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He is beautiful, loving, funny, and smart, and comes from a strong and healthy lineage. Marcellus was wonderful and supportive throughout the whole process. We love Buckeye Golden Retrievers so much! Marcellus is very responsive and professional! The facility is very clean and cozy. I would recommend Buckeye a million times over! Our Charlie girl is smart, cute, and such a joy in our lives! He is a spirited, loving, and playful boy who has brought so much joy to us all. I knew we were going to get a great puppy from the first time I spoke with them. Thank you so much! The 1 year health guarantee covers any major genetic defects such as a heart murmur. It does not cover treatable health issues. The remaining balance is due at pickup. We find great satisfaction in raising healthy, happy Goldens and placing them in your loving home! One of the most popular breeds in the United States, Golden Retrievers are eager to please and are great with children and other dogs. Additionally, Goldens are intelligent and skilled in whatever they do, whether serving as a therapy dog, aiding search-and-rescue, or being a devoted companion. Max Max is our handsome boy, an imported Jr Champion from Ukraine. Top of the line genetics and champion bloodlines make him an incredible addition to our breeding program. Max is intelligent and friendly, complementing his incredible physique and beautiful white coat! Max is available for stud service to qualified females. Skye comes from a long line of champions and is genetic tested clear. Skye has a happy go lucky personality and is a wonderful mother to her beautiful little snow white babies! She is truly a stunning European Golden Retriever! This mama is really great with children and other dogs and has been a wonderful asset to our breeding program. We kept two of her girls Maple and Bella to continue her incredible bloodline. Zoey loves nothing more than exercising and getting belly scratches! Is it safe for a female to travel alone to Casablanca. They may be English cream Golden Retriever puppies for sale Ohio, or even red and golden - their color affects the price. Our Golden Retriever puppies for sale will make a wonderful addition to your family and home! Golden Retriever puppies are one of the most popular dog breeds for a reason! They make an ideal family dog and pet, play well with children, are easy to train, and have a cheerful and pleasant temperament. At Keystone Puppies, we have the ulti-mutt selection of affordable dogs for sale. Golden retriever x yellow lab puppies, males and females available. Golden Retriever Florida breeders and businesses in our network can arrange travel for your puppy to the closest major airport as long as you live in the Lower 48 states. These loyal, sociable dogs are excellent with children and families, and excel at obedience training and therapy work. Golden Retrievers are among America's most popular breeds. If you adopt a Golden Retriever from a local shelter you will spend much less. She has the lightest, fluffy coat and loves to play with water. Miniature Golden Retriever. You may either find your future puppy amongst our published Golden Retriever puppies for sale or, based on a special search, we will locate your future Golden Retriever puppy, and he or she will come with our certified services and guarantees. Lillie is loving, playful, a good companion and naturally Age: 3 weeks. Please start the application process now so that you can be on a waiting list for when GRIN does have younger dogs available. Find Golden Retriever puppies for saleNear Indiana. Goldens are merry companions that act like puppies well into adulthood. An iconic American dog, the Golden Retriever is playful and hard-working. Please see my website: www. Pups are fully vaccinated, treated for internal and. As you search for a family dog, no doubt most of your. Both parents have wonderful temperaments, great colou Golden retriever puppies featured 10 FA. Fiona's breeder is a certified European expert who breeds only Golden Retriever puppies. Devoted, smart, and friendly, these eager-to-please double-coated gundogs excel in hunting, obedience, field trials, and guiding the blind. Vet approved, socially secure, healthy, happy pups are our priority, and the only type of pups we have here! Give me an overview of Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Connecticut. This is the price you can expect to budget for a Golden Retriever with papers but without breeding rights nor show quality. They make an ideal family dog and pet, Breed: Golden Retriever. Lovely Golden retriever puppies for sale! Golden Retrievers always rank high among the most popular breeds in the United States. Golden Retriever Puppies. As you search for a family dog, no doubt most of your friends and neighbors have recommended the Golden Retriever as a top-five choice if you have children. Golden Retriever Puppies .A Golden Retriever is a medium-sized dog breed that stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Learn more puppies available 1, certified breeders Transportation Location Color. A Mini Golden Retriever generally lives years. Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale. Ready to go to their forever homes in 1 week from .Find your Golden Retriever puppy for sale Puppies. Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Ohio are all priced differently. Available to go home as of Sat May 13th with their first round of shots and full deworming. Golden Retriever Puppies for sale. They began as a mix of Retrievers, Spaniels, and Red Setter. Dogs and Puppies, Golden Retriever. Because we know that price is often an important consideration when choosing a. However, a Dwarf Golden Retriever is. You might be able to purchase Golden Retrievers at low price from local breeders or puppy mills easily, but you need to consider the future costs that will incur if you are bringing home a pup with negative. Find Golden Retriever puppies for sale. If you have to stretch the budget to buy a more expensive puppy, then everything after will feel like a big daunting decision. A fully-grown Miniature Golden Retriever usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. The experience and location of the breeder or business will factor into price, as well as whether or not they've had their shots. Find your Golden Retriever puppy for sale. Browse thru our ID Verified puppy for sale listings to find your perfect puppy in your area. Autumn Kelly Knoxville, TN .Goldens are very loyal, and need a whole lot of time to run around and play. At Puppy S pot , we only work with. I have often as a solo female traveller travelled to Casablanca, i. Expect to pay less for a Golden Retriever puppy for. Make sure you talk to the breeder about the other breed in the mix and meet the mother dog. CT Golden Retriever breeders may have different price points depending on a number of factors, including breeder experience, coat color red Golden Retriever puppies CT , pedigree, and more. Miniature Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. Golden Retriever Price in Patna. Dwarfism does occur in Golden Retrievers, which results in a smaller Golden Retriever and can also cause additional health concerns. Casablanca, Villas and Luxury Homes for sale. This cost can vary on the basis of age, gender and breeder. Followings all the factors that effect the price of a golden retriever in India: 1. Golden Retriever For Sale in Connecticut .Every puppy buyer should start here! You can adopt a Golden Retriever at a much lower cost than buying one from a breeder. This can give you a good idea of what size to expect as. This will allow you to have more freedom, budget, and fun shopping for other new puppy necessities like bowls, leashes, beds and toys. Golden Retriever puppies for sale. Layla's breeder is a certified European expert who breeds only Labrador Retriever puppies. Before searching "Golden Retriever puppies for sale near me", review their average cost below. Cute puppies for sale at an affordable price. All our puppies come from audited show breeders. About Golden Retrievers. Golden Retriever Dogs and Puppies for sale. Tags: golden retrievers in northwestern wisconsin golden retriever breeder golden retriever puppies available in Wisconsin golden retriever puppies. You will find Golden Retriever dogs for adoption and puppies for sale under the listings here. Your Golden Retriever Mix could be the same or they could take after the other parent breed. Purebred Golden Retriever Puppies Buying a puppy is a big decision. We made that decision easy. Not knowing where your puppy has come from could lead to genetic health and socialization issues, and ultimately disappointment. There are even tons of puppy scams on the internet, some of which even try to imitate us! We believe dogs are not like family — they ARE family! Unlike other puppy adoption agencies in Ohio, we allow and actually encourage you to meet our Golden Retriever puppies for sale before you agree to take one home. Remember, too, that when it comes to getting a puppy, ultimately, you get what you pay for. You get a Golden Retriever you love, vetted for good health, from a breeder you trust. He has a very fun loving spirit and has made our family complete. Marcus and his family are very gracious and great to work with. We would highly recommend them for anyone looking for a Golden! She will be turning 9 months in a few weeks. I had a wonderful experience getting her through your company! So glad I got her. All Rights Reserved. She was one scared little girl but let me tell you how she has changed in this short period of time!! Initially, Molly wouldn't come out of her crate, put on a collar, make any eye contact or socialize at all. With the help of her "foster brother and sisters", some love and time, she now will do her business outside and is excited to tell you about it, plays with toys, loves playing inside or outside, plays chase with her fosters, makes eye contact and knows the come command. Molly loves snuggle time and will let you know, with a little nudge, that she wants more scratches. She will rest her head on your lap while you brush her down. She has shown no signs of being destructive while out and about in her foster home. We are working on her leash training, sit command and mastering her potty training. She is no longer afraid to put on a harness and will soon know what it means "we are going for a walk". Molly stills needs to drink more water on her own. Molly may take some time to warm up to you, but once she does, you will have yourself a compassionate, lover girl. The adoption fee covers a portion of these services, and makes it possible for us to continue rescuing animals. An application does not obligate you to adopt. Please understand that due to the volume of applications some animals receive, we are unable to contact all applicants. If your application is considered a good fit for the animal you are interested in, or even a different pet, a volunteer will give you a call as soon as possible. We are a foster based rescue and do not have a shelter location where animals can be seen during the week. Not all animals attend every adoption event, please check our Facebook page for animal event times and locations before you make a trip to meet a specific animal.

How should I train my 5-month-old German Shepherd puppy? Average Size and Height The average size of a 5-month-old German Shepherd is 12 to 26 inches tall and 35 to 49 pounds. However, there is a lot of variation in size among German Shepherd pups. The average height of a 5-month-old puppy is also affected by its sex. A male German Shepherd is typically about 2 to 4 inches taller than a female German Shepherd. In terms of weight, the average 5-month-old male German Shepherd weighs about 40 to 49 pounds, while the average 5-month-old female German Shepherd weighs 35 to 44 pounds. Although they vary in size and weight, they are generally a medium to large dog breed. Nutrition For 5-Month-Old German Shepherds Choose high-quality food to ensure your pup gets the right balance of protein, fat, and nutrients. Puppies also need smaller meals more often than adult dogs, so divide their daily ration into meals. As your GS grows, you can transition them to an adult diet. Give your German Shepherd puppy nutritious raw meats, fruits, and veggies at five months. Avoid giving them any poisonous meals and fatty goodies. These ingredients will help your puppy develop natural immunity. Physical and Behavioral Changes One of the most noticeable changes will be in size and weight. German Shepherds typically weigh between 35 and 49 pounds at five months old. German Shepherd puppies start losing their baby teeth during that time. It can be painful, and you may notice your pup chewing on toys or furniture. Ensure you provide chew toys for your puppy to gnaw on. Their ears should be standing up in most situations at this point. Finally, 5-month-old German Shepherds start to develop more of an independent streak. They may become less interested in cuddling and more interested in exploring their surroundings. A male German Shepherd is usually larger than its female counterpart. Males have bigger muscles, while females are more slender. Both males and females have an athletic build with no extra weight. Male German Shepherds are more protective and aggressive due to their muscular structure and greater size. So for those who want a companion, a female German Shepherd is recommended. A female German Shepherd tends to get along better with children owing to their more maternal, less aggressive disposition. Plus, a female German Shepherd is easier to train and has a greater capacity to socialize with other dogs and people. Despite her intimidating appearance, the female German Shepherd is not as jealous or territorial as the male. Both male and female German Shepherds are lively puppies that adore leaping. Both dogs must have moderate to high daily activity or become unruly. If they do not consume excessive energy, they may bark, chew, walk around the home, and do other things to express their dissatisfaction. Becoming Independent Your German Shepherd is becoming more independent and may start to test its limits with you. It is normal behavior for a German Shepherd puppy, as they begin to assert their independence and figure out their place in the pack. Your German Shepherd will soon grow into a well-behaved adult dog with patience and positive training. You can help your puppy in this stage by being consistent with giving rules and boundaries. Offer praise and affection when your puppy behaves well, and be firm but fair when they misbehave. Meanwhile, continue providing plenty of play opportunities, as this will help burn off excess energy and keep your pup from getting into trouble. Positive Reward-Based Obedience Training While they are loyal, protective, and intelligent dogs, German Shepherds can also be strong-willed and stubborn, making them difficult to train. Positive reward-based obedience training is a training method that relies on rewards to reinforce good behavior. With this kind of training, it is believed that the behavior is more likely to be repeated if a reward follows it. The most common rewards used in this training are treats, but verbal praise and petting can also be effective. Positive reinforcement-based training helps build a trusting relationship between owner and dog and encourages dogs to want to please their owners. It is effective because it motivates dogs to learn new things to get the desired rewards. When done correctly, reward-based training can result in a well-behaved German Shepherd who is a joy to be around. Chew Toys for Your 5-Month-Old German Shepherd German Shepherds are notorious for being high-energy dogs and need lots of exercises to stay healthy and happy. This dog breed also needs to chew on toys and bones to keep their teeth clean and their gums healthy. Chewing is a great way to keep them occupied and prevent them from getting into mischief. In addition, chewing helps to relieve boredom and can provide mental stimulation. Avoid easily splintered or broken toys, as these could pose a choking hazard. Do not give your puppy toys that are too small or too large for them. Moreover, look for chew toys specifically designed for teething puppies, as these will usually have raised nubs or ridges that help to soothe sore gums. There are a lot of chew toys available on the market. You also have the option to create homemade chew toys for your puppy. For instance, you can create tug toys from an old sock or t-shirt. You can do it by simply tying a knot in the fabric to create a loop. Remember that even simple things like sticks and leaves can make great chew toys. Just make sure to supervise your puppy while playing with them, and avoid anything that could be sharp or dangerous. Unfortunately, these problems can sometimes be severe and even deadly. Here are some of the most common health issues for a 5-month-old German Shepherd. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia It is a condition that affects the joints, and it can be excruciating for dogs. Get your German Shepherd checked by a vet if you suspect they may have this condition. Allergies The allergy may be triggered by things like pollen, dust, or even certain types of food. It could be an allergy if you notice your dog scratching a lot or having trouble breathing. It occurs when the stomach becomes bloated with gas or fluid and then twists on itself. It can cut off the blood supply to the stomach and cause potentially fatal damage. Symptoms of GDV include restlessness, drooling, vomiting, and a distended abdomen. Diabetes A German Shepherd is particularly prone to diabetes due to its large size. Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, urination, and appetite, as well as weight loss and lethargy. If not given attention and medication, diabetes can be fatal. Panosteitis If your German Shepherd has it, you will notice that he only uses three of his four legs or has other signs of lameness. It appears between five and fourteen months of age and is generally referred to as growing pains. This condition is not hereditary or permanent. Five months old German Shepherd puppies need 25 to 30 minutes of exercise per day. It may seem like a lot, but remember that they were originally bred as working dogs, so they have a lot of energy to burn. Another good way to exercise your puppy is by playing games such as fetch, puppy tug, or Frisbee. Also read:. Our extensive collection features hundreds of stunning photos of these adorable canines in various poses, settings, and backgrounds. Type of Images Available Our collection of German Shepherd puppy images features a variety of different types of photos, including portraits, candid shots, outdoor and indoor images, and more. From close-ups of their expressive faces to action shots of them running and playing, our images capture the energy and character of this amazing breed. Our images can be used for a multitude of purposes, including websites, blog posts, advertisements, social media, books, magazines, and more. Whether you're sharing photos of your own German Shepherd puppy or you need images for a commercial project, our collection is a great resource. Tips for Choosing the Right Image Choosing the right image can make all the difference when it comes to creating a compelling design or message. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect image: Consider the mood you want to convey Think about the context in which the image will be used Look for images with high resolution and clarity Take into account the color scheme of your project and select images that complement it Choose images that have a clear focal point and aren't cluttered Why Choose Our Images? Our collection of German Shepherd puppy images offers a unique combination of quality, variety, and affordability. We pride ourselves in providing images that are visually stunning while still being accessible to a wide range of individuals and businesses. Plus, we offer flexible licensing options, including Royalty-free and Extended licenses, to fit your specific needs. With our images, you can create compelling projects that capture the essence of this beloved breed, no matter what your design or marketing goals may be. So why wait? Browse our collection today to discover the perfect German Shepherd puppy image for your next project!

Food bowl Treats Make sure you have all the above items before you bring your Golden retriever puppy home so that you can get started crate training him right away. Position The Crate Before you set off to collect your puppy, decide where you want his crate to be. Prepare The Crate Fit the crate with a non-slip crate liner, comfy bed, or crate pad, and put a tempting chew toy inside. Put a bowl of water and a packet of treats close by. Cut a small piece of the blanket and put it in the crate. Keep the rest of the blanket for future use. Let the puppy check out the area around the crate. Curious pups might even voluntarily venture inside the crate! Put a few tempting treats inside the crate, close to the door. Golden retrievers are notoriously food-oriented dogs that will most likely be enticed into the crate by those yummy treats. Never force the puppy into the crate. Chat to your pet, offer him more treats, and add a fun toy to the mix to persuade your furry friend to go into the crate. Generally, placing the crate around people will help to encourage your puppy to feel comfortable spending time inside it. Play Crate Games Crate sessions can be made more enjoyable for your puppy by incorporating some crate games. Use treats, cuddly toys, or a KONG toy stuffed with frozen peanut butter or treats to reward your puppy for entering his crate. Crate Feeding Your Golden Retriever Puppy Golden retrievers are very food-oriented, and you can use that to enhance and speed up the crate training process considerably. Allow your puppy to watch you prepare his meal, and then place the food bowl just inside the crate. Once your puppy is confidently going into the crate to get the food, move the food bowl to the back of the crate. Shut The Door By now, your Golden retriever puppy should view the crate as a safe, comfortable, fun place to be. So, try closing the crate door when your puppy is happily tucking into his food. The first time the door is closed, open it again once your pet has finished eating. At each crate training session, leave the door shut for a little longer. Step Back Away From The Crate Assuming that your crate routine is going well, your Golden retriever puppy should now associate the crate with a couple of treats, toys, games, and eating his meals. A common mistake people make is that they try to move too far away from the puppy too soon. Provided that the puppy is calm, you can now move away from the crate. If your puppy starts whinging, turn your back on your pet, and wait a few minutes until the whining stops. After ten seconds of your pet remaining calm, you can turn around and allow him to come out of the crate. Watch your puppy throughout this exercise, and let your pet out of the crate as soon as he shows signs of anxiety. Very young puppies aged up to ten weeks old will need to relieve themselves immediately after a meal. Potty Breaks When you begin your crate training puppy schedule , observe your pet closely for tell-tale signs that he needs to go potty. Generally, puppies will start whining, circling, and sniffing the ground when they need to relieve themselves. When that happens, immediately grab your puppy, and get him to his assigned toilet spot. Eight-week-old puppies typically need to go for a pee around every 30 to 60 minutes. During warm weather or after exercise, when the puppy drinks more, he might need to go more often than that. Once the puppy is older, he will be able to wait for longer between potty stops. What About Bedtime? The safest place for your puppy to spend the night is confined in his crate. Although your pup might experience a bit of separation anxiety from bedtime crating at first, you can help to mitigate that by putting the crate in your bedroom with you. Use a crate cover to create that safe, den-like space that encourages your canine companion to settle down and sleep. Sometimes, giving your Golden retriever puppy a special treat reserved for bedtime can help him understand that his crate is a comfortable space to spend the night. Expect Disturbed Nights! When your puppy is very young, you can expect to be disturbed by his cries for attention during the night. Dogs are clean animals, and they will resist soiling their sleeping area if at all possible. So, set your alarm to wake you up every couple of hours throughout the night so that you can take your puppy outside to relieve himself. Immediately Clean Up Accidents Unfortunately, dealing with potty accidents is all part and parcel of raising and training a new puppy. When that happens, never punish or scold your pup. When accidents happen around your home, use an enzyme cleaner to remove the scent of urine from your floor coverings. If your puppy has an accident in his crate, you must wash all the bedding immediately. Ensure that you have a good supply of spare bedding to grab if you need it, and clean the crate thoroughly to remove any lingering smell of urine. Golden retrievers are especially quick at remembering simple words, and these trainable dogs are typically pretty obedient. So, from the get-go, you need to begin using verbal cues. Pick short and clear words so that your puppy can easily recognize and remember them. Combine your cue words with crate training. Increase The Difficulty As crate training progresses, you can make things more challenging for your puppy. Ask your dog to stay in the crate with the door closed for longer periods, and begin to move out of sight. Just like little kids, puppies will throw tantrums during the first few days of crate training. That behavior is perfectly normal and to be expected, especially when you first close the crate door. Instead, reward calm behavior with treats verbal praise, and let your puppy come out of the crate. So, when a tantrum kicks off, simply turn your back on your furry friend, and wait until he settles down again. Consistency Is Crucial! One of the most common problems people experience when crate training their puppy is not being consistent. Yes, it can be tough when your adorable fluffy bundle is crying and whining inside his crate. Unfortunately, giving in to your fur baby when he complains simply teaches your pet that whining and other bad behavior get him what he wants, which sets your training regimen back. Playtime Is Vital A lively Golden retriever puppy bursting with energy is not likely to settle calmly in his crate. Final Thoughts I hope you enjoyed our guide to crate training a Golden retriever puppy. If you did, please remember to share it. Crates are also useful tools for potty training your puppy and preventing bad behavior, such as chewing and eating harmful substances. Always be consistent and patient when crate training your puppy; use cue words and positive reinforcement to make learning fun for both your pet and you. Did you use a crate to train your Golden retriever puppy? Tell us how you did in the comments box below. Meet our writer Alison Page Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish. Leave a Comment. Key Takeaways Crate training can help you provide a safe and comfortable environment for your Golden Retriever. Avoid rushing the crate training process to ensure your dog feels comfortable and secure. Please do not use the crate as a punishment or leave your dog in it for extended periods. Crate training can be more effective and enjoyable for your dog if you use consistency, positive reinforcement, treats, and toys. Make it more comfortable by providing toys, blankets, and treats. Step 2: Once your pup is at ease, close the door and bring toys and treats inside. Keep an eye on them and let them out if they become distressed. Step 3: Increase the time your puppy spends in the crate with the door closed gradually, and step away from the crate while they are distracted. Step 4: Extend the time you are away from the crate. Selecting The Right Crate Size To ensure your Golden Retriever is comfortable and has enough space in their crate, you need to measure them accurately. Golden Retrievers will typically grow to by 20 to 24 inches tall and up to 75 lbs, so you need to make sure to get them the right size crate. Follow these steps to determine the size of your dog: 1. Measure the height of your Golden Retriever: Have your dog stand up straight, Measure from the floor to the top of their shoulder blades. Add around inches to this measurement to determine the minimum height for the crate. Measure the length of your dog from the tip of their nose to the base of their tail. Remember to add 2 to 4 inches to the measurement. Measure their width by having your Golden Retriever standing with their legs slightly apart. Focus your attention on the widest part of their body, which tends to be the chest area. Once again, always add up to 4 inches to the figure. Finally, you want to consider the age of your Golden Retriever. For example, if you have a puppy, keep in mind that they will grow rapidly. You may want to choose a crate that will work for their adult size or opt for an adjustable crate with dividers, so you can gradually increase the space as they grow. Your Golden Retriever puppy will rapidly outgrow a nice crate that is not suited for an adult size. Now that you have all the measurements, you can refer to this Crate Size Calculator to find out the right and best dog crate size for your golden retriever. What Is Crate Training? Crate training is the process of teaching a dog to accept a crate as a familiar and safe location. Here are some of the reasons: House training: Using a crate, you can help your dog learn where and when to go potty. This will make house training more effortless and less stressful for both of you. Safe space: A crate can be a relaxing and safe place for your dog to relax and sleep. It can also help keep your dog out of a mess by preventing them from chewing on inappropriate items or getting into dangerous substances. Traveling: Whether driving or flying across the country, a crate can help keep your dog safe and comfortable. Additionally, many hotels and other accommodations allow crate-trained dogs. Separation anxiety: A crate can provide security and comfort if your dog gets anxious when you leave. Knowing they have a safe place to go can help alleviate their anxiety and make their time away from home less stressful. Overall, crate training is an excellent way to provide your dog with a secure and comfortable environment to call their own. You should start crate training your puppy when you bring them home. However, with patience and positive reinforcement, an older dog can be trained to use a crate. Crate training can be a helpful way to provide a safe and comfortable space for your Golden Retriever to rest and relax, but it should never be used as a form of punishment or confinement. When done responsibly and positively, crate training can be a positive and effective method for you and your Golden Retriever. However, with time, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can help your dog get used to his crate. Add treats, toys, and blankets to the crate to make it more inviting. Increasing the time your dog spends in the crate gradually is crucial. Remember that crate training should be enjoyable for you and your Golden Retriever. You can quickly make your furry friend feel safe and secure in their crate with a little effort! Benefits Of Crate Training Your Golden Retriever Crate training can be super helpful for your furry friend and offer them a bunch of benefits, such as: Prevents Destructive Behavior: By giving your Golden Retriever a cozy and secure space, crate training can prevent them from chewing, digging, or scratching on household items. Potty Training: Crate training can teach your Golden Retriever to associate the crate with their den, making it easier to hold their bladder and bowels until you take them outside. Prepares Them For Travel: If you need to take your Golden Retriever on a trip, crate training can help them feel comfortable and secure while in transit. Crate training is a great way to help your Golden Retriever feel safe, secure, and comfortable while preventing destructive behavior and keeping them healthy and happy. Adult dogs: They can handle up to 8 hours in a crate, ideally with a break in the middle. Overnight: Many dogs can stay in a crate overnight without issues. Always ensure that any time in the crate is a positive experience for the dog, supplemented by regular breaks, exercise, and playtime outside of the crate. The shift is a delicate balance of patience, supervision, and positive reinforcement. Gradual Exploration Start by letting your dog explore a restricted, safe space under supervision. As comfort grows, extend the time they spend outside the crate. Monitor and Supervise Observe your dog closely during early freedom stages to prevent accidents or mischief. Ensure your home is dog-proofed to minimize potential hazards. Essential Amenities Keep their water bowl accessible. Designate a comfortable resting spot outside the crate. Positive Reinforcement Reward good behavior with treats or praise. This encourages adherence to house rules and reinforces desired behavior. Display patience and affection throughout their transition. With time and consistent guidance, your furry friend will seamlessly integrate into the household, striking a balance between freedom and behavior. Before leaving your dog alone in the crate, be patient and make sure your furry friend is comfortable and safe. For them, the crate should be a positive and safe space, and associating it with negative experiences can cause anxiety and fear. While some time in the crate is acceptable, providing sufficient opportunities for exercise, socialization , and bathroom breaks throughout the day is essential. Maintain a consistent routine and use the same commands each time you place your dog in the crate. Use Toys And Treats: Place toys and treats inside the crate to entice your dog to enter. This will make the crate a more positive and enjoyable environment for them to be in. Ensure your pup gets enough exercise and playtime throughout the day, so your furry companion can relax in the crate when the time comes. Excessive whining, barking, panting, and restlessness are all signs of stress in a Golden Retriever. If your furry friend exhibits these behaviors in the crate, they may be too stressed. Can I use a crate for my adult golden retriever? Yes, as long as it is appropriately sized and they are comfortable in it, you can use a crate for your adult Golden Retriever. Can you leave a puppy crying in the crate? Leaving a crying puppy in the crate is not recommended because it can cause separation anxiety and other behavioral problems. Instead, it is critical to gradually acclimate them to the crate and create a positive and comfortable environment. Should you put a blanket over a dog crate? Yes, draping a blanket over a dog crate can provide a sense of security and darkness, but ensure proper ventilation is maintained. What age is too late to train a puppy? Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Want to learn how to crate train your golden retriever puppy fast? Crate training is one of the best things you can do for your puppy. It helps accelerate potty training, it keeps them safe, and it helps keep them from learning bad habits like chewing up shoes. Read this article to learn more about potty training your golden retriever puppy. When I was a kid I hated vegetables. I just wanted fries and chicken nuggets. But what did my parents do? They made me eat veggies a little at a time until I got used to them. And then after I got used to them, I learned to love them. Now as an adult, I would much rather prefer a pile of grilled zucchini, broccoli, and asparagus than a plateful of fries. Crate training your golden retriever follows a similar pattern. But the following steps are going to teach you how to teach them to love their crate and handle being alone. The wire crate helped because it was open so he could always see the people around him, which lessened his anxiety of being in there alone at first. Step 2: Get The Crate Ready This is another step that you will have ideally done before you bring your puppy home. The first thing to consider when getting the crate ready for your pup is where to put it. Here are a few options: In your bedroom In the living room or other area where people in your home hang out Get two crates and have one in your bedroom and one in the living room Golden retrievers love being around people, so having their crate around people will usually help ease some of the pain of crate training. This will usually help with the loneliness and crying. The other thing to consider when getting the crate ready is what to put in it. You also may want to put a bed in there to make it comfortable for them. So how do you do that? First, they need to decide to go into the crate themselves. You can do that by putting a favorite toy in the crate, or scattering food in there. Expect them to walk in and right back out the first time. You want to make it so that they know fun things are in the crate. Check out the video below for a fun crate training game to help your puppy learn to love their crate. Walk out of the room for a second, then come back in. Then walk out for five seconds, then ten seconds. These next few sections will answer some common questions that new puppy owners have, as well as some tips to help the process go smoothly. Putting your puppy in the crate with a full bladder is one way you can set them up to fail. Also, frozen kongs or chew toys with peanut butter work great for easing your puppy into getting comfortable in their crate by themselves. That means that a two-month-old puppy can only hold it for about two to three hours, so expect to have to wake up two or three times every night until they get a little older. Take the water bowl away about two or three hours before bedtime so that your puppy will have time to fully empty their bladder before going to sleep for the night. Get them sufficiently tired during the day. Play games like tug, fetch or chase to physically wear them out, and train them and give them puzzle toys like frozen kongs to mentally wear them out. Set an alarm to wake yourself up before they wake up themselves. This is a tough situation, but it can be done. Here are some tips to make it work. You may have to come home on your lunch break, ask friends, family, or neighbors to come over, or hire a dog walker to let your puppy out. Wear them out in the mornings Go on walks, play chase, fetch and tug, or wrestle with them in the mornings to get some of their endless energy out. Utilize an exercise pen You might want to consider getting an exercise pen like this one from Amazon and circling it around the front of the crate to give your dog some extra room. Check out the video below for an example of what a crate looks like with an exercise pen attached for extra space. Does she need to pee? Is she full of energy? Or does she just want to get out and get some attention? Remember to set them up for success before you put them in crate, meaning physically and mentally tiring them out and making sure their bladder is empty. You can also leave for short periods of time starting at seconds , then come back and let her out. How long it takes for your puppy to get used to the crate depends. Did you rush them into it, or did you let them learn that the crate is awesome? Have you been rewarding them for barking in it, or have they learned that silence is what gets them out of the crate? It also depends on the dog. Some dogs take to crates much better than others. You can do it! Is Crate Training Ever Over? We started leaving him alone in the house somewhere around six months old, and then a few months after that we started letting him sleep outside of his crate he decided to sleep under the toilet… weird dude. Two big questions to ask yourself when considering taking this next step are: When was the last time my puppy had an accident in the house? When was the last time my puppy chewed something up in the house? Just like with crate training, you want to take baby steps and set them up for success. Crate Training Mistakes While all of the tips above will help make crate training go smoothly, the mistakes below can ruin your efforts, or at least make it very hard to get them to relax in their crate. Mistake 2: Rushing crate training Crate training takes time. Would you want to go in an unfamiliar box in an unfamiliar house? They need to learn that the crate is fun, safe, and relaxing, and that takes time. This leads us to the next mistake… Mistake 4: Punishing them for crying in the crate If a puppy is crying in the crate because they want attention, they might perceive you yelling at them as attention. Mistake 6: Using the crate too much Golden retrievers are lovers. Conclusion Crate training is one of the best things you can do for your puppy. Have any questions about crate training? Or have any other tips for new puppy owners? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. Read the full disclosure here. I know that, and eventually, your dog will know that, too. In this article you will learn exactly how to crate train a puppy or dog, no matter their age or level of previous training. You should read the whole guide before starting, to gain a complete understanding of the process, including the tips and troubleshooting at the end so you can find the speediest success. Why do we do this? We do this so we can use the crate as a place for short-term confinement, to keep our dogs and our belongings safe when we cannot supervise them. Then we can confine them short-term when needed, and they are happy to do so. Yes, they can even enjoy their time in the crate! In contrast: A properly crate trained dog will enjoy time in there happily and stress-free, even relishing the chance to get down to some occupational chew toy time or just to chill out and relax. Dog obedience is key to get this result! Benefits such as: Dramatically speeding up house training. Giving your dog a cozy and comfortable place to call their own where they can sleep and relax, overnight or whenever they wish. Giving you a tool to use for managing problem behaviors or to use for time outs to calm your puppy when needed. Giving you a safe way to transport your dog both by car and air if the need should arise. So they can enjoy trips away and holidays with you. Preparing your puppy for boarding at the vets, a kennel or at home to recover after medical treatment. There are many benefits to using a crate when used correctly, but they can also be misused. And there are also times when you should never crate a dog, regardless of their age or how much or little they can be trusted: Times And Ways That You Should Not Use A Crate There are a small number of dogs that suffer true anxiety and panic when placed in a crate. Under no circumstances should these dogs be crated…ever! The signs you need to look out for are: Any damage to the crate that show signs of attempting to escape. Urinating or defecating in the crate. The crate has moved at all while your dog is inside they must have made some frantic movements for this to happen. Never if your dog has sickness or diarrhea. Never when the weather is extremely hot. Never for any time longer than 5 hours. Not any time your vet prohibits it for medical reasons. Never as a way to punish your dog or for punishment. Use obedience training to correct bad behavior instead. Crating your dog for any of the reasons above is either inhumane, dangerous or purely selfish. Getting Prepared Before you can start crate training, you obviously need a crate. But you also need to make it a comfortable and happy place for your dog. Choosing A Crate Dog sleeping in crate There are many different sizes and style of dog crates available, from tiny inch crates all the way up to inch and bigger! XXL heavy duty dog crates. There are wire dog crates , plastic, fabric and even high quality wooden crates that look just like pieces of furniture. But the most important aspect of the crate you choose is its size: Too small and it would be cruel to expect your dog or puppy to spend time in there Too large and it loses the den like feeling dogs crave, not to mention they can use one end to sleep in while using the other end as a toilet, so it loses its effectiveness. For detailed instructions on measuring your dog for a crate and selecting the right size and type to suit your needs, please see my article: Choosing The Right Size And Type Of Dog Crate 2. Making The Crate Comfortable And Safe Dog In Soft Crate After choosing the right crate, you then have to make it a comfortable, safe and pleasant place for your puppy or dog to love spending time. For a detailed guide on where to place your crate and what you should put in it, you can read my article on: How to make a crate comfortable and safe for your dog. Make sure the crate is out of any direct sunlight, away from heat sources like fireplaces or radiators, and away from any possible cold drafts. Place soft, comfortable bedding inside. Place 2 or more chew toys inside to keep them occupied and develop good chew toy habits. If you have a wire crate, cover it either with a purpose bought crate cover or an old blanket or towel. Following the above 5 tips ensures the crate is a nice comfortable place for your dog. These pose a risk of choking if they happen to snag on anything, so no collars or leashes allowed. Your dog or puppy must be completely naked when crated. You must not rush through and you must make sure you are successful at each stage before you move on to the next, otherwise you could end up causing your dog or puppy to hate the crate by leaving them crated before they are ready. This unfamiliar box can be scary! The ultimate goal is for them to use it voluntarily. So the first task you have on the journey to crate training your puppy or dog is to form in their mind an association between the crate and all the things that they enjoy in life, so they see the crate as a good thing. Fail at this and you could saddle yourself with a dog who hates the crate, refuses to use it and maybe even fears it which can be a very hard thing to undo. So how do you go about achieving this? Technique 1: Magically Appearing Toys And Treats Set up the crate before you bring your dog home or if you have an existing pet, assemble the crate without them seeing so it just magically appears. Now let your dog or puppy into the room. So what should you do? Just act as you normally would, do what you would normally do. Play with your dog or puppy, or sit and watch TV, just act normal. Hopefully they will investigate this new thing in their world, enticed by the treats around and inside it, but also out of plain curiosity. Just draw no attention to the crate at all. Every dog will eventually at least eat the treats around the crate, if not the ones inside. This has the effect of the most prized things in their life being magically conjured up by the crate. Do this for a couple of days or more before you start crate training, and then occasionally for the few weeks after starting so your dog learns to love the crate and what it provides. You should find after a very short time they venture into the crate on their own just to look for some goodies, all without any encouragement from you. NOTE: Any treats you give this way have to be subtracted from their daily food portions or they will be overeating. And I say to do this just for the first few days and then only occasionally because to help house training you want your puppy eating on a schedule to promote defecating on a schedule, not eating at random times and pooping at random times. Feed these meals inside the crate. At first, place their food bowl just inside so they only have to poke their head in to feed. Then after the first couple of times, place it half way into the crate. After a couple of times of this, place it all the way at the back. You might be successful with this right away, or you may have to place it at the front for a few meals over a few days. Some dogs confidence builds quicker than others. Eventually and not before too long you should find your dog expectantly running over to and maybe even into the crate every time they see you holding their food bowl. After a few days of magic appearing treats and your dog eating dinner from the crate, basically once they are used to the crate and associate good things with it, we are ready to start crate training. When you do release your dog you do not want them bolting out and bumping into you, particularly important if you have a large dog such as a Golden Retriever that can easily bowl you over on their way past! You want them to reliably leave the crate when you ask. You can only achieve these three things if your dog understands that they must stay inside until told they can leave, or must leave when they hear the cue word. Choose whatever words you like, just be consistent. You do not want to spook your dog at this stage. Sit close to the crate armed with some high value treats, show them to your dog and then throw one inside the crate. Move away so they can easily exit and just stand patiently and quietly waiting for them to do so. Repeat this 8 to 10 times then take a couple of minutes break. Then do another set of 8 to .Yes, for real. Repeat this whole exercise a few times over the course of a day or two until your dog is comfortably, happily and reliably going in the crate when you throw in a treat. Training your dog to do this is a huge step! Make sure they really are confidently going in to get the treat before moving to the next step. And remember to use your cue words every single time so they quickly learn them. Step 3: No Treat For Free! The next step is to ask your puppy or dog into the crate before you treat them. Make them work for the treat instead of using it to lure them into the crate. To start, do 2 or 3 exercises of throwing a treat in and using the cue word as they go in to get it. When they do, give them a treat or two while you praise them profusely. Then use the cue word to leave and praise them when they do. Repeat this 8 to 10 times, take a couple of minutes break, then do another 8 to 10 before finishing up for this session. Repeat this step many times over the course of a day or two until you are certain your puppy or dog truly understands the commands and is happy to both go into and leave the crate on cue before you move to step 4. Now, many of you will have a dog at this stage that goes in, gets the treat or their toys and cannot wait to get back out again. But some will already be sitting, laying and sleeping in the crate of their own accord. Regardless though, what you want to achieve is your puppy or dog to sit and lie in the crate on cue, which is different to doing it of their own accord. Begin this just a couple of days after getting them home because they need to understand the cues outside of the crate before you can hope to have them follow the commands inside it. Other things you should have been doing before this step are: feeding your dog or puppy their main meals inside the crate occasionally leaving stuffed Kong toys in the crate this gets them used to spending time in there, usually in a sitting or laying position this will have made things easier Now, run through 2 or 3 repetitions of steps 2 and 3 before you start step 4, always remembering to use your chosen cues! Next, when your dog is inside the crate: Simply cue them to sit, praise and reward them profusely when they do. Then ask for a down and do the same. Then cue them to leave the crate before repeating the exercise. Try this 8 to 10 times before a few minutes break, then repeat for 8 to 10 times more. Repeat this whole step a few times over a day or more, but as you repeat the exercises, ask them to stay sitting or lying down for longer periods before you release them. And you should vary the duration to keep them guessing what it takes to earn a treat. Try just 1 second, then 5, then 2, then 10, then 3 and so on. Try to stretch the time out over a few practice sessions. Remember to be gentle and that your tone of voice throughout training matters. As always: Start with 2 or 3 repetitions of the easier steps first, going through steps 3 and 4 before trying to close the door. When ready: Cue your dog to go into the crate, praise and treat them, then ask for a sit, praise and treat and then slowly close the door. You ask for a sit because this position is automatically a more calm and relaxed position than standing. Continue to praise your dog and give a couple of treats through the closed door for remaining calm and sitting. Then open the door, and cue them to leave the crate. If your dog looks fearful or panicked when you close the door some will! Start by closing the door just part way for a few repetitions, then half way for a few, then most the way before finally closing it fully. This may take one training session or a few over days. Are you ready to move on? Once your dog is happy to sit a few seconds with the door closed, begin to latch it. Praise and treat for calm, then release the latch and open the door. For a training session, do 8 to 10 reps, take a few minutes break and then repeat. During each set, vary the time they have to stay calm and sitting, 3 seconds, then 10, then 4, then 15 and so on. You should aim to extend the time they stay calm and sitting with the door closed to a full minute before moving on to the next step. Again, this could take an afternoon, or it might take a few days. Go at your dogs pace and never force things. The base is serving as a staging facility for hurricane relief operations. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jack Braden Once your puppy or dog can sit calmly in the crate with the door closed for a full minute, the next step is to start moving away with the ultimate aim of being able to leave the room. First of all, perform a few reps of steps 4 and 5 as a warm up, remembering to always use your cues. Next, follow these steps: Cue your dog into the crate, close the door, latch it, praise and reward them and take a couple of steps backwards away from the crate but still facing it. Then return, praise and reward. Open the door and cue your dog to come out. Do this exercise 8 to 10 times, then take a few minutes break and repeat. For each repetition, mix things up: Try walking away a different distance in a different direction, but remaining in the room. First 2 steps backwards and pause 5 seconds before returning, then 4 steps to the side and a 15 second pause and so on. Work up to walking right to the exit or the wall and pausing for a full minute. Next, you will want to amp things up even more: Perform this exercise while you actively walk around the room, looking busy doing other things, but return to praise and treat your dog often. Tidy some magazines, rustle through a drawer, just look busy doing other things a few times in the house. Then, go even farther: Perform this exercise but back yourself up to the exit of the room and leave for just a couple of seconds before returning and heading to the crate to treat and praise. Do this a few times. The time this takes and the success you have will vary from puppy to puppy and dog to dog. Always stop at 10 repetitions max, and never more than two batches in quick succession followed by a big break. Otherwise your dog will get bored and the training is less effective. Now you just need to start increasing the time they are happy to spend time alone. Before you begin, something that goes a long way toward helping is to make sure your puppy or dog is well exercised before asking them into the crate. Why is that? A tired dog will be far more willing to relax and chill out for a length of time, compared to one who is full of energy and keen to play or wanting attention! After exercising them, the first step is to increase the time they are happy to spend in the crate while you are still nearby. To achieve this: Crate feeding: Feed your dog in the crate, or give them a stuffed Kong toy or good tasting bone chew toy. Hang out nearby: Ask your dog into the crate, give them their food or the toy, then close the door and take a seat nearby to read a book or a magazine. Engage occasionally: Every now and then, give them a further treat and praise, then go back to your book or magazine. Gradual build: Try to work up to a good half hour of quiet and calm in the crate while you read and they chew. Ignore them: After a couple of times like this, crate your dog or puppy with their meal or a stuffed toy and move around the room busying yourself, paying little attention to your dog. You want them to be eating their meal or chewing a toy in the locked crate while you do other things. Leave the room: After a couple of repetitions of this, repeat the exercise but move freely in and out of the room a few times, as well as occasionally sitting nearby. Disappear: Start by leaving the room for only 5 or 10 minutes, extending the time over a few sessions until you eventually achieve a full hour of alone time. As always, how long this takes will vary wildly from puppy to puppy and dog to dog. Go at their pace. It helps massively to succeed in this step if you only ever give your puppy or dog the bone chew toys or stuffed Kongs when in the crate and never outside of it. It builds excitement and anticipation, something to look forward to in the crate. Step 8: The Grand Finale! Wait for them to start chewing and then leave and come back into the room a couple of times. If they stay calm and pre-occupied with their chewing, simply leave the house. Then, do this: Go outside and walk to the bottom of your garden, just hang there for a few minutes and then go back inside and walk around your home for a couple of minutes before going to the crate and your dog. You want them to think that this is nothing, a complete non-event. And certainly do not go straight to them when you come back in. Remember: this even means nothing! From now on, practice alone time in the crate when you leave the house at least a couple of times every day, for varying lengths of time. Never make a fuss of any sort before you go, never make a fuss on your return. Over a few sessions, build up the time you are out of the house with your dog in the crate to a couple of hours as long as they are old enough to hold their bladder this long. You can now use the crate to keep your dog and your belongings safe when you cannot supervise them, and use the crate as a sleeping place for your dog at night. Always leave a few toys in there with your dog, and continue to repeat the exercise where you crate them with a stuffed Kong or chew toy if natural opportunities do not arise, just to keep them happy with the situation. If you have a dog that: Some puppies will take regular naps in the crate before you even start crate training. They might go on to show little interest or care about the door being closed. They might be super confident and happy right away with a little alone time. You might be able to crate train such a dog in just a few short days. Dogs like this can take many weeks to crate train: Some puppies may show fear of the crate and not want to go anywhere near it. Once carefully trained to go in, they might feel panic and fear when you close the door. You have to go at your own dogs pace because if you rush them you can instill dislike or even fear of the crate in their minds, and then it will take far longer than it ever should have. But many or most dogs will take to it quicker, and most puppies certainly will as they have no preconceived ideas, habits or emotions to overcome. When going through the steps above, if your dog excels at any stage you can quickly move to the next step. If they do not, if they show any fear or uncertainty, spend more time at a particular step until they are comfortable before moving on. Your dog will show you when they are ready to progress and you should go at their speed, however fast or slow that may be. They need to be able to: move around exercise their muscles enjoy some mental stimulation If they are regularly crated longer than this, behavioral problems will be the result, as well as the fact they have little in the way of a fulfilling life. In my experience this is a bit optimistic, all dogs are different and when a puppy is very young, this is certainly too long. This is with the exception of puppies from 8 to 12 weeks old who will need letting out once during the night. But after 12 weeks, they can last the whole night through. Crating your dog when you work full-time means two lots of 4 or more hours crated and this is a long time, so quality time, exercise and stimulation before and after crating is essential. Tips For Better Crate Training What follows are a few useful tips to keep in mind when crate training your puppy or dog. They will make the process easier and faster, while making sure your dog is comfortable and happy throughout the process: Always make sure you take your puppy or dog to their bathroom spot before you crate them for any length time. They will be uncomfortable and noisily complain with a full bladder…but rightfully so! Also take them the moment you let them out as they will usually be ready to go. Make sure the crate door is always open and your dog always has access to it so they can use it as and when they please. Most dogs will use it as a place to rest and this is a good thing. Always leave chew toys in the crate for your dog so there is something for them to do while crated. This will minimize boredom and teaches good habits of chewing on the right things. Continue to feed them their meals in the crate. Also, reserve special treats like bones and stuffed Kong toys for the crate only and never outside of it, so they really look forward to spending time there. Exercise your dog or puppy well before crating them for any length of time. A tired dog is one who is happy to relax and chill out. If you find your puppy nodding off and completely unable to stay awake this happens a lot! This will speed up their acceptance of the crate considerably if they snooze and find themselves waking up in there often. The worst thing you can do is force them in because chances are it will heighten their fear and make things even worse. Instead, break the task down into easier steps for your dog by employing some of the following tasks: Practice asking your dog to step in and out of cardboard boxes. First trimming the sides down to look like a small tray, then using further boxes and increasing height of the sides. Place bedding in the box and practice asking them to lay down. Some dogs may not like the roof aspect of the crate. Ask your dog to step underneath, even sit under there yourself and read a book while enticing them over for treats. Start with a big gap and a wide area covered, then lessen the gap between furniture in later training sessions to make it feel more crate like over time. If you have a plastic travel style crate airline crate then remove the top half and practice having them step in and out of the bottom half only. Start asking your dog to step into the bottom tray only. Then put on 2 of the walls for a couple of training sessions. Then three walls for a few sessions. Then the roof until finally the crate is fully assembled. Then cover the back third of the pens roof with a sheet and do the same. Then cover a half. Then remove a part of the pen to make the area smaller and ask them in to play with them. Whichever of the above you try, make sure an exit is wide open and easy for your dog to use for escape so they will feel less anxious. And take things very slowly, making sure they are visibly comfortable at any stage before taking a next step. After a few days maybe more of slowly getting them used to stepping into things that progressively get more and more crate like, you should be able to begin crate training. This type of reinforcement will not help the cries. Yes, you getting angry and telling your dog off will actually make the issue worse. This will train them to think that if they cry long and loud enough, you will eventually come and let them out. Not a good idea. Wait for 5 seconds silence before you approach, then give them a treat. You ruined it! Wait for at least 5 seconds of silence before you return, then treat them. Enough repetitions of this will teach them that silence gets rewarded and noise makes you go away. Why did they whine? You might want to go back a step or two in your crate training though. Make sure they are comfortably happy and silent in the crate, for a reasonable length of time with the door latched and you present, before you ever try to leave them alone. Young puppies cannot hold it through the night without having a potty break. But how do you know if the whines are because they need to eliminate or just crying for attention? For a puppy 8 to 9 weeks old, you will need to set an alarm to take them to potty twice during the night, at 2. For a puppy 9 to 12 weeks old, set an alarm to take them to potty half way through the night, 3. Make sure you do not feed them anything in the 3 hours before bed, take away water at least 2 hours before bed, and take them to their toilet spot to empty themselves as the very last thing you do before you go to bed. When you take them to potty, make sure you do so in silence. No playing, no words, no attention, otherwise they will learn that night-time is a time for play and attention. You obviously do not want this. They are very different things. But if when you leave your dog alone crated they show these symptoms: anxiety. Dublin during one of his first puppy crate training sessions. When it comes to crate training puppies every puppy is different. Stetson was an extreme case and after those four weeks of pure torture, much to my joy he went totally silent and would sleep in the crate all morning without a peep. Dublin was on the other end of the spectrum and only had a couple of nights whimpering before he began sleeping through the night. Our wire crate is collapsible making it easier to store and travel with. The wire-style crate circulates air better and gives us an option of either leaving it open or covering it with a blanket to make it more like a den. As a guide dog puppy raiser, we are given exact steps on how to crate train our puppies. When properly used, the crate becomes a security blanket, a place where the puppy can retreat to escape the household confusion and to feel secure. Never use the crate as a form of punishment! Zoom Zoom! Crate Training your Golden Retriever puppy. The dog crate should offer a positive, secure environment, and a calming zone. The crate can be effective for in-house training. Confined to a crate, an unattended puppy cannot destroy or soil anything. Do not crate the puppy during the day for more than 3 hours. Start crate training your puppy on his first night. Place the crate in your bedroom where the puppy can still see and hear what is going on. Put a blanket or towel in the crate for bedding. It worked great with our most recent golden retriever puppy, Charlie. A pup will rarely soil the crate, however, if he does, try removing the bedding. A crate should not be too big, but large enough for the puppy to stand stretch, and turn around. If he should happen to fall asleep somewhere else, pick him up and place him inside, and quietly shut the door. Do not hesitate to periodically use the crate, even while you are home. You may feed the puppy in his crate and give him some favorite toys, to keep the experience positive. We feed all of our pups Wellness Core Puppy Food. Working on crate training — Puppy Paws! When it comes time to put your pup in his crate leave the toy or blanket in the crate with the scent of his litter mates this may help your pup sleep better at night. This worked well with Dublin. As soon as he finishes up his business take him straight back to his crate without any playtime or other distractions. Feed Your Puppy Early Make sure you feed him at least an hour and a half before bedtime. Play With Your Puppy Before Bedtime Play with your puppy for an extended period of time just before bedtime to tire him out. A good game of fetch always works well with our pups. Put Your Crate Next To Your Bed Put your crate near the bed we swapped out our nightstands for crates where your puppy can see you and if he starts crying hang your arm down so he can smell your scent. This worked with my rescue puppy, Linus. I slept on the floor next to the crate in my sleeping bag and Linus stopped barking. This will make your puppy more comfortable when he enters the crate. Be careful. Super durable toys like the Nylabone DuraChew have worked well for us in the past. Try doing this with the door open and closed. Lie Next To The Crate With The Door Open Try leaving the door open but lying down across the doorway of the crate as if to nap with him, to make him feel more comfortable in the crate, and at the same time make your body block the doorway. You might try that instead of purchasing a Calmeroos Puppy. It may help soothe your puppy to sleep and save you a few bucks. Just make sure you monitor your pup if you give him a chew he can consume like a Bully Stick. There are many different toys that are designed to help your puppy get used to the crate. Why not try filling a water bottle up with warm water and putting it inside a thick comfy sock extra points if you rub the sock on littermates and mama to get their scent. Hey…you do what you can with the things you have around the house. He is 8 wks and boy has he reminded us how much older we are now. It never occurred to us to use soothing music to help our pups get used to their crate and new environment. Thank you K. Most will calm down after that time. As soon as our puppy is calm we give him praise. However, as I said it depends on your puppy. In this case, we try to take a slower approach to introducing our puppy to the crate. He has to go potty. Most puppies will calm down and stop barking within this time frame. Wait until he stops for at least a split second before you open the door. No Bueno. A Calmeroos Puppy Heartbeat Toy and a blanket. If we have a destructive puppy then we may not want to have anything in the crate. If our puppy is having potty accidents in the crate then we take out the blanket. In our experience, most puppies stop barking in the crate at night after the first days. However, there have been outliers. Our first guide dog puppy, Stetson took four weeks before he stopped barking in the crate at night. On the flip side, our English Cream Golden Retriever pup, Charlie never barked in his crate at night. Puppies will often adjust to their crates based on past experiences. A responsible breeder may have already started crate training puppies before going to their homes. A puppy rescued from a shelter may not have known anything other than the kennel run he grew up in. It depends, every puppy is different. Conclusion Those are my best tips and trick for getting your puppy to stop barking in the crate along with answers to some of the most common questions we get about puppies barking in their crates. How about you guys? Do you have any tips or tricks on how to stop a puppy from barking in his crate? Is this one of your first nights home with your new puppy? Also, we recently put together our New Puppy Checklist detailing all the products we recommend for new puppy owners. It has been updated with new information based on our experiences over the years. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

Can a German Shepherd puppy start training at 8 months? How to Potty Train Your 8-week-old German Shepherd Puppy Potty training your 8-week-old German Shepherd can be stressful at first, but with a bit of persistence and patience, your puppy will learn correct behavior in no time. The potty area can be outdoors or indoors. Having a designated potty place will help your dog understand that this is the only place they should go to poop or pee. Watch Out for Signs One of the first signs is usually an increased awareness of their surroundings. You may notice that your puppy starts sniffing around more often or seems particularly interested in certain places of the house. Watch out also for changes in behavior. If your pup suddenly starts having accidents inside or seems antsy and restless, they may be trying to tell you that they need to go outside. Use Cue Words One way to help your new puppy understand what you want him to do is to use cue words. Cue words will help your German Shepherd puppy learn the connection between the words and the action. You can also use cue words when rewarding him for going in the right spot. Give Training Treats When potty training your puppy, use treats as a form of positive reinforcement. Doing this teaches your puppy that good things happen when they go outside to do their business. When choosing treats for potty training, select something small and easy to eat. This way, the puppy can eat the treat quickly and then get back to playing. It would be best if you also chose training treats that your puppy finds irresistible. Otherwise, they may not be motivated to keep trying. Puppy Crate It is an enclosure to confine your new puppy for short periods. It is also helpful in transporting puppies from one place to another. German Shepherd owners use it for crate training as they can also help with separation anxiety and boredom. Puppy crates usually have a removable tray on the bottom for easy cleaning. They also have wire, plastic, or fabric as the primary materials, and they typically come in different sizes to accommodate puppies of different ages and breeds. When buying a crate, it must be big enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down but small enough so that the puppy does not have too much space to eliminate in one corner and sleep in the other. When used correctly, it can provide a safe, comfortable space for your new furry friend. Early Morning: Bring your Puppy Outside When your German Shepherd is a still puppy, he may have trouble holding his bladder throughout the night. If you do not let your puppy out early enough, it might create potty accidents because he cannot control their bladder. Morning: Time for a Nutritious Breakfast Puppies need a lot of nutrients to grow up healthy and strong. A nutritious breakfast helps them get the energy they need to start the day. Even though puppies spend most of their time sleeping and cuddling, puppies require several daily feedings. Place your puppy on your lap and snuggle while sleeping. It would be best if you also let them rest throughout the day. Afternoon: Lunchtime Take your puppy outside after lunch to relieve themselves. Allow your puppy time to exercise and release any built-up energy. Feeding your puppy .Between naps, you can do playtime and training activities to help release energy, encourage physical activity, and develop a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd. Evening: Last meal of the Day During the evening, feed your puppy their fourth and last meal. Afterward, take your puppy for a short stroll. Before returning, have your puppy go potty outside, then snuggle up on the sofa for some quality time. Night: Potty Break Before Bedtime Take your puppy out for one more potty time before putting him to bed. Remember that you should establish a reasonable bedtime for your puppy early on. Moreover, an 8-week-old German Shepherd may develop a better appetite for other solid meals. These include constipation, bloating, and diarrhea. Diarrhea Diarrhea is a common problem that many German Shepherd puppies face. This condition has several possible causes, including dietary indiscretion, viral infections, and intestinal parasites. In most cases, diarrhea is not a serious concern and will resolve itself within a few days. However, seek veterinary care if your puppy displays other symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or lack of appetite. Constipation A young German Shepherd is particularly susceptible to constipation due to their large, muscular build and fast metabolism. If your puppy is constipated, you may notice that he has difficulty passing stool and seems uncomfortable or restless. If your puppy is constipated, take him to the vet for treatment. The vet may give him a laxative or enema to help relieve constipation. Bloating Bloating occurs when the stomach fills with gas, causing it to swell. German Shepherds are especially prone to bloating because of their deep chests. There are several possible causes of bloating, including eating too fast, drinking too much water, and exercising immediately after eating. Stress can also be a factor. To prevent bloating, feed your German Shepherd several small meals daily instead of one large meal. It is also important to avoid exercising immediately after eating and ensure that your dog has access to fresh water. Yes, a German Shepherd puppy can start training at eight months. But remember that every puppy is different and will learn at its own pace. Consistency is key, and with patience, your puppy will get the hang of obedience training in no time. Training should be a bonding experience for you and your pup! Remember to have fun and keep it light. At eight weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy sleeps for around 18 hours daily. It may seem like a lot, but puppies need a lot of sleep to grow and develop properly. As they get older, German Shepherds will sleep for less time each day. German Shepherd puppies use their mouths to explore their surroundings and socialize with other dogs and people. In addition, puppies typically start teething around eight weeks old, which can cause them to bite more as they try to relieve the discomfort caused by their emerging teeth. Puppies also explore the world with their mouths, and biting is a way for them to learn about their environment. In addition, puppies may bite out of excitement or frustration, especially if they are not getting enough exercise. If your puppy is biting excessively, provide him with plenty of chew toys and opportunities to run and play. Also read:. An 8 week old German Shepherd puppy is a bundle of antics and endless energy! Your 8 Week Old German Shepherd Puppy An 8 week old your puppy requires a daily routine and training to help them become the dog of your dreams. This article will not only help you understand your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy but will also explain to you why your little puppy has certain behaviors. Raising a German Shepherd puppy can feel like an overwhelming task at first! Just remember, your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is also adjusting to its new life with you. You should expect your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy to feel stressed and uncertain. They may seem timid and unsure of their surroundings. They might cry, whine, and not want your attention. Having structure and consistency will help create a bond and help you both in getting along more peacefully and calmly. Introducing A Puppy Crate Many dog owners choose to use a crate when it comes to caring for their 8-week-old puppy. While some people consider crates unnecessary, or even cruel, crate training is a useful skill to offer your dog. With the right training your pup will see its crate as their private safe space and will even go there to relax. Leaving your puppy at home unsupervised can get them and you into a heap of trouble. Crate training helps prevent your home from being a destruction zone. This useful guide to crate training a German Shepherd puppy gets you on the right track to success! Crate training your puppy can: help speed up housetraining teach your dog to settle calm down offer your dog privacy But you must introduce the crate slowly and positively so your puppy builds a strong connection to the benefits of the crate. Never just shove or push your young German Shepherd into the crate without using positive training. Your new dog also needs a routine and schedule to help them through the early days with you and set the expectations you have for them. Having a schedule helps your puppy to know what to expect in their daily routines. It keeps you from losing your mind and helps ease a worried puppy. While you might work from home or have other obligations, try to follow a schedule that looks similar to this: Early morning: Take your puppy out for the first potty break of the day! So, they may need to go outside even before the sun rises. Breakfast time: Your puppy may want to go back to sleep after going outside and this is perfectly normal. On the other hand, some puppies are wide awake and ready for their breakfast. Either way, always take your puppy back outside shortly after their breakfast so they can sniff and have another potty break. Mid-morning: Puppies should eat 3 — 4 small meals a day. Mid-morning is a good time for another small meal. Afternoon: This is a good time for their lunch followed by a potty break and plenty of sniffing time to work off some of their energy. Late afternoon: Puppies need another potty break in the afternoon, and some puppies need more breaks outside. Evening: Their dinner meal and their evening potty time. Remember to let them explore outdoors in a safe area to help build their confidence. Scheduling exercise, potty breaks, and play at the same times every day helps ensure that your puppy learns their daily routine more quickly and settles in nicely. And, even young puppies can learn basic training in their first weeks with you. Try training your German Shepherd puppy at home to start with. In the beginning, you may find a few accidents in the house. But, stick with your potty training and remember to always watch your puppy to keep them from having messes in the house. When you stick to a regular potty schedule, the likelihood of potty training mishaps decreases, and you and your puppy are less stressed. Always, always, always… Supervise your puppy indoors when you are potty training. Your toughest time together with your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy might be the first few nights. Your puppy has only known the comfort of his mother and siblings before. Having your puppy sleep away from you will only scare them more. And, although they are little, their cry is loud! Having a place for them near your bed is the best way to avoid a night full of tearful cries and howling. Can I let my German Shepherd puppy sleep in bed with me? Plus, when your puppy is an adult and tries to sleep in bed with you there will be no room for you! A full-grown German Shepherd can weigh up to pounds and will push you right out of your own sheets. Your puppy sleeps most of the day. A new puppy sleeps more often than they are awake. An 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy may sleep as many as 18 hours a day! Sleeping this much allows your puppy to have the energy they need to grow and keeps them ready to explore their new world. Feeding An 8 Week Old German Shepherd Your puppy should stay on the same food they were eating before you brought them home to keep them less stressed. This helps keeps your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy from having an upset stomach and becoming ill. Sometimes, you might want to switch them over to a different food. If you choose this route, do it slowly and in stages over a few weeks. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should eat 3 to 4 small meals per day. Although their stomachs are small if you overfeed them they could get sick and have stomach problems. Spreading their meals out throughout the day in regular intervals is best to avoid any upsets. Look for a balanced, complete puppy food for large breed dogs. As a large breed dog, your German Shepherd you should only feed your puppy food that is specially formulated for large breed puppies. Large breed puppies have different nutritional needs that are not found in ordinary puppy food. Feeding a commercially available food that is formulated for large breed puppies helps them to grow at a sustained rate. Steady growth in a large breed puppy helps to avoid stress on their bones and gives them a strong skeletal foundation for their athletic muscles. Limiting food intake in growing German Shepherd puppies has also been associated with fewer signs of hip dysplasia. This is of extreme importance in this breed due to the high incidence of hip problems and the pain associated with this joint disorder. A growing puppy is best fed a proprietary pet food that has been specifically formulated to meet its nutritional needs. Foods that are available as dry kibble are especially suitable to rear even the youngest of puppies. Opt for this specially formulated food for large breed puppies to keep your dog growing at a healthy rate that helps them stay strong. It is a complete balanced diet so nothing is missing. Within the first few days of arriving to their new home with you is a stressful time. Your puppy has just made a drastic life change and left everything they knew to be with you. Diarrhea and other stomach issues are sometimes stress induced. You can help your puppy by keeping to a regular feeding schedule and feeding them the same food they were on before coming to you. Sometimes diarrhea is also a sign of an underlying health issue and, if left untreated, can become life-threatening. If your puppy vomits blood, has bloody stools and diarrhea, becomes lethargic, or refuses to drink, call your vet immediately! To an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy biting and nipping are all part of playing with their siblings. And, your puppy will most likely bite and nip you at some point too. They may even growl at you and tug at your hands or nip your ankles. This is all part of puppy play. But… It can really hurt you or make you bleed! Understanding bite inhibition means they know how to control the power of their play bites and how hard or soft they nip you. Preventing Nips and Bites If you know the right way to prevent and stop German Shepherd puppy biting, you can train your puppy to understand how to keep their razor-sharp tiny teeth from sinking into you. Instead… Offer them plenty of puppy-safe chew toys appropriate for their size. When they bite or nip you, calmly show them the toy to chew instead. Get their attention by moving the toy in a playful way around them so they begin to chase and bite the toy, instead of you or your furniture. Use these links to help you stay on the right track throughout their life. Keep calm! German Shepherd puppy training is fun and a great time to bond with your new dog! Instead… Follow these puppy training tips to break down your training into manageable steps that are easy to teach and train. German Shepherd puppies are brilliant! And as they grow, they become the most loyal canine friends. Teach Them Handling Skills While your dog may enjoy gentle caresses and hugs from you they will also need to learn other important handling skills. Think about the grooming your dog will need and how the vet might handle your pup in the future. These are all areas where they will be touched in the future. Handling skills involve intentional, purposeful touch that acclimates your dog to uneasy situations in the near future. Ignoring fear and stress signals such as cowering, lip their lips multiple times, turning their head away, even shaking will only teach your dog to fear that object. Fear can cause your dog to become aggressive or suffer from anxiety. Never, ever try to become the alpha! Instead, learn to become their favorite teacher and speak their language. It also prevents undesired behaviors. Think of positive training in terms of showing, teaching, influencing, and trusting. These terms build trust. Focus on the Good Things Some puppy owners all too often think about punishment and discipline as their first steps in training. What you want is to focus on catching your dog behaving well — and reward that! If you see your puppy chewing on the right chew toy, then praise them. When you see them look at you, offer them a treat for paying attention. When you find your dog lying down being quiet and calm, pet them gently and offer them verbal praise. The more you focus on the good things, the less your dog concerns itself with doing bad things. Call them to you or offer them a better option that is what you prefer, then praise them for choosing the right thing. Pick one skill at a time to practice, and build upon their success. Think of the easiest way for your dog to understand the command and stick to the same word. You can begin basic German Shepherd obedience commands from your own home, even! Small bits of training, spread out in multiple sessions throughout the day, is better than an hour-long session. Aim for the 5-minutes worth of training using 4 to 5 sessions daily. This is where brain games and brain training come into play. You can make up your own brain games for their mental exercise or, even better… Signup for an online course that teaches fun Brain Training for Dogs using that positive, reward-based training you read about earlier. Using the unique intelligence of your German Shepherd puppy this brain training program helps your dog to learn not only their basic commands but also to play fun games that work on good behavior. Training games help your dog to learn impulse control, basic commands, and to watch and listen to you. What games do you play with a young dog? Try these great German Shepherd puppy training games to give your 8-week-old puppy a head start! Include different games throughout the day in between your training sessions to give your dog a break and have fun with them! There are 5 critical focus areas in which you must train your 8-week old German Shepherd appropriately. Here is the most important training that you need to teach your new puppy so they enjoy a successful life with you. Keep in mind, your young dog is unable to hold its bladder for more than a couple of hours at 8-weeks-old. They simply lack the muscle control to hold their bladders any longer. Instead, opt to train your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy using positive methods and watching for the natural times that your dog chooses to eliminate. Adjust the times as necessary to avoid any accidents in your house and help keep your puppy to their unique schedule. Early morning: Let your pup outside first thing every morning to let them relieve themselves. After breakfast: After its morning breakfast meal let your dog back outside. Let them walk around and sniff to help encourage them to explore and let them stretch their legs. Before and after lunch: Let your puppy outside before and after their lunchtime meal. Eating stimulates the bowels and your puppy needs to got outside at least every 2 hours. Before and after dinner: Remember that eating stimulates the response for your puppy to eliminate. So, before and after every mealtime your puppy should be let outside for a walk and sniff. Before bedtime: Your puppy needs to relieve themself before they settle down for the nighttime. This is a good time to let them have a long sniffing exploration and to really explore a safe area. During the night: Yes, your puppy will probably need to go potty during the night. You might hear them whine and cry to get your attention. Remember, they cannot hold their bladders for more than 2 hours! After naptime: Take your puppy out for a potty break after naptime, as soon as they wake up. Keep repeating the same routine. Your puppy will soon catch on, but this generally takes weeks or even months. The more diligent you are about preventing accidents the quicker your puppy will learn housetraining. Never, ever punish your puppy or rub their nose in it for punishment. This may stress them out and cause even more accidents. Socializing your 8-week-old German Shepherd means that you must provide your dog with interesting and positive interactions where they feel safe. This helps give your young dog confidence in its environment. German Shepherd Dogs are extremely loyal and have a tendency of apprehensiveness with strangers. Socialization helps ensure that your puppy not only grows a strong bond with you without developing over-protectiveness but also learns to trust that you have their best interest in mind and will keep their experiences as positive as possible. German Shepherd puppy socialization training tips: Without their full set of vaccinations, your puppy is vulnerable to infectious diseases. However, consider taking your young dog to early socialization classes where all other dogs have also been immunized. This reduces the risk of becoming sick and helps your German Shepherd become a confident, well-adjusted, and friendly dog. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior promotes early socialization source , even before your dog receives its full set of vaccines, as lack of socialization is detrimental long-term. Every new interaction or must be followed with a reward — a tasty treat! This ensures your puppy has positive associations with new experiences, people, and other dogs. With the proper socialization training, your puppy should become eager to explore new places and meet new people and animals. Taking your German Shepherd puppy to new places exposes them to different people, dogs, sights, and sounds. As a puppy, you can help teach your German Shepherd important social skills through intentional training moments that are positive and allow your puppy to develop their confidence in social situations. This is where bite inhibition comes in useful. Bite inhibition helps your puppy to not only control what they bite but also how hard or soft they close their jaws. It teaches your dog how to properly apply force with its mouth without hurting you or anyone else. How to Teach Your Puppy to Bite Without Hurting You To teach your puppy not to hurt you with their nipping and biting do your best to not let them get to this energy level. If you know your puppy tends to bite you when you play with them too long, then cut your playtime short. If they tend to bite and nip you when they are tired, then have them go to their nap area sooner to rest. Puppies also tend to bite you when they are cranky from not eating soon enough or when they want attention. You can get up and leave the play area for a few moments. Return once they are calm. Never use only your hands for play. You should have a few puppy-safe chew toys around to grab quickly to offer your puppy during play. If your puppy nips or bites any of these areas, the game is immediately over. Get up slowly and calmly and leave. Only return when they are calm again. Offer your puppy their chew toy when they are too excited to play softly with you. Encourage them to find their toys and bite them instead of you. Never yell or punish your puppy for play-biting and nipping. Doing so can lead to anxiety, aggression, or your puppy fearing you. Even though German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs, learning and teaching bite inhibition requires a lot of repetition and consistency. You might even walk to walk around with one of their toys in your pocket to help reinforce the right behavior offering them the chew toy when they decide to nip your ankles or bite your legs. Continue with your bite-inhibition training as long as it takes for your dog to learn to use its soft mouth. This could take months, but soon they will master the art of a soft bite. But, crate training your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy can improve the speed of their house training and accustom them to times they may need to be in their crate such as during travel or at the vets and groomers. Crates are also a useful area for your dog to have their own private space when they want alone time or are stressed and need some quiet. Choose a crate that gives your dog enough room to turn completely around, stand comfortably, sit upright, and lie down easily on their side with their legs stretched for rest. The best crates grow with your German Shepherd and allow you to partition the space off to suit their size. Offer them a treat or even their meal in their crate to help them develop positive associations with it. Start closing the door when they are inside for just a few seconds at first. Then, open the door and let them out calmly. Continue to increase the time your puppy stays inside the crate, working up to longer and longer times. This may only encourage them to cry and whine harder and louder when they want out. Instead, wait just a couple of seconds for them to be quiet, and let them out only when they are not crying and whining. If they appear too stressed or panicked, let them out immediately! This also encourages your dog to seek out the crate when they want their private space and time alone, as they will know where to find their crate. Avoid placing a blanket over the crate since puppies chew and are extremely active. Your pup could accidentally pull the blanket inside and hurt themselves by either wrapping it around their neck or choking on it. Place the crate in an area away from drafts and out of the direct sun so they get too cold or too warm. The best way to do this is to practice leash skills at home first. After they are comfortable wearing their leash around the house, you can work on the skill in the backyard, front yard, or on the sidewalk outside. A good time is during their favorite meal. Only leave them on your dog for a short time to gauge their reaction. If they seem fine, place your puppy into the harness and attach the leash. Offer them praise and a reward for letting you leash them. Now, let your puppy drag the leash around the house so they know how it feels to wear it. You can play with them a bit, or even better have them follow you around which simulates an outdoor walk but indoors. Remove the harness and leash if your GSD puppy becomes too upset and agitated! Keep it upbeat and positive! Now, introduce your puppy to a short walk outdoors in the safety of your backyard. Let your puppy wander around while you hold the leash. They may begin to pull. Get their attention by calling their name and showing them a treat to lure them back to you gently. Reward them every time they come to you while on the leash. Should they ignore you then offer them the treat to lure them to you after giving the command. Try kneeling or squatting down to get on their level when you give them the command. It seems to get their attention better. You can even slap your leg or clap your hands to entice them back to you. Always ensure that your puppy is not stressed by their new harness and leash. Some owners prefer to use a collar for leash training. If this is your choice then only choose life-saving break-away collars since your puppy could get hung up and seriously injure themselves if their collar catches on something during their outside walk. Your dog can learn the basic commands with a bit of training. If you have time to train basic commands and are still focusing on the core areas of raising your German Shepherd puppy, then follow these helpful articles that will put your puppy on the right track to obedience training. Your German Shepherd Puppy: 8 Weeks To 1 Year Old Apr 08, If you're interested in what the progression of your puppy from 8 weeks to 1 year should look like, and how to achieve it; you've come to the right place. If you're expecting a timeline of what achievements you should hit at specific times, this isn't it. All puppies and dogs learn at different rates based on everything from the drive level, interests in reward, your level of training skill etc. Instead of focusing on what tricks and obedience positions your puppy learns, focus on building a relationship with your puppy. Millions of people have adult dogs who won't let them cut their nails or bathe them and must go to a professional groomer. There's nothing wrong with using a groomer's services, but if you must because your dog won't allow you to, it's because you didn't bond with the dog and condition it as a puppy. To begin building a foundation takes a lot of treats, time, socialization, conditioning, and focus training to get engagement. Let's start with socialization. Socialization doesn't mean you let your puppy play with random dogs and strangers. It's quite the opposite. Socialization means you desensitize your puppy to the presence of other dogs and people to the point it doesn't acknowledge them. Other dogs and people become background noise that they're uninterested in. If you view socialization as getting a puppy to love everything, everyone, and every dog they see, you won't have their engagement. If you don't have their engagement on you, they aren't going to listen to you. You'll be the owner who gets drug down the street every time your dog wants to say "hi" to a stranger or new dog. Not only that, but not every stranger is friendly, nor is every dog. It's better to train your puppy to completely ignore everything except you on your walks. Since we've brushed up on what socialization should be and why, let's get into engagement. Engagement means that your dog looks to you. When you say their name, you have their undivided attention. They are looking at you, waiting for instruction. If you've ever had a dog, not come when called, 9 times out of 10 it was doing something it deemed more engaging than looking to you. That means to your dog, that other thing they were doing was more important than anything you had to say or wanted them to do. That becomes life threatening if a dog deems that engaging with the dog across the street is more important than coming when called. So how do you build engagement? Well, thankfully, it's easy! Start from day one by saying your pup's name. If they look at you, click your clicker or say "yes" and give them a treat. If they come to you, even better, give them a treat for looking at you, and another for coming. Your job is to court their attention and reward every time you get it. Before long, your puppy will look to you for everything. Once that happens, training can begin. If you skip this step, you will notice that during training your puppy may sit for you, take the treat, then decide to run around or sniff the ground etc. Those things means that training will take longer because you don't have engagement. Now that you've gotten the engagement you need, start training by making everything a learning experience and a game. You should be upbeat and excited. When you teach your dog to sit, mark the behavior with a click or a yes and reward with a treat excitedly. This only serves to increase engagement. You're not only a treat machine, you're also a fun friend. The more fun you are, the less fun distractions are. You can even begin to blend this into socialization. For example, your puppy sees another dog being walked across the street and starts to focus on them. You call their name, they look at you because you give treats for engagement, and you're way more fun than playing with another dog they don't even know across the street. This is the corner stone of having a dog who obeys commands every time, and not just when there's no distractions around or when they feel it's convenient. We've all either said, or have heard people say "Well, he usually does it when it's just us! Remember, while you're building this bond, trust, and engagement, you also need to start conditioning your puppy. Lift all 4 paws. Open the mouth. Check their ears. Touch their undersides. Open their eyes.This is the time to condition your puppy to being examined, medicated, temperature checked, bathed, nails clipped or dremeled etc. Lastly, during this time, you should be trying your hardest to build drive to play tug with a ball on a rope or tug. Food is great, but many dogs have more prey drive than food drive. If you have such a dog, a ball on a rope or tug is a powerful training agent. It also helps build a bond because puppies love food, but puppies also love to play. Later in life, you'll find it easier to stuff a ball in your pocket than a full pouch of treats as well. All of this sounds like an informal amalgamation of building trust, building a bond, training, desensitization, conditioning, building engagement and drive etc. But that's because this is exactly what raising a puppy in the most efficient and most reliable way possible is. Taking your time and blending all these aspects together until they're one and the same. Trying to create a schedule of when a puppy should know this, or that will not nearly be as fun for you or the puppy. It'll only make you both frustrated and feel like you're failing. But if you take your time, by 12 months, your puppy will know everything you would've put on that schedule, have bonded with you, think training and learning new things is fun, and be a pleasure to groom and vet! If you enjoyed this article, please leave a like and share. Thank you. This article is designed to help you along your way. This is completely normal. Every new puppy owner has their moments of frustration and doubt. Remember that your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is going through a big life change, too. She may be feeling stressed and out of sorts when you first bring her home. Consistency and structure will go a long way toward helping both of you. Introducing The Puppy Crate A crate can be your best friend when it comes to caring for your 8-week-old puppy. While some people think of crates as cruel, the reality is that with the right training, your puppy will think of her crate as a safe, quiet space where she can go to relax. If you leave your puppy unsupervised at home, you may come back to find a whole lot of destruction. Puppies can get into all kinds of trouble on their own, with their natural curiosity and desire to chomp down on just about everything in their path. A crate can help you keep your German Shepherd puppy — and your belongings! While every puppy is different, chances are your daily schedule for the first week will look a little bit like this: Early morning: Time for the first potty break of the day! Breakfast time: You can feed your puppy breakfast right after her first potty break, or wait a little longer and let her go back to sleep first. Mid-morning: Time for another small meal, and another potty break. Afternoon: Lunchtime followed by a potty break. Late afternoon: Another potty break! Evening: Dinner, and then — you guessed it — potty time. Just before bed: One last trip outside before you turn in for the night. In between potty and mealtimes, your puppy will probably be playing or napping. Scheduling play and exercise at the same times every day can help ensure that you get that nice, quiet naptime right on schedule, too. Potty Training an 8 Week Old German Shepherd Potty training can be one of the most daunting tasks of raising a brand new puppy. It may take a bit longer than you expected for your puppy to get the hang of things! Your puppy has never been apart from her siblings and mother before. The best way to avoid a night full of mournful wailing is to let your puppy sleep in your room, at least in the beginning. Safer ways to keep your puppy comfortable and contained at night include keeping her crate beside your bed, setting up a puppy playpen, or even just using a tall cardboard box. In fact, an 8-week-old puppy can spend as many as 18 hours a day sleeping! This helps keep some element of consistency in her routine and her stomach. If you do decide to switch over to a different food after a few weeks, do so in stages. You can then increase that slowly over time. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should be fed three to four times per day. Because the German Shepherd is a large breed, you should also feed your puppy a diet formulated specifically for large breed puppies. There are many commercially available diets made to help large breed puppies grow at the right rate. This helps to avoid skeletal abnormalities like hip dysplasia. Want more information on what to feed your 8-week-old German Shepherd, and how to change her diet as she gets older? We have everything you need to know right here in our guide to feeding a German Shepherd puppy. The stress of such a drastic life change can manifest in different ways, and an upset stomach is a pretty common reaction. You can give your pup a better chance of having a settled stomach by keeping her on the food she was eating before you brought her home, and feeding on a consistent schedule. Diarrhea can also be a sign of an underlying issue besides stress, however, and severe diarrhea can be life-threatening if left untreated. Your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is likely to bite you too, for exactly the same reason. She may even growl. And it really can hurt! Your Growing Dog As your German Shepherd puppy grows, our guides will help you care for her throughout her life. Here are a few links to get you started:.

Related post: Why is my German Shepherd so anxious? It could be that tartar buildup is rubbing against its cheeks causing it to drool. You can check this by pulling its lip back towards its ear and looking for brown decaying teeth, overly red gums, swelling or bleeding. If you think that dental issues could be causing the excessive drooling then your best option would be to take it to the vet where they will be able to inspect it more closely. It might also be the case that it has something stuck between its teeth that is causing it to drool. Poison It could be that your German Shepherd has eaten or licked something poisonous. If this is the case then the drooling is more likely to come suddenly and it might be accompanied by foaming in the mouth if it is more serious. If you think that this could be the cause of the excessive drooling then you should take it to the vet as soon as you can. Illness There are also some illnesses that can cause excessive drooling. If your German Shepherd has been showing other symptoms of illness such as vomiting, a lack of appetite or a sudden change in its behavior then illness could be the cause. If you think that this could be the case then take your German Shepherd to a vet to get it looked at. The first thing that you can do is to check where it is going before the drooling occurs. Another thing that you can do is to consider when the excessive drooling happens. If it happens when you are away then it could be separation anxiety. If it happens after you let it outside then it could be eating the wrong things. If it happens when it gets hot then it could be due to the heat. You should also take the time to inspect its mouth since this is a likely cause of the excessive drooling. To do this you can do things such as giving it access to lots of water, giving it access to lots of shade, grooming it more often you could also lower the air conditioning temperature in your house. You can try doing this by initially leaving it alone in a certain room for a few seconds and then rewarding it for being well behaved with a treat and then to gradually increase the amount of time that you leave it alone for. You can also try giving it exercise before you have to go so that it will be more sleepy while you are away. Reduce its access to poisonous things Another thing that you can do is to limit its access to things that it might be eating or licking. You can do this by blocking off certain areas of your yard. Related questions Why does my German Shepherd drool when I eat? This is because the sight of the food is making its mouth water so that it can eat the food more effectively. To get this to stop you can try teaching it to wait in a different area while you are eating or you can feed it just before you start eating. Why is my German Shepherd drooling and acting strange? If your German Shepherd is drooling and acting strange then there are a number of possible reasons. Many of which will involve illness or having eaten something poisonous so your best option here is to take it to the vet. Why is my German Shepherd drooling and licking? There are a number of possible reasons for this including sickness, dental problems, having something stuck in their throat or focal partial seizures. Your best option here is to take it to the vet. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link. Separation anxiety Is it normal for a German Shepherd to drool a lot? Drooling can and will occur in German Shepherds, as it does in most dogs, for many purposes. Extreme drooling in German Shepherds should always be explored because it could indicate something harmful is going on. Still, there is also drooling that is typical for German Shepherds, according to the situation. What does it mean if a German Shepherd is drooling a lot? There are various potential explanations for profuse drooling in your German Shepherd. Expecting a meal The prospect of meals could be one probable and less concerning factor. Your German Shepherd may have been drooling profusely at a moment when the climate has warmed up at a place in which you reside. When it becomes hot, maintaining cold can be challenging for them. In that case, the drooling could be a sign of separation anxiety. When your German Shepherd is abandoned alone, it becomes worrying, and one of the likely implications is profuse drooling. Because it brushes against its cheek, tartar plaque may cause it to salivate. By pushing its lip backward over its teeth, you can check for brownish rotten teeth excessively reddish gum, puffy, and bleeding. Visit your vet if you feel there is a dental issue. Your dog is in pain and needs your help. Toxin Your dog may have ingested something toxic and when that happens they will drool and sometimes it is accompanied by foaming in the face of the toxin is severe. If you feel this happened you must see a vet right away. Ailment Certain disorders can also provoke abnormal drooling such as Vomiting. Or are you about to get a German Shepherd and are wondering do German Shepherds drool? This article will answer that question as well as list the most common reasons why dogs drool. Do German Shepherds Drool? Yes, German Shepherds can drool. If your German Shepherd is drooling there is a reason why it is occurring. What Is Drooling? Reasons Why German Shepherds Drool They are salivating over food The most common reason your German Shepherd will drool is because they are salivating over food. If you are eating and your dog is watching you eat, their mouths will start producing extra saliva that will come out as drool. Food is a pretty big trigger for most dogs, and if everyone around them is eating, they will likely drool in anticipation of getting something tasty themselves. They are nauseous If you have a German Shepherd that is prone to get car sick, you may have noticed that they drool when they are nauseous. Nauseousness can cause your dog to drool because they produce more saliva when they are feeling queasy. If your dog is prone to getting nauseous that could be the cause of the drooling. They just drank water Another reason your GSD may drool is if they just drank a lot of water. Drinking a lot of water at once can cause there to be excess water in their mouths which will lead to drool. If your dog has a cut, growth, or just a mouth injury from chewing on the wrong thing, that is enough to cause drooling to occur. A dental issue Just like dental issues can cause your German Shepherd to smell , they can also cause drooling. Some dogs will need a professional teeth cleaning every once and a while too. If your GSD is anything like mine, they chew on everything! Sometimes in all this mouth investigating, something will get stuck in their mouth in between their teeth. An allergic reaction Dogs can be allergic to foods just like humans can. If you dog has eaten something, they are allergic too, drooling can be one sign of that. Also, there are some items and plants that are poisonous to dogs. If your dog ingests too much of a substance that is poisonous, your dog will also start to drool as their bodies are trying to break down that substance. If you think your dog may have eaten something poisonous contact the Pet Poison Control either online or at .Some German Shepherds will drool when excited and they may give a few wet kisses to whoever gets them riled up. Just know that if you are eating some tasty food, your dog may drool on the floor a little. The best way to stop the drooling is to treat the problem. Sometimes the problem will be something you can handle yourself, where other times, you may have to take your dog to the vet for help. There could be a underlying heath reason why your GSD is drooling more than normal, and it is worth it to make sure nothing else is wrong. Final Thoughts There you have it! So, do German Shepherds drool? If you dog starts drooling a lot all of a sudden, look to one of the reasons above, to try and figure out the cause. Normally, there is nothing that needs to be done about a little drooling, but if it becomes excessive, make an appointment with the vet to get your furry friend checked out. What do you mean by Drooling? Drooling is the production and expulsion of saliva from a mouth. The average dog drools anywhere between times per day! The amount of drool a dog can produce at one time may vary depending on various factors such as breed and age. Drooling is either voluntary or involuntary, with the majority of dogs exhibiting involuntary drool. It can be caused by anything from allergies, to dental problems, to neurological problems and even cancer. They are highly intelligent, and have a natural desire to please their owners. One thing that is interesting about German Shepherds is that they can be prone to drooling due to hormonal changes during adolescence and adulthood. This article will explore what causes drooling in German shepherds, as well as ways you may be able to reduce it or prevent it altogether! This is especially true during puberty and adulthood, when dogs are going through hormonal changes in their bodies. German shepherds do drool because of hormones — they go through a lot of them as they mature! Some German Shepherd owners say that if you give your dog rawhide or some other chew toy to occupy themselves with while the hormones do their work, it will cut down on drool. If you notice that your dog is excessively drooling and has a dry mouth then they may have an infection called Pemphigus Foliaceus which can be very serious if not treated. Some breeds are more likely to drool than others do and in some cases this can be due to their physical structure. For example with Labradors, Extra saliva production is often the result of their large, hanging tongues. Some dogs are more prone to drooling because they have a condition called PICA which is an appetite for non edible materials and in these cases the dog often needs to be fed more nutritious foods or need medication that will help them overcome this disorder. It can also cause excessive drooling. It can be due to hypothyroidism or diabetes which can cause them to have low saliva production and dry mouth. Excessive drooling is a common symptom of motion sickness in dogs. German shepherds are one of the breeds that experience this more often than others. They can get sick from car rides and boat trips as well. The causes for excessive drooling during motion sickness are not yet fully understood by scientists, but there does seem to be a correlation between increased saliva production and nausea or vomiting. One theory is that excess saliva helps wash away acid buildup in the stomach and mouth—a less unpleasant experience for doggy passengers! In some cases drooling can happen due to neurological problems and even cancer. If your German Shepherd dog has any other symptoms like seizures, sudden weight loss or difficulty swallowing then you should take them to the vet immediately. Everything You Need to Know 7 Tips to Reduce Drooling in German Shepherds German shepherds are one of the most beautiful dog breeds, but they can also be a little drooly. They have large tongues and sometimes it is hard to control how much saliva they produce. However, there are many ways to stop your german shepherd from drooling so that you can enjoy your pet even more! Here are the 7 Tips on how to reduce drooling in German Shepherds: 1 Clean Their Teeth Regularly You can reduce drooling in german shepherds in different number of ways. One of them is cleaning their teeth regularly. If your German shepherd is drooling occasionally not much then cleaning their teeth regularly will do the job. Otherwise, if the reason is something serious,then you have to consult with your Vet. Depending upon the scenario, they will give medicine or perform small surgery to reduce that issue. If your German Shepherd drool sufferer, then they should only be given one or two ice cubes per day. Dry food tends not to produce as much saliva due to its low moisture content which can reduce excessive drooling in German Shepherds. A thirsty do german shepherds drool may also be a sign of an underlying health issue like kidney disease or diabetes and you should take your dog to the vet immediately. Fevers can make your dogs drool excessively due to mouth dryness and dehydration. Swimming is a great exercise for dogs because it works on balancing muscles as well as strengthening joints and ligaments in the back legs. It also gives them plenty of mental stimulation since they need to focus on following the person in front of them while swimming laps around the pool. If you want to get really ambitious, try teaching your German Shepherd how to do tricks like jumping rope or running an obstacle course! Consult with a veterinarian before giving any medication to your pet! We hope this article has helped put your mind at ease about some common causes of canine slobbering and that next time you see a German Shepherd in need of help, you know what might have caused the problem! Immad Amir Immad has a black Labrador who is his first child. With no prior experience of how to take care of his pooch, Immad started researching about what dogs love to eat. This blog is a journal of all the research Immad has done regarding a pet's diet. Your go-to blog for all your pet-related questions. We're Immad and Amna, proud pet owners and bloggers. Having our own furry friend, we're well aware of the daily questions pet owners have regarding their little pets. So, we're here to answer all your queries with our extensive research and personal experience! We sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Recent Posts. Nor do most other dogs that look similar to the GSD. There are also several other underlying causes that could be causing your German Shepherd to drool, some of which need immediate veterinary attention. In some instances, if the drooling begins suddenly and is not something your German Shepherd does normally, a trip to the emergency vet is needed. Acidic foods and certain fruits can cause an increase in drooling, and in some instances, foods that are toxic to dogs can also cause an increase in drooling. If you have the packaging or pieces of what they ate, bring them with you as this can help the vet determine a treatment for your pup. Issues In The Mouth Abscesses, tumors, bacterial infections , and other types of infections can lead to an increase in drooling in your German Shepherd. Similarly, if your dog has a foreign object stuck in their mouth or throat, this could also cause an increase in slobber. A broken tooth can also be a possible cause for a sudden increase in drooling. Blocked Salivary Gland Some dogs can develop blocked salivary glands due to trauma around the throat and neck area. Stomach Upset Or Gastric Distress German Shepherds can be prone to sensitive stomachs and digestive upset , including stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and general unease with their digestive system. Foods and environmental stressors can be triggers for these issues, and an increase in drooling can be a sign of gastric distress. Additional symptoms can include burping and gas both of which smell different than normal , restlessness and an inability to lie down and relax, whimpering, and a bloated appearance. This can lead to your pup eating too quickly, which can cause choking and as a result an increase in saliva to try and help move the food down their esophagus. Overeating and eating too quickly can also trigger an increased risk for bloat, something which German Shepherds can be very prone to. If your German Shepherd tends to eat too fast or likes to overeat, feeding smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can help curb that issue. Slow feed bowls or puzzle toys are another good way to slow down their eating! This is often related to a poorly formed jaw, weak muscles around the mouth and neck area, or a neurological condition that causes weakness in the body. Heat Stroke As dogs do not sweat in the same way that people do, it is harder for their bodies to deal with high temperatures. Sudden, excessive drooling is an early sign of heat stroke in dogs. If your German Shepherd has been exposed to high heat and direct sun without access to water and they begin panting heavily and drooling, get them to a cooler location immediately and contact your veterinarian for further guidance. If left unchecked, exposure to high heat will cause a dog to go into shock if they are unable to cool down, which can lead to death. Seizure While seizures can be triggered by various underlying conditions, the German Shepherd is a breed that is more prone to epilepsy. Excessive drooling can be seen just before the seizure in the aura phase , during the seizure itself, and immediately after the seizure as the brain and body attempt to return to normal functioning. Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis Excessive drooling can be a warning sign of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis , or HGE. Acute forms of this condition can occur suddenly and without warning, even in otherwise healthy dogs. The exact cause for this disorder is unknown, but if HGE is suspected as a cause for the sudden drooling in your German Shepherd, you should take your dog to the emergency vet immediately. Additional signs and symptoms include sudden vomiting, bloody diarrhea that is jelly-like in texture, lethargy, pale gums, and dehydration. Bloat Bloat or GDV is another medical issue that German Shepherds are prone to, and in which sudden excessive drooling may be present. Bloat is considered a medical emergency , so if your German Shepherd is drooling suddenly and the drooling is accompanied by dry heaving, pacing, the dog repeatedly looking at their belly area or being unable to lay all the way down, pale gums, or a distended stomach, take them to the emergency vet as soon as possible. Rabies Rabies is now relatively rare in the North America and many other developed countries due to strict vaccine management of pet dogs , but in other parts of the world it still runs rampant in dog populations. Even within areas where rabies is under control in pet populations, there are still risks of a pet dog contracting the disease if they come into contact with an infected wild animal. Signs of rabies in dogs include excessive drooling and difficulty swallowing, sudden aggressive or bizarre behavior that is opposite of how the dog usually acts including becoming overly affectionate , staggering and an inability to control muscle function, and seizures. These can include: Anxiety Or Stress This is one of the more common behavioral reasons as to why your German Shepherd may begin suddenly drooling excessively. In states of high anxiety, stress, or fear, dogs will produce more saliva and the excess will result in drooling and saliva bubbling around their mouth. A good example of when this type of stress-induced drooling can occur is when you are first crate training a dog , or when you take them to the vet. If it is impossible to remove the trigger or your dog, reach out to a local trainer who specializes in behavior issues. Calming supplements, sprays, and other stress-reducing products may also be worth investigating. Excitement If your German Shepherd is in a high state of excitement, they may begin drooling a little more than they normally do. High arousal in dogs can lead to an increase in saliva production, especially if the excitement is accompanied by frenzied barking, whining, or there is a tasty treat present. Some dogs can get so excited over something that they become a drooling machine! In most cases the excessive drooling in these scenarios is nothing to be concerned about, but if the hyper arousal is also accompanied by other unwanted behaviors , reach out to a local trainer who can help your dog learn how to find different outlets for their excess energy and remain calm even when in the presence of something really exciting. Eating Or Drinking Think about the last time you ate something you really, really liked. Dogs are the same way! This extra saliva helps lubricate the esophagus so that food can pass more easily and helps prevent the food from becoming lodged in the throat. Motion Sickness Some dogs can be prone to motion sickness in moving vehicles. Just like people, some German Shepherds can be more prone to motion sickness than others, even with exposure training. Excessive drooling is a major sign of car sickness, usually accompanied by vomiting or dry heaving. If your German Shepherd experiences motion sickness and heavy drooling while traveling, speak to your veterinarian about possible solutions to help your pup be more comfortable in the car. Sleeping Sometimes, your German Shepherd may just be drooling because they are having a really good dream! Dogs are also capable of dreaming , and perhaps your German Shepherd is drooling due to dreaming of some tasty food. In some cases, excessive drooling in your German Shepherd is a cause for concern and a trip to the vet is in order. Underlying medical conditions are always a cause for concern, and depending on the signs and symptoms that accompany the drooling, an appointment should be made with your vet for a check up as soon as possible. If the drooling is due to an underlying medical condition, your veterinarian will likely have suggestions for what to do, and depending on the condition the drooling may disappear once your pup feels better. For German Shepherds who drool due to motion sickness, your vet may be able to provide anti-nausea medication that can help keep your pup comfortable. Closing Thoughts Even though German Shepherds are not considered a breed that drools a lot, there are certain situations in which you may notice your dog is drooling more than normal. Some of these situations, such as those that are related to an underlying medical issue, should be checked out by your vet as soon as possible. My 2 German Shepherds and 1 Siberian Husky mix keep my busy, along with my 8 cats I am also a crazy cat lady and my axolotl Fin Diesel he's all about family. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their pets; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Additionally, NotABully. Some maybe less worrying, but dribbling can be an important clue, and a sign that something is wrong with your pet. Normal reasons Some dogs with short muzzles, like Boxers and Bulldogs, may drool or dribble normally. Their saliva collects in their cheeks and then is released when they shake their heads. These breeds are also likely to dribble after having a drink of water for the same reason. Others will also dribble in response to certain triggers. So sometimes, if they anticipate their meal for example, the body will produce saliva as they get excited. Some dogs will also drool in response to stress — if they are nervous or anxious dribbling more can be a subtle cue that they are feeling uncomfortable. Signs of a problem If your dog starts drooling, or their drooling gets worse than normal, it can be a sign that they need a checkup or even veterinary treatment. This is common with slowly developing dental issues like tartar build-up, but can also be seen with sudden changes. For example, if a bit of food, piece of stick or other foreign object becomes stuck in the mouth or causes damage, then dogs can suddenly start to dribble more profusely. Most people with dental pain will stop or struggle to eat, but our canine companions are a little bit tougher than we are. Going off their food is actually a very late sign of dental problems. If your dog is feeling unwell the body will often produce more saliva. Should your dog appear nauseous, you will need to think about why; for example, one common cause is motion sickness dogs can indeed get car sick! Two common substances which can cause temporary dribbling are a flea or worming spot-on treatment, or a toad. These amphibians have nasty-tasting skin as a defence mechanism against predators. A number of other noxious nasty tasting or even toxic and poisonous substances can also cause drooling. These include some plants, and household chemicals. If you think there is any chance your pet may have eaten something poisonous, or potentially poisonous , please do not delay, and immediately contact your vet! In some circumstances, it is also possible for allergic reactions to cause your pet to drool. Always make sure your dog has access to shade and fresh water. Other signs of heatstroke which you may see along with drooling include heavy panting, restlessness or agitation, a very red tongue, pale gums, vomiting and or diarrhoea. If you think your dog may have heatstroke contact your vet immediately. In older pets, it is also possible that a growth inside the mouth — which may be cancerous — can also cause excessive drooling. These growths can be benign and do not spread or malignant meaning they can spread to other areas of the body. If there are problems with the nerves which supply the head, jaws and throat with the ability to move, and feel things, it can be a rare cause of drooling too. So what to do? So if your dog has been, or is drooling profusely, please talk to your own vet for advice. They can then decide if an appointment is needed to examine your pet and take the best care of your dog. You may also be interested in these posts from VetHelpDirect;. Do German Shepherds Drool a Lot? German Shepherds are not a dog breed that is typically associated with excessive drooling. However, GSDs are dogs, and all dogs are fully capable of drooling under certain circumstances, which can differ from one dog to the next. In the rest of this article, we will cover the major reasons why you might see your German Shepherd drool a lot. However, this is not to say that German Shepherds drool like this all day, every day. In one case, the owner spent hundreds of dollars on emergency veterinary care bills, only to discover his GSD was slobbering all over the floor because he had eaten part of a bar of soap! This is why it is so important to dog-proof your home and yard as much as possible — otherwise, a curious German Shepherd could easily end up a sick German Shepherd. In this section, we will take a look at the most common reasons why German Shepherds might suddenly start drooling a lot. Your dog has a blocked salivary gland According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons , a blocked salivary gland can be caused when a salivary gland or duct gets damaged in some way. You may see swelling in the neck or mouth area along with excessive drooling. Trauma, chewing on or ingesting non-food items such as soap or bullfrogs and infection can all potentially cause this condition. Your dog has acute hemorrhagic gastroenteritis VCA Animal Hospitals describes acute hemorrhagic gastroenteritis as a very severe sudden onset emergency that can cause bloody diarrhea and vomiting along with severe drooling. The condition can be fatal even with prompt treatment as the underlying cause is often difficult to diagnose. Tooth or mouth issues The American Kennel Club AKC mentions that drooling, while natural to some degree in all dog breeds, can sometimes indicate a problem in the mouth or throat. Tooth issues are a common cause of drooling, such as when a tooth is inflamed or injured. Mouth infections and any type of foreign object lodged in the mouth or throat may also lead to drooling excessively. But here again, trying to ingest a non-food item can also lead to mild or severe stomach trouble. Swallowing non-food items can cause a stomach or intestinal obstruction that may trigger a lot of drooling as well as pain and bloating. Bloat Speaking of bloat, the German Shepherd Rescue of New England explains that deep-chested dog breeds like the German Shepherd can be especially vulnerable to bloat. Bloat, or gastric dilatation and volvulus, is a condition that causes the stomach to suddenly twist, cutting off airflow and causing fatality when left untreated. Drooling is a common early warning sign of bloat. Overheating German Shepherds have a thick, double-layer coat that is designed to keep these dogs warm and dry in all types of weather conditions. But in summer, this coat type also makes the GSD more vulnerable to overheating. Drooling excessively can be an early warning sign of heatstroke or heat exhaustion. Other Common Reasons Why a German Shepherd Might Drool The list of health conditions you just read about that can cause drooling in your German Shepherd is enough to strike fear into the heart of any dog owner. But the truth is, there are other far more common non-health related reasons why you might see your German Shepherd drooling a bit more than usual from time to time. Here are some of the most frequently reported non-health reasons why GSDs produce more drool. Excitement or anticipation When you think of your favorite food, you probably start drooling a little more without even realizing it. The same holds true for your GSD. But dogs will also drool with excitement over non-food events, such as playtime, the arrival of their favorite person, a play date with a dog they love, a new toy, and similar events. Many dogs will drool right around the time when they normally get fed each day. This is a classic example of what the physiologist Ivan Pavlov demonstrated in his famous dog salivation experiments, according to the Whole Dog Journal. Drinking water Sometimes after a dog drinks, extra water gets caught in the gums and mouth folds. Separation anxiety As the ASPCA points out, drooling is one of many symptoms that can indicate a dog is suffering from separation anxiety. More sensitive and intelligent, high energy dog breeds like the German Shepherd also tend to be more prone to developing separation anxiety when left alone. While no one knows for sure exactly what triggers one dog to develop separation anxiety when another dog in similar circumstances does not, a sudden change in schedule or routine is thought to play a part. Sleepytime If you have ever woken up to discover you were drooling all over the pillow, you already understand what might cause your German Shepherd to drool more during a nap or the night. Motion sickness Some dogs, just like some people, seem more prone to developing motion sickness while traveling. Dogs that are feeling queasy or nauseous due to motion sickness might begin to drool more than usual while in transit. If your GSD stops drooling a lot when you stop for rest breaks or the trip ends, this is a pretty clear sign your dog might have been feeling motion sick. A sudden bout of drooling just after coming in from outside can be a clue that your dog might have encountered something unpleasant or toxic in the yard or on your walk or even at the local dog park. This is a difficult question to answer. The answer really depends on the context. If you suspect a serious and potentially fatal condition such as bloat, heat stroke, poison exposure, or hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, rush your dog to the nearest veterinary emergency clinic. However, in most cases drooling in German Shepherds is far less serious and typically resolves on its own. Do you notice drooling only near mealtimes, before regular playdates, at the appearance of a favorite toy or treat food, or when you are just about to leave the house?

Breeds The link has been copied! When considering the addition of a Goldendoodle to your family, one of the first questions that come to mind is, "How much does a Goldendoodle cost? This comprehensive guide will delve into various aspects influencing a Goldendoodle's price. Additionally, we'll discuss the importance of choosing reputable breeders and provide valuable information on protecting your pup with innovative technology like Fi's GPS-tracking dog collar. By learning about these factors beforehand, prospective Goldendoodle owners can confidently navigate this process while ensuring they bring home a healthy and happy companion. How Much Does a Goldendoodle Cost? If you're considering adding a Goldendoodle to your family, it's essential to understand the costs associated with this popular and lovable breed. In addition to the upfront cost of purchasing or adopting a puppy, ongoing expenses like vet visits, vaccinations, grooming services, and pet food need to be considered. The cost of a Goldendoodle puppy can vary, depending on several elements, which will be discussed in further detail later. First, however, it's essential to focus on the purchase price and consider routine costs throughout your dog's life. These may include annual check-ups at the veterinarian's office including vaccinations , monthly heartworm prevention medication, grooming sessions every weeks, and high-quality pet food that meets their nutritional needs. How Much Is a Goldendoodle Puppy? The price of a Goldendoodle puppy can range widely depending on the breeder, its location, and any special features it may have. However, some breeders may charge even higher prices if their puppies come from an exceptional bloodline or have unique traits. Purchasing From Breeders Breeder reputation: Look for reviews online and ask around within local communities or social media groups dedicated to Goldendoodles. Health testing: Reputable breeders will conduct health tests on both parent dogs before breeding them together. Puppy contract: A responsible breeder should provide a written agreement outlining what they guarantee regarding your new pet's health status and other terms related to care after purchase. Finding Adoptable Dogs Through Rescues and Shelters Adopting a Goldendoodle from an animal rescue or refuge can be a great way to give a home to an abandoned pup while saving money. Many organizations specialize in rescuing specific breeds, like the IDOG Rescue , which focuses on finding homes for doodle dogs such as Goldendoodles. Keep in mind that adopting through shelters may require additional time and patience compared to purchasing from breeders since you might have to wait until your desired breed becomes available. However, this option is often more affordable than buying directly from breeders and helps support animal welfare efforts. Factors That Impact the Cost of a Goldendoodle When considering the purchase of a Goldendoodle, it's essential to understand that various factors can impact their cost. Colors The color of a Goldendoodle's coat can significantly influence its price. Rarer coat colors, such as reds and merle goldendoodles , are more expensive than common shades like cream or apricot. While this may not affect the dog's personality or health, many potential owners are willing to pay extra for unique appearances. Dogs with proven lineage from reputable breeders often come at higher prices due to their genetic quality assurance than those without documented ancestry. Breeder Reputation Reputable Breeders: Purchasing your puppy from reputable Goldendoodle breeders ensures you get a healthy dog raised in good conditions. Reputable breeders follow ethical breeding practices by testing parent dogs for genetic disorders and providing proper care during pregnancy and after birth. This level of care comes at a higher cost but provides peace of mind knowing your pup is coming from responsible hands. Puppy Mills and Pet Stores: It's crucial to avoid buying from puppy mills or pet stores, as these establishments prioritize profit over the welfare of their animals. Dogs bred in such conditions often suffer from health issues due to poor breeding practices and inadequate care. While puppies from these sources may have a lower initial cost, they can lead to higher expenses in vet bills later on. We do not recommend buying from a pet store or a puppy mill. Estimated Size The size of your Goldendoodle will also impact its price. Smaller Goldendoodles, like Mini Goldendoodle or Teacup varieties, typically cost more than Standard-sized dogs because they are in higher demand due to their convenient size for apartment living and easier handling by owners with limited space. On the other hand, larger adult Goldendoodles might be less expensive but could require more resources for grooming costs, food consumption, and exercise needs. The Prices of Different Size Goldendoodles Goldendoodles come in various sizes, which can significantly impact their cost. In this section, we will explore the prices of Mini, Teacup, and Standard Goldendoodles to help you understand how size affects the overall price. Mini Goldendoodle Price The Mini Goldendoodle is a popular choice for those who want a smaller dog with all the wonderful qualities of a standard-sized one. These dogs typically weigh between pounds and stand around inches tall at shoulder height. You may also find that some breeders charge more for rarer coat colors or patterns. Teacup Goldendoodle Price If you're looking for an even smaller version of the beloved doodle breed, then consider getting a Teacup Goldendoodle. Weighing only pounds and standing just under 12 inches tall at shoulder height when fully grown makes them perfect pets for people living in apartments or small homes. Keep in mind that caring for teacups might require extra attention compared to larger breeds, so be prepared for additional expenses in the long run. Standard Goldendoodle Price The Standard Goldendoodle is the largest of the three sizes, weighing between pounds and standing around inches tall at shoulder height. These dogs are known for their friendly personalities and low-shedding coats, making them great family pets. It's essential to choose a responsible breeder who prioritizes health testing and ethical breeding practices when purchasing your new furry friend. This innovative device allows you to keep tabs on your dog's location at all times, giving you peace of mind knowing that they are safe. The Fi Smart Collar offers several features that make it an excellent choice for Goldendoodle owners. These include: Real-time tracking: The collar uses advanced GPS technology to provide accurate location data so that you can find your pup quickly if they wander off or gets lost. Fence alerts: You can set up virtual fences around specific areas such as your home and receive notifications if your dog leaves these boundaries. This feature helps prevent them from venturing too far away or into dangerous situations. Durable design: The collar is built with high-quality materials designed to withstand rough play and harsh weather conditions, ensuring long-lasting protection for your pet. Battery life: Boasting a battery life of up to three months between charges, this collar ensures continuous monitoring without frequent interruptions for recharging. In addition to providing security and peace of mind, the Fi Smart Collar also tracks activity levels. It enables you to monitor how much exercise your Goldendoodle gets daily - crucial information, given their energetic nature. Now that you know the cost of owning one, let's look into what makes this breed so special with our next heading: Goldendoodle Breed Guide. Goldendoodle Breed Guide The Goldendoodle is a popular and versatile breed, known for its friendly personality, intelligence, and low-shedding coat. A blend of the Golden Retriever and Poodle breeds, this hybrid pooch presents a great mix of attributes that make it appropriate for various ways of life. Personality Goldendoodles are typically affectionate, social dogs with a gentle temperament. They get along well with children and other pets in the household. Their high level of intelligence makes them easy to train as they quickly pick up on commands and cues from their owners. Moreover, these dogs have an innate desire to please their humans, which further contributes to their trainability. Generally speaking: Miniature Goldendoodles: weigh between pounds kg and stand at about inches cm tall at shoulder height. Standard Goldendoodles: Standard Goldendoodles are larger, weighing between pounds kg and standing at inches cm. Average Lifespan The average lifespan of a healthy Goldendoodle ranges from around 10 to 15 years when provided proper care, including regular vet check-ups , vaccinations, exercise routines, grooming sessions, and a balanced diet. They enjoy activities such as walking, running, swimming, or playing fetch. Providing them with at least 30 minutes of daily exercise is essential for keeping your Goldendoodle happy and healthy. Additionally, engaging in mental stimulation exercises, like puzzle toys or obedience training sessions, can help keep their minds sharp. Approximate Lifetime Care Costs The lifetime care costs of owning a Goldendoodle include expenses related to food, grooming, veterinary care including vaccinations , pet insurance if opted for , and accessories like collars and leashes Fi GPS Tracking Dog Collar recommended , among others. How Can I Lower the Cost of a Goldendoodle Goldendoodles can be quite expensive, but there are ways to reduce the cost while still enjoying the companionship of this lovable breed. Adopting vs. Buying From a Breeder Pet adoption websites and local animal shelters often have Goldendoodles available for adoption at significantly lower costs compared to buying from breeders. By adopting, not only do you save money, but you also provide a loving home to an animal in need. Purchasing or Adopting an Older Dog Instead of a Puppy If your heart is set on owning a Goldendoodle, but the price tag seems too steep, consider adopting or purchasing an older dog instead of opting for puppies. Older dogs usually come with lower prices as they might not possess certain desirable traits like specific coat colors or pedigree lineage. Additionally, senior dogs tend to be calmer and require less training than their younger counterparts. Conclusion After considering all the factors that impact the cost of a Goldendoodle, it is safe to say that they can be quite expensive. The price of a Goldendoodle can vary significantly, depending on factors such as size, age, and the breeder's reputation. Additionally, grooming costs and potential health issues should also be taken into account when calculating the actual cost of owning a Goldendoodle. If you're interested in getting a Goldendoodle but want to lower the cost, consider adopting an adult dog or purchasing from reputable breeders with reasonable prices. Investing in pet insurance is essential to ensure that any unforeseen medical costs won't be a burden. If you're ready to welcome a new furry friend into your home and want peace of mind knowing their whereabouts at all times, try Fi's GPS-tracking dog collar today! Be sure to keep tabs on your pup with Fi's GPS collar, which gives you real-time location updates and activity tracking. The link has been copied! You might also like. You will need more toys for your dog during its puppy years, particularly for chewing and teething. As your dog ages, you may want to get more challenging toys for mental stimulation, such as interactive toys, robust chew toys, treat-dispensing toys, and more, all of which keep your dog entertained and well-adjusted. If you need professional services like dog walking, pet sitting, boarding, or training, your monthly costs will go up. Puppy obedience classes are recommended for your Goldendoodle puppy, but you can continue training into adulthood to teach your dog skills like advanced obedience, agility, or rally. The most important aspect of your pet budget is health care, including high-quality food. You may also need to treat a chronic health condition, which can add hundreds of dollars each month to your expenses. Other expenses may vary according to your lifestyle and schedule. Dog training is another possible expense if your dog develops behavioral problems that require professional help. You should also consider security deposits if you rent an apartment or home. As your dog ages, some of your expenses may change. Your dog may require special prescription diets, more frequent vet visits, and extra supplies like diapers, potty pads, or mobility aids like ramps. Preventative care is one of the best ways to avoid major expenses in the future. You can cut back on other areas, such as making your own toys instead of buying expensive toys and relying on friends or family to walk your dog during the day rather than a professional walker. Some pet insurance companies offer special coverage for preventative care, alternative treatments, pet boarding, behavioral training, and more. Conclusion Goldendoodles are a highly desirable dog breed, but they can be expensive. There are many optional expenses, such as pet sitting or boarding , training, and pet insurance , to consider before bringing your pup home. Before buying or adopting any dog, it pays to do your homework. Knowing where to search for your next dog, what to look for in a reputable breeder, and what you should expect to pay can improve your odds of bringing home a healthy dog at a reasonable cost. Purebred dogs have national breed clubs that provide information about the breed. Though the goldendoodle is a crossbreed, a national organization called the Goldendoodle Association of North America supports responsible breeding and pet ownership. Cost of Adopting a Goldendoodle Goldendoodles occasionally find themselves in need of rescue when people buy puppies from unscrupulous breeders who make unrealistic guarantees, or when new pup parents find themselves unprepared for caring for their goldendoodle. For instance, reputable goldendoodle breeders should never guarantee that a puppy will be 'hypoallergenic' or will not shed. When those adorable goldendoodle puppies start shedding, or when their human has an allergic reaction, the doodle may be in need of a new home. Rescuing an adult goldendoodle is not only a great way to save some money on the purchase price of the dog, but also provides other benefits. Goldendoodle puppies may also end up in rescue occasionally. This adoption fee generally includes the costs of updated vaccines and a spay or neuter surgery, and helps to ensure the organization can continue its lifesaving work. Cost of Buying a Goldendoodle Buying a goldendoodle puppy from a breeder is the most expensive way to acquire a goldendoodle. However, the cost of a puppy varies wildly. Breeders from different states may charge more, and the cost of a larger size goldendoodle may be different than a smaller goldendoodle. Some breeders also charge more for more desirable colors or coat types. Responsible goldendoodle breeders put a lot of money into their breeding programs, which is why their puppies cost a lot. Such breeders purchase or keep high-quality dogs for their breeding programs, perform genetic health screenings on the parents before breeding them, maintain pedigrees and pair dogs thoughtfully to better the breed. Reputable breeders also pursue thorough veterinary care for their adult dogs and puppies, feed high-quality diets, register their litters with the proper organization, and never overbreed their females or breed more puppies than they can responsibly care for. Due to the efforts they put in to produce healthy, high-quality dogs, good breeders usually offer a health guarantee on their puppies. Such breeders may simply breed together any male and female they happen to own and sell the resulting puppies. When a goldendoodle breeder tells you the price of buying a puppy, ask about their breeding program, genetic screening and health guarantees to find out what you are paying for. Additionally, be aware that some pets stores sell goldendoodle puppies along with many other breeds of puppies. It is very difficult to obtain accurate information on breeders who supply to pet stores, and in many cases, animal welfare experts worry about these puppies coming from puppy mills. A puppy mill is often described as a commercial dog breeding operation where the goal is to produce as many puppies as possible without regard for their health and the welfare of the breeding dogs. Both the adult dogs and puppies often have poor health, are exposed to more infectious diseases, and tend to have ongoing health problems in additional to coming from inhumane living conditions. For this reason, it is best to avoid purchasing a puppy if it has a questionable origin. One significant cost to consider for goldendoodles is the cost of professional grooming. Almost all goldendoodles need to have their hair trimmed by a groomer. Some goldendoodles may need grooming once a month; others can go about eight weeks in between haircuts. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. At their best, they are intelligent, friendly, and affectionate. They come in three sizes: miniature weighing 15 to 30 pounds , medium 30 to 45 pounds , and standard 45 to more than pounds. Because they are a cross breed, their traits are not fixed, so there is not a guarantee that the Goldendoodle puppy you purchase will fall into the desired weight range. The Goldendoodle is intelligent, friendly, and family oriented. It is a highly social dog. Goldendoodles tend to follow their nose wherever it leads, so a fenced-in yard is recommended. They are always ready for a game; most Goldendoodles retain the natural retrieving instincts of the Golden Retriever. Goldendoodles do not bark frequently. History Less - In the s, breeders in both North America and Australia began crossing golden retrievers with standard poodles. The original purpose of the cross was to attempt to develop guide dogs suitable for visually impaired individuals with allergies. The goldendoodle is sometimes called a designer dog. The Encyclopedia Britannica traces the term "designer dog" to the late 20th century, when breeders began to cross purebred poodles with other purebred breeds in order to obtain a dog with the poodle's non-shedding coat, along with various desirable characteristics from other breeds.

Button Is a Labradoodle Right for You? They are fun, caring, and adorable. You could be wondering what it takes to be a great Labradoodle owner. Does it take a particular type of owner to own a Labradoodle? Enthusiastic temperaments: Labradoodles are known for their charismatic, enthusiastic demeanor. Labradoodles love attention and comradery. Size options: Potential dog owners have a selection of pricing options, including miniature and medium-sized dogs. High grooming maintenance: This breed will require a lot of investment into grooming. From various tools to professional care, Labradoodles are a pampered breed compared to other dogs. Non-shedding: For those looking to not dedicate large amounts of time to cleanup after shedding, this breed is very low maintenance, low shedding dog. Very social: Labradoodles are very friendly dog breeds that require a lot of attention. They require regular socializing and attention to be happy and healthy. Applying does not guarantee that you will be offered a puppy, or a puppy immediately. However, we keep applications on file to contact suited candidates when we choose to retain that extra special puppy from one of our litters. As a future Rainpuddle's breeder, we look so forward to hopefully creating a relationship with you that is beneficial for everyone involved! Learn More. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Mini Blessings Labradoodles We call ourselves "Mini" Blessings because our labradoodles are miniature in size. We really should call ourselves "many" blessings because of the abundant, wonderful blessings we receive from these furry friends. We are blessed to have found such an affectionate, intelligent, and gentle breed. We are also blessed to be able to socialize your "furry friends" until they reach your home. If you are interested in blessing your family with this premier companion, look no further than Mini Blessings Labradoodles. Meet the Puppies Hello! We are the Peterson family and we breed Miniature Labradoodles. Blessings Labradoodles began from a family visit to Cheryl's mother, a proud owner of multiple labradoodles. We knew the breed was shed and allergy free. What we didn't know was how incredibly amazing these dogs could be. Adopting our beautiful Bella taught us even more than we could have learned from her mother's experience. Besides their phenomenal intelligence, perhaps the most important thing we've learned is how loving and patient this breed is. If you are looking for a committed family member, not just a puppy, this is the breed for you. This lineage ensures the health and quality you expect from a multi-generational Labradoodle. When you take your new puppy home, it will have been socialized and "family trained" in our own home in Flower Mound, TX Dallas. This experience means we know each puppy's characteristics and can help you choose the perfect pup for your home. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We're right outside of Austin. Our goal is to provide you with a healthy, loving and devoted family companion who has a fantastic temperament and a low to non-shedding coat. Producing puppies with calm, sweet temperaments is a focus of our breeding program. We select our parent dogs with care to ensure that each litter born produces wonderful puppies that can be the pride and joy of those lucky enough to raise them. Bobbie is a certified BAB Puppy Evaluator and we temperament test our litters to help families find just the right puppy. We're also proud to have been accepted, with an Excellent rating, into the Good Breeder Program at gooddog. We learned about labradoodles several years ago. We were looking to add a dog to our family that had a great temperament and didn't shed much. We had previously owned a labrador that we loved to death, but we wanted to avoid fur covering every inch of our floor again. Our first labradoodle, Cooper, was so much more than we dared hope for and the reason we decided to go into breeding. He has a lab temperament. He's calm, sweet, devoted, patient, loving and loyal. And he doesn't shed at all. We were so in love with him, that we decided one labradoodle in our home was simply not enough. Why Australian Labradoodles? Because they are, in our view, the perfect dog. They are so sweet, love their humans so much, are so devoted and wonderful with children, and they are so smart. They are known for their beauty and looks, but the Australian Labradoodle's gorgeous coat is just the icing on a very delicious cake! We hope you take a few minutes to look around our site and get to know us and our dogs. We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions! Contact Us. Millie is the sweetest little mini girl! We are so proud of the great job she does as a companion to her family and as a mother to her sweet puppies. Lily is a daughter of Popi and Oscar, this pairing has consistently produced some of our all time favorite dogs. Cocoa is the result of extraordinary breeding and exactly why we love raising these amazing dogs. This sweet girl weighs 25 lbs. What a blessing. She was one of the first black and white partis that we delivered and we are thrilled to see the unique coloring. We look forward to lots of funny, smart and beautiful puppies from this gorgeous girl. She never tires of getting loved on, chasing sticks and being an all round good sport with whatever is going on. She makes us laugh all day. Luna weighs 35 lbs. We are so grateful to have this true Ruby red lady as part of the Texas Labradoodles family. Everything we could hope for in an Australian Labradoodle Puppy. Everything we could hope for in an Australian Labradoodle. We fell hard for him the moment he was born and we have loved him ever since. He's a VERY smart and funny dog that entertains endlessly. Charming doesn't quite cover it, but trust us, he's very easy to love! His coat is wavy fleece and so far has remained a true deep chocolate. We love his white little beard and his tiny size. Ollie weighs 23 lbs. He has a fantastic fleece curly coat, which is the perfect compliment to our girls loose wavy coats. He has a caramel ice wavy fleece coat and a beautiful teddy bear face with dark eyes and a black nose. We are so grateful to have this boy in our breeding program. We are absolutely thrilled with his good looks and fun temperament. He is always happy, ready to play and ready to cuddle. We are grateful to have this handsome boy in our breeding program. He has gorgeous parti markings with lots of white. Thanks to Butch Charlton with Downunder Labradoodles for this precious addition to our family. What a great addition to our dogs. We are grateful, once again, to Butch Charlton of Down under Labradoodles for this phenomenal boy. Contact us today for more information about our family-raised, hypo-allergenic, highly trainable Labradoodles. We started our breeding program with the best bloodlines to ensure we would be producing the most beautiful, intelligent, trainable and lovable dogs possible. We are grateful for the guidance we had when we started and we continue to improve the way we do things through training and education for more than 18 years. It is our dedication to excellence in the way we raise our precious dogs and train them that sets Texas Labradoodles apart. Most of the breeders were breeding true Australian Labradoodles. Since that time we have watched our amazing and magical breed of dogs become a world wide phenomenon with Labradoodles taking over everywhere. From being in the movies to being the number one choice for commercials, print ads and funniest video stars, Labradoo dles are everywhere. With this profound movement of the love of all things Labra doodle, the purity and purpose of what Labradoodles were originally bred for has become convoluted with many types of doodles. The Labradoodle breed itself is be coming a confusing mixture of levels of breeds, types of infusions into the blood lines, etc. Australian Labradoodles are produced when multiple generations of the original Australian bloodlines, Rutland Manor and Teagan Park are bred together. These two kennels began breeding these dogs to create a hypo-allergenic, low to non-shedding dog. These dogs are bred to be highly trainable dog for the purpose of being taught to be guide dogs or therapy dogs for people with allergies. It took these two kennels a lot of work, testing and breeding to get the breed to where it is today. It was not as simple as breeding a Lab to a Poodle, both great dogs, of course, but not a true Australian Labradoodle The importance of adopting a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle If you want a hypo-allergenic, highly trainable dog for your new family member or a dog for therapy work, you want to get a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle. Working with a reputable breeder that has many years of experience and a true love of the breed is important. Make sure the genetic testing and puppy care are done to ensure they are breeding the best and most healthy dogs possible. Dogs that are registered with the ALAA as multi-generational Australian Labradoodles are the most consistent breeding of Labradoodles that you can get. These dogs are going to have a consistent temperament and trainability level. This consistency and care to our breeding program helps our families to know exactly what to expect from their new family member. Clearing our dogs for potential diseases not only ensures that our dogs do not have these issues prior to breeding, it also ensures that we will never produce puppies that could have these diseases. The hip and elbow testing does not guarantee that puppies will never have hip dysplasia, but it is the best method that we have to prevent producing puppies with genetic hip issues. Hip problems are often caused be environmental factors, but culling puppies for breeding purposes helps to reduce the risk of breeding bad confirmation. Temperament, coat and trainability for different types of disciplines are key in our breeding program. Creating perfect family members, guide dogs, therapy dogs and best friends begins with breeding the perfect parents. Years of care and experience have made us experts at accomplishing high standards set by the ALAA and our own personal goals for our dogs. We know that a Texas Labradoodles bred dog is the finest of our wonderful breed and we are so proud to have produced such wonderful companions and working dogs. Please see our references page for more stories and letters from our families. November, .I cannot say enough good things about Mardee and Texas Labradoodles! From the beginning Mardee was very caring and knowledgable on all things Australian Labradoodle. It is clear she and her family love their dogs and take excellent care of them from the very start. She takes the time to match each puppy to their forever home and I scored the jackpot with my Maggie! I could not be happier with her sweet demeanor and easy going temperament. She is super smart, easy to train and equally as adorable. Even after bringing our puppy home Mardee has been a great resource and we are still in touch. I am so thankful to have found Mardee and Texas Labradoodles! Mike Tadlock .October, .Texas Labradoodles and Mardee were Amazing. She helped guide us through the selection process and we could not have gotten a better fur baby than Sadie. If you could meet Sadie and see her with us you would understand. We are obnoxiously crazy about this girl! We know others who have used Texas Labradoodles and they all feel the same. She has brought so much joy and happiness to our home. Paul Chapman 4. We recently welcomed the most perfect medium Australian Labradoodle into the family. I could go on and on about how wonderful this dog is and if you email me I will. That said, I have been equally impressed by our experience with this breeder. First and foremost, Mardee loves her dogs and this breed and that loves comes through in every single interaction and detail. They are true to breed standard. Go through all the appropriate genetic and health screens and, most importantly, are bred and raised in a loving home with plenty of outdoor country air. These dogs are not inexpensive but they are well-priced, given all the time and expense put into raising quality animals in the very most humane and caring of environments. If you want to know what to look for in a breeder - TX Labradoodle is the standard. Chris Monroe .August, .Highly knowledgeable, caring and experienced. Mardee and Bruce patiently answered all of my questions about Australian Labradoodle's and she matched us with the perfect addition for our family. Mardee provided a thorough background and documentation of care, and a detailed checklist for us to take home. June is 14 weeks old now and is everything we imagined and more. June, .TX Labradoodles are truly amazing, full of heart, and extremely knowledgeable! Mardee and her family have become our family! We have the 3 most gorgeous fur babies ever who bring immense joy and love to my life! We consider ourselves beyond fortunate to have crossed paths with Mardee, Bruce, and James! We are forever grateful! We love you tremendously!!! Thank you for making the world a better place with the most extraordinary fur babies!!! Brittany Meuth .April, .My husband and I recently adopted our first puppy from Texas Labradoodles and we could not be happier with our experience! Mardee has remained a resource to us even since bringing Murphy home and could not have created a better experience for us. She is amazing at what she does and truly loves providing families with amazing pets! Steven Roberts .We got 2 girls from Mardee two months ago. The experience could not have gone better. Loving environment, plenty of outdoor room, clean as a whistle and the pups are all we could hope for. No puppy mill atmosphere here. Solid solid folks and superior dogs. And another plus: Wimberley Texas is awesome. Karen Hernandez .I have truly been blessed by the forming relationship with Mardee and MOE. I did not realize how much joy at my age she allows me to experience. She is not my only dog that I share my life with, but she is definitely an exception that I must say is out of the ordinary. Mardee is very responsive and knowledgeable and her understanding of the breed. I can tell she only wants to breed the best genetics and protect the breed from becoming a backyard hobby only to make money. It is nice to see and know how much she strives to improve the breed. I think anyone looking to start or expand their canine family would be truly blessed. Google rating score: 4. This family owned business is committed to performing extensive health testing and temperament assessments on each female and male breeding Doodle before selecting them to produce our adorable puppies. We have a select number of litters each year, focusing individual attention to the development of each doodle puppy before it goes to its forever home. Whether you are looking to purchase your first Australian Labradoodle or your third, this will be a very exciting time for you and your family! To achieve this, we carefully select our breeding dogs based on extensive health examinations and temperament assessments. Our breeding moms and studs have been carefully examined and tested by local veterinarians here in Texas to ensure they are free of eye, hip, and elbow problems, cardiac issues, genetic diseases and coat issues. Eye testing is ongoing for the entire time the dog is actively breeding. Photo Right: Our reproductive veterinarian, Dr. Kirk Esmond Each and every breeding dog passes extensive health testing to provide the best opportunity for healthy puppies. I think we are getting ready to go to our forever homes! We specialize in medium size dogs, ranging from pounds. Needless to say, the precious puppies we raise are part of our family. Our breeding Australian Labradoodle dogs live in our home as our family pets or in Guardian Homes as a valued family member. Welcome to the world of a Legendary Labradoodle. People are talking about us. Not only do we have an adorable, healthy, hypoallergenic and non-shedding family companion, but Legendary Labradoodles goes to great lengths to assure the temperament of the puppy will thrive in your home environment. They are truly producing the best pups in temperament, coat, and health not to mention hands down the cutest faces and body shape. We value home socialization and offer a 3-year health guarantee for all Australian Labradoodle puppies. Our Labradoodles are multi-generational and are superior to F1 and F1b because their traits are established and dependable. Early generations of Labradoodles do not offer the consistency that multi-generational do. Our puppies have been proven for non-shedding hypoallergenic coats and temperament. Not all Labradoodles are created equal. Australian Labradoodles are a great choice for those seeking non-shedding and allergy-friendly dogs. Multi-gen Australian Labradoodles have been carefully bred over time and are consistent for coat, temperament, and conformation. Strenuous genetic testing has been done to ensure to give you the best pet possible. Australian Labradoodles are extremely loyal to their families and are known to have a sweet and gentle temperament. They are sensitive dogs with intuitive intelligence making them easy to train. These traits make them superior therapy and service dogs. What are the coats like on Australian Labradoodles? The small size of our program allows our Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles to be a part of our everyday home life and not be kept in kennels. It also provides an opportunity for puppies to socialize, be nurtured, and be loved. Our puppies are socialized with people, children, and other pets. Our diligent work with young puppies contributes to an easy transition into their forever homes. At Texas Australian Labradoodles, we keep the Labradoodle and Sheepadoodle puppy adoption experience as pleasant and comfortable for you as possible. When you adopt our puppy, you become a member of our program and a part of our Labradoodle and Sheepadoodle forever family. We want to share your joy. We love pictures! We place great importance on your satisfaction with your new Labradoodle and Sheepadoodle puppy. Guided by our experience, careful assessment of each puppy, and objective aptitude evaluations we can select the best puppy for your specific needs and lifestyle. At Texas Australian Multigenerational Labradoodles, we produce 4th generation Australian Labradoodles or later generations we do not have any of the early generation Labradoodles as their temperament, coat, and comfortation can be very unpredictable. Our Doodles are selectively bred for many generations to produce allergy-friendly, intelligent, easy to train puppies with gentle temperaments and exceptional beauty. Their coat is non-shedding and odor-free and works well with allergy sufferers. Our labradoodles are loved and well-socialized, which makes them perfect dogs for families with young children and homes that have other pets. Our Doodles are also perfect candidates for service, therapy, and companion dogs due to their intelligence as well as gentle and affectionate disposition. Our Australian Sheepadoodles are carefully bred by pairing our fabulous Old English Sheepdogs and extraordinary Multigenerational Australian Labradoodles. We are the only breeders that have paired these incredible breeds to create astonishing puppies who consistently deliver allergy-friendly silky coats, calm temperaments, and overall great confirmation. Our Doodles are loved and well-socialized which makes them perfect dogs for families with young children, first time pet owners, and families with other pets. However, our small size ensures that we are able to pay close attention to each of our Doodle puppies to ensure that they get the stimulation and the attention to reach their developmental milestones. Simply put, there are no puppies left behind at Texas Australian Labradoodles and Australian Sheepadoodles. The public is slowly recognizing the value of smaller programs that do not mill their puppies and a handful of Australian Labradoodle Breeders in the US are following our footsteps and cutting the number of adult doodles in their program so that they do not have to be housed in kennels. Although all puppies are beautiful and can enrich the life of any family through their unique personality, we love the Australian Labradoodle and Australian Sheepadoodle puppies! We want to help and give your family a lifetime of sweet memories to warm your heart. If you are looking for kid-friendly, loyal, and easy to train pets or therapy dogs, please check out our therapy dogs for sale and our affordable puppies for sale! My dog Pepper is a wonderful addition to my family! Beautiful dogs! They are beautiful and healthy. Our first one is almost 5 years old and we have a 2 month old. Lindy breeds them in a very clean home. She is extremely loving to these newborns and is open to all of our questions. She even follows up to see how they are doing. I would not buy from anyone else. Our 2 labradoodles get plenty of compliments. We have added 2 beautiful members to our family. I waited almost a year for mine and he has been life changing. They are truly amazing, healthy, loyal, and smart dogs! I have trained him and he is now a service dog and has been the greatest companion to me as well. Lindy always responded and kept me in the loop during the entire process. Before I met her I had a nightmare situation with a breeder that was a scam so was very skeptical but she made me feel at ease about everything. Thank you for everything Lindy! Nathan Kirton I ended up finding a puppy from someone else that fit my timeline better. The communication I had with her Lindy was amazing. She was super helpful, and gave me so much information about what I could expect. Thanks for being super helpful Lindy! We waited over a year and it was so worth it! Lindy was instrumental in our family getting the dog of our dreams. She was extremely helpful in asking and answering questions to ensure we got a right match for our family. She took into consideration all of my preferential factors such as the gender, coat color, personality, etc. The cherry on top was upon pick up at 8 weeks Teddy was healthy, socialized, potty trained, and vaccinated. Lindy pours love onto these dogs and puppies and treats her clients with tremendous respect. The puppies are happy and safely kept in an immaculate environment until sent home and I love that each family is celebrated with a photo to commemorate the occasion. Definitely worth the WAIT! Chuck Hahn Best dog ever!!! Worth the wait. He came home perfect! Testimonials Happy Faces Your happiness is our happiness, your success, our success. We take great pride in each and every home we complete with our dogs. We did tons of research. We wanted a dog that did not shed, was hypoallergenic, and had a good temperament. Those dogs are hard to find! We finally came across a very special Australian Labradoodle. We found our Rosie through my best friend who knew the owner of Australian Labradoodles of Texas. Her temperment is what we were really drawn to. She is so calm, obedient, and really wants to please you. She rings a bell when she needs to go outside and walks right next to you on her leash! We feel so lucky that we get to call her ours! To say that Miles has changed our lives for the better would be an extreme understatement! From the moment we set our eyes on him in your videos, we knew he was special, and he has shown us that a million times over. He is a sweet and affectionate dog who loves his family fiercely, acting protective when he needs to, yet demonstrates such a docile and gentle temperament to other people, especially small children who love to pet and squeeze his fluffiness. I had no intention of adding another dog to the mix! After several weeks, I finally pulled the trigger and we brought him home! Charley Brown was the perfect addition to our family and I would recommend these pups to anyone looking for a good family dog. All of our puppies come with Socialization.

We will be happy to recommend you to all our friends and family. .The treats and the stuffed animals he loved it all! He normally doesn't pick a favorite toy but the one toy he got from his box is now his favorite A. The Cinco De Mayo theme was a fun great first box. Dogs loved the toys and the treats. Ebony D. Love it "Thank so much to PoochPerks for the treat box! Jinxy and Popeye can't get enough! Miriam DiazLongtime Subscriber We had a subscription to BarkBox but my miniature dachshund didn't ever like the treats. Also most the toys were too big for her and she just didn't love them. She does love getting the box in the mail so I went out looking for something else. She literally won't stop playing with them and brings one of them with her even to go potty! The option for no treats and mini plush toys made all the difference! Hope it continues!!! Michelle S. Love it!!! Thanks Pooch perks my Lucia and Piper love it! MarciPooch Perks Lover Why Pooch Perks Stands out We hand select the products in our themed boxes from many different vendors which allows for a variety of items in our boxes. At Pooch Perks, we offer a monthly dog box that gives your furry canine friend something new to enjoy every month. Customize Your Box While our team designs the dog boxes each month around a specific theme, there are customization options available. Choose from a mix of toys and treats or a box that contains toys only, making it the perfect gift for dogs with food sensitivities. We take great pride in curating a fun monthly dog subscription box every month so you and your pooch both look forward to what may arrive. Choose the perfect monthly dog box for your furry family member today! Design: Liked the theme and the toys were definitely durable. Health: Treats were made in the U. I mean, I love celebrating Halloween early as much as the next person, but in March? Mostly I was just weirded out by feeling like I'd been sent a Halloween box in March? Happy early Halloween, y'all! But in addition to that, everything in the box felt extremely high quality. Design: Both dog toys here felt very high-end and durable. Neither one was hideous, and I liked that there was a subtle St. I also loved that the rope toy is created through Fundacion Mitz which gives jobs to women in vulnerable communities. Health: I appreciated that the Loving Pets treats were made in the U. Customer Experience: I canceled my subscription via email, and it was easy. The customer service representative was pleasant and I liked that I got an email warning me that my subscription was renewing before I was out of the cancellation window. Summary: I was skeptical of this box going in because subscribing on the Greater Good site felt a little jenky, but I was actually really wow-ed by the quality of the items in the box and the value. I loved the products, and loved even more knowing that my purchase was feeding shelter animals. And our pick for the best Dog subscription box is… Okay, I lied. I love that it gives back, and everything in it felt really high-quality and thoughtfully-curated. I loved seeing a Fair Trade toy in the box, too. It felt good to buy an indulgent treat for our pups that also helped pups in need. Thanks for reading! Pin It The Dapple sometimes receives a small affiliate income when you shop using links featured on our site. Never Miss a Pupdate Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Email Address. Directly supports hungry shelter animals Gives you a premium assortment of products Still affordable considering the included donation Cons Subscription doesn't accommodate food allergies Why It Made the List Anyone who has a rescue or simply loves dogs is sure to appreciate The Animal Rescue Site's subscription box. RescueBox lets you spoil your dog every month while supporting a good cause in the process. With every RescueBox, you'll be sent five premium products, and The Animal Rescue Site will provide dozens of meals to homeless pets and shelter animals through its charitable partners located in the U. If you've been on the fence about splurging on a monthly dog subscription, RescueBox gives you the perfect excuse to do so. Subscriptions for small, medium, and large dogs are all the same price and include the same number of products. No other customizations can be made beyond dog size, but the treats, chews, and toys you receive are always carefully selected by a team of pet experts. The products also follow a monthly theme, so your dog will get to enjoy an exciting variety of high-quality goodies, and you'll feel good knowing that your subscription is helping pets in need. Yes Products Include: Treats, toys, and chews Final Thoughts If you want convenient monthly deliveries of different toys and treats for a price that doesn't make you think twice about spoiling your dog, a subscription to BarkBox gets you the most bark for your buck. Some subscriptions let you customize your plan based on your dog's needs and preferences, while others have experts that curate an assortment of goodies based on a new theme; BarkBox does both. You can expect a fun-themed variety of premium toys every month but can also customize your plan to your dog. Upgrading your plan to accommodate another dog or one who just goes through toys fast will increase your bill but will also qualify you for free shipping. It can be hard guessing whether or not your dog will like something you order online, but all BarkBox plans have a percent satisfaction guarantee. Free shipping isn't always included, but when it's not, you can often qualify for it by adding extra products to your order. None of the subscriptions on this list require committing to a certain number of boxes, though most plans are automatically set up for either 12 months or four quarters of recurring deliveries. You're always free to cancel whenever you want, and you never have to pay the cost of the entire subscription period upfront if you prefer month-to-month payments. Chewy's Goody Box is the only exception because unless you set up recurring shipping at checkout, every box must be ordered individually. Most dog subscription boxes contain bundles of both food and non-food items, but Pooch Perks , Bullymake , and Pet Treater let you adjust your plan to receive only toys. However, if accessories are the non-food item you prefer, BoxDog is the best option. While the subscription does include treats and toys, it also sends skin care products and lets you pick out accessories every month. The same applies to Bark Bright , which will supply you with a monthly supply of toothpaste and chews. Methodology To find the best dog subscription boxes, our team reviewed nearly two dozen services, evaluating each one on the following criteria: Average price Number of items per box Variety of products.

Ian discusses how we should learn to see the world from our dogs perspective and in doing so, how we can better earn their love and trust. Armed with this love and trust, we will form a better relationship and as a result, effective training becomes just that much more effective and enjoyable for both you and your dog. But please, first make sure to use the search facility in the footer of this website and browse our other sections as the subject may have already been covered: Labrador health and care , Labrador behavior , Labrador puppies , infobites and Labrador breed information. External Resources On Labrador Training Although referring to all breeds in general and not purely Labradors, for those of you that love to watch and not read, the series of dog training videos on www. If you like reading books then check out one of our favorite Lab books: The Complete Labrador Handbook. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. If this is the case,…. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the bathroom at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialization Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the yard Besides the gnomes and questionable yard furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own yard is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and yard to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favorite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. Print Raising a retriever puppy like the pros Your Labrador puppy can seem small and fragile during those first few weeks home from the breeder. Labrador puppies will learn quickly about acceptable and unacceptable behavior those first few weeks, if you, the owner, are willing to set and enforce boundaries. Here is the training you should be working on with your week-old Labrador puppy. About this series of posts This is post three of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Training and socialization for week-old Labrador puppy — week three home Your week-old puppy has been with your family for approximately 3 weeks now. This week you should start noticing some bigger changes with your puppy. Here are some of the changes I notice with Bubba. First, she is growing fast! Bubba is almost ready for a new collar already. I have loosened her current collar twice, and there is no more room to expand it. She is also learning a lot. Bubba is also becoming more personable. She likes and has more interest in people now and wants to be petted and scratched more often. Training equipment for Lab puppy We added a couple new training tools this week. But a thicker check cord will also work. We use this check cord for longer outside marks and assistant-marks which I will discuss more in a bit. Puppy sized canvas or light-weight plastic bumpers In week two, we introduced formal retrieving in a hallway in the house. In week three, we move outside with retrieving and introduce assistant throws, so it is helpful to have a few more bumpers. Puppy training that will continue Much of the training I have been working on for the past two weeks with Bubba will continue into this week and beyond. Dog training is not something that has a definitive end-date. For instance, you teach your puppy to SIT and then you must work and practice that command daily or weekly, often for months before the response to the command is solid. But even once the response is solid, you cannot completely stop training. If you stop training, even an older dog, the dog can lose the previous training. So, realize that you are never done working with your dog, especially on obedience training. Some areas that we will continue training Bubba on are: Crate training Bubba is doing great at crate training. She rarely makes any noise while in her crate and settles down quickly after being put into her crate. In the upcoming weeks, we will work towards getting Bubba to enter her crate on command. Looking for more information on crate training? Housebreaking Housebreaking Bubba is going well. We have caught her in a few accidents, but she already seems to understand that she is not supposed to go potty inside. This does not mean that she is done housebreaking. We still expect accidents and will for a few months, so we watch her carefully while she is running around in the house. We also praise her for behaviors like going to the door and tapping the door or whining at the door. These behaviors are rewarded with us taking her outside to go potty. When she goes potty outside, we praise her and then take her right back in. We want her to start understanding that these cue behaviors will get her out to go potty and that is all. Looking for more information on housebreaking? But we will also add a few new ones. We will use this while teaching our puppy the SIT command. It also will be used going forward, anytime we are done working on structured obedience work. We will release the dog from formal work with the OKAY command. But we also use it to mean go to a certain place, such as on a mat or stand. Or, when we want her to go into her crate or kennel. This is an associative command, meaning the puppy will learn the command through our repetition of the word as we tie it to a behavior. But over time, she will make the association and will perform it on her own. This is very important especially if you ever plan on doing more advanced training with your retriever. You will use whatever your dogs name is. A few commands that we will continue to work on this week We will continue to work on obedience commands this week and in the weeks to come. Each week we will expect a little more and better compliance and performance to the command. She is sitting when I put the leash and chain collar on her and when I am taking it off. This week we also added SIT before eating. We only make her SIT for a few seconds; we are working on control. She does not SIT on her own yet, but she will be doing that within a week or so I would guess. Right now, I grab her collar and say SIT. In week three, I have a slightly higher expectation. On walks, I make her walk right beside me for a minute or two using the HEEL command before releasing her and letting her run back and forth a bit. This tells me that she understands the command. Then release her. If every time your puppy comes to you, you put her away or take something away from her, soon your puppy will not want to come to you. You must work hard to make coming to you a good experience for your puppy. So, call her, praise her when she comes and release. Remember: Never use a HERE command if you are not in the position of being able to enforce the command. Make every effort to socialize your puppy You should continue to take steps to socialize your week-old puppy. Anything you can think of. The more things and situations you expose your puppy to, the better your puppy will be equipped to adjust and learn in the future. Learn more about socialization. Hand throws with a puppy bumper you are throwing out a bumper done outside will carry a lot more distraction than retrieves in a hallway. Just pick up the bumper and try again tomorrow. When retrieving outside, make sure you have a long foot rope attached to your puppy. Never try to do retrieves outside without a rope. You will have problems and encourage bad behaviors. You must have a way to get the puppy to come back to you, otherwise you should not be doing retrieves outside. Once your puppy is doing well retrieving outside, you are ready to introduce assistant marks. Introduction to assistant marks The most important thing we worked on with Bubba this week is assistant marks. Assistant marks are retrieves where someone else is throwing the bumper, not you. This teaches your puppy to watch out in the field for a mark. It is very rare that a duck will come from behind you, fly over your head and you shoot it. The ducks and pheasants will be falling in front of you, so the dog must learn to look out and watch for the mark. We start assistant marks on very short grass with white plugs so that the puppy can clearly see the item on the ground. We hold the puppy in a SIT position facing a thrower who is about 20 feet from you. When your puppy picks up the bumper, immediately start calling her back to you. Remember, you should have the foot check cord on her so you can pull the puppy in if needed. Then, take the bumper from her, throw it behind you, make your puppy sit facing the thrower again and repeat. Only do retrieves and then call it a day. Soon your puppy will learn this game and love it. They will start facing the thrower on their own and sitting and waiting for a mark. Final thoughts on training for your week-old Labrador puppy week-old puppies are so eager to learn, so be sure and take advantage of this enthusiasm to teach new concepts and enforce previous ones. Continue to teach your puppy to handle more and more pressure and correction while maintaining a good attitude. Lastly, assistant marks are a big deal. Once a dog learns this part of the game, you can work to increase the distance and complexity of the marks. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. Print Early obedience first step to better hunting dog Labrador puppies start out sweet and innocent. All you want to do is cuddle up with your pup and love them! And you should! But rest assured the innocence will not last. As your pup gains confidence and courage, they will begin to test you in many ways. That is why you must obedience train your Labrador puppy. Early obedience training is key to establishing borders and boundaries that will help your puppy grow, learn, and adjust with a good attitude. There is no shortcut to doing this, just use the name often when you talk to your puppy. Over time, the pup will start to respond to the name. Socialization, while not technically obedience training, is the single most important thing you can teach your puppy during the first few months of life. If you are not sure how to do this, refer to this post. Tools needed to obedience train Labrador puppy You will need a few tools to teach your puppy obedience. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. Collar — You should purchase a size appropriate collar for your new puppy. You may have to buy new ones as your dog grows, but it is important for your puppy to get used to wearing a collar early on. A simple nylon adjustable collar works great. Chain collar — If your puppy is more than a few months old, a chain or prong collar is extremely helpful in teaching obedience, but they must be used correctly. For more information on how to put a chain collar on your dog correctly refer to this video. A longer lead, called a check cord, is also useful for teaching HERE and retrieving. You can learn more about that here. Heeling stick optional — While optional, a heeling stick can be especially helpful in teaching basic obedience. Treats — Treats are good for teaching very young puppies. I use treats for pups under 12 weeks of age, but treats should be discontinued rather quickly. When to start basic puppy obedience training Obedience training can and should start within the first couple weeks of having your puppy home. Young puppies are ready and willing to learn and teaching obedience to a young puppy is much easier than teaching it to an older dog. How long should obedience sessions be? Most labs do not enjoy obedience training. For this reason, we aim to keep obedience sessions short, especially if your dog is under 4-months of age. Five to ten minutes of obedience a day can work wonders. Especially if you are consistent. Using rewards or praise to teach obedience Many people like to use treats or rewards for obedience training. And this can work, especially with very young dogs. But for hunting dogs, over the long-term treats can become a problem. We do not want our dogs, or the dogs we train to be obedient only because they are getting a food reward. We want them to be obedient because they understand their place in the family and respect the owners. To get these lasting results, we use praise words and petting and a reward that retrievers live for — retrieves! Well-timed praise is a particularly important part of dog training. A message that it is okay to ignore me the first 9 times! This simply means that after a few minutes of formal obedience training, we release the dog with an OKAY command and that means they can run around and be a dog. We then throw a bumper or plug a for the dog to retriever. We do this a few times with a lot of excitement and allow the dog to retrieve the bumper. For retriever breeds, this is often more effective than a food reward. Be careful that you are not letting your puppy get into bad habits with retrieving. For instance, if your puppy often goes out to retrieve the bumper but then runs away with it, or picks it up and drops it, do not continue doing retrieves. While retrieving is a reward for many Labs, it is not an excuse to engage in behaviors that are not going to be acceptable in the field. If you want to learn more about how to properly teach your Lab to retrieve, check out How can I teach my retriever puppy to fetch? Introduction to leash and nylon collar The very first step for any puppy obedience is to introduce your puppy to a regular collar and leash. This should be done in two separate steps, first the collar and then the leash. Introduce the collar by putting a nylon type collar on your puppy. This is normal and you should not react to it. Introducing the leash is a little different. We like to do this outside. After a few sessions of this introduction, you can start holding the leash by the end and walking with the puppy. When the puppy tries to run or walk away, hold tight to the leash, and just let the puppy get used to the resistance. Some puppies have a hard time with this and will growl or whine and whip themselves around at the pressure, but most will not. Remain calm and after a few sessions the puppy should get used to the resistance of the leash. Do not allow the puppy to pull you around. That will make for some bad behaviors that you will need to correct later. If you cannot control your puppy with just a regular collar and leash, you may need to move to a chain or prong collar to keep control. What commands to teach Lab puppy There are only four basic obedience commands that you need to teach your young puppy. Remember when it comes to commands, less is more. OKAY — this is a release command, basically tells your dog were done training, go be a dog. As your puppy grows and learns more, there are some other commands that may be needed, but for puppies I like to start with just the four above. Dog training requires consistency Before you start with obedience training, I want to make a note about the importance of consistency. Obedience training only works if you are consistent. This means that when you say a command, you expect the puppy to perform the command, and are willing to take steps to make the puppy perform the command. If you do not remain consistent in this expectation, you will confuse your dog and get poor results from your training. You and your family must be consistent! How to start obedience training Lab puppy The first command you want to start teaching your puppy is SIT. This is quite easy to teach with a small puppy but gets a little tougher as they get bigger. Then release the puppy with the OKAY command. Repeat this process several times, then stop. If your puppy is weeks old, you can repeat this training several times a day for only a couple minutes at a time. This will be a two-person job for a little while. The other person will put the food down a few feet from the puppy. Then release the puppy to eat saying OKAY. As the pup learns and understands the command better, you will no longer need a second person to hold the puppy. You must be a little careful here because young puppies do not have great bladder control and making them wait, even a few seconds, can mean the difference between an accident and them doing their business outside. But this is a great way to teach impulse control and manners to your puppy. I do not want to have to fight for a position by the door. You can usually start working on this within a week or two of teaching SIT. A great way to teach this command to young puppies is to use two people and sit in a long hallway, one at each end. Take turns calling your puppy with a HERE command. A toy or treat can often help the process. Let your puppy run around a bit but hold onto the end of the cord. Occasionally, call you puppy with a HERE command. It can be helpful at first to crouch down to encourage the puppy to run towards you. Then release the puppy with an OKAY command. Do this a few more times and repeat daily until the puppy is coming to you without you needing to pull the cord. It is also the command most of our clients struggle with the most. Mostly because they are using the wrong tool for the job. For heeling work, it is important that you work with a chain or prong collar. This will give you more control and stop the pulling and surging that many people struggle with. Using a chain or prong collar and a six-foot leash, start walking your puppy at your side. If your puppy is young, be sure to use a puppy chain collar which is smaller than chain collars for adult dogs. And make sure that you are putting it on correctly! An alternate tool to a chain collar and leash is the Wonder or Command Lead. These work great for teaching HEEL. As you start walking use gently tugs on the chain collar with the command HERE to keep your puppy at your side. If your puppy surges or pulls ahead, simply make a degree turn and start walking the other direction giving a sharp, upward tug on the chain collar and saying HEEL several times until the dog is back in a heeling position. Many of our clients have told us they never left their driveway the first few days! But if you are patient and consistent, your dog will quickly learn that if they want to go for a walk, they need to stay at your side. If you want to learn and progress in more obedience work, check out these obedience drills for retrievers. Final thoughts on how to teach your lab puppy obedience Teaching your puppy obedience may take a lot of patience, time and work, but it is such an important thing to do. You will never regret the time! A well-mannered dog is such a joy to be around both in the home and in the field. How to obedience train Labrador puppy. Labrador Retriever pups are working dogs. This means they live to please you for a treat. The more you engage them with different puppy training behaviors the happier they will be. Of course, Labs will be Labs, and this means that dogs do dog things unless they are trained to follow your expectations. Potty training your puppy is just the beginning of you making clear expectations for your Lab. Puppy training from long leash training to potty training, to not nipping is discussed in greater detail along with clear, easy to follow videos at www. But we will give you an expert training tip summary below. For this reason, you need to become an expert on puppy training. Contact us for a discount on the Puppy Trained Right positive reinforcement training program. Expose your puppy to as many different people and situations possible. Teach dog to dog manners when required. Use Positive Reinforcement. Allow for Play with Other Puppies. Play with other Lab Puppies not only allows your pup to get some exercise it is a form of puppy socialization. Bond with your Puppy. Once a strong bond is formed your Lab Puppy will want to please you even more. Potty Train Right Away. Learn how Dogs Learn. Training a Lab puppy is easy if you understand how to go about it. Give your Lab Puppy Play time to Explore. Labs need this as part of their natural development. Spend more time with your puppy when young. This is the time when your expectations should be clearly outlined and can decrease as she gets older. Begin Training day 1. This happens weather or not you intend it to. Every action and reaction is something your puppy uses to form new habits. So ignoring them jumping up as an 8 week old puppy is training them to jump up and will be much more difficult to un-train once they are 70 lbs. Relax and make learning fun. Your pup needs you happy and enjoying yourself! Use Positive Training Methods because they work. This means reward what you desire. Ensure most Experiences are Positive. Imagine a training session of No, No, No, No! Expose them to as Many Human Situations possible. One cause is that there was not adequate socialization with different men. Be Patient. You are building an amazing K9 personality. The window is between 8 and 20 weeks old. Make the most of it. The better your Lab is socialized the happier they will be. Anxiety in dogs comes from many things. The more things your dog is comfortable with the less chance for anxiety and therefore the happier they are. Prepare yourself, your family and your home before your puppy comes home. It is too late once you meet your puppy as simply interacting with her is training. Allow for Safe Experiences both in the home and outside. Seek professional trainers to help guide you when faced with a problem. Be consistent. Clear expectations are easiest to learn. Focus on Guiding not controlling. Best Start Training or Training Classes are beneficial for both you and your puppy. Expect Success. We tend to move in the direction we believe we will travel. Reward the Behaviors you want to see even something as simple as 4 paws on the ground if you are trying to train your Lab not to jump up on you. Become Well informed. You are teaching a skill like reading that takes clear expectations and builds upon last session. Lab Puppies need constant supervision either human, a crate, a fenced area or a baby gate across a doorway. Encourage a soft mouth. Keep your training up or it will be forgotten. Begin Walking on a Loose Leash Right away. This is always easier for your Lab when they are 12 lbs not 70lbs. Change direction before the leash tightens so they are followers not leaders. This is much easier to train before it happens than correct. Allow alone time for your Lab. Know when to end a training session. End training before your puppy quits. Make time for a few shorter training Sessions. Three fifteen minute sessions are better than one 45 min one. Teach your Lab to respond to their name. Teach your Labrador basic obedience before tricks-come, sit, stay, down, leave it. Have all humans learn the commands and be consistent. Ignore undesirable behaviors. Ignoring includes not saying no, bad dog, touching your dog or making eye contact. Find rewards that your Retriever loves and use them when you have breakthrough training moments. Adjust your expectations as your Lab puppy matures, the older more experienced the higher the expectation. Set Realistic Expectations. Minimize distractions when you begin training. Be aware of your Body Language, Labradors pick up cues from you. Be aware of your leash tension. A tight leash says anxiety from the handler. Know when to get Help .Have fun! Understand that Labs do Lab things. Make them work for food and treats. Exercise your Retriever properly for both intensity and duration. Learn some exercise games Labs love. Give lots of repetition. Stop before they get bored. Establish a Pattern by Praising. Redirect undesired behavior. Accept partial actions at first and gradually increase your expectations. When treats end Verbal treats and chin scratches rule. They will know. Enjoy your well balanced purebred Lab puppy for many years. Purebred Lab Retrievers, are they easier to train? The answer to that is definitely maybe! Not all purebreds are bred for intelligence. For example, if a Labrador Retriever breeder chooses to breed their dogs for a certain look then they may overlook intelligence as one of the important characteristics in order to get a specific Lab look. We however breed for intelligence, health and temperament. So in our case, yes, our Purebred Lab Puppies are easier to train than many because we choose the parents and their puppies specifically for their smarts!