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Breed size. Before getting into each factor, here are some Pug sleep FAQs for you to get to know. Pugs Sleeping Schedule Dogs are flexible sleepers. Unlike us, who rest best when we stick to a regular schedule, dogs are more flexible with their sleep. Mail through the letterbox. If they smell food, etc. Basically, they jump to attention in a heartbeat! Next time your Pug goes to sleep, pay attention to how: First, your dog will enter a slow wave of sleep in which their breathing rate slows, blood pressure drops and heart rate decreases. About 10 minutes in, your pooch enters the REM phase of sleep. Then, you can see twitching of the facial muscles and, as the name suggests, rapid movement of the eyes. This might happen whether your dog is dreaming or not. If your pooch is dreaming, you will notice her quivering, making leg twitches, whimpering or even growling when sleeping. What Do Pugs Dream About? What Pugs dream about is generally related to the activities that they engaged in during that day. Matt Wilson, a neuroscientist who studies memory and learning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, conducted a study in dogs to find out what they dream about. They create new scenes built from old content that can be used to convey, emphasize, highlight or otherwise capture some kind of a meaningful point. Another interesting fact is that small dogs dream more than larger dogs. The dog breed may also play a part in dreaming. For example, Labrador Retrievers retrievers by nature and breeding are more likely to dream about chasing a ball than a Pug would bred as a company dog. Dreaming also seems to occur more frequently in puppies, who do sleep more than adult dogs. This could also be because they are processing huge quantities of newly acquired experiences. You have probably noticed your pooch quiver, make leg twitches, or even rapid movement of the eyes when sleeping. Which brings us to the next point… Pugs snore. Pugs Snoring Largely due to their short snouts, as a brachycephalic breed, Pugs frequently snore and snort during their sleep. Snoring can get even louder if your Pug sleeps on her back — yeah, you read it right! Some Pugs sleep on their backs, with their tongues out! Just look at the image below. This means that your dog will stop breathing for 10 to 20 seconds, repeatedly throughout her sleep. While some dogs stay asleep, others will gasp and wake up. This can cause sleep deprivation to your Pug. So, if your Pug sounds like a tractor when she falls asleep, with some gasps in between, you might want to check with your vet to dismiss any health problems. Excess sleep can also be a sign of potential problems like stress and separation anxiety can manifest as extra daytime snoozing. If your pooch is ill or injured, she will sleep more than a healthy and fully mobile dog. But once she recovers, her sleep habits should go back to normal. I will cover this in 2 — Activity Level section below. So, how do I know if my Pug is sleeping too much? This knowledge will help you determine if your pooch is just tired or if her sleep has changed. While there can be a lot of variability in Pugs sleeping habits, the one thing to keep an eye out for is a dramatic change. Your pooch falls asleep suddenly narcolepsy. Some of these signs might not be alarming or obvious if your Pug has always been a bit on the lazy side. Pug puppies need 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day. Despite being a ball of energy when they are awake, pups need a lot of sleep to grow and recharge their batteries. Like human babies, your 8 weeks old Pug puppy will spend a lot of time sleeping when you get her home. But also like babies, very young puppies will not sleep through the night. This also has to do with their need to empty their bladder frequently. An adult Pug sleeps between 12 to 14 hours daily. Use the guide in my favourite dog beds for features on the different types of dog beds. Senior Pugs can sleep around 18 to 20 hours a day. They tend to have lower energy levels, and like puppies, seniors need to recharge their batteries more often after exercise. Your senior Pug is more likely to spend more time chilling and sleeping, especially if she has some health issues. Plus, age-related problems can come with a change in sleeping patterns. The main reason is they tend to have more energy and are doing things for a greater percentage of the day than inactive dogs are. Remember that how active or lazy your Pug is depends on you. Your dog relies on you to exercise. If your Pug is used to two walks a day because you gradually took her out of the house since she was a puppy, she will thrive thanks to the activity. Pugs need 30 minutes of exercise like walking , plus playtime like tug or retrieve games. They can be considered a less active breed compared to other brachycephalic small dogs like Boston Terriers. Learn more » The Pug has become one of the most popular dog breeds thanks to their quirky appearance and friendly attitude. This tiny breed does have some unusual habits that set it apart from other breeds and while some, unfortunately, are caused by their brachycephalic facial shape, some are behavior-based attributes. Among the traits that some people accuse the Pug of having is that they are lazy dogs that sleep a lot. You may notice it more because of the heavy breathing and snoring that tends to emanate from that squashed face. If your Pug is sleeping up to 14 hours a day, it is normal, but if yours is sleeping more than this, you may need to investigate to determine the cause and look for ways to remedy the problem. About The Pug Note Though the Pug is a popular breed, they unfortunately suffer from a plethora of health issues as a result of generations of selective breeding and therefore unfortunately have a lower quality of life when compared to other dog breeds. Veterinarians around the world are urging pet owners to not adopt the breed as their genetic shortcomings cannot be overcome by proper care and management alone. If you wish to adopt a Pug, please be mindful that they will most likely need extensive medical assistance throughout their life, which may include necessary reconstructive surgery. The Pug is a toy breed of companion dog. The breed has been developed to accompany their owner and provide companionship and has never been a working dog. The breed is known to be affectionate with family, will bond with visitors and even strangers, and they will usually get along with other dogs and potentially even cats. Because this is several hours a day longer than most people sleep, it can seem like Pugs spends their entire life snoozing. Puppies can sleep as long as 20 hours a day while senior Pugs may sleep for 15 or so hours a day. Although you can take some steps to reduce this a little, you need to ensure that your dog is getting enough sleep to recharge and stay healthy. Aim for about 12 hours of sleep a day. Top 6 Causes Of Excessive Sleeping If you determine that your Pug is sleeping more than 14 hours a day, take a look at the possible causes. Such causes include: 1. Boredom Pugs like fun and they enjoy spending fun time with their owners. If your Pug gets bored, one of their few options is to go to sleep in the hope of waking up to something more exciting. Try to introduce more playtime, offer a greater range of more exciting toys, and look for ways to provide stimulation that will keep your pup entertained. Image Credit: Piqsels 2. You should provide up to an hour a day of decent exercise, including walks and playtime. Make sure you provide two walks a day, of between 20 and 30 minutes each, and supplement this with some time playing with toys or playing games like hide and seek. Stick to an appropriate diet and if your Pug is really overweight, consult a vet so that they can advise you on the best next steps to shed the pounds and achieve a healthy weight. Image Credit: Tanya Dol, Shutterstock 4. Poor Diet Diet is as important to dogs as it is to any animal. Pugs do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with the supervision and approval of a canine nutritionist or your veterinarian. Pugs like to follow their humans around and partake in some of the same activities. Determine how long you spend in front of the TV to see whether this could be the cause of your sedentary pup. Image Credit: Michelle Scott, Pixabay 6. Illness Some illnesses can cause lethargy and even fairly minor ailments can wipe a dog out, in the same way illness can leave us feeling jaded and in need of extra rest. Conclusion Pugs can be fun-loving, affectionate, and jaunty little pets that want to spend as much time as possible with us. While they do sleep for up to 14 hours a day and make a lot of noise while they are sleeping, they actually have similar sleeping habits to other breeds of dog. If yours is sleeping for longer than 14 hours a day, it may be worth investigating to determine the cause and changing habits to help achieve optimal sleeping habits. Pug Sleeping Habits Overview Just about any Pug owner will agree that this breed gets a bit of a bad rep in regard to sleep. The Pug is sometimes thought of as a lazy breed; a dog that takes over your favorite chair and sleeps his life away, snoring as if he doesn't have a care in the world. While it may be true that a Pug does tend to snore - and make a few other interesting noises - he does not sleep more than any other breed and he is not lazy at all. In fact, Pugs are super animated, very personable and eager canines that often are curious, emotional and expressive. They thrive on attention and tend to mimic their owner's mood and vibes. If you sleep a lot, your Pug is not going to pace around the room; he'll be right by your side. And if you're active, he'll want to be right there as well; in fact many Pugs need to have limitations set because they'll push themselves to far and can have overheating and breathing issues. One element that may make it seem as if a Pug sleeps a lot is that he is so obvious when he does it. Other dogs may retreat quietly away and an hour later, an owner may wonder 'where's my dog? In this section we are going to cover: How much Pug puppies should sleep Normal amounts of sleep for adults and seniors Reasons why a Pug may have trouble sleeping Things that may cause a Pug to sleep too much Common questions about Pug sleeping habits Emma, 20 months old, photo courtesy of Helen Gastaldo How Much Sleep is Normal for Pugs Newborns - Newborn Pug puppies - from 1 day old to 3 weeks - sleep just about all of the time, up to 22 hours per day. They will mainly only be awake to eat; after that's it's right back to bed, warm and safe next to the dam and littermates. The age of 3 weeks old is a huge turning point; at this time both hearing and vision are working well and with this comes a new found curiosity. A heightened interest in exploring his little world and for playing with siblings will cause the pup to stay awake a bit longer now. From 3 weeks to 8 weeks, a puppy will sleep anywhere from 20 to 21 hours per day. Puppies - Owners of new puppies often want to know how much Pug puppies sleep because they worry about the pup being overtired and perhaps sleeping too much and missing out on things. The first couple of months - age 2 months to 5 months - a Pug puppy will sleep from 18 to 20 hours per day. This includes both nighttime sleep and naps taken all throughout the day. This is a really funny stage, because often a Pug puppy will be so interested in his world that he struggles to stay awake. It's not uncommon for a Pug to zonk out in the middle of playing or even eating, resting his head on the rim of the bowl because he just couldn't make it to his bed. Each month that the Pug matures, he will sleep a bit less and stay awake for longer periods. By 6 months old, many Pugs are on the sleeping schedule of adults. Adults - Adult Pug dogs sleep roughly 14 per day. There are some reasons for sleeping less or more discussed ahead. This may seem like a lot - especially when compared to how much we get- however most of this will be done at night. When you subtract 8 or 9 hours of nighttime snoozing from the average of 14, this leaves 5 to 6 hours of on-and-off again naps. The amount of naps will depend on how much the Pug sleeps at night and most will shadow what their owners do. It's very common for this breed to start getting tuckered out when lights are dimmed and their humans are relaxing before bed. It's typical for a Pug to drift off about an hour before his human family; he'll try to hang on but will conk out as the house quiets down and everyone is relaxing. Then, most will pop right awake as soon as the alarm goes off of if they sense that their human has awoken. It's rare for a Pug to stay sleeping in the morning while everyone starts their day. Since canines - like us- need a good amount of deep REM sleep, if they do follow their owner's sleep schedule of 8 hours a night, this leaves a good 6 or so hours that will be napped away during the day. And if an owner is only sneaking in 6 or 7 hours with the Pug following suit, this makes for a lot more napping of up to 7 or 8 hours during the day. So, how much you actually see your Pug snoozing will depend a lot of your own schedule and whether or not you are home with your dog or are away at work or school. Seniors - As a dog ages, there are many changes… decreased metabolism, a slowing down that reduces activity, etc. These are gradual changes, so you may not notice that your Pug sleeps an extra 20 minutes or so; but as the years pass, this adds up to falling asleep an hour earlier than usual and it is then that it really becomes apparent. When a Pug Has Trouble Sleeping With puppies, it can take a while for puppies to accept their schedule; many may seem downright nocturnal, making you wonder if somehow an owl was crossed in the Pug's bloodline. It takes a couple of months for a pup to understand the cues of a day winding down and feeling isolated can cause a puppy to stay awake whining or barking at night. For those of any age, this breed will show appreciation for many of the care elements you provide and often won't be shy at all to announce when things are not right. Here are the top reasons why a Pug may not be sleeping as good as usual: 1: Quality of the bed - Choosing the right bed for your Pug is important for this breed that tends to have hips and back issues. Keep in mind that beds do not last forever; after 4 years or so, cushions can lose buoyancy and won't be as supportive as they once were. Also, a puppy may be outgrowing his smaller bed and seniors may a thicker mattress to better support aching joints. This has a base of 2-inch medical-grade memory foam, water-proof inner and outer fabric, and a cover that is resistant to mold and dust mites and washable. Pugs need a good place to rest but still like to be close to the 'action' so that - if they happen to prefer it, they can join in. While it is a good idea to give your Pug his own space - especially if you want him to get used to that area for when home alone - it should in a quiet corner of an familiar room that is used by the family such as the living room or den. Some owners may move a Pug's sleeping area further away if the dog snores loudly or is otherwise causing a disruption; however, a compromise should be made so that a Pug doesn't feel quarantined. Additionally, any chronic snoring noises should be evaluate by the vet for possible stenotic nares, elongated palate and other issues common to brachycephalic breeds. Drafts, which can cause interrupted sleep, are common near windows and doors, but can also be found hear exterior walls. Keep in mind that any cold spots may only be near the floor, so you may want to get down to your Pug's level to access things. With sleep apnea, a dog will stop breathing for 10 to 20 seconds, repeatedly throughout the night. While some stay asleep, many will gasp and wake up. This can cause sleep deprivation, which often manifests as troubled, moody behavior the next day. Reasons a Pug May Sleep Too Much Dogs will vary the amount of time that they sleep by an hour or so, just like humans. However, whenever there is a marked increase in how much a Pug is sleeping this is reason to take note. Possible reasons include: Mimicking- As we touched on a bit earlier, this breed is notorious for copying his owner. Even if you don't sleep much, if you spend a lot of time watching TV or zoning out with video games, etc. After all, very few Pugs will run around and stay super active if the owner is plopped on the sofa, aside from young puppies that may have high energy levels. Lack of Stimulation - If a dog has nothing better to do, he'll often do one of two things: bark or sleep. This breed often chooses the later and you really can't blame him. Dogs need interaction, challenges, sights to see and scents to smell! It's best for a Pug to have a fun session of command training after dinner, be taken for a late evening walk and have some interactional playtime as opposed to just lazing around. A dog's world is as small or as large as you allow it to be. If a Pug is kept at home without much going on, he's going to sleep more. If he's taken to different places, goes on new walking routes, is challenged by learning new commands, etc. Illness or Injury - Any time that a dog suddenly sleeps much more than normal, this is a red flag that there may be a medical condition. For puppies that appear to be suddenly weak and dizzy, this is a possible sign of hypoglycemia, most often seen in those 2 to 5 months old. With adults, any condition that causes the body to fight off disease or caused discomfort will make a dog sleep more. If you notice that your Pug is sleeping much more than usual, you cannot attribute it to any of the issues mentioned above and it lasts for longer than 3 days, this is your signal that it's time for a vet visit, even if there are no other symptoms. I'd swear my Pug does dream, he moves around and even seems to mumble. His eyes move around under his lids too when he's asleep. A: Yes, absolutely. Studies have proven that dogs do dream and quite often. They have eye twitching, lip movements and even vocalizations that you wrote about that point to REM sleep. REM sleep is the phase of deep sleep when dreams occur. It is believed that dogs and other animals can have complex dreams full of memories of actual events. So that's pretty cool; our Pugs are most likely having dreams about us. Q: Should my Pug sleep in my bed? Aside from hogging the mattress is there anything wrong with it? Would it be interpreted as spoiling? A: While you'll want to hold off until your Pug is housebroken, there's nothing inherently wrong with a Pug sleeping in his owner's bed. There are some cons, however. Due to heavy shedding you'll have to be prepared for how much fur may end up on your sheets, blankets and pillows. Also, know that once your Pug is allowed to sleep in your bed, that spot is claimed. Also, if an owner is currently single, some thought should go into the future when someone else may want the other side of the bed. Q: Is it okay for Pugs to sleep on their backs? My Pug will fall asleep, belly up, and his paws up in the air. It's pretty comical but I'm wondering if this can cause breathing problems or anything else? A: While this is not the 'normal' canine way of lying down to sleep, a small percentage of dogs do sleep this way. If your Pug finds that sleeping on his back is the optimal position for him and he must if he's doing it , this might actually be his way of breathing better at night. When curled up, this constricts the neck and makes breathing a bit more difficult. But if a Pug naturally lies on his back, neck extended back, this will open up the windpipe and may offer him better airflow though the nasal passages. Q: Is it normal for a Pug to sleep with his mouth open? My Pug does this and kind of drools while he's sleeping. A: Being a brachycephalic breed, Pugs are prone to stenotic nares, which essentially means narrowed nostrils. This can make it hard for a Pug to breathe correctly out of his nose. Excessive drooling while sleeping is a possible sign of sleep apnea. And snoring is a sign as well. But, with that said, if your Pug seems fine otherwise and the drooling is not too bad, it's nothing to be concerned with. Did you find this article helpful? You may also like: Pug Dog Separation Anxiety - Effective ways to help your Pug cope when home alone, whether you are gone for just a couple of hours or for the day. Pug Paw Care - The paws are an often overlooked area of the body, but one that should not be ignored. Read tips to keep your Pug's paws in good shape and help for treatment of common paw issues. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Pugs puppies from 3 — 8 weeks will sleep anywhere around 20 hours per day. Adult Pugs will sleep 14 hours a day and that is a lot more than other active dogs. It may sound this breed does nothing but sleep, most of it occurs at night. Basically, it comes down to how you raise them and the amount of attention you give them. If you choose to sit around watching television all day, this breed will be happy sleeping on your lap. Check out these playpens for Pugs to help increase their activity level. Pug Puppies: Just like babies, your new pup will require more sleep at this stage in their life. This includes the hours they sleep at night and the short cat naps they take throughout the day. Adult Pugs: At this stage in life, this breed can sleep up to 14 hours per day. At this point in their life, their metabolism slows down and they just want to spend their days lying around. Where Do Pugs Sleep? It basically comes down to a personal preference on where you want Fido to sleep. Read this article to find out whether Pugs can see in the dark and if they need a night light. Their Own Bed: Mindy had her own pet bed and this is where she slept and took all her naps. Dogs who are crate trained start thinking about their crate as their own little private den. Do Pugs Sleep A Lot? The short answer is it depends. Adult Pugs have a tendency to sleep quite a bit, especially if you are not keeping them active. If your Pug sleeps all day, then it might have to do with your current lifestyle. This breed tends to mimic their owners behavior. Of course, if you have an active lifestyle and your Pugs sleeping day and night, you may want to contact your veterinarian to find out if their are any underlying healthy concerns. Can Pugs Sleep Outside? This toy breed is an inside dog and should not be left outside for long periods of time. Because of their short noses, they are extremely sensitive to cold, humidity, and heat. They should never be left outdoors unattended for long periods of time. We realized that Mindy loved sleeping outside, she slept on the mulch in our garden. However, she had access to a pet door to come back in when she got tired of being outside. If your Pug loves sleeping outside, make sure they can get back inside. Leaving them outside by themselves can be dangerous and you could end up coming home to a dead Pug. Pugs with this sleep apnea may temporarily stop breathing, which causes them to wake up throughout the night. This can cause them to feel tired and groggy throughout the day. Mindy had a small case of insomnia when she gained a lot of excess weight. It eventually went away when her diet helped her shed those unwanted pounds. Insomnia: This occurs when your dog has trouble falling asleep or constantly wakes up throughout the night. Insomnia is usually a sign of a bigger problem, such as an illness, an injury or anxiety. If you spend a lot of time watching television, working on the computer, playing video games and etc, then your Pug has nothing better to do but sleep. If your pooch is just lounging around and sleeping all day, it could be a sign that they need more attention. You can improve their quality of life by getting them a companion or spending more time with them. Start taking them for short walks in the morning or the late afternoons. How Do Pugs Sleep? This breed loves their sleep and a few times we caught Mindy sleeping sitting up. At first, we thought she was watching TV, but she was actually sleeping! Here are some of the other awkward positions and what they mean. When Mindy was young, she loved sleeping on her back like a puppy. As she got older, she slept half on and half off of her bed. On Their Back, Paws in the Air Pug sleeping on back When a dog sleeps curled in a ball, it helps them conserve energy. When your Pug sleeps on their back with their belly exposed, they are trying to cool off. Their bellies have less fur and their paws hold sweat glands, and when they are exposed, it helps them keep cool while sleeping. It may not look comfortable to you and me, but this position indicates a dog is very comfortable because they are leaving their most vulnerable areas exposed. If your Pug is more active during their sleep, it means that they are in the REM stage of their sleep. Movement during their sleep is more common among puppies and senior dogs. Because it allows them to get take a quick nap and get back on their feet quickly. Pug puppies are very active, especially, if they live with other dogs or cats. Half On And Half Off Their Bed Pug dog sleeping When Mindy entered her senior years, we started noticing her awkward sleeping position of lying half on and half off her bed. We had no clue what it meant, but soon realized that she started sleeping this way due to the aches and pains in her body. Related Questions Why do pugs like to sleep under covers? Smaller dogs like to burrow themselves under the covers because it acts like shelter. If you let your dog sleep with you on a regular basis, your bed represents their shelter or den. Read this article to find out why dogs sleep under the covers. Your bed has become their happy place and crawling under the blankets represents the inner sanctum of their den and it is the safe place to be. They will spend most of their day playing and take short naps throughout the day. How Long Do Pugs Sleep? A normal healthy adult Pug will sleep around hours, depending on your lifestyle. My Pug Sleeps All Day. .It most likely has to do with the fact that your Pug is bored, especially, if they are younger. The required amount of sleep will vary by breed, however, most adult dogs will sleep around hours. If you feel that they are sleeping too much and are not dealing with any health issues. Then take a look at your life. Remember, this breed is known to mimic their owners. You May Also Like. A year-old pug will require around 12 hours of sleep every night. If your pup wakes up in the middle of the night and starts barking or whining, it probably means they need to go outside. Pug puppies tend to sleep even more than adult pugs. A newborn pug puppy usually sleeps about 18 hours every day. Pug Sleeping Reasons 1. Mimicking their masters Pugs are well known for their ability to mimic the behavior of their human masters. They will eat simultaneously, walk in the same stride and even sleep in the same positions. If you always curl up with your Pug on your lap, then they will do the same when they think that no one is watching. Suffering from stress or anxiety Pugs are compassionate creatures, and their human moods very easily influence them. If your Pug suffers from stress or anxiety, they may go to sleep to escape the problem. This can be triggered by changes in routine or anything that causes tension. If you find that your Pug sleeps excessively, you should speak to your vet about the best way of reducing their stress. Lack of exercise This is one of the leading causes of canine sleep disorders, and it is often overlooked. Pugs are gentle creatures by nature, but they need to participate in the exercise. They have a high energy level, and if this is not satisfied, they will find other ways to spend their time. It may not be a problem in the summer when they can spend hours chasing insects in the garden, but if you cannot take them out during colder weather, they will look for alternative ways to burn off their energy. Pug sleeping problems can often be solved by giving them more exercise, but they should balance their need to rest. There is no danger in them drinking too much, but it may cause them to sleep for long periods. Old age As with any breed, Pugs get older and suffer from different ailments that can cause them to sleep for more extended periods at a time. Older dogs need less exercise and often sleep more than their younger counterparts. Medical problems As with any breed, Pugs are prone to some medical issues. If they suffer from a severe condition, they may sleep for extended periods as a coping mechanism. Pugs are beautiful animals that will offer years of love and affection. If you find that your Pug is excessively tired, there may be reasons behind it. By identifying the problem, you can choose the best course of action, and your Pug can continue to enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle. Caring for a Pug sleeping schedule: Pugs tend to sleep in the same spot all the time, by your feet or on your lap. You should make sure that their sleeping spot is clean to avoid skin or fur issues. Please do not disturb them when they are sleeping, or they will be startled. Do not allow other animals to disturb their sleeping habits, as they can become territorial over a good spot. Avoid loud noises or sudden movements around the Pug when napping during the day because it will mess with their sleep cycle. It is usual for a Pug to whine, grunt, or walk around when sleeping. Please do not wake up a Pug in deep sleep because it can be dangerous for their health. If your Pug is sleepwalking, ensure that you are not blocking them from a clear path to their potty spot. Pugs are also known to sleep talk, whistle, and snore, depending on how deep they sleep. Please do not allow children to disturb the sleeping habits of a Pug, as it can be hazardous. Yes, Pugs do have REM. This is because they are dogs and all dogs including Pugs have REM. REM is a sleep stage characterized by rapid eye movements and dreaming. Do Pugs suffer insomnia? Yes, Pugs can suffer from insomnia. They may also be more prone to getting sick because they cannot fight off infection. Owners of pugs should make sure their pet gets plenty of exercise and try to establish a regular sleep schedule. If your Pug has trouble sleeping, talk to your vet about possible solutions. How long do Pugs sleep at night? On average, Pugs sleep for around 14 hours per day. This varies slightly depending on the Pug, but 14 hours is right for the average dog. They tend to have two distinct periods of sleep — one during the day and one at night. Conclusion People who own pugs often joke that their dog is always sleeping. Post navigation. But for a toy breed like the Pug, how much is too much? Many Pug owners find themselves worrying that their dog spends way too much time in dreamland and not enough time playing and socializing. Do Pugs sleep more than other dogs? What is considered normal and at what point should you be concerned? Why does my Pug sleep so much? Sleeping between 10 — 14 hours a day is completely normal behavior for a Pug. Knowing how much sleep is normal for a Pug may put your mind at ease. But if your Pug has an unusual affinity for sleep and is dozing his life away, some changes are called for. The norm for most breeds is 10 hours, so a Pug typically sleeps just a bit more than the average dog. Depending on your sleeping habits, the majority of these hours will be during the night while you too are sleeping. So, if you average 9 hours of sleep each night, chances are that your Pug does too. Nine hours or so of nocturnal sleep mean that for the majority of the next day, your Pug should be awake and active, only catching a few naps here and there. Some owners find that this is indeed the case. Is that normal? You may not want to hear this, but the problem often lies with the owner. Cause: Boredom This is the number one cause of snoozing away the daylight hours. Your poor Pug simply has nothing better to do. Picture the following for a moment. No cell phone, computer, books, or TV. Nothing to engage you or hold your interest. You guessed it. The same thing happens to Pugs frequently. When they are left with nothing better to do, sleep is the only appealing option. Granted, many dog owners must head off to work for the majority of the day, leaving their four-legged buddy home alone without much to keep him alert and occupied and awake. Treat-dispensing ball toy — As your dog rolls, chews, and pounces on the ball, several treats are released to encourage more playtime. Interactive fitness robot — With this toy, you can schedule interactive play at certain times throughout the day right from your phone. Enlist help — Arrange for a friend or family member to drop by once or twice per day to take your little sleepyhead out for a short walk. No friends available? Try booking a professional dog walker on sites such as Rover or Wag. Doggy daycare — Chances are that there is at least one privately run daycare for dogs near you. If not, consider hiring a pet sitter to come by daily and spend a few hours interacting with your dog. Cause: Too Little Exercise Habits form easily. It takes motivation and encouragement to get you up and moving, right? The same is true for your Pug. Head out there with him and engage him in some fun activities. Get creative to hold his interest and make exercise fun. At the very least, establish the habit of going for a couple of short walks each day. Head out in a different direction every so often to keep things interesting. Cause: Obesity Pugs are a breed particularly prone to obesity. Guess what inactive pugs spend their time doing. Sleeping — which only makes the issue of obesity worse. Your vet can recommend an appropriate diet plan and exercise regimen to help your Pug shed some pounds and regain mobility. If your Pug is filling up on junk, he may not be getting enough required nutrients to keep him active and energetic. The result? A constantly tired, lethargic Pug. Not good. Solution Feed the highest quality kibble that you can afford so that your Pug will receive the necessary nutrients that he needs to convert food into energy and get off of that couch. Make sure that each bite of food he eats is nutrient-rich, not loaded with unneeded fat, sugar, and calories. If you spend hours at a time relaxing in the family room, your Pug is likely to be right by your side relaxing too i. Solution If your Pug is going to mimic your behavior, and he will, set a good example by moving around frequently throughout the day. Solution If you suspect that your Pug may not be feeling well, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Your vet can run tests to diagnose the problem and get your Pug started on the road to recovery. Related Posts:. Is It Normal? Your pug is probably just… being a pug. These dogs require up to 14 hours of sleep daily, even as adults. The amount of sleep your pug needs will depend on his or her age. Whilst newborns seem to do nothing else, even adult pugs can often be seen to spend a lot of time snoozing. Newborns up to 3 weeks Sleeping hours: up to 22 hours per day Newborn Pugs sleep: What is normal? Sleep most of the day near mother and littermates Awake just for eating 2. Younger puppies 3 to 8 weeks Sleeping hours: hours per day Younger puppies sleep: What is normal? Will spend more time exploring Will stay awake a bit longer 3. Older puppies 2 to 5 months Sleeping hours: hours per day Older puppies sleep: What is normal? Sleep time split between nighttime and daytime naps Active puppies wear themselves out and sometimes fall asleep anywhere and everywhere 4. Adult Pugs 6 months to 9 years old Sleeping hours: 14 hours per day approximately Adult Pugs sleep: What is normal? By 6 months most pups transition to adult sleeping hours Depending on how much your pug sleeps during the night, they might take multiple naps throughout the day Pugs shadow their owners so will try to stay up with you but might not quite make it 5. Senior Pugs 9 years old plus Sleeping hours: 20 minutes to 1 hour more sleep than adults Senior Pugs sleep: What is normal? Decreased metabolism and reduced activity levels means your senior pug might need an extra hour of sleep This change with happen gradually Why Do Pugs Sleep So Much? Pugs sleep a lot. If your pug is sleeping between 10 and 14 hours per day, this is completely normal and need not cause any concern. Young pugs and senior pugs often sleep even more than this. Why is it that pugs sleep oh-so-much? They are boring Your pug might just be plain-old bored. This is a very common cause of oversleeping amongst pugs. When your pooch has nothing better to do they are more likely to snooze away the hours until something fun comes along to catch their interest. Think of your pug a bit like a teenager. Boredom equals laziness. They need constant distraction. But there are things you can do to keep your pug occupied and stimulated throughout the day. What can I do about it? Boredom is a very common problem that most owners struggle with from time to time. Try preparing some fun activities ahead of time. Here are a few ideas to get you started. They usually consist of a ball that gradually releases treats as the dog plays with it. Interactive toys: These days there are even interactive toys that let owners schedule playtime throughout the day. These toys are great for keeping your pug fit and on their feet. They can be synced to a mobile phone, letting you schedule regular play throughout the day remotely. Invest in Doggy Daycare: Doggy Daycare is another great option. Most towns or cities will have a local pet sitter or day care center. If you can afford it, this is a super way to avoid your pug falling into sedentary habits at home alone. Lack of exercise This is another big problem amongst pugs and their owners. Pugs will not develop good habits by themselves. Pugs need motivation to get moving. Establish a daily exercise routine: Head outside daily with your pooch. Walk them 40 minutes a day, you can break down the routine into 2 sessions to avoid any heat problems in Pugs. Hide-and-Seek: Did you know that pugs are great at hide-and-seek? Try playing fetch: Pugs may not be known for their fetching prowess but try getting creative and see what happens. Encourage your pug to run uphill and retrieve their favorite toy or ball. Mix things up with different games, locations, and toys, to keep your pug engaged and on the move. Attention: As brachycephalic dogs , they will need time to rest between bursts of activity. Obesity Another reason to exercise your pug is to keep them at healthy body weight. Pugs are prone to becoming overweight easily. If your pug is already on the heavier side, they will find exercise difficult. This could be why they are sleeping more or spending most of the day sedentary. Unfortunately, this will only make the problem worse. Book a health check: If you think your pug is overweight visit your local veterinarian for an overall doggy health check. They will check for hypothyroidism — a condition that leads to weight gain. Start a diet: Once any health problems have been ruled out by your vet they will recommend an appropriate dietary plan to get your pug back in tip-top shape. Avoid low-quality dog food, and try to limit treats. This will only make them unmotivated, and prone to sleeping far too much. Switch to high-quality kibble with natural ingredients and fewer additives. High-quality food will improve their health and offer them the nutrients they need to turn calories into useful energy. Limit treats: Try not to give in to those pleading eyes. Some treats are fine but keep them to a minimum. Make sure treats are healthy and nutritious as well as tasty. Brace yourself. In other words, pugs like to mimic their human family. Lead by example: Make an effort to engage with your pug every time you get up off the couch. Pugs mimic their humans. Just a few minutes of interaction here and there is enough to give your pug that much-needed energy boost and get them moving those paws. Illness Why do pugs sleep so much? Well, if your pup has been unwell or recently injured, it is entirely normal that they will need extra sleep to recoup and recover. Is there a change from normal? If you think your pug might not be feeling their best, the best thing you can do is book an appointment with your veterinarian. Your vet will probably run tests to rule out any more serious illnesses. Do as your vet instructs and let your pug rehabilitate with plenty of care and time to sleep. When does a lot of sleep go from normal to excessive? Changing sleep habits Look out for change. This is especially important when it comes to sleep, and is often one of the first things a vet will ask when concerned owners bring in their pug for a check-up. This will help you know when something is not quite right and support their health and wellbeing. For example, a pug that usually takes a 2-hour nap each morning is no cause for concern. But if a pug that usually takes a 2-hour nap, starts taking 4 or 5-hour naps on a regular basis, you will want to think about visiting your vet for a check-up. Waking up slowly Another warning sign to look out for is how your pug wakes up after sleeping. Dogs naturally wake up quickly, stretch, and get on with their day. Exercise intolerance Exercise intolerance is not simply laziness. Some diseases tire dogs out. As a result, they will appear to have much less energy than they normally would. It is sometimes difficult to notice any obvious sign of distress when your pup just seems to be resting. But they might be resting because of illness. Warning signs include resting in strange or unusual places, increased resting, and heavy panting. Yes, pugs will enjoy snoozing alongside their owners. Pugs display mimicking behaviors. This breed loves to keep close to their owners as much as possible. Is it normal for a pug puppy to sleep a lot? Pug adults sleep a lot, but pug puppies are on a whole other level. Newborns can sleep up to 22 hours per day and puppies will continue sleeping between 18 and 20 hours until approximately 5 months old. Why do pugs sleep so much? As a breed, they just need those extra hours of zees. Senior 14—18 hours The amount a Pug sleeps really does depend, and even if you have two Pugs of the same age, they might have different sleeping habits. About Pugs Pugs are small dogs that were initially bred as companion dogs. Today, they are one of the most popular pet breeds of dogs in the world and are popular because of their size but also because they are affectionate, loving, and loyal. They are also fun and they do enjoy some physical exercise. But there are certain things you can do to help ensure the happiness of your little four-legged friend. Image Credit: Yekatseryna Netuk, Shutterstock 2. Use a Harness The brachycephalic face of the dog, as well as its barrel chest, means that the Pug can struggle with respiratory problems. Collars can exacerbate the problem, whereas a harness sits around the chest and spreads pressure across the chest, shoulders, and back, therefore preventing breathing problems and making life easier for both of you. This, coupled with an insatiable appetite for treats, means that it is very easy for a Pug to put on weight and become overweight. The inability to exercise further means that once a Pug is overweight, it is very difficult to shift the pounds. Therefore, you will need to stick to a strict diet and try to avoid giving too many high-fat, low-quality tidbits. Provide about an hour of walks a day to ensure good physical condition. Avoid Extreme Temperatures In extreme cold and extreme heat, it becomes much more challenging to be able to breathe clearly, and this is especially a problem for the Pug because of its facial shape. If you do live in an area that suffers from extreme temperatures, you will need to find ways to combat and counteract these extremes so your Pug is happy and healthy. Image Credit: Ryan Garrett, Shutterstock Conclusion The Pug is a very popular pet dog breed that is kept by owners of all ages, all around the world. Although they can seem like lazy dogs, Pugs typically sleep around 14 hours a day , which is actually quite typical for most dog breeds. It might seem more because of the excessive breathing noises that the breed makes while it is asleep. Puppies and seniors also tend to sleep a little longer, but if you do notice that your dog is sleeping more than is typical for them, look for any other signs and symptoms of illness and consult a vet if you are worried. See also:. These dogs tend to sleep more than other breeds. They even snore, snort and make some weird noises that may sound ridiculous to you. Some might say they are lazy. But, Pugs are not lazy. They are interactive creatures that enjoy playing at any time. Yet, these dogs are curious and emotional, striving for your attention most of the time. Learn about your Pug sleeping habits to understand their health better. In this article, I will have answers to some questions about the sleeping habits of Pugs. The sleeping time of Pugs varies on their age: Pug Newborns Baby Pugs need a lot of sleep for their growth. On average, a newborn Pug can sleep up to 22 hours a day. They only wake up to eat and go to the bathroom. From the third week and on, Pug newborn pups will grow as their vision and hearing develop. So does their curiosity. Pug puppies at this stage will spend time playing with their littermates and exploring their world. Once the Pug puppies open the eyes, they will reduce their sleeping hours to 20 to 22 hours a day. Pug Puppies In the first couple of months, Pug puppies will sleep in between 18 to 20 hours. They spend the rest of the time eating and exploring their world. From 3 weeks old, the puppies will roam around their area, hopping on their paws, sniffing, and chewing. From 6 months old, the pup will sleep like an adult Pug. Adult Pugs Pugs from 6 months old sleep even less. They spend more time socializing, exploring the world, and shadowing you. They will sleep roughly around 14 hours a day; that includes nighttime snoozing of hours. During the day, Pugs spend around hours napping after being in high gear. Senior Pugs Old Pug dogs need extra hours to rest as they reduce activities. During the day, a senior Pug may nap more than when they were young. In particular, they may fall asleep earlier than they used to. A puppy Pug can sleep for more than 20 hours. Your Pug sleep habits may differ from others. But when compared to other breeds, Pugs sleep much more. Usually, a healthy Pug spends 9 hours for his nocturnal sleep. But if the Pug adapts to your sleeping hours, they may go to bed and wake at the same time as you do. Then, in the daytime, the dog may snuggle on the couch and catch a few naps for some hours. This is entirely normal. Pugs sleep more than enough. There are a variety of reasons for oversleeping in Pugs. If your grown Pug naps more than 5 hours a day, this can be a problem. Pugs demand a lot of attention from you. They need you around to spend up their energy. If a Pug falls into boredom, he will nap to wait for you. Sleeping this much is not healthy. That said, Pugs are not dogs to be left alone. They tend to sleep through the lonely hours. You can invest in some automatic interactive toys. But without your participation, Pugs are unlikely to get up. However, be aware. This could result in inside destruction. Alternatively, ask help from a friend or a relative to drop by twice a day. Daycare dog service: This kind of service will walk your dog hours a day and play with the pup if you are busy Fitness robot : This toy is a bit costly but may worth it as it keeps your Pug interactive without your presence. You can schedule the time for the bot to run and trigger your dog to play. Ball dispenser : This auto-dispenser can be a playmate for the Pug. But make sure you train your dog to use the machine before putting it to work. Obesity Obesity can make Pugs more sedentary. Without much exercise, an overweight Pug tends to sleep more to deal with the boredom. Also, you will get consulted on the exercises appropriate for an obese Pug. Low to no exercises Being lazy and not exercising is a bad habit which you should not form at the beginning of his young life. Instead, it would be best if you encouraged your Pug dog to romp and play rather than lounging on the sofa. Pugs are dogs that love to make their owner happy. That means you are the motivation. So, take the fetch to the backyard and start a game. Poor Diet Like people, Pugs become weak when consuming low-quality food, too many treats, and excessive fatty foods. Feed your Pug with high-quality food recipes for Pugs. As Pugs are prone to obesity, you should consider low fat, sugar, and calorie food. Mirroring As a part of the shadowing habit, Pugs tend to mimic you in the sleeping routine. That means, if you sleep, the pooch will drift off with you. So, if your sleeping schedule is chaotic, that will apply to your Pug too. Solution: This can be an advantage when your Pug tries to mirror you. Be awake during the day to play with your Pug. Play with him and help him use up his energy while giving him attention. Then, you can allow him to nap for an hour or so. Then, repeat the playtime. Sickness Sleeping is an integral part of healing. So, no wonder why Pugs, or any dog, would sleep through if they get sick. However, you should keep an eye on your Pug pup and wake him up on his mealtime. Your Pug also needs to be up to visit the vet and take medicine. Solution: A visit to your animal clinic is a must when your Pug is not feeling well. While under-recovery, your Pug needs a lot of time to rest, let him sleep, and wake him up for food. Pug Sleeping Troubles While some Pugs sleep soundly while dreaming at night, others struggle to sleep. Some owners find their puppy Pugs stay awake and howl out of isolation. Many of them feel insecure in a new home. However, other Pugs are awake and whine because they have enough sleep all day. Other than that, there are several care elements involved in Pug sleeping troubles. Bad bed The fact is Pugs are prone to hips and back issues. More than that, choose a bed that resists mold and dust mites. This helps your Pug sleep without disturbance. Besides, temperature changes also cause your Pug to lose sleep. Respiratory problem Breathing problems are common in Pugs due to their flat-wrinkled face. But with sleep apnea, a Pug will stop breathing for up to 20 seconds. This causes sleep deprivation. This leads to health troubles and misbehavior in the long run. The REM stage is a deep sleep where dogs may dream. However, Pugs are not heavy sleepers. Why do Pugs Snore in their Sleep? That affects the construction of the nostril, making it hard for the air to flow. Lethargy in Pugs? What is it? They could be sleepy, or they could be sick. But if you notice that your Pug sleeps through the day and lacks appetite, he is probably ill. Do Pugs Suffer Insomnia? When Pugs are restless at night, that means they have insomnia. The reasons vary from changes in the environment, diet, illness to uncomfortable bedding. If you want to know the source of insomnia in your Pug, take some time to observe. A healthy Pug should sleep well at night and nap during the day. But if your Pug is struggling to fall asleep, you should: Address the underlying cause Make sure she gets enough exercise during the day Supply melatonin.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Instead, choose the best treat for your German Shepherd to keep them healthy. But if you try to buy the cheapest treats for your puppy, it will show in their attitude and behavior. Or worse… Cause them serious medical problems. This is especially true for growing German Shepherd puppies. No one wants their GSD to get sick from what they feed them! When choosing the best training treats for German Shepherd dogs and puppies: Read the label to make sure your puppy is the right age and size for any treat Ask your vet when in doubt! These healthy options listed below are not only good treats for German Shepherd puppies but are also full of nutrition. While they come in other flavors, my German Shepherd loves peanut butter, so these little treats rank high in her training! They smell so good, you might be tempted to treat yourself! These nugget-shaped peanut butter treats are a great reward for training young German Shepherd puppies. Find great prices! And you already know that your breed is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. So, why not offer your dog a treat that has the best natural ingredients for healthy joints? A tougher texture is a good chew treat for an adult German Shepherd, but puppies might have trouble With a drier texture, you might find them difficult to tear into smaller pieces for training. Drool from your dog—lots of drool! Every snack should contribute to their overall health and fitness. This is true for adult dogs, not just puppies. Stay away from:. Best healthy treats for training a German Shepherd dog Best healthy treats for training a German Shepherd dog: In this guide we will cover healthy human foods for treats when training German Shepherd dogs, some homemade recipes to make your own healthy treats and finally the best healthy food treats on the market. Best healthy human treats for training a German Shepherd dog: For a quick grab natural treat these dog friendly human foods are packed with nutritional health benefits: Apples: unseeded apple slices make a great natural treat for your German Shepherd. Win win. Salmon: The best part of salmon for dogs is the fatty skin. This is because it is full of omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 is great for your German Shepherds all-round health. Omega 3 will also help to make your dogs coat glossy, give them healthier skin which in turn can reduce skin allergies. So slice up some crispy salmon skins for an extra special treat. Eggs: slice some cooked eggs to reward your German Shepherd dog. Enriched with essential vitamins and minerals eggs make a great healthy treat from training your German Shepherd. Eggs are also a great source of easy to digest protein for your dog. Peanut butter: A spoonful of unsalted peanut butter make a great protein rich snack and watching your German Shepherd lick it up from the roof of their mouth is adorable. Pumpkin flesh and cooked pumpkin seeds: Falls seasonal superfood for your German Shepherd pumpkin is full of fibre and loaded with vitamins which promotes shiny coats. Pumpkin also works as a great natural remedy to settle upset stomachs in dogs. Pumpkin flesh can be served both raw and cooked. Seeds are better if you roast them and remove the skins, however in moderation dogs can have raw pumpkin seeds. Do not feed you dog pumpkin skin or a portion of the stem. Although they are not considered toxic, they are really hard for your dog to digest and can cause discomfort or blockages. Veggies: Fresh veg including Carrots, broccoli and green beans are a nutritious low calorie treat for your German Shepherd. Broccoli should only be given in small amounts to prevent upset stomach. Green beans are full of iron and vitamins typically they are considered safe to eat raw but some people recommend cooking first. Popcorn: Plain air popped corn helps to promote digestion and eye health. Popcorn makes a great low calorie treat for your German Shepherd dog but make sure to not give them any un-popped kernels. Chicken: Unseasoned cooked chicken is a great source of protein and fatty omega 6 acids. Omega 6 helps dogs to sustain super shiny coats and healthy skin. Make sure there is no bones before giving to your German Shepherd Dog. To make the two ingredients treats simply choose a flavour of pureed baby food, mix with organic whole wheat flour to form a stiff dough, roll out and either use a pizza cutter to cut it into cubes or if you want to be fancy use a cookie cutter. Place on a parchment lined baking tray and bake for around 15 mins. Frozen yoghurt and peanut butter treats: Another simple 2 ingredient recipe these yoghurt and peanut butter treats are great for a hot day. Simply get some plain, natural yoghurt from the fridge, stir in some peanut butter, pop into ice cube moulds and freeze. With ice cube mould only place a thin layer about 5cms deep to prevent a choke hazard. Alternatively, you can place in the bottom of cupcake papers or paper or plastic cups to create a flat disk-shaped treat. Instead of peanut butter you can also use mashed apple mixed with a little water. Simply mix organic flour, eggs and peanut butter together then add enough water to turn your mixture into a dough, roll it out and use either a cookie cutter or pizza cutter to make it into small bites and bake for 20 minutes. Sweet potato fries: The next time your making some sweet potato fries we recommend using this dog friendly recipe both you and your German shepherd can enjoy. Wash and peel your sweet potato, cut into strips, coat with coconut oil, cinnamon and turmeric, spread out evenly on a baking try and bake until crispy. All you need is oatmeal, a banana and peanut butter. Use a food processor or blender to grind the oats into a powder, mash the banana and peanut butter together and stir in the blended oats to create a dough. Roll out and use a cookie cutter. Place on a parchment lined shallow cooking tin and bake for around 15 minutes. Easy fall cookies: To make these pumpkin cookies your German Shepherd dog will love you need to place pumpkin, peanut butter and eggs into a food processor and blend together. Then gradually stir in whole wheat flour until the dough is no longer sticky. Knead the dough until smooth, roll out and cut into shapes and bake until slightly golden. Chicken and rice muffins: High in protein these chicken and rice muffins your German Shepherd is sure to love. Simply boil brown or wild rice. Once cooked mash the rice to make stodgy. Add diced or shredded chicken, a little flour, chopped parsley and an egg. Mix together until combined. Then spoon into a muffin tin and bake for about 25mins. Until slightly golden on top. Sweet potato and salmon bites: bake a sweet potato. Oil in a pan we use coconut oil stir together flour, eggs and salmon either cooked or tinned, remove any bones once the sweet potato has cooled enough to handle remove the skin and add the skinned potato to the mixture. Spread evenly in the oiled tray and place in the fridge. Once cooled slice into bite sized chunks. Frozen pupsicle pop: For a healthy ice pop for your German Shepherd simply blend bananas, Greek yoghurt, blueberries and beets. Add you your mould and use a carrot as the stick. Perfect for those warm days. E-mail Share by e-mail Every dog likes the occasional treat! Dog treats come in all shapes, sizes, and ingredients, and can be store-bought or homemade. Your dog will rarely say no to a treat, and if they do it may be a sign that they are unwell. German Shepherds are known to be predisposed to joint issues such as hip dysplasia, so keeping your German Shepherd at a healthy weight is important. Why are we using treats? Entertainment and motivation during a trening session are the most common reasons for giving a treat. Treats can be very motivating during training sessions, particularly because German Shepherds are so smart, they notice if there is no treat and can decide to stop listening. If using treats for training, you want to choose small, low-calorie treats that your dog enjoys eating. Treats can also have health benefits, such as dental chews. Dental treats that are VOHC certified are beneficial in reducing the rate of dental tartar buildup and can be used as part of a healthy diet to maintain good oral hygiene. Entertainment is another common reason for giving a treat, for example, if you need to go out and your dog will be left alone for a few hours, having a chew can keep your dog busy until you return. We strongly suggest against chews such as raw hides or pig ears as whilst cheap, can cause problems such as blockages in the intestines and tummy upsets. A chew toy smothered in peanut butter xylitol free or a thin layer of cream cheese would be a perfect alternative if looking for a homemade chew toy. Homemade vs store bought When making dog treats at home, you can control portion size and use flavors that your dog loves. Buying from the store offers a lot of conveniences, but homemade treats are easy to make and have the added benefit of no artificial preservatives or flavorings. You can control portion size and use flavors that your dog loves. There are many recipes that are easy to follow and free online with a little searching. After freezing your dog will enjoy a snack that lasts for a few hours whilst you are busy doing other things. Lickimats smeared with a layer of frozen yogurt and berries or other ingredients are another great treat your dog can enjoy at home to keep them entertained whilst you are working or out of the home. Store-bought treats If your puppy is still very young, be careful about the size of the treat since they tend to gulp down treats. Food allergies can make your dog quite unwell, so are best avoided if possible. Store-bought treats come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and calories. Try and look for lower calorie treats if you give lots of treats to your dog during the day. If your puppy is still very young, be careful about the size of the treat. Young puppies tend to gulp down treats and if the treat is large, it can be a choking hazard. Some of our favorite treats are: Greenies Dental chews. Peanut Butter Smart Sticks are a safe alternative to rawhide chews. They will keep your dog chewing busily for some time and are a tasty flavor. These snacks have around 50 calories per treat so only give occasionally. Stewart Pro Treat Beef liver Freeze dried dog treats. Particularly good if your puppy is already on a raw food diet. Its small bite size and low calorie per treat make this a good option for daily training activities. Dogswell hip and joint Jerky. With beef and chicken as flavor options, this treat is more than just a snack. Summary There are many treat options available for your German Shepherd Puppy. Choosing low-calorie, yet flavorsome treats will encourage your puppy to respond well to training commands. German Shepherds bond highly to their main handler or trainer so treats are often central to creating this strong bond. There will be the perfect dog treat out there for them that they will love! The best treats are low calorie, small in size, and tasty to your puppy- look for meat-based flavors to really get their enthusiasm up. Can German Shepherd puppies have treats? Yes, German Shepherd puppies can have treats as part of a balanced diet to help with training, and socialization and to keep them entertained around the home. Remember to reduce their main meal to account for the treat calories. What are good training treats for German Shepherds? Royal Canin Educ treats are low calorie, vitamin-packed and tasty and will help with training your German Shepherd. What treats do German Shepherds eat? A German Shepherd is not particularly fussy and will eat most treats offered, both store-bought and homemade. The trick is to find the treat your dog is crazy about which can take a little time to work out. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. To help, we created this handy list. Before you choose a treat, there are a few things to consider. How many treats will you be feeding? What is treat value? Treat value can be thought of as a paycheck. What will the treat be used for? You should use different treats for different reasons. For instance, you may want to carry a simple treat with you to reward your dog as you train throughout the day. The value of this treat will be determined by how hard the dog is working and how much treat it takes to get the job done. How many calories are in the treats? While this may not be as important for all dogs, it can be. How old and how healthy is the dog eating the treats? Picking age appropriate treats is important. Young, healthy dogs can get away with eating a large variety of treats. Meanwhile, puppies may have a more sensitive digestive system. Older dogs may need lower calories and lower fat treats. Dogs with allergies, sensitivities, and health problems will also need special treats. How to use training treats Training treats are used to reward dogs for good behavior. They can be used to lure dogs, mark desired behavior, and praise for a job well done. Plus, it makes them happy. You can carry treats with you to reward your dog throughout the day as well as use them in training. They can be used in obedience as well as when teaching tricks. They can be used to convince your dog to do a certain behavior lure when you ask them to. Whatever treats you choose, use single small bites for each reward. Praise or mark the behavior, then feed the treat. The Best Training Treats Here are our best suggestions for training treats. Puppy Treats Training puppies usually requires lots of treats so one of the best treats for puppies is their kibble. Simply carry a portion of their food with you and use it as a treat as you train them throughout the day. Other ideas for puppy training treats include: 1. Diamond Naturals Puppy Biscuits 3. Wellness Soft Puppy Bites 4. Blue Buffalo Baby Training Treats beef, chicken, salmon, turkey, lamb 5. Zukes Mini Naturals Treats liver, rabbit or chicken 2. Natural Balance Roll cut into small bites 4. Merrick Power Bites wide variety of protein options 5. Fruitables Skinny Mini Apple Bacon 2. Natural Balance Mini Rewards 3. Annamaet Lean, Reduced Fat Treats 4. Here are some options aside from home cooking: 1. Purina Pro Plan Gentle Snackers 2. RX Canned Food 3. Matties Kidney Disease Dog Treats 4. Royal Canin RX treats for different health problems 5. Hills Rx treats for different health problems Dog Food That Works Great As Treats: Using high value dog food as treats can save you a lot of money because it comes in larger packages. Here are some of our favorites: 1. Stella and Chewy Wild Weenies broken into bites 3. Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters 4. Primal Freeze Dried Nuggets 5. Try these: 1. Boiled chicken. These high-protein treats are slowly dried in the oven, which retains their nutritional value and allows them to taste super tasty. They can be fed whole, or you can break them into smaller pieces. Top Features: No artificial flavors, preservatives, or animal by-products. Contain glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy bones and joints. Slowly oven-dried for extra nutritional value. No corn, wheat, soy, or other fillers. Best Dental Treats for German Shepherds We all need to look after our teeth, and that includes our dogs! Occasionally I like to give my GSD a dental treat which helps to keep her teeth and gums healthy. Look at her in the above photo waiting patiently and licking her lips! Dentastix is one of the best dental treats for German Shepherds as they are specially designed to clean teeth as your dog chews due to their unique X shape. Buy on Amazon Vets recommend Dentastix, and there are thousands of top reviews on Amazon. You can give these dental treats daily. However, I give my girl one around every two to three days as I like to vary her range of treats. They are not suitable for puppies under four months old. Low in fat and no added sugar. No artificial colors or flavors. Various flavors from original, beef, bacon, and minty fresh. They have a chewy texture and are made with nutritional and easily digestible ingredients. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site s , as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. These dental chews are vet-approved and score very high on Amazon, where you can find thousands of positive reviews from happy dog owners. They are not suitable for puppies under 6 months old. Top Features: The unique texture cleans down to the gum line to fight plaque and tartar. Freshens bad dog breath. Made with natural ingredients plus vitamins and minerals. Grain-free option and weight management option. Flavors include original, blueberry, and fresh. They love to explore the world with their mouths, and it helps keep their teeth clean and jaws strong. Most German Shepherd owners tend to give their pets a toy to chew rather than an edible treat, but I like to vary it and do both! Here are my preferred chew treats for German Shepherds. They are both highly rated on Amazon, with tons of satisfied customers: Best Bully Sticks Downtown Pet Supply Bully Sticks are a long-lasting chew that makes an excellent alternative to chemically processed rawhide. If the smell gets too much for you, there is an odor-free range! If your German Shepherd is a power chewer, he will really enjoy these as they will keep him entertained for a good while and satisfy his desire to chew. Long-lasting healthy chews. Promotes dental health through chewing. Odor-free variety. Thin, regular, and jumbo widths are available. Choose either the 6-inch or inch length. They are made with just one ingredient — dehydrated codfish skins that have a thin and crispy texture. Buy on Amazon These healthy, chewy treats also help to clean teeth and gums and make a great snack anytime. If your German Shepherd is a gulper, you can easily cut the fish treats using scissors. The Honest Kitchen offers a range of human-grade products that contain quality ingredients. Top Features: Healthy chews with moderate chew time. Natural source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Supports healthy teeth and gums. Made in the USA. Best Calming Treats for German Shepherds German Shepherds are a very affectionate breed and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety, and like other dogs, they may also suffer from other forms of stress. Examples of these could be being exposed to loud noises such as thunder or fireworks, car journeys, or even trips to the vet. In situations like these, you may wish to try calming treats as an alternative to prescribed medication. They contain natural ingredients such as herbs, vitamins, melatonin, tryptophan, or hemp oil. They contain all-natural and organic ingredients to help your German Shepherd feel calm in stressful situations. As humans, we snack in between meals. Treats are the snacks your dog will eat between meals. Making sure your dog has healthy and delicious treats to eat for snacks is important for their overall health. This article will narrow down the best treats for German Shepherds. Things to consider when buying dog treats? How healthy are they? We all want our dogs to be healthy and happy right? Of course, so make sure you are selecting a healthy dog treat for your GSD. Healthy dog treats for German Shepherds are typically made of natural ingredients and contain a good amount of protein. Just like you want to avoid dog food with a bunch of ingredients that are artificial, the same goes for dog treats. Purpose for treating Are these treats for training or just for an occasional snack around the house between meals? Think about the when and why you give treats to your dog, and then buy treats to fit that purpose. Consider what type of foods your dog loves when selecting their treat. For example, my girl really loves peanut butter, so I know any treat with peanut butter will be a hit! These treats are soft and small in size which is exactly what you want for training your new puppy, or even an older dog. Zukes treats are healthy and natural with real meat being the first and main ingredient. There are no artificial flavors and these treats are made in the USA. As an added bonus there are six different flavors to choose from: Chicken, duck, peanut butter, pork, rabbit and salmon. What I Love:.

The Golden Retriever is a beloved family dog, known for its intelligence, loyalty, and playful nature. This breed is one of the most popular in the world, and is often seen in homes, parks, and other public places. The Golden Retriever is a large breed, with males typically weighing between 65 and 75 pounds, and females between 55 and 65 pounds. They have a thick, water-resistant double coat that can be either wavy or straight. The coat is usually golden, but can also be cream, red, or black. The Golden Retriever is an active breed that loves to play, run, and swim. They are also very intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train. They are loyal and affectionate, and make great family companions. The Golden Retriever is a relatively healthy breed, but like all dogs, they can suffer from certain health issues. Common health problems include hip dysplasia, eye problems, and skin allergies. Overall, the Golden Retriever is a wonderful breed that makes a great family pet. They are intelligent, loyal, and loving, and they love to play and exercise. With proper care and attention, a Golden Retriever can be a wonderful addition to any family. One look and an instant calm will probably wash over you. Stress simply melts away. Because Golden Retrievers are notoriously loyal and obedient. They can look silly with their big goofy grins. Or they can look stoic and wise beyond their years with their striking, deep brown eyes. CutenessOverload Everything they do is adorable Just watching your pup go from an adorable average of 10 pounds right when you get them at 8 weeks old to a sizable 70 pounds at the year mark is cuter than anything you can imagine. Or falling asleep in your lap. Or busting your pup discreetly chewing on your brand new pair of sneakers in their new closet lair is the cutest. There are too many cute things! Everything will be adorable and glee-inducing if done by a Golden Retriever pup — even the behaviors that, by all logic, should annoy you to no end. This is a good thing because a puppy this adorable is definitely going to be a popular one. Golden Retriever puppies make friends with kids , adults, and other animals while keeping their trademark smiles on their faces. They are so friendly, in fact, that they may not be the best bet when looking for guard dogs. A Golden will usually greet any stranger, including during a break-in, with a welcoming smile on their face. But they will love you best Again, the loyalty of a Golden Retriever pup cannot be stressed enough; it is strong. At the end of the day, your athletic, big-pawed, adventurous, silly, and loving Golden pup will only have eyes for you. Remember, you can find just about any breed of dog you are looking for at a shelter or rescue. They're one of the most popular dog breeds in America, and there's no surprise why. Besides being smart, active dogs, they're also gorgeous and oh so photogenic. It's no wonder goldens are some of the biggest pet influencers filling our feeds! Gus He's a runner, he's a track star! No seriously, Gus crushes the competition in agility courses. He especially loves dock diving and has even earned his Dock Elite title. What a good boy. Hinckley Parks It seriously can't get any cuter than this. Hinckley Parks' baby brother Teddy loves to snuggle in all his soft golden fur, and we can't blame him. It's no wonder golden retrievers are one of the best family pets in America: they're great with kids! But this one with Jaxson and Sawyer actually turned out adorable! The only thing that seems to be missing from the party are some birthday treats.Margo Who doesn't love splashing around in the water on a hot summer day? Swimming is one of the best ways for dogs to get exercise, and golden retrievers are natural at it. Plus, Margo's coat is absolutely glowing in the sunshine—how photogenic! Maggie Maggie's glasses make her look to be one smart cookie—because she probably is! Golden retrievers are one of the smartest dog breeds. She's serving sophistication, and we're here for it. Arrowood Family What's better than a golden? Five goldens! Sage, Waverly, Tori, Jimmie, and baby Presley are the definition of family goals. I mean, how often can you get five pups to look at the camera? Thor As long as the camera's off, the boss won't suspect a thing, right? After watching us all struggle through WFH life for a year, our dogs are sure going to miss us when we return to the office. Or maybe they'll be like Thor the golden retriever and replace us altogether. Louie Talk about lifegoals! Nothing feels better than a car ride with the windows down and the wind blowing through your hair fur. Krembo Uh, hello, tongue! Krembo's letting it all hang out and we can't blame him. If only we could reach through the screen and boop that nose. And also have us craving some snacks. We could all use a little frolic through a flower field some days, but we'll have to live vicariously through Lola for now. Henry Golden retrievers make wonderful service animals , and Henry proves that they can look good while doing so. He deserves all the pets in the world—but only once he's off the clock. Drake Cue the "awwwws" because this is one of the cutest dogs we've ever seen. His smile tells us all we need to know: he's definitely one of the happiest golden retrievers in the world. Was this page helpful? Christina Donnelly is a small animal expert focusing on dogs and writer with over 12 years of experience in animal welfare. In fact, golden retrievers have snagged the third spot for most popular dogs in the United States for the last several years! These pooches are on the larger side females range between 55 and 70 pounds, while males weigh in between 65 and 75 pounds and require lots of exercise, which may make some families shy away. But don't let their size—or high energy—deter you. Golden retrievers are highly intelligent, easy to train compared to other breeds of dogs , and incredibly friendly. Whether you're already a golden puppy parent or considering adding one to the family, read on to learn some fun facts and see some seriously cute photos! One even surmises that goldens are descendants of Russian circus dogs! These alternate theories were debunked, however, when the personal records of Lord Tweedmouth of Inverness, Scotland were made public. Lord Tweedmouth was an avid waterfowl hunter who wanted to breed a dog with some serious bird retrieving skills. So, in , he bred a yellow retriever named Nous with a liver-colored Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle. The result? A pack of puppies with the exact hunting skills he was looking for, which he dubbed golden retrievers. Golden retrievers were later brought to North America—sometime during the s—where they became hugely popular for their beautiful looks and sweet personalities. Then, in , they were officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club. Continue to 2 of 9 below. They can range from a very light, snowy white, to a yellow-gold, to a dark, coppery red. No matter the color of their coat, however, it's important to never cut your golden retriever's hair—doing so can put her at risk of skin cancer, among other health issues. Their coats are made up of two layers—the long, silky, waterproof outercoat and soft, warming undercoat—and act as insulators against all types of weather. So, if you think to trim your golden's coat in the summer to keep it cool, think again! It'll be much cooler and its skin will be protected from the sun with its coat intact. Continue to 3 of 9 below. Bred to fetch waterfowl, golden retrievers love a good swim session but would be just as happy with long walks, games of fetch, or even agility games. Aim for about one hour of exercise each day, but keep your dog's age and activity levels in mind—you may have to adjust accordingly. Continue to 4 of 9 below. If taken to a rescue site, for example, they can quickly learn how to perform search and rescues to help those in need. In addition to their smarts, golden retrievers' downright sweet demeanors make them the perfect pick for therapy dogs. They can bring a lot of comforts—and joy—to people who have experienced traumatic events, are living in hospitals, or are stressed out during college exams. Continue to 5 of 9 below. Their love of food can cause health problems like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease , so it's important to feed your golden the right amount of food for her weight, age, and activity level. Not sure how much is right for your dog? Talk to your vet about a healthy diet. And take it easy on the treats! It's true that goldens love to eat, but they like to carry non-food items in their mouths, too. Their mouthy nature makes everyday stuff such as sticks, shoes, or even the remote control a highly prized possession. Because golden retrievers have very gentle mouths, challenges such as the golden retriever egg challenge—in which a golden is tasked with holding an uncooked egg in its mouth without breaking it—have popped up all over the web. Continue to 6 of 9 below. Tons of major movies, such as the "Air Bud" series, "Homeward Bound," "A Dog's Purpose," and even thrillers such as "Poltergeist" and "Friday the 13th" have goldens in the credit roll. What's more? There are a few golden retrievers in presidential history, too. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford had goldens during their presidencies. Golden retrievers are often considered the all-American dogs, so it makes sense, right? Continue to 7 of 9 below. Todd, the sweet golden pictured here, is one of those puppy heroes. During their hike, Paula nearly stepped on a rattlesnake—and when the snake lunged at her, Todd jumped in front of her to protect her. Although Todd was bitten on the nose and had severe swelling in his face, he's expected to make a full recovery. Because of his heroic deed, the internet has hailed Todd as a very, very good boy. And believe it or not, Todd has found a way to be an even better boy: He has a GoFundMe page to help other heroic doggies who have suffered from the same injuries. Continue to 8 of 9 below. Even in their senior years, it's not uncommon for older goldens to keep up with their puppy counterparts. Continue to 9 of 9 below. And for good reason! Not only are they adorable, but they prove goldens are some of the sweetest puppers around, too. One look and an instant calm will probably wash over you. Stress simply melts away. Because Golden Retrievers are notoriously loyal and obedient. They can look silly with their big goofy grins. Or they can look stoic and wise beyond their years with their striking, deep brown eyes. CutenessOverload Everything they do is adorable Just watching your pup go from an adorable average of 10 pounds right when you get them at 8 weeks old to a sizable 70 pounds at the year mark is cuter than anything you can imagine. Or falling asleep in your lap. Or busting your pup discreetly chewing on your brand new pair of sneakers in their new closet lair is the cutest. There are too many cute things! Everything will be adorable and glee-inducing if done by a Golden Retriever pup — even the behaviors that, by all logic, should annoy you to no end. This is a good thing because a puppy this adorable is definitely going to be a popular one. Golden Retriever puppies make friends with kids , adults, and other animals while keeping their trademark smiles on their faces. They are so friendly, in fact, that they may not be the best bet when looking for guard dogs. A Golden will usually greet any stranger, including during a break-in, with a welcoming smile on their face. But they will love you best Again, the loyalty of a Golden Retriever pup cannot be stressed enough; it is strong. At the end of the day, your athletic, big-pawed, adventurous, silly, and loving Golden pup will only have eyes for you. Fluffy Golden pup on bench Chunky Golden pup running through yard Golden puppy with big ears looking directly at camera Fluffy pup in a basket on grass Scrawny Golden pup in yard Golden puppy in lavender field Remember, you can find just about any breed of dog you are looking for at a shelter or rescue.

Bring fetch If you throw a ball for your dog and want him or her to bring it back to you, then the German dog command you need is bring. Bleib stay When your dog should stay put, use the German dog command bleib. Luckily, these two are super close to their English counterparts both in meaning and pronunciation. Lauf go Want to see your dog take off like a streak of lightning? Then teach him or her the German dog command lauf. Gib Laut speak What could be more adorable than a pup who barks on command? Platz lay Want your dog to lie down for a Leckerli treat? Then teach him or her the German dog command Platz. Whatever the reason, all good German dogs know that this means they should sich hinlegen lie down. Then train them with the German dog commands stopp and halt. Such search Looking to train your German-loving dog to search and rescue or maybe to just help you find your keys? Some dogs are trained to such for drugs, bombs and even trapped or missing people. Watch a German clip about one type of these working dogs on FluentU. You can also hear examples of the other terms in this list on FluentU. The language learning program has many authentic German videos—that is, videos that native German speakers actually watch, like movie clips, news segments and vlogs. Watch the videos with interactive subtitles, and save your favorite dog commands as flashcards on FluentU to review them with personalized quizzes. German dog commands are also great for building up your grammar skills. German dog commands are short and sweet and easy for dogs to understand, so both you and your dog will become bilingual with ease. Training your dog with German dog commands sounds darn cool. Speaking Deutsch German to your dog will impress your friends, not to mention that cutie—canine or otherwise—out on a stroll! If you have a German breed or mix, then why not be authentic and train them using German dog commands? And there you have it: 15 German dog commands you can use with your pooch. Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. Download If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to learn German with real-world videos. Knowing the best commands to teach your German Shepherd is essential to living happily with them. Commands for German Shepherds establish a two-way street of communication. First, there are basic commands, and then I jump right into more advanced commands and tricks. After getting a German Shepherd, new owners often complain about a lack of communication with their dogs. This makes teaching your GSD easier since you have an essential foundation built. You can also teach different commands for German Shepherds for fun, fitness, impulse control, and even bonding. Basic Commands for German Shepherds Your goal for training commands for your German Shepherd is to master the basics first. German Shepherd Dog training commands generally begin with the basics. Teaching your dog good manners and how to behave in public helps you to handle a large breed dog with confidence. These basic commands for your GSD are useful in your daily life and are a great place to start. A marker word is any word or sound such as a clicker used to mark when your German Shepherd does something correctly. The most common marker words are yes and good. But first, you must teach the meaning of this word to your dog so they understand. You must say the marker word or click the clicker followed immediately by a treat. Repeat your word, along with giving them a treat, until your dog becomes excited about the word. Name Recognition The foundation of German Shepherd training is teaching your dog their name. If you have a multi-dog home, then training their name will let your dogs know who needs to obey. Sit The sit command is part of basic training. It helps them settle down, stay still, and keeps them from jumping on guests. Sit is a great behavior to have on cue to teach your German Shepherd to ask for something they want, prevent them from darting out open doors, and keep them in the car for you to leash them before releasing them. Down The next command is down. Down teaches your German Shepherd to relax, settle for longer periods, and to rest until their next command. Having your German Shepherd in a relaxed down position provides you with better control. But, the most important command will be your following stay command. Stay Stay, while a basic command, is actually a more complex behavior. This is because in order for you to teach your German Shepherd to stay they need to resist distractions. This training is called proofing a behavior. Come Teaching your puppy the come command is a life-saving skill. The come command, also called the recall, is an essential life-saving skill you must teach your German Shepherd. Mastering this command not only gives your dog more freedom but also allows you to take your dog more places. When your dog understands the come command gives you more confidence because you know your dog will return when called. Speak Most owners find that teaching their German Shepherd to speak is much easier than training them to be quiet. The German Shepherd is bred as a watchful and alert companion and is a notorious barker. Generally, when your German Shepherd barks you can add in a command, such as speak, to capture their barking. Quiet As a herding breed, one of the jobs of the German Shepherd was to bark at predators or hazards. This is engrained in the breed. Early on, teach your German Shepherd to be quiet to help counteract their barking. They bark a lot by nature to ward off danger from their home and keep their family safe. Need help with your dog barking at strangers? Often thought of as one of the most useful German Shepherd training commands, the cue wait means to respect the boundary. The wait is also valuable when you need to have your dog pause in certain areas or rooms of your house. It only means your dog must hesitate until you give your permission to cross over the boundary where the wait due was delivered. Watch me or look at me is another great command to teach your German Shepherd. German Shepherds that learn this training are less likely to become distracted in public settings, learn patience while waiting for rewards, and develop better self-control skills. With everything else going on, watch me can get your dog in a better frame of mind. Plus, it allows you to give your dog another command to follow. There are also other ways to get your German Shepherd to listen to you , without a command. While out on walks you might need your dog to ignore old food in the dirt or a neighborhood cat or dog that has her attention. Telling her to leave it keeps her away from those distracting objects for a moment. Drop It Has your dog ever grabbed your shoes and ran through the house with them? If so, then you must teach your German Shepherd the drop it command. Train your dog to drop it by using the reward method to make the training positive. Repeating this training with different items of value, and always keeping your reward worth more than what she has to drop, will give you better results. Stand Why would you ever want to teach your German Shepherd the stand command? Stand also gets your dog up from another position like down or from a trick like a rollover. Especially useful for puppies, the settle cue lets your dog know they need to behave calmly. Heel The purpose of the heel command is to teach your German Shepherd to walk on a loose leash beside you. Have your GSD on your left side, which is the traditional heel side. Hold a treat in your left hand and guide your dog along the seam of your left leg while walking a few steps. Give her the treat for following along on a loose leash. For most herding breeds loose lead walking is a difficult behavior since dogs naturally walk faster than us. Training this command will help you to enjoy safer and more relaxed walks. You can also start training your German Shepherd to walk on a leash right now. You can introduce your dog to new commands to keep up their training skills or purely for entertainment. With the right set of commands, you can give your German Shepherd a job around the house to keep them mentally stimulated and out of trouble. Here are some training commands to give you something fun to teach your German Shepherd and keep their intelligent minds engaged. Maybe you want them to continue walking and pass another dog. Up Training your German Shepherd to get up on something is a great trick. Plus, if your dog learns to jump up when you ask, then they can join you on the couch for movie night, jump onto a stool for easier grooming time, or even increase their activity on walks. Off The off command tells your dog they need to place all four paws back on the ground. This means if they have paws on you, on someone else, or on the furniture they should get all of their paws onto the floor. Instead, teach them the off command so you can guide them with your voice. Shake An easy and cute trick to teach your German Shepherd is shake, also known as give paw. Teaching your dog to give you their paw even helps to desensitize your German Shepherd to having her paws touched. To spice things up with this trick, teach your dog to shake with each paw by naming them different commands. Little by little, your dog will slowly start to lean over to reach the reward. Some German Shepherds are more reserved and will need time to go into the rollover. Not all German Shepherds understand how to return a toy or ball to you once thrown. So, training your German Shepherd to fetch or bring will help them learn how to carry their toys to you for a game. Plus, fetch is a great way to exercise your dog to keep them fit and happy. Use take it to give them permission to have their food, treat, or toy. Go Potty If you want to train your dog to use the bathroom on cue then a potty command is useful. Go potty is a good cue to pair when your puppy does their business outside. After pairing the cue enough times, your German Shepherd learns that go potty is their command for using the toilet. Place instructs your dog to go to a designated spot, sometimes a platform or mat, and wait for the next cue. This is a great behavior to have in your repertoire. Imagine being able to send your German Shepherd to their place when someone knocks on your door. This trick takes more patience than rollover because your dog must stay very still to make the trick convincing. Pair this trick with a few others and you have a complete show for your next party. When your dog goes to bed she will lay down and remain there quietly. Unlike with her place command where she waits for your next words. You can also give your dog a treat to keep her busy and make her go to bed cue rewarding. Try a Kong toy for your German Shepherd that she chews to help relax her while in her bed. You can get your dog to stay in their bed longer by offering them the best bed for your German Shepherd. But, in the beginning, you might notice your new German Shepherd is hesitant to put her paws on you. Spin Spin is a beginner trick for German Shepherds. Use a bit of tasty food to lure your dog into a turn. Keep repeating this action, then pair the word spin with the behavior. For another challenge, teach your German Shepherd to spin the other way. Spin also helps your dog stay limber by stretching her neck and back muscles. Use the word free to tell your German Shepherd that she can go about her own way. For example, use free when releasing your dog from a wait at your back door into an enclosed yard. Before you give the free cue, always make sure the surroundings are safe and free from dangers. Instead, try the break command to teach your German Shepherd to stay near you for her next cue. Then, move on to the next cue so your dog keeps learning and improving. Training Command. The dog sits in front of you Guard The dog is more alert and looks for hazards Bite Dog bites an object that you want A list of GSD obedience commands for advanced training. Now that you have a list of training and obedience commands for your German Shepherd, you need to understand how to use them. Issuing your commands is essential to successful obedience training. Instead, you must first show them and then tell them exactly what you want. Make your command clear, concise, and consistent. There are four parts to command good performance. This alerts them that the words you say following their name are for them, unlike the hundreds of millions of other words you say in a day talking to others. A lure to perform the behavior. Naming the command you want. After multiple times of luring your GSD into position correctly, give the action a name. The reward for performing the behavior. When your dog performs the behavior correctly, praise them and offer them their tasty reward the lure for a job well done. Now you need to know if your dog understands the command you give. How many times do they need to get the command right? Aim for the correct response from your dog ten times in a row. If they correctly perform the action that matches the command you gave 10 times in a row, then: move on to increase your distance away from them when you give the command the time they hold the command and practice with different distractions vary your training environment. If you touch your dog while giving a command, your dog may pay more attention to your action of placing them into the position, rather than the command word. So, the command then loses its value for your dog, and your training becomes much harder. Come is the most important dog command to teach your German Shepherd. Let your dog run around in your house on the long lead. You can throw one of their favorite toys or a treat to get them moving away from you. You may also gently tug on the lead. Get down on their level by crouching and offer them a lure treat to understand what you want and entice them to come back to you. Once they come to you, give them their reward. Practice letting them wander, then using the word come to get them to you for their treat at least 10 times. But for now, start indoors in a quiet area. Another life-saving essential command is No. Most owners use no while their dog is performing an unwanted behavior. When your dog looks at you, offer them a more suitable behavior. Or, have them come to you for a tasty treat and put away the shoe. This is generally enough to get your dog to stop performing the action you want, or at least to get their attention so you can offer them a better behavior option. Your dog will quickly catch on as they learn what you expect from them. The stop command takes a bit of skill and timing since it requires your dog to quit moving. While it does take time and patience, it is essential you train your GSD to this basic command. Have them on a long lead to start for safety. Walk away to a distance of approximately 20 to 30 feet as long as your long lead is. Then, turn and face your dog without making eye contact. If you make eye contact, they may run to you thinking you want them to come. When you are ready, call your dog to you. As soon as they move, take a few steps towards them saying stop in a stern voice with your hand up with a flat palm facing them. This command works best when taught with both verbal and hand signals. The simple fact you are coming towards them makes them hesitate, which is a normal reaction. Always reward them with a tasty treat when they stop by going to them. Once they learn to stop on command, start extending the distance until they stop and stand, sit, or get into the down position at any distance on your verbal command. You will eventually train what command you want after the stop, such as a down or stay. But the most important thing to remember is that your dog stops. You always want to have a reliable stop in case of an emergency think about if your dog were to chase a squirrel or rabbit into a busy road. And, if your dog ever begins to pick up or sniff an unsavory item, then you can also use the German Shepherd leave it command for lesser emergencies. Sit is an easy enough command that even your puppy can learn it! Teaching sit is essential in creating the training relationship, as it is an excellent opening to a training session or a closer after a troublesome session when you want to end on a high note. Instead, move your hand with a tasty reward over your dog and lean over them a bit. Most dogs want to keep eye contact with the reward, which causes their head to go up and their rear end to drop to the ground. This is called luring your dog into position. Move your dog with the lure into the sit position. Once they get the action right while you say the command 10 times, start telling them to sit while you walk away at different distances. If you plan on having guests over, down is invaluable to prevent jumping or overexcited behavior. Do this by holding a treat on the ground a foot or two in front of them. Use the lure to get them moving into the down position. You may have to let them smell and see the lure in your hand. Once they go into position properly, say the word down and give them the treat. Repeat the down position 10 times correctly. Try having your dog perform down from both the sit position and from a standing position. It sometimes helps to take the treat and move under the nose and head, toward their bodies, in which case your dog should fold their legs under them to smell the treat. Work on the down command in different areas of your home and in varying distracting, but safe, environments so your dog learns to follow your command more reliably. Teaching the stay command takes plenty of patience and practice. The command is still in the beginner training category list because it is an essential skill. If your dog stands up to follow you—as they probably will—tell your dog to sit again. Lure them with a treat back into position. Then, once they sit, say stay. You can increase the steps you take back from your dog before you return to them for their reward. Lengthen this distance slowly as your dog learns impulse control and the stay command. Ultimately, your dog will stop following you, sit, and stay in its position. They will need more training for longer distances. Stay in safe areas to avoid your dog running off to chase a car, person, or animal. You could go out and spend a few hundred dollars on lots of tools to help you train your German Shepherd. Basic obedience equipment includes: a short five or six-foot heavy-duty leash with a padded handle a long at least feet lightweight lead a safety collar a collar that snaps apart if your dog gets hung up on an object and saves their life! Try this reflective leash with a padded handle to comfort your hands when you have a strong pulling German Shepherd. Buy a long leash of at least 20 feet for outdoor training. A long leash helps you maintain control while still allowing your dog to enjoy a playful romp and roll. This is the long leash many training professionals prefer because the clips withstand pulling and hold up well to consistent, daily use. Your final necessity is a breakaway collar. But, you can also use pea-sized amounts of fresh-cooked chicken or small bits of cheese. Pay attention to your dog during training, and you can tell which treats are their favorite by their willingness to perform the training. Buy a treat that is healthy and low in calories, preferably pick one from this list of the Best Healthy Treats for Your German Shepherd. Treats are how you pay your dog for their work. They also help build a positive bond between training and you, so that your dog is happy to engage in their training sessions. Using a training command list for your German Shepherd allows you to identify the commands that you need to work on. Place the list where you will see it often daily as a reminder to continue and work through your training. This allows you to understand where your training is and to begin the next, more advanced steps with your dog. Start with the beginning obedience items and keep adding a new command, preferably at a consistent pace. Once your GSD masters the new command, keep building on their training by adding in the next command. Keep your training sessions short, around 5 minutes long. And practice multiple times per day. Some handlers and trainers use a different version to those on the German Shepherd training commands list to train their dogs, but you can use whatever command works best for you and your GSD. Just remember to stay consistent with your command word. With a very young GSD, train for short periods. But train frequently throughout the day. Think of training in short bursts. Around 6 months of age, your GSD should know the basic commands—sit, stay, down, no, and come. Use this guide on the perfect exercise routine for your German Shepherd. German Shepherd Training Tips Stay patient and confident your dog will learn. Go easy and take your time. Make sessions short and simple—only 3 minutes long for a puppy and 5 to 10 minutes for an adult. Train in different areas where your dog is always safe. Start indoors, and work your way to outdoors that are more distracting. Remember, your most important tool while training is your good attitude. And a sick or over-excited dog is less responsive to any goodwill that comes their way. Try again the following day when you both are in better states of mind. A positive way to phase out rewards once your dog has mastered a distinct command is to present the reward as part of the training of a new command. Once your dog has mastered down, instead of providing a treat after giving them the down, offer them a lesser treat, verbal praise, or petting instead of their usual expected reward. Reintroducing Treats with a New Command Start training new commands with tasty treats again. Show them you still have a treat ready by letting them see and sniff the hand with the treat. But now they have to work for it a little more than usual by learning a new command. Once you have their attention, start teaching the new command. You can also use a popular toy instead of treats when training. Be sure you use a safe and durable toy, which will last through a strong chewer, like one of these durable toys for powerful German Shepherd chewers. A clicker is a small, hand-held tool that makes a slight clicking noise when you press a button. You can use your voice and see wonderful results using positive, reward-based training also known as lure and reward training. Give your dog the command from different distances. Practice your training in different positions and in different places of your home. Try stepping farther away every time you work through a command during your training session. Increasing the distance your dog performs the command is challenging because they want to stay close to you naturally. With time and repetition, you will train your German Shepherd to perform the command at almost any distance from you with success. Once your dog masters a command in a quiet environment, try training them in a more distracting environment. This could mean that you turn on the TV or radio, have your family in the room, or move near a window they like to look out. Ultimately, your dog learns that you still expect them to obey you, no matter the location or environment. Sometimes it will take time to adjust to the idea that a local park is a place for learning too. Keep working with them and stay positive. As you practice, your dog learns to tune out the distractions and pay more attention to your training and you. Remember to practice having your dog perform the command from different distances from you so they learn the command is the same, no matter your distance or location from them. And always, always, always… Make sure your dog is safe! Keep them on a short or long leash when outdoors! And stay aware of your surroundings, including busy roads, bicyclists, children playing, and other obstacles to avoid. Do you have problems getting your German Shepherd to listen to your commands? If your German Shepherd is not listening to commands, then you need to go back to their basic training commands. Your dog might also be feeling unwell, stressed, or need more exercise or their meals. You also need to train your German Shepherd not only to the basic commands but also in various locations and distances. You might need to take a day off your usual training every now and then to add some excitement to their lives. Go back to the last command they performed right and begin from there. Or, just play a game instead where you can incorporate your training. Try a few games from this list of fun German Shepherd Games! Using the German Shepherd Training Commands the Right Way The cornerstone for good training is consistency, positive rewards, timing, a favorable attitude, and patience. Use this German Shepherd commands list to improve the relationship between you and your dog. Begin with the easiest commands on the list for your German Shepherd and work your way through to the more difficult commands. Your GSD wants to please and is one of the smartest dogs. Having and using a list of German Shepherd training commands takes the stress off confusing the basic commands and gives you a goal to aim for. Understanding how to use the list to create a well-behaved dog truly makes you a boss level trainer! The valuable book gives you the tools for helping turn your playful pup into a happy, healthy, well-adjusted adult. The expert authors cover all the questions that a new owner generally has, as well answering questions you might not know to ask. Brain training is fun and teaches obedience skills! Enjoy a perfect performance using kind and scientifically-based training in a private group with thousands of others using a brain training program to train their dogs! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. It's easier for the officer to learn a few German words than to retrain the dog with new commands. Zook is the English pronunciation for the German command: Such. Such means to search or track. It is a common German dog training command for K9 police dogs. By using German, your dog will easily distinguish between when you are having a conversation and when you are calling commands. German is a clear, distinctive language for dogs to understand. And it helps that they can be fun to say or yell. Watch an Indiana Jones movie for proof! Related: Best Dog Training Books You can reteach a particular behavior if your dog struggles with the English command. For dogs that have learned to respond poorly to an English command, you can reteach the desired behavior using the German command. This gives you a fresh start to train your dog with the proper response. Impress Your Friends Not only are dog commands in German fun to say, but it can impress your friends that your dog responds to a foreign language. It is a practical party trick and a great conversation topic. Do Dogs Respond Better to German? But German commands are short, easy, and contain attention-getting hard consonants, so German commands are easy for your dog to identify that you are speaking to them. Training your dog to respond to German commands is a personal choice. But if you decide to teach your dog German training commands, start as early as you can because it will be less confusing for a puppy than for an older dog. Sit, stay, and down are probably the easiest and most essential to teach your dog first. Learn how to pronounce the German word correctly. Start with one command at a time. Focusing on only one command at a time will keep your dog from getting confused and keeps training simple. Speak clearly and consistently when training. If you are training a dog that already has learned the English command, then you will want to first use the German command and then follow with the English word to help with the association. Then eventually remove saying the English word. Use repetition. During the training session, repeat the command several times in a row to help your dog make the association between the word and the action. Use treats to reward your dog for positive reinforcement. Treats motivate your dog by holding its attention and desire to train. Training treats are an excellent choice because they are small and often leave the dog wanting more. Be patient. Training takes time and lots of repetition. Make training fun by creating a game out of it with your dog and showering them with love. The more positive reinforcement you give, the greater your dog will desire to please you. Depending on the age of your dog, learning the commands may be easy or slow. If you have an older dog that already knows basic English commands, you may want to choose other commands to teach or work with your dog to transition from English to German. What is the Best Age to Train a Dog? Puppies are the best age to train obedience commands because they are a clean slate. But young puppies have very short attention spans. An ideal age to train your dog is when they are about weeks old. At this age, they are old enough to follow basic commands but are not set in behavioral patterns yet. Can dogs learn commands in two languages? A new brain scan study conducted in January discovered that dogs can recognize different languages. Dog schools use visual messages when they begin training. They start by teaching them with visual cues and then move on to spoken directions. Small dog treats allow for several repetitions before the dog becomes disinterested. To avoid creating a bribe instead of a reward, keep the treat hidden. Using The Best German Dog Commands is a Smart Way to Train Your Dog Because German dog commands make it easy for your dog to distinguish between a command and a conversation, training your dog using german commands is really smart. Use the German words to introduce the desired command, and remember to have patience. Teaching an Old Dog New Commands Because it takes older dogs longer to learn new tricks and commands, be patient. It may take more time and more repetition, but you can teach your old dog to respond to German commands. If you teach an old dog a German command for an English command they already know, you will want to use both the English and German commands together. Exercise patience, love, and lots of repetition, and your old dog can learn too. Rogue Pet Science recommends using their all-natural pet treats to help train your dog. A dog that is well trained is a pleasure to live with and also safer in your home and while out in the community. Along with helping your dog be more manageable, and teaching them how to behave in all environments, dog training is also fun and provides hours of mental stimulation for intelligent dogs, like German shepherds. How many commands you teach your German shepherd is up to you but most of them can easily learn all 29 on this list: 1. Sit Teaching your dog to sit on command is useful throughout their life. Teaching your dog to sit is also very helpful when trying to calm an excited dog or when meeting new people. Come Teaching the come or recall command is a very basic, potentially lifesaving, must do. All dogs need to learn that the word come means that they stop what they are doing and come back to you. Before taking your dog off leash, or into areas with lots of distractions, they should master the come command. Wait Wait is a useful command to teach because it teaches your dog to pause and wait for directions and get permission from you. Use wait before walking out the door, getting in or out of the car, greeting guests, at mealtimes, the list is endless. Stay Teaching a dog to stay is one of the most important commands they can learn. This command should be reinforced throughout their lifetime, in case you ever need it in an emergency. Dogs should also learn to be released from all commands and this will help reinforce that when practicing their training. Break or release This command is used to release your dog from their sit, stay, down, or other commands. Down Teaching the down or belly on the floor command is another go-to and should be started in puppyhood. This command is very useful in many situations but one important place is at the vet, during an exam or nail trimming. The down command is also great for getting control over an overly stimulated dog. Stand Use this command when you want your dog to stand up on all four paws from a down or a sit. This command is helpful when you want your dog to hold still to be handled, groomed, or for an exam at the vet. Off The off command is used to teach a dog to remove their paws off something, such as a person or furniture. No Just like kids, dogs need to be taught that no means no for their own safety and your sanity. No is used to stop them from taking unwanted action. Leave it Similar and often interchanged with no, the leave it command is used to teach your dog to leave something alone. Taught in conjunction with the leave it command, the command helps teach impulse control and also teaches them to look to you for permission to take something. Drop it Next comes the drop it command. By teaching your dog to drop something, you will help protect their health and your valuables. Heel Teaching your dog to heel, or properly walk on a leash, is a vital command for all German shepherds to learn. They need to learn how to walk anywhere politely. Here Here means come and stand in front of me or at my side. This is a great obedience command to use to begin an off-leash heel, when putting on a leash, or to get your dog next to you. Take care of business You can use whatever command you choose for going outside to take care of business go pee and pooh , just be consistent with the word you choose. Place Teaching your dog to place, or go to a designated place in the house such as their bed, is very important and a lifesaver when you need them out of the way so that you can easily get them out of the kitchen, away from a mess, to calm them down, or remove them from a situation. It is also useful in teaching them how you want them to get physically get into the car. Back up Teaching your dog to back up is fun and also helpful when you need them to move out of the way by backing up. Stop Teaching your dog to stop teaches them to immediately stop what they are doing and stand still. This is a great command to improve impulse control but is also useful in many situations, including emergencies and when playing games. Kennel up If your dog is crate trained, use this command to send them to their crate. Roll over Roll over can be used for more than a cute trick. It can be useful when grooming, looking your dog over, or at the vet. Go eat By giving your dog permission to go eat, you help prevent them from going after their food before the bowl is on the floor, and they also learn to wait for permission to eat so it helps improve impulse control. It communicates exactly what you expect from your dog and is especially handy when traveling or staying at new places. Go out Teaching the opposite, go out from a room is also great for setting expectations and communicating exactly what you want your dog to do. Quiet Teaching the quiet command teaches your dog that they need to be quiet and stop barking. This command is great for many reasons but especially when traveling or when they are barking and you need them to hush. Speak The opposite of quiet, teaching your dog to speak actually reinforces the quiet command because the dog learns both. Teaching your dog to bark on command is fun and also can be useful, for example if you want to warn someone that a dog is nearby. It is a means to establish communication cues that enable you to understand each other and develop a bond. Additionally, trained GSDs are more confident and have lower tendencies to develop behavioral issues simply because they know how to interact with and respond to their environment. Read on to learn some of the most useful German Shepherd training commands you can teach your dog. German Shepherd Training Commands There are an infinite number of commands you can teach any dog, especially one with the work drive of a German Shepherd. Some of them are useful in everyday situations while others are simply for fun, entertainment, and bonding. These 13 commands will enable you to live harmoniously with your GSD and enjoy the best traits of the breed: 1 Sit Teaching your dog to sit is one of the most useful commands because it helps them stay still and settle down. Eventually, it can also be a way for them to greet you or ask for something. While in this position, they are less likely to run off or pull on a leash. It is one of the most useful commands to keep your dog out of trouble and out of the way. Mastering this command enables you to give your dog some independence. Calling on their name prompts them to become more alert and ready to obey. This is especially useful when you have multiple dogs at home. Additionally, the speak and quiet commands are useful to control needless barking and reduce excessive noise. Getting them to look at you on command is especially useful in public settings where there can be many distractions. This keeps them more focused and work-oriented as compared to loose-leash walking. This is essential to keep them away from potentially hazardous finds. This is useful to keep them out of the way when doing chores or entertaining guests. Additionally, it helps them settle down even when things are going on around them. These might be purely for entertainment or to give your dog a job to do. Either way, these 12 training commands will give you something fun to do while providing excellent mental stimulation: 1 Shake Hands Shake or shake hands is a fun way to say hello to strangers or introduce your friends to your dog. But beyond a greeting, this is a good way to teach them to offer their paw for inspection or grooming. It is also a fun part of your repertoire when you show off to guests. Nevertheless, you can teach your dog to hug for times when your mood needs a little pick-me-up. This is also especially useful for dogs providing emotional support. The more dramatic, the better. Giving them their own bin and teaching them to tidy up their own toys is definitely a doable chore that makes them feel useful around the house. This can also be used to prompt them to search, sniff, and track. It also gives your dog more ways to use their working abilities around the house. This is typical among dogs that participate in Schutzhund but not limited to that purpose. Generally, teaching your dog commands in another language lowers the risk of them following commands from other people. This is especially important for personal protection and service dogs. German is a good option not only because it has been used for decades to teach GSDs but also because the nature of the language itself sounds terse and forceful, which is effective for commanding dogs. Here are some of the most common German Commands for German Shepherds, along with the pronunciation of each: English Commands.

Although any German Shepherd dog is trainable, they are very strong and powerful animals. If you start out with a puppy, you have the opportunity to shape and mold its personality and develop your relationship early. German Shepherds can be very protective of their family members, so you want to socialize your puppy early in puppyhood. This will get them used to interacting well with a wide variety of people and animals, which is essential. This will be a big dog, and you want to prepare the dog when they are young and small for future grooming and veterinary visits. They may need nail trimming, ear cleaning, temperature taking and other procedures. These procedures will be difficult to accomplish should your full-sized adult German Shepherd dog object. You will need to train them to sit, stay, and heel, in addition to house training them. Your puppy will not understand your commands immediately. Have patience with your dog when they don't do exactly what you ask right away. German Shepherds love to learn and they are highly motivated to follow your commands if they are rewarded with treats. Pet your puppy while they're eating, as long as they do not stiffen and stop eating when you are petting the puppy. If the puppy stiffens, stops eating or growls, you have to deal with this aggressive response immediately. Do this by removing the food bowl and feeding the dog by hand. There is no bowl to guard. Make the bowl no big deal. If a piece of food is dropped inside, let the puppy take it and praise them. Then feed nearby again. The bowl will not always have food inside. Gradually increase the amount of food you drop in the bowl as you stand or sit there with the puppy. You can also add high value treats like roasted chicken breast into the bowl if your puppy seems to need more reassurance that you bring goodness to the food bowl. Resource guarding can be a very serious symptom of fear aggression and, if you are seeing this in a puppy, it needs to be addressed ASAP so it does not escalate. You can gradually ask the puppy to look at you to get more food, then sit and wait for more food, etc. .The humans controls the resource of food and rewards the puppy for good behavior. You still praise your dog, just not offer a treat each time. If you are working to modify a command to create a faster response, add in treats again to shape the behavior until they have it down. Then start using treats to reward truly outstanding performance. Do not yell at your pet. Learn to recognize when you are losing patience and stop the training session on a happy note. Your dog can sense your frustration in your body language and tone of voice. Try another day when you are both fresh. If you continue to have problems, get a professional trainer involved. Typically, as puppies are first learning commands, one adult family member will be responsible for training. Later, when the puppy is consistent and understands the basics, other members of the family can participate in formal training. It is important for the dog to understand that not only one person in the household is to be obeyed. Your puppy should be weeks old and started on their vaccine series for this first class. There are puppy preschools designed for puppies who have not yet finished receiving all of their vaccines. The school will have certain requirements for enrollment and you will likely have to provide proof of vaccination. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Commit to training your German Shepherd daily. Be prepared to train your German Shepherd for at least 10 to 15 minutes a day. You should practice basic obedience training, but also include fun training games to keep them interested in their training and engaged with you. Aim for five three-minute sessions daily in the beginning, as a minimum. But start with no more than a few minutes in a short session and gradually build onto each individual session longer times. During each session work on just one or two commands so that your dog learns the right way to perform the command. Ready to start using games during your German Shepherd training? How long it takes to train a German Shepherd depends on many factors, for example, if you have a puppy or adult. It takes anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks to train a German Shepherd to learn basic obedience commands. Crate training will take about a week to introduce slowly and have your dog or puppy go into the crate on their own to relax. But if your dog has had a bad experience with the crate it could take months. Keep in mind that if you have an adult Shepherd who has already lived with another owner or many dog owners then you may have to undo improper training or behavior problems. This means that you have many months ahead of you of training. Some GSDs are aggressive or reactive and it may take years before they learn to relax around other dogs in a calm manner. While other German Shepherds have excellent dog social experiences from the start and can mix in with other dogs on a whim and quickly pick up their training basics. German Shepherd puppies are ready for simple training as young as 7 weeks old. Your puppy is capable and ready to learn at 6 to 7 weeks old many simple obedience commands. A 1 minutes session is long enough for a young puppy. After a couple of weeks, your German Shepherd puppy should know to sit, stay, and down, as well as its name. Although a reliable off-leash come recall usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks of proper dog training. It took me only about a day to train my German Shepherd to sit using lure and reward training. This means, I use one of the best, tasty treats to move her into the position I want, and then reward her with the food. My GSD took about 7 days to sit and wait at doors before barging out, but… She only takes a day to unlearn this behavior if I relax on it and let her out without waiting! Something complicated like staying in place with tons of distractions think cats or squirrels running by might take you at least 6 months to work up to. Keep in mind that German Shepherd training requires you to work in very small steps and build upon their success. You started with basic math, then geometry, algebra, and so on. German Shepherd Training: The Right Way How long it takes to train a German Shepherd depends on how consistent you are and how well you support your dog to understand. You must also consider your GSDs: age — are they an energetic puppy or more confident adult previous training — are they fresh to obedience or do they have some basics under their belt whether you are using the right training methods that are simple for your dog to understand The most effective and easy-to-understand system for German Shepherds to learn is called positive reward training. Using positive rewards allows you to mark the specific behaviors your German Shepherd performs right at nearly the exact moment they do them. Use a scientifically-based program to learn positive, reward-based training, like this Brain Training for Dogs official program. The Brain Training Program gives you step-by-step dog training to help you speed up your success rate and the time it takes you to train your GSD. Have you seen the price of in-person German Shepherd training these days? Harsh punishments and the wrong types of corrections can cause your dog to become fearful of you. Stick with positive dog training, or reward-based training, for a better bond with your special breed. Remember, any lack of training on your part is still considered training! You are the dog trainer and must learn the right ways to train a German Shepherd. Remember… Your dog is a brilliant breed, but you must give them the time and attention they need in order to see the most success. Vary up your training environments When you start your training sessions at home, you probably use a quiet room, turn off the TV, and maybe even close the door to your practice area so that you can pay attention to your training. Then, train your German Shepherd to become slowly used to following your command in those places. Train consistently Training skills will go quickly downhill without regular practice. Skills you once thought your dog knew can be unlearned without consistent repetition. If time goes by and you or your family let the training routine slip, an enthusiastic German Shepherd who likes to jump to greet visitors will resort back to their natural instincts to jump on people. Set aside time each day for specific command training, but also remember that every interaction with your German Shepherd is a training opportunity! Look for training opportunities during your day to get the most training benefits. Use high-quality rewards for high-quality learning Find out what treats really motivate your dog. Some German Shepherds will work for lower quality rewards, like their regular kibble, while others may need more motivation. Ian Dunbar, a renowned dog behaviorist, says that freeze-dried liver treats are the Ferrari of high-quality food rewards. But you can also choose other healthy treats for a German Shepherd if your dog prefers a different flavor. This will only set you back in your own German Shepherd training! Instead, build up in small steps by starting in a distraction-free area with your basic German Shepherd training commands. Even in the most desirable situations, your dog may struggle with particular commands. When you see your German Shepherd forget a command, go back to square one — the beginning of the command — and work on the training… again. Try using your phone to record you training your dog. Online training is easy and simple to follow, and the step-by-step directions guide you through the correct ways to train your German Shepherd with the best results. I use the Brain Training for Dogs program for the step-by-step online training from the comfort of home that has a done-for-you schedule. Instead, set up a daily training schedule to help you train them quickly. You can speed up training by using the right methods to train a German Shepherd… Which is positive, reward-based training. If you get tired of training, take a short break with these fun ways to make a German Shepherd happy. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Imagine you knew how to discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way so that your bond with your dog grew instead of fell short! Learn how to communicate with your pup and get the behaviors you want using these simple and easy methods for training a German Shepherd puppy. They may become frightened of you or fear your presence, depending on how severe your discipline is. Anxiety may even develop with too much punishment or useless corrections. Training a German Shepherd puppy at 8 to 12 weeks old? Yes, you can! A GSD pup of 8 to 12 weeks of age or older still needs positive reinforcement for the best behavior changes. Disciplining your GSD should not involve hitting, kicking, slapping, intimidation, or yelling. Do you want your German Shepherd puppy to stop their unwanted, bad behavior and turn into the sweet angel you want them to be? You can easily learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy if you work smarter… Not harder! Start early and remain consistent with your expectations. Training a German Shepherd means knowing what to do when your puppy acts up. Shepherd pups are one of the smartest dogs on the plant and learn quickly what you expect of them. But the best way to learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy at home is to work on your own behavior first. You should show them what behavior is unacceptable in your house. This means that you must stay consistent when responding to their behavior. For example: If your pup jumps on you and you redirect their attention to a toy to chew on instead. But, then your pup jumps on your friend and your friend lets them and you say nothing. This makes it likely that your dog will jump on whoever they feel like in the future. Use reward-based training. Use reward-based German Shepherd training techniques to get the quickest results. Reward-based training helps your puppy recognize when something is a bad choice source. When your pup performs what you ask, offer a tasty treat and words of praise. For example: Have your pup sit when you are by the front door getting ready to go for a walk. This teaches them that when they behave, they are more likely to get what they want. The best way to train your German Shepherd is by following a fun, engaging program that teaches not only the basics but covers problem behaviors, too. Sound difficult? It teaches you how to get your pup to learn positive behaviors. You can also have fun right at home with these games for German Shepherd puppies. Offer your puppy another option when they begin jumping on you for attention. Think about what your puppy is trying to get when engaging in jumping and bad behavior to determine when to ignore them. When your pup jumps on you when you come home, they probably want your attention. Withholding your attention when they are acting out shows them they need to act differently to get your approval source. Instead, offer them pets and praise when they have all 4 paws on the floor. You can also place them behind a puppy gate until they learn not to jump in order to avoid them scratching or nipping house guests when they arrive. After you teach them their basic obedience, ask them for a competing behavior like a sit or down when they begin to jump. Always remember to reward the behavior you want to see again! Ultimately, your puppy learns that good behavior earns your affection and attention more quickly. Your dog soon understands that they get nothing from you when they act badly. Here are some great commands for a German Shepherd that you can work on training. Redirect bad German Shepherd puppy behavior. Does your puppy jump, nip, chew, bite, or dig and you want to know the right discipline? The noise and disapproving tone distract your dog from bad behavior source. Showing them a favorite toy. Offering them another option you would like that is more constructive. You want to remember to watch out for: If your dog chews inappropriately on a pair of expensive shoes, get their attention by making noises or calling them to you and immediately offer the correct approved chew item. If you know your dog tends to bite you during play, have a toy nearby you can show them that you want them to bite instead of your arms. If you know they get wild and crazy in the evenings, have a list of these easy German Shepherd brain games to distract them and funnel their energy. Use time-outs appropriately when training a German Shepherd puppy. When your dog engages in bad behavior, remove them from what is causing the unwanted behavior. Put them in a different environment that is more calming and quiet instead. Respond immediately to the bad behavior and use the same routine every time to maintain correct discipline. Time out should: Not be done with force or yelling. Not be in a closet or other dark, scary area. Work to calm your puppy down, not frighten or stress them. Give your puppy a break from over-excitement. Not be a long punishment. Timeouts are generally recommended for only 1 to 2 minutes for puppies. Also, remember that closed doors can cause anxiety in dogs, so use a reliable pet-safe baby gate so that your puppy knows that you are still nearby. Remember, when training a German Shepherd puppy: Time out should not last over minutes. Watch for when your puppy is calm and quiet for a very brief period seconds long of calm. Then let them out quietly, without scolding them. This can cause anxiety. Remember to use a pet gate to separate them from the excitement that caused the unwanted behavior, while still allowing them to see you and not feel trapped. Ignore the unnecessary barking. German Shepherd puppies bark, but there are positive ways to help train them to bark and whine less. When they finally quiet down, even if only for a few seconds, reward them with a treat or praise. To have success, wait until they are quiet and stop barking, even if only for a few seconds in the beginning source. For example: If your puppy barks at joggers out the window every morning pull the blinds or curtains. If the behavior continues, place your dog in another room for a couple of minutes and repeat the previous time-out procedure every time they bark at the joggers remember to use the pet safe baby gate and to not shut a puppy behind a solid door because it can give them anxiety. If they are whining and crying at night, this could be a warning they need to potty. Make sure you read this post to know how to potty train a German Shepherd before you ignore all whining, barking, and crying. If your puppy barks during play they might be too excited and you can offer them a chew toy instead or cut your playtime short to allow them to calm down. Puppies bark for a number of reasons. But it does get easier to train your GSD over time as they learn what you expect. Keeping your pup from nipping and chewing. Puppies have sharp teeth, especially German Shepherd puppies! Puppies are energetic and must learn their limits for playing too rough source. Puppies view you jerking your hand back quickly as part of a game and could also tear your skin. And physical punishment should never be given! Show them what they can chew, instead, such as their favorite chew toy. Have plenty of safe chew toys to grab nearby to give your pup when they get wild and decide to bite you. Always use toys that your puppy can chew and bite to play with — pick from this list of German Shepherd Chew Toys to Prevent Boredom so you have a safe puppy toy that can take their bites. When they stop biting or nipping reward them with verbal praise and pets. Return later to try playing with your pup again and repeat the procedure. Read this information for more helpful tips to stop your German Shepherd puppy from aggressively biting and nipping you. Catch your dog being good and reward them out of the blue. See your puppy acting the way you want? Reward them out of the blue! Keep small bits of treats in jars around the house out of reach of your pup or in your pocket or a treat bag on your waist and use any opportunity your catch your pup doing good to reward them. If they sit and wait at the door, instead of dashing out ahead of you, reward them! Aim for one of these healthy treats that are the best for German Shepherds and pick carefully to ensure your dog stays athletic and fit. Food-based rewards are very motivating when training and disciplining a puppy. Avoid physical punishment and harm. Your German Shepherd is your companion for life. Research shows that physically punishing your dog for example hitting, kicking, growling, or staring them down increases aggression in your dog study source. Never use physical punishment to correct undesirable behavior. Not only can this punishment injure your puppy, but it also ruins your relationship and causes anxiety. It means setting expectations that they understand and staying consistent. Physically hurting your German shepherd will ruin your relationship with them. They will lose their trust in you and begin to avoid you. In the worst case, your dog could develop anxiety disorders, health issues, or even more problem behaviors. You could even accidentally injure your dog and they need vet care! Use the right tone and body language to communicate. Different commands and body language conveys information for training to your German Shepherd. The different tones of your voice and body movements are better understood by your dog. The actual command words are of less importance to your puppy. Use a direct tone and body language that matches what you want to say to your dog. Even pointing to a missed treat on the ground is body language your dog learns to understand. Still not convinced? Try out your training with this extensive list of helpful German Shepherd commands and watch how much your dog is capable of understanding. Shepherd pups want to please and have order in their home. To do this, stick with your training. Begin with a plan in place and disciplining your GSD will go smoother from the start. Persevere with your training and discipline. Remember that your German Shepherd is highly intelligent and needs your help to get the best from them. If you feel like giving up, take a break from training for a day or two. In order to avoid training frustration, remember that just like you a German Shepherd needs time to learn the rules of the house and new commands. This is true especially of puppies or rescue dogs. If you want to take a break from training and have fun, then include a few days a week of puzzles. German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs in the world, so training them generally takes a short time. Never discipline a German Shepherd puppy for having accidents during potty training. Whether your German Shepherd is potty trained or not, never push their faces into their potty accidents. Your dog is counting on your leadership to show them the rules in a positive manner. Work on setting a consistent schedule with feeding and walks to avoid potty accidents indoors. German Shepherds are easy to train given the right attention. And they need to understand their schedule by having you teach them using consistent patterns, rather than receiving punishment or discipline. Keep a potty schedule posted nearby so all your family can see it and help prevent your puppy from having an accident. Use your bond with your puppy to your advantage during recall training. Use your positive bond with your German Shepherd puppy to work on early recall training. Especially when there are so many natural pleasures to see and explore outside. When you call your German Shepherd, its obedience simply depends on whether the motivation to obey your commands outweighs what your dog is focused on at the moment. Use this to your advantage! Tips for great German Shepherd puppy recall training: Begin calling your puppy in as many locations inside as you can. Give them a tasty reward or play a game with their favorite toy when they come. Work your way up to a perfect recall by having others try to distract your puppy while indoors. Next, move to your back or front yard with your dog on a long leash like this so they stay safe nearby and do the same. You can disciple them by showing them your tasty treat and walking backward a few steps to encourage them to move toward you. Train the come command in all situations, including the home and outdoors, from the time your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old to avoid discipline problems later on. Need to train your German Shepherd on their recall? Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. How to train your German Shepherd Dog — 5 key steps Niki Dog health and wellness Puppy training December 29, The OneMind Dogs method is built on the idea that close bonds start with owners understanding their dogs. Building a magical connection with your German Shepherd takes empathy, patience, and a keen eye for the non-verbal cues dogs communicate with. Naturally, this applies to training all dogs, especially those highly intelligent breeds that need plenty of stimulation. Two German Shepherds can be equally fast learners but have different learning styles. One may prefer to think through a task while the other prefers jumping in head first. Setting the dog up for success in training So, what does it mean to set up for success? When you train matters as much as how you train. Choose a time of day when your dog is likely to be motivated, focused, and eager. A motivated puppy will pay more attention and have an easier time following cues. Training just before mealtime is great because then mealtime becomes a reward. Rewards also encourage dogs to focus and listen. Try lots of different toys — hard, soft, noisy, bouncy, crinkly etc. Make the family part of the fun and DIY safe puppy toys at home! If rewards are how you finish strong, routine is what gives you momentum going into training. When sessions start at the same time every day, dogs know what to expect, and when. Likewise, late afternoon sessions can help energetic puppies wind down for the evening and sleep soundly. Knowing what they value tells us what motivates them. We can use this to communicate things more intuitively. This also applies when trying to teach your dog new commands. This means we need to help them connect the verbal command to the act of putting their bum on the floor. Being flexible will keep you from getting frustrated and your puppy from feeling overwhelmed. How we respond has a huge impact on the success of any training session. We focus on positive reinforcement because it rewards a job well done, and uses healthy alternatives to replace bad manners. Plus dogs respond much better, learn faster and trust you more in the long run! Teaching your German Shepherd to chill out alone Boundaries are the key to a happy home for every family, and the same is true when bringing a new pet into yours. Spacial boundaries range from having a safe nook where they chill out to staying calm when visitors come over. Giving your dog a safe space to chill alone will help them get used to their own company. Running an obstacle course and other physical exercises teaches dogs to use their bodies, improves balance, and supports their growth. Mental stimulation, on the other hand, improves their focus, regulates emotions, and strengthens the magical bond they share with you. Training that engages their minds as much as their bodies will lead to better results. It helps your dog stay on task, even in a disruptive environment. Using their brains to solve problems builds confidence by engaging all the tools they need in everyday life. Success here is about pairing fitness and focus. OneMind Dogs Foundation for Agility has some great tips to keep daily walks fun , exciting, and mentally stimulating. You can even hide the DIY puppy toys as part of a game to get their noses working. To train a German Shepherd puppy dog you must be consistent, kind and clear. German Shepherd dog puppies are divinely cute and for a reason! Just like babies are cute, puppies will win your heart even after destroying your favorite pair of shoes or that expensive carpet! Making sure you use them will start you on the right side of training and pave the road for you to get an obedient dog. The good news is that you do not need any special equipment to have an obedient GSD puppy. All you need is love and treats. The most important German Shepherd puppy training tip is socialization. Some vets will tell you to keep the pooch inside until the full set of vaccines is completed. Unfortunately, if you do keep your pooch safe inside until he is months of age, his socialization period will have closed forever and your chance to raise a friendly and confident dog drops significantly! That said, it is ultimately your decision whether you want to take the risk to take him outside or not. Most large US cities do not have too many disease problems and taking your puppy to a class where the trainer checks that every puppy has had the first set of shots is mostly safe. However, if you leave in a rural area, make sure there is not an outbreak of a disease that can affect your pooch. Of all the German Shepherd puppy training tips, I suggest you really think this one through. As a dog trainer, I recommend you find a safe puppy socialization class because this developmental period is critical to prevent behavior problems in the future. Apart from that, you also need to socialize your puppy daily on your own, this link will explain the process and give you a list of things to check as you go! Tip 2: Teach your German Shepherd puppy to use his mouth properly. You may have noticed that your German Shepherd puppy likes to chew on your shoes, toys, boxes, carpets, pillows, your hands…well, pretty much everything! Before you loose your mind and all your precious possessions let me tell you that this is normal puppy behavior. At this age dogs explore everything with their mouths and even though annoying, it is a great time to teach your pet what is appropriate for his mouth as well as how to soften the bite. The reason German Shepherd dog puppies have sharp teeth is because they are capable of learning how much or how little pressure to apply when biting different things. This is good news! To train a German Shepherd puppy to do this follow this link! Tip 3: Potty train your German Shepherd puppy the right way. Right around now you are also probably dealing with potty training, the best German Shepherd puppy training tips for potty training are outlined below. You should know how many times, and when to take you puppy out. I am sure you have heard all sorts of things against the use of food for training. To do this, you need to find the things that your dog likes most and use them as rewards. Food will be one of them, so use it. But also use anything else, like walks, petting, play time, toys, etc. So, of all the German shepherd puppy training tips here, I don't want to hear any excuses for this one! Done the right way, your pooch will respond to your command even when empty handed. Hope my website is helping you better understand and train your dog. Do you want to help? Be a modern philanthropist through Patreon. This is a hard concept to understand for us, clever human beings. When we learn something new, we can very easily generalize the concept to any situation, that is what makes us creative creatures. Fortunately, you have a German Shepherd puppy, they are clever and chances are they will need less repetitions than the average breed. To help you out on this matter, this link will take you to a step-by-step guide to train a reliable command. Tip 6: Train your German Shepherd puppy to ask for permission. Dog commands and fun and useful and you can probably find hundreds to teach your GSD. This one though - Ask for permission - is technically not a command, because you will not ask your canine to do it every time, instead you want to teach him to do it on his own every time the occasion requires it. Take time to do this with your puppy, it will be worth it! This is another one of the most important German Shepherd puppy training tips because a dog that asks for permission is an obedient and safe dog. To prevent a dog from jumping on people it is imperative to teach that same dog not to jump when he is a puppy. If he jumps again, then ignore again. When I say ignore, I mean it! No eye contact, no pushing or kneeing…nothing. Keep turning around if you have to. Pulling on the leash is another of those dog behaviors that people think come out of the blue, but actually they happen because there was never formal training done. To prevent pulling on the leash all you have to do is make sure your puppy understands that he gets rewarded food, petting, attention, verbal praise, keep on walking, etc. Pay close attention to what he does during those first few walks together and make sure you reward him for staying close to you! Got any German Shepherd puppy training tips to share with us? Tell us about them here! Those ideas came from research done in wolfs in captivity and have now been debunked by new research done in wolfs in the wild. The new research says that you need to be a good leader, kind of like a parent. Alphas are most often the parents of the group. Provide shelter, food, safety and limits. This article tells you more about it! Tip The best German Shepherd puppy training tip is… Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior. This rule is amazing and will work wonders, besides it is really easy to apply, all you have to do is pay attention to your German Shepherd puppy and reward the good things he does. You need to figure out what the reward is and remove it. For example, when a dog is laying down, it is harder to bark. This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields labelled below in red have been filled in What is your DOG's name? Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Is there anything cuter than a two-month-old Golden Retriever puppy? At eight weeks old, they are absolutely, impossibly, unbearably adorable! At two months old, a Golden Retriever is ready to leave their mother and littermates to join their new family. Some breeders will keep a puppy for a couple more weeks before sending them home, but eight weeks is very typical. Puppies at this age are usually playful and curious, with brains like little sponges. This usually only lasts a day or two, and then their true personality will shine through! They are in the prime socialization window here, which is the time between three and sixteen weeks when puppies are most open to learning about the world. Proper socialization can help you buffer against potential behavior issues as your pup matures, and teaches them how to feel and act in different situations and environments. It helps them feel confident and self-assured. A two-month-old Golden Retriever puppy is constantly learning! Make sure your puppy is learning that they are safe and that they can trust you both at home and out in the world. A fear period is a temporary span of time where a puppy may be more sensitive to things like strange people, strange dogs, inanimate objects, sounds, etc. It usually lasts about a week and you may notice your puppy showing signs of fear such as cowering, running away, growling, or barking. It can be a little scary as the owner of a puppy to see them acting this way. The good thing is that a fear period is short-lived and will pass. If they are concerned about something or someone, help them get more distance so they can observe the thing while feeling safe. They have a lot of needs and are totally dependent on you to meet those needs. Be patient as you help them learn how to live in our human world, and you can develop a strong, positive bond with your new companion. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! This is heavily influenced by genetics, but is not always the best indicator of their adult weight. Some lines of Goldens are bigger or smaller than average, so puppy size will reflect that. Your vet can help you make sure that your puppy is at an appropriate weight if you have any concerns. Eight-week-old Golden Retrievers need around 18 hours of sleep each day. Oftentimes, a puppy that is wild and bitey is in fact overly tired and in need of a nap. It may seem like they need more exercise to drain that crazy energy, but they actually need sleep. Using crates and pens can help ensure that your puppy is getting enough sleep at night and throughout the day. Many two-month-old Goldens are not good at putting themselves down for a nap, even when they really need it. So, you may need to step in and help your puppy settle in for some sleep. Make sure that their crate or pen is nice and comfy before you put them in for a nap, so they are more able to relax and fall asleep. Every puppy is different, so yours may prefer a nice cushy bed , or they may actually like laying on the bare floor. You can take note of what kinds of surfaces your puppy lays on around the house and then recreate that in the crate or pen. Covering the crate or pen with a blanket can also help make sleep easier for a two-month-old puppy, as it cuts down on the visual stimulation. Products like Adaptil spray or diffuser , and the Snuggle Puppy toy can also help a puppy settle in for sleep. Chewing and licking are naturally calming behaviors for puppies, so it can also help if you offer something like a stuffed kong , which can assist in transitioning the puppy from awake to asleep. Playing Classical music can also help a puppy feel more calm and able to sleep. At this age, most two-month-old puppies are ready for sleep after about an hour of awake time, so by following these tips, you can help make sure your puppy is getting enough quality rest. Instead, you can give them a break and see if they choose to get up, or simply scoop them up and walk home. Sometimes people get a Golden Retriever to be a running or biking companion, which can be a great thing when the pup is a fully grown adult, but is too much exercise for a young puppy. Playing with toys in the house or in the yard can be a great way for young pups to burn some of that puppy energy. If you have a yard, letting your pup safely explore and run around outside can also be a nice way to get in some exercise. You may also find that your puppy needs more sleep on some days, and on other days, they need more playtime and exercise. Golden Retrievers as a breed can also vary a lot in terms of exercise needs. Some are pretty laid back and chill and others are up for anything and want to go hard. These differences can be reflected in how much energy your puppy has, as well as in what kind and how much exercise your puppy needs. Training is an excellent way to build a positive bond with your puppy and create a way to communicate with each other. Group puppy classes can be a good option for getting started with training, as the trainer will help you learn how to train your pup. You can also hire a certified, professional trainer to come to your home and provide personalized training guidance for you and your puppy. Before you sign up with any trainer, be sure to ask them what kind of training methods and tools they use, to avoid causing any physical or mental distress for your puppy. Potty training is definitely a top priority for two-month-old puppies. They have small bladders and bowels and will need frequent trips outside to help them learn appropriate potty behavior. Crate training can also be started at this age, as learning how to be okay with confinement is an important life skill. Eight-week-old Golden Retriever puppies eat about a half cup of food three times per day. There is no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to feeding your two-month-old Golden. Puppies at this age need more frequent meals than adult Goldens, so three meals a day is recommended. Because two-month-old Goldens are undergoing so much growth at this stage, feed them high-quality food that can support them as they mature. Most Goldens have big appetites and will happily gobble down their meals when you serve them. Using slow feeder bowls like this bowl on Amazon , or other food dispensing toys, such as the Planet Dog Snoop , can help slow down their eating and provide them some mental stimulation while they eat. Puppies like to put things in their mouth as a way to learn and play. Unfortunately, it can be pretty painful for humans, as those puppy teeth are needle-sharp! There are, however, some things you can do to minimize and deal with the biting. First, ensure that your two-month-old Golden is getting enough sleep. Overly tired puppies tend to get super bitey and frenzied, so naps are key to preventing your puppy from turning into a piranha. Your floor might look a little cluttered, but it helps to keep toys within reach for a quick redirection. Third, you can simply give the puppy a break if they are on a biting spree. You could step on the other side of a baby gate or put them in their pen to calm down a bit, and then resume the play. This communicates to the puppy that when they bite, they lose access to you and the fun stops. A common piece of advice when dealing with puppy biting is to yelp in response to their nip, as if you were another dog. This is actually not a good way to handle puppy biting and can actually make it worse. Other puppies will be further excited by the yelp sound and come at you with even more intensity, resulting in harder bites. Good Beginnings Bringing a two-month-old Golden Retriever home is a very exciting thing. It can also feel pretty overwhelming as you figure out how to care for and train them. You might be sleep-deprived and have a couple scratches on your hand from those sharp puppy teeth, but try to keep in mind that this is the beginning of a special relationship with an incredible animal. Focus on bonding with your puppy, teaching them about the world, and creating good habits from the start. Have any questions about raising eight-week-old golden retrievers? Let me know down in the comments! Read the rest of our Golden Retriever puppy series here:. Dogs also need certain nutrition requirements, especially when they are growing at a young age. The rule of thumb is to obtain food that is rich in nutrients, and well-balanced for dogs. When you go shopping for dog food, pay close attention to the label to determine what kind of food it is and whether it is suitable for a Golden Retriever puppy. In fact, there are various products made for specific breeds such as Golden Retrievers. You can buy one of those products, which usually are purposefully made to provide sufficient nutrients for your dog breed. Another thing to keep in mind is that puppies have different nutrition needs compared to that of adult dogs. Therefore, it is important that you feed your Golden pup puppy food instead. Thus, it is necessary to establish a fixed schedule to feed your puppy. For a puppy that is less than three months old, you should feed him three times per day. Once he grows older, you can cut back to two meals per day. You may think that more food is better but in fact, small meals are easier to eat and digest, which helps with weight control and prevents bloating. Another benefit of feeding various meals a day is the psychological effect. Obviously your puppy would enjoy two bowls of food instead of one, thus he would feel happier eating when you feed him. When it comes to meal size, it varies from dog to dog. Some dogs eat more, and some dogs eat less. However, on average, an 8-week-old Golden Retriever would consume about one-third to one-half of cup of dry food per meal. You can start with one-third of cup first and see if it is the right amount for your pup. Then you can increase the portion gradually over time, but do not increase it out of a sudden. It is better to keep the portion unchanged for a while, then later add a little bit if needed. In addition to having a fixed time schedule to feed your dog, it is also essential to keep the feeding place unchanged and comfortable for your dog to enjoy his food. Dogs are sensitive creatures, especially puppies, so it takes time for them to get used to a certain place. Changing the place makes eating uncomfortable for your dog, and you may want to avoid that. Some people believe that any food that is safe for our consumption is also safe for dogs. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Some food that we love is toxic to dogs. For example, alcohol, chocolate, nuts, and a few others are poisonous to dogs. Their digestive system is not equipped like ours to digest those food. Therefore, feeding such food to your puppy may cause harm and sickness to him. If there are certain food that you want to feed your dog such as fruits or vegetables, it is always better to ask a vet before hand to determine if the food is good to go. There are a few ways that you can do so. First, you can introduce your pup to your family and friends. The more people your dog meets, the more he gets to know them and develops his social skills. In addition to meeting other people, your dog also needs to be introduced to new things and other breeds of dogs. To do this, you can take your dog with you on a trip to a pet store or to a supermarket. Your puppy will get a chance to look at various different things. Regarding meeting other dog breeds, it is recommended that you take your dog to a weekly dog class. In this class, professionals provide training for your dog, and he will get the opportunity to meet and greet other dogs as well. In some areas, dog parks are available and lots of dog owners tend to take their dogs there but in fact, dog parks are not truly safe for your puppy. The first reason is that dog parks are usually packed with many dogs. Some of them are healthy, while some are not. Thus, it can be dangerous to take your puppy there as he would be prone to many unknown illnesses. Another reason is that too many dogs can be overwhelming for your puppy. Of course, not so many breeds are friendly, so dog parks are not an ideal place for his socialization. In short, while it seems to be a lot of work to take care of your puppy, especially when he is a Golden Retriever, it is actually rewarding because Goldens are cute and very obedient, and they love you as much as they can. The core thing is to be detail-oriented when taking care of your dog. Once you are used to it, everything will soon become a pretty a routine that you just need to follow without much thinking. How much does an 8-week-old Golden Retriever sleep? How much exercise does your 2-month-old Golden Retriever need? Eight weeks is typically when breeders allow puppies to be taken to their new homes, but some breeders keep them for a couple of extra weeks. This shy, sleepy puppy will eventually get more comfortable with its new environment and come out of its shell in a couple of days. Socialization is important for eight-week-old golden pups. Getting your pup used to these things is a good way to avoid potential behavioral issues as the puppy matures because it allows them to learn how to feel and react to various stimuli and leaves you with a confident, well-adjusted pup. You need to reinforce the idea that your puppy is safe and gain their trust during this time period. During this time, pups will be a little more fearful of things like strangers, sounds, and certain objects. It will pass, and usually only lasts a week or so. It can be a little scary or discouraging for the owner of a golden puppy to see them go through this fear period, especially if they start exhibiting fear towards people. Goldens are known to be such friendly and social dogs, so watching them exhibit such antisocial traits can be off-putting. You can still get them outside and introduce them to new things, just remain mindful of their feelings. You need to be patient with an eight-week-old puppy. These adorable balls of energy and fluff are completely dependent on you to meet their needs and there are a LOT of needs! Check out our article on the Best Shampoo for Golden Retrievers so you can meet their hygiene needs! You need to be patient with them so that you can not only bond with your new pup, but also help him grow and learn about the world around him. Sometimes the puppy that was the smallest puppy in the litter can grow and quickly become the largest. And the largest puppy of the litter may not always remain the largest. As a breed, Golden Retrievers vary in size and weight. So you should enjoy that before they grow too big to pick up and cuddle! You may be surprised to learn that 8-week-old Golden puppies require about 18 hours of sleep a day. This may seem counter-intuitive because most people would assume that if a puppy is full of energy it needs to run it off, but in all actuality what they really need is sleep. You should use either pens or crates to make sure that your pup gets the optimal amount of sleep both through the night and during the day. Here are some things you can do to help your puppy nap: Adorn their crate or pen with comfortable blankets or pillows. Learn whether your pup likes to sleep on a bed or on the floor, then set their crate or pen up accordingly. Cover the crate or pen using a blanket or towel so that their visual stimulation is limited. You can use aromatherapy products for dogs to lull your pup to sleep. Get your puppy something like a stuffed Kong toy because licking and chewing are relaxing to pups. Classical or calming music can help your puppy get to sleep. You can expect that your pup should be ready for a nap after being awake for around an hour. So, you can get him to sleep easier using these tips. An 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy is largely able to know how much exercise it needs all on its own. What you should do instead is either pick them up and take them home or give them a break and see if they get a second wind. Golden Retrievers excel at playing fetch, but you need to keep games short. The running and then suddenly stopping to pick the ball or toy up and bring it back is hard on their tiny bones. People often adopt Golden Retrievers with the intent of getting a companion to exercise with running, hiking, biking, etc. Allowing your puppy to play with toys in your yard or house can be a good, safe way for your puppy to exercise. Having a yard is ideal because you can let your pup run around the yard and explore, while also burning off some excess energy. Just make sure you choose a short, easy walk that your puppy can handle. However, some days they have more energy than others, which is normal. Every Golden Retriever has varying exercise needs. Some are pretty chill and would rather lay around, while others are really hyper and active. You need to know that positive reinforcement works best for Golden Retrievers. You should avoid any sort of training that is based on punishment. There are also other training methods that can be beneficial to your pup. Group training is a good way to get your pup acquainted with other dogs and learn alongside them, while the trainer provides you with ways to better train your pup. You also have the option to hire a professional dog trainer, who will come to your house and give you customized tips to train your puppy. Before hiring any sort of trainer, ask them about the methods they use to avoid distress for puppies. They need to learn about confinement early on. Another important thing to teach your pup is their name, and to come to you when you call them. The bond with your pup is vital to any other training you do with them. For more about the training process, check out our article about Golden Retriever Puppy Training. Hey, food is good, okay? Most 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppies should be eating around half a cup of food three times a day. So, talk to your vet for a specific amount. They need high-quality puppy food. For more about what to feed your pup, check out our article about the Best Puppy Food for Golden Retrievers. Your golden puppy will probably quickly devour any food you place in front of them. It can be a good idea to buy a slow feeder bowl or toys that dispense food to slow them down a bit while also giving them some mental stimulation and making mealtime fun. Just as infants put things in their mouths, puppies do too. They do this to both plays and learn about their world. This can really suck for humans because puppies have sharp little teeth that feel like needles. The good news is that you can do some things to cut back on the biting and learn to deal with it. The first thing right off the bat you should do is to make sure your puppy is getting enough sleep. Secondly, scatter chew toys all over your house. Third, give your puppy a break if they start biting. This is as easy as going on the other side of their gate or putting them in their crate. This lets your pup know that when they start biting, the play stops, and access to you is denied. Many people suggest yelping and making loud noises when your puppy bites. But this is actually pretty counter-productive because it can make the situation worse by scaring the puppy. Other puppies can get more excited by the noise and bite harder. Biting is just something that puppies at this age do. However, remember that getting through this trying time is going to help you establish a lifelong bond with your new family member. Golden Retrievers are very food motivated. If your puppy seems to be getting fat, you may need to switch to the lower end of the above recommendations. Alternatively, if their ribs are becoming too prominent, you should work to the upper ends of the guidelines. Golden Retriever puppies have much smaller stomachs than adults. This means their daily food allowance should be split into smaller, more frequent meals. Rather than just feeding them once in the morning and once in the evening, as you might plan to do eventually, their food will need to be split into 3 or even 4 portions, like so: 8 — 12 weeks: 4 meals a day 3 — 6 months: 3 meals a day 6 — 12 months: 2 meals a day However, like the feeding charts, this should only be used as a guide. Feeding too much food at once can lead to cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort for your puppy. How to Choose the Best Golden Retriever Puppy Food Puppies need a balance of certain nutrients and vitamins to support their growth — not just as much food as possible. In fact, simply giving as much food as possible is linked to certain joint-related health problems. So, when searching for a high quality puppy food, there are a few key ingredients you might want to search for. This includes a real meat source, and the correct amount of nutrients like calcium and iron. Commercial Food vs Homemade Food There are pros and cons to every type of puppy food available. Dry food is long-lasting and easy to use during training, but can contain filler ingredients. Wet food is palatable and easy to serve, but can be more expensive and harder to use during training. Homemade food is often very appealing in terms of taste for our dogs, but is the most likely type to contain nutritional imbalances that can lead to serious health problems. So, they will continue to grow and develop physically until somewhere between 12 and 18 months. You may want to transition your puppy to a new food when you bring them home, rather than whatever your breeder was giving them. Ideally, you want to make the change over the course of a week. Replace a very small amount of their old food with their new food at mealtimes. Over the week, you can change these amounts by decreasing their old food and increasing the new. By the end of the week, they will be eating only the new food. Changing abruptly can cause stomach upsets and symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. But, Golden Retrievers should generally look lanky rather than chubby. But, the most successful rewards in this type of training are often food, such as kibble or small chunks or meat and cheese. Doing all of your training in the morning can lead to stomach upsets if your puppy ends up eating a large amount of their daily allowance all at once. Instead, try and complete shorter training sessions before each mealtime, and give whatever allowance is left for each meal after training is done. This can also benefit your training, as a hungry dog will be more motivated to work for those treats! Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all want our golden retriever puppies to be healthy and happy. We envision them running through a verdant field chasing a ball. Full of energy with the beautiful, lustrous golden coat. But, just like us, eating the proper food in the proper amounts will help your golden properly grow and thrive. After all, what we eat impacts how healthy we are. How much you should feed your golden retriever puppy will vary depending on the quality of food you feed, his age, his weight, his general health, and his activity level. Your golden will be growing for up to two years. And the amount of food during that time will have to be adjusted depending on his needs. Because most people feed kibble to their pup, this article will focus on that. Kibble is convenient and cost effective. Instead, they should be lanky and full of energy. They should love to eat their food with gusto. Instead, you should be able to feel his ribs when you pet him there. There should just be a thin coating of fat under his skin. And he should have a defined waistline. Of course you should check with your veterinarian to make such adjustments. And remember a young puppy should get only so much exercise a day. Their joints and bones are developing and can be damaged if the exercise is too extreme. Assuming you have an eight-week-old puppy, he should receive three to four meals a day. From eight weeks old until about five or six months old, three meals per day are advisable. Of course, feed at the same intervals every day and split the total amount per day in half to be given at each feeding. After about six months of age through adulthood, two feedings per day are the norm. Always check with your vet regarding how much and how often to feed. These are just guidelines. Feed him at the same distraction-free location so that he focuses on eating. As much as goldens love to eat, a young golden puppy is also very easily distracted. This can lead to possible health problems, including joint and bone problems. Goldens can easily become overweight. Free feeding can also lead to a picky eater. Some puppies figure out that if their buffets are always there, and they can just go graze at will. Most foods you purchase will have guidelines on their bag or box. When you first get your puppy, feed him the same food that the breeder or rescue fed him for a few weeks. Then, if you want to change his food, do so over at least 10 days. Add more of the new food and subtract more of the old food each day. After about five days, you should be giving him approximately 50 percent of the new food and 50 percent of the old food. Switching food over such a period of time will help prevent stomach upsets and diarrhea. Overfeeding will result not only in him becoming overweight but it will also make him grow too fast. Periodically—even weekly— test whether you can still feel his ribs without them protruding. You can then increase the amount he eats. You should also feed his last meal of the day at least 90 minutes before his bed time so that he can digest his food and potty before bed. A well-balanced, high-quality food should provide all the nutrients he requires. Golden puppies require a formula made for large-breed dogs. Puppy formulas for large-breed dogs regulate their growth. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive upsets and even bloat, which can be deadly. I rescued my golden retriever Riley when he was about six months old. To say that he ate as if it were his last meal would be an understatement. He had a voracious appetite. I bought one of the maze bowls to slow him down. The kibble is placed between each section of the bowl, and he had to forage for his food. It worked! He ate at a more normal pace. Of course, dogs should be given free access to fresh water. Other Feeding Options Although I concentrated in this article on feeding kibble to your new puppy, there are other options. There are some drawbacks to them because they may not be nutritionally complete, may be cost prohibitive, or may be too time-consuming to make. Wet Food Canned food alone or mixed with kibble is an option. But wet food alone is very expensive. He may become a picky eater. Feeding raw is controversial. Dehydrated raw foods reduce some of the risks. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is crucial to puppy development. Homemade Diet Cooking for your best friend can be very appealing. And many people do. You know what ingredients and their quality are. But it has its drawbacks. Of course, the amount you feed is important for his growth rate and general health and well-being. But there is no one-size-fits-all in determining how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. Any amounts you see are just guidelines. Adjust them as necessary regarding your own special puppy. Do you have a golden retriever puppy? How did you determine what and how much to feed him? Please leave your comments in the section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation. They are famously loving and playful family pets, always eager to jump in the pool or snuggle up with you on the lounge. They are patient and energetic dogs who are easy to train, making them excellent service animals as well as loyal companions. If you are bringing a Goldie into your family, you might also be aware of their reputation as food lovers. Your Goldie might want to eat anything and everything you put in their bowl — and maybe even anything left on an unattended plate. In this Golden Retriever feeding guide, Hypro Premium will take you through everything you need to know when it comes to food options for your pup. The best food for most young puppies is milk. If you are weaning a puppy, you can start to mix in a little dry kibble with their puppy milk to create a paste. You can feed this mix to your puppy up to four times a day, slowly reducing the amount of milk you mix in. Over time, your Goldie puppy will get more comfortable with solid foods, until you no longer need to include any milk in their diet. While chubby little puppies are cute, your Goldie should not build up too much excess fat once you start feeding them solids. Goldies go from a small 4kg puppy at 7 weeks old to an almost 30 kg adult dog in the space of only 10 months. At six months old your puppy will still be growing, but more slowly as they reach most of their body development milestones. This is why appropriate feeding in the first year of their life is vital to the overall health of your Goldie for years to come. Over time this can increase to up to 4 cups a day at 10 months old, though females should usually only need 3 cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy is often dependent on their size and sex. While they may have some growing left to do, it depends on your dog. Some Goldies will continue to experience growth spurts before their second birthday, while others will stay the same size. Large breeds can be at risk of growing too fast, which can make them more vulnerable to skeletal and weight problems when they get older. Golden retrievers are especially prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be avoided through diet control. You should feed your Goldie between 3 — 4 cups of food per day over two meals. Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. This is important to take into consideration as you are establishing a feeding schedule for a Golden Retriever puppy. Puppies require more calories to support their rapid growth than adult dogs, but they also have much smaller stomachs, which means they get fuller faster. Because of this, puppies can easily overeat, especially Golden Retrievers. You can help your puppy avoid overeating by allowing them a short amount of time to eat, and then removing their bowl. All puppies grow a lot during their first year, but large breed puppies are more likely to suffer from negative health consequences as a result. In order to provide your Golden Retriever puppy with the most appropriate food to support their rapid growth, consider choosing a large breed puppy food. Goldie puppies need lots of protein, fibre, and fatty acids to support the development of their bodies and provide them with energy. These foods also take into account the difference in nutrient digestion between small and large breeds. Too much of these nutrients can cause your large breed puppy to develop skeletal abnormalities. So how much do you feed a Golden Retriever? Your adult Goldie could need anywhere between and 1, calories per day. The amount of food you feed your dog will be determined by a few important factors. The first thing to consider is the sex of your dog. On average, your male Golden Retriever will need slightly more food than a female dog. Senior dogs will usually be less active and so will need less food. Goldies in particular can have a lot of variation in the amount of food they need on a daily basis. No matter how much you feed your dog, it is ideal that you feed your adult Golden Retriever two meals a day at evenly spaced time intervals. Feeding your dog twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, can be useful for establishing a routine and avoiding overfeeding. This routine can also include exercise, and is useful for encouraging healthy behaviour around food and toilet training. Special Considerations Your Golden Retriever could be predisposed to several health conditions that are important to consider when you make decisions about their diet. Firstly, Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coats, but their skin can often become infected. Goldies love swimming, but this can cause problems if water irritates their skin. They can also be susceptible to atopic dermatitis, which causes extreme itchiness, resulting in licking and biting behaviours in dogs that can cause even more damage. For dogs prone to skin and coat issues, a fish-based diet can help alleviate symptoms. Fish contains plenty of fatty acids, which support coat and skin health, and rarely triggers any allergic reaction in dogs. Goldies often benefit from healthy grains in their diet, especially as avoiding them can actually leave your dog more vulnerable to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, or nutritional DCM. This heart disease is common in Golden Retrievers, and can be triggered by consuming too much grain-free pet food that contains legumes like lentils and peas. You should consider feeding your Golden Retriever foods that are full of grains and proteins like chicken or fish. These are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular options — wet food, a raw food diet, and dry food. Wet food can be a great option for dogs that need plenty of protein and fat, like working dogs or dogs with certain health conditions. It also hydrates your dog while they eat, which can be useful for dogs suffering from any illness. For dogs with highly restrictive diets, raw food prepared by you can be a great way to avoid allergens. You can have complete control over a raw diet, which does require a lot more work on your part, but can have great results. For instance, a Golden Retriever with heart issues should eat a low salt diet, which can be easier to achieve if you are preparing their meals from scratch. However, low quality kibbles tend to be made up of a lot of low quality fillers, which can be hard for your pup to digest. Whatever option you choose for your Goldie, make sure it is suitable for large breeds and contains high quality ingredients. This will help prevent degenerative health disorders in the long run. Your Golden Retriever will probably love food, and will probably try to eat anything you put in front of them, which means you need to help them avoid the negative consequences of overeating. Golden retrievers, like other large and active breeds, need plenty of exercise. Not only is this vital to their physical health, but it also ensures they grow up well socialised and mentally stimulated. As your Goldie grows from a puppy to an adult dog, the amount of meals they need a day will reduce as their digestive systems become more developed. Your dog will need two meals a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, from the age of 6 months.

A loving forever home with a secure fence and another dog in the home She wants to be your "All-American Girl! Carrie Underwood is so sweet and adorable. She is a bundle of tender kisses and has energy for days. She has been a great sister to the newest foster puppies that have come and gone, teaching them the art of playing with toys. Carrie's favorite thing to do is play chase with her K9 buddies. She runs fast and does figure 8's around the resident dogs, who don't even try to keep up with her. Her second favorite activity is napping with the resident Labs. She adores the older resident dogs and has learned great napping skills from them. She continues to work on her leash skills. Carrie has been quietly working on coming out of her shell and has undergone a transformation since arriving at her foster. She loves to curl up in the lap of her FM for naps and bedtime snuggles. She still has her moments of shyness around Foster Dad, but will now come voluntarily to the couch to sit beside him for attention. She's definitely gained lots of confidence. Carrie will need a home with another dog, preferably one who enjoys the same activity level. Carrie still has some shy moments but she is ready for her furever home, and she will steal the heart of anyone who wants to add a sweet yet energetic member to their family. Thank you to the following generous donors currently supporting Carrie's care: Amanda S. During this time, they have learned that good breeding is not seldom. This is why they conduct DNA genetic testing on the mating Labs, research pedigrees, and perform x-rays. At other times, they fly in semen from other states to guarantee the best quality future Labs. They have produced family dogs, show dogs, hunting dogs, and service dogs. If you want to reserve a puppy from Humehill, they will send you a questionnaire and a deposit contract. The puppies leave the facility after they are eight weeks old. Prior to this, the puppies are taken to the vet for a checkup, dewormed, microchipped, and receive their first vaccine. They consider themselves knowledgeable breeders because they have degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Engineering. They focus on producing and raising genetically quality dogs, a reason why the parents undergo Embark tests. In addition, they raise the puppies in an acre home with fenced-in yards instead of kennels. The dogs also have a large pond to swim or play in. All Hidden Pond puppies have veterinarian health certification, a one-year written health guarantee, have their first shots, and are microchipped. They also give a lifetime placement warranty and offer stud service. They aim to breed championship Labs that can go to the show program. The pups that do not qualify for show programs are trained for companionship, hunting, therapy, or response dogs. The breeder is dedicated to guaranteeing that future Labs have the best genetics to live a long, happy life. They also receive year-long preventative health care. Stoneleigh Labrador puppies are hand-raised with abundant affection then socialized before they leave the facility. Even though the breeder does not always have available puppies all year round, they will be happy to have you on a waiting list. Legacy puppies receive the same socialization programs as service and guide dogs. They are paper trained, crate trained, taken for car rides, and receive daily playtime. They are also microchipped and AKC registered. Unlike other Labrador breeders, Legacy accepts applications only when there is a litter available. This means you must be on the lookout since they do not keep a waiting list for potential buyers. Occasionally, they have older dogs available after they have finished their show careers. These dogs are suitable for children of all ages because they are socialized at a young age. All pups receive their first shots and worming before they leave. To purchase one, contact the breeder via email or the website. She has a passion for Labradors and loves their sweet temperament. This is proof that not only are the Labs well-bred, but they are healthy and with easy to live temperaments. To find and purchase a pup , visit the website, or contact the breeder via email. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. Learn more Paw Crossed Animal Rescue fulfill their duties through rescue, advocacy, rehabilitation, rehoming, education, and collaboration. This organization takes every opportunity to educate its community about animal care and animal welfare. All Paw Crossed pets available for adoption, including labs and lab mixes, are either spayed or neutered. All their pets are dewormed, tested for FeLv cats or heartworm dogs , and are up to date on most of their vaccines. Healthcare is included in the adoption fee of their pets, so adoption fees vary from pet to pet. The fees will reflect the cost of caring for your pet prospect when they were with the rescue. So choose Paw Crossed Animal Rescue to adopt your lab or lab mix and get the process started today. Rescue Benefits for You Choosing to adopt over buying a puppy has numerous benefits for your lifestyle and wallet. Patience is important. Even after you pay the adoption fees, pets can be expensive. Start saving before you adopt in case emergencies arise. You may also need to pay for training classes or additional veterinary services. Getting Your Application Approved Adoption applications help the rescue match the best pet to the best family and ensure every animal will be well cared for. Labrador Retrievers Need Time Labs will thrive in environments where socialization and companionship are plentiful. Keep them engaged and entertained as much as possible. Leaving this breed for an extended period could result in the development of separation anxiety. Will You Have Space? Labs can range from medium to large-sized dogs. Puppies Can Be Destructive Lab puppies can be menaces when ruining items such as shoes, carpets, and anything else that they can bite. Train them from an early age to discourage these behaviors. Labrador Retrievers Are Easy To Train Labradors are an intelligent breed of dog, and they have an innate desire to please their caretakers, which allows them to be very amenable to training. This gives them insulation against the cold, makes them strong swimmers, and keeps them cool in the summer. Due to the natural oils in their coat, you can over bathe them. If you wash them too often, this will lead to flaking, dry and itchy skin. They also have particular grooming needs. Many of these dogs have already been in unfortunate situations before they arrive in your home, so you must be prepared to care for them and meet all their needs. Moreover, you may also check our lists of other rescue centers that you can try:.

My story started here. My best friend, my constant companion, everywhere I went, she went with me. She protected me, helped teach me about life, and was my Best friend for 16 years. My inspiration. I'm Robin.I breed long coated German shepherds. My dogs are from European countries with outstanding lines. I breed for temperaments, beautiful red and black color, quality not quantity. I am a small hobby breeder, breeding with attention to detail. My dogs live with me in my home, not outside in kennels. They are a part of our family. Feel free to visit our Ranch in Pennsylvania to see for yourself. SG1 Baldrsens Tequila is beautiful, graceful,and with great confirmation in show lines. Tequila is very protective of her family. Excellent Mother! They say the eyes are the mirror to the soul. Our Bobbie is protective of her family, a joy to be around and one of the prettiest long coat Black German shepherds I ever had the pleasure to own and love. Eve has Good Hips and Elbows, Dm test score is "A" Eve has matured into a very stunning female, highly intelligent, and is high drive with a willingness to learn. I have a great love and passion for German Shepherds, due to their intelligence and loyalty. I have a large, close family that are helping me raise, train, show and breed the dogs I love. Tiltonhaus kennel is attached to our home so that our German Shepherds can live primarily in our home enjoying family life with us. Rotating the dogs this way gives each dog lots of quality time with us. We strive to give our dogs the environment and attention that best enhances their well being and health. We live on 10 acres of land where our dogs can run and explore, along with several secure yards and runs for outdoor activity. Tiltonhaus German Shepherd dogs enjoy family outings, such as hikes, bike rides, picnics, camping, vacations, etc. All of our German Shepherds are purebred, AKC Registered, and come from top West German champion bloodlines known for producing dogs that are not only beautiful, but have balanced temperaments and strong work ethics. Degenerative Myelopathy. Our breeding dogs have had their hips and elbows certified with either the German SV a-stamp program or through OFA, which gives us the confidence to have all of our Tiltonhaus puppies guaranteed for hips and health in writing. Our puppies are handled and socialized from birth. So we become very attached to these little pups and care about their well being. Potential buyers should be prepared to answer questions about why they want to purchase a puppy and their plans for their puppy. We recommend that your new puppy get basic obedience training to be a happy, well-adjusted dog. Tiltonhaus is family owned and operated, fully licensed business located in Deer Park, Washington 15 minutes north of Spokane, WA. Our breeding program has earned the the highest level of accomplishments that a kennel in the United States can achieve. Nadelhaus breeds purebred German Shepherds year round and we also import both German Shepherd puppies and adults direct from Europe for our clients. Long-haired German Shepherds are technically called a long coat German Shepherd, while a short-haired German Shepherd is called a normal coat or stock coat German Shepherd. Dogs with either coat have the same physiological structure and both have double coats: an undercoat and a top coat. The only difference between the two is the top coat. The long haired German Shepherd will have a heavier top coat than the undercoat. The double coat of a German Shepherd is an important feature of the breed. The double coat weathers and insulates the dogs—it protects them from the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer. The length of the coat of a German Shepherd has no impact on its ability as a working dog. What does a long haired German Shepherd look like? The skeleton and structure of a long-haired German Shepherd will be the same as a short-haired German Shepherd. Both dogs will have an undercoat, but the difference is that the top coat of a long-haired German Shepherd will be longer. The long coat GSD has longer and silkier hair on the chest, back, face, tail, and on the backside of its legs. Short on the head, including the inside of the ears, on the front side of the legs, on the paws and toes, somewhat longer and more strongly covered in hair on the neck, almost forming a mane. On the back side of the legs the hair extends to the carpal joint or the hock and forms clear trousers on the back side of the haunches. Historically, German Shepherds originated in Germany and were native sheepdogs. He firmly believed that the standard of the German Shepherd breed should not include dogs with long hair. Throughout the s, long haired German Shepherds were considered unsuitable and unacceptable for breeding. It is important to note that long-haired German Shepherds are the result of natural genetic diversity and not a separate breed. Their long coats are an inherited trait that can occur when both parents carry the recessive long-hair gene. This gene manifests as a more luxurious and abundant coat, offering a striking contrast to the traditional short-haired German Shepherd appearance. The breeding of long-haired German Shepherds follows the same rigorous standards and principles as their short-haired counterparts. The focus remains on maintaining the breed's exceptional temperament, working abilities, and overall health. Over time, breeders recognized the value of long-haired German Shepherds and began selectively breeding them to maintain and enhance their unique characteristics. Through careful pairings and strategic breeding programs, the long-haired variety established itself as a distinct and cherished branch of the German Shepherd breed. How big do long-haired German Shepherds get? Long-haired German Shepherds are structurally the same as short-haired German Shepherds, therefore they can both grow to similar sizes. Males: inches tall, pounds Females: inches tall, pounds Since both German Shepherds are physiologically the same, they also have the same temperaments: loyal, intelligent, energetic, courageous and protective. German Shepherds are ranked 2 on the AKC Breed Popularity list and make for wonderful family companions and working dogs. How can I identify a long-haired German Shepherd puppy? In the photo below are two litter mates from a recent Nadelhaus litter. The puppy on the left is a long coat and the puppy on the right is a normal coat. The long coat has wispier hair on the chest, back, face, tail, and on the backside of its legs. Long-hair female German Shepherd next to short-hair male German Shepherd. Genetically in German Shepherds, the short hair gene is dominant and the long hair gene is recessive. This means if two short-haired German Shepherds are mated, but neither carries the recessive long hair gene, then no long haired puppies can be produced. However, if two short-haired German Shepherds are mated and both carry the recessive gene, then long-haired German Shepherd puppies can be produced. Long-haired German Shepherds are considered a less common variant of the breed, adding to their allure and exclusivity. While short-haired German Shepherds dominate the breed standard, enthusiasts of long-haired Shepherds appreciate their unique beauty and elegant appearance. Due to their rarity, finding a reputable breeder or rescue organization specializing in long-haired German Shepherds may require some research and patience. However, the joy of owning one of these beautiful dogs is well worth the effort for those who appreciate their longer coats and exceptional qualities. Do long-haired German Shepherds shed more than short-haired German Shepherds? No, this is a common misconception. Although they shed less than short haired German Shepherds, their coats still require regular maintenance. They will need regular brushing and grooming, especially if you enjoy hiking or outdoor activities with your GSD. While it is a rare occurrence for a long-haired GSD to not have an undercoat, most of them do have undercoats. And just like short-haired GSDs, their undercoats will shed more or less throughout the year depending on the season. Should I trim my long haired German Shepherd's coat? The decision to trim a long haired German Shepherd comes down to personal preference, but it is not a necessity. Trimming can help make for more manageable living around the house. If you choose to trim, you can trim around the backs of the ears, on the back of the legs both front and back and then thin the bushy tail. Shaving a German Shepherd on the other hand is never recommended. Their double coats help keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. What are long haired German Shepherds called? Regular brushing: Long-haired German Shepherds require regular brushing to prevent matting and tangles. Aim for at least a few brushing sessions per week to keep their coat in good condition. Finish your brushing session with a gentle dog brush to clean up loose hairs. Bathing and drying: It's important to bathe your long-haired German Shepherd as needed, using a dog-specific shampoo. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out all the shampoo to prevent any residue. After bathing, use a high-velocity dryer or a cool air dryer to dry their coat thoroughly, as moisture trapped in the fur can lead to skin issues. Professional grooming: Consider taking your long-haired German Shepherd to a professional groomer for occasional trimming and coat maintenance. A groomer can help keep the fur around sensitive areas, such as the paws and ears, tidy and reduce the chances of matting. Watch for seasonal shedding: Like all German Shepherds, long-haired ones will undergo shedding seasons. Be prepared for increased shedding during these times and brush your dog more frequently to remove loose hair. A de-shedding tool can be helpful in managing shedding and keeping their coat healthy. Remember, each dog is unique, and the specific care requirements may vary. Does Nadelhaus sell long haired German Shepherd puppies? Nadelhaus breeds German Shepherds puppies year round and while the majority of puppies we sell are short hair, we do have occasionally have long haired puppies. We breed all our German Shepherds in the black and red color. If you are looking for a long haired adult German Shepherd, we can also import long-haired German Shepherds direct from Europe. Contact us for more information. These dogs are perfect for special needs, families, emotional support, veterans, and more. Our Long Coat German Shepherds look incredible and are bred from some of the best bloodlines originating from Germany. Take a look at the long coat German Shepherd puppies and adult dogs that we currently have available here at Regis Regal. Long Haired German Shepherd Adults For most people it's probably fairly easy to determine what a long coat German Shepherd is - it simply refers to the length of their fur. Whilst a "standard" German Shepherd will traditionally have short fur, long coats are the result of a recessive gene that any dog can carry. It doesn't mean long coats have any problems - far from it, and for many people they are an even more desirable dog than the standard breed German Shepherd. Long haired German Shepherds look incredibly handsome, and if you're happy with the additional effort required in grooming them and keeping their hair in good condition then they're as loyal and obedient as any other German Shepherd. With our private courier service, we can safely deliver your puppy to all fifty states with utmost love and care. More information here on the long-coat puppies we currently have available for sale. What is their Temperament Like? There is no discernible difference between the temperament of a long coat German Shepherd and a normal short coat dog. For a long time they've been unfairly labeled as being difficult, but sadly this really stems from them not being accepted due to falling outside the normal breeding standard. The Long haired German Shepherds we've raised here at our top breeding facility in Illinois. Our specialized trained dogs have gone on to be used as search dogs, rescue dogs, police dogs, service dogs and therapy dogs. There's no reason long coats can't perform as well or better than short coats since they do look quite incredible at the same time! Whilst a long coat can be a far more desirable dog for some people, when it comes to price they can actually work out around the same price, or even cheaper, than a standard or "normal coat" German Shepherd. The dogs we breed and train here at Regis Regal come from some of the best bloodlines in the world. We conduct Schutzhund training to develop desirable traits including confidence, desire to work, and self-control. Inquire about one of our Long Coat German Shepherds If you would like additional information about our prestigious long coat German Shepherds or our available puppies and service dogs for special needs, please contact us at or regisregal gmail. Your name. Raising dogs for you and your family. Call or text .Every breed has different requirements, whether the space they must have or the amount of exercise they need. If you are not certain yet, check out our essential White German Shepherd breed info to find out everything about the White German Shepherd. How to find White German Shepherd puppies for sale? When buying a puppy, it is important to consider not only the pet but also the breeder. Because a responsible breeder will ensure their dogs come from the strongest bloodlines and have the best start to life. Ask about the health and temperament of their White German Shepherd pups as well as their living environment. But also find out about the breeder's practices and commitments. A good breeder will be happy to answer everything before you decide. After all, they will want to ensure that their dog goes to a good home. When you have done your research and got all the info you need, you can then choose the right breeder with confidence. To help ensure you choose a responsible breeder, all the White German Shepherd kennels you see listed here are verified by Pets4You. You will also find that the best breeders will provide a guarantee with their dog. This information, and more, is available on the breeder's website within Pets4You. Browse through our dog breeder directory with complete breeder profiles and current puppies for sale to find your dream dog. Disclaimer It is the duty of every person that is considering buying a puppy or dog to confirm all the information provided to them by the breeder is accurate. Pets4You makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the condition of any dogs offered for sale, the standards or practices of any breeder, the quality of their canines, or the accuracy of any information contained within our site. Pets4You does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee a particular kennel, breeder or dogs listed on the Pets4You website. For Buyers.

June 30, We love our Frenchies like family, but they can be hard to shop for when it comes to finding the right collar. On average, a French Bulldog will fit in a size small collar, but each one is different. Your Frenchie may not have the same neck size as another one because their breed tends to vary in size. Many owners start out with a small collar and work their way up if needed. This list of tips and tricks can help you find the right French Bulldog collar size and avoid unnecessary purchasing so you get it right the first time. Dangers of not having the right size collar Not having the right size collar for your Frenchie can be dangerous for multiple reasons. First, your dog will be more likely to escape from you if they have a loose-fitting collar. Escaping is not a risk we take lightly as it puts them at danger. So, be sure to get the right size collar. However, escaping is not the only risk we have to worry about when it comes to getting the wrong size collar for our dog. There are many ways that we can harm them or they can harm themselves by not getting them the proper size collar. If there is too much room between their skin and the collar, then you are putting them at risk for getting their collar stuck in places. There are other bodily injuries to consider with a collar that is too large. Your dog can get their leg stuck in their leash when they scratch if it is too loose. This may seem redundant, but it could be dangerous depending on how they react. In their reaction to having a leg trapped might put them at greater harm. The collar can even get stuck in their mouth if it is too loose which can cause choking or mouth damage. Collar Irritation Having a collar that is too tight can cause skin irritation. Anything being tight on their skin can affect hair growth which can cause irritation and even skin infections. A collar that is too tight may even cause hair loss in the spot their collar rests. Either way, having a collar that is too tight can very easily cause skin issues. So, it is best to try to avoid this by getting the right size. Collar Choking Hazards To Be Aware Of Collars that are too loose can be a choking hazard, but the same goes for collars that are too tight. If their collar is too tight and there is any extra tightness from pulling, then your dog is far more likely to choke or possibly develop breathing issues. If they are constantly scratching their neck with their hind leg it might be an indication that it is too tight. To do this, be sure to measure just above their shoulders where the collar should sit. In order to get an accurate measure, make sure your dog is standing on a flat surface. If your dog is laying down or standing on uneven pavement, then you may not get an accurate measurement. Using treats can help encourage your furry friend stand at attention and make it easier to get a measurement. So, consider using a cord from a phone charger or something similar. Gently wrap the cord around their neck, keeping your fingers locked in place for accurate measuring. Another alternative that I happened to have in my house due to my interest in fitness was a Myotape measure. It is especially useful in measuring progress in my weight loss journey but I found it also worked very well to get an accurate neck measurement on my Frenchie. Then, simply measure the wire distance between your fingers. This will allow you to get an accurate measurement with little effort and keep your dog comfortable. Puppies are different from adult dogs in the way that they are far less patient. This can make a collar difficult to use. Protecting your pooch is the number one priority. Before they are trained , puppies are more likely to pull on their lead while they are in training. So, using a collar can be a risk because they may damage their trachea or irritate their skin by pulling on a collar too much. Some people consider harnesses for puppies, but they tend to not respond well to them due to discomfort. So, a collar may be best for you puppy, just remember to be patient while they learn. The right French Bulldog puppy collar size is going to depend on your dog, but most younger puppies are safe with an extra small , while older puppies can fit better into a small. It should not be too tight for you to fit both fingers, nor should it be loose enough that you can fit your whole hand in there. Two fingers is the best way to judge the fit. Finding the right French Bulldog collar size can be a challenge because their heads are quite small. With the wrong size collar, it may be all too easy for them to back out of a collar and run away. The right size collar will remain on their neck without choking them or making them uncomfortable. Tips for buying a collar For Your French Bulldog Beyond measuring and bringing your dog along, there are some other factors that can help with finding the right sized collar for your Frenchie. There are many different collar options out there to choose from, and you want to make sure you find just the right one. Adjustable collars are great for French Bulldogs because their sizes can vary so vastly. So, try your best to find an adjustable collar to make your life a little easier. Make sure you pay attention to the fabric of the collar you are buying Frenchies tend to be prone to allergies. So, your furry friend may have a bad reaction to certain fabrics. Keep this is mind when buying a new collar and keep an eye on your dog for the first few days they are wearing a new collar. This is the best way to ensure that any allergic reaction is caught quickly. Be aware of breathing issues Finally, just remember that French Bulldogs are prone to breathing issues and allergy issues. So, take your time finding the right collar for your Frenchie and keep their safety and comfort first. So, follow our guide for finding the right collar size. Remember that while most Frenchies are going to wear a size small, the size may vary based on your dog and how the collar is made. Be sure to measure their neck if you can in order to get the best possible fit. Adjustable collars are probably going to be best for Frenchies because it allows you to have some leeway in sizing issues. Maybe a small collar is a little too tight on your dog. Finally, just make sure that your dog is comfortable. Maybe they would do better with a thicker collar or even a harness. No matter what type of collar you choose for your French Bulldog, just make sure they are not having any reactions to the material or tightness of it. A leash that is too loose can be a choking hazard or a way for them to escape. A leash that is too tight can lead to issues with breathing and even hair loss and skin irritation. So, keep your eyes and ears open for signs of discomfort or irritation. PS -For other French Bulldog accessories take a look here. Share on facebook. So you need to measure them and then determine the size of the collar required. If you own a French Bulldog , you must have noticed they have stocky necks. This serves as a crucial aspect while determining what size collar for French Bulldog puppy you need. But first, you should understand why they have a different type of neck. The reason for the strong neck lies in the history of French bullies. There they met the two favorites of England: Terriers and Pugs. The crossover of these breeds led to the current strong necks of French Bulldogs. Therefore, you must take special care while buying them collars. It is of utmost importance to consider their comfort. Otherwise, they will get irritated with the wrong collar. Thus, they end up creating one of these two problems for their four-legged friend. So there will be no use in putting up a collar. In case you somehow manage to fit it in, it will irritate your dog. Eventually, you will have to take it out. The only way to avoid these issues is by following the size guidelines. Once you have got your answer to what size collar for French Bulldog puppy needs, the next step is to check the other factors. A few more things you need to consider are: Material You must know that French Bulldogs are sensitive creatures. Therefore, putting the wrong material collar around their neck can lead to allergies. Real leathers are usually the safest for them. Even if you pick some other material, remember to check for any side effects after they wear it. The type of collar you are picking also plays an important role. French Bullies have flat faces and short heads. By keeping these factors and the size in mind, you can get your French Bulldog a suitable collar. Should You Consider Harness? Pin1 1 Shares When we first got Claude the puppy, we were in the local pet store searching for the right sized collar. That gave me the inspiration to put this guide to French Bulldog neck sizes together which explains how you can measure your dog up, and some rough guidance to what the best French Bulldog collar size will be for your dog. French Bulldog neck size for collars What size neck does a French Bulldog have? French Bulldogs typically very short and stocky necks with a thick circumference. How to measure a French Bulldog neck for a collar by using a measuring tape. Handy Hint: Most pet suppliers offer extra small and small collars. For adult Frenchies I would recommend small collar sizes and for French Bulldog puppies from 8 weeks and up I would recommend the extra small collar sizes. What size collar for a French Bulldog puppy? Frenchies come in different shapes and sizes, with their sometimes being big differences between male and female puppies. French Bulldog puppy collar sizes Here is some very rough guidance on what size collar is best for a French Bulldog puppy from 8 weeks of age and up. So, one of the best ways to select the right collar is to measure their neck. This can be done using the steps below: Firstly, you will need to get your dog to stand on a flat surface. Having treats to hand might be a good idea! The withers are the point where the neck and the back join which is just above the shoulder blade. Be sure not to pull the tape measure too tight or let it hang too loose. Now that you know the precise measurements of your Frenchie you are now able to compare these with the ranges that collar sizes are available in to ensure that you are buying the right size. What to consider when buying French Bulldog collars Buying a collar for a French Bulldog is totally different from buying a collar for any other dog. Think of breeds such as Pugs, Chihuahuas and of course our beloved Frenchies. Due to this, collars need to ensure that they are anti-choke collars and are neck friendly. Another thing to consider is the material that the collar is made from. Collars are a great alternative for Frenchies that are not comfortable in a harness. If your dog is able to walk on the lead without pulling, this may be a better solution. Some experts are of the opinion that to train your French Bulldog effectively you must have both a collar and a harness and we completely agree. The question that should be asked is when collars and harnesses should be used independently. Collars can place added pressure onto the neck and potentially lead to choking. I know of one owner who used a cat harness on their 8-week-old Frenchie puppy instead of a collar for this very reason. Why choose a collar? Puppies: puppies tend to dislike harnesses as they make them feel uncomfortable. As with everything there are certain pros and cons to using collars and they are listed below: Pros to collars They tend to be the most comfortable for the dog and so can be worn for longer during the day. This makes them ideal for identification purposes. There tends to be a wider variety of collars in different materials, styles and comforts. Easy to put on and take off. Cons to collars Depending on how well the collar is fitted it is possible for the dog to slip out of it. Using collars on brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs, they are prone to thyroid and trachea damage if they excessively pull when they are on the lead. There is a possibility that collars can get caught and suffocate dogs. It is advised that dogs do not wear their collars when unattended in the home. Which collar I recommend for a Frenchie The collar we use with Claude for every day use is this one on Amazon view prices. This one here is adjustable, so should work with your puppy and then you can upgrade into the later years. You can buy it in size ranges from extra small through to small. Why choose a harness? Longer walks: when you plan on taking your dog for a longer walk it may be better to fit them with a harness as this will evenly spread the pressure should they pull on their lead. Training purposes: puppies are highly distracted when they are young. Anything will make them excited and they may pull on their lead regardless of the pressure they are feeling round their neck with a collar. Using a harness will provide more control over your puppy. Although seemingly preferred by many French Bulldog owners, there are still pros and cons to the harness and they are listed below: Pros to harnesses Less pull stress with a harness as the pressure is evenly distributed around the body. Better control over your dog whilst walking. Reduces risk of neck injuries that collars may cause. A harness will not choke the dog if it were to get caught. Front clip harnesses can cause tracheal issues. Front hook harnesses can cause discomfort if not fitted properly. No matter what your preference of collar or harness, it is important to understand the differences between them and when both may be useful to you. For the best results it is always best to get both a collar and a harness so you are covered for all circumstances. Which harness I recommend for a Frenchie The one we use with Claude on longer walks out into the forest is this one on Amazon view prices. The previous harness we had was really tricky to get on and off Claude, but not with this one. Why Frenchies have stocky neck sizes Originally bred in England as a smaller version of the English Bulldog, French Bulldogs were introduced into France when they made their travels with their people across the English Channel. There, the breed was crossed with terriers and pugs to become what we know and love today! You can read more about the history here. This mix of breeds resulted in very strong and thick necks. If you own a Frenchie, you will know exactly what I mean! As you can see with our Claude photos, his is actually bigger than the average and so he tends to wear a larger collar. The best advice I can give you is to do what we did in the end and actually take your Frenchie puppy or dog into the pet store and let them test out a few collar and harness variations in store. However, if you already know the neck size and have measured your puppy up, you can scroll up to find a few recommendations on the best collars and harnesses currently available on the market. Conclusion Understanding the Importance of Neck Size The neck size of a French Bulldog is not just a superficial consideration; it directly impacts their comfort, health, and well-being. Choosing a suitable collar or harness that fits correctly is crucial for their overall happiness and safety. An ill-fitting or tight collar can cause discomfort and chafing around the neck area, leading to skin irritation or even sores. Moreover, it can restrict their movements and make it difficult for them to breathe correctly. French Bulldogs, like many brachycephalic breeds , already have a compromised respiratory system due to their unique facial structure. Wearing a too tight collar can further impede their breathing, exacerbating any existing respiratory challenges. In addition to discomfort and breathing difficulties, an incorrectly fitted collar can pose a risk of potential injuries. If the collar is too loose, your Frenchie may easily slip out, increasing the chances of them getting lost or injured while roaming free. Conversely, if the collar is too tight, it can put excessive pressure on the neck, potentially causing strain, injury, or even damage to the trachea. Look for options that provide a snug yet comfortable fit, allowing enough room for your Frenchie to breathe and move freely. Consider opting for collars or harnesses made from soft, padded materials to minimize discomfort or rubbing against their delicate skin. Quick-release buckles are another beneficial feature, enabling you to remove the collar or harness swiftly in case of emergencies. Remember, the right fit is key. If your Frenchie experiences weight fluctuations, ensure that their neckwear remains appropriately adjusted to prevent discomfort or potential hazards. Factors Affecting French Bulldog Neck Sizes French Bulldog The neck size of a French Bulldog can vary significantly due to various factors such as age, genetics, gender, and overall body structure. Owners must recognize that there is no universal, one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the average neck size of Frenchies. However, understanding these variables can provide valuable insights and help you estimate the average neck size for your furry companion. Age: As French Bulldogs grow from puppies to adults, their neck size will naturally increase. It is essential to regularly measure their neck size during their growth stages to ensure proper fitting collars or harnesses at each phase. Genetics: Like any other physical attribute, the neck size of a French Bulldog can be influenced by genetics. Different bloodlines and breeding variations may contribute to variations in neck size among individual Frenchies. Gender: In some cases, there may be subtle differences in neck size between male and female French Bulldogs. However, this difference is typically minimal and should be a minor factor when determining the average neck size. Here are approximate average neck sizes for French Bulldogs at different stages of life: French Bulldog Puppies weeks : The average neck size for puppies in this age range typically ranges from 8 to 12 inches 20 to 30 cm. However, measuring your specific Frenchie puppy is crucial to ensure an accurate fit. Adult French Bulldogs 1 year and older : On average, adult French Bulldogs typically have neck sizes ranging from 12 to 16 inches 30 to 40 cm. However, keep in mind that there can be variations in neck size among adult Frenchies. Soft measuring tapes, typically used for sewing or tailoring, work best for this purpose. Prepare your Frenchie: Ensure that your French Bulldog is calm and relaxed before proceeding with the measurement. This will help you get a more accurate reading. This is the area you want to measure. Wrap the measuring tape: Gently wrap the measuring tape around the base of the neck, ensuring it is snug but not too tight. The tape should be positioned just above the shoulders and comfortably around the neck. Take the measurement: Once the tape is in place, note the measurement in inches or centimeters. Ensure that the measurement is taken with the tape level and parallel to the ground to avoid any inaccuracies. This measurement will be a reliable reference point for selecting the suitable collar or harness size, ensuring a comfortable fit for your furry friend. French Bulldog puppies undergo rapid development during their early months, including an increase in neck size. As their bodies grow, their necks will also proportionally grow in size. To ensure the comfort and safety of your Frenchie puppy, it is crucial to regularly measure their neck size and adjust their collars and harnesses accordingly. If their neckwear becomes too tight or restrictive, it can cause discomfort, difficulty breathing, or even pose a risk of injury. Comfort and movement: Puppies are full of energy and love to explore their surroundings. Wearing a properly fitted collar or harness ensures that they can move freely, play, and explore comfortably without any restrictions. Regularly measuring their neck size and adjusting their accessories can mitigate these risks and provide a secure fit. As your French Bulldog puppy grows, please continue to monitor their neck size and adjust their collars or harnesses accordingly. Frenchie Neck Size Tips for Breathing and Health French Bulldog French Bulldogs, along with other brachycephalic breeds, have a unique facial structure that can result in respiratory challenges. Their shortened snouts and compact airways make it more difficult for them to breathe compared to breeds with longer muzzles. As such, it is crucial to consider their respiratory health when selecting collars or harnesses. Special considerations for exercise: French Bulldogs may have limitations during physical activity due to their respiratory challenges. Managing respiratory issues: Some French Bulldogs may already have pre-existing respiratory conditions. A veterinarian can offer specific advice on managing these conditions and recommend collar or harness options that provide optimal support without compromising their respiratory health. This expert guidance will help you select accessories that minimize the risk of breathing restrictions and provide your Frenchie with the comfort they need. Here are some key considerations and recommendations: Choose products designed for brachycephalic breeds: Look for collars or harnesses specifically designed to accommodate the needs of brachycephalic dogs like French Bulldogs. These products are typically crafted with their unique anatomy in mind and aim to minimize discomfort or breathing restrictions. Wide bands distribute pressure more evenly and reduce the risk of choking or causing discomfort. Seek padded materials: Collars or harnesses with padding offer additional comfort and help prevent irritation or chafing. Look for quick-release buckles: Quick-release buckles are an essential safety feature. They allow you to easily and quickly remove the collar or harness in an emergency or if your Frenchie becomes entangled in something. This ensures that you can promptly free your pup without causing any harm. Consider using harnesses: Harnesses can be an excellent choice for French Bulldogs due to their ability to distribute pressure more evenly across the chest and shoulders, reducing strain on the neck. This can be particularly beneficial for Frenchies with respiratory challenges or neck sensitivity. Remember to choose flexible options with wide bands, padded materials, and quick-release buckles. If appropriate, consider using a harness to provide additional support and reduce strain on their neck. Ill-fitting neckwear can lead to discomfort, potential injury, or even escape. Place the tape snugly around the base of their neck, where the collar typically rests. Ensure it is neither too tight nor loose, allowing your Frenchie to breathe comfortably. Avoid overly tight collars: Collars that are too tight can cause discomfort, restrict breathing, and potentially lead to injury. Select a collar size that provides a secure fit without causing discomfort or constriction. Prevent loose collars: Loose collars risk slipping off or getting caught on objects, potentially leading to accidents or escapes. Over time, collars may stretch or become worn, so inspecting and adjusting as needed is necessary. Adjustments for growth and weight fluctuations: French Bulldogs, especially puppies, experience growth spurts and potential weight fluctuations. Periodically reassess their neck size and adjust the collar or harness to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. These precautions will help ensure their safety, prevent escape, and promote a positive and enjoyable experience during walks and other activities. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Popular Posts.