and does not provide the pure nutrients your growing pup requires. Instead of junk treats, fill your treat jar with a premium-quality dry dog food which you do not currently use. For example, if you currently use Innova chicken, try a salmon-based food for treats. On the subject of food, not all dog food is equal. Most grocery store brands of kibble contain a high percentage of fillers. The fillers themselves may have been in contact with pesticides or other chemicals. Never will you see a particular cut of beef listed, which means your dog food choice could be filled with parts you and I do not want to discuss. There are commercial dog foods available which use human-grade standards, rather than animal standards. Ask in a premium pet store about human standards. You will pay much more for human-standard food, but your dog will eat considerably less, since it is packed with the nutrients his body craves. Most dog enthusiasts believe that chicken- or fish-based foods are digested more easily. Fish oils have been known to be beneficial to prevent scratching in dogs who experience dry skin due to environment, weather or allergies. Potty Training tips from Perfect Paws. Confinement to a small area such as a bathroom or an enclosed exercise pen in combination with confinement to a crate works best. This method is the most effective and flexible. When and how to use confinement is described in detail below. Read more about potty training from Perfect Paws. Puppy Patch Labradoodles Email: click to email About our Puppies Our Australian Labradoodles are allergy and asthma friendly with low to non-shedding coats. A cross between a labrador and a poodle and multi-generational, our puppies are thoroughly socialized. Please browse our site to see the latest puppy litters and our breeder policies. Recent News. Over 6 Months Old 8 week old Labradoodle Puppy Training At 8 weeks old your puppy has only just arrived home, so your main focus will be on helping them to settle in, bonding and starting that all important potty training process. Potty Training Your brand new puppy will need to have the opportunity to pee as much as every twenty minutes for the first few days. They will also need to pee or poop after every meal, and every big drink. Socialization Have four different sets of visitors to the house, and go to at least four busy places with the puppy in your arms. Sweet Goodbyes Puppies find it hard to be left alone, so we like to sweeten up those goodbyes with treats! Every time you need to briefly leave the room, drop a handful of kibble behind you to make it seem like a good thing for your pup. Follow me Puppies are naturally inclined to follow you at 8 weeks old, and you want to encourage that instinct. When outdoors in the backyard change direction lots, and give lots of treats and cuddles in exchange for them coming after you. Recall Blow your recall whistle we use five short pips when your puppy is running full pelt towards you. They will have started to understand that outdoors is the place to pee, and have gained a tiny bit of bladder control. But they will still need a lot of help! Socialization should still be in full swing this week, and your increasingly confident puppy will need help remembering to keep her teeth to herself. Potty Training Your puppy will still need lots of opportunity to pee outdoors in order to reduce accidents. Socialization Meeting people is really important this week. Take your puppy to four new places, and have four sets of visitors. Carry them while you are outdoors. Rewarding Eye Contact Whenever your puppy looks up at your face, pop a treat in between her paws or into her mouth. This will start to encourage her to look up at you more often, in the hopes of something scrummy. We close our treat laden palm when the puppy approaches, open it again as they back oiff and feed the treats to them with the other hand. This helps them to start learning that staying calm and keeping a little distance will get you treats quicker than biting and snatching at them. This week you might start to see those teeth come into action. Remember to remove attention from the puppy when they bite hard on your skin. At just under 3 months old your puppy will have lots of confidence, and be accidentally getting themselves into all sorts of jams unless you are really careful. The window for socialization is closing soon, so make the most of those last couple of weeks to build up their knowledge of people and the world around them. Potty Training At 10 to 12 weeks your puppy will be able to hold its bladder for maybe as long as two and a half hours during the day. If you get an accident in the house, reduce that time down again. And make a note of when your puppy pees so as not to lose track. Over these weeks try to go to two new busy places and two new sets of visitors each week. Rewarding calm behavior Now is the time to help your dog learn to relax. Every time you catch your Labradoodle puppy relaxing, pop a treat between their paws. This will encourage her to chill out even more! Introduce off leash heel position You can start to teach your dog to walk nicely next to you at this point. We begin this process by reinforcing them for standing next to you with the clicker and treats. Recall To work on your recall, whistle your puppy for running towards you as you run away. Give them lots of treats as a reward when they arrive. You can also whistle when giving meals to build up strong positive associations with this cue. Bite inhibition Labradoodle puppy biting can really ramp up at this age. Remember to remove attention when your puppy bites hard. Either standing up, or even leaving the room or popping them in their crate or playpen temporarily while they calm down. This is your final chance for socialization, and it needs to be carried out in a more relaxed way. But at least you can pop your pup on the ground now! Recall Whistle your puppy for running towards you as you walk away, rewarding them with lots of treats when they arrive. Stand with your puppy on the leash, and carry them between locations so as not to upset future heelwork progress. Introduce sit We introduce the sit at this stage, but in a very relaxed informal way. We do so indoors only, when there are no distractions. This is begun without a cue or command, by capturing the position. Potty training should be pretty established. Your goal is to encourage your dog to focus on you and to become a well mannered member of the family. Your puppy should still be given the chance to pee at least every two to three hours. As well as after meals! Changing directions Puppies are more confident at this age, so you need to keep them keen to stay near you. When outdoors in the backyard or at the dog park, keep changing direction regularly. Be unpredictable, and when they follow you back it up with lots of fuss and treats. Off leash heelwork Off leash heelwork training moves from establishing the position to taking a few steps forwards at this stage. Make sure you use lots of praise, and only practice in a familiar, boring area. And one with no distractions! Go slowly, and make sure your pup stays focussed on you. Introduce down We also introduce the down position at this age. This is done without a cue like the sit was the previous month, by capturing the position. Advancing the sit The sit advances further at this stage. Once that is well established, you can begin to very slightly increase duration and distance one by one. Adding distance, duration or distractions to things they already know. Where you get your dog used to doing as you ask them, in different locations or with distractions. Or for longer! Adding distance, duration or distractions We do this step by step, only increasing one thing at a time. So if you want your dog to sit for longer, you will do it somewhere they already happily sit and with no one else around. And thinking of adding a distraction like another dog? Then do it somewhere they are familiar with, and with that dog a long way away to begin with. On leash heelwork We love teaching heelwork off leash. It helps your dog to walk nicely next to you, without ever having the opportunity to pull. A dog that has never wandered ahead is less likely to try to do so even with a leash. Training Methods I cannot recommend positive reinforcement training enough. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog when they do something that you want them to, by giving them something they like. Food is usually the best thing to motivate your dog with, but toys work well for some dogs too. When you use positive methods you can start training your puppy from the very first day they arrive in your home. And logical to know how far you expect a puppy to be able to have come at different developmental stages. Labradoodles are clever and focussed, but they also have a fairly high prey drive. Training is a marathon, not a sprint, and every dog takes their own time. Just remember to only move on to more challenging training situations for them when they have totally mastered the stage before. Related Articles.

Lifelong Customer Support Expert advice will be a phone call away. Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. As English Bulldog Breeders, how do you breed for a healthier Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other bulldog breeders from improving the health of their Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes them unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities and produce high quality English Bulldogs for sale. I have been looking for English Bulldog Puppies for sale near me. Where are you located? We are located in the Northeast corner of Indiana. We just happen to be about 2. We are also about a 30 minute drive from the Michigan and Ohio state lines. Other major cities within 2. If you are looking for an English Bulldog puppy near you and happen to be in one of these areas we are certainly within close proximity. What if I am not located locally? Do you offer delivery services? A large portion of our adopters are located on the East Coast and Southern states. While many do make the drive to pickup, we also offer a delivery service to those with extremely busy schedules or limited ability to travel. We also utilize our own flight nanny for our West Coast adopters looking to have their puppy hand delivered. Whether through pickup or through delivery service, we try to be the type of bulldog breeder that is ethical and responsible to both our bulldogs and adopters. Life Span Did You Know? The loving and gentle English Bulldog is one of the most well-liked companion dog breeds around the world. A breed of English origins, the Bulldog was first recognized as a non-sporting dog by the American Kennel Club in .The original use of this breed was Bull baiting, which was eventually outlawed with the establishment of the Cruelty to Animals Act of .This legislative act made the act of Bull and Bear baiting both illegal. The current role most suitable for the English Bulldog would be as a companion or family pet, given their sweet demeanor. The English Bulldog is relatively easy to train but definitely takes some work for more complicated commands. If you are looking for a breed to sit, stay, and play dead for treats, this is the breed for you. While they may not be the sharpest tool in the shed compared to some of the other highly intelligent breeds, they are easy going and apt to please their owner. Training this breed will be accomplished with less difficulty if you make the training reward based. Can you say Sweetheart? While this dog breed makes an above average watchdog because of their courage, this breed is a loving companion at heart. The Bulldog is excellent with kids when socialized and should be very agreeable with guests of the house. The English Bulldog breed as a whole is heralded as one of the most well liked companion breeds in the world. The Bulldog should do well with other family pets as long as properly introduced and socialized. They need to be socialized early and often to curb any negative feelings towards strange dogs. This breed is generally agreeable to most environments. Although they easily adapt to a noisy and chaotic household, they are not very tolerant of extreme weather, whether it be hot or cold. Although they are well liked and very popular, one must be aware of the potential health pitfalls with this breed. Some of the potential issues you can see with the English Bulldog is Cherry Eye, Entropion, or dysplasia. This breed also has a high risk for weight gain, so this should be monitored. An average Bulldog life span is between 8 and 12 years. You do not need to be a professional dog trainer to own an English Bulldog. They are good for most novice owners because they are passive by nature. The English Bulldog is an average shedder, so brushing him twice a week with a firm brush will be a good idea. Also, they can have a tendency to drool, so making sure you wipe their face off everyday can help ensure they do not suffer irritation on their faces and between their wrinkles. Because of the amount of wrinkles they have, it is recommended that you clean between the wrinkles fairly often to avoid irritations. The English Bulldog is a generally low energy breed. They do not require a lot of exercise, but when they do play, they play hard! Because they can be intense when they do have an energy burst, an owner must be aware of overexertion. They can be very playful, but do tend to tire out quickly. The English Bulldog is a short, stocky breed that should weigh between pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren G. Harding both owned English Bulldogs. Featured English Bulldog Article.

Your puppy may refuse to eat if: The food has gone stale. There is a recent switch in puppy food that tastes or smells differently than the old food. There is food sensitivity to one or more ingredients. Your Frenchie puppy is a picky eater. You are overfeeding your puppy. Your puppy is bored with the food because they are eating the same thing every day. Your Frenchie puppy is stressed Puppies who suffer from stress or separation anxiety may not eat when left home alone. An anxious puppy waits for its owner to be there to eat. Underlying health problem An important step you should take as a puppy owner is to rule out any medical issue that can be an underlying reason your puppy may not be eating. If your puppy suddenly stopped eating without any changes in its routine, you should take your puppy to the vet for a check-up. Your Frenchie puppy is on medication Often treatment of a disease can give nausea and make your puppy not eat. Certain drugs are upsetting for puppies ' stomachs. Antibiotics and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cause loss of appetite. Your Frenchie puppy has dental problems Any mouth, gum, or teeth problems of your puppy may cause them to refuse to eat. They may not be eating because something in their mouth is causing pain and stopping them from swallowing properly. New surroundings, discoveries, new everything distracts from the desire to eat. Solving food-related loss of appetite in French Bulldog puppies When it comes to food-related reasons for a loss of appetite in French Bulldog puppy, here are some simple solutions to implement. When introducing new food to your French Bulldog puppy, don't be hasty and switch gradually to new food. Try to get high-quality food for your French Bulldog puppy. Find out which taste and smell your French Bulldog puppy likes and offer those foods. When switching food, choose an option with similar nutritional value. Slowly make the transition from one puppy food to another. You may also add a bit of warm water to your French Bulldog puppy's kibble to make it more appealing. Don't offer spoiled food and always check the expiration date before giving it to your French Bulldog puppy. If your French Bulldog puppy is sensitive to food ingredients, choose food without the ingredient your Frenchie puppy is sensitive to. If your French Bulldog puppy is bored with the same food for a longer time, add variety and mix things up every once in a while. Make sure the food is at the right temperature for your French Bulldog puppy. Treating environmental and behavioral loss of appetite in Frenchie puppies When it comes to behavioral and environmental reasons for a loss of appetite in Frenchie puppies, the process can be a little more time-consuming. Here are some useful tips for getting your French Bulldog puppy to eat regularly: Give your French Bulldog puppy enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. You should be patient and supportive. Cut back on treats and only give them as a reward. Take your French Bulldog puppy for a walk before mealtime or allow free play in the yard. Avoid giving table scraps to your French Bulldog puppy. Keep trash cans locked and away from your curious Frienchie fur baby. Keep dangerous things out of the reach of your French Bulldog puppy. Try to use products in your home that are known to be safe for the French Bulldog puppy. Keep all medicines in cabinets. If you accidentally drop a tablet on the floor, you should look for it immediately. Choose pet-safe household plants and flowers for your home and yard. Structured Feeding Schedule The structured feeding schedule is when you have a set time scheduled to feed your Frenchie puppy. However, this time you only allow your Frenchie puppy to eat for a certain amount of time. It often signals a serious underlying medical problem and must be examined by a vet. Finding and treating the underlying cause of loss of appetite in French Bulldog puppies is the best way to approach this problem. Your Frenchie puppy gets its energy from the food it eats. Unlike adult French Bulldogs, puppies need to eat food three times a day. Stick to a routine and give your Frenchie puppy regular potty breaks. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Back to blog 1 comment My frenchie is active but not eating enough according to the chart. Please assume all such links are affiliate links which may result in my earning commissions and fees. This will not incur additional cost to you. If your French Bulldog is a picky eater, no worries! There are things you can do to help. As a French Bulldog owner, it can be very stressful to watch your dog stop eating. Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog finding a solution for your French Bulldog is important to keep them healthy. This article will cover the most common reasons why your French Bulldog refuses to eat, when to worry about it, how long a French Bulldog can go without eating, and what you can do about it. Why does my French bulldog not want to eat? Well, there are several possible causes and determining what is causing it will help you know what to do next. He might have loose teeth, gum infections, cuts, or splinters. However, it is also possible that his teeth are too small to handle the pieces of kibble. You can visually check to see if there is anything wrong, or take your Frenchie to a doggie dentist. Anxiety or stress Did you recently move? Maybe your French Bulldog is just adjusting to a new environment. Low energy level Or, it could be that they are tired. Their energy level can impact how much they eat. Too hot Additionally, the temperature can affect their appetite. This is not a sign to worry about. Aging dogs can also develop health or dental problems which can lead to a lack of appetite or pain with eating. They also may start to lose their sense of smell which makes food less appealing. Medication or vaccine If your Frenchie is taking new medications or recently got a vaccine, that could cause his lack of appetite. Some drugs are appetite suppressants and can cause your dog to lose weight. This is normal and should clear up as soon as the medication or vaccine has cleared their system. Worst Case Scenario But it is possible that your dog has anorexia or is sick. If you notice a loss of energy and vomiting, you should take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. In the worst case scenario, your French Bulldog could have cancer, liver issues, or kidney problems. Best Case Scenario In the best case scenario, he is just picky, and you can find ways to entice him! Make their food more enticing — Switch up dry for wet food If you use dry kibble food, try adding some warm water to soften it and make it easier to chew. If that does not work, then try switching to wet food. You can find some high quality wet food options, even though traditionally many dog owners have been told to use dry food since it requires them to chew it. You can also try mixing dry and wet food together to see if your French Bulldog likes that. Or, try switching up the type of food with a new flavor or new brand. Make their food more enticing — Add in human food Try adding raw or boiled chicken breast on top of their dry kibble food to see if that entices your French Bulldog to eat. Or, try a small amount of chicken or beef broth to give the food a nice smell. Even though many dog owners are hesitant to feed their dogs human food, it might be just the trick to get them to eat. Do not feed them treats between meals I know, you probably just want to get your French Bulldog to eat anything at this point. But do not give in and start feeding him treats between meals because that can discourage him from eating at mealtime. Plus, feeding him treats frequently can cause your dog to become a picky eater. Give your French Bulldog regular exercise Make sure to get in exercise with walks before meals because, just like for people, it can help them work up an appetite. Try dog toys and training If your French Bulldog likes toys, then this method may work for you. Try using a dog toy to train him to eat or check out an interactive feeding ball from a pet store. Use raised food and water bowls Since French Bulldogs have short necks, it can be hard for them to eat out of bowls at ground level. This can cause them to choke or even have pain while eating. Raising their food and water bowls can help. If necessary, hand feed If none of the above methods work for you, you can try hand feeding your French Bulldog. This should be saved as a last resort and can best help if your dog is sick and refusing to eat. You can use a syringe or feeding tube to get the food down. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics for an illness, or appetite boosting drugs. When should I worry about my dog not eating? Start tracking the time as soon as you notice your French Bulldog stops eating. Most brief experiences of stress or upset stomachs can pass within 24 to 48 hours. Therefore, you should contact a vet if your dog is still not eating after two days. However, if you notice any signs of illness like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of energy, sudden weight loss, or a dry and warm nose, then you should contact a vet within eight to twelve hours. And, if your French Bulldog is showing those signs and not drinking any water, contact a vet immediately. How long can a French Bulldog go without eating? French Bulldogs can often refuse to eat for a few meals in a row. Just like humans can fast for a few days and still survive, most dogs can last for up to five days without food assuming they are still drinking water. However, you do not want to wait that long to contact a vet. If they are still refusing to eat on day three, then you should contact a vet. Final Words At the end of the day, there are things you can do to help your French Bulldog eat. You should first try to figure out the cause of their lack of appetite and then try various ways to entice them to eat. Every dog has a unique appetite. Do not force your French Bulldog to eat more than they are comfortable eating. And, you may need to mix it up. They may start to notice patterns with your methods so trying new things regularly is normal. However, if you notice serious problems or their refusal to eat lasts for more than two days, you should see a vet as soon as possible. Disclaimer : FrenchieBuddy. Food Quality can affect French Bulldogs appetite. Your Frenchie not eating could be due to food quality, such as the following things: french bulldog not eating and throwing up Food That Has Gone Rotten can affect French Bulldogs appetite Several dogs keep refusing rotten food, which usually occurs when fats inside have broken down due to poor storage or age. High-fat foods are much more susceptible to rancidity than low fatty foods. Little French Dog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Fresh Food Your French Bulldog may stop eating food after they have appreciated fresh, tinned, or raw food — undoubtedly due to the additional moisture and aroma that dogs love. These diets mainly raw are very often high in protein, which dogs enjoy. If you were using dog food, try something else with similar ingredients and tastes. Dog Snacks and Treats can affect French Bulldogs appetite Overuse of dog treats is almost sure to make your Frenchie fussier. When French Bulldog gets a lot of treats and experiences all the different types and tastes, they will expect the same thing from their food. Experimentation is probably the only way to see if treats are impacting their appetite. Try limiting the number of treats, switching to reduced-calorie alternatives, or providing treats on a rigid schedule. As you French Bulldog matures, they will tend to become more likely to avoid eating the food for no apparent reason. When your Frenchie seems to be getting bored with their food, change to a new flavor in the very same food or type. For example, switching from a beef-fresh diet to a lamb or chicken food may work. Feeling Stressed can affect French Bulldogs appetite New people and animals introduced into the house can be stressful for your Frenchie, mainly those who are elderly or timid. Evaluate if your Frenchie shows excitement for its food based on its natural environment. French Bulldogs with new, ongoing household shifts usually return to their old eating habits after a week or so. Illness can affect French Bulldogs appetite Reduced appetite in your French is often a symptom of illness, particularly if your French Bulldog has other ailments around the same period. Even though the loss of appetite in dogs may not automatically imply serious illness, timely medical care is essential as it may signify cancer, multiple systemic infections, discomfort, liver disease, and renal failure. Dental Issues can affect French Bulldogs appetite Your Frenchie may not want to eat because something is causing pain in their mouth. They may have a fractured or missing tooth, severe gum disease, and perhaps an oral tumor. Vaccinations can affect French Bulldogs appetite Luckily, vaccines are available for many severe and contagious diseases of dogs. Even though these treatments have saved the lives of millions of animals throughout the years, they often have adverse effects. Most of these are mild and fleeting, like occasional loss of appetite in dogs. Traveling can affect French Bulldogs appetite When your French Bulldogs appetite is okay before you took a trip with them or moved to a different destination, it might be that your Frenchie will not eat due to travel or an unfamiliar environment. Several animals can experience travel sickness, and some may become anxious or uncomfortable in new locations. You can, however, attempt to heat the food a little and then soften the dried food by adding fresh water to see if it makes it much easier to consume and ingest. Within hours, if neither of those things succeeded, you should pay a visit to your vet. These diets are not that tasty for you, Frenchie, mainly if your dog is used to frequent treatments. Alternatively, speak to your vet regarding alternatives. In more extreme cases, your vet may recommend hunger-stimulating medicine, suggest medicine dropper-feeding a liquid diet, or use a feeding tube. Is your Frenchie refusing to eat? Whereas in this post I will be looking in lots of detail about the reasons why a French Bulldog might not be eating. When you notice that your Frenchie refuses to eat all of a sudden, it could be really distressing and worrisome. More so if it is accompanied by other symptoms like throwing up, shaking, or having a fever. Find out more about appetite stimulants for dogs. For most pet owners, the first action is to call the vet. But really, in order for you to come up with the right treatment plan, it is important that you determine the cause. So in this article, we have highlighted the possible reasons and what you can do about it. Read on. Maybe he is just full. The following are the possible reasons why your pet does not want to eat: 1. Anxiety and Stress If your French Bulldog is avoiding his food and keeps on pacing, whining, barking, yawning, or shedding, these could be signs that he is experiencing stress and anxiety. Yes, just like humans, dogs can be anxious or stressed out about something too. That causes loss of appetite. Frenchies may experience stress and anxiety due to aging, fear, and separation. Depending on what is causing these mental disorders in your dog, the vet can provide treatment, which may include medications, training, preventative strategies or a combination. It is possible that he has loose or decaying teeth, gum infections, or probably cuts in his mouth. Bad breath can also be a sign that can tell you if something is wrong with his teeth and gums. He might not even want to eat at all, especially if he is experiencing pain. The best thing that you can do at this point is to take your pooch to a veterinary dentist. Upset Stomach A French Bulldog not eating and throwing up can be caused by an upset stomach too. Maybe he ate something that irritated his tummy. He may have diarrhea as well. In this case, it would help a lot if you give him bland foods, such as steamed or boiled chicken with rice. Otherwise, your Frenchie may get dehydrated and that could cause more health issues. Medications Have you taken your French Bulldog to the vet lately to get his shots? Or perhaps he was given some medications to take. This right here can affect his appetite as well. Take note that some drugs are appetite suppressant, but the effects should not last very long. Once they have passed through his system, your dog should be able to eat well again. Appetite Changes With Age People tend to eat less as they age, and this applies to dogs as well. Furthermore, older Frenchies are more susceptible to developing health and dental problems. This is why they tend to eat less than the younger ones do. Changes to Food Trust me, Frenchies can be very stubborn! He will just sniff at the bowl without actually eating the food, and this could go on for days. So how do you address this? First, you need to have him transition from his old food to the new one. Gradually decrease the previous food and increase the amount of the new food. This should help your dog to adjust. Also, you have to avoid giving your Frenchie snacks or treats in between meals. This will encourage him to want his new food. This works the same way with the so-called starvation method. So when you give him some treats, make sure that it is not too much. Someone Else Is Feeding Them Does it look like your Frenchie is full and you know for a fact that you did not give him any treat? Well, it is possible that someone else is feeding him. It could be anybody in your home, or perhaps your neighbor. If he goes out a lot, then somebody from your neighborhood may be giving him food. Your dog may have allergies with some foods. Serious Health Issues Some of the reasons that we have listed above are temporary causes of loss of appetite. If your dog does not eat and exhibits signs of lethargy, take him to the vet as soon as possible so he can be checked and provided with the appropriate treatment. As long as it is not due to a health problem, you can try modifying his food. You can completely change his diet or add something more exciting to his current diet. Another thing that you can do is to serve soft foods. You may also opt to utilize a feeding tube or syringe. He can also administer intravenous fluids, which are very much needed if your French Bulldog has stopped eating for two days. Furthermore, the vet can prescribe antibiotics and appetite boosting drugs. This is because, if it is too hot, it will be harder for dogs and humans alike to digest their food. They could also be less active and that affects their metabolic rate. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you serve light food to your dog during the summer time. To avoid French Bulldog choking on food, do not serve huge chunks of meat or vegetables. Cut them into pieces so it will be easier for your pet to bite and chew them. It is also advisable to feed your Frenchie in a room with lower temperature. Taking your dog out for a walk on a regular basis will help too as this will allow him to burn more calories. Maybe you rebranded his food overnight without following the correct way of transitioning from one food to another. You should avoid doing all of these. Additionally, you must find out more about what human food can French bulldogs eat. Always keep in mind that not all food items that you eat can be shared with your pet no matter how he begs for it. Closing Thoughts At some point in time, French Bulldogs may lose their appetite just like you. And in this case, you must determine the reason why so you would know how to properly address it. If it is something serious, you need to take your dog to the vet without any delay. Medical Conditions When a French Bulldog stops eating, it could be due to a medical condition like kidney or liver disease, dental or oral discomfort, or gastro-intestinal issues. All of these issues can be a serious health concern and should not be taken lightly. They may have had an upset stomach, the food may not be to their liking, or they may be feeling unwell and not feeling up to eating. Make sure to feed them nutrient-packed food that is designed for their particular breed and size. You may even need to switch up the type of food you are giving them, such as from dry to canned or from wet to dry. You may also want to feed them smaller portions a few times throughout the day as opposed to one large meal. This can also be helpful in stimulating their appetite. If it turns out that they are simply feeling unwell and need to boost their appetite then try introducing a new food or supplement to stimulate them. However, if the issue persists and you suspect that it is due to an underlying medical condition, then it is imperative that you take your French Bulldog to the vet for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If it turns out that your Frenchie is simply feeling unwell and their appetite needs to be stimulated, then you may need to try switching up their diet or introducing supplements. If the issue persists, however, then it could be due to an underlying medical condition, in which case it is important that you take them to the vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Related Info And Products:. Home » Blog » What to do if your dog refuses to eat? What to do if your dog refuses to eat? It can happen to anyone of us that our Frenchie is refusing to eat. This behavior can either indicate that your dog is being picky or a more serious, health-related issue. Why does my Frenchie refuse to eat? To do that, answer the following questions: Is your babe in a constant bad mood? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you should take your doggy to the vet. But there also might be some other reasons your dog refuses to eat. If any of this is possible, go see your vet. But if your dog is happy and playful like normally, it might be a behavior issue. If you just moved to a new location or you were on a trip, the unfamiliar surroundings of the new place might make your dog nervous or uncomfortable. Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! Because a decreased appetite in dogs may be caused by illness, never assume that your dog is picky without investigating other possibilities first. These include: Cutting back on treats. Feeding your pet on a regular schedule, usually at least twice a day. Making mealtime a fun time for your pet, such as by playing with a toy that dispenses food or rewarding your dog with food for doing a trick. Taking your dog for a walk before mealtime. If you normally feed your pet with other animals, try feeding them alone. Or try using different bowls or plates at different heights to see what your dog prefers. You might even put a few pieces of food on the floor next to the feeding dish. Trying a different kind of food, such as canned food if you normally feed your dog dry food. If you need more information on this topic, join our closed Facebook Frenchie Family group, where you can read a lot of tips and experiences of other owners. If you are already a member, click HERE to jump to food-related posts. Mouth cancers and disease. Splinters or foreign objects in the mouth. The easiest way to tell is using a visual check. To find out what the different bad breath smells can mean, read this guide to Frenchie halitosis. Upset stomach and short illnesses If your French Bulldog is not eating and throwing up then this loss of appetite is inevitably due to a gastrointestinal problem, hopefully short term. Aside from not eating combined with vomiting, the lack of interest in eating food can also include diarrhoea. In cases like this, vets recommend you feed your Frenchie some bland foods to stop upsetting their stomachs further. The go to food for this method is a small amount of boiled chicken with plain rice. Handy Hint: Some Frenchies can reaction badly to chicken and other poultry meats. Medications and vaccinations You might find that your French Bulldog is not eating or drinking after a vet visit or a dose of medication. Many drugs can act as an appetite suppressant and will mean your dog loses appetite and weight during the period the drugs are taken. There can be similar results after puppy vaccinations. Thankfully, medicines and vaccinations only lead to a temporary loss of appetite, and your Frenchie should start eating again once the drugs have passed through their system. Their appetite changes with age We all know of old people who age and start eating considerably less food. Dogs are just the same; as they get older their appetite decreases. They can also develop health and dental problems which make eating harder than it used to be. As Frenchies get older, they can also start to lose the senses that helped make them such ferocious eaters in the first place. For example, if they start to lose their sense of smell, this will make them desire food less. We had to order a different brand and flavour altogether. It had great reviews and feedback and ticked all the boxes for what a nutritious dry food should be. However, Claude the Frenchie refused to eat it for 2 days straight. He was sniffing at the bowl, eating one or two small mouthfuls and leaving the rest. Yep, Frenchies are a very stubborn breed indeed! My wife was really worried about our French Bulldog not eating properly and wanted to start buying him chicken breasts. On the morning of the day 3, he wolfed his breakfast down and since then has eaten this new brand with his usual appetite. My conclusion on this; dogs can be fussy about what they eat. If you are experiencing the same thing with your Frenchie, you can try some of the following hacks to get them to eat properly again with a new food brand. Mix other foods in with the new: This could be some leftovers from the previous foods, or something you know they love to taste like chicken or a broth. Stop feeding them treats and scraps between meals: Frenchies are like kids. Cut the snacks out, and they might stop being so spoiled when mealtime comes around. If they have stopped eating the food, pick the bowl back up and hide it away. Do this at each mealtime, and eventually they will figure out that the food is here to stay once they get hungry. Before you know it, you might have given them so many that they physically cannot eat their main meal. Keep track on what you are feeding them between meals. As a guideline, an average sized adult Frenchie should eat calories each day. Getting food elsewhere A friend of mine lives on a farm that backs onto a large housing estate. Unknown to her, the dog was slipping under a fence twice a day and visiting a dear old lady who lived next to the farm. The morale of the story is this; do you know who is feeding your French Bulldog or whether they have an alternative food source? I am sure you do, but it needs to be discounted if your Frenchie has stopped eating and drinking completely. Serious health issues and pain A more prolonged loss of appetite in your Frenchie is a sign that something more serious is wrong. There are multiple health reasons that lead to a loss of appetite in Frenchies. However, there are signs of a health problem you can look out for in addition to the lack of interest in food, including: Lethargy and lack of energy. Aggressive behaviour. Rapid weight loss. The most important sign here is probably a French Bulldog not eating and lethargic. Vets report that lethargy and a reluctance to move and eat is a reason to get an appointment as soon as you can. Hot weather has a unique effect on dogs and how much they can and want to eat. They are very similar to us in this way. Think about how you are in the summer and winter months; do you eat more in the cold winter, and less in the summer? Let me explain in a little more detail why your French Bulldog is not eating in hot weather, followed by some feeding tips for hotter summer months. Why hot weather leads to a loss in appetite The reasons why we tend to eat lighter foods in the summer season is because we find it a lot harder to digest heavy and fatty foods. Dogs are very much the same as us in this way. This means they will not have as a large an appetite as they would in the winter months. Providing your Frenchie is not ill, and just wants to eat less, then let them guide you with their appetite portions. Try boiling chicken and cutting this into small pieces to add to a smaller portion of dry food or kibble. Feed your Frenchie in a cooler room. If they are still stubborn and refuse to eat in the heat, here are some raw foods you can try feeding to a French Bulldog who has stopped eating in the summer: Veggies that your Frenchie can eat in hot weather I only recommend the advice on the above links as a supplement to their diet, not a complete replacement. Hot summer months can lead to a loss of appetite. We will often give Claude portions of fruit cut up to cool him down. There is guidance in there about using ice cubes and frozen fruits. Our own dog Claude does this a lot. They could be missing breakfast due to: Perhaps not hungry first thing in the morning. If you walk your Frenchie in the morning, the advice is actually to feed them two hours after a walk. You can find out why in this guide I wrote. How do I get my French Bulldog to eat? Try warming up or softening the food with water to make digestion easier. If nothing else works after 48 hours and your Frenchie has still stopped eating, talk with your vet. They could do some of the following treatments: Could run health checks and blood tests to understand why the lack of appetite. Could administer intravenous fluids with electrolytes, particular if they stopped eating and drinking too. Could try feeding them with a syringe or feeding tube. Could treat an illness with antibiotics. Could prescribe appetite boosting drugs. Conclusion Every French Bulldog will go through a period of not eating at some point in their lives. However, time to worry is when the lack of eating is combined with shaking, lethargy, lots of vomiting, and continues past the 2 day mark. This is when you should contact your vet. You might also like… If you enjoyed my insights into why Frenchies lose their appetites, you might also find the following guides interesting: Goes here.