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Download our guide! We offer standard and fluffy Award- winning Award-winning bloodline, guaranteed health Every TomKings parent dog has passed a rigorous selection and examination process before we started our elite breeding program to build the healthiest and most Frenchie-authentic gene pool for our TomKings Frenchies. All of our adult dogs and puppies get the highest quality food and supplements to ensure immaculate health, and they are checked by our vet on a weekly basis. Our purebred French bulldogs come with a TomKings Health Guarantee, that is valid against all genetic illnesses. Instead, we treat all of our Frenchies as family members , let them roam freely in our vast green garden and rest with us in our house. Our Frenchie puppies can play as much as they want and we raise them by teaching all the good manners among dogs and people, including children. Maternal love 12 weeks of maternal love and professional care Spending 3 whole months after birth with their caring mother and siblings ensures that TomKings puppies develop a healthy dog-personality and a well-balanced nature. Before joining their new families in the USA and elsewhere, our Frenchies get all the puppy vaccinations, are dewormed and treated against parasites. They travel in a temperature-controlled and pressurized room not stacked on top of suitcases , and they are watched all along the flight. During layovers, the puppies are taken off the plane and placed in a pet hotel, where they are given fresh food, water and lots of pampering. They are sweeter than any airport scenes in romantic movies. Feel free to reach out to us any time with your questions or to share your joy: we answer you immediately 16 hours a day. Check out our French Bulldog Puppies What is included in our prices? We provide nanny service to all major US airports for an extra fee. Shipping to other countries is also possible, contact us for more info! PayPal and Stripe have payment insurance which means that they keep your money pending until you get the puppy. We get your money just after you have confirmed that your puppy has arrived in your arms safe and sound! Shots up-to-date worth USD Our pups receive all the necessary shots while they are with us: 1. Deworming worth 50 USD Our puppies are dewormed every two weeks from the age of 4 weeks old and they also get Simparica Trio against ticks, fleas and heartworms right before they leave. Anti-parasite treatment worth USD We give our puppies anti-parasite treatment against all parasites before they leave except for heart worms. Echocardiogram heart examination, worth 1, USD We do echocardiogram on our Frenchies and when we find the slightest chance of heart murmur in one of them, we rather cancel the adoption and find a loving home for them locally. Valer, French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies Membership and right to post in the TomKings Frenchie Family closed Facebook group We created a Facebook group for our adopters where we answer their questions and they share their experiences with each other. We are a Family because we are connected by the love towards Frenchies and we are always there to help and support each other, as well as share valuable experiences and advice! Only TomKings Frenchie parents are allowed to post and ask from us or any other member in the group. Participation in TomKings Frenchie Meetups We organize Frenchie Meetups in major cities throughout the States where you can talk with other TomKings Frenchie owners and exchange advice while your Frenchies are playing with each other. Frenchie Love eBook worth .Lifetime Health Guarantee We give you a lifetime health guarantee on all genetic disorders which cause death, which means that we send you another puppy if your Frenchie dies. We have never had that so far since the parent dogs go through a rigorous selection process before the breeding program and our vet checks the puppies often. We know that Frenchie owners have a bunch of questions about feeding, raising, training, etc. Our goal is to have only happy and healthy puppies so we will always be there to answer your questions! Lifetime vet assistance Frenchie owners have a lot of questions about the health of their puppies and most of the time they run to their vet right away and leave a fortune there for nothing. We even tell you whether you need to visit your vet at all! Health certification TomKings Frenchies are examined strictly before they leave for their new homes and we give you a health certificate which can be used if you want to have insurance for your puppy which we highly recommend. Exceptional care We treat every puppy as a family member from the moment they are born. We believe that the secret of having socialized and healthy Frenchie puppies is spending time with them all day long and letting them run and play in the backyard. Potty training It is crucial how puppies are trained at the beginning of their lives. At TomKings Puppies we are focusing not only on their health but their proper training as well. We start potty training for them so that you have a much easier job! Ultimate Guide. Life Span Did You Know? While the name of this breed is the French Bulldog, their origins cannot be credited to only France. One of the facts about French Bulldogs is that the idea and reason for the creation of the breed originated in England. This adorable dog breed, which has always been meant to be a companion, started as a miniature version of the English Bulldog. This mini-version accompanied lace workers across the English Channel and into France during the Industrial Revolution. Once the dog breed became prominent in France, the subsequent successful crossbreeding of the English Bulldog, Pug, and Terrier led to the creation of the modern-day Frenchie. The French Bulldog we know today originally came to the United States with groups of wealthy Americans who came across them and fell in love while touring Europe in the late s. The French Bulldog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in and is a member of the non-sporting group. The French Bulldog is an easygoing, affectionate, and playful dog that loves their family and gets along well with children. They also love to make new friends, which means they get along well with other dogs, animals, and people. Intelligent and affectionate, this small dog breed certainly wins over hearts and earns its status as a popular companion dog. Frenchies are not known to bark much, unless you train them into it, but they are naturally alert and make excellent watchdogs. As long as they are well-socialized and trained, they tend to have an open and friendly nature. The Frenchie is a highly adaptable dog that pretty much adapts to any living situation that includes plenty of love and attention. Being a short-snouted, snub-nosed dog breed, they do not tolerate heat very well and are also sensitive to cold. This tends to make them one of the dog breeds that hate winter and you will want to make sure to bundle them up to stay warm while out on cold winter walks. Because Frenchies bond closely with their families and thrive on attention from them, they do not tolerate long periods of time alone. They can also be prone to developing separation anxiety if they are poorly socialized or you do not work with them on this when they are young. Potential health concerns to be aware of in French Bulldogs can include cataracts, cherry eye, and entropion. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances. Heart and joint certifications are recommended for this breed. Playful and happy, the French Bulldog is a great fit for a novice dog owner. They are sweet-tempered, eager to please, and eager to train. Occasionally, Frenchies can be stubborn and they do tend to have big personalities. Although this can sometimes be a challenge for first-time dog owners, it can usually be overcome with consistent and patient training. Puppy training classes are always an option and offer plenty of benefits aside from training. Standard coat colors for Frenchies are Brindle, Cream, Fawn, and combinations of these. They have a short coat that will shed a little year-round. Nail trims once or twice a month keep nails from growing too long and causing issues. Weekly ear checks, along with careful cleanings as needed, can help prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, the Frenchie is more prone to developing gum disease. Daily dental care plus cleanings at the vet as needed can help prevent this and other painful dental diseases later in life. You will also need to take care of the wrinkles. Frenchies have hereditary face wrinkles and it is important to keep them clean and dry to prevent skin irritation or possible infection. The French Bulldog is an easygoing companion breed. They can be one of the laziest dog breeds that are couch potatoes. Frenchies will often be energetic when they play and will try to match their activity to yours. So, if you live a more active lifestyle, you need to be careful that your French Bulldog is not overexerting themselves trying to keep up with you. As a Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dog, they cannot cool themselves as easily and are extra sensitive to heat. They can also get winded easily, so be aware of this when playing with your dog or puppy and watch for signs of overexertion. There are safe ways to exercise flat-faced dogs and you can work with your vet on specifics for your Frenchie if needed. French Bulldogs usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Frenchies generally live for years on average. With this dog breed being so popular, there are plenty of celebrities who have chosen the French Bulldog as their companion, which also means there are plenty of famous Frenchies out there. Also, French Bulldogs cannot swim, at least without a life vest. They can be taught to swim while wearing one, but they should never be left unattended around bodies of water or swimming pools and require constant supervision while in the water. Featured French Bulldog Article.

You can use the information on dog food packets.Show more How much grooming does a Pug need? Although Pugs have short fur, they do shed so you'll need to brush them occasionally. To help your dog feel comfortable with handling and grooming, introduce it in a positive way, one step at a time. Show more What size crate do you need for a Pug? When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to: sit and stand up at their full height turn around without touching the sides lie down fully stretch.To find out more about potential.Are Pugs easy to train? You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. So every Pug temperament is different. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develop their own like.Show more Are Pugs good with children? Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. However, there are som.Show more. Vocality level 5 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament ACA delightful blend of dignity and comedy, the Pug is an amiable, playful, and confident companion. They can be stubborn and headstrong, but they are pleasant and generally willing to please. They love to cavort and show off. Upkeep The Pug needs daily exercise, either in the form of a lively game or a moderate walk. They do not do well in heat and humidity. They needs minimal coat care but daily cleaning of facial wrinkles. Their smooth coat needs only occasional brushing to remove dead hairs; however, the wrinkles need regular cleaning and drying to prevent skin infections. The Pug may often wheeze and snore. Health Major concerns: Pug dog encephalitis, CHD, brachycephalic syndrome Minor concerns: elongated palate, stenotic nares, patellar luxation, Legg-Perthes, entropion, KCS, skin infections, hemivertebra Occasionally seen: seizures, nerve degeneration, distichiasis, allergies, demodicosis Suggested tests: eye, hip, knee, DNA Pug dog encephalitis Life span: 12—15 years Note: The Pug cannot tolerate heat and is sensitive to anesthesia. They are prone to corneal abrasion and obesity. The Pug is somewhat of an exception in the Toy Group because they are perhaps the only one to be descended from mastiff forebears. Although their exact ancestry has been lost in antiquity, the Pug retains many mastiff characteristics. The Pug is an ancient breed, one of several miniaturized in the Orient, where they were a favorite pet of Buddhist monasteries in Tibet many centuries ago. Here they became quite popular and were recognized as the official dog of the House of Orange after one saved the life of Prince William by sounding an alarm at the approach of Spanish soldiers in .Pugs were first brought to England during Victorian times and became incredibly popular with the wealthy, displacing the King Charles Spaniel as the favored royal breed. Several Pugs were brought to England from China in .A year earlier, the breed had been recognized by the AKC. Since that time, they have remained popular a pet. Related Content. I have more energy than the energizer bunny! I play hard and cuddle just as much! I'm pretty smart and will need a smart human to teach me the ways of the world. I picked up the doggy dog pretty fast and waking on a leash without biting it. I love playing with toys and playing in general! My favorite game is when you chase me!! Im good with humans and when I see a dog I want to engage in play! Could you be my forever family? Adopt Testimonials We had an amazing experience with Pughearts! The process was thorough which I appreciated. The volunteers and organization are extremely passionate about their rescue dogs and their well being. We are so grateful for our fur babies and for Pughearts! We live out of state and Pug Hearts went above and beyond to come and inspect our home. Every step of the way all the volunteers I worked with were kind and quick to answer all my many questions through the adoption process. When I flew to Houston to meet the pug we were hoping to adopt, my flight was significantly delayed and our pug's foster mom took the next day off just so I could come meet with her! Our pug came to us in great health, fully checked by the Pug Hearts vet team, with detailed vet records for her continued care. We continue to stay in touch with the volunteers and our Pug's foster mom sending updates and sharing stories, Not only did we add the sweetest pug girl to our family, we feel like we came away with new friends! We will always adopt from Pug Hearts from now on and highly recommend them for your family too! Everyone we spoke with and worked with was very nice and answered all of our questions quickly. Ann was awesome about coming to do the home visit for us since we live in a remote location in Colorado. Karen was awesome about giving us all the information we needed and making sure our pup was all set to travel back from Houston. We would recommend Pug Hearts for anyone looking to help find a pug a forever home! I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this rescue! Our pug had been found wandering the streets , was underweight and had severe behavioral issues. His foster mother worked with him for 4 months to get him ready to come home with us. Not only did we get a new family member but I made a great friend as well. They take in pugs of any age with any medical problem and provide them with not only the medical care they need but the love they deserve. No pug is left behind. They are extremely thorough in the application process and truly care about the well-being of every single animal that they help. The organization has a wonderful group of volunteers, donors, and Fosters. The intake coordinator and the Director are absolutely wonderful to communicate with. They are very knowledgeable and caring. I have adopted three pugs from them and anytime I have questions or concerns they are quick to reply with a solution. Hands-down the best rescue in the entire world!! Select Page Adopting a Pug We are always on the lookout for the right people and environment to provide forever homes for pugs in our care, across the UK. There is an urgent need for new homes currently, due to a high level of pugs being surrendered this year, plus for those with special-needs or requiring specific environments to suit their physical or emotional needs. Occasionally this means homes without other dogs. Due to the care taken, to match each pug according to their individual needs, waiting times for successful applicants will vary. If you are considering adopting a pug or a bonded-pair of pugs, please read this section. As a registered charity we rely on donations from the public to carry out our work which is undertaken by a small team of volunteers. The Pug is a unique and special breed, requiring a unique and special home. Pugs are rehomed with the applicant most suited to the specific needs of each individual Pug. It should be noted that taking on a rescue Pug is a huge commitment both emotionally and financially. Many of our Pugs will require special care and attention. Please consider this very carefully before applying to adopt. Please note that adoption donations are non-refundable. Before completing the Adoption Application Form, please read the following guidance notes. If your initial application is successful, you will then receive a further email to arrange a home check. If your home check is successful, you will receive a further email advising that you have been placed on our waiting list. Please note that it will usually take a few weeks for your application to be processed, although occasionally the adoption process can occur quickly if suitable pugs are waiting in foster homes. Applicants must be able to provide adequate insurance for the pug. Applications from those in full-time work, outside of the home, cannot be accepted. Pugs are a companion breed and need company therefore specify on your application what arrangements are in place for their daily supervision. Applicants who already own un-neutered males or un-spayed bitches will not be considered. If you are willing for your dogs to be neutered or spayed please advise us. A vet bill will be required as proof. Please keep us up to date on any changes in your circumstances. It should be noted that all Pugs are rehomed to the most appropriate home to suit the Pug. May we remind you that applicants must be aged 21 and over, and reside in the UK or Channel Isles. If you are selected to adopt a Pug, you will usually be required to take him or her at very short notice, and without having seen the Pug. If your application is successful, an adoption donation will be required, as we do need funds to allow us to continue to rescue Pugs and to help pay for vet fees and transportation costs. Please ensure that you have read, understood and accept the above guidance notes. Naturally as they grow older they require different levels of to younger pugs. Similarly, we have an increasing number of requests for bonded pugs who need rehoming together. While this may cost you a little more, they are ready-made companions who bring twice the love! If you feel you can help in either of these circumstances, please see our Golden Oldies and Perfect Pairs pages for more information.

Sometimes, supplements can do more harm than good. When should I start giving my German Shepherd puppy supplements? Most supplements can be given to your German Shepherd puppy as early as 12 weeks of age. The exception is calcium supplements, which you should never give to a puppy under 1 year old. Too much calcium can cause bones to develop too quickly, causing long term pain and joint damage. However, since German Shepherds are predisposed to developing joint issues, joint supplements are advised to be started as early as 3 months old. Keep in mind that giving supplements to your puppy could mask underlying health conditions, such as stomach problems, and make the issues hard to detect and treat. Does my German Shepherd puppy need a multivitamin? Yes, German Shepherd puppies 3 months and older need supplements, especially those for their hips, joints, stomach soothers, and improving their itchy skin and dry coats. Usually, dogs should get all the vitamins they need from a balanced diet. But in some cases, modern dog food manufacturing processes kill off essential nutrients. Multivitamin supplements, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and omega-3 oils are generally safe for puppies 12 weeks of age and older. And almost all German Shepherd puppies should be given joint supporting supplements due to their predisposition for joint-related issues. This means that you must perform your own due diligence to make sure you select safe supplements. Each supplement has its own benefits and drawbacks, which you must also take into account. Too much is a bad thing When giving multiple supplements, beware of overdosing to avoid giving too much of a good thing. In fact, more than necessary could cause unwanted side effects. Watch out for imbalances The majority of German Shepherds react well to supplements. But when giving vitamins or minerals to puppies, extra caution should be taken. This is because these supplements can lead to a nutritional imbalance that can be harmful to growing puppies. Always talk to your vet Your vet is the best resource for advice on giving supplements to your German Shepherd. Too much calcium can cause excessive bone growth which damages their joints. This fast growth can also lead to long term pain, hip issues, and other growth disorders. Supplements made for humans contain higher doses of vitamins than your dog needs. You could accidentally give them serious complications by using human supplements. With high amounts of iron and calcium, prenatal vitamins could cause iron toxicity in puppies. This can lead to serious side effects. Other vitamins, such as vitamin D, can cause organ damage in dogs. An overdose of Vitamin D can cause kidney failure. Keep your German Shepherd puppy away from caffeine! It has antibacterial properties and is therefore also found in dental hygiene products, such as mouthwash or toothpaste. The amount of xylitol found in different products varies. But shockingly, even pieces of gum may be enough to cause toxic effects in a dog source! Always keep human food and hygiene products away from your puppy. You never know what ingredient might actually cause serious problems or even fatalities in your pup. Certain supplements can give your pup a healthier lifestyle, like:. What are the symptoms of calcium deficiency in dogs? There are several foods and supplements you can give your dog to increase its calcium intake. Many of these food sources are the same for humans. When determining which calcium-rich foods to feed your dog, you should talk to your vet to ensure your giving the best source for your dog. You want to feed your dog food that is rich in calcium because it is the principal element in skeletal mineralization during growth. You want to choose food sources that absorb well in the intestines. If you feed your dog low-calcium dog food, you may want to give them a supplement. Calcium pills for dogs take the guesswork out of giving your dog the right amount of calcium to boost its immune system and strengthen bones and teeth. It contains just one ingredient — a pure porcine bone meal. The supplement contains phosphorus, which is known for helping with calcium absorption. It works well for most dogs, including puppies, adults that need supplementation, and pregnant dogs. A single teaspoon of the calcium supplement includes about milligrams of this beneficial substance. In fact, it will provide your pregnant dog with the energy needed to maintain regular, strong contractions, speed up whelping , and prevent the need for a c-section. This supplement is made with a proprietary blend that helps ensure quick absorption and has no artificial additives. The milk calcium complex and calcium carbonate in this product boost the calcium your pup needs during and after giving birth. The added magnesium and vitamin D improve calcium absorption while antioxidants reduce stress levels in your pregnant dog. The manufacturer recommends giving your dog a dose when they start labor and another after every two puppies are born. It is sold in a syringe, clearly labeled with measurement marks to ensure you get the dosage right. Based on reviews, most dogs like the flavor, making it easy to administer. The biggest disadvantage of this calcium supplement is the syringe is sometimes challenging to operate. This ensures purity and bioavailability. The supplement is harvested from seabed found on the southwest coast of Ireland, which is considered some of the cleanest and purest waters in the world. Along with coming from a pure source, this supplement is easy to feed to almost any dog. Thanks to the high digestibility of the supplement, a very low amount are needed to provide the desired benefits. This helps your money stretch further, which is a plus for most pet parents. The powder is flavor-free and almost completely odorless, which helps reduce resistance when giving it to your dog. The calcified red seaweed is a good source of calcium and provides other essential nutrients, including magnesium, boron, and zinc. Due to the makeup and sourcing of this calcium supplement, it is one of the most environmentally sustainable options available today. Nutrition Strength Calcium Phosphorus for Dogs Unlike some other calcium supplements for dogs available, Nutrition Strength Calcium Phosphorus is an all-life stages formula. Each dose is provided in a compressed and easy-to-chew tablet, with milligrams of calcium and milligrams of phosphorus. The supplement is made in the U. There are no preservatives, flavors, or artificial colors, and the product is manufactured in an NSF-certified and FDA-registered facility. If your pup is pickier about what they eat, it may be challenging to convince them to eat the tablet. This supplement provides superior value, with 60 chewable tablets in a single bottle. Also, they are reported to work well and produce positive results. This supplement combines the perfect blend of essential amino acids, minerals, proteins, and vitamins. It is free of artificial ingredients and a smart option for large breed puppies who grow quickly. Other dogs that may benefit from this supplement include pregnant or nursing dogs and any dogs who require a calcium boost. If your dog is less than 10 pounds, half a tablet per day is the recommended dosage, while larger dogs require two tablets per day. Each tablet features a liver and roast beef flavor that most dogs enjoy. You can give your dog the tablet directly or crumble it in their food. Bone meal powder for dogs is a good calcium supplement. Before giving your dog a calcium supplement, talk to your vet. Most dog foods contain decent calcium. But some situations can require higher calcium intake. If your dog is pregnant or nursing, it may need additional calcium since pregnancy can deplete calcium. Also, if you feed your dog homemade meals instead of commercial dog food, you may want to talk to your vet about calcium supplements. This is generally because homemade meals are protein-rich with very few calcium-fortified options. No, you should not give your dog human calcium supplements to your dog because they are formulated for humans and a much higher weight class than a dog. Calcium supplements for humans can also contain harmful ingredients for dogs. Calcium supplements that are formulated for dogs are very effective in treating calcium deficiency. Talk to your vet about giving your dog calcium supplements because too much calcium can cause health problems too. The best natural sources of calcium for dogs are: 1. Yogurt Yogurt is the most significant source of calcium for dogs. Yogurt contains mg of calcium in 1 cup. Is yogurt good for dogs? Cheese Cheese is high in calcium because it is a dairy product. Hard cheeses, like cheddar or jack, contain mg of calcium for 1 ounce of cheese. Many dogs prefer cottage cheese, which has 65 mg of calcium in a half-cup. Is cheese bad for dogs? Cheese is safe for your dog to eat, but you need to be careful about the types of cheese you feed your dog. Be careful not to feed large portions of cheese because it can lead to weight gain. Chicken and Fish Chicken is an excellent protein source that contains an adequate amount of calcium. Salmon, trout, mackerel, and sardines also have high calcium content from mg to mg. Because both proteins have sufficient calcium, these meats are often in many types of dog food. If you buy chicken or fish-infused dog food, you should check the label for calcium content. If not, you may want to switch to higher-calcium dog food that contains more chicken and fish. You can also supplement their diet with chicken and fish food scraps. Can dogs eat tuna? Yes, dogs can eat tuna in small amounts. Want an all-natural soft jerky treat for your dog? Shop KC Strips dog treats in tilapia, elk, buffalo, venison, beef, and chicken. Your dog will thank you. But with so many different dog food choices on the market, it can be challenging to decide which type of food is right for your dog. So, do German Shepherds need large breed food? German Shepherds need large breed food as it is made with balanced nutrition specifically designed for larger breeds. These foods include a higher amount of protein, lower amounts of calcium, phosphorus, fat, and the correct amount of fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Is large breed food necessary for a German Shepherd puppy? What is the difference between large breed dog food and regular? Do adult German Shepherds also need large breed food? So, what exactly is a large breed dog? Well, the specifics will differ from source to source, but it mostly boils down to any dog weighing over 50 pounds when fully grown. Now let us take a look at the German Shepherd specifically, however as with any breed, there can be variation. German Shepherds typically grow to be anywhere between 22 and 26 inches tall — and that is pretty big. Weight-wise, you can expect your GSD to weigh well over 50 pounds. In fact, some bigger-sized male German Shepherds can be over 90 pounds and be taller. My female GSD is one big girl — she weighs 88lbs and stands 27 inches tall! My German Shepherd Willow — definitely a large breed dog! Therefore, you would be wise to purchase dog food specifically designed for larger breeds, whether your German Shepherd is a puppy or an adult. But why? You may think that large breed dog food is a sales gimmick. Giving your German Shepherd regular puppy food while growing can be somewhat dangerous to his health. Large breed dogs grow fast, sometimes too fast! However, large breed dog foods will typically feature whole proteins, such as protein from chicken, beef, or fish. These whole proteins come complete with all essential amino acids required for their development. Chicken is ideal as a whole protein as it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which are beneficial to joints. Omega 3 and Omega 6 These fatty acids are incredibly beneficial to your German Shepherd and are commonly seen in large-breed dog foods. These fats lead to healthy skin and hair for your furry best friend while also increasing their cardiovascular health. German Shepherds are known for being heavy shedders, and one way to help reduce year-round shedding is the inclusion of omega fatty acids in their diet. Fiber Large dogs may have a more significant challenge when it comes to regularity. That is why most large breed dog foods will contain extra fiber that comes from all-natural, plant-based ingredients, such as pumpkin or sweet potato. These ingredients will lead to a healthy digestive system, which also goes hand-in-hand with a healthy weight. Vitamin D Vitamin D is critical for your German Shepherd to regulate how much calcium and phosphorus he absorbs. Dogs get their vitamin D through their diet or by exposure to sunlight. This is why having a large-breed dog food with sufficient Vitamin D is essential to his health. Less Energy Density Now, this is where his health really comes into play. You see, when your German Shepherd is a puppy, he will have a higher capacity for nutrients than smaller breeds. And he can technically be a puppy for up to 2 years, so take that into consideration when thinking about adult food. Therefore, your German Shepherd must have a large-breed food as a puppy as it is formulated with fewer calories and fat content. It will simply allow him to grow at a slower, healthier rate that is optimum for his bone and joint health. Overfeeding can cause damage to these critical areas and can also lead to obesity. Less Calcium Aside from fewer calories and fat content, you may also notice that large breed dog foods have fewer calcium levels. This is simply because too much or even too little calcium can cause problems during growth. Your German Shepherd needs the correct calcium levels to help his bones grow properly, at the intended rate. This is especially important during their first few months of life. Less Phosphorus Phosphorus works hand-in-hand with calcium to ensure the skeletal system is growing correctly. Just as it is essential to have lower calcium levels, your German Shepherd also needs a lower amount of phosphorus and the correct ratio to calcium between and 1. That is why I highly recommend that you feed your German Shepherd large-breed dog food, especially during the growing stages. Now you know how important it is to make sure that you buy puppy food that is designed for larger breeds. Doing so will ensure that he grows at the rate he is supposed to, without becoming overweight. But what about when your German Shepherd is an adult? Is large breed dog food necessary then, too? Yes, large breed dog food is also important when your German Shepherd is an adult. The large breed dog food designed for adults will contain the proper nutrient balances, much like the puppy food, to ensure your dog stays in tip-top shape. This is because German Shepherds will continue to grow into their second year, much like other larger breeds. You do not want to switch him too early as the nutrient levels will be slightly altered to keep your adult dog healthy and strong during his adult life. Free-feeding of large breed puppies is also not recommended. This can also help prevent bloat GDV from which large breed dogs, especially deep-chested ones, are more prone. Pro Tip! This is because large breed dog foods are designed with specific nutrient benefits that help with their growth levels and bone and joint health. Related Posts You May Like:. The best, safest way to do this is to consult with a board certified veterinary nutritionist to ensure that your dog receives the best feeding options. In general, the nutritionist will evaluate your pet, perform, or review lab work, create a recipe, and prescribe supplements specific to your pet. Most people feed a commercial diet. There are hundreds of dog food on the market and each one is fighting to capture your attention. Marketing trends play a huge role into how the nutritional value of dog food is perceived by owners, as well as their personal biases toward ingredients and manufacturers. Couple that with the needs of individual dogs and suddenly choosing the right dog food can be overwhelming. What works splendidly for one dog may result in digestive upset, itching, yeast, hot spots, and more for another. What to look for when feeding your German shepherd: When choosing a dog food, the first thing to look for is the AAFCO, Association of American Feed Control Officials, nutritional adequacy statement on the pet food label. This is a statement will tell you if the food is complete and balanced for a particular life stage, such as growth, reproduction, adult maintenance, or a combination of these, or intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only. For nutritional purposes, dogs weighing 50 pounds, or more are generally considered large breed by many dog food manufactures. However, AAFCO defines a large breed puppies and dogs as any dog whose adult weight is expected to exceed 70 pounds. Since the breed standard for full grown male German shepherds is pounds and females are pounds, German shepherds are considered large breed dogs for nutritional purposes. Large breed pups eating balanced diets containing recommended amounts of calcium do not need calcium supplements. How much should you feed your large breed dog? After you weigh a portion, you can easily measure out in a cup for ease of daily feeding. However, they can suffer from muscle wasting, cognitive decline, pain, stiffness, arthritis and weakened immune systems that can lead to inflammation and disease. As dogs age, changes to their metabolic function, energy requirements, nutrient requirements fat, protein, carbohydrate, amino acids , and digestion take place. Yet, they continue to require high quality protein, usually with less fat. There are many great senior foods on the market that can provide health benefits to promote a healthy weight, immune system support, and even help improve cognitive function. We hope these tips help you find the right food for your large breed dog. As always, please feel free to share.

Call Morgan at for specific pup identification if you are leaning towards placing an early deposit. Please check back, we update our website daily! Please see our Deposit Page and our Transportation Page for information on getting your puppy. We love the English bulldog temperament, physique and expression, I just personally like it to be about lbs. We find the smaller sizes are more buoyant and playful and, though still very heat sensitive, are better able to cope with life in general. Downsizing an AKC breed takes time. Our girls all come from long lines of lb. We not trying for 20 pounders…our goal is to have healthy, beautiful babies that consistently mature at lbs. If you see a puppy that tugs on your heartstrings please call, or go to our deposit page for more information. In the last few years it has become clear that most people would prefer their puppy to be transported using our White Glove transport or Nanny Flight transport. Today, we have requests for our Puppies from all over the country. Because of this, the majority those requesting a Sugarplum Bulldog Puppy have also requested transport to their area of the country; those in Florida, for example, cannot easily make the drive to RI. As such, the majority of our Puppies have shifted to a transport model; this gets them closer to their new forever home. Because of this, we have come to the decision, that for the well being of our Puppies and for the benefit of our new Sugarplum Bulldog owners, we have developed a transport model for our pups using our Puppy-Mobile with direct transport to the pups new Forever Home! Our Mid-Western breeding home is co-owned by Sugarplum Bulldogs, and our partner. I realize that not having a chance to play with the Pups is disappointing to some, but please understand that our team are dedicated to the highest level of care for our little Pups. We truly feel that this new model is in the best interested of our Puppies and their new homes. Please feel free to ask me any questions…. Questions about Bulldog puppies for sale in Washington DC? We have answers. How much are Bulldog puppies for sale in Washington DC? The price of Bulldog puppies in Washington DC differs from breeder and business to other breeders and businesses. Some have colors that are rarer than others, while often, females are pricier than males. What if there are no Bulldog breeders in Washington DC? How do you screen Bulldog breeders? When Bulldog breeders Washington DC, businesses and companies approach us wanting to be part of our well-known network, we look at a number of factors. Are their Bulldog puppies for sale in Washington DC kept in clean breeding facilities? Are all their puppies' health needs met? Are their puppies' nutrition needs met? If yes, then we welcome then on board! Why is Uptown Puppies different from other networks with Bulldog puppies? Uptown Puppies has a special Breeder Pledge that all Washington DC Bulldog breeders must comply with in order to be a part of our network. What is a Washington DC puppy mill like? A puppy mill is the worst place a Bulldog for sale Washington DC can be born in. Most of the Bulldog puppies that get out of there alive experience many health issues during their lifetime. What health issues do Bulldogs suffer from? One of their biggest health issues is respiratory problems due to the way their snouts are built upon their faces. They cannot be in too much hot weather as they can experience heatstroke. Skin irritations are also very common, among other things. Are there any Bulldog puppies for sale right now? Washington DC Bulldog breeders and businesses connected to Uptown Puppies are waiting for you to contact them, so that they can make sure you end up with the exact Bulldog pup you desire! What kind of dog is a Bulldog? Bulldog puppies for sale Washington DC were specifically bred to look the way they do because they used to be involved in a terrible bloodsport that involved bullfighting and bull-baiting. Their wrinkles and folds would keep the blood off their faces! Today though, the Bulldog for sale in Washington DC is a very gentle, calm, and loving dog. How big does a Bulldog get? When they stand, they get to inches at the shoulder. They live between years. What are backyard breeders? Bulldogs, just like French Bulldogs, have to be bred using artificial insemination and delivered by C-section.

Are you looking for some handsome boy companionship? Great news, your search is over! In addition to my very dapper good-boy looks, I am also an avid ball player and dignified goofball. You may be thinking how in the world I can posses such conflicting personality traits.I love being outdoors; you could even say that I am easily amused. Whether it be playing fetch to my heart's desire or going for a long trail walk I would probably make a pretty good jogging buddy too. Being a German Shepherd, I am one of the 'brighter crayons in the box'. In my free time I like to work with the staff and volunteers to brush up on my basic command skills. They are always telling me what a smart guy I am! I assume that's what they are saying, judging by the treats they give me, I am doing good! Proper introductions to establish a trusting, positive, first impression is a must with me. I am an old fashioned kind of guy. I know I am irresistibly handsome, but I appreciate getting to know each other before getting all touchy-feely. Because of this, I would be happiest in a home without children or other wondering hands. I do love affection and a good ear rub.I also want to be your only side-kick, I am not a social butterfly with other pets, I would much rather hangout with just my person. I have a pretty strong prey drive to keep the stray cat and pesky squirrels out of our yard too.A job I take very seriously. If you are in the market for a dashing side-kick to rid the yard of vermin, submit your adoption application at the website below to see if we are a match! Please fill out our online adoption survey at www. Welcome to the Michigan state page on TrustedPuppies. Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, Michigan is renowned for its stunning lakeshores, vibrant cities, and variety of dog-friendly activities. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional German Shepherd breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the ideal companion for your family. Our site features a wide variety of reputable Michigan breeders who specialize in raising healthy and happy puppies. Our MI breeders are committed to raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary checkups to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new furry friend. Discover the dynamic dog-friendly scene in Michigan, featuring inviting restaurants, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog shows. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the West Michigan Harvest Cluster Dog Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the elegance and charm of German Shepherd canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. Michigan claims the 7th position in U. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable German Shepherd breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in Michigan. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your German Shepherd puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect German Shepherd puppy on TrustedPuppies.

It can be rare to get this color from a labrador breed. Since this variation of the Labrador stands out in the crowd, it is more desired and rare than the traditional colored Labs. The American Kennel Club has its own category and standard for this breed variation. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find a breeder that has a variety of Fox Red Labs to breed, but there are a few out there. I am here with his article to help you find a reputable breeder that sells Fox Red Lab puppies for sale. Just remember, since this is a rare version of the Labrador, you will most likely pay more for a puppy. The Fox Red Lab is one of the rarest lab colors that can be produced. Many Labrador breeders sell this color variation for much more than the traditional colors. This will all depend on the breeder and what they also include with the price of a puppy. A female can usually have between 5 and 9 puppies in a single litter. This also does not mean that all will have the perfect Fox Red Lab color, as some can have more yellow tones. Remember to pick a breeder that you can trust. Instead, try to visit the kennel and learn more about the health of the dogs that have in their home. The breeders below are some of the reputable breeders for Fox Red Labs; check them out below. Yes, the Fox Red Lab is a wonderful family dog and gets a lot of its traits from the Labrador. In addition, this breed will be very friendly around other dogs, children, and pets if socialized really well. If you get your Fox Red Lab as a puppy, you should train it from an early age; that way, it does develop that friendly personality. Overall, you should expect to get a very good family dog. Are Fox Red Labs Common? This is not a separate dog breed but actually a different color variation of the Labrador Retriever. So no, the Fox Red Lab is not very common. They started their love of the Labrador breed in , and their dog became pregnant in , which expanded their love for Labradors even more. Their goal is to provide people with dual-purpose Labradors that can work hard as well as make great family companions. In addition, their dogs show excellence in the field or a show ring. They have multiple females and male Fox Red Labradors that they have raised, and they have planned breedings a few times a year. However, they do require a deposit that goes to the total cost of the puppy to reserve a puppy in an upcoming litter. She has been breeding American Kennel Club quality Labradors since .She has also worked as a veterinarian technician for 15 years. Her passion is understanding and studying animal health and reproduction in animals. They take their breeding seriously and only have planned litters. Health screenings are done to ensure you are getting a perfectly healthy dog. This family lives on a acre farm that allows all the dogs to explore their surroundings. All of the dogs and puppies are raised right in their home. It makes for a better environment where each dog can get the proper amount of love and attention. If you are interested in getting a puppy from this breeder, they request you fill out a puppy application to learn more about you. They have a few litters a year and a very long waitlist. It is never too late to get your name on it waiting for a litter. All of their dogs are up to American Kennel Club Standards, and they produce all their puppies to be within those standards. They really focus on breeding for beauty as well as the temperament to produce very calm and friendly dogs. All puppies are born inside their home and looked after very closely. When the puppies get to four weeks old, they get to live in the puppy house, which is close to the main house. They pride themselves on the cleanliness of their facilities. They breed a few times a year, and you can make reservations for a puppy in an upcoming litter. Many dogs need homes, so a rescue is a great way to do this. You may not always be able to find a puppy from a rescue, but you can sometimes get a dog around one year old. One rescue you can check out is the LRCP group which is a Labrador rescue group that rehomes labs in need of good homes. They do want to find you the perfect rescue, so they still need you to fill out questionnaires to know if you have children or other dogs already in the home. This helps them find you the perfect rescue dog. Sometimes going the rescue route can save a lot of money as some breeders charge a lot more than people can afford. Summary This article was made to help you find your dream Fox Red Lab puppies for sale from a reputable breeder. Let us know if you have a Fox Red Labrador or are now getting one below. In the early days of Labrador Retrievers , they were black and white. Any other colors were culled at birth. The first Yellow Labs were also rather dark and born with tinges of Red. Dog coat colors are like a fashion statement, and like any trend, it waxes and wanes with the times. We all want what is uncommon. Back in the day, solid Black Labs were all the rage, until people began desiring the lesser-seen Yellow or Red Labs. When they got too popular, Red Labs and the darker Yellows fell out of favor. Today, light Yellow Labs are more common due to an explosion in popularity around the s. This made Red Labs rare again and have now turned into a commodity. Much like their cousin, the Red Golden Retriever , Labs with these russet-colored coats are considered controversial simply because they do not meet traditional expectations. Some people claim that Red Labradors are crossed with a Vizsla , and are not actually purebred. The same claims have been made about Silver Labradors. Purists are convinced that Labradors lack the genes to be Silver naturally, and therefore must be crossed with the Weimaraner. These claims have never been proven. Furthermore, one look at their genetics will show that it is possible for these color variations in the breed. Before we delve into the exact science of a Fox Red Labrador, we must first understand how genetics work. Each dog inherits an allele from each parent which makes up a gene. This allele can be dominant or recessive. They are often written in pairs, such as BB or Bb, one for each parent. There are a few loci that determine coat color, from the A locus to the E locus. The B allele is a dominant black gene and can result in a black dog. In fact, all black dogs have at least one dominant B allele. Black Labs can carry the recessive b and when two are present, you will get a Chocolate Lab. However, the gene that controls the brown pigment lies in the E locus. To get a Yellow Lab, they must have two recessive ee alleles. This powerful little gene has the ability to completely block the dominant black color, repressing it so only the yellow comes through. Image source Now comes the genes that create the dark yellow we identify as Fox Red: the a and c alleles. The A represents the pheomelanin in your dog, it comes in various forms that can affect the coat. This part of the color genetics can be quite complicated, but different modifiers can result in different results. For example, at will produce Black and Tan Labradors. In the case of Fox Red Labradors, it often looks like as. If they inherited the allele As, the dog would be either cream or white because that is a pheomelanin-suppressing allele. The intensity of the color is expressed by the c allele, so a dog with CC will have a darker shade, those with Cc will be in the mid-range, and Labs with the cc gene are likely to be quite light. A particular type of C locus will result in a White Labrador. In order to get a Fox Red Lab, the dog will need to have both CC and ee as well as the right type of A locus, making its puppy a special little fella indeed. Therefore as per the breed standard, Labradors with this Fox Red color are eligible to compete in the show ring, as long as they are a solid color. Unfortunately, judges often favor lighter shades of yellow. Dancer was crowned champion in the United States in the year , making her the first Red Lab with this title. The American Kennel Club states that Labradors should be proportional, with a muscular build. On the contrary, breeders are fighting very hard to produce more show dog champions of the red variety. However, this is slowly changing as judges become more accepting. Since English Labs have bred for show confirmation they will mostly be in the traditional yellow, chocolate, or black. On the other hand, American Labs are field dogs and are bred for their skills more than their looks. American Labs are also much more athletic-looking. You can further compare the two types with our chart. No, Fox Red Labradors have the same height and weight as other colored Labs. These hunting dogs are a medium-to-large breed, weighing in at around 55 to 80 lbs 25 to 36 kg , depending on the gender. Male Red Labs should be between .For more info on their size, you can check out our Lab Growth Chart. Do they change color? Puppies born with a Fox Red coat might not retain that same shade of red. It usually lightens or darkens with age. It is hard to be certain of their final coat color until they are at least 20 to 24 months old. Source: joey. You can read more about our Labrador colors article. Personality: What Color Labrador is the Best? They all conform to the breed standard of being loyal, outgoing, and kind. These gentle dogs are a great addition to any household, even if you have a young child or small animal, as long as your pooch has been well socialized. Labradors are all affectionate and love to be with their humans. As with any dog, mishandled or untrained Labradors might have the potential to be fearful or aggressive. With consistent training, you should be able to teach your dog to behave the way you want them to. Red Labs are in no way harder to care for than any other color. They require the same amount of effort in training, exercise, and maintenance. The key to a good dog is to create good habits. Keep your table scraps for the trash chute instead. Another thing is, you want to keep your Labrador entertained, regardless of color. An active Red Lab fetching his toy in the water — Image source Being working dogs, they are highly active. Failure to give them the stimulation they need will end with disastrous results as they can get quite destructive. Try to spend at least an hour on exercise daily. Grooming Needs Just like any Labrador, they have a short, straight, dense double coat that sheds heavily and requires attention. You should also trim their nails regularly. Some sources say that Fox Red Labs have a stronger smell than their pale yellow cousins because they tend to produce more oils. One way to cope with this is to dry them off properly and stay away from harsh shampoos. What is the best dog food to feed a Red Lab? Since Red Lab can be prone to obesity, you might want to look into home-cooked meals or whole foods instead. If feeding kibble, choose a high-quality kibble that suits their dietary needs. This will protect them from hip dysplasia. A good kibble should be able to keep up with their caloric demands and help them manage their weight. Low-quality kibble typically does not offer the nutrients that a dog needs, resulting in them eating more. You can expect them to live 10 to 12 years on average. All Labradors share the same health concerns but it has been noted that eye problems are much more common in Red Labradors. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an eye disorder that causes blindness and can be easily avoided through screening. Aside from that, you will need to watch out for the usual, including hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer, ear problems, muscular dystrophy, idiopathic epilepsy, and exercise-induced collapse. As mentioned, obesity is quite common in Labradors. This can be affected by a gene mutation that prevents them from feeling full. When searching for a Labrador Retriever puppy of a specific color, you should be extra careful not to be swindled. Bear in mind that respectable breeders often do not charge higher for different colors because breeding for color is largely looked down upon. Source: iron. To learn more about how much you will pay for a Red Lab puppy, read our Labrador Retriever Price article. Labrador Breeders Be very picky and particular when choosing a kennel to purchase from. Avoid buying your new puppy from someone who is unable to produce health screenings of their breeding stock. The AKC lists Labrador breeders on their site, making it accessible for you to search for these beautiful dogs. Older dogs might come with their own challenges. While some might not have any behavioral problems, many need to be retrained. Source: red. They are extremely agreeable and a joy to be around. They are best as working dogs or family pets, preferably in an active home. Further reading: Learn more about other Labrador colors.

Adjustable treat dispensing toy Large chamber fits whole meals Weighted bottom wobbles. With a curved, wobbling bottom and a thinner cylinder-like top, this toy is shaped specifically for the mouth of a Labradoodle, making it easier to pick up and walk around with. Goughnuts tough dog toys are long lasting and will keep your dog busy.Our super durable dog toys are nearly indestructible, but if your dog manages to damage them, We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Made in California, this dog toy is shaped like a ring and can float, bounce, flex, and stand up, making it perfect for playing a long game of fetch. With 4 sizes and 6 colors to choose from, this 21 dollar toy is a great investment for your money. With a long-lasting guarantee, Goughnuts also has a replacement policy that says it will send you a new Ring Toy if your dog ever destroys the one you have. Made of a natural compounded rubber in the United States, this toy is great for dental hygiene and is filled with treats to encourage chewing while gradually feeding snacks to your Labradoodle. Labradoodles in particular love this toy because it challenges their intellect. They tend to get bored easily and love the smell of their treats hiding inside this FDA-approved puzzle. Perfect for solo play or playtime with the family, it comes in 2 sizes and 2 colors including red and green. Bring it on. Benebones are tougher than real bones and last for weeks. Trust us, dogs can tell the difference. Want to chat? This toy comes in 3 delicious flavors that will encourage your dog to play and chew it enthusiastically. For meat-loving dogs, chicken and bacon flavors are available. A Labradoodle sits on a couch next to a Pomeranian. Great for.Swivel to hide treats under the.Easy to.Do not leave toys with unsupervised pets. Remove and replace toy if damaged. This toy is considered somewhat eco-friendly because it is made from a wood-plastic composite instead of all rubber or plastic. This dog puzzle is a good stimulation tool for Labradoodles, especially when playing alone because it takes both interest and concentration. To operate and solve this game, your dog must interact by pushing levers and swiveling flippers to reach hidden treats and goodies. By following a series of steps, they will push blocks into holes to release their treats. It also features handles that.Multi-Use Toy: The two-in-one ball toy offers twice the fun, excitement, mental stimulation, and worthwhile interactive play. Its tough exterior makes it super durable and ideal for routine fetch.Hours of fun and bonding are guaranteed between you and your dog. Assorted Colors: Choose from an assortment of fun colors and pick from one of two shape choices: Ball or Football. Available in 2 Sizes: Medium and Large. Available in both medium and large sizes, this toy weighs roughly 1 pound and is great for Labradoodles of all ages. Your Labradoodle will be entertained and occupied for hours trying to figure out how to reach the tennis ball inside of the jumbler itself. They are soft and fluffy, and everyone wants to hold them and play with them. During our Open House we answer many questions that our families have. We discuss potential issues that they may encounter once they bring their puppy home. To ensure a great puppy start, we give our families tips on puppy training and how to intervene and redirect when their puppy starts to chew inappropriate objects, whether it is your finger or your remote control. We use substitution, a simple behavior modification technique to teach the puppy to chew on an appropriate object instead of inappropriate object. To do this, we share with our families some of our favorite healthy and appropriate chew toys for teething puppies. It is high in Collagen, Glucosamine and Chondroitin that support healthy joints with a unique aroma and taste that is very desirable by puppies and grown dogs. These easy to digest but are safer than rawhide and will not cause digestive distress that rawhides can cause. Lamb Tripe Sticks Organic lamb tripe are a great source of probiotics, Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and support digestive, dental, immune, and musculoskeletal systems. These treats are from grass fed lamb, free of antibiotics or hormones and are perfect for sensitive stomachs that aid digestion and relieve constipation. Untouched, untreated, unbleached tripe with no preservatives, hormones, or artificial ingredients will keep your puppy busy for hours at a time. These sticks are highly nutritious and are excellent alternative to rawhide and other chew treats like antlers that may be hard on the GI tract or the teeth. Larger treats are sufficient to keep your puppy busy for hours enjoying the treat. Sweet Potato Dog Treats- Dehydrated All-natural sweet potato skins are gluten and grain free and are loaded with fiber, antioxidants and natural vitamins and minerals. These healthy treats help complete your puppy meet their nutritional needs without supplements without fat or added sugar. Natural Bully Sticks All-natural beef bully sticks are made from high-quality, free-range, grass-fed beef that are high in protein and other essential vitamins to support a healthy diet. They promote dental health through scraping away tartar and plaque through you Australian Labradoodle puppy chewing action. Free of any additives, hormones or unhealthy chemicals. Bully sticks are fully digestible and an excellent alternative to rawhide and will not splinter. Goughnuts Although this is not an organic product, we have found it helpful as it is virtually indestructible chew toy designed by mechanical and polymer engineers. In addition, this chew toy floats and is perfect an excellent fetching toy. GoughNuts are safe for your Australian Labradoodle and even if your teething puppy chews through the outside layer to expose the red layer puppy should not chew on the red , the manufacturer will replace it. Ensure that it is soft enough to provide relief from sore gums, yet tough enough to last. Within a few weeks you should be able to tell if they would be content with changing to 2 meals per day. Some dogs will be happy with 1 meal per day from about the age of one year onwards. However this is a decision that should be made on a pup-to-pup basis. Your puppy will need to have access to plenty of fresh water. Our Labradoodles enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables. These include blueberries, apples, bananas, strawberries, pumpkin, beans, peas, and carrots. They also thoroughly enjoy eggs cooked or raw , tuna, sardines, and the occasional dollop of yoghurt. Our dogs enjoy a balanced and grain-free dog food, coupled with good quality fresh meats. If choosing to feed dry food, there are fantastic quality brands available. It is very easy to make food yourself for your dog when feeding your Labradoodle puppy. This enables you to give your dog a good variety of nutrients. You can search for recipes on the internet that would suit your dog, or ask your vet. Be aware of the additives that some pet foods may have in them. These can often have a negative effect on their long-term health. Raw bones are also fantastic for Labradoodles, including ribs and chicken necks. Ask your local butcher for a nicely cut dog bone suitable for the size of your pup. Your puppy will love a good bone to chew on, they are often obsessed with chewing anything and everything at this age! Bones are a great source of calcium, as well as acting as a fantastic tooth brush for dogs! We avoid feeding our dogs high-lactose forms of dairy, such as milk and cream, as these can cause gastrointestinal issues of varying severity. We also abstain from giving our pups lactose-free puppy milk. This is nutritionally redundant in the presence of a balanced diet. Our dogs do, however, thoroughly enjoy a treat of cheese or the occasional splash of yoghurt. Hypro Premium Australian made, ensuring freshness is a great option for your puppy. It is nutritionally balanced and high quality. Your puppy will be used to this already, having eaten it at our home. Another firm favourite is Vets All Natural, a rehydratable and biologically appropriate option that is mixed through raw meat. Labradoodles by nature are not greedy or voracious eaters, and will only eat if they are hungry. You can weigh your puppy regularly to keep a track of their growth. These include chocolate, grapes, raisins, avocados, onion, garlic, and all cooked bones this list is not exhaustive. Never feed your dog cooked bones as this can be fatal due to the bones splintering within the dogs intestinal system. For further questions, or for ongoing support after taking a Bluefields pup home, please contact us. At that age, they start chewing on their own and reduce the amount of milk they receive from their mother. Your vet can recommend good food for your puppy and also provide you with safe chewy treats. If you want to know more about giving bones to 8 weeks old puppies, continue reading this article. Whether you decide to introduce raw meat to your 8-week-old puppy is a personal decision. Raw bones and meat contain bacteria and are not healthy for your puppy. It may even make your puppy ill! A bone can be harmful if it contains traces of sulfite. Some veterinarians suggest not feeding your puppy bones until it is 12 weeks old. Although real bones are safer than chewing on plastic, they can be dangerous for your puppy. Some veterinarians warn against feeding bones to puppies, as the risk of dental injury is too great. For this reason, many people choose to provide only chew toys and edible treats to their dogs. Make sure to supervise your dog closely while they are chewing and playing with the toys to avoid injuries. Their stomach is not ready to digest raw meat or natural bones. So, make sure you avoid giving them bones until they are ready. Dogs need to chew, so the question is, at what age can I give my puppy a bone? A bone that is raw will provide calcium to your puppy and will also help clean his teeth. The right age to give bones to a puppy is 12 weeks of age. When a puppy reaches 12 weeks, its adult teeth start to grow. During this time, they will chew aggressively. So, it is the right age to give them bones. However, you should make sure to choose a large bone since smaller bones can be a source of intestinal blockage. It is also safer to give your puppy a raw bone than a cooked one. While large and raw bones are safe for puppies up to six months of age, the teeth do not yet fully develop. So, you should wait until they are at least a month old or have full teeth. Afterward, you should only introduce a bone that is safe for your puppy. Some veterinarians recommend against giving your puppy a bone, citing concerns that the bones can cause problems. A bone that is too large for your puppy can break or injure its teeth. Also, bones can cause excessive anxiety in your puppy. However, this is not the case with all bones. Regardless of how big they are, make sure you choose the size and shape that best suits your puppy. To benefit from the minerals in bones, you should get a bone for your dog. Why Do Puppies Chew Bones? You might wonder why puppies chew bones. This activity is natural for dogs and can actually benefit them in many ways. For one, bones contain calcium, which your pup needs to stay healthy. As a bonus, dogs inadvertently get calcium by chewing bones. Additionally, chewing bones can alleviate teething pain, and bone marrow also helps to remove plaque from teeth. Although many veterinarians discourage this behavior, your pet may need the calcium in bones to grow properly and thrive. Otherwise, it could result in swallowing small pieces that may pose a choking hazard. Providing chew toys that your pup can chew on is an excellent way to provide relief from teething. Even if your puppy is fully developed, chewing bones should be limited to soft, safe objects such as Kongs. What About Marrow Bones for Puppies? Marrow bones are safe for puppies as long as you follow the proper safety guidelines. It is important to cut the marrow bone vertically so it provides half-circles instead of horizontal slices. Long femur bones are the most dangerous, causing damage to the teeth and intestinal obstruction. The smaller neck bones can cause choking or intestinal blockages. Marrow bones should be given to puppies only after they have finished chewing their main food. Puppies under twelve weeks should not be given a marrow bone. The bone helps in tooth development and teething. Moreover, it helps in dental hygiene. Nevertheless, marrow bones should not be substituted for a balanced diet. If you do want your puppy to get all the benefits from chewing marrow bones, you must keep in mind certain safety guidelines. It is also important to supervise the puppy while it is chewing on the bone to avoid breaking it or sticking between the teeth. It can even improve his overall health. Whether or not your pup can handle it is up to you and your dog, but you should be aware of the risks of choking. Always supervise and check with your veterinarian before giving your puppy a marrow bone. Dogs need a variety of different types of chew toys to pass the time. Using a chew toy will give your puppy the necessary exercise and stimulation they need without damaging your furniture or your home. Puppy chew toys can be as simple as dental sticks, rawhide twists, and pressed hide. When choosing a chew toy for your puppy, be sure to buy one with high-quality and tough material. Puppy teeth are razor-sharp, so be careful when choosing a toy. Toilet paper and leather shoes are both great candidates for chewing, but you may find yourself having weird poop if your puppy swallows them. A cheese block or a rawhide stick is good to chew toys for puppies, but be sure to choose the right size. Cheese blocks can break teeth or obstruct the digestive system, so they should be kept at a safe distance from your puppy. Make sure to supervise your puppy whenever he chews on antlers or rawhide. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. They contain no by-products, corn, soy, or wheat. Just chicken, vegetable glycerin, and salt go into these delicious, high-protein treats. The portions are large and can be cut in half or enjoyed whole to give your dog a healthy reward. Check the price now! Your vet can help you determine this. Once you have that number, consider what your dog eats in a day. We have to be careful not to let them overindulge though, because too many treats can cause weight gain. If you have a very active Labradoodle, they will burn more calories than couch potatoes. Your vet can help you determine the right amount of calories for your dog based on their age, weight , and activity level. Just remember to keep track of them! If your dog is going through training and needs a high number of treats each session, you can choose low-calorie treats or small pieces of carrots and apples instead. Choosing the Right Treats When browsing dog treats, choose ones that are specially formulated for dogs without a lot of ingredients. These could potentially cause allergic reactions or upset stomachs. Treats should be an after-meal snack, not before. If your dog is allergic to a certain protein, there are plenty of options available with protein of all kinds. You can easily find one that will work for them. If your dog is missing teeth or has trouble chewing, soft treats are a good solution for them. Puppies should always be introduced to new treats gradually. Their stomachs can get upset if they eat too much of a new food at once. If you have any doubt about a certain type of treat, always ask your vet before introducing anything new to your dog. They are high-quality treats with natural ingredients and have only five calories each. Adjusting their food intake to give them the proper number of calories will keep them healthy and happy. There are so many treats to choose from and some may not be a hit with your Labradoodle. After all, they have their own opinions and preferences. It may take some trial and error, but you can find a delicious treat that your dog will love. Fortunately, Labradoodles are not generally picky eaters and pretty low-maintenance when it comes to what treats they enjoy. We hope this list has given you some good options to try and that your Labradoodle is enjoying their new healthy, delicious snacks soon! She has lived with dogs for over 30 years and spends her days writing, caring for various animals, and enjoying her backyard that has become an oasis for wild creatures. Her passion for animals began at a young age when she would bring home the lost dog or cat. As she got older, she went on to bring home an injured bird or raccoon. This love and desire to help all creatures led to her work as an adult with various animal rescues, where she saved the lives of many domestic and wild animals while learning the necessary skills to care for them. Owning and operating a professional pet care service in Chicago for the past twelve years, Jessica cares for dogs in her home while writing full-time. Unleash the real potential of your companion! We will email you daily with training tips, ideas and videos. This is an introductory course into our training philosophy. You will get customized video lessons based on your training goals — and you can implement them in just 5 minutes a day. Some foods are just unhealthy and not good for your dog, whilst other foods can make them seriously ill. So what can a Labradoodle eat and not eat? Foods that you should NEVER give To your Labradoodle Labradoodles are really no different to other dogs when it comes to the food you cannot give them. Some foods are poisonous, some are bad for their health and some are just dangerous and can cause choking. Cooked Bones Raw bones are fine to give your Labradoodle, but once they are cooked they become dangerous! Cooking a bone makes it brittle. This can cause the bones to splinter when the dog eats it. You can still use them to make bone broth. Coffee, Tea, and Caffeine in General These products are dangerous because of their caffeine. The stimulation effects of caffeine can be enough to cause irregular heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death in Labradoodles and dogs in general. Note that this is not just the liquid products of brewed coffee and tea. Dogs should also be kept safe from the coffee bean, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and brewed products. This includes energy drinks, caffeinated sodas, and anything containing caffeine. As a reference point, an 8oz cup of coffee has about 91mg of caffeine. The same effects that alcohol has on people happen to dogs, except it is amplified because your dog is a lot smaller than you. Alcohol can cause vomiting, inhibited motor function, nervous system depression, liver damage, coma, and death. Never give your Labradoodle alcohol, and be sure to keep them safe from it if it is anywhere around. Grapes, Raisins, Wine Grapes, grape juice, dried grapes raisins , wine, and anything else containing grapes can be very toxic to Labradoodles. Consumption of grapes can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. If a pound dog were to eat 2oz of raisins this would cause kidney failure. Foods containing Xylitol Xylitol is a sweetener alternative. It has zero carbs and has become quite popular in zero carb gums, sodas, candies, toothpaste, and other products. It is a naturally occurring sweetener. Xylitol has no known bad effect on humans but it can wreak havoc on your Labradoodle. Normally, when sugar or carbs are eaten that triggers insulin to be released to get some of that sugar out of the bloodstream. This lowers the blood sugar. However, when a dog eats zero carb xylitol their body still releases insulin. This causes the blood sugar to go too low. Xylitol can cause vomiting, loss of coordination, fatigue, seizures, and liver failure. If a dog consumes 50mg of xylitol per pound of their body weight that is enough to cause damage to your dog. High-Salt Foods Salt is a natural and normal part of the body and it is needed for normal body function. However, too much salt can cause problems. Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, tremors, even kidney damage, and death can occur if too much salt is ingested. Also, be sure to provide plenty of freshwater for your dog if you visit the ocean. If your dog drinks too much ocean water they can develop salt poising. Just 4g of salt per kg of dog is lethal, and less than that can cause plenty of damage too. Yeast Dough Feeding your Labradoodle yeast dough is very dangerous. At best, it will cause discomfort, gas, and bloating. These last two things can be life-threatening. Yeast also creates alcohol as it expands, as discussed above alcohol can cause its own set of issues. Macadamia Nuts If a Labradoodle eats macadamia nuts they will experience weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia. Macadamia nuts can affect the nervous system. As little as 2. Dogs intolerance to the toxin in macadamia nuts can vary quite a lot, however, it is best to just avoid letting your dog get any. Pits Most fruit pits contain toxins that a Labradoodle should not eat. Pits include those from cherries, persimmon, peaches, plums, apricots, and avocados. Apple seeds should also be avoided. Human Vitamins, Supplements, and Medications Most vitamins, supplements, and medications made for humans are made in doses for a an adult sized huamn. If your 65 pound Labradoodle gets a hold of some of your medication it could be very bad for them. That said some human supplements may be helpful for your pet depending on any health issues. You can use human grade supplements for some things. For salmon, it is best to cook it or make sure you buy it from a seller that knows how best to freeze it to kill the parasites. A better option is give your Labradoodle some salmon oil with his dinner instead. Peanut butter is also very high in omega-6 fatty acids which are not great for most dogs. Peanuts also contain aflatoxins which can cause cancer. High amounts of sugar and carbs are not good for your Labradoodle. They can cause a whole host of health problems including obesity, heart disease, dementia, joint pain, inflammation, dental disease, diabetes, the list goes on. Candy such as marshmallows are not good for Labradoodles or any dog While a small number of carbs can be okay for a dog, large amounts are just not necessary. Indeed dogs have no dietary need for carbs, only fat and protein. It is also worth noting that most cancer cells use only carbs and sugar as a fuel source. If your dog has cancer then cutting out carbs could potentially heal him. Chocolate I love good chocolate, but I never share chocolate with my dog. Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine that can be quite toxic to dogs. Baking cocoa, unsweetened dark chocolate, and dark chocolate have the highest concentrations of theobromine making them more dangerous than milk or white chocolate. So what can you safely feed your labradoodle? Personally I feed my dogs a raw meat diet, with some steamed vegetables and raw vegetables as treats. Labradoodles need a balanced food source and this can be obtained from a raw meat diet or a grain free, good quality dry food. Meat No surprise here! Dogs are carnivores and thrive on a diet of meat, raw bone, and animal fat. They can eat meat raw, cooked, freeze-dried, and dehydrated. For most dogs, a diet that consists mostly of raw meat and bone is best! Free-range, grass-fed, pasture-raised, and organic meats are best. An example of a raw meal for a dog 2. Small Fish Small fish such as sardines, mackerel, and anchovies can be a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. If properly sourced and handled you can even feed sardines raw. Wild-caught is best. Think of organ meats as a perfect, natural multi-vitamin for your Labradoodle. Organ meats are best from ethically raised animals that are fed a species-appropriate diet and get plenty of sunshine. Feed organs raw for maximum benefit. Raw Bones There are two kinds of raw bone that you should be aware of. A dog getting to chew on a recreational bone is like a person getting to sit down and read a great book. Relaxing and stimulating at the same time. The other type of bone is the kind that your dog can consume, a raw meaty bone. These bones are great for dental health as well as providing your dog with calcium and phosphorus. Recreational bones are generally weight-bearing bones, think femur bones, knuckle bones, pelvic bones. Raw meaty bones are going to be things like the neck, some ribs, and even duck and chicken feet. Free-range, grass-fed, pasture-raised, and organic bones are best. Skin, Fur, Feathers If your Labradoodle suffers from a skin allergy or other skin issue feeding your dog skin can be of great help. While skin is fairly high in fat, this is not an issue for most dogs when fed in moderation. Also, feeding fur and feathers can be a useful source of fiber for your Labradoodle as well as providing other nutrients. Again, seek high-quality skin, fur, and a feather from ethically raised animals that get plenty of sunshine and are fed a species-appropriate diet. Eggs Eggs can be fed raw or cooked to your Labradoodle. They will have the most nutrients when fed raw. Eggs are considered to be one of the most complete foods in the world. With the most complete amino acid profile we know of. You can even feed your dog the whole egg, shell and all! Greens and Vegetables There are several greens and vegetables that are great to feed your Labradoodle. Just remember that some vegetables are high in carbs and it is best to limit or avoid these veggies. Greens are particularly healthful for dogs. In the wild, dogs will sometimes eat grasses, so feeding greens is sort of mimicking that. Alfalfa and dandelion greens are particularly healthy. Be sure to feed organic greens and vegetables. Some Berries and Fruit There are lots of berries and fruits that Labradoodles can eat and enjoy. Fruits, and especially, berries are full of healthy antioxidants that can help your dog thrive. Fermented Foods This group included kimchi, kavass, kefir, yogurt, fermented broth, and water kefir. Sometimes you can even find fermented meat products. These food contain healthful probiotics that help to take care of the gut. A healthy gut means a healthy immune system. A healthy immune system means a healthy dog. You can feed a probiotic supplement as well if you desire. These are best-made form organic veggies or organic grass-fed dairy. Bone Broth Bone broth is full of healthy minerals, gelatin, glucosamine, and deliciousness. It can aide in appetite stimulation. Think of it as chicken soup for dogs. Be sure to use pasture-raise, species-appropriate feed, bones. Garlic and Herbs Despite what you may have heard garlic can be very good for Labradoodle and dogs in general. The key is to use fresh, raw, organic garlic not the pre-minced variety. Garlic is anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-biotic, anti-tumor, and anti-cancer, to name a few benefits. There are lots of other herbs that can prove helpful to your dog as well. Herbs can be a great form of medicine. Most pharmaceutical drugs are based on herbs and food items. Parsley, for instance, can be a great detoxifying herb. Basil can help with tick-borne illnesses and arthritis. Turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory herb. Moderation is key. Most people agree that too much fat can cause or aggravate pancreatitis. However, some promote a ketogenic diet for dogs, this is a high-fat diet. Many dogs especially those with cancer and certain health issues have found relief and healing on this diet. Fat can also be an excellent, sustained energy source for canine athletes. So, if you plan on doing agility, dock diving, swimming or some other canine sport with your Labradoodle consider adding in more fat to his diet. Be sure to choose organic animal fats. Beef tallow, coconut oil, duck fat, skin, well-marbled meats these are all great sources of fats for dogs. What foods help with health problems in Labradoodles? Joint Dysplasia Be sure you go to see your breeder before you get a Labradoodle to make sure that the puppies are not raised on a slick floor. Slick floors can cause early joint damage and dysplasia issues. Also, be careful not to spay or neuter your dog before sexual maturity. Doing so could result is joint damage among other issues. Turmeric, ginger, CBD oil, bone broth, raw trachea, chicken feet, oxtail or pigtails, and green-lipped muscles are all great foods to add to help prevent joint issues. Heart Issues For heart issues prevention, be sure to feed omega-3 fatty acids. This can be in the form of a supplement like krill oil or feeding fatty fish like sardines. CoQ10 is a great addition to the diet. You can find natural CoQ10 in high amounts in heart, so feeding raw heart is a great option. Eye Health Orange foods such as carrots and pumpkin can help support eye health in Labradoodles. Omega-3 fatty acids are helpful for eye health as well. Also, feeding antioxidant-rich foods like, blueberries, dandelion, and alfalfa can be of great benefit. Bloat Feeding a raw diet can help to prevent bloat. The high-carb content of kibble makes it more likely to cause issues for your carnivore. This will help to prevent bloat. Do not feed your dog from a raised bowl this has been directly linked to bloat. Be sure to exercise your dog, but never right after a meal. Epilepsy Interestingly before there were anti-seizure medications the only treatment for epilepsy was a ketogenic diet. So, if you focus on feeding little-no carbs and plenty for meat and healthy fat this should help to prevent epilepsy. CBD oil can also prove very helpful. When Should You Feed your labradoodle and how much food? This varies depending on the activity level and age of your Labradoodle. Depending on your lifestyle, feeding one, two, or even three times a day may be best for you. Did he eat his breakfast? That said you can also experiment with fasting your dog. Fasting your dog can have several benefits including boosting the immune system, helping the gut, and aiding the body in getting rid of dead cells. Labradoodles may be prone to weight gain. Most Labradoodles could benefit from a fasting program. Also, remember that fillers in the food you feed, like those in kibble, are going to make your dog feel hungrier. This is because he is not getting the nutrients he needs, just a bunch of filler.

Eager to get started? This is an important consideration because puppies have smaller bladders and may not have full control over them yet so a little extra patience and understanding is required. Like many dogs, senior Labradoodles can be harder to housetrain but if you own a puppy, you can start training them when they reach 4 to 6 months old. The Labradoodle is a naturally smart breed and will take about 4 to 5 months to housetrain. Consistent training and applying the right training methods will go a long way in making the process easier for you and your dog. Dogs are in the habit of sniffing the ground before doing their business. Barking and Whining Your dog will sometimes bark and whine to let you know that it needs to go outside. They can be signs of discomfort as they get the urge to pee or poop. Going in Circles This is another indication that your dog needs to go outside. Here are 3 methods we recommend. Choose one that you feel will work best for you: Method 1: Using Commands A tried and tested classic potty-training method, commands allow us to communicate with our dogs so they know what we expect from them. How To Do It As you start out, this method requires you to take your dog out 10 to 30 minutes after finishing a meal and every three hours. Issue your command and eventually, your dog will learn to associate the action with the word. Method 2: Bell Ringing This has to be one of the more impressive ways to train your Labradoodle. You can train your dog to ring a bell whenever it needs to go out for potty. Australian Labradoodles are a different breed the Labradoodles although similar! You only need to attach a bell like this one to your door so that it rings every time you go out. Potty Bells dog doorbells are THE original dog doorbell made of only the highest quality.Great Training Tool: Tired of the scratching and barking at your door? Dog potty door bells are the perfect aid to housetrain your puppy or dog. Follow our easy 3 step training guide. Teach your pooch.Simply the best puppy training bells for dogs. Eight color options. Black and grey Potty Bells also.Function: Potty Bells are the original superior dog training aid for housebreaking your puppy. Adjustable strap training bell is ideal for any size or age puppy or dog. Use the strong holding snaps to.We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Teach your dog to ring the bell on its own. To do so, you can hold a treat near the bell and when your dog makes it ring, reward your pet with the treat and praise your dog profusely. If this happens, let them out anyway. Your pet will sooner or later tire of the game and will only ring the bell to alert you of legitimate potty breaks. Method 3: Crate-training Crate-training is another classic method for potty-training. This method also gives your dog a safe space where they feel comfortable and cozy as they adjust to a new home. Make sure that your dog can comfortably lie down, turn around, and stand in it. This method requires you to move quickly and let your dog out at the earliest sign that it needs to go. You can also let your dog out even before it starts sniffing and moving in circles. Depending on the dog, it can take days or weeks for crate training to work. Note that younger dogs will need to go out more frequently than older dogs. What should you name your Labradoodle puppy? Our best Labradoodle name ideas. Tips for Potty-training Success Do you have an idea of which training method you want to use? Here are some things to keep in mind: Tip 1: Maintain a Consistent Schedule One of the best ways to predict when your Labradoodle will need to go is to maintain a consistent feeding schedule. When you serve meals at the same time every day, your dog will learn to anticipate them and have more consistent bowel movements as well. You can also incorporate scheduled walks and playtime to create more consistency and give them the physical and mental stimulation that healthy dogs need. Tip 2: Treats and More Treats! Labradoodles have a healthy appetite that you can use to your advantage while potty-training them. Since Labradoodles inherit the eager to please personalities of their poodle parent , you can also shower them with praise and belly rubs to show them how pleased you are with them. Pro Tip: If your dog rings the bell, or relieves itself on command or right after you let it out of the crate, reward it immediately so they learn to associate the action with the reward. Tip 3: Build a Strong Bond This must be one of the most enjoyable tips on this list because it entails cuddling with your Labradoodle and spending time with it. As their owner, your dog will not only thrive by having a healthy and secure relationship with you but will also want to please you during potty-training. A great way to build a strong bond with your dog is by feeding it from your hand. This is particularly effective for shy and fearful dogs. Dogs by nature love their humans and enjoy their company. You can also use the opportunity to get to know your dog better. Additionally, pee pads are also much easier and more pleasant to deal with than cleaning your floor. Tip 5: Make Learning Fun As their owner, you can help them associate following commands with positive experiences. After your Labradoodle is done relieving itself, spend a few minutes playing with them. Get to know what activities they enjoy the most and reward them by engaging in them. While it may seem like an obvious and practical lesson, it may take some time for Labradoodles to understand what we want from them. Despite the challenges, potty training is worth the time and effort that you put in. Imagine what a difference a properly housetrained dog makes compared to an untrained one. Being patient with them as they learn will also help you establish a strong bond and make it easier if you want to teach them more tricks in the future. Remember to be patient, consistent, give your dog a structured schedule, and immediately reward your furry friend whenever the situation calls for it. If, once in a while your dog fails to measure up, just keep at it, and sooner or later your Labradoodle will pick up on what you want it to do. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. You must understand his nature as an animal and companion. Knowing these things will help you house-train your dog. In this way, you can give rewards or praise when the dog does well. These rewards will likely depend on what dogs want as dog food or as a simple pat on the back. The next thing you need to know, in addition to the time it takes, you should also be patient enough to train your child at home. If you find it difficult to train a human child, it would be impossible to train a dog. Communicating with your dog can be the most difficult part. However, when you understand them, their nature will be more relaxed. Patience is a key aspect of ensuring that the dog learns what it wants to learn. It should feel that your home is with you, the person who is training you. In this way, the dog would surrender to your order and would do as you say. You, as a coach, should always have quality time together in the form of connecting through games or as easy as doing it together in the park. Unfortunately, many dog owners have no idea how to train their dogs at home. Go Outside Every Couple of Hours A Labradoodle puppy should be outside every time it has slept, eaten, had something to drink, after playtime, or just after being really excited. That might seem excessive, so as a rule of thumb, it might be easier to just remember to allow it outside every hours. That should lower the risk of an accident quite a bit. A clear signal that your puppy is about to have a call of nature, is that it will spin around itself a few times, before sitting down on its bottom. When you see this, quickly get it outside. Praise and Treats Shouting and screaming have probably never helped anything, the puppy will learn far more by positive reinforcement. This way it will quickly find out which behavior is rewarded, and the puppy would naturally want to repeat those actions. The reason why it might have a few accidents inside is that it has never really learned any alternative. When there is the occasional accident, there is really no better way, than to just get a paper towel, clean it up, and move on. Patience is a virtue If you do intervene with the puppy, it might take a bit of time before it remembers where it left off. And the second you get back inside where there are peace and quiet, the puppy will let out a sigh of relief, and pee on the floor. Quick Summary Let the dog outside every time it has eaten or had a drink. Also quickly after a nap. To begin with, also a couple of times through the night. Start as soon as possible. And if you want it to primarily go on grass, introduce it to this element fast. Perhaps even use the same area so the puppy is familiarized with the spot. Praise it when the opportunity is there. By following these simple ideas, you should be able to house-train any puppy. And if you want even more detailed advice and tips on how to house-train your puppy, this guide affiliate link has pretty helpful tricks you might be interested to look into. Additional Tips for House Training a Labradoodle Puppy Training Tip 1 The first rule of thumb to train your dog at home is to stick with foods that are already used to his system. Giving your Labradoodle puppy fatty foods can make it difficult to control his intestines. Training Tip 2 Not only is it important to feed your dog the food it is used to, but it is also very important to feed it every day. Doing this makes home training easy for both you and your dog; for your dog because it helps you establish a regular elimination pattern. And for you, because you can use this pattern to your advantage when it comes to training your pet, quickly and efficiently. Training Tip 3 You probably already have the idea that schedules are a good idea when it comes to training your dog at home. Well, here is another piece of the puzzle. Then be sure to take it out every few hours throughout the day. Doing so will help you understand that his business must be done outside. The sooner he learned this, the better. If you can avoid it, you really want to prevent your dog from entering. Not only because cleaning is a pain, but because the smell is almost impossible to remove and will continue to attract your Labradoodle puppy repeatedly. Hopefully, your dog will crash from time to time during training. When this happens, immediately clean the pool. Remember, animals tend to repeatedly return to places where they can smell urine or feces, so be sure to clean them well, especially carpets. If you notice your Labradoodle puppy gravitate to the point and bend down to do his business again, pick him up and take him outside. You may also want to check with your local pet store for something to help you get rid of the smell. Dogs often behave in a certain way when they feel the need to eliminate. It is much easier to train your Labradoodle puppy at home when you are alert and ready to accompany your little one as soon as you see the first signs that he may need to leave. You may want to look at boxes to train your dog. With a little time and training, he will learn how to do his business where he should. The key here is to make sure your labradoodle puppy gets out of the box and into the yard! Training Tip 6 Good behavior should be praised. Then give credit where it is due. Your Labradoodle puppy will do almost anything to gain approval. You must make it very obvious that you are satisfied with his behavior, so be enthusiastic and effusive. Later, when obedience training begins, your Labradoodle puppy will already know that obedience equals praise, so home training sets the stage for all your dog training efforts. Doing so will truly show your pooch that working together outside is synonymous with being distant from everyone else. Put a positive turn on the whole preparation experience. Praise your little one while doing business, and then spend a few minutes on quality playtime. He will learn faster, and you will both be happier. Daring your dog after the disaster will only scare him of you or the mess. And in some cases, it can even cause your dog to start eating its waste because it feels its presence annoys it. Training Tip 8 Pick a verbal order. The pet is more used to short expressions that its owner utilizes much of the time. Since mistakes will continue to occur during the home training process, you will need a variety of hand-cleaning supplies. You can use Bleach to neutralize urine, but beware of where you put it away, as it will stain some clothes. Buying cleaning products for controlling pet mess will be more beneficial than using regular cleaning products. It takes a lot of love, but your dog will learn not to make the whole house his personal bathroom. Final Words Not all puppies are created equal when it comes to training. Some require more time and effort than others, but the training methods are usually very similar. It takes time and dedication to train a dog properly. Patience is the key to training, and repetition is key to reinforcing the learning process. The age of the little dog can be critical, as it is commonly simpler to prepare more puppies. If possible, training should start between six and eight weeks. Different races can also play an important role in training methods. Different breeds have different temperaments and personalities. Then take him outside immediately. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Toilet areas can be as specific as a litter box or as general as an area outside. You must have a clear idea, however, of what is an acceptable toilet spot, before you start educating your dog. Your dog can be trained to use only a specific corner of the yard if you are willing to take the time to train your dog to that level of understanding. Your attitude is the most important ingredient in the formula of house training. You are taking your dog or puppy through a process of education; he does not know that it is wrong to use your carpet as his toilet. His Mother never told him. It is not preprogrammed into his genetic coding. It is your job to help him understand the whole concept. With patience and understanding you and your furry friend should be able to achieve your goal in a few short weeks. Keep all meals on a predictable schedule. Avoid any rich foods that could upset your puppy's bowels. Establish a bedtime and a wake up time. Puppies need a lot of nap times, make sure your schedule allows for these. Keep in mind, your puppy will need to go out immediately after all naps. Anytime your puppy has been emotionally stimulated IE frightened or a very rowdy play time your puppy may experience the need to eliminate. Supervise in the house If you know where your dog is at all times and what he is doing, you can catch him before he makes a mistake.If he starts to make a mistake, firmly but calmly say "No" and take him straight out to the toilet area. Do not yell at your puppy or chase him. If you are busy and cannot totally supervise your puppy, put him in a contained area, where he won't make a mistake, or tie him to the door knob of the room you are in. When supervision is not possible gone to work all day? Provide a small area to contain your puppy IE a crate or small bathroom or fenced off corner of the garage. Do not leave food and water with your puppy and do not load your puppy down with a lot of doggie cookies. If you are gone 8 hours, it would be good to find someone who would take him for a walk and give him some water. Take Your Puppy Out Take your puppy out to the desired toilet area and stand quietly while your puppy investigates the area for the "right" spot. This is not play time! Do not distract your puppy by trying to talk to him into hurrying up. If he does not go potty during that time , return him to the house and contain him in a crate for a half hour, then try again. When he does start to potty, quietly and calmly praise him while he is in the process of going potty. Use the word you have chosen for this IE "Good Potty", when he is done, you can praise him with more enthusiasm. Learn your puppy's habits. Some puppies need to potty 2 or 3 times in one outing. Urination is often followed by a BM. If the weather is foul and you aren't happy about taking out your puppy, it is very important not to let your puppy sense this. You may create a dog that does not like using the outside to do his business in foul weather. While you are learning your puppy's habits, take him out, every time he wakes up, after he has eaten, and after all play sessions. Help your puppy get outside to the appropriate potty area; follow the preceding instructions for taking your puppy out. Clean the mess with an odor neutralizer. Your puppy's sense of smell is far superior to ours. If it smells like a toilet area to him, he will continue to use that area for a toilet. Do not clean up the mess in front of the puppy. Put the puppy on a leash and calmly bring him to the scene of the accident. Keep the dog to your side, not in front of you. While your puppy is watching.Blot up some of the urine on a tissue and take it and your puppy out to the appropriate toilet area. Place the tissue with the potty on it on the ground, with the puppy watching; Praise the tissue for being in the right area, then leave the tissue there. Clean up the remaining mess as previously stated. By: David Codr Published Date: May 2, For this Omaha puppy training session we go over remedial potty training to help 15 week-old Labradoodle puppy May stop having accidents as well as share tips to stop 5 year-old Maltipo Friend from marking in the house. Being a mature puppy, May is all about energy and playing. After sharing some creative exercise ideas and enrolling May into our puppy socialization classes , we discussed how to add rules and structure by petting with a purpose and rewarding desired behaviors with passive training. I asked how they potty trained the puppy and its possible there was some confusion between the puppy and people. I handed my camera to the guardians so I could share potty training tips to use when you have a mature puppy peeing in the house. Many puppies and adult dogs need to brush up with some remedial potty training tips. If the guardians take the dog out as detailed in the free dog training video below, they should be able to potty train their puppy the positive way. To help the guardian remember all the tips we shared in this in home puppy training session, we filmed a roadmap to success video that you can check out below. Ways to Potty Train a Labradoodle Puppy There are two main schools of thought when it comes to potty training a puppy: Puppy pads But there is also a happy medium, where you combine these when necessary. Which Method is Best? In reality, neither method is better than the other. But, one may be better for you and your lifestyle. When done correctly, both ways, and the happy medium, can create a well trained Labradoodle. But, for others, cleaning up puppy pads inside is no big deal! The end result will be the same — a Labradoodle that goes to the toilet in the right place. Puppy Pad Potty Training Potty training with puppy pads involves covering the floor of the area that your puppy has access to with pads. The floor you need to choose must be easy to clean for this method, like wooden or linoleum. So a kitchen is usually ideal. Then, when your puppy is reliably toileting in this smaller area, you just pop a couple of pads outside the back door. Finally, you will remove them altogether. You must remove the pads gradually for the same reason that you must start off by covering your entire kitchen floor. To reduce the risk of your puppy having an accident on your floor itself! To him, the floor might seem just as suitable as a puppy pad. So, covering the entire floor at first will remove the risk of any accidents on your floor. Removing the pads gradually will help your puppy learn that the pads are the right place, rather than causing any confusion when they suddenly disappear. But the downside is that it takes longer to get your puppy going to the toilet outside. And in the meantime, you have a house that is periodically peed and pooped in. It can also be more confusing for the puppy to transition to doing their business inside, to moving outside. Which can mean the occasional accident. Crate Training Crate training is a great help to many puppy parents, because it helps your puppy learn to pee outside from the very start. A crate also gives your puppy their own cosy and safe space to stay in for short periods of time. The crate must be big enough for the puppy to stand up and turn around in, but not much more. And it should be full of comfy, cosy bedding. When gradually introduced to a crate, with lots of rewards and for very short periods to begin with, a puppy will love their soft bed very much. And because it is where they sleep, they will really not want to pee in there. As long as it is not too big. This means it is a useful place to put your puppy if you want them to wait just a few short more minutes between pees. The rest of the time the pup is out and about in a wipe-clean room with you. If they squat or start sniffing around, take them outside and stay with them to see if they need the bathroom. If they have any accidents, clean them up with a pet safe spray straight away. But hopefully, your schedule and lots of close monitoring will mean that accidents are few and far between. Using the Crate Safely When used properly, a crate can make a great training tool. However, if your crate is too large, your puppy will simply go to the toilet at one end and sleep at the other. The benefit of the crate is that you can easily wash bedding and clean the crate tray if there are any accidents. Labradoodle puppies need lots of mental stimulation, play, engagement, and exercise. But, another great way to do this is simply by picking your puppy up. If they usually pee every 20 minutes, and you want to see if they will last 30 minutes, just pick them up after 20 minutes if they have already spent a lot of time in their crate today. Hold them for 5 or 10 minutes before taking them out for a pee. And remember, you need to introduce the crate gradually at first, to ensure your puppy feels happy and safe inside. So, picking them up will help you a lot in those early days. Combining Crates and Puppy Pads The crate training puppy method requires getting up at 2am for at least a few days, as you will need to continue to offer regular potty breaks through the night. Many puppy parents find this understandably tough. It also means that you can barely remove your attention from the puppy at all during the day for the first few weeks. But, puppy parents are often human parents too. And, you may need to pop out of the house for a few minutes a couple of times a day as a minimum. A great way to deal with these situations is to set up your crate inside a puppy playpen. During the night and when you need to briefly pop out during the day, you leave the crate door open and line the puppy play pen with puppy pads. This means they can relieve themselves if they need to, without risking messing in their bed or on your floor. Schedules for Potty Training a Labradoodle Puppy To give your puppy the best chance of success when crate potty training, you need to give them lots of opportunities to use the bathroom outdoors. These timings are not set in stone, but are a good starting point for each stage. Some owners will find that they need to offer a pee break as often as every 20 minutes. Watch out for the behaviors we talked about above if you think your puppy needs a pee — particularly sniffing in one spot and squatting. Many puppies will start sleeping through the night. Give them lots of opportunities to pee outdoors, including after every meal or big drink from their water bowl. Remove the water at night, but keep it somewhere they can get at it during the day. In those early weeks, they should spend most of their time with you in a room with wipe-clean floors, just in case! Post navigation. However you must teach your puppy all of your expectations, gently and firmly from day one. Decide the rules you want for your puppy, and teach them those rules right from the beginning, such as: not getting on furniture, not jumping up on people. If you allow that in the beginning, it will be very difficult to break the habit. Getting Prepared for A New Puppy! Puppy Chewing The more things you have for your puppy to chew, the less likely they are to chew up your things. The need to chew will go on for at least 18 months, although they may always love having things to chew and toys. You will also need a premium puppy food of your choice. We use an All Life Stages dog food made primarily of chicken and rice. Dogs originally were den animals, they burrowed holes underground, where they were safe from predators and nice and warm. They instinctively do not go to the bathroom in their dens. A crate is a safe haven for your puppy. Never take your puppy out of the crate until they are quiet, just sit patiently, without speaking, until they are quiet for a few seconds, and you will teach them to be quiet in the cage. Every time you take your puppy out of the crate, take them immediately outside to the place you want them to go to the bathroom. Puppies find places to go to the bathroom with their feet. When I take them out to the yard, to grass, rocks or dirt, which ever you prefer , they get used to that feeling on their feet and it becomes part of their potty que or trigger. If you allow your puppy to have accidents on your rugs or hardwood floors even by accident then that can quickly become their potty texture preference. Same goes for potty pads. Using potty pads only teaches your puppy that going potty on absorbent material is Ok. Not a great idea. Try to avoid accidents at all costs. This way, you will teach your dog to go to the bathroom on command. This can be very convenient if you are traveling or leaving the house. Stay away from the puppy until they are done with their business, keep other animals, children and any other distraction away from them. As soon as your puppy is done, immediately give them a dog treat and praise, and praise and praise. Then, stand back and see if there is more forthcoming and repeat the process. Your Puppy At Night. .If your puppy cries in the middle of the night, get up, sit by the cage until they are quiet for a minute or two, then and only then, take them outside to their spot, give the potty command to go, and stand quietly ignoring them until they are done, do not instigate play or talk in an excited voice. When their bladder gets mature, this nighttime potty break should stop. Read my post about how to stop puppy whining and crying in the crate! Then after that every hour for a couple of days, 2 hours for a few days. When they finish going to the bathroom, praise and treats. Never hit or yell harshly at your puppy, or they will be afraid of you, and will develop fear of you, rather than trust. It may take months before your dog is completely housetrained, be patient, it is all worth it! When you feed your puppy, stroke their back and head, and tell them how good they are. You want them to be used to having someone touch them when they eat. When you sit down to eat, ignore the puppy, or put them in the crate. When you have to leave make sure to crate your puppy or put them in a x-pen setup, when you get home, even after a short absence, calmly take your puppy outside, talk gently to them, let them go to the bathroom, take them back inside and talk to them calmly, pet them slowly and try to be as calm as you can. If you come back and get them excited, they will try to recreate that excited feeling when you are gone, because that means you will be home soon. Puppies are like any baby, they need lots of attention, a dog that does not get attention, will get anxious and nervous and may chew and chew furniture, rugs, shoes, cords, anything to get rid of the anxiety. Read my post on crate and x-pen setups for potty training puppies! Taking your Puppy to Class Take your puppy to obedience school. An untrained puppy can be a nuisance instead of a pleasure. Another important benefit, perhaps the most important, is puppies will meet many new people and dogs in puppy class, which will greatly help socialize them, and make them more people and dog friendly. When I take them out to the yard, to grass, rocks or dirt, which ever you prefer , they get used to that feeling on their feet. When they get to your home, your puppy will be used to the surface that you want them to use. This teaches them that talking to you actually works. Going Potty Outside Step by Step — Take your puppy outside on leash, take them to their designated spot, put them down, and give the potty command, stand back without touching them, and wait a bit for them to go to the bathroom. When you know your puppy is done going to the bathroom, praise them, give them a treat or a snuggle and then take them immediately back into the house, unless you are going to play with them outside. Our Main Menu. That was a smart move on your part, because the Doodle is more than just adorably cute; you have a loving and highly intelligent dog who is eager to please and is curious about his or her new environment. What your puppy discovers is up to you, because your Labradoodle will learn whatever you teach it. Those lessons begin the moment it arrives in your home. Put yourself in the place of your puppy. Being anxious makes you nervous, and being nervous makes you. But where? And does it matter? What's in it for You - and Your Doodle? As it turns out, most dog owners say it does matter, a lot. The Labradoodle is a family dog, and as such, needs to live with its family, indoors. That means having a dog that has indoor manners and habits. The Labradoodle has to learn when and where it can go potty. Postponing potty training your Labradoodle will make the process much harder, and it will take longer if you wait to begin instructing your puppy on your expectations. Left untouched, they serve as beacons, or direction finders, to remind your dog to go in this location. Even if you clean it up, you might not be able to remove the scent that draws your pup back to the X that marks the spot. The answer to that question depends on you more than it does on your Labradoodle. Puppies are all about sleeping, waking, eating, playing and pottying. The most difficult part of the potty training process is being ever vigilant. You have to watch your Labradoodle constantly for signs that it needs to go potty. Training yourself to supervise your doodle may be the hardest part of all, but if you know the signs to look for and you have a strategic plan, your Doodle will become a housebroken member of the family, and a pleasure to be around or leave at home without worry that your carpet and floors will become soiled. Training a Labradoodle puppy to use a designated spot to relieve itself is a matter of age and bladder control versus time. Expecting a young pup to hold it for five or six hours sets him up for failure and up for disappointment, if not displeasure. Figure that your pup can hold its bladder and bowels one hour for each month of age, and then add one more hour. A three-month old puppy, for example, should be able to wait to do its business for one to three hours, plus one, or four hours. Your puppy may be able to go longer or need to potty sooner. Rather than wait until the last minute, take your dog out at the three-hour mark. They also have to go outside when they become excited. All training can be divided into one of two categories, regardless of the method used: ignoring or praising. If your Labradoodle has an accident in the house, scoop up the mess and take it outside to the spot you want her to use. After all, no one ever made a fuss about it until now. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and the spot in the house they used once will lure them again and again to do their business unless you remove all evidence of the act. On the other hand, praise your pup for pottying in the location you designated. You can give small treats as rewards. Offer tons of praise and a treat, and after 30 days, wean your pup off the treats. The praise will mean much more to your dog. So which method is best? The one that works. The crate recreates the den your puppy grew up in, and no dog wants to soil its own house if it can be helped. As a benefit, the crate also provides a safe break from all the action in the rest of the house, and sometimes your puppy will choose to hang out in the crate. Baby gates work the same way a crate works.

Rachael Ray Nutrish is another brand I love for Labrador Retriever puppies as it is packed with DHA for healthy brain and eye development and specially formulated for young, growing dogs. You can also select different sizes and recipes. My favorite is chicken and brown rice. Bedding And Toys Lab puppies need quality bedding and toys for teething. Labrador puppies grow quickly and have sharp claws and teeth. Puppies also go through a teething phase and will need special teething toys to help soothe their sore mouths and help keep your furniture safe. As far as bedding, the best bedding for a Labrador puppy is going to be made of high quality material that is soft and plush while also being sturdy enough to keep them off the floor and support their growing bodies. KONG toys are wonderful tools to use during crate training , but they also help with separation anxiety , boredom, and the teething stage that all puppies go through. Enter the Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack. These flavored chew toys come both textured and regular to help get your pup and your furniture through the teething stage safely. Cuddly toys like the Smart PetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy above can help your new Labrador puppy adjust to sleeping on his own, assist in crate training, and may even help alleviate anxieties including noise phobias and separation anxiety. Puppy blankets are a must and can be used for multiple purposes in your home for your pup. My favorite puppy blankets are blankets that are specially made for dogs, like the Luciphia fleece blankets above. While you can use any blankets on hand, blankets that are specially made for dogs are usually a bit more durable, easier to wash, and have been made with quality and safe material for your pooch. Puppy blankets just make it easy to always a comfy place for your puppy to rest his head no matter where you are. Ultra Squeaker Ball is an absolute favorite in my house and with my clients. I especially love using this toy for puppies who are just getting the hang of playing fetch. For puppies, picking up on how to play fetch can be tough. Balls that squeak or make noise when thrown help to make the game more exciting and help encourage young pups to chase whatever is making that high pitched sound! Leashes, Harnesses, and Collars Collars, leashes, and harnesses are important tools to help socialize your puppy. Getting your puppy used to wearing a leash, harness, and collar is an important step towards socializing them. So even though your Labrador puppy will outgrow his harness and collar quickly, I still suggest investing in these items. Here are five of my favorite leash, harness, and collar products for Labrador Retriever puppies. As I mentioned above, puppies are especially fragile so steer clear of attaching a leash to their collar and try to help them adjust to wearing a harness that is comfortable. What I like about this harness is that it is adjustable so you can use it a bit longer as your puppy grows. Best of all it is the perfect length five feet for puppy training and is a leash your Lab puppy can take with him into adulthood. It is built like a standard leash, but it offers you control over how far away your puppy can get. This is excellent for puppy parents who live in busy neighborhoods or who are working with a puppy who likes to wander. Large breed puppies like Labrador Retrievers require crates that grow with them. This is why I love crates that come with dividers so that they can grow with your Lab puppy. I also recommend playpens, as Labrador puppies are notorious for being very active and energetic. Lab puppies are also incredibly curious and tend to chew a lot in their first few months, which is why indoor dog gates will also be an important part of puppy proofing your home. Take a look at some of my favorite puppy-proofing products below. Nobody likes cleaning up potty accidents. Of course, no one wants a big, bulky pen that takes up half of their home either! I also love that the pen is big enough for puppies to grow into and allows them to learn how to explore a space larger than their crate while keeping them and your home safe from their curiosity. And since crate training is such an important part of puppyhood and actually helps your puppy adjust to being alone and feeling secure, we recommend investing in a good, high quality crate you can use for years. It has two separate doors for entrance and exit and it comes with a divider so it can be adjusted to the size of your dog as he grows. Just remember to leave your pup inside his crate with a KONG and some bedding so he is comfortable, and remember that puppies who are younger than six months old should not stay in their crates for longer than four hours. For those of you who plan to leave your puppy out and about while you are gone and after he is trained, of course , then a crate that folds may be your best bet. The MidWest Foldable Dog Crate posted above is one such crate that is not only made well, but also stores well. Like most crates ideal for Labrador puppies, this crate also comes with a divider so it can grow with your dog. Along with crates and puppy playpens, you also might consider getting a gate to keep your puppy from entering places in your home that may pose a risk to him. Many of my clients keep gates up in their kitchen entryway, or gate their living rooms where puppies are tempted to chew on wood furniture. Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate Sale Buy on Amazon For those of you worried about installing something or accidentally damaging walls or paint, there are always free-standing gate options, like the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate. I do like the way these gates look and the simplicity of them, however, they are not always the most secure and may not stand up to a strong and curious puppy. These gates are also not ideal for leaving puppies unsupervised as they can sometimes find ways to knock them down. Grooming your Labrador puppy early on not only helps to socialize him and prepare him for a life of vet visits, groomer visits, and physical contact with people, but it also helps to keep him clean and healthy. Like babies, puppies are more sensitive to certain products and require products that are specifically designed to be gentle on their sensitive skin and fur. Be selective of the shampoos, dog brushes , and other grooming products you pick for your Labrador puppy and make sure you always use high-quality products. Some of the products I recommend most for grooming a Labrador puppy are listed below. Pet Care Sciences Puppy Shampoo. 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:. Non-slip bottom dog dishes Puppies naturally move their dish around as they are eating, especially if the dish has a flat bottom that easily pushes around the floor. We have found that dishes with a non-slip bottom can help so that your puppy is not chasing around his food dish. Make sure that it is large enough. And since dogs grow fast, that means they will likely grow to that size within a year to a year and a half. Almost all dogs we train eat between 4 -6 cups of dog food a day. So, make sure that your dish is large enough to accommodate this many cups. Water dish It is vitally important that your puppy have access to clean water for drinking. With the puppies we raise, we have found that it can be challenging to keep a small water dish full, so we prefer to use these 2-gallon water dishes. They are easy to fill and allow us to only have to fill them a couple times a week instead of several times a day. We suggest that you introduce a lead to your puppy as they start to grow in confidence and walk further from you when outside. There are two great reasons to do this early on. First it teaches your puppy how to handle the pressure of not being able to go wherever they want whenever they want. And it keeps your puppy from developing a habit of running away from you. A Flexi-lead works especially well if you want to give your puppy a little more freedom to go do his potty business but still keep control. Toys Puppies need toys. If you do not give them toys that they CAN chew and play with, they will chew on your sofa leg, or a book or a blanket or anything else they can find. So, purchase some good durable puppy chew toys. But watch your pup carefully. As they get older and stronger, they will be able to rip apart cloth toys and ingest them. Or they will chew rubber toys into small pieces and eat them. When your pup gets strong enough to destroy toys, it is time to take away the puppy toys and give them only dog toys designed for older , larger dogs or quality rawhides that they can chew that will not cause digestive problems. Stay away from rope toys. Many puppies have managed to ingest strings and ropes requiring surgery to remove them. Puppy-sized bumper If your plan is for your Labrador puppy to become a hunting or competition dog, you should have a puppy sized bumper. Learn more about teaching your puppy to fetch in this post. Barriers I recommend that you section off a small portion of your home and not let your puppy have full run of the entire house. Learn more about housebreaking your Lab puppy in this post. To section off a part, it can be helpful to have some child-gates available or an area of your home that you can close doors. This means that you need to show your puppy where the boundaries are and what is and is not allowed. To do this, you will need a few more tools. This is often when we see dogs that are running away from their owners, playing keep-a-way when retrieving and just basically being naughty. A lot of this could be avoided with the use of a check cord. Yes, a check cord can be cumbersome and often a pain to use, but it only takes one or two times of your puppy running away from you to make it worth it. Put a check cord on your puppy and allow them to drag it around with them. This alone is a great lesson for a dog. Dragging the weight is a type of pressure that they will need to learn to deal with. Occasionally, step on the rope and allow your dog to feel the pressure of being stopped and controlled. These sound like such minor things, but you would be surprised how much more well-adjusted your puppy will be just from learning these minor lessons. Chain or prong collar As your puppy gets stronger, it will get more and more difficult to control your puppy with a lead just hooked up to a nylon collar. As you notice that your puppy is getting harder to control, is pulling you around or dragging you down the street, you need to move to a chain or prong collar. Actually, it would be best if you changed to a chain or prong collar long before this becomes an issue. Remember, it is always easier to fix problems when they are small rather than waiting for them to become huge problems. Larger bumpers for retrieving dogs As your dog gets larger, you will want to move away from the puppy bumper and start using regular sized retrieving bumpers. We prefer to use plastic or rubber bumpers since they do not get as dirty or smelly as the canvas ones. They also last a lot longer and can be used for both water and land retrieves. Learn all about the different bumpers used for training hunting dogs here. Orange is a color that is difficult for retrievers to see, so that color should not be used for young dogs that are just learning about retrieving and hunting. Save the orange ones for advanced dogs working on blind retrieves. Final thoughts on What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? There are many things that you will need for your new puppy both now and in the future. Take some time to prepare before you bring your puppy home so that you will avoid buying things on impulse that you may or may not need. If you are planning on using your puppy as a hunting or competition dog, check out 6 vital tools every gun dog trainer needs. You can email me at 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. What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? Vet bedding fleece on a roll is ideal puppy bedding. You can line both his bed and his car crate with this. Buy several pieces so that you can pop one in the washing machine when it gets dirty or if he has an accident. There are lots of lovely beds you can get to go around the house, but in those first days veterinary bedding is an essential alternative to keep his crate cosy and clean. Puppy Toys For Labradors Puppy toys need to be sturdy. Many puppies destroy soft toys quite quickly though they are so adorable, you may not be able to resist buying one or two. Kongs and rope toys are very tough and seem to survive the onslaught of puppy teeth. A Radio If you intend your puppy to sleep alone in the kitchen from the first night, you may find it helpful to leave a radio next to his crate. Just a simple, cheap Portable Radio with the volume turned down low can serve the same role as some human company. It just helps him feel less along during those first few nights when he may be feeling very homesick. Puppy Harness There is no rush for this, but once your puppy is too heavy to carry, and going out and about on the ground, he needs some kind of safety restraint. These days I usually recommend a harness as they avoid pulling on the puppies neck. The kind where the lead attaches at the front and on the back are ideal. You can find an expert review of the big brands of harnesses, from a professional trainer here. When he is older and has learned to walk next to you, you can buy him a collar. To let your puppy know when he has done something you like. It is a really useful tool to help you teach your puppy to be quiet, and to learn simple skills. It will make training your puppy much quicker, easier and a lot more fun. Getting a recall to whistle established at an early age gets your puppy training off to a great start. I recommend the Acme Dog Whistle. There is plenty of information on the use and choice of dog whistles in this article: Should you buy a dog whistle .It will help to get you off to a great start with your new puppy. The crate which we suggest is foldable which makes it extra convenient. Dogs are naturally den animals and a crate provides them with a place where they can relax and feel safe. Crate training and choosing the right size Crate training makes toilet training a million times easier, and keeps your puppy safe at night whilst the family is asleep. The best puppy crate is one which is big enough for them to stand up, stretch out, turn around and lie down in. But no bigger. Or by buying an adult sized crate which comes with a divider, to allow you to provide the correct amount of space for your growing puppy. Bedding You will of course also need bedding to line the crate. This fake fleecy fur bedding comes in a roll and you can either buy a piece to fit your crate or cut to it to size yourself. For puppies, you should avoid any dog bed with a fancy liner and a stuffed or padded interior. Your pup will probably rip it open and eat the contents in no time. Check out our indestructible dog bed article for some great inspiration. Food is obviously the most important item on your new puppy supplies list. Puppy Food To start with, your new pup will need to eat three to four times a day. Having a supply of the new brand ready will allow you to make this changeover from the old food to the new, before the old runs out. The best puppy food is one which is low in carbohydrates and high in protein. Puppy Bowls Next up on the new puppy supplies list are their food and water bowls. Most of them are dishwasher safe, and cheap to buy. You can have a couple in the cupboard, making it easy to keep the food bowl shiny and clean between meals. The downside of the usual stainless steel food bowls is that they can tip over, not to mention the horrendous noise as the puppy chases them around the kitchen! To avoid these disadvantages, find a non-slip version with a steadier bottom. Those designed for use by dogs and puppies. Ceramic water bowls help to keep the water cool as well. The best part of getting a new pup is the fun you have playing with them — and for this puppy toys are real Labrador essentials! Between 12 to 24 weeks your pup will be losing their baby teeth and their new teeth will be emerging. This is a very uncomfortable time for you pup — the reason why they chew everything in their path. You can protect your shoes, furniture , and even cables, by making sure that they have plenty of toys to chew instead. Puppy toys are fun to buy, and there are a lot of choices out there. We have a couple of real firm favorites when it comes to puppy toys. Puppy kongs are brilliant. Kongs bounce around and can be played with if your pup feels like it, or picked up and carried around. Just make sure that the rope is thick and not easily shredded. Be sure to avoid small toys, or those with small parts that can be chewed off, that your pup can swallow. They can cause choking or blockages in their bellies. Besides being too small, the toys in your puppy supplies should also not be too big. They should be able to get their mouths around their toys easily. Having to stretch to chew on or pick up toys or bones that are too big can injure their growing jaws. Collar and leash You should introduce your pup to their dog collar and leash as soon as possible. They can get used to wearing their collar in the house from a young age, before going outside for walks. It has a convenient quick release buckle as well as an ID tag. Dog harnesses, instead of collars, are becoming increasingly popular among dog lovers. Always use a harness for a dog that has problems breathing. It also has a thick padded handle to protect your hands. A pup might still squirm and try to get away. Then you can start brushing again. Letting your pup inspect and sniff the brush also helps them to get over any fear. This specialised pet brush has fine bent wires that gets rid of mats without hurting. Amongst the most useful Lab puppy essentials on our new puppy checklist are puppy barriers. There are a few options for creating barriers, to keep your pup safe and give them some space when they need a break. The most popular puppy barriers are actually baby gates. They make fantastic human toddler and puppy barriers — you might even use them to separate the two. They come in a few different sizes, and fit into most doorways or hallway spaces. The human members of the family can easily come and go, whilst keeping the puppy securely contained. You can start using it with your pup from a very young age. Combined with treats, they let the pup know exactly when you approve of their behavior. Their use is rapidly increasing in popularity. Using positive reinforcement training and working with a clicker will help you to both train your puppy, and to form a stronger bond and better relationship together as he grows. Almost last but not least on our new puppy checklist is puppy insurance. There have been astonishing advances in the veterinary treatments that are available for our pets today. Most things you can be treated for, your dog can be treated for too. Open heart surgery, complex hip operations, and advanced cancer treatments are all available to dogs. Read The Small Print And do read the small print before you buy, some of the cheaper policies will dump you at the end of the year if your dog gets a long term condition. I did not read the small print and this happened to me. So take care to choose a policy that keeps on renewing as long as you keep on paying. Many dog owners would recommend the final Labrador puppy accessory on our new puppy checklist as the most essential. Covering everything from the first days at home, through crate training, potty training, dealing with teething and much more. Do you have any tips for our readers? Are there other items that you wish you had bought before your Labrador puppy arrived and would add to our puppy supplies list? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own. 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.