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We specilize in field bred Golden Retrievers. Field Goldens typically have shorter low maintaince coats sometimes wavy that range in color from dark golden to deep red. On occasion our puppies have small watch markings. Our dogs tend to be a bit smaller in stature females 48 to 60 lbs, males 60 to 75lbs. Our Goldens are atheletic and have natural retriever instints, love the water and are entergetic but not hyper. What to expect to inquiring or purchasing a SkyRiver Goldens: EMAIL: With the influx of request our response times on emails could be delayed but we do respond to them in order they are recieved. If you have not heard back from us in a couple of days feel free to send a second email. You are important to us and we are doing our best. This could mean traveling to an airport that is not your first choice. Our puppies safety is our top priority. SICK: Please be respectful, if you or a family member have been sick please speak up, we will make arrangements for you to pick your puppy virtually. If you are thinking of breeding please inquire further. Share 0 Shares When looking for Golden Retriever puppies for sale in California, it is important to keep the quality of the breeder in mind. You want to make sure that the breeders use healthy parents that have undergone testing for genetic health as well as health for eyes, heart, hips, and elbows. Golden Retrievers are prone to cancer , so a knowledgeable breeder is imperative. Consider looking into a breeder who uses English Golden Retrievers in their program. English lines have been shown to have up to a two-year longer lifespan than purely American lines. English Golden Retrievers are often lighter than standard American Goldens. Another aspect to consider when looking for a Golden Retriever puppy in California is if the parents have any Championship titles. This could be in conformation, obedience, agility, or even hunting. Depending on what you want to accomplish with your puppy, these aspects might be important to you. If you are wanting a purebred Golden Retriever, it is also advisable to get a puppy from an AKC registered breeder. It is a small family kennel that breeds English Golden Retrievers. They are passionate about raising quality dogs bred from genetically healthy parents that also pass their health certifications. The puppies are raised inside the home and treated like one of their own dogs. They are well socialized and go through a great enrichment program during their developmental time at Nicholberry farms. Many puppies from this breeder have gone on to become certified therapy dogs. There is even a part of their website dedicated to their puppies that have gone on to be working dogs from therapy to bomb detection to acting! They clearly love their puppies and are a great opinion for considering a future furry family member. To ensure the safety of our readers and the right fit for a new pet, we work hard to make sure only the most trusted breeders are featured on the site. We have a dedicated team that works hard and has done extensive research that involves checking both the breeder and their dogs, to verify that the breeders featured on our site are highly reputable and trustworthy. Feedback on Google and Facebook is also taken into consideration before they are listed as a breeder to have the highest standards possible. We hope that this gives you a little more information about how we list breeders on our site. Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale in California: Golden Retrievers are a hugely popular breed worldwide, thanks to their reputation as loyal pets and good hunting dogs. However, with so many breeders to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one is the best fit for you and your family. California is a great state to get a Golden Retriever, and there are plenty of reputable and ethical breeders to choose from. I have compiled a list of the top 14 Golden Retriever breeders in California, based on their breeding history, customer reviews, and service quality. Most of these breeders are hobbyists who breed for love, not money. With this list, you should be able to find the perfect Golden Retriever for your family. They are located in Southern California and they pride themselves on being an ethical breeder of quality Golden Retriever dogs. They source their breeding stock from all over the USA and Europe. This allows them to get the best genetics possible and produce healthy offspring. They want all of their puppies to go to good homes where they will be loved as family members. Additionally, all puppies are sold with limited registration. This means that the new family will not be able to breed their dog. The breeder only wants their puppies to go to homes where they will be treated as family dogs and not used for breeding purposes. The pups come microchipped, vets checked, dewormed, and doggy door trained. They also come with a 1-year health guarantee. Golden Retriever Breeder Info:. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for California Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in California? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in California? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. We are blessed with good weather almost all year and our Golden's certainly enjoy the outdoor life! Our first Golden puppy, Samantha came home with us in and we have owned and loved Golden's ever since. Their easy going temperaments and versatile range of talents always amaze us! We train and encourage all of our Golden's to excel in what they love to do and many times they teach us a new trick or two! Every one has a very special place in our hearts and will forever. I enjoy teaching pups of any age but strongly believe in early training and socialization. Learning the skills to become a confident and well behaved puppy lays a good foundation for successful training in Therapy, Service, Agility, Obedience, Conformation, Field, Rally and much more! It is always our highest priority to choose the best breeding stock possible. We select from pedigrees that have consistently, over many generations produced longevity, excellent temperament and overall soundness. We take great care to choose pedigree lines that have been extensively researched. Talking to the breeders who have owned Golden's in the line we are considering greatly helps us reach our goal which is to produce overall quality, not quantity! Please take the time to do your homework before selecting a breeder. Enjoy our website and please come back often for updates!

For this reason, we included these online Boxer breeders for you to check as well. Thus, you can also check a Boxer breeder here. The great thing is that it has an online marketplace to search for a Boxer puppy from any of the states. Since they cover all kinds of breeds, you may find an available puppy through this website. Another thing to note is that you also need to prepare for other costs. In short, aside from the actual cost of the puppy from a breeder, you still need to spend money on other items. Like a new baby in the family, your pup needs some items and some changes. A new puppy at home is a concern for all the family members. Thus, they need to prepare for it as well. As you have your meeting, try to make a schedule of tasks and distribution of responsibilities. Prepare your home. Preparing a home for your Boxer puppy means making it a safe place to play and live. Thus, you need to secure every item that can potentially harm your pet. Moreover, you need to secure your items that your pet can damage, such as shoes, carpets, floor mats, and so on. Shop for supplies. Like all other puppies and babies, Boxer pups needs items for its daily life. The essential things it needs would be beddings, food, and food bowls. You also need to buy a leash and collar for identification. Create a schedule. Besides your pet, you also have your responsibilities. Try to schedule how your pup should do for the day and when you need to pay attention. The great thing about creating a schedule is that it will benefit both you and your pet. Choosing a Good Boxer Seller and Breeder The best Boxer puppies only come from those who take an extra mile in caring for them. Below are certain qualities that you should look for in a Boxer puppy breeder. The Boxer breeder should only breed Boxer puppies. A single breed should be the first thing to remember when searching for a reputable Boxer breeder. Every breed has a mating season to which they breed. If the Boxer breeder sells quite a lot of pups but only has a pair of parents, you can think that it forces the parents to mate so they can have puppies to sell. The Boxer breeder should train pups in their first weeks. Every reputable Boxer breeder gives all the pups around eight weeks at least to stay with their parents. In such a time, the breeder should train the pups before it moves to its new home. The Boxer breeder would continuously be in touch. Other states. For the complete list please see our List of Boxer Breeders page. Purchasing a boxer puppy in North Carolina directly from a breeder can be expensive; however, it is also the best way to ensure that you are getting an animal that has been raised with proper care. Some breeders do not have the right facilities needed to raise healthy dogs and oftentimes these animals may be sickly or lack proper socialization skills due to improper care during development. What Are The Extra Costs? There are very few extra costs associated with owning a Boxer in North Carolina outside of routine vet visits, food, and other supplies that your new pet will need in order to live comfortably. A responsible breeder will typically keep all of their breeding dogs inside of their home and raise them with love and attention. They should also be able to tell you about their history; including any titles that either parent might have earned. A good breeder will give you health guarantees for your new pet as well as plenty of information on how to properly take care of your Boxer throughout its life. Responsible Boxer Breeders will typically not sell puppies to people who plan on leaving them outdoors or alone for long periods of time without supervision because it is important for them to receive plenty of attention while they are young in order for them to grow up healthy and happy. This will give you a chance to learn as much as possible about any sire and dam as well as the environment that they were raised in. Visiting your breeder will also give you a chance to see their home and how they keep their dogs. This will give you a better idea of what type of environment your puppy is coming from and if the breeder is someone that has invested time into raising healthy puppies. You should be able to tell if someone is being honest with you or not from how they answer your questions and whether or not they seem knowledgeable about the breed itself. A good breeder should be willing and able to help you decide what puppy would best suit your lifestyle and family needs, which can only be done if they know everything about you. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your Boxer Breeder in North Carolina It is a good idea to always ask for references from your breeder or anyone who has purchased a puppy from them in the past. If they have any, you should be able to get in contact with at least one person who can tell you about how their experience was with the breeder and whether or not they were satisfied with the way that everything was handled. If you cannot find any references, then this is something that should raise a red flag and may cause you to reevaluate why there are no people willing and able to speak on their behalf. Not having references does not necessarily mean that someone is a bad breeder; however, it does mean that you should take the time to dig a little deeper. A responsible breeder will usually have plenty of satisfied buyers that are willing to share their information about the transaction with future potential owners because it helps ensure that the people they are selling their puppies to will be good homes. Meeting past customers will also give you an idea of how the breeder interacts with their buyers and if they are willing to allow them to ask questions before, during, and after the sale. A good breeder will not only have a veterinarian that they trust and depend on to take care of their dogs, but they will also be willing and able to share the information about them with you. It is extremely important to find out how often your breeder takes their dogs to see a vet because this can also give you an idea as to just how much attention they pay towards making sure that they stay healthy and happy. If someone cannot afford proper veterinary care then breeding these animals should be A Reputable North Carolina Boxer Breeder Will Ask About Your Living Situation Most breeders want to make sure that their puppies are going into a loving home where each one can thrive and receive all of the attention it deserves. You may find yourself at the receiving end of a lot of questions from your breeder which is perfectly normal. You can usually find this information on their website or by calling your local department of agriculture. Look out for red flags when dealing with an unethical breeder in North Carolina; these may include: Claiming that their lineage is rare or includes show-quality dogs without any proof. Lack of Health Certificates Provided. Constantly being asked to pay a higher price after you have already committed. This may also happen if your breeder tries to do business over the phone and refuses to provide any documentation at first. Refusing to provide their contact information, address, or name. Take the time necessary when looking at boxers in NC that will make sure that their lineage is healthy and well taken care of. If your breeder cannot provide you with any information pertaining to potential health problems then this is not someone you should do business with. How to Prepare Your Home for Your Boxer Puppy There are a number of things you will want to consider preparing for before your boxer is set to arrive. First, make sure you stock up on all of the necessary supplies like food and water bowls, toys, treats, bedding, etc. Remember; puppies tend to chew on everything so make sure you keep important documents like remote controls and cell phones out of reach or else they might end up getting destroyed. Puppies also love leather; if given the opportunity they will start chewing away at your furniture corners which will make for a mess to clean up. Potty Training Your New Boxer Puppy Training your boxer to go potty outside will get easier with time; this is one of the most important things you can do when raising your new pup. Remember, patience is key when training any dog; it can be frustrating at times, but you should never hit or otherwise punish your puppy for having an accident. This will only make them more afraid of you and afraid to go near their potty areas in the future. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter.

They are extremely kind, affectionate and intelligent puppies. They are like teddy bears and love their cuddles like their mom Heidi and dad Duke. They are bred to a very high standard and their pedigree is available. This is the first litter from our gorgeous family dog, Heidi, who is an excellent family pet. We have one male and one female cream puppy available, they are in perfect health and displaying a friendly temperament, much like their mother. Our puppies have been raised and played with by my nine grandchildren since they were born, so they are well accustomed to being handled regularly. They were also born the same time our cat had kittens so they are well used to and quite affectionate with our cats and kittens. Each puppy is IKC registered, vaccinated, wormed, and microchipped. We would be more than happy for you to visit and meet the puppies before making any commitments. It is very important to us that the puppies go to suitable homes that will provide love and affection aswell as proper looking after. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. One or both of this puppy's parents have undergone genetic testing. One or both of this puppy's parents are hip certified. One or both of this puppy's parents is OFA Heart certified. This puppy has had early neurological stimulation exercises. Size: inches tall and lbs— so essentially a very large Teddy bear. Lifespan: of the best years of your life! Energy Level: Active Coat: Thick, silky, and luxurious. Shedding: Moderately heavy. Hypoallergenic: Unfortunately, English Cream Goldens are not hypoallergenic. What is an English Cream Golden Retriever? Ah, the English Cream Golden Retriever, also known as the striking ivory white counterpart to the traditional Goldens we all know and love. And with a name like that, it comes as no surprise that these dogs are so sought after! Basically, an English Cream is a subtype of the Golden Retriever breed—more specifically a variation of the British Golden. English Cream Goldens gained their namesake as a result of, well, their elegant pale coats, which can range in color from a delicate cream shade to white. The original Goldens came to be as a result of cross-breeding between various different breeds including: Water Spaniels, Yellow Retrievers, Irish Settlers, and Bloodhounds over several generations. In other words, all Golden Retriever subtypes including the British Golden subtype , are members of the same family, or breed. Oh, and we can thank years of selective breeding for that wonderful and uniquely white coat of theirs, too. Because their temperament is friendly, fun-loving, and obedient. These pups are known for being loyal, intelligent, and attentive. Like all Goldens, they are playful and excitable. In short, their great, balanced temperament makes them a great addition to any home! Oftentimes, cheaper golden retriever puppies can ultimately cost you a LOT more money in the long run because they are more likely to have health issues. Are English Cream Goldens more expensive? What is the difference between English Cream and Golden Retriever? The British Goldens including the English Cream are very similar to their American Golden relatives; however, they do tend to sport slightly lighter colored coats overall and are about 2 inches shorter on average. How big is a full-grown English Cream Golden Retriever? The weight range for these sweet pups can be from pounds for full-grown males, and pounds for full-grown females. Additionally, these babies tend to stand at about inches tall, with males being on the taller end of the spectrum. Do English Cream Goldens shed? Yes, all types and variations of Golden Retrievers shed, and this is entirely normal for the breed. However, it is worth noting that because the English Cream Goldens often have a coat that is slightly thicker and shorter than the American Goldens, some owners claim they shed less overall. Problem solved! Are English Cream Golden Retrievers aggressive? The good news is— no, English Cream Golden Retrievers are not aggressive dogs by nature. In fact, their sweet, calm, and lovable disposition make them a fantastic addition to any family including yours. Are English Cream Goldens more calm? 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. They were absolutely amazing from the first phone call down to the pick up. The love they have for their Golden's shows from the instant you talk with them. They spend an enormous amount of time with their adult Golden's as well as their pups and it definitely shows! My pup was well on her way to being potty trained. She is also crate trained and if whimpers at all when I put her in there, it is only for a couple of minutes. She is amazing! I am so happy that I found Elite White Goldens in my search. I would definitely recommend Selena and Jeff to anyone searching for a Golden Retriever, you will not be disappointed! She is so easy, happy and healthy. Jeff and Selena are not just great breeders but wonderful individuals. The love they show for their dogs and puppies is remarkable. I always tell them I would never buy another retriever from anyone but them! I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for healthy, happy, easily trained retriever to add to your family. Selena and Jeff made the whole experience easy and welcoming, as if we were an extension to their family. They spent a nice amount of time talking with us and giving great suggestions on raising Teddy. I'm so thankful that my bad experience with a different adoption-turned-scam led me to meeting Selena and Jeff, and coming home with our sweet, loving puppy. If you're looking for a breeder who cares so much about their animals, look no further! Elite White Goldens. We researched and interviewed breeders for over month before deciding to go with Selena, despite being furthest from our home 4. She is a responsible breeder who cares deeply for the quality and well being of the dogs and is also a great communicator and easy to work with. A lot of high end breeders can be a bit kookie, but Selena and Jeff are level headed and normal people. We love our new fur baby and will be back for our next pooch! Selena clearly cares very deeply about her dogs and puppies. She shared lots of information and advice which was extremely helpful for us. She had great communication and made the process very smooth. We feel very lucky to have found such a caring breeder. Our puppy is beautiful, comfortable around people and other dogs, and very loving. We love her so very much! Thank you Selena! Selena was so responsive, kind, knowledgeable, and thorough. We adopted the sweetest puppy, who adjusted to our family so well, especially with my two kids who absolutely love her. We are forever thankful to her for helping us find our newest family member! She clearly cares about what is best for her puppies, screens new puppy parents and ensured that all pups had great care and training before going to their forever homes. We are thrilled with our new baby, she is sweet, sassy and smart and loves her big brothers! Thank you! These exceptional dogs are the foundation of our high-quality breeding program, selected for their excellent health, temperament, and pedigrees. By getting to know our adult dogs, you'll gain a glimpse into the remarkable traits and personalities that our puppies inherit. Showing 1 - 40 of 51 resultsPage 1 - 51 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. The puppies will be pounds full grown. Mom Callie- is cream.What a beautiful litter! Visit us on our website.These multi-generation golden doodles F2B were born on September 7th and will be ready to go to their forever on November 2nd. These puppies are raised with.Adoption day is Sept 12 through Sept .Blue Ori - M If there is a new passage to be discovered or way to.One male and one female Non registered. These will be a dark red to mahogany colour. Golden Retrievers are a great family.Meet Sheba. The perfect puppy. The entire ranch was named after this.They are being raised in home with lots of love. And were exposed to Early Neurological Stimulation to give them the best start. Mama Polkadot is a 35 lb purebred poodle and papa Sunny is a 40 lb very small Golden Retriever. Parents are happy.Abbotsford Golden Retriever Puppies coming soon!! Our family pets Mocha and Loki are expecting puppies sometime after September 18th. Both parents Embark DNA tested clear. Mom is a medium golden American.Our puppies are raised on our family farm, where they have plenty of space to run.Each parent has a registration paperwork that confirms they are purebred golden retrievers. Both parent DNA tested and.The perfect family pet they are great with.Golden Irish dogs are a cross between a golden retriever and irish setter. These puppies are gentle, cuddly, loving and calm. Pictures of puppies from last litter. Puppies are registered with Canadian Kennel Club. The parents have their health clearances for hips, elbows, Two females still available. Our beautiful golden retriever Sugar, has blessed us with her second litter. She has twelve beautiful puppies. They will be.Are you looking for a gorgeous dog that will turn heads, while also being affectionate and eager to please? The Golden Irish has it all with Mama--a beautiful, agile, affectionate.One of their other names, the Shichon Teddy Bear refers to their.There are 4 girls and 5 boys available. Puppies are farm raised and will be used to a lot of other animals and children. They will come vet.Parents are family dogs with prefect demeanors and are great with children and chickens : even cats Pick up is an option in.Mom has the most incredible temperament and Dad comes from and exceptional pedigree of Field Goldens. A lot.Indiana the dad is 87lbs of pure joy with a long dark coat, loves children and all animals. Indiana has a very submissive.Looking to go to their forever homes by the end of September, will come with all first shots. Girls and Boys Available please contact me for more.Pug, Golden retrievers, chihuahua. Terrace We are moving overseas and need to rehome our dogs. Well handled by children as we homeschool, and used to other dogs. I have been waiting for many many years for this litter. I imagined up for myself the perfect retriever dog. My perfect companion dog, family.The Golden Retriever is renowned for being a loving, sociable.Stunning, affectionate, easy to train, intelligent - some of the reasons we love Golden Irishes! The Golden Irish has it all with Mama--a beautiful, agile, affectionate Irish.Delivery to Vancouver. And Pg. Prince George Don't miss out on these amazing companions. They will be ready to go the first week of.They have all the vaccines and rabies shot. They have a puppy passport and document for.Puppies come with 2 year health guarantee, microchipped, vet.Please Contact Golden Retriever Chilliwack Our beautiful male golden retriever is available to be used as a stud. We are based near Chilliwack, British Columbia. He is 2. Parksville Our foster puppy is looking for a loving home. Cassidy is sweet, playful, and cuddly. Location in Maple Ridge. They were born on June 24th and ready to go now. They are

Latest Dog Articles Everything you wanted to know about your dog: wool Are there any dogs in the stomach hairballs? If you compare a dog with a cat, the dogs did not strongly monitor your hygiene. Dogs love lain in a different moldy stuff, bathe in dirty water, and even will not oppose whose eating - that excrement. And it i Tips novice dog breeder A complete and accurate answer for you, no one can give, because it all depends on many factors, the life of a breeder. By and large it all depends on the purpose for which purchased the dog, who will care for her, where you'll have it, and where and by w Methods of teaching a puppy Establish a connection with a young puppy can by feeding him from his earliest days. The puppy should pnyat you for it - the power supply. She should realize this and get used to you as an owner. The same way you can teach your puppy to respond to his nic When we get a dog, immediately the question arises as to accustom the puppy home "walk" in the toilet. In fact, it is not difficult. As a rule, the need arises after active play, sleep or eat. Surely, you know that pets, on the paws have pads with scent glands. So they scrape the ground and the front and hind legs, thus mark, so to speak, its own territory. Paws they scrape after urination, and also after a bowel movement. Dogs in general are b How to properly care for the puppy Many readers ask the question, when you can take the puppy home? Typically, the pups can already take vtoroi after vaccination, the first at six - the eighth week, the second - after 2 weeks after the first vaccine. At this point, you can already walk the please choose. Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water. New Pet Alert from AdoptaPet. What is This? Yes, I would like to receive communications from the Petco Love regarding their lifesaving work. By signing up for the New Pet Alert, you are allowing Adopt-a-pet. You can also optionally sign up to receive email communications from Petco and Petco Love as well. You can save up to 15 New Pet Alerts, and you can cancel or change them at any time at adoptapet. In fact, together with Petco and our community partners, we help find homes for thousands of dogs, cats, and rabbits and other pets every week. Learn More Let Petco store associates be your post-adoption support network. Petco's Welcome to the Family New Pet Parent Starter Guide provides new pet parents substantial benefits with hundreds of dollars worth of coupons for everything a new pet needs. And our Petco store partners will be there today, and every day, to answer all those new pet parent questions and make sure every adoption is a successful one. If adoption isn't possible for you right now, don't worry. You can still be part of our lifesaving work by making a donation. Not sure about adoption yet? Learn why it's a great way to welcome a pet into your home-and how we can help.

Not only are they known for their exuberant and friendly personality, but they make for excellent hunting dogs. They also are an ideal breed for service animals and search and rescue. These medium-sized dogs are also known for their luxurious golden coats. Their beautiful fur makes them a sought after breed, not only for their friendly personality. However, with a gorgeous coat also comes upkeep. Consistently grooming a Golden Retriever is an important part of being a pet owner as grooming helps keep them clean and prevent other issues. Since Golden Retrievers have a double coat, they are extremely big shedders. Read on to learn more about the grooming a Golden Retriever requires and how to manage it. They will be familiar with the scissors and brush. Getting them comfortable with being handled by yourself and groomers is a good step for a positive experience for everyone involved. Weekly brushing is important for your Golden Retriever. It will help keep their coat fresh and let you check for any wounds. There are many different types of pet brushes out there, so finding the best one for your pup is important. You want to make sure the bristles or pins of the brush are long enough to get through their thick coat without hurting their skin. A lot of brushes will have retracting pins, making for easy cleaning. A good brush will also keep their coat clean, removing any dander and dirt. You will also want to look for a brush with a larger head since a Golden Retriever is a medium-sized dog. Shedding and How to Curb It Grooming your dog will help rid their fur of fleas, keep them clean, ensure their coat is well taken care of, and most importantly, help with the dreaded shedding. That is where the groomer will blow out their coat with a high powered velocity dryer. In addition to brushing your dog out weekly, they need to be groomed every 8 to 10 weeks. Your golden will shed the most during spring and fall as they get rid of and then prepare for their winter coat. They can be harmful to your dog and its coat. Feeding your Golden Retriever a good amount of protein and Omega 3s will curb any excessive shedding. They will be healthy and so will their coat. Staying on top of their nutrition and exercise will ensure your dog is happy and healthy. Golden Retriever Grooming Cuts While many people may want to groom their pets at home, leaving it to the professionals is the best option. Weekly brushing can easily be done at home. Most people do not have the proper set up in their homes to effectively wash and clean their dog. A professional groomer can provide a lot of different types of services that cannot be performed at home. In addition to trimming their nails and fur on their paws, they can also give your dog a haircut. The preferred style of cut for Golden Retrievers is the Simple Trim. A groomer will do some light trimming and feathering. They also will thin out their fur around the chest and neck. The Teddy Coat involves a bit more trimming. The groomer will trim the tail as well, along with the legs and feet. They will make sure it is done properly. Grooming a Golden Retriever While everyone loves a cuddly pooch, staying on top of grooming a golden retriever is an important part of being a successful pet owner. Know what things are okay for you to do at home and what services need to be done by professionals. Golden Retrievers have a double coat, consisting of an undercoat and an overcoat. The combination coat is designed to keep the dog at a comfortable temperature in any season. If you were to trim the entire coat, it would inhibit this natural heating and cooling system. You should not need to use clippers to trim a Golden Retriever. The edges usually get a lot of fuzzy hair growth, so that needs to be cleanly trimmed away with scissors. Next, trim in between your Golden Retriever's toes. Take your comb and brush up the hair between its toes. Then trim it away at the level of the top of the pup's feet. Then comb it all back down. It should now be above the level of the dog's pads. Also inspect the Golden Retriever's pads while you are focusing on their feet. Apply Vaseline if you find any cracked pads and decide whether your pup needs its nails trimmed. Trim the fur on the back of the dog's legs with your thinning shears. You don't need to remove all the longer fur that grows near their rear end, but you want the coat to look balance and symmetrical. Focus your attention on trimming off fuzzy and unkempt fur. The fur on the back of the legs will be longer than the fur on the front of the legs. The hair on the back of the legs should be a few inches long, flaring out a bit behind the dog, while the fur on the front will lay flat against the dog. Begin by using your thinning shears around the dog's shoulders if a ridge of hair has formed there. Then move your attention to the front of the dog, thinning the hair on its chest until it lies flat. The length of your dog's fur will vary. A Golden Retriever doesn't have a short, tight coat, but instead has some length to it. When trimming your dog's coat, focus more on trimming fuzzy and unkempt fur, instead of trimming to a specific length. If you are unsure if you have removed enough hair, comb the coat out and see if the coat is lying flat. The goal is to have a nice flat coat that is balanced and symmetrical. As you trim, move the thinning shears with the direction of the growth. Using the thinning shears to trim the neck and chest will give the dog a more natural look. Thin the fur around the front and back of the ears. This will be important to keeping your dog's ears healthy. Then trim the fur on the ears, taking stray hairs off the top of them with the thinning shears. Don't make the tail fur too short. You just want to trim the length by tapering it from the base to the tip, using thinning shears to make it look natural. This trimming is usually done on the ears, feet, neck and tail for a Golden Retriever to keep them looking smart. When should you start grooming your Golden Retriever puppy? Golden Retriever grooming should begin in their puppy phase to get them used to the process. These double-coated dogs are shedders that will need regular grooming in adult life to stimulate their coats, keep shedding under control and prevent mats and tangles. A Golden Retriever's coat doesn't develop properly until around 18 months, and as a puppy, your dog will have soft hair, which will form the undercoat once the overcoat develops. Get your puppy used to grooming by brushing its hair regularly with a soft-bristled brush, then moving onto a slicker brush as it ages and its coat begins to develop. If you plan on having your puppy professionally groomed, it's recommended to take it for its first trip to the groomer at around eight to twelve weeks old so it can get used to the grooming process and the salon. Golden Retrievers have a double coat which work together to protect your pup in both the winter and the summer months. Even clipping is not advisable with your Golden Retriever as it can hinder the growth of the undercoat later in the year. Instead, keep up with brushing their hair perhaps even doing it more regularly to remove the dead loose hair and regular bathing. Ideally, you need to be looking to purchase a dog shampoo that contains Oatmeal and Vitamin E. Regular brushing will reduce the amount of matting and make each brush a bit easier and softer. Use thinning scissors and begin to trim past where your thumb is, taking small bit by bit. Taking your time this way you should eventually reach your desired length. Recommended Products.

Grooming will have to be a priority for this dog. Stay on top of all that hair by brushing your dog weekly. A mid to large sized dog, the Aussiedor is best suited for a house with enough yard space to get plenty of exercise. As mentioned above the Australian Shepherd Lab Mix can weigh anywhere from 40 to 80 lbs 22 to 36 kg and reach 22 to 25 inches 56 to 64 cm in height. The Australian Shepherd is also recognized as a loving family dog, particularly around children. Herding genes mean protectiveness, so this is something to watch for with an Australian Shepherd Labrador mix. Separation anxiety can be a factor. Nonetheless, these genes make a great therapy dog and both parent breeds are known to excel in these working roles. The ease of trainability is high, as this mix has an impressive IQ and loves a good mental or physical challenge to get those juices flowing. Positive reinforcement will keep her motivated to please and socialization will help soften herding instincts when it comes to the presence of strangers and other pets. Check out this video that showcases some vital techniques used to train an Australian Shepherd Labrador mix. You will need to challenge her because if not, she will challenge your belongings to a game of bite and chew. Spend an hour each day playing fetch, frisbee or going for a long walk. Labradors are known to be phenomenal swimmers, which could mean the same for your Australian Shepherd Labrador mix. If you have a pool, make a splash to burn off extra energy. For rainy days, keep interactive toys handy, such as doggie puzzles, that work the brain. Aussidors Have a Big Appetite This breed is not one to miss a meal. They have a big appetite, but also have a tendency to pack on the pounds, so keep meals on a schedule. Opt for calorie-dense dry dog food that is high in protein. Feed your adult Aussiedor 3 to 4 cups of food per day, divided into 2 meals. This is the belief that hybrids tend to be harder than the purebred parents due to a broader gene pool. Of course, as with any species of animal, there are a handful of health issues to stay informed about. You should always be prepared to ask breeders questions about health issues and they should be able to provide clearances from the vet. These are the most common Australian Shepherd Labrador mix health issues to be aware of. Elbow dysplasia: Growth abnormalities in the elbow causing painful mobility. Hip dysplasia : Abnormalities in the hips that are painful and hinder mobility. Muscular dystrophy: A disease that causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle. Collie eye anomaly: An inherited disease that aggravates the bilateral eye and can cause blindness. Progressive retinal atrophy: Degeneration of the retina that can cause vision loss. Cataracts: An opacity in the eye lens that impairs vision. Bloat: When gas causes the stomach to be distended, putting pressure on the diaphragm. Not to mention how adorable they look! Please oh please beware of puppy mills, though! With puppy mill dogs, puppy health is known to be poor. Do you have a pencil ready? Write down the following tips and keep them close to your heart when seeking out Aussiedor puppies for sale. Remember: good breeders should be dog lovers Breeding dogs is something that takes passion and love. Unfortunately, there are those few slime balls looking to bag a quick buck by exploiting the innocent. Here are 4 signs to look out for: A breeder should be an open book. Never make an online transaction. Ask to visit the location where the puppies were born and live. If a breeder declines, take it as a red flag and shop elsewhere. What do they have to hide? Puppy mill breeders will want to hustle fast, offering transactions that can be made online and charging cheaper prices than the average. Do your research on what the average cost is. Beware of breeders that make guarantees. For instance, if a breeder claims that their Aussiedor puppies will grow to a certain height or act a specific way, move on to the next one. Remember, no one can make predictions on how a hybrid will turn out. Here are some helpful sources to locate Australian Shepherd Lab Mix for adoption. Temperament: Exuberant, outgoing and friendly. Australian Shepherd Lab Mix Appearance As a cross their appearance can vary greatly between a nice mix of the two, or can lean more towards one parent or the other. The same thing can be said about their size with some being a heavier set like the Labrador or others being leaner like Aussies. Aussiedors are generally broad-shouldered and solid in structure with the broad face and large head of a Labrador. Their ears hang low and their tail is relatively long compared to the body. Size Once fully grown you can expect them to stand 25 inches tall, although they can be as short as 18 inches. As for weight it should range between pounds. Colors Despite the fairly basic colors of its parents, the Aussiedor is quite the rainbow dog. They come in nearly every color imaginable! The most common colors for this mix include bicolor black and white , tricolor black, tan and white , blue or red merle, tan, black and tan, spotted, speckled or brindle. Coat Their coat can be a mixture of types thanks to the difference of coat between Australian Shepherds and Labradors. It can either be straight or somewhat wavy and length can vary too. No matter how it may look all coats are typically dense and repel water like Labradors. Both the Labrador and the Australian Shepherd are heavy shedders, and the Aussiedor is no different — in fact, they usually shed even more than their parents. If you do not like finding fur everywhere, the Aussiedor may not be the dog for you. Their devotion to their family means they are also prone to separation anxiety. It is likely they will have the herding instincts of their Australian Shepherd parent. The wide range of colors means they can have numerous different markings. Aussiedors make excellent family dogs and adore children. Due to their easy going nature, they do not make the best guard dog. They are loyal to their people, kind and gentle with children and friendly to people that it knows. Some Australian Shepherd Lab mixes might lean more towards their Aussie side and be cautious around strangers, whereas others will lean more towards their Lab side. As a general rule though they tend to lean towards the easy-going attitude of the Labrador Retriever. Both Australian Shepherds and Labradors are high energy breeds, meaning that this cross is no different. They need lots of physical stimulation every day to keep them occupied and plenty of toys to play with. These dogs can easily play and run around for hours on end without breaking a sweat so make sure you have plenty of room and time to exercise them. They also excel at dog sports, including flyball, agility, and other active sports. They are not big barkers although they will bark to alert the family to anyone coming up to the house, or sometimes when they play. One important thing to know is they can sometimes have the herding instincts of the Australian Shepherd and attempt to herd small children or small animals. Fortunately, they are incredibly smart and are easily trained out of these undesirable behaviors. These dogs make excellent companions for families. Labradors are generally amazing with kids and also great with strangers and Australian Shepherds are similar although they can be more aloof. This creates a nice mix that adores children and playing, but can also be a bit protective of their family. Caring for an Australian Shepherd Lab Mix The Aussiedor is an amazing companion but their exercise and grooming requirements are not for busy adults. These dogs need a lot of time to be able to run around and be brushed. Even more, brushing will be needed if they have a coat that is similar to the Australian Shepherd. However, their easy-going nature makes them a perfect companion for novice dog owners or someone looking for their next competition dog. They are also amazing dogs with children which means there is almost no family that this dog does not fit with. Remember these dogs do not do well living in an apartment and some even have issues living in suburbs. Exercise Requirements As both their parent breeds are high energy your Australian Shepherd Lab mix will also be high energy. They can handle living in the suburbs with a fenced-in yard to play in along with daily walks, although they thrive on farms or larger properties with a job. At least two walks a day are needed for the Aussiedor. Just a walk around the block will not be enough for this dog, they need to be off-leash with space to run around. They will also need time to play when you get back home. Agility is a great game to teach and a great way to burn their energy out. Number of Walks Per Day: .Grooming and Shedding The biggest downfall to this incredible breed is the grooming and shedding responsibilities. Both Australian Shepherds and Labradors shed a lot, so the Aussiedor is no exception. Although their coat will blow out in the spring and fall, you should still be prepared for a lot of shedding throughout the rest of the year. At the very least the Shepherd Lab mix needs to be brushed weekly, although this should increase to every couple days during shedding season. Brushing your dog regularly and blowing out their coat if they have the longer fur of an Aussie can help control the extreme shedding. Shorter coat variations also do well with a damp washcloth being run over their coat to remove any excess fur. Feeding and Diet Just like their Labrador parent, the Aussiedor is prone to eating everything in sight and putting on weight. So with this pooch, you need to keep a close eye on their weight. A high-quality, calorie-rich, dry dog food is best for this breed. You might also need to use a slow eater bowl since they are prone to bloat. Australian Shepherds tend to live for about nine years, while Labradors typically live for closer to twelve. Thanks to the hybrid vigor, you can expect Aussiedors to live closer to about twelve years. Regardless both breeds are very smart and pick up on things quickly. They respond best to positive reinforcement especially if they lean more towards the Aussie. Aggressive methods such as pinch collars should be avoided as it will cause your Aussiedor to shut down and become disinterested in learning. Make sure to stick with only light corrections. As with any dog, socialization is an important part of doggy training when the Australian Shepherd Lab is young, but not as important as some other breeds. By nature, this is an easy-going dog that gets along well with everyone including kids, cats, and sometimes even strangers. They need their fair share of mental stimulation so you can set up a few jumps — training their agility is a great way to meet both their physical and mental stimulation needs. These dogs are physical athletes and they love being able to perform. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. They are not purebreds like their Australian Shepherd or Labrador Retriever parents. The main colors of Australian Shepherd Lab Mixes are brown, cream, black, tan, and brindle. They are often a blend and mix of any of these colors. These dogs are generally not recommended for people with allergies. They tend to shed quite a bit. Australian Shepherd Lab Mixes can be very tolerant of children, but like all dogs, should be supervised when around youngsters. They may try to herd small children thinking they are part of their flock. Australian Shepherd Labs do get along with other dogs but it is important to socialize puppies. This gets them used to other dogs and also to people, although they are also affectionate to strangers. These pups like to stay active through the day. If they get bored, they could become destructive. They enjoy activities like frisbee, swimming, hiking, and walking. If you need a running partner, the Aussie Shepherd Lab could be your new coach. Australian Shepherd Lab Mix History The Australian Shepherd Lab mixed dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started intentionally mixing Australian Shepherd and Labrador Retrievers in the late s, likely in North America. Today they make great companions and guide dogs, and often work as drug detection dogs. They need to have jobs and are happiest when they are active. They were originally bread to herd cattle and need to stay active. The Aussie Shepherd Lab mix was bread to be a super working dog. Mixing two breeds also minimizes health issues that tend to affect pure breeds, as they are often inbred. Breeders continued to create Australian Shepherd Lab Mixes as demand for the mixed breed pups climbed. Even though the Australian Shepherd Lab Mix got their start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the pup for you. Check your local shelters, look up Australian Shepherd Lab Mix rescues, or check with breed specific Australian Shepherd and Labrador Retriever rescues, as they sometimes help to re-home mixed breed dogs. That said, as a mix between Australian Shepherd and Labrador Retriever parents, you can expect Australian Shepherd Lab Mixes to be in the medium size range. Most weigh in at 40 to 80 pounds and range in height from 22 to 25 inches at the shoulder. However, many can be smaller or larger than average. Many Australian Shepherd Lab Mix lovers describe their dogs as protective, loyal, athletic companions. They are medium in size and full of energy and with lots of love to give. One thing Australian Shepherd Labs are not good at is being alone for long periods of time. Without the companionship they need—as well as exercise and the chance to put their intelligence to work—they become bored and frustrated. Like every dog, the Australian Shepherd Lab needs early socialization. Lots of walks and outings to local parks can help with this. While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few health issues, which is why it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy. Australian Shepherd Labs are prone to weight gain, and they have high energy levels. Opt for cotton balls over q-tips. Due to their floppy ears they are prone to infection. They should be checked weekly for redness or a strong odor. This may indicate signs of an infection. They should not be clicking against the floor. Your groomer can help with this. One main concern when it comes to your Australian Shepherd Labs care will be maintaining their oral health. You should brush their teeth daily, as this breed is prone to tartar buildup. Dental chews can also help combat the plaque buildup. How much your adult dog eats depends on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. You should ask your veterinarian for recommendations about your Australian Shepherd Lab diet, as there is far too much variation among individual dogs—including weight, energy, and health—to make a specific recommendation. They tend to shed quite a bit, if you are not familiar with robotic vacuums, consider looking into a RoboVac. These pups will require a few good brushes per week. Brushing will also help to spread the oils throughout the coat. Australian Shepherd Lab mixes have a water resistant top coat and a warm undercoat. They are resilient in rain and snow. They can be very tolerant of children, but like all dogs, should be supervised when around youngsters. Always teach kids how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. Socialization teaches puppies how to behave and greet other dogs. Find out if this is the right dog for you by learning about their Australian Shepherd and Labrador Retriever parents. However, you may want to try Australian Shepherd or Labrador Retriever breed specific rescues, as they often care for mixes, as well. Here are some rescues you can try:. The Australian Shepherd Lab Mix, affectionately known as an Aussiedor, is a strong and playful, medium-sized dog breed with a solid build. The Aussiedor is a mixed breed dog from cross-breeding a purebred Australian Shepherd with a purebred Labrador Retriever. Designer dogs come in a variety of coat colors and types, depending on the genes and appearance of the parent breeds. This hybrid dog breed has a striking appearance with expressive almond-shaped eyes and is highly intelligent, active, and hardworking. An Aussiedor puppy makes an adorable family pet and companion for any dog owner that wants a high energy pooch. Fact: The Australian Shepherd dog did not originate in Australia as the name suggests. It actually originated as a herding dog in the 19th Century to work on ranches in the West of the United States of America. This loveable dog is known from its roles in Cowboy and Western-type movies as the herding dog on the ranch. Over time, the Aussie has developed a reputation as a strong and intelligent working dog that is easily trainable. It has, therefore, has been used successfully, for many decades, as a herding dog and shepherd dog, a service dog, a protection dog, and in a variety of search and rescue jobs. The Aussie has a high energy level with a herding instinct and is happiest when it is being kept very active and where it knows what it has to do. This is not your average couch potato pooch but it can be a happy family dog as long as it is kept busy. The Labrador Retriever dog is from Newfoundland, Canada. Possibly as early as the s, they were used by fishermen to retrieve fish from nets and catch those that escaped back into the sea. They are all good swimmers and have a gentle mouth grip that will not damage the prey they are ordered to retrieve. This dog breed came to Great Britain around .The 5th Duke of Buccleuch, a British Aristocrat, heard about their retrieving skills and is believed to have been one of the first people to import the Labrador Retriever dog from Newfoundland, Canada. He did this because he wanted a smart working dog on his estate on the Scotland Borders. He wanted to use them as gun dogs for retrieving the wild ducks he shot on his estate. Another British Aristocrat, the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury, was also a fan of Newfoundland retrieving dogs for hunting and quickly noticed their skill for retrieving waterfowl on land and in water. In , the new 6th Duke of Buccleuch met the new 3rd Earl of Malmesbury on a shoot and realized their mutual respect for these skilled hunting and retrieving dogs. The Earl then gifted two of his male Labrador retriever dogs to the Duke, who then used two of his female labs to begin breeding more and this is believed to have continued the pure Newfoundland lab bloodline we still see today in our Labrador Retrievers. The lab is simply an adorable and gentle dog that makes the ideal family pet. Its fun-loving and loyal nature, and easy-going temperament, makes it suitable for any age of dog owner or living environment. Meet the offspring: The hybrid offspring of these two purebred dogs is the Australian Shepherd Lab mix puppy — the Aussiedor puppy. Fact: Designer dogs are increasing in popularity and so is the trend to give them a cute combo name that reflects a bit of both parent names. The Aussiedor puppy will inherit characteristics from both parents. What are the main characteristics of an Australian Shepherd Lab Mix? Like any other crossbreed, the Australian Shepherd Lab Mix can inherit the characteristics of either parent or both. Crossbred dogs are no more likely to inherit health issues than purebred dogs; in fact, it is believed they may actually be stronger. Any puppy mix dog can inherit all, some or none of the health issues its parent breeds have. It can be heavily weighted towards the characteristics of one parent more than the other. The characteristics of an Aussiedor are a combination of nature and nurture: genetics of the parents, the environment and the quality, type and amount of training and socialization. The Aussiedor — possible coat colors Both parents have a double coat: a water-resistant topcoat and a warm undercoat. Therefore the Aussiedor will inherit the same double coat. Fact: The merle gene is associated with health problems and if both parents have this dangerous gene it can cause various eye diseases and deafness in their offspring. Fortunately for this Australian Shepherd mix , its Labrador Retriever parent does not carry this gene. Loyalty and companionship The Aussie Lab is a relatively new breed. Given its parent mix, it will be extremely loyal with a loving temperament when trained and socialized properly. It will make a very caring and protective companion, and crave company and inclusion. It needs to have company and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. Reputation: This breed is kind and gentle. Both parents have herding instincts so the Aussiedor is likely to inherit these instincts too. This means it will want to work and herd, so it needs to be trained and socialized early to prevent young children and other family pets from becoming part of its herd! They have a reputation as a high energy breed that can be gentle but can inherit the cautious nature of the Aussie and be a little aloof with strangers. It is not known as an aggressive dog but needs to be kept occupied or it can be mischievous. Trainability: The Aussiedor puppy needs to be trained and socialized as early as is will inherit a herding instinct and be highly active. This mixed breed is protective and could be occasionally aggressive with strangers. They may attempt to take over and herd small children and smaller pets so they need to be controlled. The trainability of this very intelligent breed should be quite easy as it is a working type dog. Positive reinforcement and small treats will work well but not harsh discipline, or any form of negative punishment or physical restraint as it may rebel. Power and intelligence: This mixed breed dog is very intelligent, strong, and active with a herding and working drive. It will enjoy and need working challenges incorporating mental and physical stimulation, but it will be curious and want to investigate the other side of the fence. Socialization: Early socialization and discipline are strongly recommended for any crossbred dog that has a herding and working dog heritage. Any type of hybrid dog with two intelligent parents will be strong-willed and need to be active and occupied. They will not want a sedentary lifestyle and will enjoy as much exercise and action as the owner can provide. When trained and socialized this mixed breed dog will be approachable and friendly around children and other animals. Purpose: Any herding or working dog will want to be useful and please its owner. Behavior: The Australian Sheprador is agile, active, and can be strong-willed so it needs to be trained early as it can easily and will become destructive or mischievous. When trained it will be a playful and friendly companion and family pet. Physical Characteristics of the Australian Shepherd Lab Mix This dog has an unusual appearance, with striking eyes, sometimes even different colors, and a beautiful coat. Both male and female tend to follow the same growth patterns in terms of size and weight. Unlike some breeds where males can grow to a larger size. Size: The Aussiedor is a medium sized dog. Eye problems like cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and retinal dysplasia Hip and elbow dysplasia Osteochondritis Hypothyroidism To make sure that your pup is healthy, take it to the vet the moment it arrives home. It should be tested against the genes that cause hereditary cataracts. He must receive nutrition that is ideal for its build and weight. As much as possible, your dog should maintain a perfect and healthy weight. Giving your dog treats is the number one cause of obesity and being overweight. If you want to train your dog and reward it for good behavior, use positive reinforcement instead. The following dog food is the best for Australian Shepherd Lab mix breeds: 1. It is also made from brown rice, sweet potatoes, apples, spinach, carrots and more. It also comes with vitamins, minerals, and supplements that can help your dog burn fat more efficiently. It does not contain coarse grains but is made from wholesome ingredients and has a high-protein formula. It is the best food for highly-energetic dogs that are prone to digestive problems. Canidae Grain-Free Pure Sky Dog Food This mixed breed may come with digestive issues and allergies; therefore, this dog food may help your dog reduce these medical conditions. This will help maintain muscle mass and healthy digestion. Not all human food is good for dogs. Avoid the following food as much as possible: Alcohol Chicken bones or cooked chicken bones Chocolate, coffee, and tea Onions, chives, and garlic Salty foods and junk food You want your dog to have a healthy life, full of joy and happiness. The owners should try to provide them for their pups, but at the same time stay away from worst dry dog food. Puppies need energy for their active social life so take a look at our list of best puppy food brands. Dog-grandpas who prefer to stay home and watch TV might enjoy best senior dry dog food. Your pup inherits lots of genes from their lovely parents so you can try out best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food and see if any of them sticks. This dog needs you for mental and physical stimulation. It requires a lot of time for exercise and play. If this is not met, your dog could become bored and could become destructive. Activities, like running, jogging, Frisbee and fetch, are good activities to do every day. Take your dog to a playground or dog park where you can play with your dog in a safe environment. This mixed breed loves to swim owing to its Labrador Retriever roots. You can take this to a lake or dog pool where it can master its diving, fetching and retriever talents. Invest in the following durable toys for your dog. This rope toy is durable and will never break or tear. Your dog will love to play with this toy again and again. You can play all kinds of games indoors or outdoors with this durable toy. Ultra Rubber Ball Dog Toy Durable and will last forever, this ball dog toy is made from rubber and is safe for your dogs. You can play catch, fetch or any game or play outdoors with this soft toy. It is straightforward to train this dog, and with the following techniques, you can prepare this breed quickly, efficiently and safely. Give Your Dog Positive Reinforcement Food treats can cause obesity and other medical conditions which can cause the life and health of your dog. Instead of treats, offer encouraging words, pats, and hugs and play with your dog. You may also provide his favorite toy instead of treats. As soon as it arrives home, teach it house proofing rules. Show where he will eat, sleep and where it will find its food and water. Your little one may not get it right away, but with constant training, he will do just well. Therefore it would be best to train your dog new tricks by doing this indoors or in a familiar and safe environment. You may train it in your backyard or indoors and then gradually move outdoors once he is more comfortable and less distracted. A Lab Australian Shepherd dog may get professional training to become service dogs, herding dogs or guard dogs. An expert may train your dog for obedience training, protection training, attack training and other special tricks he can perform daily. But aside from its endearing and loving nature, it can also be used as a guard dog. This dog is brave and will guard its flock no matter what happens. This dog loves to play with kids and will herd them if they are not herding sheep or livestock. This dog will be patient and will like to be with other dogs and pets at home. The Lab Australian Shepherd should socialize with other dogs and people early. This should be done the soonest to prevent developing anti-social behaviors and aggression against people or other pets or dogs. Your Australian Shepherd Lab pup will become a disciplined, happy and healthy dog when caring for it and train it early. It should be exposed to other pets soon and receive ample hours of exercise and training daily. Australian Shepherd Lab mix puppies This mix is a smart, high-energy, high-shedding ball of fun. They require socialization due to guarding tendencies, and have some potential for inherited health issues, but they also have all the earmarks of a great pet. Today we will take a look at the pros and cons of the Australian Shepherd Lab mix. We do know more about the origins of the parent breeds. If you have a first generation Aussiedor, then her origins really start with Labs and Aussies. Even if your mixed pup is second generation or beyond, the history of the parent breeds can heavily inform the makeup of the individual dog. These retrievers were later mixed with Newfoundlands to produce the classic Lab that we recognize now. They are prized as hunting partners, service dogs and of course family pets. Aussies descend from sheep-herding dogs that are believed to have originated in the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain and France. However, the Australian Shepherd that we know today was refined in the United States. Today, Australian Shepherds are still used for herding in some areas, but many of them are beloved farm dogs. They accompany their owners on trail rides or farmers who are working crops. They are also popular family pets. Especially for people with small children and good-sized yards that allow games of fetch and chase! What To Expect From An Australian Shepherd Lab Mix Learning about the parent breeds can help us to understand the possible temperament, behaviors, and appearance of a mixed breed like the Aussiedor. Labs are a little taller, ranging up to .Aussies can range between 40 and 65 pounds, and Labs are usually slightly bigger, ranging from 55 to 85 pounds. A Labrador Australian Shepherd mix will likely be a medium-sized dog, falling somewhere in the range of the parent breeds. They have sturdy, athletic frames and happy wagging tails. What are some other options? A black Lab Australian Shepherd mix, for example, could have the dark fur of the Lab parent, the generally lighter solid coat of the Australian Shepherd, or a multicolored coat like many Aussies. Chocolate Labs are perhaps the most popular color variation in the very popular Labrador Retriever breed. But just as with the black Lab Australian Shepherd mix, no one can promise that your Aussiedor will have a chocolate coat. On top of that, chocolate Labs have a recessive gene, making them a more rare coloration. Yellow Labrador Retrievers are more common than chocolate Labs, but not as commonly seen as black Labs. So you may still find it tricky to track down an Australian Shepherd yellow Lab mix. Ultimately, whether you find a black Lab Australian Shepherd mix, an Australian Shepherd chocolate Lab mix, or an Australian Shepherd yellow Lab mix, the exact coloration is impossible to guarantee. Australian Shepherds also have something of a reputation, so your Labrador Australian Shepherd mix will shed prolifically. However, an Aussie double-coat will require a good bit more maintenance. You might consider using a slicker brush to prevent the coat from tangling, to get rid of dead hair, and to remove whatever debris that your pup picks up during the work or play day. This dog will need weekly brushing at minimum; an Aussiedor with an Aussie-type coat might benefit from regular trips to the groomer to keep his fur from matting. Australian Shepherd Lab Mix Temperament When it comes to temperament, the Australian Shepherd and Lab mix is most likely going to be a handful for novice dog owners. Both Labradors and Australian Shepherds are high-energy dogs that were bred to work. Australian Shepherd Lab Mix Personality Due to their strong herding and thus guarding instincts, some Australian Shepherds can be protective of their families. This may make them shy or a little bit aggressive around strangers. Socializing an Aussie from a young age may reduce the chances of their guarding instinct from showing up later. Conversely, Labrador Retrievers are usually NOT shy or reserved with strangers or other dogs although a few individuals may be so. They are generally very smiley and happy dogs that love anyone who will give them attention. Knowing whether an Aussiedor will act more like a Labrador possibly a bit jumpy and prone to following her nose or an Australian Shepherd very jumpy and possibly prone to nipping at heels is a coin toss. Socialization Socialization is important for all breeds, really. Training your dog to react well in new and different circumstances is part of raising a happy, well-behaved pet. Introduce your pup to different environments, people of all ages, and other animals. Training And Exercise Australian Shepherd Lab mix training is best carried out with positive methods. From day one, reward behaviors you want to see, like calmness, ignoring the wildlife and not jumping up. Keep that buy brain occupied. This mix is not a lap dog or a couch potato. They need lots of interaction and play time in order to be happy and both physically and mentally healthy. Exercise Requirements This mix will do well with a fenced-in yard for play time, but they will truly thrive on a farm or larger property that will give them a job to do. They are people-pleasers who will love being your best mate or farm hand! Australian Shepherd Lab Mix Health And Care Just like purebred dogs, hybrid dogs may also develop certain conditions based on their genetics. Labrador Health Labs are generally quite healthy for medium to large dogs, but they do have some potential for health problems, both inherited and acquired. Inherited issues include hip and elbow dysplasia and PRA. Labs are also prone to other problems that may crop up along the way, such as obesity, ear issues, and skin allergies. Australian Shepherd Health Australian Shepherds can be prone to hypothyroidism, or autoimmune thyroiditis. Lymphoma is also unfortunately common in Australian Shepherd dogs. According to a study published by the Journal of Veterinary Medicine, idiopathic primary epilepsy is commonly inherited in the Australian Shepherd breed. Dogs with the MDR1 mutation should not be given certain antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs, anti-diarrheal drugs, dewormers, pain medications, or tranquilizers. Mix Health Your Aussiedor could potentially inherit any of the health problems to which the parent breeds are prone. Both Australian Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are prone to hip or elbow dysplasia and cataracts. Make sure they both have good hip and elbow scores and a recent vet check. The Lab parent should also be PRA clear. Some sources suggest that the average Aussie lives between 12 and 15 years; however, one study found that the median age was closer to 9 years. In general, mixed breeds live a little longer than purebreds. So you could reasonably hope for your Aussiedor to have a life expectancy near the latter end of this spectrum. Shelter Dogs Fully grown rescue dogs have more reliable temperaments. When introducing a new adult dog into your home and neighborhood, be cautious around children and other animals until you can be secure in their behavior. Especially when you wish to purchase a puppy from a responsible breeder who uses genetic testing. The exact amount that you pay may also vary based on the parent stock, how much they are worth to the breeder, and the number of puppies available. Aussie Lab Sheprador. The resulting puppies can be a perfect mix of both parent breeds. Or they can take more after the Lab, or be a perfect replica of an Australian shepherd parent. The chance of predicting the exact appearance of a mixed breed dog is like winning the lottery! However, taking a closer look at both parents can give you some idea of what traits you can expect to see in your puppy. Size As a cross between a Labrador and an Aussie shepherd, you can expect your Aussiedor to be a medium-sized dog. Most are between 18 and 25 inches high at withers and weigh between 40 and 80 pounds when fully grown. Color Purebred Labrador retrievers have solid coats that can come in various shades of yellow, chocolate, and black. On the other hand, Australian shepherds are never solid and their coats come in a variety of different colors, including merle, black, red merle, red tricolor, blue merle, red, and black tricolor. Aussiedors often have brown, cream, black, tan, or brindle coats, but they can come in many other color combinations. When it comes to length, this mix can have a short or medium-long coat depending on which parent it takes after more. Being a double-coated breed, your mix will shed quite a bit all year long and blow their coat twice a year. The Aussiedor will keep you and your vacuum cleaner busy every single day of the year! Like any other designer hybrid, this mix inherits traits from two very different dog breeds. To get a better idea of what personality traits you can expect to see in your pooch, take a closer look at both its parents — the Lab and the Aussie. Furthermore, being a mix of two working breeds, your sheprador will have an impeccable work ethic with a strong desire to work. Eager to please, protective, and friendly, the Aussie sheprador has an endless supply of energy and is always in the mood to play. Being a highly athletic breed, this mix is best suited for active families with older children who will know how to play and interact with a dog. Keep in mind that your sheprador might inherit a strong herding instinct from its Australian shepherd parent. The Australian shepherd and Lab mix is a people-oriented and outgoing dog that likes to be involved in all family activities. And although Aussie shepherds are often kept in barns to be close to cattle, the Aussiedor prefers human company and should live indoors, close to their family. Activity Level Since both Labs and Aussie shepherds are highly energetic working breeds, it should come as no surprise that the Australian shepherd Lab mix is a bouncing ball of energy. This mix needs around two hours of strenuous activity every day; otherwise, they will quickly become bored and destructive. Running, swimming, cycling, hiking, and agility sports are all great ways to keep your pooch physically challenged and exercised. Also, if you have a chance to put your dog to work, go for it! Being a true working breed at heart, your pooch will enjoy having a job to do and will happily complete whatever task you give them. Caring For An Aussie Lab Mix Like any other dog, the sheprador requires proper care and attention to stay happy and healthy. Here are a few things you should pay attention to: Exercise As mentioned previously, shepradors have high exercise requirements and need around two hours of vigorous activity every day. Ideally, you should walk your pooch two to three times a day and also let them blow off some steam with activities such as running, swimming, or agility. Additionally, games such as fetch, flyball, and Frisbee are ideal for this mix since they keep your pup physically and mentally challenged at the same time. Intellectual Stimulation True to its parent breeds, the Aussie sheprador is one smart canine! Without proper mental stimulation, these intelligent dogs can easily become bored and frustrated. When bored, the good-natured Aussiedor turns into a menace that will chew, dig, and destroy your home and furniture. Companionship Aussie Labs are people-oriented and amiable dogs that crave human company. Without the companionship they need, Aussiedors can easily become depressed or develop separation anxiety. Due to their high social needs, this mix is best suited for large families and homes that are never completely empty. If you live alone and have long working hours, you should rethink getting this mix and consider a more independent dog breed. Grooming Australian shepradors usually have short or medium-long double coats that shed quite a bit. In terms of grooming, this mix is a high-maintenance breed. You should brush your Aussiedor five times a week to control the shedding and keep their coat clean and tangle-free. Bathe your dog once every two months or as needed using a mild, hypoallergenic dog shampoo. Aussiedors have floppy ears that easily trap dirt and are prone to frequent and painful ear infections. A sure sign your pooch needs to have its nails trimmed is if you hear them clicking on the floor. Diet Ideally, your Australian sheprador should eat food formulated for medium-sized breeds with high energy. How much food your dog needs will depend on its size, age, activity levels, and metabolism. Known Health Problems Although generally healthy Aussie Labs are predisposed to some of the same health problems that Labradors and Australian shepherds face. These include: Hip and elbow dysplasia: These are very painful conditions caused by malformation of the hip and elbow joints. Affected dogs usually experience mobility problems, lameness, and arthritis and must take pain meds during their lives. Cataracts: In Australian shepherds, hereditary cataracts start forming after two years of age and are caused by a gene mutation. This type of hereditary cataract leads to progressive vision loss. Life Expectancy Aussie shepradors have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. With proper care and regular veterinary checkups, many Aussiedors stay completely healthy well into their senior years. How To Train Your Australian Shepherd And Lab Mix As an offspring of two highly intelligent and trainable dog breeds, the Aussiedor is a very smart breed with a huge training potential. Like all other dogs, this mix reacts well to positive reinforcement and reward-based training. In fact, it can only make matters worse and cause your pooch to shut down and be afraid of you. The people-loving and smart Aussiedor is eager to please and will learn obedience in no time with reward-based training. Start training your pooch as soon as you bring them home to help them grow into a well-behaved and obedient dog. Besides training, you should also start socializing your mix from a young age. If your mix takes more after its Australian shepherd parent, they might be wary of strangers. Exposing your pup to different people, sights, sounds, and smells from a young age will help them become friendlier and more accepting of other people and dogs. The Lab Aussie shepherd mix makes a wonderful pet to active people and outdoorsy families with older kids. Being a working dog breed, this mix is also suited for life on a ranch or a bustling farm. These highly energetic and athletic dogs need a job to do and prefer to be involved in all family activities. If you are an active person who can keep up with such an energetic dog and give it a job to do, the Aussiedor might just be the pup you are looking for. Before buying a pup, schedule an appointment to meet the mother and inspect the conditions the puppies are kept in. They will also be able to show health certificates for both parents and puppies. The exact price depends on a lot of factors including the breeder, your location, lineage, and coat color. Used by fishermen to catch fish and ducks, the Lab evolved into a universally loved family dog. Highly trainable and friendly, Labs make great service dogs for people with disabilities, and are also used as search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Australian Shepherd Despite what their name might suggest, the Australian shepherd was developed in the United States. Originally bred to herd livestock, Aussies make great family pets although they remain working dogs at heart. Loyal, protective, and smart, the Australian shepherd is one of the most energetic breeds you can find and is bound to keep you on your toes. The Lab Aussie shepherd mix makes a great pet to active people and families with older children. Highly energetic and agile, they should live in a large home with a fenced backyard, ranch, or farm. Not the one to sit idly, this mix needs an active owner that will know how to challenge them both physically and mentally. He was my first puppy as a an adult and as you might have guessed he was an Aussie Lab mix! Linus showed some of the above traits, but not all. His coat was more reminiscent of an Australian Shepherd which was longer, more fine, and very soft. Linus was an amazing dog. He could run with the best of them, but could also be very calm and focused. He had the herding instinct as we caught him rounding up the kids from time to time. All in all Linus had many of the traits mentioned above. I would not have considered him a high energy dog that required hours of exercise. He was fine and willing to run for hours, but also just as content curling up by your side while reading a book. Conclusion The Australian shepherd Lab mix can be a great pet and companion to active families with older kids and outdoorsy people. Highly energetic and smart, this mix will need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and thrive. If so, what is your pooch like? Tell us more about your experiences owning this mix in the comment section below! Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.

Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. This article will help you to get to grips with what to expect of a new Labrador puppy, during those first few days and weeks after you bring him home. It goes without saying that new puppies are completely adorable! Nature has the design of baby animals down to perfection. They smell delicious, are irresistible and on holding a Labrador puppy in our arms we are overwhelmed with the need to protect him. So why is it, that so many dogs, bought as puppies, end up being handed in to rescue centres? What goes wrong in some families, between the arrival of this tiny creature, and his ejection from the family, less than a year later. The answer I suspect, lies in the gap between our expectations, and reality. I hope and believe, that if we can close this gap a little, more puppies will have a loving home for life. Your expectations of a new Labrador puppy We expect an awful lot from our puppies. Both when they are still very small, and especially as they grow bigger. We expect that puppies will enjoy being cuddled. We expect that our children will be able to play with them, that the efforts we put in to housetraining will be rewarded, that the puppy will listen to what we say. We expect that our puppies will be happy to be stroked, and to join us for walks and games. As he grows, we expect our puppy to return our love and affection, to respect us, be loyal, and obedient. The reality of a new Labrador puppy The reality of life with your first puppy, can be a bit of a shock. Nor had we anticipated just how depressing it would be to clear up urine and faeces every time we get up in the morning, or return home from a quick shopping trip. Or to have to wait two hours for our new friend to come home when he is done chasing rabbits. But they are common reasons for people to become disenchanted with their furry companion. Working towards your perfect puppy expectations One of our aims here on The Labrador Site is to help close this gap between expectations and reality. So that puppies go into their new homes, and stay there for the rest of their lives. There are two way to close this gap. The first is to move the expectations of the new puppy owner closer to reality, and we do this by providing information. By letting people know what to expect from life with a new puppy. The second way is to improve on the reality of life with a new puppy by preparing puppy owners in advance. This helps them to make decisions, and to provide for their puppy in a way that avoids problems arising in the future. What to expect from a new puppy This is important knowledge. If you know someone who is planning a new arrival, do pass it on. There are a number of areas where puppies and owners may come into conflict, right from day one. Forearmed is forewarned, and if you are aware of these, there are steps you can take to avoid them. Puppies at night — sleeping and crying Most new puppies have never slept alone. If asked to sleep alone on the first night in their new home, they usually cry. And a small puppy can make a surprisingly loud noise. Unless you live in a mansion, you will be able to hear him. One way around this, is to have the puppy sleep next to you for the first few nights. Check out this article for information on coping with crying. It is important to be aware that new puppies learn very quickly. Whilst initial crying may be the result of fear or loneliness, puppies they soon discover that crying gets them attention. If you have already got into a cycle of crying for attention with your new puppy, find out here, how to teach your puppy to be quiet. Cleanliness and night waking. A few new puppies can last six or seven hours at night without a wee. But many cannot do this until they are around ten weeks old. If you crate your puppy at night, expect to get up in the middle night and take your puppy outside for a wee, for up to two weeks. During the day, some new puppies can last an hour or so between wees, but again, many cannot. If you are going back to work, or want to leave your puppy for three to four hours before he is five or six months old, you need to arrange for someone else to take care of him during the day. Even for this short period of time. Much of housetraining success lies in getting good habits established from the start. And this means getting that puppy outside to his toilet area, whenever his little bladder is getting full. But too much isolation is a common cause of noisy or destructive behaviour. Puppies need company. Older puppies may cope happily with being left for up to four hours, but even an adult Labrador may become distressed or destructive if left alone for a full working day on a regular basis. Labradors are very sociable dogs and they need to have people around them. No matter how many walks he gets at the weekend. Puppies biting Most people know that puppies nip when teething. Most new puppy owners are shocked by biting, and by the noise which accompanies it. But fierce growling during play biting, is completely normal for small puppies! You can find out a lot more about biting in this article: How to cope with a biting puppy and this one Is my puppy aggressive? Destructive puppy behaviour Again, most people know that small puppies chew things. However, it can be quite a shock to discover just how destructive a Labrador can be, both indoors and out, especially if left unsupervised for long periods of time. Expect your puppy to destroy anything he can get in his mouth. Indoors and out. Expect this to continue well past his first birthday. In fact many young Labradors become particularly destructive towards the end of the first year. Some even chew the skirting boards, rip plaster from the walls, and tear up carpets in their homes. There is no need to get into this kind of conflict with any dog, and as it is so common in Labradors, I recommend that young Labs are crated when left alone in the house, until well past their first birthday. I did not de-crate my youngest lab Rachael, until she was 18 months old. You can read more in this article: Destructive behaviour Boisterous puppy behaviour Between 8 and 18 months of age, many young Labradors are extremely boisterous. Expect that he may even pull you off your feet and into the path of an oncoming vehicle. The solution is to teach your new friend to walk alongside you, on and off the lead. Preferably from a very early age. See Walking your Labrador on a loose lead Puppies running off Tiny puppies have an automatic response with means that they follow people around. This response disappears by the time the puppy is around four or five months old. Labradors are gun dogs. They love to hunt and follow scent trails. Expect that an older puppy will want to explore away from you and get that off lead recall established well before he is six months old. Expect that an older puppy will stray further and further away on walks if you are too predictable and just traipse along behind him. Teach him to follow you and not the other way around. What can be done? The answer is, he is not naughty, he is completely normal. He is also completely untrained. Puppies bite, steal, jump, lick, whine, dig, and much more. All this is normal. Check out The Three Rs of Labrador Puppy Education to get yourself off to a good start with avoiding a real naughtiness problem Training is a long process. A dog that will do this in your kitchen is not trained. He has just learned to respond to a cue in your kitchen. Nothing more. Proofing that cue against all the distraction in our daily lives is what comprises the bulk of dog training , and you desperately need the right information in order to do this effectively. You can find this information in our training section and on our sister site Totally Dog Training Are puppies worth the hassle? Raising a puppy can be a challenge, but if you are ready for the challenge, it is also tremendously enjoyable and satisfying. And most of the problems described above can be avoided with the right information! You can do this if you are ready. Much puppy naughtiness is linked to over-excitement. Focus on being calm around your puppy, and read up on how to train your puppy effectively. The considered and appropriate use of a crate and baby gates, is a great way to prevent conflict between puppies and their families. Confinement is not a substitute for companionship and training though, and it is very important to be sure you have enough time in your life for a Labrador, before going ahead and getting that lovely puppy. Do check out our article: are you ready for a Labrador , before you take the plunge. The Happy Puppy Handbook covers every aspect of life with a small puppy. The book will help you prepare your home for the new arrival, and get your puppy off to a great start with potty training, socialisation and early obedience. The Happy Puppy Handbook is available worldwide. Print We recently brought home Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to train her and raise her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. That means Bubba will be with for almost a year and a half. We train one or two of these puppies each year, and over the years we have gotten pretty good at it. We also train adult dogs for hunting and competition, so we see a lot of dogs come into our program. Dogs that have each been raised differently. There are some definite training tips that can help you help your lab grow up to be the best version of himself. Training and socialization for very young Labrador puppies — week one The first week of a puppy being away from its litter is very stressful for the puppy. Most often, the first two days, the puppy will sleep a lot! The pup is adjusting to all the changes, and they need time to do that. After the first couple days you may notice a spike of energy. This is your sign that the puppy is adjusting well and is ready to be exposed to a few more things. Labrador puppy training that first week home Here are the things we work on during week one. A nylon adjustable one is usually best since puppies grow quickly. It often takes the puppy a few days to adjust to having a collar on. Intro crate We introduce our puppies to a crate on day one. Literally the day we bring them home. Most puppies will cry, bark or howl while in the crate the first few or many times. Ignore it, it does not hurt the puppy at all. Always wait until the puppy settles down and is quiet, even if that quiet only lasts for just a minute or two. Learn more about crate training. Intro to housebreaking Another day one lesson and one that will last for a few weeks or months. We introduce housebreaking day one by allowing the puppy to run around an enclosed area under close supervision. If your puppy then goes potty outside, great! The thing to remember about housebreaking, is that your puppy should never be allowed to roam the house or a room without supervision. The only way to housebreak a dog is for them to get caught in the middle of an accident. That is how they learn that what they are doing is not right. Learn more about housebreaking. Intro leash We introduce a leash to our puppies around day three of being home. But once they start getting more energy and get more inquisitive, we use a Flexi-lead attached to the nylon collar to take the puppy outside. This accomplishes two goals. The gentle tugs on the leash and pressure when the puppy strains against the leash are great training for handling pressure as they get older. Intro to pressure and correction The last thing we introduce to our new puppy during the first week home is pressure and correction. This is an often-missing element to training that can severely handicap a dog that you want to be a hunting companion or competition dog. The kind of pressure I am talking about is very mild such as saying NO to the puppy when they are chewing up your shoes or scratching through the carpet. This is the way mama dogs carry their puppies and it does not hurt them at all. This does not hurt the puppy; it is exactly what a mama dog does to teach her puppies. Learn more about introducing pressure and correction. Commands to start using that first week home The first week there are some commands we start using so that the puppy will associate the words we use with actions. Puppies play and explore with their mouths, and often they will think it is great fun to bite your hands and feet. If this does not curb the behavior, I grab her lower jaw, wrapping her gums around her teeth and squeeze. I have found this to be very effective, especially if you start this the first week you have the puppy home. The longer you wait to start, the harder it becomes to stop this behavior. It takes very little pressure to stop a 7-week-old puppy from biting. Learn more about how to stop your Lab puppy from biting you. Off command The OFF command is also started day one. The OFF command is used to stop a puppy or dog from jumping on you. It can also be used to keep a dog off a sofa or other furniture. Starting day one, I gently use my knee to push down the puppy each time they jump on me. I say OFF when I do this. Usually, a gentle push with the knee is all it takes with a very small puppy. They learn this command very quickly. If your puppy is a bit more energetic or stubborn and tries to jump on you despite your gentle pushes, then you may need to use a little more force. Even if you were to knock your puppy backwards onto her back, that is not going to hurt her seriously. But it will likely make a good impression and cause her to think twice before jumping on you again. With jumping, consistency is important. You must knock your puppy off every time she jumps on you. Learn more about how to stop your Lab from jumping on you. We use this as a que when we are taking the puppy outside to go potty. We use this while the puppy is on a leash, and we are pulling them toward us. I only use this command for very young dogs. Your goal is to get the puppy to rest in your arms and not move. But if you keep at it, you will see your dog settle for longer and longer periods of time. Introduction to retrieving Lastly, since all our puppies are retrievers, we start introducing the puppy to retrieving. The first few times are simply throwing a toy a few feet and if the puppy runs out and gets it and comes back to you, great. Then take the item and throw it again. If the puppy does not come back or does not even run out to get the item, then stop for the day. Just let the retrieving develop naturally. Next week we will start more formal retrieving training. Final thoughts on what you should do that first week with your new Labrador puppy As you can see, there is a lot of training that you can do with your seven- or eight-week-old puppy. And while you can wait for training, your puppy is ready and able to learn quickly right now. I will be posting weekly on the training we are doing with Bubba, so you can get a week-by-week snapshot of how we raise and train a puppy up to be a excellent, responsive hunting or competition dog as well as a well-mannered family dog. 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.

Labrador Retrievers: Everything you need to know about this kind and gentle breed These loveable pups are our Dog Breed of the Month Published: 02 September Getty Images Each month we will be shining a light on different dog breeds in our brand new series, Dog Breed of the Month. First up, we look at the high-spirited, loveable Labrador Retriever. Are you looking for a loyal companion? Here's everything you need to know about Labrador Retrievers, including need-to-know facts, size, life expectancy, origin and temperament. Are Labrador Retrievers good pets? Labrador Retrievers are energetic, beautiful and rewarding pets that will enrich their owners' lives in an instant. They make excellent companion dogs, as well as brilliant assistance dogs, too. Other things to know about Labrador Retrievers include.They work well in a household with other pets They do well in a family but with those living alone also Labradors love to cuddle their owners They have webbed toes which means they're great swimmers The dogs love to be around large groups of people they adore attention! Labradors are among the world's most versatile workers and can do almost anything Though they are famously laid-back, this breed has heaps of energy that will keep their owners on their toes Is a Labrador Retriever a good family dog? Labrador Retrievers are easy-going and rewarding pets with a slow temperament and a big heart — perfect for families. No, Labrador Retrievers are not aggressive dogs. They are generally famous for having a patient, friendly and lovable personality — and are brilliant to consider if you have children. Bill adds: "They're instinctively friendly and get on with anyone they meet, including people and other dogs! Really, as a breed, they are known as an affectionate and loyal all-rounder. Just like many other dog breeds, Labradors bark for a variety of reasons — whether this is to get the attention of their owner, alert someone they love or to greet another pup. You may find that Labradors do bark more than other breeds, but this is only down to their active personality. If they aren't mentally stimulated, these dogs can get bored pretty quickly — and they'll be sure to let you know. If you are considering adopting a Labrador Retriever, remember that they love plenty of social interaction. Related Story What health problems do Labrador Retrievers have? Some problems Labrador Retrievers may encounter include: Joint problems, such as hip or elbow dysplasia. Labrador Retriever puppy breeders. The Labrador Retriever breed have a medium sized physique, a short coat that sheds, floppy ears and soulful eyes. They are a gentle, clever, high energy, breed that needs attention, training and love. Your Labrador Retriever will need lots of exercise and plenty of training. Regular brushing will help with shedding, but expect some fur around your home. Training and socialization helps prevent jumping up, pulling on the leash, chewing and separation anxiety too. They are also unlikely to be a guard dog, with greater chance of your dog jumping up and licking a burglar on the face than growling them away from the door. Our gorgeous fox red Labrador Retriever invented a funny game! From growing baby Labrador Retriever to a healthy, happy adult dog. We will also help you pick a Labrador Retriever from show ring or fieldwork lines, select the right color, as well as manage shedding. And train that high energy personality and those active Labrador Retriever breed traits, into a perfect family pet. The Labrador Retriever is a popular family pet, but they have a strong working background. And many pet Labs are still also working sporting dogs today! Due to being bred to work well with their human handler, they are incredibly clever and cooperative. The Labrador Retriever has had a well earned place the most popular pedigree breed for years. From a rich history as a working companion to finding their place in modern homes around the world, this lively, dog makes friends wherever he goes. Labrador Retriever History and Origins. Labrador Retrievers have an amazing history. They came from humble beginnings as a sporting companion, spending their days diving from boats to retrieve nets and even fish. The breed was brought overseas by visiting nobles. Labrador Retriever breeders then continued to standardise them into the dogs we know today. Average Labrador Retriever Size? Labrador Retrievers were bred to carry out a job, which required them to be strong and athletic. They needed to be able to run for long distances while carrying game, and to cope well in the water too. The Labrador Retriever is a well-proportioned dog with a broad head and long legs. Pups from show lines tend to be stockier, with working bred Labrador Retriever dogs maintaining a slimmer shape. Labrador Retriever Coat Colors! Black coats are the most common, with chocolate and yellow Labs being a little less frequent. Although these colors are the only official colors, there are a huge amount shades and genetic variations. Yellow Labs are also found in fox red , golden and white shades. And then there are the dilute genes! These make the standard colors more pale, and result in charcoal , champagne and silver Labrador Retriever dogs. Labrador grooming is an important part of their ownership. As these dogs tend to be rather prolific shedders. The right brushes, a good vacuum cleaner and a regular cleaning routine will help you to stay on top of it. Although they have a short coat, the Labrador Retriever needs brushing at least once a week. This will help you to keep on top of their heavy shedding. Are Labrador Retrievers Hypoallergenic? Labrador Retrievers are not hypoallergenic. They shed a great deal, and produce lots of allergy inducing dander in their coats and saliva. Typical Labrador Retriever Temperament Labs are well known for being friendly dogs that crave human company. They do not tend to have aggression problems, provided that they are well socialized and bred from friendly parents. Most Labs are confident and friendly. But some can be nervous, so make sure to socialize from a young age. The issues most owners have with Labs are to do with over friendliness and too much enthusiasm. Running off to greet strangers, jumping up and chewing are big issues that some homes contend with. Fortunately, training from an early age can help a lot with running away and jumping up. And chewing can be managed with toys and distractions. Are Labrador Retrievers Good Pets? The Labrador Retriever is a great pet for active families, who are around for much of the day or are able to put in place effective cover plans during the working day. Although generally good natured, Labs can be quite bouncy and pushy and knock over very small children or the frail. They do best in a home that has someone in the house for most of the day, and where they get lots of short training sessions as well as a significant period for exercising. With the right training and environment, a Labrador Retriever will make an excellent pet. Labrador Retriever Training Tips! Due to their history as cooperative working companions, Labs are fortunately fairly easy to train. If you know what you are doing, of course! The best way to motivate a Labrador is through food. Although some dogs will happily work for praise alone, food is always a winner with a Labrador Retriever. Positive reinforcement methods are used by all the top dog handlers now, and are the best way to form a strong bond and have a well behaved dog. Labrador Retrievers can inherit a few nasty diseases from their parents. And the breed is also prone to a few conditions. Through parental testing before breeding most are avoidable thankfully. Labrador Retrievers are also prone to cranial cruciate ligament disease and obesity. Feeding your Labrador Retriever is an important part of their care. Follow the instructions on the packet for amounts, because these vary from brand to brand. If your dog is looking too skinny or a little overweight , you can then adjust this amount to suit their physique. Finding a Labrador Retriever Puppy? These days a good Labrador Retriever breeder is relatively easy to find, if you know what you are looking for! Although you will probably then need to go on a waiting list until their next litter arrives, because they are in high demand. The best dog breeders health screen both parents. They will be happy to show you clear certificates for PRA, a recent eye test and great hip and elbow scores. The breeder might also have tested for the dwarfism gene. And it will be clear that they have a really strong bond with their dog. They will also have plenty of questions for you, to make sure you are right for their puppies. They want to know how often you are out of the house, where the dog will sleep and what you plan to do about training and exercising. Consider a Shelter Dog? Rescuing an older dog can be a great way to bring a new pooch into your home. You will be able to meet your adult dog and get to know their personality and make sure that it matches with the environment you would be able to provide. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on.

bulldog puppies utah - This comes at no extra cost to you. This is peak puppy biting time and it will get better soon. So to prepare you and help you be the best puppy parent you can be, this article will show you: What to expect from a four-month-old Golden Retriever puppy How big a four-month-old Golden is How much sleep a puppy needs at this age What kind of exercise a four-month-old Golden Retriever needs How to train your four-month-old pup How much a four-month-old Golden Retriever should eat How to deal with teething and chewing 4-Month-Old Golden Retriever Behaviors Oliver at 4 months old! At four months old, your puppy has had a couple of months to learn how things operate around the house. This can make things easier for you because your puppy is likely falling into your daily routine. Now that your puppy is a bit older, they may experiment to see what they can make happen for themselves. This does not mean they are a bad pup! You might observe that your four-month-old puppy has even more energy than when they were three months old. This is normal as they gain better coordination and stamina. Always remember that energy is both physical AND mental. What 4-Month-Old Golden Retrievers Look Like Your week-old Golden might start looking a little gangly with long legs that seemingly sprouted overnight see the video below of Oliver. They might also begin losing their cottony puppy coat, which can cause them to look a bit funny as their more coarse adult coat grows in. The picture above is Oliver at four months old, as is this video below. He was so lanky and goofy! Ideally, you were getting your puppy out and about safely, and giving them positive experiences that will prepare them for life as an adult dog. Remember to keep outings with your puppy fun and positive, and avoid things that might be scary or overwhelming. As your puppy shows more signs of physical maturity, it can be easy to start expecting more from them. Be consistent in teaching them how things work, how to act and what to expect. Keep showing them that you are a kind, trustworthy person who meets their needs and keeps things fun and safe. While your puppy may have been a cute round ball of fluff at two months of age , they should be kept nice and lean at this age. Unfortunately, Golden Retrievers can be prone to joint issues. You should be able to easily feel their ribs without having to dig around too much. Four-month-old Golden Retriever puppies need about 18 hours of sleep per day. Sometimes it can feel like they have tons of energy that you need to burn and it can be tempting to keep them really active to try to wear them out. While they definitely do need exercise and fun activities, too much go-go-go can actually backfire and push the puppy into an overtired state. A puppy that is overtired might be really wild — bouncing off your furniture, barking a lot, and biting you more than usual. Creating a routine around nap time and bed time can really help your puppy relax and fall asleep more quickly. They ate, they pooped, you took them on a nice stroll and played with their favorite squishy ball. You even did some fun training games and they worked on a puzzle toy. Your puppy parent sense tells you that they are ready for a nap, so you take them outside for a final potty. When you come back inside, you grab a frozen stuffed Kong or toppl for your puppy to enjoy in their crate. Puppy goes in the crate and you give them their frozen treat. Then you cover the crate, and turn on a white noise machine to drown out noises while they rest. Any time your puppy is making you pull your hair out, ask yourself when their last nap was. So often, an obnoxious puppy is actually a tired puppy and the solution is sleep! Click here to download the potty training cheat sheet to make potty training much easier! Fifteen to twenty-minute walks are best for four-month-old Golden Retriever puppies, but a general rule is to let your puppy set the pace when it comes to exercise. If they need a break and flop down in the shade, let them take a breather. So while you may hope your Golden Retriever pup grows into a great running or cycling partner one day, keep things short and easy for now. And by four months of age, your puppy probably has all their necessary vaccinations, which is such a relief. This can open up their world a bit more, which means you have more options for exercise. Get a well-fitted harness and a long leash , and hit up a local trail or open space with your puppy. Unstructured time outdoors is ideal exercise for this breed. That means your pup is free to sniff and frolic around, rather than being in a perfect heel position by your side. Golden Retrievers were historically bred to spend a lot of time outdoors, running through the fields and bounding through water. Modern Goldens still love these activities and giving your four-month-old pup some nature therapy will set them up for physical and mental wellness. Neighborhood walks can also be a nice outlet for a pup of this age. Always allow your Golden to stop and sniff on walks. In addition, you can also work on:. Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun!

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bulldog puppies utah - Final thoughts on crate training What are the benefits of crate training? However, leading animal rights organizations along with reputable training and veterinary experts say that when used correctly, crates provide dogs with a sense of security. Before training begins, you need to choose the right crate. It should be large enough for your dog to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lay down. Chewy offers a helpful crate size chart along with measuring instructions. When purchasing a crate, choose a size appropriate for your Frenchie when fully grown. Place a blanket or soft bed in the crate, and add a favorite toy or bone. Introduce your puppy to the crate by dropping treats directly inside the door to encourage him to enter. Never force him into the crate. Depending on your dog, this step can take from a few minutes to a few days, according to training experts at the Humane Society of the United States HSUS. This helps your Frenchie make a positive association with the crate. The next step is to coax your dog to go in the crate for short periods during the day. Close the door, and sit beside the crate for a few minutes. Your dog now can stay in the crate overnight. Keep the crate in your bedroom at night when potty training so your puppy can alert you when he needs to go out. Are French Bulldogs easy to train? Is crate training good for a French Bulldog? This makes housebreaking easier and helps get your puppy safely through the destructive chewing stage. Additionally, breed experts say that crating keeps French Bulldogs safe when traveling, visiting other homes, or recuperating from an illness or injury that requires rest. Crating also can help Frenchies who suffer from separation anxiety. Editors' Recommendations. Crate training your dog can be very useful for you as well as your Frenchie. You can compare crate training to a cradle for a baby. A dog who has a crate they love is a safe haven for them, just like a cradle is for a baby. Crate training your dog may or may not be an easy task. Either way, a step-by-step plan can only be helpful. And, if followed, will make the end goal easier to reach. Many pet parents feel guilty or unsure about crate training, and understandably so. However, crate training is beneficial for your furry family member and can be a great thing. Your puppy will learn that their crate is their space and where they will rest, so they will want to wait to use the restroom when they are outside. Separation Anxiety Many dogs suffer from anxiety when left alone. This is not uncommon. While being put in a crate can add to their anxiety or stress, their crate can be helpful if it becomes their safe haven and a spot that makes them feel safe. Emergency Use Crate training your dog can lend to be very helpful in case of an emergency. If there is ever a situation where you must evacuate your home or go to a place where a crate is required, having a Frenchie who happily goes into their crate can keep this situation safe and smooth. Another emergency you could face with your dog is surgery on their part or yours. For their or your recovery, being able to have them in their crate is extremely helpful. For Convenience Crate training your dog really helps when it comes to daily life. There are often times when putting your sweet Frenchie away simply makes life easier. These times may include when guests come over for dinner, when fireworks are happening outside, a friend brings their pet over, you have errands to run, etc. A crate not only relieves stress or anxiety your dog may experience when daily life is altered a bit, but it can also help you. Senior Dogs Senior dogs who have been crate-trained will benefit greatly. Older dogs can use their crate as a space to get extra rest. Senior dogs will also like their crate when they no longer have the energy to entertain big groups or children. Crate Options Once you decide that crate training your dog is the right move to make, choosing the best crate will depend on several factors. There are many different crate options depending on your Frenchies size, activity level, and your future plans with the crate. Making sure you select the right crate can make all the difference in creating a comfortable, safe spot for your dog to feel at home. Size Crates come in varying sizes, usually about 20 inches to 48 inches. The ideal size of a crate depends on the size of your dog. Most Frenchies are medium-sized, so a medium-sized crate would be good. The intention is that once your dog is fully grown, they will be able to stretch out and sit up straight in their crate. Before puppies are full-grown, use the divider panel that comes with the crate to expand the crate size as needed. When purchasing a crate, look at the size chart to make the best choice. Crate Types There are three different types of crates: the wire crate, the fabric travel crate, and the plastic travel crate. They are each different. Wire crate A wire crate is the most popular option when crate training your dog. Customer support team based in Indiana We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. It is easy to set up and take with you and is intended for travel as they are lightweight and easy to carry. These crates can easily be chewed on, so they may not be suitable for puppies or any Frenchie that has a habit of chewing. Plastic Travel Crate A plastic travel crate is more robust than the previous two mentioned. It is made of plastic and is also used for travel since it remains set up and is easy to carry. This may be a better option than the fabric crate if you need to transport your dog. They are also easy enough to carry, and your Frenchie is not as easily able to chew them. Some people use these as fixed crates at home, but they are more enclosed than the wire crate. This makes it less desirable for many dogs and owners. Doggy Playpen A playpen is a route some pet owners like to take as opposed to or in addition to crate training your dog. A playpen allows your Frenchie more room for walking around and playing. Playpen Versus Crate Like a crate, a playpen contains your dog in one space. The biggest difference is their size. You may decide to use one over the other depending on your needs. Playpens typically come in two different materials: metal and fabric. The metal playpen is similar to a metal crate, only bigger. Playpen Use: Contain your dog to an area, but give them room to play. You need to leave your dog for a full day more than hours. Your dog prefers a larger space. Crate Use: Contain your dog to a smaller area sometimes makes them feel safer. Sleeptime may go better in a crate. Transportation to another place. You will train your dog to happily go into their playpen as you do the crate treats, slowly increase time, make it a fun space. Having both would allow your pup to have a confined space for sleeping the crate and a bigger area for when they are ready to walk around and play the playpen. You can choose to set the two up in separate places, using each for different purposes and at different times. You can also set the two up together where the crate will open into the playpen. This option would be used with a metal playpen. Of course, this setup will require more space. You could use the following to do so. Bed or Crate Pad A crate pad fits more precisely into a crate than a standard dog bed. Get one that is sturdy and difficult for them to chew, like this chew-resistant pad. Durable crate pads can be pricey, but it beats buying several fluffy, easy-to-chew ones. I like to buy dog pads that have a zip-off cover, making them easier to wash. Your dog will love to cuddle up in this dog bed. This is one tough dog bed. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Chew Toys Chewing can be calming for dogs and gives them something to do while they are in their crate. As mentioned before, providing chew toys will also prevent them from chewing their crate pad. Choosing appropriate toys for your dog is important. Make sure that your Frenchie cannot tear and eat pieces of the chew toy and that it is not too small for them. A chewable stick is a good option. If you have a puppy, you should not leave them in their crate for too long and they also are unable to hold their bladder for too long. In this case, refrain from leaving them water. An option for leaving water in the crate without it becoming a mess is to purchase a snap bowl that easily connects to the side of a wire crate. A regular water and food bowl can be left in the playpen if you leave for an extended amount of time. This can be done with adult dogs, not puppies who need to relieve themselves often. A Possible Step-by-Step Plan for Training Crate training your dog requires a lot of preparation and training, as you may know now. This is only a guide. You know your Frenchie and your situation best, so always do what works for both of you. This plan could also be used for a playpen with alterations where needed. Days Set the crate up and keep the door open for several days. Place a couple of toys and treats in the crate. Place their meal in the crate at times. Allow your Frenchie to choose when they are curious enough to go in the crate. Allow them to explore and find the treats on their own time. Do not shut the door during this time. Shut the door for just a moment while they are in the crate. Stay there and open the door right back up. Increase the length of time, but stay in sight. Days If your dog has responded well to the door closing while you are visible, try closing the door and leaving the room. Start out small and increase the time. Always open the door if they do not respond well. When your dog is able to stay in the crate while you are not visible, try leaving home for just a short time or even stepping outside. Increase this over time. Helping Your Dog Like the Crate In order to ensure that crate training your dog is successful, you want to help your dog like their crate. To do this, it should be a positive experience for them. There are ways to achieve this. Make it comfortable with a crate pad. Give them safe toys to chew on. Before you start to use the crate with the door closed, have the door open for some time, allowing them to go in and out as they please and not make a big deal of it. When you do begin to shut the door, start small by only leaving them in there for a few minutes and slowly increase that time. As mentioned, treats are important for helping your dog feel good about being in the crate. You can use treats to train your dog to go into their crate on their own eventually. Practice this many times before leaving them alone in their crate. Keep training sessions short and repeat them up to several times a day. Tire your dog out by playing with it or walking it before putting them in the crate to help them reach calmness and possibly a level of tiredness that will help them sleep. Length of Time in Crate Once you have trained your dog to freely go into the crate, it is time to try leaving them in the crate for an extended period of time. When you first leave your Frenchie alone in the shut crate, leave home for just a couple of minutes. You can simply go outside your front door to do this. When you return, give a treat and lots of praise. Slowly increase the time they are left in there while you are gone. Puppies should not stay in the crate for more than a couple of hours because they will not have access to water and also use the bathroom more frequently. Once your puppy is older, approximately 6 months, they can stay in the crate for several hours. All dogs are different, and as a pet parent, you should be able to determine how often your dog needs to use the bathroom. If you need to be gone for a full workday, come home on a break, or have a dog sitter let your Frenchie relieve itself at a minimum. Or, you can use the playpen at this time if you have one and your dog is older. There is a very good chance that your Frenchie will whine in the crate. If this happens, you should let your dog out. Maybe you could go on a walk, play together for a bit, or give them a potty break. Then, try again. Otherwise, try to get them to go in peacefully using treats and toys. Provide different or new toys that may pique their interest and distract your dog. If your dog does use the bathroom in their crate, there is likely an issue you resolve. Make their space smaller using the divider that comes with the crate. Use a special cleaner to rid of the smell since dogs often remark the same spots. Give them time to relieve themselves outside right before they go into the crate. Leave them in the crate for a shorter time. Is it Worth It? Most would say yes! Crate training your dog can seem like a lot of work, but all good things do, right? While it takes time and patience, having a Frenchie that can successfully use a crate can really come in handy. As always, your vet can help. Not only can crate training your dog help you as a dog parent, but it also helps your Frenchie in many ways when it comes to their happiness and safety. Disclosure HappyFrenchBulldog. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always seek advice from a certified veterinarian in a case of emergency. Contact Have questions about our content? Contact us at info [at] happyfrenchbulldog. Footer Nav. It also satisfies their natural instinct since most of them live indoors. Safe evacuation is easy in case of emergencies. It helps in potty training the dog. Helps in dealing with separation anxiety common in French bulldogs and the cage; they feel more relaxed. Training Caution Training your French bulldog is not an easy task, and it could be worse if the dog starts resisting the crate. Here are some cautions to prevent the canine friend from feeling trapped: French bulldogs love company, and you should never leave them in the crate for too long. When denied interaction, they become anxious and depressed. The longest the dog should stay in the crate is at night, and the best part is it spends this time sleeping. Find the Perfect Crate Size A good cage plays a significant role in excellent crate training for a french bulldog. Get the right style crate, and the size should be reasonable too. Here are the best features of a training crate: Your buddy should be able to turn around and get out of the crate without touching the side borders. The dog should stand in the crate without touching the top. The crate should be taller by a few inches. Additional space helps keep your dog comfortable, easing the training process. If the crate is too big, the dog might wee at the corner, bringing another problem when potty training. When dealing with puppies, they may wee in the crate at times. You need to be extra patient with their small bladder. You will find different crates on the market, and your choice depends on the breed size and temperament. Crates that come with dividers are the best since you can resize the space your dog occupies when the dog grows bigger. Plastic crates work perfectly for smaller breeds. Besides plastic crates working well for smaller breeds, I recommend a wired crate when training your French bulldog. It lets your dog view the environment, and you will also have an easy time supervising him. Another feature to consider with the wired crate is double doors , as it makes the early training phase easier where your dog can enter the crate from both sides. See our post on the best dog crates for French Bulldogs. The introduction saves your dog from the shock of being locked in the cage, especially at night. Introducing your dog to the crate keeps him secure, especially when you rush out for a few minutes. Crate training is a kickoff for the potty-training process. Once your dog learns to stay in the enclosure, he will learn to hold his bowel and bladder for longer, making potty training effortless. Place the crate in the desired area early in the morning, and the dog will spend time surveying it before he gets inside. Never force your dog into the crate because he will feel trapped and start rejecting it. Let him survey the crate from outside. Consider securing the door to avoid incidences that will make your dog fear the crate, do this after every 5 minutes. The time interval also depends on his reaction when in the enclosure. Begin luring your dog into the crate using a couple of toys and treats. Also, adding a fleece blanket and bed to the enclosure will help immensely. Puppies are easier to teach than adult dogs. However, some older dogs will also give you an easy time in training. Let the puppy keep the instinct of having a den, and he will want to spend more time there. Purchase the crate early enough to start training your puppy. As soon as you bring him home, he will adapt easily. French bulldogs are intelligent, and when you are consistent in your training, they will understand. If you have kids, please introduce a house rule that no one should disturb the sleeping dog. Leave the door open once you set up the crate and add blankets and a bed you can include a puppy pad when dealing with one , and your pet will come closer to it. Ensure that the door remains open to prevent it from accidentally hitting your pup; you can even tie the door. Introduce a Play Session A good way of ensuring that your little friend relaxes in the crate is introducing playtime a couple of minutes before the dog enters the cage. Using interactive toys is another way to engage him before he enters his cage. Some play toys, such as tugs, help teach your dog desirable behavior like soft mouthing. Introduce His Favorite Treats Tossing a treat in the crate is a great idea. The dog will get into the crate trying to retrieve it. Ensure you put the treat far into the cage to ensure he gets in with her entire body. It would help if you were cautious about the diet. Showering your little friend with praises is an excellent supplement to treats. Since Frenchies are playful, placing some chew toys in the crate will easily lure them into getting inside. Remember to purchase nontoxic toys, plus supervise your buddy during playtime. Important: Overfeeding your Frenchie with treats can cause vomiting and other health problems. Never use treats as a replacement for food. Take Meals in the Crate Dogs love food, and introducing it to the crate will be an effective way to make them feel happy while in there. You can start by introducing meals in the crate using a clean pet bowl. Taking meals in the crate is also a good way of making him stay in there for longer; after putting the food bowl in the cage, close and open the door at an interval. It creates a good impression. Repeat the process after every meal. After feeding, start by leaving the room for a couple of minutes. Use this time to complete simple activities and leave the crate closed. Keep increasing the stay-away duration gradually. To avoid raising the alarm, leave without saying goodbye or something that will make her feel that you are leaving. Adding a playpen to the mix is an excellent way to create a larger play space that will help him adapt to the new environment. Potty breaks before sleeping will help reduce waking up. Move the crate to your room, and you can hear your little one waking up for the potty breaks. A crate cover saves the night by minimizing distractions from outside, and your French bulldog will sleep longer. Be Patient French bulldogs can be fearful, and patience is vital in this case. Never think of punishing your dog. Keep the Buddy Comfortable With the dog battling separation anxiety, keeping him comfortable is vital. If you just picked a puppy from your breeder, ensure he sleeps in a warm and cozy area. During the cold season, add some blankets on the sides of the crate for warmth, being careful with ventilation. A puppy heat pad will help immensely. It works well for almost all dogs, and I love the maximum ventilation that comes with it. Most wired crates are foldable and portable , making traveling with your dog easier or moving it to another room. Most of them include a divider that helps adjust the space for your growing pet. A double-door wired crate is the best for training. Not forgetting that when your buddy is in there, he sees the environment and is less likely to experience anxiety. Plastic crates also work well for small breeds, especially when traveling. These cages work perfectly during car travels , plus they are den-like and minimize light from outside that distracts the sleeping puppy at night. The best part is your wooden crates come in many designs. Before leaving your pup, you need to stay around the cage for a couple of minutes before leaving. When leaving the house, direct the dog to the crate and utter the command, and when he obeys, leave him with a yummy treat. Introduce a consistent departure routine, and the dog will soon adapt to not seeing you around for a couple of hours. Chew toys will work well for younger dogs by helping them with teeth issues. You can also introduce dental toys to older dogs to help remove tartar and plaque. Interactive toys also work well during exercising and playtime before getting into the crate. Once you are done playing, the dog will be yearning to relax in the crate. Remember, most dogs suffer from separation anxiety and may have difficulty adapting to crates. However, the earlier you start training your dog, the better. In the training process, you are likely to encounter: Whining You may experience it during the first few days when the clingy friend feels uneasy when left in the crate. With time, this bad behavior should subside. But if the whining and barking continue, attend to him; he might be having a health problem. Destructive chewing When your little friend is overwhelmed with separation anxiety, they will likely get into destructive chewing. Sometimes it could be a sign that the buddy is hungry. Are French Bulldogs Hard to Train? The task is not easy, but you will love the whole process with consistency. Adult Frenchies may prove stubborn, but with consistency, they will adapt. The earlier you start the training, the better. Do French Bulldogs Require Exercise? Your dog needs exercise. It helps her keep the right weight. Wrap Up French bulldogs are friendly, and crate training them is the best thing. Remember that these dogs love cuddling, and you need to set aside some minutes for it. Feel free to drop a question on crate training a French bulldog or ask for clarification in the comments. All the best in your crating journey. Meet our writer Jen Clifford is an animal behaviorist and veterinary technician with more than a decade of hands-on experience working in small animal and specialty veterinary clinics. Leave a Comment. Put the crate in the car with your Frenchie in it, and take them around the block for a short drive first. When you get home, take them out and give lots of praise! Next time, you can even take them for a short shopping and so on, keeping everything smooth and gradual. When is it recommended to crate your Frenchie? For example, when traveling with a puppy on a plane or in a car, using a portable plastic crate or a soft crate is almost essential. Place a soft and comfortable bed for your Frenchie there with their favorite toys, especially one they can chew on. They may even develop separation anxiety, which you can read more about here. Should you crate your Frenchie at night? Read our blog post about how you can train your Frenchie to sleep in their bed. At the beginning, your fur baby might cry for you, which is completely normal at that point. Are you maybe looking for your second fur baby? Two Frenchies are always better than one , so feel free to check out our available puppies here! Visit our webshop to find some great Frenchie crates and carriers from Chewy that we recommend for your fur baby! The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them, and show puppies from their breed. If you have any questions or comments let us know below the article! Also when you wish to teach your Frenchie to relieve themselves in the right area. Take you Frenchie outdoors to where you want him to use as a bathroom. He may be easily distracted and want to play so make sure you are firm with your instructions. Praise your Frenchie with excitement when they relieve themselves in the correct place outside. Oh and do not forget to do this last thing at night too! Your Frenchies crate should have just enough room for him or her to turn and lay down. Dogs will not usually relieve themselves where they sleep unless they are left for too long. You can give your Frenchie a treat when he or she does well in potty training. But if your Frenchie has an accident in your presence then scold it and quickly move them outside. It is important to remember that your French Bulldog puppy has a small bladder. Make sure they have the chance to relieve themselves every 2 hours and at night when required. Please do not crate your French Bulldog puppy for longer than 4 hours when they are small. Do not scold your Frenchie if it has an accident and you do not witness it, it will only confuse them. Potty Training Your French Bulldog Each time the puppy goes in the right spot, he is being trained to relieve himself there. Consistent training with your puppy will bring consistent results You may found it helpful to have an exercise pen for the house, and one for the yard. But please so not leave your Frenchie out in cold or alone in hot weather. Place the other exercise pen in the spot you wish your Frenchie puppy to use as a permanent potty spot, both as a puppy and adult. Use your Happy Voice! Make sure you take your Frenchie puppy outdoors to eliminate on a regular schedule and especially prior to being left for prolonged periods of time. He will start to circle and sniff and look for a place to potty when he has to go and when you are watching him, you can quickly take him to his potty spot. Minimize his chances of making a mistake by predicting when he will need to relieve himself. If you are going to be playing and interacting with your puppy, then it is absolutely fine for him to be out of his crate as long as you like. Times to watch are : As soon as he awakens, as soon as he finishes a meal, first thing in the morning, after a play session, and as soon as you take him out of his crate. Do NOT let your puppy run lose when your eyes are not on him, even for a couple minutes. Each time your puppy has an accident, he is being trained to potty in that spot. Housebreaking is the most indispensable thing your French bulldog puppy needs to learn. Ordinary sound judgement ought to reveal to you why. Besides the preservation of your general domestic hygiene, trained dogs are contented dogs. Using a Crate Helps As we outlined earlier on this page, French Bulldog trainers recommend using a crate in housebreaking your French Bull puppy. A crate is similar to a cage, having you can see through bars and a locking door that locks. Its area ought to fit sufficiently the dogs dimensions for it to move about in. It is advised to not confine your puppy in his crate for longer than two hours at a time. The thinking supporting using a crate in housebreaking your puppy is that dogs would not foul their areas where they sleep areas. Nevertheless, he may do so if you confine him in somewhere for longer than he can keep it in. At no time use a crate to penalize your dog, it would boomerang. This way out ought to be the one that you desire your French bulldog to scratch to advise you concerning his being called by nature. Taking your pup out at approximately the identical times every day would be extremely useful for the both of you. This would assist in establishing a habit, and would force him learn to keep it in waiting for you to become ready to accompany him out. Watch For Clues If your un-housebroken French bulldog is used to roaming unrestricted about the home, look for signs that indicate to you he needs to do it. Be absolutely watchful enough of his behaviour, i. Subsequently, accompany him into the outdoors and let him conclude what he had started. Offering him treats as a bonus whenever he does his business in the appropriate place can be very useful, too. Being Patient is a Big Asset Similar to any disciplinary endeavour, housebreaking requires a lot of tolerance. Thinking logically ought to let you know you to not give your dog water previous to bedtime if his inclination is to pee frequently at during the night time. Following his timetable as top priority should turn out to be extremely useful in having it slowly switch into yours. Besides tolerance and common sense, regularity is likewise one of the significant factors of this dog disciplining exercise. Bear in mind that the stakes are significant dirty and foul-smelling house. Allocate sufficient time and dedication on your side. We recommend that you should get the little guy out for a walk as soon as he or she wakes up, after play time and also after any eating or drinking. Tip Two… Confine your Frenchie if there is a chance that supervision is going to be a problem. If you limit your dog to a crate or confined space then they will refuse to relieve themselves in what they would see as living quarters or sleeping quarters. This also goes back to their clean breed set up. Tip Three… Keep your eyes peeled for any warning signs from your French Bulldog! They will include things like circling in the room, pacing around from one room to another, some sniffing about, whining, maybe even a little barking. Remember, if you spot any of these sure fire signs then immediately take your Frenchie outside to eliminate. When they finish heap loads of praise on them while they are still outside or on the training mat and give them a little treat. It will not take long for them to get used to this command and eventually just go outside! You want to eliminate the odor of urine and feces around the house as when the dog smells this around the house he or she will be more inclined to use it to go to the toilet. A good tip is to remove the guys little accident into the back garden or yard and leave it out there, that way they can identify the spot with where to go potty. Frenchies have an estimated 15 minute attention span so when you are training your little friend then make sure you keep that in mind as anything over this and he will already be losing his focus. If you schedule these little bursts of training sessions throughout your day, you will make more progress and keep these sessions happier for both of you. Make sure that you have established yourself as the Alpha leader with your Frenchie. They will always respond better to training when they know who is in charge at all times. This does not mean that you have to hurt or dominate your French Bulldog. It can be as simple as ensuring that you always eat first at mealtimes before giving him his food. Do not limit rewards to your French Bulldog to just when he follows your commands. If you see him doing good positive things reward him then too. He will catch on very quickly! It will get him used to what he needs to respond to. When giving commands to your Frenchie make sure that you are serious at all times. Do not reward or scold your French Bulldog for something they did 15 or more minutes ago. They will not associate the action with the event! They have terrible memories remember! Your Frenchie may do funny things that are also bad. This will only confuse your dog and make training harder down the line. Training Your French Bulldog To Use A Leash And Collar There are many different techniques you can use to train your French Bulldog on a lash or a collar , and it is important to find one that works for you and your family in order to have the most loyal and well-behaved pet possible. It is fortunate that French Bulldogs are innately programmed to submit to a leader, it allows them to follow commands and make training easier. Each French Bulldog has its own personality, which is emphasized even further by many years of selective breeding. The personalities of individual French Bulldogs can be very different, even within the same breed. It is up to you, as the owner, to determine which method of training will work best for your French Bulldog, so it is important to work with the trainer in order to attain your goal of an eager, well-trained and friendly French Bulldog. For example, certain working French Bulldogs, such as police French Bulldogs, rescue French Bulldogs or guard French Bulldogs, tend to gain from leash and collar training. The level of correction used should be relative to the situation, as too much correction, or not enough, can prove unproductive. Once the French Bulldog seems to understand the command, the leash is then used to modify incorrect behaviors. The leash is used as the main form of control and communication with the French Bulldog in this form of training. The French Bulldog is considered fully trained when the handler is able to show that the French Bulldog will follow a command even if he does not want to. While this does not mean using brute force, it will likely necessitate some physical handling. This type of handling is most effectively completed by use of the leash. Anyone attempting to train his or her French Bulldog should understand that the leash is merely a device. While the leash is necessary for this style of French Bulldog training, it is important for the French Bulldog trainer to strive for the same results using whatever gear are nearby. Building a trusting relationship between owner and French Bulldog is vital, and it is important that the leash is used as a tool rather than a crutch. A properly trained French Bulldog should be eager to obey with or without a leash. Knowing what you want to train is as important as training your French Bulldog. You can begin training almost immediately, at around six weeks of age. A puppy is a blank slate and does not know any rules, therefore it is a wise idea to make a list and have an understanding of what you would like your puppy to do. What are the household rules and proper dog etiquette? As he grows, the same principle applies and you may adjust training from the basics to more specialized behaviors, such as making your dog a good travel, hiking, agility, hunting, or simply a companion dog. Know what conditions and circumstances you plan to expose your dog or puppy to outside of the household and strategize to be prepared for those encounters by slowly introducing your dog to those situations. Establish yourself as the pack leader from the time you first bring your new dog or puppy home. Life is much easier for your dog if you are in charge, leading, and providing for his needs. Leading as the alpha assists in the act of working together with your dog towards the goal of understanding the rules of conduct and obedience. Your dog will be at ease when the rules are understood. Training should be an enjoyable bonding time between you and your French bulldog. Remember that there is no set time limit defining when your dog should learn, understand, and then obey commands. Use short training sessions and be aware that if either of you are tired, it is recommended that you stop and try again later. If something does not seem quite right with your dog, in any way, have him checked out by a veterinarian. Timing is crucial when rewarding for good behaviors and making corrections for bad. Patience and Consistency are your allies in the training game. An easy way to avoid the onset of many different behavioral problems is to give your dogs or puppies ample daily exercise to keep them fit and healthy, and destructive behavioral problems at bay. Always provide consistent structure, firm but fair authority, rule enforcement, and importantly, love and affection. By maintaining these things, you will help to create a loyal companion and friend. Reward good behaviors, not for simply being cute, sweet, loveable, and huggable. If you wish to reward your dog, always reward after you issue a command and your dog obeys appropriately. Only train one command per session. Puppies only have the attention span to go about 10 minutes per session, but never exceed 15 minutes. Training a command once per day is enough for your dog to begin to learn and retain, but whenever the opportunity presents itself you should reinforce the training sessions throughout the day. For example, opening a door or putting down a food bowl first command sit, down or stay and be sure not to reward your dog unless your dog obeys. The most important thing to remember is to remain relaxed, keep it fun, and enjoy this time of bonding and training your dog or puppy. All dogs have their own personalities and therefore respond to training differently. No matter the breed that comes with its own characteristics, you need to account for individual personality and adjust accordingly. If needed, do not hesitate to solicit professional help and advice. We all love treats, and so does your dog. Giving your dog a treat is the best way to reinforce good behavior, to help change his behavior or just to make your dog do that insanely funny dance- like-thing he does. Make the treats small enough for him to get a taste, but not a meal, kernel sized. Remember, you do not want him filling up on treats as it might spoil his dinner and interfere with his attention span. You do not want to miss a chance to reward a good behavior or reinforce a changed behavior. Always carry treats when you go on a walk. Remember what treats your dog likes most and save those for super special times. In addition, what you consider a treat and what your dog considers a treat are two vastly different worlds. A single malt scotch or chicken wings might be a treat in your mind, but dried liver bits or beef jerky in your dogs. Tell your dog to sit, stay, or lie down, print two copies of your resume, anything, before you reward your dog with treats, petting, or play. By asking for good behavior, before you give your dog a reward, you demonstrate you are in charge, in an easy fun manner. There is a common misconception that dogs are selfless and wanting to behave only to please out of respect for you. This is horse pucky. This line of thinking is incorrect and detrimental to your success with the training. You have to make sure that your dog knows exactly why he should be listening to you. You are the alpha, the keeper of the treats, the provider of the scratching and the purveyor of toys. Keep this balance of power and the results will be your reward. Do not send mixed messages. Simply, ignore the bad behavior and reward your dog when he does the action you request to be done. You will be continuously training your companion, but use the formal training sessions to focus on one objective. Any session longer than 15 minutes will be hard for your dog to stay focused. During training, this is the attention span of most canines. Ten minutes per session is a good time limit for young puppies. Some breeds stay puppies longer than others stay, and may not fully develop until year two. Use a variety and an abundance of different treats and rewards. Rewards are play, toys, praise, affection, treats, and anything that you know that your dog enjoys. When you master this one, it will make life easier for both of you when at home, and either at the groomer or the vet. It also helps when there is unwanted or accidental touching and especially when dealing with small children who love to handle dogs in all sorts of unusual and not so regular ways. This one will take patience and a few tricks to get it started. Remember, it is important to begin handling your new puppy immediately after you find each other and are living together. Understand that muzzles are not bad and do not hurt dogs. They can be an effective device and a great safety feature when your dog is learning to be handled. Easy cheese or peanut butter spread on the floor or on the refrigerator door should keep your puppy in place while he learns to be handled. If your puppy does not like to be handled, he can slowly learn to accept it. You must practice this with your puppy for at least one to three minutes each day so that he becomes comfortable with being touched. All dogs are unique and therefore some will accept this easier and quicker than others will. Handling training will be a life-long process. With all of the following exercises, follow these steps: — Begin with short, non-intrusive gentle touching. When he settles, treat him and remove your hands. Overstimulation can cause your puppy stress. Handling the Body Paws in the clause It is a fact that most puppies do not like to have their paws touched. Proceed slowly with this exercise. The eventual goal is for your puppy to adore his paws being fondled. In the following exercises, any time your puppy does not squirm and try to get away, click and treat your pup. If he does squirm, stay with him using gentle contact, when your pup ceases wiggling, then click and treat, and release when he calms down. Each one of these steps will take a few days to complete and will require at least a dozen repetitions. Make sure you successfully complete each step and your puppy is at least tolerant of the contact before you go on to the next one. Repeat this five times and then continue forward by adding an additional one second each time you pick up his paw until ten seconds is reached. Begin with two seconds then in different sessions work your way to twelve. It is not easy and it can cause extreme pain to your dog if you are not properly trained. Do this about ten times or until your puppy seems comfortable and relaxed with it. Increase the amount of time until you have achieved about ten seconds of holding and your puppy remains calm. Click and treat after each elapsed amount of time. Work your way up 2,4,6,8 to 10 seconds of holding. This may take several days and sessions. If he accepts this and does not resist, click and treat, and repeat. Repeat this step until he is content with it. Now, switch to the top of the collar and repeat the whole progression again. Remember slowly increase the time held and the intensity of the tug using a slow pace. You can practice touching the collar while you are treating during training other tricks. Gently hold the bottom or top of the collar when you are giving your dog a treat reward for successfully completing a commanded behavior. Then release when he does not resist, click and treat. Be cautious with this one. If any of this is confusing, do not worry, because I walk you through the training process, step-by-step. Clicker training started over seventy years ago and has become a tried and true method for training dogs and other animals. The outcome of using a clicker is an example of conditioned reinforcement. Rewarding the animal in combination with clicker use has proven highly effective as a positive reinforcement training method. It is a humane and effective way of training dogs without instilling fear for non-compliance. I know that my mother wished she would have known about clicker training when my brother and I were growing up. I am sure she would have put the clicker into action so my brother would place his dirty clothes inside the bin, rather than on the floor. In the s, Keller Breland, a pioneer in animal training, used a clicker while training many different species of animals, including marine mammals. He met great success using this method of training on these animals. His system developed for clicker training marine mammals is still in use today. Keller also trained dogs using the clicker. Because of its effectiveness, it was brought into use by others in the dog training community. The success of the clicker spans 7 decades and now is a widely accepted standard for dog training. A trainer will use the clicker to mark desired actions as they occur. At the exact instant, the animal performs the desired action, the trainer clicks and promptly delivers a food reward or other reinforcements. For example, clicking and rewarding slightly too early or too late will reinforce the action that is occurring at that very instant rather than the action you were targeting the reward for. Shaping is the process of gradual transformation of a specific action into the desired action by rewarding each successive progression towards the desired action. This is done by gradually molding or training the dog to perform a specific response by first, reinforcing the small, successive responses that are similar to the desired response, instead of waiting for the perfect completion to occur. The trainer looks for small progressions that are heading in the direction towards the total completion of the desired action and then clicks and treats. It is important to recognize and reward those tiny steps made in the target direction. During training, the objective is to create opportunities for your dog to earn frequent rewards. During training, and in conjunction with clicker use, the introduction of a cue word or hand signal can be applied. Eventually, the clicker can be phased out in favor of a cue or cues that have been reinforced during the training sessions. As a result, your dog will immediately respond by reacting, obeying, and performing actions to your hand gestures or verbal commands. Watching this unfold is a highly satisfying process, which empowers your friend to be the best he can, and while you have fulfilled your role as alpha and pack leader. Why is clicking effective over using a word cue first? The clicking sound is a unique sound that is not found in nature, and it is more precise than a verbal command. Verbal commands can be confusing because the human voice has many tonal variations, whereas the clicker consistently makes a sound that your dog will not confuse with any other noise. It is also effective because it is directed at him and followed by good things. Therefore, your dog completely understands which action is desired and your dog will quickly understand that the click is followed by a reward. The clicker sound is produced in a quick and accurate way that is in response to the slightest actions that your dog makes. This clarity of function of this tool increases the bond between you and your dog, as a result making your dog more interested in the training sessions, and ultimately your relationship more engaging and entertaining. Dare I say fun? On that note, do not forget to always have fun and add variety to your training sessions. Variety is the spice of life, mix up those treats, rewards, and commands. Clicker training works this way At the exact instant the action occurs, the trainer clicks. Usually the reward is a small kernel sized food treat, but a reward can be a toy, play, or affection. Whatever the dog enjoys is a reward worth giving. In as soon as clicks have been issued a dog will associate the sound of the click with something it enjoys. Once the association is made, it will repeat the action it did when hearing the click. The three steps are as follows: 1. Get the action you request 2. Mark the action with your clicker 3. Reinforce the action with a reward. 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