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An 8 week old German Shepherd puppy is a bundle of antics and endless energy! Your 8 Week Old German Shepherd Puppy An 8 week old your puppy requires a daily routine and training to help them become the dog of your dreams. This article will not only help you understand your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy but will also explain to you why your little puppy has certain behaviors. Raising a German Shepherd puppy can feel like an overwhelming task at first! Just remember, your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is also adjusting to its new life with you. You should expect your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy to feel stressed and uncertain. They may seem timid and unsure of their surroundings. They might cry, whine, and not want your attention. Having structure and consistency will help create a bond and help you both in getting along more peacefully and calmly. Introducing A Puppy Crate Many dog owners choose to use a crate when it comes to caring for their 8-week-old puppy. While some people consider crates unnecessary, or even cruel, crate training is a useful skill to offer your dog. With the right training your pup will see its crate as their private safe space and will even go there to relax. Leaving your puppy at home unsupervised can get them and you into a heap of trouble. Crate training helps prevent your home from being a destruction zone. This useful guide to crate training a German Shepherd puppy gets you on the right track to success! Crate training your puppy can: help speed up housetraining teach your dog to settle calm down offer your dog privacy But you must introduce the crate slowly and positively so your puppy builds a strong connection to the benefits of the crate. Never just shove or push your young German Shepherd into the crate without using positive training. Your new dog also needs a routine and schedule to help them through the early days with you and set the expectations you have for them. Having a schedule helps your puppy to know what to expect in their daily routines. It keeps you from losing your mind and helps ease a worried puppy. While you might work from home or have other obligations, try to follow a schedule that looks similar to this: Early morning: Take your puppy out for the first potty break of the day! So, they may need to go outside even before the sun rises. Breakfast time: Your puppy may want to go back to sleep after going outside and this is perfectly normal. On the other hand, some puppies are wide awake and ready for their breakfast. Either way, always take your puppy back outside shortly after their breakfast so they can sniff and have another potty break. Mid-morning: Puppies should eat 3 — 4 small meals a day. Mid-morning is a good time for another small meal. Afternoon: This is a good time for their lunch followed by a potty break and plenty of sniffing time to work off some of their energy. Late afternoon: Puppies need another potty break in the afternoon, and some puppies need more breaks outside. Evening: Their dinner meal and their evening potty time. Remember to let them explore outdoors in a safe area to help build their confidence. Scheduling exercise, potty breaks, and play at the same times every day helps ensure that your puppy learns their daily routine more quickly and settles in nicely. And, even young puppies can learn basic training in their first weeks with you. Try training your German Shepherd puppy at home to start with. In the beginning, you may find a few accidents in the house. But, stick with your potty training and remember to always watch your puppy to keep them from having messes in the house. When you stick to a regular potty schedule, the likelihood of potty training mishaps decreases, and you and your puppy are less stressed. Always, always, always… Supervise your puppy indoors when you are potty training. Your toughest time together with your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy might be the first few nights. Your puppy has only known the comfort of his mother and siblings before. Having your puppy sleep away from you will only scare them more. And, although they are little, their cry is loud! Having a place for them near your bed is the best way to avoid a night full of tearful cries and howling. Can I let my German Shepherd puppy sleep in bed with me? Plus, when your puppy is an adult and tries to sleep in bed with you there will be no room for you! A full-grown German Shepherd can weigh up to pounds and will push you right out of your own sheets. Your puppy sleeps most of the day. A new puppy sleeps more often than they are awake. An 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy may sleep as many as 18 hours a day! Sleeping this much allows your puppy to have the energy they need to grow and keeps them ready to explore their new world. Feeding An 8 Week Old German Shepherd Your puppy should stay on the same food they were eating before you brought them home to keep them less stressed. This helps keeps your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy from having an upset stomach and becoming ill. Sometimes, you might want to switch them over to a different food. If you choose this route, do it slowly and in stages over a few weeks. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should eat 3 to 4 small meals per day. Although their stomachs are small if you overfeed them they could get sick and have stomach problems. Spreading their meals out throughout the day in regular intervals is best to avoid any upsets. Look for a balanced, complete puppy food for large breed dogs. As a large breed dog, your German Shepherd you should only feed your puppy food that is specially formulated for large breed puppies. Large breed puppies have different nutritional needs that are not found in ordinary puppy food. Feeding a commercially available food that is formulated for large breed puppies helps them to grow at a sustained rate. Steady growth in a large breed puppy helps to avoid stress on their bones and gives them a strong skeletal foundation for their athletic muscles. Limiting food intake in growing German Shepherd puppies has also been associated with fewer signs of hip dysplasia. This is of extreme importance in this breed due to the high incidence of hip problems and the pain associated with this joint disorder. A growing puppy is best fed a proprietary pet food that has been specifically formulated to meet its nutritional needs. Foods that are available as dry kibble are especially suitable to rear even the youngest of puppies. Opt for this specially formulated food for large breed puppies to keep your dog growing at a healthy rate that helps them stay strong. It is a complete balanced diet so nothing is missing. Within the first few days of arriving to their new home with you is a stressful time. Your puppy has just made a drastic life change and left everything they knew to be with you. Diarrhea and other stomach issues are sometimes stress induced. You can help your puppy by keeping to a regular feeding schedule and feeding them the same food they were on before coming to you. Sometimes diarrhea is also a sign of an underlying health issue and, if left untreated, can become life-threatening. If your puppy vomits blood, has bloody stools and diarrhea, becomes lethargic, or refuses to drink, call your vet immediately! To an 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy biting and nipping are all part of playing with their siblings. And, your puppy will most likely bite and nip you at some point too. They may even growl at you and tug at your hands or nip your ankles. This is all part of puppy play. But… It can really hurt you or make you bleed! Understanding bite inhibition means they know how to control the power of their play bites and how hard or soft they nip you. Preventing Nips and Bites If you know the right way to prevent and stop German Shepherd puppy biting, you can train your puppy to understand how to keep their razor-sharp tiny teeth from sinking into you. Instead… Offer them plenty of puppy-safe chew toys appropriate for their size. When they bite or nip you, calmly show them the toy to chew instead. Get their attention by moving the toy in a playful way around them so they begin to chase and bite the toy, instead of you or your furniture. Use these links to help you stay on the right track throughout their life. A daily German Shepherd exercise routine is a must for your high-energy breed! A daily exercise routine not only keeps them fit and healthy but also helps them develop better behavior. And you know how important it is to have a well-mannered dog! This guide has everything you need to start and keep your dog on the right track for a healthy life. So be sure to follow the right guide and advice for your German Shepherd. This information is for German Shepherds over one year of age who are healthy and without any known diseases or medical conditions. If you own an adult German Shepherd, his exercise tolerance will be almost limitless! This breed suits very active families and prefers lots of exercise daily source. They can become bored easily without a suitable daily routine. Exercises for German Shepherds The best exercises for German Shepherds move their bodies in a variety of ways while letting them explore their environment. They love to run, jump, sprint, swim, chase ball toys, fetch, tug, and catch. Walk your German Shepherd daily for the right amount of time. Walks are easy on most German Shepherds and are essential for dogs who spend much of their day indoors. Walking a German Shepherd is the most popular form of exercise for fitness and health. Walk your German Shepherd at least twice for 90 minutes Preferably split into 2 sessions in the morning and evening time Avoid extreme cold and heat to keep both of you safe Vary the surface you walk on to avoid damage to their joints from repetitive motions. Try this no-pull harness to have more control on your walks. The harness has 2 points to clip, in the front and on the back, which puts you in greater control of a wild-walking German Shepherd. The comfortable padding on the harness also helps prevent sore spots on your dog, avoiding any skin issues or fur loss. Walking Exercise Routine Two walks of 45 minutes to one hour each for an adult, healthy German Shepherd are a good start for an exercise routine to meet their needs. Remember, they require gentler exercises to avoid bone and joint damage. Jogging and running to increase endurance. German Shepherds love to run off-leash. Many German Shepherds love to run for fun with their owners. Your breed is built to move long distances over grassy, rocky, hilly terrain, and this shows in their desire for running. Look for softer surfaces to include with your daily exercise routine. Vary your surfaces for maximum health benefits. Also, running and jogging at a set pace is very repetitive on joints. Once your dog is more conditioned you can increase both the time and distance they run with you. Check their paws daily after each run to look for any sores, abrasions, or cuts. Tug-of-war game for strength and power training. German Shepherds are powerful and athletic, and they love to play games with their owners. Include simple strength training exercises at home to increase muscle mass and overall power by playing tug with your German Shepherd daily. And playing tug-of-war goes a long way in helping your Shepherd develop fuller, stronger muscles and more energy and vitality. The knots allow you to grip the rope and maintain control better while the cotton rope provides a soft surface for your German Shepherd to grip. Worried playing tug might make your German Shepherd more aggressive? German Shepherds are most active at dawn and dusk, so try to include at least 10 to 15 minutes of tug before work. Ideally, aim for tug daily if your dog enjoys the exercise. A flirt pole increases endurance. A flirt pole helps exercise your German Shepherd in small spaces. The flirt pole is a gift to worn-out German Shepherd owners! It not only helps your dog improve their basic manners and impulse control, but it also gives them a workout. And in just a few minutes of play! Look for a pole with an enticing lure to excite and interest your dog. How to Use a Flirt Pole with Your German Shepherd Lure your dog to play by dragging the toy on the ground in a large arching half-circle pattern. They chase the lure while you move the toy in different ways to keep them moving. They catch the lure and tug. You give their release or drop command and start the exercise game again. Avoid playing this game by moving the lure in tight circles or making your dog jump high in the air for it. If your dog is slipping frequently, definitely find another surface to play on. It can become damaged if left alone with your GSD or if they are allowed to tug on it excessively. Only use large arches on the ground to avoid sharp turns, especially for puppies. Include doggy squats for healthy hips. Have you heard of doggie squats for exercise? Dog squats help build strength in the large leg muscles. They also can help an aging Shepherd maintain their strength to keep them more mobile and prevent hip issues later in life. And in younger Shepherds that help give your dog the power to take on physical challenges. Dog squats are like human squats. Then, have them stand. Use treats to entice them to keep repeating the action. After two weeks, increase the reps in healthy dogs not puppies or seniors. Have your dog start with 2 sets of 5 squats and add on more squats gradually from there. Use a variety of tasty treats to keep them interested and motivated. You can increase the number of sets and reps as your dog looks more comfortable with the exercise and builds up strength in their hips. Running uphill improves muscle power and cardio health. Gently sloping hills are perfect for an exercise routine for your athletic GSD. Having your dog run uphill gives a great, free strength training workout. As your dog pushes themselves uphill, they must engage their rear leg muscles intensely. This is a great all-over bodybuilding exercise, but especially for their back end. Instead, look for a moderate rolling hill and encourage your dog by calling them up and down to you. This is also a cardio workout for you, too! Repeat this hill run a few times. Then, give your dog rest and repeat. Hill Running with Your German Shepherd Begin by exploring hill running only 2 times a week with plenty of rest in between hill runs to recover. You can gradually increase their routine to 3 to 4 times a week with longer sprints to keep their hearts in tip-top shape. A balancing disc helps improve reflexes and coordination. This is a balancing discs but only wobbles slightly on the top to avoid major falls or tumbles. The goal of balance activity is to enhance body awareness, encourage stable weight shifts, and promote stability and motor function. In a nutshell, balance exercises help teach your dog the way their body moves and how to alter their movements to adjust more easily. This means that your dog is less prone to injuries since their bodies are agile. Balancing discs are a very popular piece of exercise equipment for dogs and fitness professionals. It works by having your dog stand on the disc and using its muscles to stay balanced and stable. These are great for strengthening all muscle groups as a complete body workout. The Instability Challenge On the FitPaws balance disc, there are three basic ways to create a challenge for your dog. Have your dog place one paw on the platform and offer them a treat. Next, ask for both front paws on the board to increase difficulty. Finally, move into harder positions such as all four paws on the disc, sitting on the disk, or even backing up onto the disk with only the back paws. Balancing is also a great way to bond with your dog since they need to trust your commands and the support you provide to them. Balance Disc Exercise Routine 3 to 4 times a week start with an easy pose for your dog on the disc. As they improve their balance, increase the time slowly as you ask them to hold other poses, for example, front paws on disk, back paws on disk, and stepping on and off slowly. Sprints build muscle and cardio fitness. If you want to save your shoulder, try a dog ball launcher with your German Shepherd. And your German Shepherd naturally excels at speed because of its herding history. While excessive and sharp turns on the ground can injure your dog due to the stress of stopping, you can still play a game of catch in moderation. Instead of seeing how far you can throw the ball and having your GSD slide into the ground, aim for shooting the ball in the air a short distance in front to allow your dog to catch the ball and avoid harsh slides. You can launch tennis balls up to 50 feet in the air without exhausting your arms! Short sprints are great for burning away energy that would otherwise become pent-up anxiety in your dog. Sprints also increase lung and heart health, challenge muscles and balance, improve coordination, and make your German Shepherd happy! Instead, 3 to 4 times a week with rests during your sprints so they can catch their breath, aim for them to catch the ball from the air. Looking for the pawfect playtime for your German Shepherd? Weave poles for speed and agility. Your herding dog loves to learn to pole weave! Did you know that the German Shepherd holds the record for completing the fastest weave pole source? Nature made your breed for pole weaving! Weave poles are easy to teach by luring your dog through with a treat. Like this durable, adjustable weave pole that is easy to set up and store away, or can be adjusted quickly for beginners to learn the exercise. Set up your weave poles in your yard. Begin at one end of the weave poles and slowly lure your GSD through the poles. Reinforce their efforts with tasty rewards regularly. Once your German Shepherd has the hand of it, start narrowing the poles gradually together. This gives your dog a harder challenge. Many Shepherds love the weave and will readily enjoy it when you increase the difficulty with more poles. But some dogs, especially puppies, need extra practice to learn the weaving exercise motion. Stick with it for a great way to exercise your German Shepherd in a small area! Start slowly as they gain confidence in their new agility. Increase the challenge by adding in more poles or shortening the distance between poles. Encourage your dog to repeat the weave once they come through the end by running with them to the start of the weave poles and giving your command to weave again. Find a schedule that works for you and stick to an activity routine for the best health benefits for your companion. This means: You keep their mind active and out of trouble using puzzle games for your German Shepherd. You allow them to have a balanced social life where they interact with other dogs and people positively. Without a complete fitness and health program, your dog is likely to experience problems. And the worst part of it all? Some owners forget about starting at the most obvious foundation and neglect to give their German Shepherds the right diet. These negative behaviors can cause issues for your family that disrupts your lives. Start with a solid foundation to keep your German Shepherd healthy to avoid the fallout of poor fitness. Behavior and Mental Problems. Feed your GSD puppy a nice healthy dinner along with some fresh water to drink. Make him comfortable with a nice warm blanket and a chew toy. I know it seems like a lot and you may not have time every day to follow this type of sleep schedule. This is best case scenario. Adjust accordingly based on your lifestyle. Encourage him to rest if he seems tired. If you notice him waking up from a nap, take him outside immediately to go potty. Make sure he has a quiet place to sleep undisturbed and away from the action, especially if you have children. Teach him to sleep in his crate when you can. You can also put a little dog bed in another room for peace and refuge. Routine is key for creating sleep patterns. Your puppy will learn to go to bed when you do. Crate your puppy preferably using an adjustable partition leaving him just enough room to stand up and turn around. This will help him sleep and lessen the chance of him going potty at night. Keep him crated in your room if need be. Being close to you may help him sleep at night. Make his crate nice and cozy with a warm blanket or two on the bottom. Forget the bed as he will probably destroy it. Instead give him a couple of his favorite chew toys. Prepare for your puppy to wake up sometimes throughout the night. There is a reason puppies sleep most of the day away. The body and brain use this downtime to develop and grow. This includes their central nervous system and immune system which they need to fight off sickness and disease. Similar to humans, a lack of sleep can lead to a weakened immune system which means they are more prone to sickness or disease. German Shepherds grow at a rapid pace for the first year of their life. This means that sleep is even more crucial during this time period. Fun Fact: Dogs dream just like humans. In Closing: Sleep is vital for your German Shepherd puppy so make sure they are getting enough. There may be some sleepless nights ahead of you, especially if the crate is in your bedroom. But things will get easier the more they mature. Remember as they grow and get older, the amount of sleep they require will decline. Once they are a full-grown adult, they will sleep for about 12 to 14 hours. Stick to a consistent schedule and make sure they have a quiet place to retreat. Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! Do you own a German Shepherd puppy? If so, what is their sleep schedule? Do you have any tips for potential owners that may help? Let us know! We would love to hear about your personal story! Share this:. Can a German Shepherd puppy start training at 8 months? How to Potty Train Your 8-week-old German Shepherd Puppy Potty training your 8-week-old German Shepherd can be stressful at first, but with a bit of persistence and patience, your puppy will learn correct behavior in no time. The potty area can be outdoors or indoors. Having a designated potty place will help your dog understand that this is the only place they should go to poop or pee. Watch Out for Signs One of the first signs is usually an increased awareness of their surroundings. You may notice that your puppy starts sniffing around more often or seems particularly interested in certain places of the house. Watch out also for changes in behavior. If your pup suddenly starts having accidents inside or seems antsy and restless, they may be trying to tell you that they need to go outside. Use Cue Words One way to help your new puppy understand what you want him to do is to use cue words. Cue words will help your German Shepherd puppy learn the connection between the words and the action. You can also use cue words when rewarding him for going in the right spot. Give Training Treats When potty training your puppy, use treats as a form of positive reinforcement. Doing this teaches your puppy that good things happen when they go outside to do their business. When choosing treats for potty training, select something small and easy to eat. This way, the puppy can eat the treat quickly and then get back to playing. It would be best if you also chose training treats that your puppy finds irresistible. Otherwise, they may not be motivated to keep trying. Puppy Crate It is an enclosure to confine your new puppy for short periods. It is also helpful in transporting puppies from one place to another. German Shepherd owners use it for crate training as they can also help with separation anxiety and boredom. Puppy crates usually have a removable tray on the bottom for easy cleaning. They also have wire, plastic, or fabric as the primary materials, and they typically come in different sizes to accommodate puppies of different ages and breeds. When buying a crate, it must be big enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down but small enough so that the puppy does not have too much space to eliminate in one corner and sleep in the other. When used correctly, it can provide a safe, comfortable space for your new furry friend. Early Morning: Bring your Puppy Outside When your German Shepherd is a still puppy, he may have trouble holding his bladder throughout the night. If you do not let your puppy out early enough, it might create potty accidents because he cannot control their bladder. Morning: Time for a Nutritious Breakfast Puppies need a lot of nutrients to grow up healthy and strong. A nutritious breakfast helps them get the energy they need to start the day. Even though puppies spend most of their time sleeping and cuddling, puppies require several daily feedings. Place your puppy on your lap and snuggle while sleeping. It would be best if you also let them rest throughout the day. Afternoon: Lunchtime Take your puppy outside after lunch to relieve themselves. Allow your puppy time to exercise and release any built-up energy. Feeding your puppy .Between naps, you can do playtime and training activities to help release energy, encourage physical activity, and develop a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd. Evening: Last meal of the Day During the evening, feed your puppy their fourth and last meal. Afterward, take your puppy for a short stroll. Before returning, have your puppy go potty outside, then snuggle up on the sofa for some quality time. Night: Potty Break Before Bedtime Take your puppy out for one more potty time before putting him to bed. Remember that you should establish a reasonable bedtime for your puppy early on. Moreover, an 8-week-old German Shepherd may develop a better appetite for other solid meals. These include constipation, bloating, and diarrhea. Diarrhea Diarrhea is a common problem that many German Shepherd puppies face. This condition has several possible causes, including dietary indiscretion, viral infections, and intestinal parasites. In most cases, diarrhea is not a serious concern and will resolve itself within a few days. However, seek veterinary care if your puppy displays other symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or lack of appetite. Constipation A young German Shepherd is particularly susceptible to constipation due to their large, muscular build and fast metabolism. If your puppy is constipated, you may notice that he has difficulty passing stool and seems uncomfortable or restless. If your puppy is constipated, take him to the vet for treatment. The vet may give him a laxative or enema to help relieve constipation. Bloating Bloating occurs when the stomach fills with gas, causing it to swell. German Shepherds are especially prone to bloating because of their deep chests. There are several possible causes of bloating, including eating too fast, drinking too much water, and exercising immediately after eating. Stress can also be a factor. To prevent bloating, feed your German Shepherd several small meals daily instead of one large meal. It is also important to avoid exercising immediately after eating and ensure that your dog has access to fresh water. Yes, a German Shepherd puppy can start training at eight months. But remember that every puppy is different and will learn at its own pace. Consistency is key, and with patience, your puppy will get the hang of obedience training in no time. Training should be a bonding experience for you and your pup! Remember to have fun and keep it light. At eight weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy sleeps for around 18 hours daily. It may seem like a lot, but puppies need a lot of sleep to grow and develop properly. As they get older, German Shepherds will sleep for less time each day. German Shepherd puppies use their mouths to explore their surroundings and socialize with other dogs and people. In addition, puppies typically start teething around eight weeks old, which can cause them to bite more as they try to relieve the discomfort caused by their emerging teeth. Puppies also explore the world with their mouths, and biting is a way for them to learn about their environment. In addition, puppies may bite out of excitement or frustration, especially if they are not getting enough exercise. If your puppy is biting excessively, provide him with plenty of chew toys and opportunities to run and play. Also read:. Doggy Squats Do you know how humans do squats as a pretty standard exercise within fitness routines? Well, dogs have their very own version of squats that they can do too! German Shepherds are at a very high risk of developing hip problems as they grow older, so this is a very good exercise to have them practice every now and then. The squats can also be a very mentally stimulating exercise for your German Shepherd, and you should include treats in order to ensure they are done correctly and your dog follows your precise instructions. And to prevent your German Shepherd from eventually getting bored and losing interest, you can switch up the location of where you practice the squats, choosing different surfaces and using different treats. But how do you get your dog to squat? Easy, just follow these steps: Have your dog sit, following the sit command you have in place. Then, command your dog to stand. Do this a few times, so that your dog is performing a repetitive motion of sitting and standing, sitting and standing. This is their version of the squat. Use treats to reward each squat so that your dog is engaged and eager to follow the instructions. Start with reps of 5 squats, and increase the number of sets as your dog progresses over time. Be careful not to overdo it! Exercise Routine: Do a few sets of squats two or three times a week. However, if you suspect that your dog might have any hip issues, do not perform any squats, as this could make the issues worse. Playing with a Balancing Disk Balancing disks are really popular amongst dog exercise gear, and the great thing about them is that they can be used right at home, without the need for much space, making them pretty convenient! The balancing disk is great for improving reflexes, which in turn can prevent any clumsy falls for your dog. It also enhances body awareness, making your dog more in control overall of every movement. So your dog will be more agile, less prone to injuries, and will have better muscle reflexes. To use it, your dog essentially has to balance on the disk, by standing on top of it and staying as stable as possible. There are also various challenges you can add to the exercise, such as: Have your dog stand on the balancing disk, then give your dog gentle shoves and pushes, moving them, so that they have to readjust their body and position. Move the balancing disk while your dog is on it, so that balance becomes harder. Increase the difficulty of the exercise by giving your dog less harness support, or getting a smaller disk. Make sure you have plenty of treats to encourage your dog to perform well! The exercise can also help you bond with your German Shepherd, and it can be a very mentally stimulating activity that your dog will likely grow to love! Exercise Routine: Perform this exercise with your dog around three to four times a week. Start with the easiest levels, and slowly increase the challenge over time. Playing with a Flirt Pole A flirt pole is essentially like a giant cat toy. This item is absolutely perfect for German Shepherd owners that are a little tired out, as it allows you to exercise your dog without you having to move much! This can be turned into a really fun game to keep your dog entertained, but it also helps increase endurance and focus. Plus, if done well, it also teaches your German Shepherd to handle impulse control and to listen to basic commands when hyped up. To use the flirt pole, follow these steps: Tempt your dog into playing with the flirt pole, by dragging it across the floor in front of them and making the lure at the end move in circular patterns. Move the toy in different directions and at different speeds, while your dog chases it. Once your dog catches the lure, play a bit of tug. Give your dog the command to drop the lure, reward, then start all over again. You could be sitting on the sofa throughout this whole game, and meanwhile, your dog will be expending a lot of energy and having a lot of fun. Exercise Routine: Practice this exercise two to three times a week. Make sure you are on a soft surface such as carpet or grass, in order to avoid any injury. Playing with a Spring Pole A spring pole is an excellent item to have, as it allows your German Shepherd to play with themselves, tugging and pulling and overall using up a lot of energy. And meanwhile, you can just watch and chill! You could even have it set up in your garden! The dog can catch the lure and tug at it, and the pole will bend and move about but will stay stuck to the ground, so your dog will never quite win but keep on trying until fully tired. These are also made to attach directly to trees, which are often even easier options. This exercise enhances the power and strength of your German Shepherd, and it covers their athletic needs, as well as being a mentally stimulating game for them. Grass is ideal. Running The best way to make sure that you and your dog both get that cardio in is a good jog. German Shepherds are incredibly athletic and therefore are built for running. The best way to do this is over various different surfaces so that your dog gets a break from concrete floors, which can be hard on the joints. You should also combine different paces so that running does not become repetitive or boring. Have some slow running and then some intermittent sprinting now and then! Running is a great exercise and your dog will love it. Just avoid doing this with puppies, as they need to have fully fused bones before they can do this safely. Exercise Routine: Go for a run with your adult and healthy German Shepherd around three to four times a week. Allow for plenty of rest afterward, to avoid overworking your dog. Running Uphill Running uphill is harder than running on an even surface or even downhill, so it makes sense that this would be a more intense exercise that provides different benefits to simply running. When your German Shepherd runs uphill, they are getting bonus strength training, as they will be engaging their rear legs and muscles in a far more intense way. Or you can simply throw a ball or similar uphill for them to retrieve, saving you from the effort. Just make sure to pick moderate hills. If they are too steep they might be too big an ask of your dog and could end up causing injuries down the line. Make sure to use moderate hills, not too steep. Sprints German Shepherds are incredibly athletic dogs, with a lot of energy. They were originally bred as working dogs, and have a history of herding. This means that sprinting exercises are excellent for them, as well as being a lot of fun and very mentally engaging. Sprinting can significantly enhance their cardio fitness, as well as help build muscle and strength. It is also a great way for them to use up their energy, and it is highly mentally stimulating for them, especially if the sprinting is turned into a game. The best way to perform this exercise is by using a tennis ball launcher or similar. Something that will throw an object far away at a very high speed, for your dog to chase. In order to catch it, your dog will have to sprint really fast. The best surface to do this on is grass, or any other surface with good traction so that your dog does not slip and fall! Exercise Routine: You should perform this exercise around three to four times a week, allowing for breaks and rests in between sets of sprints. You should avoid doing it during hot or humid days. Make sure your dog gets plenty of water afterward! They are also highly intelligent and love completing exercises and training, as they were originally bred for working. This means that weave poles are an excellent exercise that your German Shepherd will not only enjoy but excel at. Weave poles can be really fun for your dog, and they will significantly enhance both speed and agility. They are also great for teaching focus, and for getting your dog to follow your lead instantly. There are plenty of weave poles available in the market, and you can easily set some up in your garden, or take some with you to the park. The grass is the most ideal surface for this exercise. To perform this exercise, follow these steps: Set up the weave poles in your garden, yard, or similar. You can adjust the difficulty, starting off with wider spaces between the poles for the easiest level. Use treats to lure and guide your dog from one end of the poles to the other, by walking in zig-zag between them. Insert a command word, so that your dog knows it has to go through the weave poles, to the end, in order to get a treat. Slowly increase the speed. Eventually, you can stand at the other end, give the command, and your dog will perform the exercise. Start timing your dog and upping the difficulty. Reward always at the end, once your dog has made it through the weave pole. If your German Shepherd ends up being really good at this exercise, you could maybe even end up in an agility competition, who knows! Exercise Routine: Practice this exercise two to three times a week, slowly increasing the difficulty and challenging your dog to get faster each time. Make sure to use plenty of treats! But why should you exercise your German Shepherd? Is it really that important? It is. In fact, here are some of the main negative consequences of not exercising your German Shepherd: Health and Weight Problems: Lack of coordination and strength Joint problems Obesity and other weight problems Muscle atrophy. Check Price on Amazon 1. If the puppy is running towards you, for example, you can begin clapping. For now, notice the following and set distinct anchors for each. For the time being, you should avoid anchors that are excessively similar to one another. My German Shepherd Willow — 8 weeks old 2. As you train your pup to understand and respond to more complex commands, this helps eliminate a lot of the resistance. As a result, the initial step should be to persuade your German Shepherd to stick close to you. We all know that dogs are descended from wolves, and wolves follow the pack leader, which means you! Needless to say, when training a 2-month-old German Shepherd puppy, you have to incentivize him to follow you. You need to build a positive reinforcement loop and let your German Shepherd establish an association between following you and receiving a pleasant experience. You can start taking unexpected turns and training your puppy to follow you despite the direction changes after your puppy has become motivated to follow you for the reward. At a young age, you should take your puppy out and about and allow him to utilize his sociability potential. One method is to pay visits to friends and family. You might also look for a dog park and take him there. Keep in mind that your pet is still learning to walk with you and follow directions. Make sure your pup has a positive experience outdoors. It is worth noting that you should socialize and introduce him to new experiences as often as you can, preferably daily. Start Potty Training You should start potty training your German Shepherd puppy the first day you bring him home. Start by showing your pup where you want him to potty, such as a sectioned-off area of your yard or garden. I cordoned off a small area and added some bark chippings. Even now, my GSD will not go on the sidewalk or hard surfaces! It has to be grass or somewhere soft. Next, you need a potty training schedule. Always take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, hourly, and before retiring to bed. Deter Biting If you read my blog regularly, you know that I am opposed to punishment-based training. In any case, using physical force or yelling at your pup will only instill fear and distrust and can actually cause aggression. If someone recommends such negative approaches, you should approach a qualified trainer and learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy not to bite. Instead, you can wait until your GSD bites during a positive activity before stopping it. This will help to anchor the result better. For example, if your German Shepherd puppy fiercely takes a treat from your hand, you can withhold the second treat until he learns to take it gently. You should act upset and convey that what he has done has hurt you. Use positive reinforcement to encourage proper behavior by rewarding with a treat. Your German Shepherd will quickly learn that good behavior is rewarded with good things. Puppies must continue to learn bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the work their mother taught them and what they learned from their littermates. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Instill Patience You have to use your best judgment and patience when training your dog. In general, by the tenth week, your German Shepherd will be mature enough to understand self-control. Teach the Heel Position While your 3-month-old German Shepherd puppy will initially follow you, adjusting your pace will soon have him walking alongside you in the heel position, on your left side, without a leash, harness, or fear of punishment. To train your puppy to assume the natural heel position, use a clicker, whistle, or use your voice as a marker. Chances are, at first, your German Shepherd will also try to change his pace to walk behind you because of habit. You can avoid this problem by walking where your dog is used to. Assume Positions on Command — Sit, Down, Stand Your 3-months old German Shepherd puppy is now old enough to learn how to sit, stand, or hold a down position. You can teach him these new skills and assume a heel stance, which you have previously taught him. So by the time he is four months old, you can use the position cues and positive reinforcement to get your dog to follow. These included a clicker, whistle, clap, or saying a specific word to show your German Shepherd is doing a good job, generally followed by a well-deserved treat. Now is the time to see whether the anchors work! You used to whistle when your GSD approached you; now, you must whistle for him to start his run. This is the foundation of his recall training. While this allows the puppy to be more social when visitors arrive, an adult dog must learn to walk outside without behaving badly. Whether it is a cuddle, a pat, attention, or something tasty, you must teach your pup target training, for example, teaching him to touch a target with a specific part of his body, such as his paw or nose. Remember that your German Shepherd may end up biting or clawing to communicate if you do not teach him more acceptable communication methods. I recommend teaching your German Shepherd to use his nose to touch your hand. This is a fantastic bite substitute! Hand targeting is a fun way to train your dog to trust you while also getting him to use his brain! Begin by asking him to sit for a few seconds and gradually extend the time. Train Your Dog to Fetch If you have taken your German Shepherd to public parks and he has watched other dogs play fetch, it will be easier to teach him to retrieve whatever you throw. Your GSD may not bring the toy back to you for a second time, but he will eventually figure it out. Over the next few weeks, you can gradually turn it into a game of fetch, rewarding your puppy with high-value training treats. Continue Potty Training In the fourth month of German Shepherd training, you will continue toilet training to a degree of independence. Maintain a regular schedule and match your walks with his natural cycle to coincide with when he needs to go. Teach Your German Shepherd to Walk on the Leash Learning to walk on a leash outside is an important element of dog training. Use it to control your German Shepherd and then test his ability to follow commands off-leash. Many dog owners will opt for a rear attached harness. How to Train a 5 Month Old German Shepherd Puppy You have adequately socialized and trained your dog to recognize and associate attention, toys, walks, and food as rewards. Your five-month-old German Shepherd puppy is now ready to be put to the test for general obedience and the capacity to deal with distractions. These could be other dogs, strangers, or animals like squirrels or birds. But, if you introduce distractions gradually, your five-month-old puppy can deal with them. You must be ready for your dog to run ahead of you now! Assume, however, that you have built a strong bond with your puppy and worked on his training. In that case, he will stay close to you and prove his loyalty by sticking by your side. The good news is that all of your past training will make it easier for your dog to obey your instructions. Conclude Potty Training Your German Shepherd has had months to learn how to tell you his need to go potty. He has also likely refined how to hold his bladder instead of peeing on the floor. As a result, if your dog makes a mess, you can express your displeasure through your body language. But, all dogs can still have the odd accident up to one year old. Besides, you must be prepared for your dog to relieve himself indoors if he is excited or frightened. This is known as either excitement or submissive urination. During this time, energy levels increase , especially in larger breed dogs. While the average exercise for a pup before this is generally five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day, a six-month-old German Shepherd can exercise for one hour if you split his walks into two thirty-minute sessions. To train your 6-month-old German Shepherd puppy, start with two commands that will be most useful. As previously stated, you will be exercising your German Shepherd much more frequently from now on. You can teach these commands or tricks in any order from six months onwards until your German Shepherd is a well-trained adult. This is an excellent skill to teach your GSD and is one of the commands taught to police and protection dogs. This is a difficult task, but your German Shepherd will eventually master it if you practice and keep consistent. The eighth month is the time for training your German Shepherd to go to different places upon hearing your command word. This could be for practical reasons or to maximize the intellect of your dog. Alternatively, you might spend the ninth month teaching him a fun party trick! Teach Your German Shepherd to Spin By dangling a tasty treat in front of your German Shepherd and moving it in a circle until he starts to spin, you prime him for a command anchor. After a week or so, you teach your German Shepherd to follow your finger without first using a treat. Of course, you will still need to reward him after he obeys the command. By the third week, you should be able to ask your dog to spin without using your finger to guide him. It might take an extra couple of weeks, but I recommend this as an addition in the ninth month because it allows you to continue training your dog to learn previous commands better. You can train him to go to different places, hold or release objects, and fetch toys. You can now develop this further and teach him to roll over on command. Your one-year-old German Shepherd continues to learn at the same rate as he has since he was six months old. What will change is that your dog will interact with other people more frequently. You can train him to do additional tricks to give him a more appealing presence. This will deter him from merely barking for attention. You should also review previously taught commands and see any weak associations you can reinforce. If anything, this is the period where you tailor his training to your convenience. But now is the time when your German Shepherd must learn to be harmonious with your life. From the month mark onwards, you must train your doggo to be compatible with modern adult life within reason. Do not be alarmed if you have an month-old German Shepherd who appears to have had no previous training! Start by establishing authority by having a positive yet commanding presence. Once your new friend recognizes your authority and sees you as his leader, treat him as a six-month-old, albeit on an accelerated schedule, and train him accordingly. You should train your German Shepherd puppy for short and frequent sessions, ideally minutes, several times a day. As your puppy grows and matures, you can gradually increase the duration and complexity of the training sessions. What are the most important commands to teach my German Shepherd puppy? Come command helps to call your puppy back to you in case of an emergency or when you want to end a play session. Heel command teaches your puppy to walk calmly beside you on a leash, and Leave It command helps to prevent your puppy from eating something harmful or dangerous. German Shepherds are a highly trainable and intelligent breed. Your job as a trainer becomes even easier once you have a workable training schedule in place and stick to your routine. My month-by-month German Shepherd puppy training schedule will help you successfully train your doggo and make him into the cherished companion you always desired. Good luck with your training! Related Posts You May Like:. This article is designed to help you along your way. This is completely normal. Every new puppy owner has their moments of frustration and doubt. Remember that your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is going through a big life change, too. She may be feeling stressed and out of sorts when you first bring her home. Consistency and structure will go a long way toward helping both of you. Introducing The Puppy Crate A crate can be your best friend when it comes to caring for your 8-week-old puppy. While some people think of crates as cruel, the reality is that with the right training, your puppy will think of her crate as a safe, quiet space where she can go to relax. If you leave your puppy unsupervised at home, you may come back to find a whole lot of destruction. Puppies can get into all kinds of trouble on their own, with their natural curiosity and desire to chomp down on just about everything in their path. A crate can help you keep your German Shepherd puppy — and your belongings! While every puppy is different, chances are your daily schedule for the first week will look a little bit like this: Early morning: Time for the first potty break of the day! Breakfast time: You can feed your puppy breakfast right after her first potty break, or wait a little longer and let her go back to sleep first. Mid-morning: Time for another small meal, and another potty break. Afternoon: Lunchtime followed by a potty break. Late afternoon: Another potty break! Evening: Dinner, and then — you guessed it — potty time. Just before bed: One last trip outside before you turn in for the night. In between potty and mealtimes, your puppy will probably be playing or napping. Scheduling play and exercise at the same times every day can help ensure that you get that nice, quiet naptime right on schedule, too. Potty Training an 8 Week Old German Shepherd Potty training can be one of the most daunting tasks of raising a brand new puppy. It may take a bit longer than you expected for your puppy to get the hang of things! Your puppy has never been apart from her siblings and mother before. The best way to avoid a night full of mournful wailing is to let your puppy sleep in your room, at least in the beginning. Safer ways to keep your puppy comfortable and contained at night include keeping her crate beside your bed, setting up a puppy playpen, or even just using a tall cardboard box. In fact, an 8-week-old puppy can spend as many as 18 hours a day sleeping! This helps keep some element of consistency in her routine and her stomach. If you do decide to switch over to a different food after a few weeks, do so in stages. You can then increase that slowly over time. At 8 weeks old, German Shepherd puppies should be fed three to four times per day. Because the German Shepherd is a large breed, you should also feed your puppy a diet formulated specifically for large breed puppies. There are many commercially available diets made to help large breed puppies grow at the right rate. This helps to avoid skeletal abnormalities like hip dysplasia. Want more information on what to feed your 8-week-old German Shepherd, and how to change her diet as she gets older? We have everything you need to know right here in our guide to feeding a German Shepherd puppy. The stress of such a drastic life change can manifest in different ways, and an upset stomach is a pretty common reaction. You can give your pup a better chance of having a settled stomach by keeping her on the food she was eating before you brought her home, and feeding on a consistent schedule. Diarrhea can also be a sign of an underlying issue besides stress, however, and severe diarrhea can be life-threatening if left untreated. Your 8-week-old German Shepherd puppy is likely to bite you too, for exactly the same reason. She may even growl. And it really can hurt! Your Growing Dog As your German Shepherd puppy grows, our guides will help you care for her throughout her life. Here are a few links to get you started:.

Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Bernedoodle Overview The Bernedoodle is a companion dog, through and through. The breed inherits the intelligence of its Poodle parents and the charming, goofy, happy-go-lucky temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog. Sometimes they get more Poodle traits, and other times they more closely resemble the Bernese. That said, fans of Bernedoodles adore their friendliness, playfulness, intelligence, and affection. They also tend to be more hypoallergenic, which is a blessing for allergy sufferers. In addition to their personalities, Bernedoodles can differ in appearance. Their coats can be curly and wavy or straight and come in a variety of colors. They come in three sizes; tiny, miniature, and standard. These sizes are determined by the size of the Poodle parent, which can be toy, mini, or standard. Bernedoodles are fairly adaptable and go with the flow. Smaller sized Bernedoodles make better apartment pets than Standard Bernedoodles, who do best with a yard to burn off energy. This breed has moderate exercise needs that are usually met with at least one long daily walk. Bernedoodle Highlights Gentle and loving: Bernedoodles are known for their gentle and loving personalities. They are good with children and other pets. Intelligent and trainable: Bernedoodles are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They can learn basic commands quickly and can be trained to perform more complex tasks. Hypoallergenic: Bernedoodles are considered to be hypoallergenic, which means they are less likely to shed and cause allergies in people. Active but adaptable: Bernedoodles are active dogs that need a moderate amount of exercise. However, they are also adaptable and can do well in apartments or homes with small yards. Loyal and devoted: Bernedoodles are loyal and devoted dogs that make great companions. They are always happy to see their owners and love to cuddle. If you are looking for a loving, intelligent, and hypoallergenic dog, the Bernedoodle may be the right breed for you. Here are some additional details about the Bernedoodle breed: Size: Bernedoodles are medium-sized dogs, typically weighing between 45 and 90 pounds. Lifespan: Bernedoodles have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Coat: Bernedoodles have a wavy or curly coat that can be either single- or double-coated. Colors: Bernedoodles can be a variety of colors, including black, brown, white, and cream. Bernedoodles are a relatively new breed, so there is still some debate about their exact origins. However, it is believed that they were first bred in the United States in the early s. The goal was to create a dog that was hypoallergenic and had the best qualities of both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle. Bernedoodles are becoming increasingly popular dogs. They are a good choice for families with children and other pets. They are also a good choice for people with allergies. If you are thinking about getting a Bernedoodle, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder. Bernedoodle History The Bernedoodle is a relatively new breed. While this is considered a designer breed, they do appear in shelters, and rescue groups that focus on Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs will sometimes work with mixes of those breeds. There is no reason that you have to rely on a breeder for a Bernedoodle, and you should always adopt before shopping. Bernedoodle Size There are three sizes of Bernedoodle: tiny, miniature, and standard. These result from the size of the Poodle parent, which can be toy, mini, or standard size. The Tiny Bernedoodle stands at 12 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder, and weighs about 10 to 24 pounds. The Miniature Bernedoodle stands at 18 to 22 inches tall and weighs 25 to 49 pounds. The Standard Bernedoodle stands at 23 to 29 inches and weigh 70 to 90 pounds. Males are generally larger than females. Bernedoodle Personality Bernedoodles seem to get many of the best personality traits from the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle breeds. Exactly which traits they inherit from their parents can differ a bit, though, and individual personalities of dogs within the breed vary. Bernedoodles tend to be highly intelligent, hardworking when necessary, loyal, and just a bit goofy. They are good with children and other dogs, provided they have been well socialized. Once they begin training, their intelligence helps them pick up commands more easily than other dogs. Bernedoodles can have high energy levels and crave attention and at least moderate exercise. They do best in homes where they are not left alone for long periods of time. Tiny and Miniature Bernedoodles do better with apartment and city life than Standard Bernedoodles. Generally, they want nothing more than to be with their humans and are just as ready to go outside and play with them as they are to join them on the couch for cuddles. Bernedoodle Health Bernedoodles are generally healthy dogs, but they are prone to some health problems, including: Hip dysplasia : This is a condition in which the hip joint does not fit together properly, causing pain and lameness. Elbow dysplasia : This is a similar condition that affects the elbow joint. Bloat: This is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the stomach twists, cutting off blood flow. Progressive retinal atrophy PRA : This is a degenerative eye disease that can lead to blindness. Hereditary cataracts : These are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye that can cause vision problems. Demodex mange : This is a skin condition caused by mites. Inflammatory bowel disease IBD : This is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Hypothyroidism : This is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. It is important to take your Bernedoodle to the vet for regular checkups to monitor their health and catch any potential problems early. You should also be aware of the signs and symptoms of these health problems so that you can seek treatment promptly if necessary. Here are some tips for keeping your Bernedoodle healthy: Feed them a healthy diet that is appropriate for their age and activity level. Make sure they get plenty of exercise. Keep them at a healthy weight. Brush their teeth regularly. Take them to the vet for regular checkups. By following these tips, you can help your Bernedoodle live a long and healthy life. Bernedoodle Care Tiny and Miniature Bernedoodles are more suited to apartment life, while Standard Bernedoodles do better with a nice yard to run around. They love being around their humans, so the less time they spend alone, the better. Like Poodles, Bernedoodles are quite intelligent, which means they can learn bad habits just as easily as good ones. It is important to keep up with training. Early socialization and exposure to other dogs and humans is always a good idea and will help keep them well-behaved when meeting new people or pets. Bernedoodle Feeding The appropriate amount to feed a Bernedoodle depends on their size, age, and activity level, which means it is highly individualized. You should ask your veterinarian for dietary recommendations that suit your particular dog. Sometimes Bernedoodles can have straighter coats, which shed more and are less hypoallergenic. The thickness of their coat helps this breed thrive in cool temperatures while providing them a fair amount of protection from the heat of summer months, as well. The color of Bernedoodle coats have quite a range. Some are pure black, others are black and white, and others are black and brown. Sometimes Bernedoodles are tri-colored with patches of black, white, and brown. They may even have other colors, as well. The most popular coat colors and markings for people seeking a Bernedoodle tend to resemble the tri-colored Bernese Mountain Dog. Because they shed less, they need to be brushed more often to prevent their coat from getting matted. Their coat must also be trimmed every few months, depending on how quickly it grows. Bernedoodle Children And Other Pets Bernedoodles are excellent for families with children, though it is always important to make sure children are instructed on how to properly treat animals, especially with Tiny and Miniature Bernedoodles that may be injured more easily. This breed is affectionate and loves to play, and they absolutely adore spending time with their families. Bernedoodles usually do well with other dogs, but it is important to begin socialization at an early age and keep up with it to make sure they are comfortable around new animals. Bernedoodle Rescue Groups Please search your local area for Bernedoodle up for adoption. Bernedoodle Breed Organizations Finding a reputable dog breeder is one of the most important decisions you will make when bringing a new dog into your life. Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems, socialize their puppies from a young age, and provide you with lifetime support. On the other hand, backyard breeders are more interested in making a profit than in producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They may not screen their breeding stock for health problems, and they may not socialize their puppies properly. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have health problems and behavioral issues More Info For You. They were bred solely for companionship, so they love attention and lots of cuddles from their families. Bernedoodles are just as happy curling up on the couch as they are hiking a trail alongside their humans. They're playful and active dogs who can be willful as puppies but are highly trainable thanks to their big brains. Appearance Though Bernese mountain dogs have a black, tan, and white uniform, poodles can have a much wider range of coat colors. Because of this, Bernedoodles can vary in color. While they're typically tricolor like their mountain dog mom or dad, they can also be pure black, black and white, or a random mix. Their fur can also be curly like their poodle parent or straighter like a Bernese mountain dog. As a general rule, the straighter the coat, the more your Bernedoodle will shed. In both cases, the thickness of a Bernedoodle mane makes this breed suitable for colder temperatures. A curly Bernedoodle coat is typically sought-after because it's considered hypoallergenic. While no dog is percent allergen-friendly, this breed's coat can be a good option for those who tend to sneeze, sniffle, or itch around dogs. Bernedoodle breeders typically offer a tiny, miniature, and standard size, which allows for flexibility with the care and living needs of each pup. A smaller mix could easily live in an apartment as long as she gets plenty of walks and exercise. The standard Bernedoodle can reach up to 29 inches in height and weigh up to 90 pounds. A mini is between 18—22 inches tall and weighs 20—45 pounds. A "tiny," bred from a toy poodle, is only 12—17 inches and weighs 10—24 pounds, according to the United Bernedoodle Registry. Temperament Affectionate and playful, Bernedoodles are a perfect family pet. They are especially fond of younger kids and provide a wonderful lifelong companion as children grow into adults. Though they're intelligent pups , they tend to be goofy and love attention from their humans. Though they can't get enough of their family, Bernedoodles might first be apprehensive, sensitive, and skittish around strangers. As with all breeds, it's important to socialize your Bernedoodle puppy so she'll be comfortable and affectionate around new people, too. She can be very charming and charismatic with positive reinforcement training. Personal space is not a part of their vocabulary, and they should not be left alone much. Loneliness can result in separation anxiety, which could cause nervous habits like whining or chewing. They will end feeling more fulfilled and have less anxious, OCD behaviors. And no matter the size, this hybrid is especially gentle-natured and loves children. They're so gentle, in fact, they don't make good guard dogs: They bark infrequently and are more likely to befriend an intruder than scare them away. Care Most often, a Bernedoodle will have a wavy or curly coat that's ideal for those with allergies. In some cases, a Bernedoodle can have a straighter coat similar to that of a Bernese mountain dog. This means they'll shed more and might not agree with an owner who's allergic to pet dander. Once the litter is a few weeks old, a Bernedoodle breeder will be able to tell what kind of coat each puppy will have in order to match the right dog to the right owner. But with that curly coat comes a greater need for grooming. Bernedoodles don't shed much , so they'll need frequent brushing to prevent painful matting. Most doodles love being brushed, and the routine allows the owner to bond with their dog. Keep in mind a very curly, "hypoallergenic" dog will need a haircut every few months. Just because they're low-shedding doesn't mean they're low maintenance! They'll need daily walkies to burn off their energy, but so long as their physical needs are met, they likely won't turn to undesirable behaviors like digging to keep themselves entertained. They'll also need consistent social stimulation to reinforce positive behaviors. The more exposure they have to new pets and humans, the more likely they are to be well-behaved when introduced to a foreign person or situation. A Bernedoodle's smarts makes her typically easy to train. It also means she can learn behaviors good or bad quickly—that's why it's important to keep up with training, even past her puppy days. Training a Bernedoodle requires positive reinforcement and, in some cases, a high level of patience. Should the puppy inherit the Bernese's willfullness or the poodle's high energy, they'll need more of your time and attention. Health The Bernedoodle lifespan is 12—18 years. Luckily, the hybrid breed does not inherit the same health risks as the Bernese mountain dog. The Bernese side of their lineage has a life expectancy of only seven years and a high rate of cancer , hip and elbow dysplasia , heart disease , and epilepsy. And while Bernedoodles are far healthier than a purebred Bernese, they can still be "predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, ocular diseases, and some allergies ," Christman says. Just be on the lookout for [warning signs like] excessive drooling and ability to gain some weight quickly. Hot spots are primarily caused by excessive licking or chewing of an area. This is why it's so important to keep up with grooming—a Bernedoodle is more likely to pick at their skin when her coat is dirty and matted. History Being a relatively new breed, the history book on Bernedoodles is a short one. After years of breeding Bernese mountain dogs, Sherry Rupke of SwissRidge Bernedoodles wanted a way to make the purebreds more allergen-friendly and free from the health issues that plague the breed. Thus, the Bernedoodle or at least the first intentional pairing of a Bernese mountain dog and a poodle was born in .Now, dog owners everywhere have fallen in love with the loyal, loving breed that looks like a huggable teddy bear. She has more than 26, followers! Actress and filmmaker Greta Gerwig reportedly takes her mini Bernedoodle, Wizard, everywhere with her. Was this page helpful? Their intense loyalty to your family comes as second nature to these puppies. Berndoodle pups are born in various sizes, depending on their parent breeds. This feature allows you to choose according to your preferred size, considering the available space at home among others. Their sizes are called: Toy Mini Standard Due to the generation of large gene pools by cross-breeding, these puppies have a reduced risk for congenital diseases. This characteristic will help cut costs for managing this breed. Appearance, Personality, and Traits of a Bernese Mountain Dog Mixed with Poodle Puppy Bernedoodle Weight Toy: 10 lbs to 24 lbs Mini: 25 lbs to 49 lbs Standard: 50 lbs to 90 lbs Height Toy: 12 inches to 17 inches Mini: 18 inches to 22 inches Standard: 23 inches to 29 inches Coat Type Long and wavy, curly, straight rare Coat Color combination of white, black, and brown Amount of Shedding Minimal shedding for curly and wavy coats Temperament Friendly, affectionate with family, intelligent, craves attention This dog breed has a variety of coat types and colors as well. For the coat types, the most common among them is the long and wavy type while the least common is the straight-coat type. For the colors of Berndoodle puppy coat, the common colors seen in combination are white, black, and brown. Pups with curly and wavy coats have a lesser tendency to shed their coat. Bernese Mountain Dog Mixed with Poodle puppies weigh from 10 lbs to 90 lbs, depending on their parent breeds and nutritional status. Their height ranges from 12 inches to 29 inches. The environmental factor is one of the crucial variables you need to consider before adopting any pup. Poodle mixed with Bernese Mountain Dog pups which have thicker coats will thrive well in places with cold weather. Additionally, these pups will have adequate protection against the summer heat. The Berndoodle puppies are known for being affectionate and friendly to their owners. They are an excellent companion and willing cuddlers. Concerning the living conditions, I observed that toy and mini Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle Mix puppies are more adaptable to the city life and living in apartments than the standard ones. These pups have an innate inclination to intense loyalty, and they may be wary to strangers. They also crave attention and may be clingy to you. You could see it following you around the house while you are doing chores or when you go outside the house. Reliable breeders can provide you with results of genetic testing for the parent dogs and offspring, as well as records of vaccination and other pertinent documents. These pups shed less than those with other types of fur. You will exert less effort in cleaning the house as well because of their minimal shedding. Also, you will have fewer worries about triggering a possible allergic reaction to fur. For an all-purpose use, the slicker brush is enough to cater the grooming need. If you have a pup with a short coat, a curry brush is more appropriate to use. You will use the fine-toothed comb for puppies with thin hair. Also, you can use a fine-toothed comb to eliminate fleas and hair tangles from the coat of your Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle Mix dog. If you want an all-around comb, a medium-toothed comb is the best option you have. The nail clippers you will use for your puppy depends on its size. The interval of nail clipping for your pup may range from two to three months. The Bernedoodle puppies have the least drooling potential among the different breeds. You can interact with your pup without the fear of getting slobbers all over your clothes, furniture, and arms. To cater to the grooming needs of your Bernedoodle puppy, you can schedule appointments to a local groomer at least once in two to three months. It is important to know that professional grooming should start only when your pup reaches three to four months old and it received the complete set of vaccinations. The groomer may provide you with some practical tips for better grooming of your pet. Their reduced risk of congenital illnesses is one of the remarkable traits of this breed. Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle mix dogs have a moderate risk for gaining weight. Weight gain may be a risk factor for developing various diseases. You should monitor their food intake and exercise output to ensure the balance and prevent too much weight gain. Your awareness of the possible conditions of the Poodle mixed with Bernese Mountain Dog puppies can guide you on the appropriate care and prevention to give. Also, you can be more watchful when your pup manifests some warning signs related to these possible conditions. For example, standard Bernedoodle pups can eat a lot more than the toy and mini ones. For the younger Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle Mix puppies, you must ensure that the diet consists of the essential vitamins and nutrients. By monitoring the nutritional value of the feeds, you will help the pup grow in its optimal state. For the older Bernedoodle dogs, you should monitor the number of feeds to prevent gaining weight and consequent health problems. If you cannot avoid the voracious eating habit of your pup, you should complement this habit with intense activities, found in the next section. Senior, gray-coated dogs also have some specific requirements. Your pooch takes genes from two sides, at times highly different parents. This means you could also take into account buying the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. This high-energy classification means that they require a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Aside from their high energy, the Bernedoodle puppies would want to play games almost all the time. I recommend the following activities for your Bernedoodle puppy: Jogging Fetching a ball or bone Swimming Hiking However, there could be some Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle mix puppies that do not require many high-intensity activities, depending on their parent breeds. They can be most adaptable to any kind of lifestyle. Among the recommended exercises, walking is often enough to keep them happy and healthy. The duration may vary from 30 minutes to one hour per day. They can make associations quickly. To stimulate them mentally, I recommend interactive dog toys and obedience training. For the obedience training, you will need a dog harness or collar, and a dog leash, and dog treats. Most trainers recommend positive reinforcement as a technique for obedience training. This technique consists of dog treats and praises. On the other hand, the interactive dog toys include squeakers, chew dog toy, treat dispensers, and plushies. During training, you should prepare yourself for possible mischief and fluctuations in concentration. You would have to deal with the fact that the ideal temperament is sometimes different from reality. This breed has a moderate potential for wandering around and barking or howling randomly. You will have fewer worries about annoying your neighbors. These adorable pups make fantastic pets. They do not react violently to screaming children. They can run alongside energetic kids. They crave spending time with their families. You should be prepared to provide a lot of human interaction for this breed, such as cuddling on the couch, being followed around different places, and jogging side by side. Bernedoodle puppies have moderate sensitivity, but first-time handlers can manage them. With appropriate training and the initiation of early socialization, your pup can be most accommodating to strangers or family friends. You can be less apprehensive when you need to invite guests over your home. If you have another dog in the family, Bernese Mountain Dog Poodle mix puppies are likely to be friendly with them as well. It is rare that they will be seen fighting each other. To download your free ebook, please confirm your email address. Personality and temperament of Bernedoodles Overall, a Bernedoodle is intelligent, playful, and sometimes stubborn! Bernese Mountain Dog Bernese Mountain Dogs are a working dog breed known for their high intelligence level and their loyal and faithfulness towards its owner. Bernese Mountain Dogs were originally bred in the Swiss Alps as farm dogs. They are hard-working, docile, and love to be near their families. As a result, they may experience separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Bernese Mountain Dogs can be a little apprehensive towards strangers, but they will start to warm up with them once it gets comfortable with their presence. Also, while the dog can be playful, they are gentle giants making them a popular dog breed for families with children. The only caveat here is that the Bernese Mountain Dog can be stubborn; therefore, you must be patient and consistent with training! Poodles are one of the more popular dog breeds globally, and its traits explain why it is so popular with us. Poodles are known for their intelligence as well as their high energy levels. They can jump pretty high too, and when you factor in their playfulness, you can expect lots of fun in the house. Being loyal and faithful, the Poodle will love to snuggle and be near you. One thing to note is that while the Poodle can be playful, their overzealousness can sometimes hurt children by accident. Bernedoodle Loyal Bernedoodles are loyal and protective of their families. Intelligent Bernedoodles are highly intelligent. They catch on fast to commands and are easy to train. Bernedoodles have a great memory and are excellent problem solvers, which makes them perfect for activities like obedience, K9 nose work, and agility. Friendly This dog breed is known for its affectionate and friendly nature, making it the perfect addition to any family. Social The Bernedoodle is a people-oriented dog who loves to be around humans and other animals. However, the Bernese Mountain Dog can be aloof towards strangers and this trait might rub off onto the Bernedoodle. To help mitigate this, we recommend you socialize your Bernedoodle puppy from a young age. It will help them develop socialization skills that will be useful in shaping their personality and temperament! Bernedoodle appearance Coats Like most Doodle dog breeds, Bernedoodles resemble either parent and can inherit the coat type of the Poodle, the Bernese Mountain Dog, or a combination of the two. When it comes to coat texture, Bernedoodles range from straight hair, wavy, or curly. However, most Poodle mix dogs tend to not shed. White and grey Bernedoodle These colors tend to be rare, and Bernedoodles usually come in the standard brown, white and black tri-colored coat similar to the Bernese Mountain Dog. It stands 8 to 10 inches tall while weighing less than 10 pounds. Having said that, it is pretty rare to find tiny or toy Bernedoodles as they are challenging to breed. Mini Bernedoodles: Mini Bernedoodles are 10 to 15 inches tall and weigh 10 to 30 pounds. Standard Bernedoodles: The Standard Bernedoodle ranges from 15 to 29 inches tall while weighing 50 pounds and above. This is pretty similar to the size of the Bernese Mountain Dog. Note: the above serves as a guide. Your breeder can help you understand the size they estimate their litter will be. F1B Bernedoodles have more Poodle genetics and are likely to have a non-shedding curly coat. Energy levels of Bernedoodles Because of their size and energy levels, daily walks and exercise are a must. To keep your pooch and yourself from getting bored, mix it up with different activities! If you live near hiking trails, take your Bernedoodle on a scenic trek. If you live near water, try swimming or playing fetch in the water. These activities not only keep your furry friend fit, but they also strengthen the bond between you and your Bernedoodle. Training As mentioned before, Bernedoodles inherit a high level of intelligence from both their parent breeds, but the Bernese Mountain Dog can also be stubborn. To effectively train your Bernedoodle, we suggest keeping each training session short and diverse. This helps prevent your furry friend from becoming bored and losing interest in the training. Shorter training sessions also allow for more frequent reinforcement of good behavior, leading to quicker progress. Remember to be patient and consistent, and always use positive reinforcement methods. Grooming a Bernedoodle Like all Poodle mix dogs, Bernedoodles require lots of brushing and grooming. A low shedding coat is a lot of maintenance. By grooming your Bernedoodle regularly, you can also create a deeper bond between you and the dog. As for trips to the groomers, you can anticipate taking your Bernedoodle to the groomers every six to eight weeks. How much do Bernedoodles cost? A reputable breeder will also spend lots of time and money caring for the parent dogs and puppies, which factors into the cost. A Tiny Bernedoodle will cost significantly more than a Standard Bernedoodle since the demand is usually higher. You might also pay more for your Bernedoodle if you want a tri-colored one. These ones tend to be more popular than solid color Bernedoodles. However, we think all Bernedoodles are perfect regardless of their markings! Health problems Bernedoodles share some health concerns with their parent breeds, the Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog, including: Hip and elbow dysplasia: common in larger dogs and can cause joint pain and mobility issues. Progressive retinal atrophy: a genetic eye disease that can lead to vision loss or blindness Epilepsy: a neurological disorder that causes seizures. Bloat gastric torsion : a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists, cutting off blood flow and leading to shock. Common in broad-chested dogs like Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs. Thyroid issues: can cause weight gain or loss, fatigue, and skin problems. Allergies: can cause itching, rashes, and respiratory problems. You can avoid health issues by taking your dog to the vet regularly, making sure they get lots of exercise, and feeding them a high-quality diet. Life expectancy The life expectancy of a Bernedoodle can range. Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to only live to about seven years of age. Luckily, because of the Poodle parent for the Bernedoodle, their life expectancy is increased. Bernedoodles can be expected to live up to 12 years old. Smaller Bernedoodles, like the Mini Bernedoodles, tend to live even longer. Reputable breeders will take the necessary steps to screen the parent dogs for any health issues to minimize the chance of them passing them down to their puppies. You can also search through Doodle rescues to find Bernedoodles and other Doodle dogs up for adoption and in need of a home! Why the Bernedoodles might not be the dog for you While the Bernedoodle is a great dog, there are a few reasons why they might not be the right dog for you: Bernedoodles are prone to separation anxiety: Because they like to be around their pack, they can get anxious when left alone for too long. If you work long hours, this could be a challenge. You can combat this by signing your dog up for daily doggy daycare. There are many Doodle mix dogs. Click here to learn about the different and rare kinds! Conclusion Many owners fall in love with their Bernedoodle dogs. Bernedoodles are great for active families who want to bring their dogs on many adventures. Are Bernedoodles good dogs? Bernedoodles make great family dogs. Are Bernedoodles lazy? No, Bernedoodles are not lazy. Bernedoodles have a moderate-energy level and enjoy going for walks and playing with their family. Are Bernedoodles recognized by the American Kennel Club? Common misspellings include bernidoodle, bernadoidle, beredoodle, bernerdoodle, and burna doodle. Amazon Associates Program This article may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchase. The cost is not inflated to account for the commission earned. Veterinary Disclaimer: travellingwithadog. Please consult your vet for any questions you have regarding your pets health. She has years of experience fostering dogs and has helped find homes for a variety of different breeds, both large and small! Learn more about her here. Bernedoodle vs. There are pros and cons to owning both breeds, but we have been so happy with our Bernedoodle. If you are trying to decide between a Bernedoodle vs. This post may contain affiliate links. Bernese Mountain Dog Bernedoodle dogs and Bernese Mountain Dogs are two popular breeds of dogs that are gaining a lot of attention. Both breed types are loyal and affectionate, but there are some major differences between them that should be considered when deciding which one is the right dog for you. Bernese Mountain Dog. All About Bernedoodles A cross breed between the Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles, Bernedoodles are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and loving nature. They come in different sizes, ranging from mini to standard and have a thick double coat that comes in black, white, or a variety of colors. Bernedoodles are highly trainable and make great pets due to their friendly temperament. They love attention and need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Common health issues include hip dysplasia, eye problems, allergies, and ear infections. Grooming is essential for Bernedoodles as they shed throughout the year. Regular brushing will help keep Bernedoodle coats clean and prevent matting. Bernedoodles range in many different sizes. Traditionally, Bernedoodles are larger dogs. Known for companionship, attention and cuddles, this breed is gaining popularity among families. Though the American Kennel Club does not currently recognize the Bernedoodle as an official breed, they are quickly becoming one of the most popular breeds in America. Bernedoodles have high intelligence and high energy levels. It is important to keep them active for their health. They are highly trainable due to their intelligence and require plenty of mental stimulation. Appearance Bernese mountain dogs have black, tan and white coat colors, but Poodles can have a wider range of colors. Because of this, Bernedoodles can range in color. Often, they are tricolor, but they can also be pure black, black and white, or another color. Bernedoodles can have curly coats like their poodle parent or straighter fur like their Bernese Mountain Dog parent. Typically, the straighter the coat, the more the dog will shed. Bernedoodles have thick coats which makes them suitable for cold weather temperatures. A curly Bernedoodle coat is highly sought after because of its hypoallergenic qualities. Bernese Mountain Dogs are bred with each size of poodle parent, though their smallest size is called tiny instead of toy. This allows for dog owners to raise Bernedoodles in different environments, including apartments. As long as they get proper exercise, smaller sizes will be happy in smaller locations. Sizes of Different Bernedoodle Dogs: Tiny Bernedoodle — 12 to 17 inches tall and 10 to 24 pounds Miniature Bernedoodle — 18 to 22 inches tall and 20 to 45 pounds Standard Bernedoodle — Up to 29 inches tall and up to 90 pounds Temperament Bernedoodles make a wonderful family pet because they are affectionate and playful. They are fond of young children and provide great companionship to them. They are intelligent and love human interaction. They may be apprehensive or nervous around strangers, which is why it is important to socialize your Bernedoodle puppy early on and often so he or she will be comfortable around others. They will be very sweet and gentle with positive reinforcement training. Bernedoodles love to be active, but also love to snuggle. They are happy to accompany you on hikes, swims and runs, but also enjoy lounging on the couch. If they are too often, this could cause nervous habits like chewing or whining to appear. The dogs have fewer health issues than their Bernese Mountain Dog parent and are generally a more healthy breed than a purebred Bernese overall. However, they are still predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, ocular diseases and some allergies. Some warning signs to look out for are excessive drooling and gaining weight quickly as this could indicate a serious problem. Skin issues such as hot spots can occur in Bernedoodles due to their thick coats. They are primarily caused by excessive licking or chewing of an area of their fur. Originating from the Swiss Alps, they are large, sturdy dogs with a thick double coat that comes in black, white and rust colors. This breed is known for their calm and gentle nature, making them great family pets. They have a shorter life expectancy of around 7 to 10 years with proper care and nutrition. Bernese Mountain Dogs are an active breed that require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Grooming is also important as they have a long coat that needs to be brushed at least twice per week to prevent mats and tangles. Common health concerns include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, bloat, eye problems and cancer. They are known for their gentle, affectionate nature and have become popular family pets. The Bernese mountain dog was originally bred as a working farm dog, but has since been recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC as one of the most popular breeds in the world. The Bernese Mountain Dog is an intelligent breed that loves to work and play with its family members and are incredibly loyal. They make great companions for people of all ages and is known for a good-natured temperament with friendly personality traits. The history of this breed dates to hundreds of years ago when it was first found in Switzerland helping with farm work such as herding cattle and pulling carts filled with milk or cheese from farms to marketplaces. Today, they still make excellent working dogs, but are primarily kept as beloved family pets due to their loving personalities and playful behaviors. Appearance Bernese Mountain Dogs can measure between 23 and 28 inches tall at the shoulder. They weigh between 70 and pounds. Their fur is tricolored with a thick black coat and white and rust markings on the face. Their coats are somewhat long and soft with straight or wavy fur. Their eyes are big and brown and Bernese puppies are often compared to stuffed animals. Temperament Bernese Mountain Dogs are very trainable as they are eager to please their owners. They are smart, quick learners and very loyal dogs. They are calm and affectionate, which makes them a great family dog. They may be shy around strangers, but with proper socialization, they will become more comfortable. They also do well with cats and other dogs when socialized young. Bernese dogs have a history of guarding livestock on farms because they are a protective breed. Because of their thick coats, Bernese Mountain Dogs love to live in cold climates. They like to have space to explore freely, so a fenced in yard is a good idea for these dogs. Regular walks are important for Bernese Mountain Dogs and they would make a great companion on runs or hikes. Common Health Issues Unfortunately, Bernese Mountain Dogs may face a handful of health conditions throughout their lives. They are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, as large dogs often are. They may also deal with blood disorders, eye conditions, and cancer. Gastric dilation-volvulus GDV , which is bloating of the stomach is another thing to look out for when owning a Bernese Mountain Dog. Bernese Mountain Dog Comparison The standard Bernedoodle is a smaller dog than the purebred Bernese Mountain Dog, but still larger than most other breeds. They tend to be more active dogs than the Bernese Mountain Dog, so they need more exercise and long periods of time to play. They also require regular grooming due to their long coats. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a larger dog than the Bernedoodle and has an impressive stature. They are known for being gentle giants and tend to be calmer than other breeds like Golden Retrievers or Old English Sheepdogs. They require less exercise than the Bernedoodle but still need daily walks and playtime to stay healthy. They need regular grooming in the form of brushing and they shed a lot. They are an active breed that enjoys being outside and can be very energetic dogs. The Bernedoodle loves to bark and cuddle with its family members. They tend to be calmer than other breeds. They have a high intelligence level and require proper training and early socialization. Reputable Breeders Bernedoodles are a hybrid breed of dog, created by crossing two purebred dogs — a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. This new breed has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its intelligence, loyalty, and low-shedding coat. When looking for a reputable breeder of Bernedoodles, it is important to do your research and make sure you are getting this designer dog from parent dogs that have been properly health tested. It is also important to consider the temperament of both the Bernese parent and the Poodle parent when selecting your puppy. With proper research and care, you can find the best dog for your family. Both dogs are great companions and will make your family complete. We have loved Penny so much and I will continue to try to convince Sam to get another friend for Penny. There is nothing better than the love of a dog. Related Posts:. Life Span Did You Know? These large, fluffy dogs are known for their non-shedding coats and lovable personalities. Bernedoodles tend to be a great addition to any family! Although the Bernedoodle is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other dog registries. As long as they are properly socialized, they tend to be open and friendly dogs that get along well with just about anyone. These dogs tend to do well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they can be initially wary and watchful at first, they even tend to warm up quickly to strangers once introduced. Bernedoodles are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. Despite their size and energy, they can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise and attention. These dogs tend to handle the cold better than the heat; you may even have some trouble getting them to come back inside after some playtime in the snow. Because Bernedoodles bond so closely with their families and enjoy nothing more than being around them, they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. They can also be prone to skin issues like sensitive skin, allergies, and hot spots. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large dog breed, the Standard Bernedoodle is also at risk for bloat like both parent breeds. The Bernedoodle is a highly intelligent and easily trained dog breed. Some facts about Bernedoodles are that they are a good fit for owners of any experience level and tend to pick up commands easily. Although they tend to grow out of this initial stubbornness with age, puppy training classes will certainly help with training and socialization early on. Bernedoodles tend to have a longer coat that ranges from curly to wavy. Although they tend to be non-shedding, they still need a lot of maintenance to keep their coat looking great. Daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats along with grooming every weeks are recommended. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Brushing daily along and cleanings at the vet as needed are an ideal start to a good dental care routine for your Bernedoodle. Standard Bernedoodles can range from moderate to high energy. They tend to sit in a more moderate activity range and have bursts of higher energy when they play. These dogs are known to play hard and energetically until they are tired, but are not usually considered high-energy dogs. Daily walks plus playtime and some time to run should be enough for a Bernedoodle. But, these dogs will likely be up for more activity if you are. They will love the opportunity to spend more time being active with you. A fully-grown Standard Bernedoodle usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Standard Bernedoodles generally live for years on average. A Bernedoodle is also sometimes called a Bernese Mountain Poo. Featured Bernedoodle Article. These are the wavy coat, curly coat and straight coat. Their coats can range from thick to thin and can have slightly different textures depending on the individual dog. Wavy Coat The wavy coat is one of the most common Bernedoodle coat types. It features a gentle wave and is low to non-shedding. Wavy coats are quite hypoallergenic however curly coats are generally considered to be the most hypoallergenic. In terms of maintenance, wavy coats are generally easier to groom than curly coats. Curly Coat The curly coat is the next most common Bernedoodle coat type and is generally seen in backcross generations such as F1b Bernedoodles, F1bb Bernedoodles and F2b Bernedoodles as they have a higher percentage of Poodle genes. These coats require more effort to maintain as they are more susceptible to matting. Straight Coat The straight coat, also called the flat coat, is the least common Bernedoodle coat type. It is usually seen in reverse backcross generations such as F1b Reverse Bernedoodles as they have a higher percentage of Bernese Mountain Dog genes. Generally, straight coats are not as hypoallergenic and are light to moderate shedding so are not as suitable for allergy sufferers as curly or wavy coats. Nevertheless, straight coats are quite rare for Bernedoodles. Bernedoodle Colors Tri Color Bernedoodle The traditional tri-color Bernedoodle coat features black, white and tan however it can be a combination of three other colors such as apricot, brown, red, cream, sable, black, tan or white. Tri-color Bernedoodles are the most popular coat color of the breed. This coat pattern originated from the Bernese Mountain Dog. If they have white patches on their paws it looks like they are wearing boots or socks. Black and white Bernedoodles are quite common. Black Bernedoodle Black Bernedoodles are very rare. For a Bernedoodle to have a solid black coat they need to inherit the recessive gene both the Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog. Some Black Bernedoodles may have white spots underneath their paws. On average only one puppy out of the litter would be solid black. Chocolate Bernedoodle Chocolate Bernedoodles have a solid brown coat which can range from light to a dark tone. Bernedoodles get a chocolate coat if they inherit a recessive black or silver gene from the Poodle. Chocolate coloring can only be bred into later generations. Chocolate Bernedoodles have hazel or brown eyes and brown noses. Red Bernedoodle A Red Bernedoodle has a coat that is a rich rusty brown color. Solid red Bernedoodles are extremely rare. Red Bernedoodles are very likely to have a tiny patch of white on their chest and paws however this is different to a red and white tuxedo Bernedoodle that has large patches of white on their chest. Their solid red coloring around this white patch looks like a tuxedo jacket. Red and White Bernedoodles also have white patches on their paws, muzzle and sometimes on the top of their head. This coat color is rare. They features a solid black coat with tan patches located on their muzzle, eyebrows, legs, paws and chest. Merle Bernedoodle A Merle Bernedoodle carries the merle gene which causes the coat to have mottled patches of colors. In addition to affecting coat color, the gene also affects skin pigmentation on their paws and nose. It also alters their eye color. The solid background color is usually a dark shade while the patches are a lighter color. Most commonly Phantom Bernedoodles are black and tan however they can come in different colors. They look somewhat similar to a tri-colored Bernedoodle however without the white patches. Sable Bernedoodle Sable Bernedoodles have hairs that are black-tipped with roots in a lighter solid color. The sable hairs cover most of their body and they usually have a white patches on their chest, muzzle and paws. Sable Bernedoodles are sometimes mistaken for tri-color Bernedoodles as they have three colors in their coat. Nevertheless, sable Bernedoodles have two-toned hairs while tri-color Bernedoodles have three distinctly colored hairs. Brindle Bernedoodle Brindle Bernedoodles have a tiger striped coat. For Bernedoodles a brindle coat is much more subtle that other breeds. Often the black sections blend into their coat and are not distinct lines. Brindle Bernedoodles often have a white patch on their chest and muzzle. Parti Bernedoodles have irregular or random patches of their secondary color. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Bernedoodle including their size, gender, whether they are desexed or intact as well as their generation. Give your Bernedoodle the best chance of living the longest life possible by exercising them daily, feeding them a healthy diet and keeping on top of vet appointments.

Boxer puppies for sale Roanoke, Virginia Boxer puppies for sale Roanoke, Virginia Introduction of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany and has been around since the late 19th century. His main purpose is for hunting large game. But this dog breed was also useful in guarding and driving livestock. It is said that he got his name due to using his front paws for just about anything. Boxer dogs look intimidating with their stern-looking faces and powerful bodies. But they are actually very loving family dogs that get along with children and other animals. They love being with their families, and being separated from them can lead them to develop separation anxiety. Since this working dog is highly intelligent but stubborn in nature, he is better suited for experienced owners. The average lifespan of the breed is 9—10 years. Look for a boxer puppies for sale Roanoke Virginia? Here is a brief background of this protective dog with a good sense of humour. History of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed is a descendant of the now-extinct Bullenbeisser a fighting dog with Mastiff ancestry and the Old English Bulldog. He was developed in Germany in the 19th century as hunters of deer, wild boar, and bear. Later on, he was used to guard and drive cattle. The man responsible for the creation of the Boxer breed was Georg Alt, who was from Munich. He crossed a brindle-coloured female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown breed. In , the first German Boxer dog named Flocki joined a dog show in Munich. After winning the dog show, he was the first-ever Boxer dog to be listed down in the German Studbook. Modern Boxer dogs were believed to be the descendants of Flocki. Boxer puppies for sale in Roanoke VA The Boxer dog breed slowly gained popularity throughout Europe in the late s. He was then imported to the United States in and was accepted by the American Kennel Club the following year. The American Boxer Club was established in .In both world wars, various military tasks were given to Boxer dogs including guard dogs, attack dogs, and messenger dogs. The British Boxer Dog Club was then formed in .The Boxer breed was recognised by the Kennel Club shortly thereafter and classified under the Working Group. Versatile and hard-working, these dogs are capable of carrying out different canine work. Boxers are good choices for protection dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. Temperament and Intelligence of the Boxer puppies Roanoke for sale Extremely patient and gentle, the Boxer breed is good with children. But he is recommended for families with older children as he may accidentally knock over toddlers. Befriending other pets is possible if the Boxer dog is properly socialised at a young age. It will keep him from viewing small animals as prey and reduce his tendency to dominate same-sex dogs. Is a Boxer a good family dog? Yes, the Boxer breed is a good family dog. He may look noble and intimidating, but he is actually considered the Joker of the Dog World. Boxer dogs are playful and fun-loving. They love to be part of family activities and be the centre of attention. Are Boxer dogs dangerous? Boxer dogs may be tough-looking, but they are not generally aggressive. But they will stand guard and defend their families if necessary. Boxer dogs are initially wary of strangers, but they eventually warm up to them if no danger is detected. Their protective and loyal nature makes them good guard dogs as well as watchdogs. Are Boxers easy to train? Yes, Boxer dogs are easy to train if you are already experienced in handling the breed. They are intelligent but tend to be independent and stubborn. Due to this, they are not suited for first-time owners. Boxer dogs respond better to people that are firm and consistent. However, firm does not mean harsh. Instead of strict training methods, positive reinforcements are more effective in teaching this breed basic dog manners and tricks. Boxer Breed Highlights The Boxer dog breed is a loving, loyal, and protective companion. Boxer dogs are comical companions despite their intimidating appearance. The Boxer breed has low-maintenance grooming needs. As an energetic working dog, he has high exercise needs. Boxer dogs tend to be destructive when they are left alone or unable to let off steam. Are there miniature boxers? Yes, but they are rare. Miniature boxers are either a product of mating purebred runts or cross-breeding small dogs that have similar characteristics to boxers, such as Boston terriers, pugs, rat terriers, and fox terriers. While some of these minis may closely resemble their larger counterparts, they may not act similarly. Are boxers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, boxers are not hypoallergenic. What problems do Boxers have? Boxer dogs are brachycephalic, which means they have flat faces. This trait narrows their airway and causes breathing problems. As a result, Boxers should not be out in the sun for a long time as it can lead to heatstroke. Overexercising them must be avoided too to avoid triggering breathing difficulties. How long do Boxer dogs live? The Boxer dog breed has a short lifespan compared to other dogs. He can only live up to 9—10 years, and this is due to the prevalence of health issues in the breed. When buying a Boxer puppy, look for a reputable breeder whose breeding stock and litters are health-screened. This will help you determine how likely is your chosen Boxer puppy going to develop certain health conditions. Roanoke VA Roanoke is an independent city in the U. As of the census, the population was ,,6 making it the largest city in Virginia west of Richmond. We will not send you unnecessary notices in the future. My name is Tetyana and I am glad to welcome you on the site of the breed nursery. For this reason, we included these online Boxer breeders for you to check as well. Thus, you can also check a Boxer breeder here. The great thing is that it has an online marketplace to search for a Boxer puppy from any of the states. Since they cover all kinds of breeds, you may find an available puppy through this website. Another thing to note is that you also need to prepare for other costs. In short, aside from the actual cost of the puppy from a breeder, you still need to spend money on other items. Like a new baby in the family, your pup needs some items and some changes. A new puppy at home is a concern for all the family members. Thus, they need to prepare for it as well. As you have your meeting, try to make a schedule of tasks and distribution of responsibilities. Prepare your home. Preparing a home for your Boxer puppy means making it a safe place to play and live. Thus, you need to secure every item that can potentially harm your pet. Moreover, you need to secure your items that your pet can damage, such as shoes, carpets, floor mats, and so on. Shop for supplies. Like all other puppies and babies, Boxer pups needs items for its daily life. The essential things it needs would be beddings, food, and food bowls. You also need to buy a leash and collar for identification. Create a schedule. Besides your pet, you also have your responsibilities. Try to schedule how your pup should do for the day and when you need to pay attention. The great thing about creating a schedule is that it will benefit both you and your pet. Choosing a Good Boxer Seller and Breeder The best Boxer puppies only come from those who take an extra mile in caring for them. Below are certain qualities that you should look for in a Boxer puppy breeder. The Boxer breeder should only breed Boxer puppies. A single breed should be the first thing to remember when searching for a reputable Boxer breeder. Every breed has a mating season to which they breed. If the Boxer breeder sells quite a lot of pups but only has a pair of parents, you can think that it forces the parents to mate so they can have puppies to sell. The Boxer breeder should train pups in their first weeks. Every reputable Boxer breeder gives all the pups around eight weeks at least to stay with their parents. In such a time, the breeder should train the pups before it moves to its new home. The Boxer breeder would continuously be in touch. Other states.

Tweet Looking for free German Shepherd puppies? If you are looking for a German Shepherd, and your budget is tight, you can find your new best friend nearly free or at a decent price. You just have to know where to look. Most of the dogs they place are one year or more, but they often have puppies as well. This normally includes vaccinations, a heartworm test, and spay or neuter. For about one third of the price of a purebred GSD from a reputable breeder, you can give a deserving dog a second chance. Rescue groups specialize in finding forever homes for lost, abused or unwanted German Shepherds. They have extensive knowledge of every dog they place and can normally match you with the right dog for your unique situation. Do you have a German Shepherd rescue success story to tell? Adopt a German Shepherd It may take some patience and persistence, but you can find a nearly free German Shepherd from a local shelter. If they don't currently have puppies, check back often. Or ask them to call you as soon as they get one. The adoption fee will normally cover an initial vet checkup with puppy shots and a spay or neuter. This is cheaper than the cost of a purebred German Shepherd from a rescue group. One quarter of all shelter dogs are purebreeds. Why adopt a dog? You may be their last hope. Many shelters only hold dogs for a week. If they are relinquished by their owner, they are on the short list for euthanasia, as they are not considered lost and no one will be coming to look for them. My Begian Malinois , Ryder, was 48 hours away from being put down after his owner signed him over. Search for a local animal shelter. Don't make price your primary consideration. Backyard breeders and puppy mills price low to sell quickly. Avoid these unscrupulous breeders. Even if an ad reads AKC registered dogs , this is not necessarily a sign of a quality dog. Be aware that Puppy Mills also use this as a lure for unsuspecting buyers. Exercise patience. You don't have to break the bank. Your new best friend is worth the wait. Jennifer here. I've been a fan of the German Shepherd breed for as long as I can remember. Saving Shepherds of MN is a foster-based, volunteer-driven rescue that has found loving homes for over German Shepherds and Shepherd mixes since December ! Please consider making a tax deductible donation. We rely solely on the generosity of supporters, like you. Please consider donating today! Saving Shepherds of MN is an effort grounded in love, dedication and determination. SSOMN is a c 3 , nonprofit organization under state and federal law. We rely solely on volunteers and donations to support our rescue effort. SSOMN is a breed-specific rescue, focusing on German Shepherds and Shepherd mixes, who are too often the focus of fear and misunderstanding within society. Our rescue operates with the help of many dedicated volunteers, all working toward the common goal of saving the lives of dogs in need, and giving them the loving home they deserve. We are foster-based out of the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Every dog that comes to SSOMN receives the highest quality veterinary care from the many emergency veterinary clinics throughout the metro area and goes to a loving temporary foster home from one of our dedicated foster families. SSOMN's adoption process ensures that every dog goes to a loving forever home most suited to its temperament and needs. It may have been because they were abandoned, but there are other places where you can adopt these dogs such as the Humane Society of Greater Minnesota or the MetroNorth Animal Rescue. This is one of the many reasons why people who are thinking about adopting German shepherd dogs are not sure if they can afford them. But the cost of adopting a dog such as this depends on many factors including the place you live, the shelter where the puppy comes from, and how big the dog is when it is fully grown. When you find out how the adoption process works and how the various avenues work, you will find that you can adopt one for little or no cost at all. The first place that you can look to adopt German shepherd dogs from is a local animal shelter. There are many of these shelters in Minnesota and the Humane Society of the United States works with many of them. All of these shelters run adoption centers that allow people to adopt dogs for little or no cost. If you live in a state that does not have a local shelter that will allow you to adopt German shepherd puppies, then you will need to look for a rescue group that is not only local but also on the internet. Many websites allow you to search for German shepherd dog puppies and you can do this very quickly. One of the biggest problems with trying to find homes for German puppies or is that owners do not always want to give up their dog. They do not realize that adopting an older dog that has already been abused and neglected is not a good idea. You should make sure that the person who is adopting your puppy has all of the necessary backgrounds to care for an older dog. Another place that you can look to find German shepherd dog puppies is in your local area. Many organizations will allow you to adopt dogs from them for free if you live in a certain zip code. This may be a local rescue group, or it could be a group that works at a local animal shelter. Either way, you will be able to get a few adorable puppies without having to spend any money. The biggest thing with trying to find these dogs is to make sure that you are looking in the right area. When you are trying to find German shepherd puppies mn you may want to turn to the internet in particular. By doing a quick internet search you will be able to find many different German Shepherd rescue groups. Once you know which groups you would like to consider adopting from you can go into their websites and see if you can find the puppies you are interested in. Some of them will even allow you to browse through the available dogs before you decide which one you want to adopt. This is a huge advantage over most of the places that you can visit. You can adopt a dog from one of the different breed rescue groups that are available in Minnesota. These groups love taking care of dogs, just as much as people do, and therefore they are in the business of rescuing dogs and making sure that they are adaptable. German shepherd dogs are wonderful dogs and many people choose to adopt them. However, some of these dogs may be frightened by things in their surroundings. You may not have been able to keep your home German shepherd dogs because of the neighborhood. You can also look at your local classifieds and you should be able to come across many German shepherd puppies for sale. You may be able to purchase one puppy, raise it with the others until they grow old, and then decide if you would like to adopt one of the white shepherds. You should always check with the shelters before you decide on getting a dog to ensure that they are clean and that they are spayed or neutered. Adopting a dog from an animal shelter can be very helpful and you can rest assured knowing that you are helping to save a life. Share this:.

Connect with us on Facebook!! Our story.Our journey with these beautiful, intelligent and devoted dogs began back before we ever owned one. I began to think about using animals for therapy work around 20 years ago, when I was looking to find a way for my nephew, Cody, to use one of my horses for therapeutic riding. Unfortunately, my plans never came to fruition as we lost Cody before I had a chance to train a horse for him. I looked into requirements for developing my own therapeutic riding program, but there were just too many barriers in the way - it wasn't meant to be. It was so very impractical for the setup of our place, with hills surrounding our home in every direction and no handicap accessible route down the hill to our arena. I was beginning to lose hope, until the day I met my first therapy dog. The dream was brought back to life. I felt this pull, like this was something I could and should do - I could train a dog for therapy work and bring comfort and happiness to others with them. I began what became an extensive search for the perfect dog to make my dream a reality. Over and over, golden retrievers kept popping up as ideal candidates for therapy and service work. Unfortunately, I also read many sad stories of goldens being taken too early due to cancer, which is what brought me to the discovery of the English or European type golden retriever that was thought to have less incidence of cancer I have since seen reports that the research study this was based on may not have been specifically designed to test this theory, so we focus on health and longevity in our lines, not color or country of origin! And I found hope. I found a female puppy in Texas that was just what I was looking for. When she finally arrived, we fell in love with our girl, Hope. She was the perfect addition to our family, and even better than I had ever dreamed to train. She loves to work, loves to learn, loves to please her humans, and she loves every person she meets. We quickly advanced through obedience classes, obtained her Canine Good Citizen title, and reached our goal of being certified for therapy work. Hope is the cornerstone of our program, and we wish that everyone could have a dog just like her! Along our journey with therapy dogs, I also researched dogs and their suitability for service work. I searched for service dog trainers to speak with and quickly realized that service dogs are 1 expensive! Again, I went back to comb through research regarding rescuing dogs from shelters versus breeding dogs specifically for service work. I found that only a small number of rescue dogs meet all of the necessary requirements health, training, temperament, etc. Additionally, there are a number of things that a breeder can do to increase the odds of puppies being able to tolerate the stress and intensity of service dog training. These techniques fascinated me! I felt that Hope was a truly great example of the breed, and with her intelligence, drive, and focus on people I knew that her offspring could potentially make wonderful service dogs. And so it began. I studied and studied for another 2 years to find out what I needed to do as a breeder to produce puppies with the best chance of being able to truly help people that need them. We also utilize Puppy Culture, ESI early scent introduction and training the basic commands; all of this starts as early as when the puppies are 3 days old. Our goal is to maximize intelligence, trainability, and adaptation to stress so that our dogs can lead long working lives, or long lives simply with their families. Our entire family is involved in the process, and we keep our operation small so that we can be totally hands-on with the puppies every day. Waiting list OPEN! Pettable Academy is designed to bring out the best in your pet Access Guided Dog Training Today If you live with a disability, a golden retriever service dog may help you obtain more independence while increasing your happiness and overall satisfaction with life. When it comes to service dogs, golden retrievers are one of the most common choices. Golden Retriever Service Dogs Golden Retrievers are often trained as service dogs to assist individuals with disabilities such as autism, hearing loss, or mobility issues. These intelligent dogs are also popular as therapy dogs due to their friendly and patient nature, making them great companions for those in need of emotional support. Bottom Line What are service dogs? Why Golden Retrievers as service dogs? They are friendly, loving, and excel at training. How to get a Golden Retriever as a service dog? Then you will need to train the Golden Retriever as a service dog, which you can do at home by taking our online PSD training program. What's the difference between a service dog vs. A service animal is any canine that has been specially taught to carry out duties for the benefit of a person with a disability, including one that is physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental. In order to display their abilities to others, service dogs must wear vests. An assistance dog increases the level of independence a disabled person can have, and no other species, regardless of whether they are domestic or wild, trained or untrained, are regarded as service animals. An individual's handicap must directly relate to the task s that the service animal is performing. Among others, the following are some examples of such tasks: Assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks Alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds Providing non-violent protection or rescue work Pulling a wheelchair Assisting an individual during a seizure Alerting individuals to the presence of allergens Retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone Providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities Helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. Types of Service Dogs Service dogs come in various types, each of which is trained to assist people with certain needs. Here are a few of the popular categories of outstanding service dogs. Service Dogs Guide dogs aid those who are blind or visually handicapped in navigating their surroundings. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can be alerted to critical noises by hearing dogs. People who need wheelchairs or walking aids or have balance problems might benefit from the assistance of mobility dogs. Medical alert dogs perform a variety of tasks, including warning the user of allergies, detecting the start of medical issues like a seizure or low blood sugar, and many others. Psychiatric Service Dogs Assisting people with disorders including schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder is the work of psychiatric service dogs. Psychiatric service dogs may be used for tasks including halting repetitive behaviors, reiterating the need to take medicine, or entering a dark area and putting on a light to lessen stressful situations. Pettable offers a no-cost consultation with a qualified mental health expert to certify your dog as an official psychiatric service dog, enabling you to get a PSD letter of certification for your dog right away. You can read more about PSDs here. Did You Know? Psychiatric Service Dogs PSDs are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act and are legally granted access to places where pets are prohibited, such as airplane cabins, storefronts and restaurants. Golden Retriever History Golden retrievers originated from the Scottish Highlands, where they were used primarily as hunting dogs. The Scottish estate owners needed a dog to retrieve birds in water or on land because their hunting grounds had many ponds and marshes. As guns were improved, retrievers were required to be able to bring back birds from farther distances. To develop the ideal retriever, the Baron of Tweedmouth, Dudley Marjoribanks, crossed a Tweed water spaniel with a yellow-colored retriever. The four pups were then used in further breeding with lines including the Irish setter, bloodhound, St. John's water dog, and black retrievers. He kept detailed records throughout the later years of the 19th century, showcasing the goal of developing a dog with a soft mouth for retrieving the game that was also strong and active. During the early 20th century, golden retrievers were introduced to North America as both hunting dogs and a companion. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the golden retriever in .Presidential golden retrievers include those owned by Gerald R. Ford and Ronald Reagan. Why Golden Retrievers Make Great Service Dogs When choosing a service animal, there are a lot of breeds to choose from, but among them, the golden retriever remains one of the most common service dog breeds. Golden retrievers make good service dogs because they have the necessary qualities to excel at training. Friendly Disposition Golden retrievers are known for their friendly disposition. Your dog may have to accompany you in public spaces, such as grocery stores, public transportation, entertainment events, etc. Unfriendly dogs may be wary or reactive to strangers. A golden retriever is a loving dog, eager to please its owner and happy to meet new people. People may attempt to approach your service dog or touch him. In these situations, your dog cannot be quick to react negatively. While you can instruct people to steer clear of your dog, you cannot guarantee that no one will touch him. For this reason, you cannot have a dog that acts aggressively or anxiously towards strangers. Loyal Personality Some of the best therapy dogs and service dogs are the ones that do not leave their owner's side. Even pet golden retrievers tend to follow their human around. Many people use the term velcro dog when referring to goldens because they want to be close to you at all times. When a dog trusts you, he follows you everywhere. They may be service animals that help you, but they also look to you for approval. Trainable Temperament Goldens are a trainable breed. Historically golden retrievers were hunting dogs, so it is natural for them to work alongside humans. Dogs bred for work tend to be more obedient than other breeds. They are trainable because they are one of the most intelligent breeds. However, this does not always mean that it's easy to train your service dog without a professional's help. Professionally trained service dogs are more likely to pass their tests. Golden retrievers are people-pleasers and food motivated. These two qualities make them eager to learn. Extra-large dogs may take up too much space in your home or require too much food for your household. A medium-sized dog like a golden retriever, on the other hand, has enough strength to support you with his body, open doors, and push buttons. A golden usually performs well when you need a service dog to perform height and strength actions. Golden retrievers stand from 20 to 24 inches tall and weigh between 55 and 71 pounds. Active Energy Level Golden retrievers have a lot of energy and require activity and plenty of exercise. They thrive the most when they are in a home with someone for most of the day. They may become lonely, frustrated or feel pent up when left alone for long hours. As a service dog, your golden would be at your side most of the time. Working provides the dog with the stimulation he needs. Additionally, he has the energy level to perform tasks as required. Drive to Work Golden retrievers are known to have a high drive to work on any task they are given to please their owner. Golden retrievers are extremely intelligent, aware, reliable, obedient, and have a strong work ethic. They are obedient dogs which make them popular service dogs. They find great purpose in retrieving items in exchange for a good old pet or pat on the head. Intelligence Golden retrievers are very intelligent dogs. This makes them excellent service dogs, as they can quickly learn any task given to them by their owner and are smart enough to detect when their owner's blood sugar is low or if a panic attack is coming. They can learn more than a hundred words and their intelligence is comparable to that of a toddler. Your dog has to be able to perform tasks that help you function in your daily life to qualify as a service animal. The following are a few examples of service dog tasks performed by golden retrievers, one of the most common service dog breeds. Guiding Guide dogs help those who have visual impairments. Guide dogs help determine whether there are obstacles or unsafe conditions in a person's path. Keep in mind that a golden retriever service dog is not a GPS. The dog cannot read traffic lights, but it can see the vehicles crossing. Often, the owner has to listen for signals. The person can then command the dog to cross the street, and the dog decides how safe it is to move forward. Retrieving If you have mobility problems, teach your service dog to retrieve your items. For example, dogs can bring you your medication. They can also help you with daily chores. If you need to carry an object to the garbage, your dog can help. Comforting Therapy dogs are companions to their owners. For people with mental illness, a dog's presence can be comforting. A trainer can teach a therapy dog to comfort others. For example, if a person has a panic attack, the dog can use his body weight to ground the person. Alerting Canines have a strong sense of smell and the ability to detect various medical conditions. For example, service dogs can alert to low blood sugar for diabetics, heart abnormalities, and seizures. Your service animal can learn to nudge, paw at, bark or jump to alert you of a medical emergency. Blocking Blocking is a standard command for a therapy dog. If a person begins to feel uncomfortable in a crowd or around people, the dog can put himself between his human and any stranger. Medication Reminders Since golden retrievers are easy to train, they can be trained to remind their owners to take their medication every day, every four hours, or at any interval a person needs to take their medicine but may be forgetful or lose track of time due to their disability. Physical Support Golden retrievers can offer physical support to those with disabilities. This can include pushing a wheelchair, leading a person to a bathroom or bed, fetching an item that fell or is out of reach for a person, or any other duties that may assist a person living with a disability. Pettable has a simple process to schedule a consultation with a licensed professional. Though not required, you may opt to get a PSD letter from the therapist to certify your need for a psychiatric service dog. Then, you will need to ensure that your service dog is correctly trained. There is no requirement that a professional trainer be involved in the process and self-training is perfectly acceptable. Complete Our Assessment To help us analyze your circumstances and your needs for a psychiatric service dog, you must first complete our brief assessment. You will then state the PSD option you require, such as lodging, transport or a mix of both. Consult With a Therapist After completing the assessment, you'll be matched with a licensed mental health professional and provided a link to schedule a live consultation with them after completing our privacy and permission papers to allow our doctors to work with you. To find out if you are eligible for a psychiatric service dog, you will visit a mental health professional for an examination. Train Your Dog You will need to train your Golden Retriever to perform tasks that assist you with your disability. You can pay a professional trainer to do this or you can opt to train the dog yourself. If you want to self-train a psychiatric service dog you may benefit from our online PSD training program. The program is delivered through video lessons and can be completed on any timeline. If you are not satisfied with the training program within 7 days of purchase we will completely refund your money. A Golden Retriever may be taught to serve as a service dog, you can opt to hire a professional trainer or train the dog yourself. Having patience with your dog if you plan to train your service dog independently is crucial because the process might take a while. Training a service animal can be a laborious but extremely worthwhile process if you're sincere about your devotion to it. It's important to keep in mind that training is necessary for service animals before they can be considered a PSD, whether it's done independently or a qualified expert. Golden retrievers can be adopted at neighborhood shelters or breeders, just like any other service dog or ESA. Regardless of where the dog originated from or even whether it is an existing pet, any dog can be certified as a service animal. This option will require owners to train their dogs, satisfy certification requirements, and establish a bond with them. The adoption of service animals who have already received training and need a new owner is nonetheless possible through various services. A certified mental health expert must be consulted in order to determine your eligibility for a Golden Retriever service dog. But there are several mental and emotional conditions that frequently make someone eligible for a service dog, such as: Depression and Depressive Disorders. Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds worldwide, that have been ranked No. Why so many people love the representatives of this breed so much and what qualities the breed representatives have as service animals, are some topics that we would like to discuss today. If you would like to read more about the ADA regulations in regard to service animals, you can click here. As you can tell from the definition, only dogs can be recognized as service animals. However, some states allow handlers to have miniature horses as service animals as well, so you should keep this in mind. Dogs and service dogs in particular should be evaluated based on their individual traits. Some people are still biased, that certain breeds are not allowed to become service dogs or just can not become good service dogs. The ADA states, that service animals must not be discriminated based on their breed, and all kinds of breeds can be trained as service animals. However, there are qualities, that every service dog should possess to be reliable enough to perform specific tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Among these qualities are: Intelligence, trainability, eagerness to learn and please their owner, friendly personality, loving nature, balanced temperament, loyalty. The Golden Retrievers are ranked one of the most affectionate dog breeds that can strongly attach to their owners. They can interact with family members, new people, and other animals with ease! If you have small children, you can be confident, that they will find a loyal and playful buddy that they can spend such a pleasant time with! The Golden Retrievers are considered one of the most intelligent and trainable breeds as well. They are known as quick learners, able to retain a lot of information, and obedient dogs, eager to please their owners. Of course, there is no complete happiness.Our lovely paw friends tend to shed moderately during the summer and the winter. During the spring and autumn, you can expect them to shed more actively. Those of you who decide to have a representative of this gorgeous breed at home should be prepared for a certain amount of hair on their furniture and clothes at all times. Luckily, these cute doggies require a moderate level of grooming, so you do not have to invest so much time to keep their lovely double-coat neat. If you are in love with this breed, you should be prepared to spend enough time to keep them physically and mentally fit. The Golden Retrievers are quite energetic and playful. These amazing doggies are not considered barkers. They bark occasionally as vocalization is a type of communication not only in humans but in dogs as well. In general, we can say that the Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds as both pets and service dogs due to its indisputable qualities. Mobility and Balance-Related Tasks The female representatives of the breed can reach up to kg, while the male representatives- up to kg in weight. Their height can reach up to 51—56 cm in females, and cm in males. Considering their size and personal traits, these dogs can become great mobility dogs. They can be trained to pull a wheelchair or support a person having balance issues. There is a certain type of harnesses equipped with a robust handle, that enables mobility service dogs to fulfill this task. Guide Tasks The Golden Retrievers can become great guide dogs as well. They can be trained to assist a person with visual impairments navigate in the surroundings. As guide dogs, these canines can alert their owner about an obstacle on their way or ensure that there will be enough distance between their owner and passersby. Retrieve Tasks As the name of the breed indicates itself, these dogs are great at retrieving objects. This ability can be traced back to the reason for their breeding and namely- to retrieve shot upland game birds like partridge and goose. If you have impaired mobility, or you often feel disoriented and light-headed due to a certain condition or as a side-effect of prescribed medication, you can rely on your Goldie to bring to you all items you need. Since they are medium to large in a size, they are not suitable for jumping on your lap. However, they can paw you, nudge you, place their chin on your shoulder, arm or lap to calm you down when you need. Also, they can guide you to a safe place, when anxiety episodes arise. There are the following options available for that: 1. Contact a training organization or a personal trainer, specializing in service dog training. You can arrange a consultation online or in person at your home or at the training facility so that your dog can be evaluated and a training program can be recommended. You can contact an organization engaged in service dog training and get a trained service dog. These two options will give you confidence that your dog or the dog that you will be provided with, has been professionally trained and has acquired the necessary obedience and social skills. However, these options can be prohibitively expensive for some people. Training your own dog with the help of a trainer or a training organization is more affordable, however, a training session in-person, that takes about an hour, may cost you a hundred dollars or more. Some training programs, especially those designed for more advanced training can reach thousands of dollars. Contact a non-profit organization. This option is the most affordable one. However, in this case, you are likely to be placed on a waiting list and you may need to wait for a year or two to get a trained service dog. You can train your Golden Retriever to become a service animal yourself. In this case, you can focus on the tasks that you actually need your paw friend to perform. Also, you will be actively engaged in the training process and will be able to strengthen your bond. The biggest disadvantage of this option is that you may lack the experience and skills to conduct training yourself. Also, you will have to invest a lot of time and effort. Patience, discipline, and consistency are other words that you will need to always keep in mind if you decide to go that way. Enroll in an online course. By choosing this option you will get access to learning materials and support from a tutor support by a trainer is often calculated in the price of many online courses. Also, you will be able to make your own schedule instead of complying with a schedule set by a professional trainer. Training at your home and at your own pace are other benefits of this option. Needless to say, you and your doggy will develop an even stronger bond, as you will spend much time together and will know each other better. If you consider this option the most suitable for you, we would recommend that you take a look at the online courses that Service Dog Training School International offers: Online Courses. Essential Principles of the Training Process If you decide to train your Golden Retriever to become a service animal yourself, you should consider some basic training principles. You should be very patient and consistent and not give up if difficulties arise. Also, you should remember that each dog is an individual and you need to take the personality and temperament of your canine into account when conducting training. Keep the training sessions short and always reward and praise your paw friend when they perform a certain task. Do not rush things. As we mentioned above, this breed is deemed highly energetic, so you should not forget to exercise and walk your doggy on a regular basis. Physical and mental exercises will also help your canine spend their excessive amount of energy, and will reduce the possibility of behavioral issues occurring due to lack of activity. The ADA does not require service dogs to wear any type of service dog gear, including vests, harnesses, or ID tags. That way passersby are less likely to initiate contact, which may distract your dog. No wonder, that the Golden Retriever is one of the breeds that most people welcome. Such lovely doggies! Our Story Like every family, we have a story. Golden Rule Retrievers was born from our family's life-changing experience with Piper. Piper came to us at only five weeks. She was a gift to our daughter, Gracie, on her 14th birthday from her grandparents. At only five weeks, Piper was very intuitive and intelligent. She was a one-time learner and she quickly mastered some fun tricks. We used signs with her as we gave commands and she did the basics over and over. On command, Piper sat, army crawled, yawned, spoke, and even gave high fives. Inherently, of course, Piper fetched. She chose tennis balls over anything else and she loved it when we hit them with a tennis racket! She would track back and forth right to left, stop, look to us for a hand signal, and go in the direction we pointed, not once coming back without the ball. All day, everyday, Piper wanted to fetch, solve doggie puzzles, play hide and seek in the house; anything that kept her mind busy. She was a problem solver. At night, Piper slept at the foot of our bed. Soon, she began to alert to my shortness of breath and the silence that came when I didn't breathe at all. I was diagnosed in with Tracheal Stenosis, a chronic illness that continually grows scar tissue along the inside of the trachea and narrows the pathway through which we get air. At several points, my airway was only 2 millimeters. Yes, two millimeters. We were very blessed to be treated by Dr. Steven Zeitels at Massachusetts General Hospital, who, over the years, performed many surgeries, eventually stabilizing through a transplant and chemotherapy. Even with all the treatments and procedures, my airway remains very small, usually around 6 millimeters. Because our bodies tend to relax when we are sleeping, my greatest risk is at night. Piper began to nudge me when she noticed a change in my breathing. We were SOLD! While some of Piper's actions are inherited traits and behavioral characteristics, we have continued to work with her in other areas. Piper is now a certified therapy dog. She has experience working with children in public school classrooms, autistic and Downs Syndrome, physically handicapped, Hospice, and she has helped children in counseling. Piper also has aided in Domestic Violence Victims' Advocacy. Our little Piper became a big hit and eventually we decided to add to our number. Bella, an English Cream Golden Retriever, came to us in and was a happy and very busy little bee. When Bella came home, she had doubled in size and was absolutely a big, fluffy snuggle bunny! She immediately started going to counseling sessions and into classrooms to lighten Piper's load. Still, the more we volunteered, the more we saw the necessity for canine helpers in our community and surrounding towns. Sam is a lovable gentleman who adores Piper. His dark red coat and willingness to please with that dashing golden smile plastered across that beautiful face- Piper and Sam had a litter of nine puppies, all of which were healthy, happy and very easy to train. And again, the more we worked with them, the more we saw the need for well-trained Goldens that could be of service to those in need. Our family knows and understands what a working dog can do for a sick patient. We also have been down that road that is littered with medical bills, electricity cut-off notices and travel expenses due to the huge costs of a family member's declining health. It's during times like these that a dog with manners can be most helpful to a patient and family, yet coming up with the money to buy and train a dog can't be on the priority list at such a trying time. Our family decided that one way to make our corner of the world a brighter place, we would share our experiences and our Goldens. Piper and Bella became more and more involved with children, the elderly and those who are ill. We have since added other dogs to our brood. Every Golden family member lives inside our home and is a part of our family. Each Golden has many hours of public access and works regularly with teachers and their classes, attends community events and provides comfort when it is needed. A Duke University study showed that the action of petting a dog releases oxytocin from the brain. Scientists have known for a while that when the brain lets go of this chemical, stress is reduced and patients feel comforted. Our Golden Rule mission is to provide and train Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles for the main purpose of training in therapy and service. We have searched far and wide for our precious Goldens, from the west coast, along the Gulf Coast and to the Pacific Ocean. While almost all of our dogs have hunting in their immediate pedigrees, our main purpose is not to foster hunting behaviors, but to reframe them in such a way that each Golden Rule dog can be helpful to their partners and families as they grow. Each dog exhibits positive characteristics we look for in therapy and service dogs as well as good companion dogs. Not all Goldens are cut out for service or therapy, but every single golden we have raised or trained is teachable. Some are better suited for families with small children or more lively home environments while others find comfort in simply being present with their human partner. We assess our dogs on working and behavioral scales as they grow to determine with whom they will bond and which homes are best suited for their temperaments. No matter where you go to choose a Golden Retriever, please take the proper steps and ask the right questions to determine which dog is best for you. One size doesn't fit all - it takes the right puppy, the right behavior and the right timing to make things work with a new dog. We wish you much luck and joy in your search! Life is truly Golden! You love me when I am not lovable. You find me in the darkness. You keep my secrets and lick my tears. You teach me to live like someone left the gate open. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Many of our Goldens stay in our Service Dog Program to help those with disabilities, but we have puppies from every litter who are sold into pet homes to provide love to others. Many ask how I got my start in the breed, and it truly started with the love of a dog who was not a Golden Retriever. Scout showed me a life I would never have experienced, and I wanted that same happiness and help for others. Disabilities are not easy, but having a dog by your side can truly be amazing and helpful. And then the breed became my favorite thing to live with and work with. I love my girls and the heart they give all the sports and training we do. Whether it is a Service Dog, Therapy Dog, or a family pet, my goal is to provide families with the right dog for them. Titling our Breeding Stock Our dogs are titled in many different venues to show that they are well versed and able to do a job before breeding. Our dogs work hard and are versatile as the breed standard states they should be. Health is a huge deal for us and any girl who fails health testing is not to be bred. How we Raise our Puppies How you raise puppies matters. From their first breath to the time they leave our home each moment is important. We work on Potty Training, Crate Training, Socialization, and many other things before our puppies leave our home. They are raised in our main area after they reach a certain age and are around our crazy life as well as working on different training aspects. Because of this reason we have many people who come ask us if we sell Service Dog's in Training to those outside of the Scout's Legacy Program, and the answer is No. We will only place Service Dog prospects with those who are in our program. As far as companion dogs, this breed is a huge hit. The Golden Retriever has many amazing qualities and is a top dog breed for a nearly endless list of reasons. What sets Golden Retrievers apart is their friendly demeanor and gentleness. Goldens are outgoing, trustworthy and eager-to-please pups who do well with pretty much anyone. The Golden Retriever maintains a puppy-like zest for life all throughout adulthood and is very receptive to obedience training, service training, and pretty much any type of training or correction. Goldies are one of the most common service dog breeds for individuals with disabilities. Their size helps them overcome physical challenges, their temperament makes them a perfect match for their human partners, and their loyalty makes them amazing assistance dogs. Service dogs must be intelligent, well-focused and friendly, all of which are traits the Golden Retriever possesses. In fact, perhaps the most famous Golden Retriever service dog , Sampson, is a fine example of why Golden Retrievers make excellent service animals. Sampson was trained to work in a lab at the University of Illinois with his owner, Joey Ramp. He even wears his own PPE while he helps his disabled handler do work in his lab. What are Service Dogs? The definition of a service dog according to the U. There are many different types of service dogs, which we will discuss later, but all undergo a vigorous training process and are a valued member of society for the assistance they provide to their person. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, alerting owners to a panic attack, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. A service animal can help with many things, but in this category, it is most often pups offering assistance with physical disabilities or impairments. Guide dogs: These dogs are also known as seeing-eye-dogs and help people with vision loss navigate the world. A guide dog will help their handler avoid obstacles, ensure they step over any holes or curbs, help them cross roads, open doors, etc. They undergo vigorous training and can accomplish dozens of tasks. Hearing dogs: These talented pups assist their deaf handlers in a world of sound. They are trained to help their owners with ensuring they receive vital cues of sounds they cannot hear themselves. They will guide their owner to the sound or to safety, depending on the situation. Medical alert dogs: These service dogs help owners suffering from seizures or epilepsy prepare for an upcoming episode and keep them safe during it. Another type of service dog under this category is a diabetic assistance dog, who helps alert their owner when their blood sugar is low or can seek medical assistance if necessary. Mobility assistance dogs: A mobility assistance dog is a type of service dog that helps humans with spinal injuries, leg injuries, or any injury that makes walking, standing or balancing difficult. These are typically larger breed dogs since they provide balance support for their handler. They help their human stay standing , open doors, retrieve items, etc. Psychiatric service dog: This special service dog assists people with mental disabilities. They have all the same rights as all the above mentioned service dogs, but undergo specialized service dog training to perform tasks their owner needs assistance with. An example of this could be including medication, or providing comforting touches. These service dogs help with mental health issues rather than mobility issues. Someone who suffers from depression, anxiety attacks, PTSD or other mental disabilities could greatly benefit from a psychiatric service dog. Click the below video to learn more about psychiatric service dogs. Therapy dog: A therapy dog is not a service dog, but instead a loyal pet that helps provide comfort to people in stressful situations. This is often a hospital or nursing home, but can also be schools, natural disaster sites, etc. There are even different types, such as hearing impairment therapy dogs, school therapy dogs, etc. They undergo specialized training, including passing an American Kennel Club Good Citizen test, then visit anyone who could need comfort. Emotional support animal: An emotional support animal is a companion animal that provides emotional support to their owner. They do not undergo any special training, and are not a service animal. Emotional Support Dog vs. These dogs undergo specialized training and have federally protected rights, such as the right to accompany their owner anywhere, including businesses, schools, non-pet friendly housing, on airplanes, etc. To get a psychiatric service dog, you must be diagnosed with a disability and prescribed a service dog who undergoes vigorous training to support you. An emotional support dog only requires a letter of recommendation from a doctor. They are a pet who offers mental and emotional benefits to their owner. It is very important to recognize the difference between these two types of dogs. Service dogs wear vests to set themselves apart, as they have a very important job and should be recognized as working dogs. It makes life for people with disabilities much harder, and poses a challenge to service dog owners, making the conditions of service dogs worse. Why Golden Retrievers? So why Golden Retrievers? To summarize, Golden Retrievers make excellent companion animals, but also great assistance animals, because of their size, temperament, friendliness, and intelligence. Golden Retrievers on average weigh about 55 to 75 pounds and stand between 22 and 24 inches tall, making them a medium to large sized dog by the public. They have multiple color variations, but all fall under the golden category: cream, dark golden, light golden, etc. Their average life expectancy is years. A Golden Retriever has a stockier build, but is still agile and beautiful. Their fur falls at a beautiful length, making them true stunners. They are considering a sporting dog, and as the name retriever implies, have a tendency to retrieve items and things, much like their sister breed, the Labrador Retriever. But energy level wise, the two are very similar. Goldens are loved for their permanent puppy attitude and their general zest for life and ability to remain calm and friendly in all circumstances. Goldens are extremely trusting and loyal. They aim to please, making them great mobility assistance dogs and service dogs. Golden Retrievers do well in public, are easy to train, have a lovely personality and make a great best friend. He was on a mission to find the best gundog to use at his estate. Over 50 years, he bred different variations of dogs in search of the best breed possible. Through this breeding, the Golden Retriever was created to fetch waterfowl from hunts, hence the name retriever. By , they were in dog shows and making their way into America. First off, their size gives them an advantage to help people with physical needs, such as balance support, opening doors, etc. They exude a quiet confidence and a general love for life. They strive to provide help for human needs, and do well in a breeding program, which makes it great for ethical breeding needed for healthy service dogs for an adult candidate. Good news, Golden Retrievers are very commonly bred for this sole purpose. They begin training as a puppy and are trained to be excellent service companions. Service dogs are only given to people with disabilities that hinder their quality of life. For a psychiatric service dog, you must consult with a licensed mental health professional. This is the only legitimate way to acquire a service dog. For physical disabilities, you must consult with a doctor in your area. If they recommend a service dog, the next step is finding a service dog for you. Look at rescues in your local area to see if they have any Golden Retrievers or Golden mixes available, or you can purchase a Golden from a breeder or service dog organization. If you adopt one or purchase one from a breeder, you will want to work with a service dog trainer or service dog program training to make sure your pooch becomes the best assistance dog possible. This is the best way to ensure you get a Golden Retriever that is healthy and has all the characteristics we love about the popular breed. Conclusion Now you see why Golden Retrievers are such a beloved breed, not only as pets, but also as service animals. Their gorgeous coat and all-star personality make them an easy candidate to become service dogs. Are you looking for a psychiatric service dog? Here at CertaPet , we can help. CertaPet is an online telehealth platform that improves access to mental health care in the U. We are currently coordinating with dog trainers who specialize in the service animal space and who will soon work in tandem with our network of licensed mental health professionals to make the process of getting and training a psychiatric service dog affordable, convenient, and hassle-free. Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent, friendly, loyal, obedient, driven and much more, making them a great service dog. How do I get a psychiatric service dog? First, you must consult with a mental health professional to see if you qualify. If you are diagnosed with a mental disability, you will begin your search for a dog and begin training What can a Golden Retriever service dog do for me? This breed is very versatile! They can be trained to do anything: calm anxiety attacks, fetch medicine, work as a seeing eye dog, alert to seizures, and much more. You may also like. Because of this, it is important that the dog breeds chosen to be trained as service dogs have the correct disposition. They must further have the ability to be properly trained in service tasks in order to fully assist individuals with disabilities. One example of a dog breed especially suited to being a service dog is the golden retriever. This dog is kind, intelligent, and dependable, making it a perfect candidate for service dog training. Slater Creek Golden Retrievers will discuss the specifics of why golden retrievers make fantastic service dogs and give you some tips on starting to train your own golden retriever in service tasks. It is important for a service dog to have a certain set of characteristics that make them good candidates for learning skills and supporting their owner. Service dogs need to be able to learn skills relatively quickly, be socialized in a number of different settings, and have the size and strength to perform necessary tasks for their owners. They should also be friendly and attentive without being too reactive or aggressive towards other people or animals. With these attributes in mind, it is easy to see why golden retrievers make such fantastic service dogs. Golden retrievers are incredibly loyal and predisposed to following their owner around, which can be very helpful for an individual who needs their service dog to remain at their side for long periods of time. They are very friendly in nature and have a tendency to be loving to everyone they meet; this makes it easy to bring a golden into multiple different social settings and around different people and animals without them becoming upset or aggressive. Golden retrievers also learn quickly and they love to perform tasks for their owners; bred initially as hunting dogs that were given the task of retrieving shot ducks, golden retrievers enjoy the challenge of learning new skills and being given a chance to prove themselves to their owners. Additionally, as a medium-sized dog, they are highly suited to performing tasks that need a little more strength and height, such as opening doors, pushing buttons, and supporting their owners with their bodies. Golden retrievers can perform almost all tasks assigned to them with the right training, but there are some responsibilities that they are more suited to than others. Guide Dogs Acting as a seeing-eye dog is where many golden retrievers shine. Seeing eye dogs need to be active and alert to their surroundings, something that goldens excel in, as a larger breed that loves the outdoors. Guide dogs also need to learn a wide range of skills and tasks that help their owner, which is something that golden retrievers are capable of and enjoy doing. Mobility Assistance Dogs As their name indicates, golden retrievers love to retrieve. They are a good choice for mobility assistance dogs as they are quickly able to learn commands and enjoy the act of bringing things to their owner. Therapy Dogs Because they are highly sensitive to the people around them, golden retrievers are very suited to becoming therapy dogs. They are often seen working in hospitals to provide comfort to patients and are often able to become emotional service animals keep in mind that ESAs are different from service dogs in terms of legal protections. Goldens are quiet and naturally disposed to being friendly and loving, one of the most important traits needed in a therapy dog. Our Golden Retrievers Are Here To Service You Golden retrievers are gentle, friendly, furry friends who respond well to training and are responsive to human emotional needs, making them one of the most common service dog breeds. Is your loved one looking for the perfect dog match? Would you like to have someone help them in their daily lives and guide them with their canine companion? For us, Goldens is a way of life. Our Goldens are raised in a fun-loving family environment, with beautiful, safe surroundings in the mountains of Colorado.

Following the Labrador feeding chart by age will give you a rough idea of how much to feed your puppy. Labradors are known for their playfulness, and sweet disposition, and are good at fetch which is why you should provide them with the best nutrition to support their growth. Ensure that the food contains the right amounts of protein, carbs, fat, and vitamins. You should avoid feeding your Labrador puppy too much food as they are prone to joint issues, but also avoid feeding them less food as they will be malnourished and not reach their growth milestones. Continue reading to understand how much to feed a Labrador puppy. The amount of food that your Labrador puppy should eat depends on a combination of certain factors such as activity level, weight, type, and brand of food. Heavier and bigger puppies need to eat more food than smaller puppies, and dogs that have active lives will need more calories than those living sedentary life. Fortunately, all dog food contains a feeding guideline on the packaging to get you started. It is important that you create and maintain a feeding schedule for your puppy so that they can maintain a healthy weight and develop good habits. Consult your pet nutritionist or vet, to learn more about how much food you should give your specific Labrador. Labrador Feeding Chart By Age A Labrador can be fed between one and six cups of food depending on their level of activity, age, and type of food. The amount will differ from one puppy to the other as every puppy has there own requirements. Therefore, you should follow a feeding guideline that is indicated in the dog food brands or the one designed by your vet. As a Labrador owner, it is important to understand that the nutritional requirements of your puppy are different at each stage as they grow. Therefore, adult and puppy dogs should be trained to eat the correct amount at the right schedule. Ensure that you keep a Labrador puppy feeding chart with you. Calculating the Resting Energy Requirement RER of your puppy and doubling it can help you get the right number of calories to feed them. Feed your puppy a little amount, in the beginning, to ensure that they are ready to eat. If they are not ready, do not force the food on them. Be patient with your puppy and they will be on puppy food soon. The puppy will be relying less on the milk. When your puppy starts eating all the food you offer them, you can reduce the amount of water and increase the food amount. The puppy will start becoming active and start exploring away from the mother as they no longer rely on the mother. By the end of the week into week seven, the puppy will be able to eat just puppy food. Ensure that you feed them dry food that is full of healthy protein. They should be eating three to four times per day and need about 2 cups of food. Avoid free feeding the puppy as it may be hard to know exactly how much they are eating. Create a feeding schedule as early as possible and this will help them develop good habits in the future. Put the food out for only 10 to 15 minutes and take the bowl away if they do not finish. This can be tricky if you are working but it is important that you maintain their feeding schedule as this is a developmental stage. Three meals per day will help your growing puppy develop their digestive system and ensure that they are getting their nutrition. This is also the beginning of the teething stage and they will be biting a lot of things including hard dog food and chew toys. They should eat about two cups of food distributed over three meals. But you should still maintain feeding them two cups of food but can reduce the mealtimes to twice per day. Watch out for the amount of food your puppy eats to avoid them gaining weight. Also, ensure that they are getting enough exercise to burn off the food. So, you should transition them to adult food. Ensure that the switching process is done slowly to avoid causing vomiting and diarrhea to your puppy. Your Labrador can be fed once per day now and the amount reduced to about two cups of food. Understanding Labrador Puppy Nutritional Needs If you stick to feeding your Labrador high-quality food, be assured that they are getting all the necessary nutrients. However, it is useful to know the types of nutrients that they need and the ingredients to watch out for. Carbohydrates — healthy carbs are necessary for providing energy for your puppy. Sources like barley, rice, and oatmeal are great. Healthy carbs can also be found in veggies such as sweet potatoes, peas, and lentils. Fiber — it helps regulate the digestive system of your puppy and helps the stool become healthier and firm. Sources include spinach, chicory root, and beet pulp. Sources include fish oils, fish, canola oils, and fish. Vitamins and Minerals — are needed for improving the immune system which helps in protecting your puppy from diseases. Veggies and real fruits like cranberries and blueberries are great sources. The frequency of feeding your Labrador depends mostly on their age. Puppies need to eat three to four times per day while senior and adult Labradors can eat one to two times per day. Labrador is a breed that is motivated by food, meaning that the chance of them turning down food is low. Given their nature, it can be difficult to figure out whether they are really hungry or just food obsessed. Since they cannot regulate their eating habits, it is important that you develop a feeding schedule to prevent them from gaining weight. Both types of food provide your dog with the best nutrition they need to grow and develop. Also, check the label on the packaging and make sure that it contains the perfect balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Kibble is cheaper than wet foods and stores easily as it does not require refrigeration. It also helps clean the teeth by removing tartar and buildup when your puppy chews it. Wet food also provides balanced and complete nutrition for your Labrador. It provides more hydration to your puppy as it contains high moisture content. However, wet food needs to be put in the fridge once opened otherwise it will go bad. Some dog owners mix wet food and kibble to give their dogs the best of both worlds. Therefore, most premium dog food brands have different specially formulated puppy food. Puppies can be fed with puppy food until they are about 12 to 15 months old then transition to adult dog food. When transitioning your dog from puppy food to adult dog food remember to introduce the feed gradually for about seven to ten days by mixing small amounts of the adult dog food with the puppy food. Decrease the puppy food gradually every day with a simultaneous increase in adult dog food. This will helps the pup o adjust to the new meal easily. Experienced Labrador Retriever owners will tell you that not all puppies eat a lot. Studies also have indicated that puppies eat more when fed with other puppies or in a group. When the puppy gets to a new home, they might go off the food for the first few days. They might eat a few kibbles and then leave it. Your puppy may also prefer to eat from your hand and not the bowl. However, call your vet if your puppy refuses to eat for more than four hours. Call immediately if your puppy looks unwell. There are a few reasons you need to keep an eye on because they indicate serious problems: Your pup neither drink nor eat Diarrhea. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. Made with real meat and no artificial colors or flavors how much should a lab eat? Allergies Labs can also have allergies. Some dogs may be allergic to wheat, macadamia nuts, etc. It can manifest as a runny nose, high volumes of shedding, rashes on the skin, and so on. Different dietary needs are crucial, especially if they display allergy symptoms. Avoid all types of human foods. You can give your lab puppy supplements You can get great quality adult dog food and puppy kibble from companies like Royal Canin Labrador Retriever, Blue Buffalo, Canidae Grain-Free, etc. Only adult food must be given to labrador retrievers who have crossed 1. Your puppy needs 4 small meals consisting of half a cup of food per meal till he is 2 months old. From 2 to 6 months, he needs 3 meals daily consisting of 1 cup of food per meal. From 6 months onwards , you can give your puppy 2 meals daily of 2 cups of dog food per meal. Is This A Problem? Yes, this is a major problem! Fat dogs are adorable but also extremely unhealthy. An adult labrador retriever should weigh at most pounds. Labs that are fatter than this stand at the risk of obesity, arthritis , and other lifelong diseases. Refrain from feeding your labrador too many dog treats. Onions and garlic: surprisingly, anything in the onion and garlic family is incredibly toxic to dogs. Meat with bones: if not chewed properly, sharp edges can rupture the throat, stomach lining, intestines, and other parts of the digestive tract. Other human foods and beverages to avoid giving your dog are alcohol, sugar, citric fruits, and anything with caffeine. Your labrador retriever should weigh between 55 to 70 pounds at full adulthood. Male labs are heavier than female labs, so they can fall on either side of the optimal weight spectrum. Some healthy treats for your labrador retriever are cut fruits and vegetables. Carrots, celery, cucumber, beetroot, apples, bananas, and berries strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, etc. Dogs also love peanut butter! Veggies dipped in peanut butter also make a great snack for your dog. This is entirely up to you as dog owners. If you have the time and patience to cook meals for your dog, go for it. Store-bought food is easier and is filled with the right nutritional requirements for your lab puppy. On the other hand, with the right recipe, home-cooked food works, too. What Should I Do? A dog growling at you when you go near his food bowl is most commonly a trauma response or a way to protect his food. We often see this with rescues. House training your lab puppy is equally important to avoid food aggression. Labrador Retrievers get piddly after their meals. Dog owners must take out their lab puppy as frequently as they eat sometimes even more often to let their energy out and adult labradors less frequently. A lab puppy needs a ton of exercise. The amount of kibble you should feed your Labrador puppy will vary depending on their age, weight, and activity level. A good rule of thumb is to start with cups of kibble daily and adjust as needed. Best Dog Food For Lab Puppies: The best dog foods for lab puppies include those that are high in protein and low in fillers. The food you should feed a black lab puppy is the same as for any other Labrador puppy. A chocolate lab puppy should be fed the same food as for any other Labrador puppy. A 2-year-old chocolate lab should eat about cups of kibble daily. You should stop feeding puppy food to your Labrador at around months of age. At this point, their growth plates will have closed, and they will no longer need the extra nutrients found in puppy food. Labradors live for years. They start to slow down around 7 and may develop some health problems in their senior years. You should also increase their exercise level. Lab breeders feed their dogs high-quality dog food specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. A lab puppy should drink about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. This amount may increase as they get older and more active. A labrador needs at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can be a combination of walking, running, and playing. Golden labs live for years. Chocolate labs live for years same like labs of any color. Labradors lose their baby teeth between 3 and 6 months of age. You can start to transition your puppy to eating twice a day at around 6 months of age. By the time they are 1 year old, they should eat only once daily. You should stop feeding your large breed puppy food at around 18 months of age. Why Are Labs So Hungry? Labradors are a very active breed of dog, and they need a lot of calories to fuel their energy levels. They are also prone to gaining weight, so keep a close eye on their food intake About The Author Shradha Kabra Shradha is a seasoned writer at Labradorandyou. Her experience as a pet owner and dog enthusiast drives her to create meticulously researched and fact-checked content, offering valuable insights on Labrador training, grooming, and health. Each article reflects Shradha's passion and dedication, enriched by personal experiences with her beloved Labradors, Tom, and Kurt. Whether exploring breed-specific training techniques or providing product reviews, Shradha ensures Labrador owners receive the most accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy information, aimed at enhancing their companions' health and happiness. Before adopting a Labrador Retriever puppy, many owners go to great lengths to deduce the optimal food for their pup. From raw feed to canned food from a local pet store, there are plenty of dog food options for owners to consider, but which is the best dog food? Whether you feed your puppy a raw food diet or commercial dog foods, there are lots of ways for your pup to consume a balanced diet. There are plenty of sources that will describe the benefits of one diet over another, but remember that no one knows your puppy better than you. The decision to feed your dog a diet that you think is best is yours to make. There really is no right or wrong answer when it comes to selecting a food for your puppy. Your pooch will likely enjoy eating wet food just as much as they enjoy commercial dog food. So long as you feed your pup an adequate amount of food, they are likely to live a long and healthy life. If you would like specific advice about feeding your individual puppy, you may wish to consult with your veterinarian or other dog food expert. When you first bring your puppy home, it can be alarming if your dog does not touch its puppy food during the first few days at home. Is this cause for concern? Noticing that your precious pup is not eating can be a frightening realization. Prior to being welcomed to its forever home, your Lab puppy was accustomed to living with its mother and siblings. Therefore, being uprooted from this life can initially be a startling experience for a dog. Fortunately, puppies should develop an appetite within a day or two of entering their forever home-they just need a short time to adjust to their new life. If, after a few days, your puppy is still not eating their dog food, it may be a wise idea to have your puppy evaluated by a vet. Feeding A Two-Month-Old Labrador Retriever Two months old is about the earliest point at which a Labrador puppy can be brought home by their new family. When a Labrador puppy begins to eat solid food, it will not be eating a ton of food. So, owners can start their Lab puppy off with somewhere around 0. As your puppy grows older and gets bigger, owners should look to increase the amount of food for their Labrador pup. By the time a puppy is nearing three months old, it should be eating well over 1 cup of food every day. Some puppies may be consuming close to two cups of dog food at this time. This increase in size means that their appetite has also surely grown since bringing them home. By the time a Labrador puppy is around 3 months old, it should be eating close to 1. Large three-month-old Labrador puppies can be away a substantial amount of food as they are near four months old. Some puppies will be able to consume around 3 cups of food daily at this point in their lives, but most will be eating closer to 2 cups of dog food every day. If your pup seems hungry and looks to be a healthy weight, there is no need for owners to be concerned about how much food their three-month-old Lab is consuming. Your precious pooch will start to look more like an adult with each passing day. Therefore, it is essential to feed your dog enough food to promote the weight gain that makes dogs thrive. Four-month-old Labrador Retrievers should be given at least two cups of food daily. The biggest, most ravenous Labs will eat close to 3. However, only dogs on the large end of the puppy spectrum will need to eat this much at this time. Average four to five-month-old Labs should eat anywhere from 2 to 3 cups of food daily. Labrador Retriever teenagers are characterized by disproportionate body parts, distracted behavior, and dispositions that range from silly to ornery. Therefore, getting enough food to support such development is imperative. A six-month-old Labrador will surely be able to eat at least 2. This will ensure proper growth for your pooch. As your puppy reaches the point in which it is 7 to 8 months old, continue to increase the amount of food that your puppy receives. Labrador Retriever puppies that are close to 9 months old can eat more than 4 cups of food daily. However, your furry friend is more likely to consume 2. Instead, your pup is likely nearing its adult size. So, how much food should ten to twelve-month-old Labs be eating? Puppies that consume quantities of food on the low end of the spectrum should be consuming at least 3 cups of food every day during this time. On the other hand, large Lab pups that are between 10 to 12 months old could be eating 4. If your puppy is on the brink of adulthood, it would be wise to consider weaning it off of its puppy food in favor of adult dog food. All Lab puppies should be offered adult dog food when they reach maturity, as such food replaces nutrients that are essential for puppies with ingredients that benefit adults. Whereas puppies should eat food that increases their body weight, adult Labs should eat food that maintains their weight. So, if you think it may be time to switch your Labrador Retriever to an adult dog food diet, consult with your vet and find a food that is best for your adult Lab. Of course, the mature size of your pooch will dictate how much food it can and should be consuming every day. Generally, it is advisable to feed an adult Labrador anywhere from 3 to just over 4 cups of food every day. Gauge the weight and appetite of your pet to determine the perfect amount for your furry friend. Though the above recommendation will be perfect for most adult Labs, there are some instances in which mature Labradors will require more adult food. Pregnant Or Lactating Labs A Labrador who is pregnant or lactating will require substantial amounts of food to nourish herself and her litter of pups. Therefore, owners should be prepared to offer vast quantities of food to their Labrador mothers. While a typical adult Labrador will consume 3 to 4 cups of food every day, Labrador mothers should be offered around 6 cups of food at least to keep up with their enormous energy requirements. If your mother Labrador snarfs this food down and still seems hungry afterward, be prepared to offer her additional food. Especially Active Labs If your Labrador is an athletic specimen, it may need to consume more than a typical adult Lab to fuel the exercise regime that such a dog is accustomed to. Dogs that receive more than one hour of daily exercise could be considered especially active dogs. Owners can begin by offering these pooches 4. If they still seem hungry, owners can increase the amount of food given to these dogs. Once a dog reaches the golden years of its life, it is once again time to switch up its diet. Senior dogs should consume food that caters to the needs of their aging bodies. These pooches can get away with eating a low-protein diet whereas such food would not be appropriate for puppies or adults. Given that senior dogs are usually not especially active dogs, they do not require as much food compared to adult and large puppies. Therefore, supplying a senior Lab with anywhere from 2 to just over 3 cups of food daily should be plenty for your pooch. Now that you know how much to feed your Labrador, you are likely curious about the number of times that your dog should be fed every day. Some may be looking for a quick answer about how often to feed a Labrador every day, but the truth is nuanced. When it comes to feeding your Lab, it turns out that Labs of different ages should be fed different amounts of food every day. Read on to discover the perfect number of meals for your Lab. An infant Labrador Retriever should have its daily food allotment broken up into at least 4 meals every day. This will help supply these petite pups with the energy that they need to get through the day. Lab puppies that are four to twelve months old do not require as many meals as their younger counterparts. However, these dogs should still receive three meals per day to support their rapid metabolism. Feeding one meal in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening is optimal. Adult Labs do not need to eat as many meals are puppies due to their slower metabolisms. Supplying an adult Labrador Retriever with two meals every day would be perfect for these dogs. Ideally, adult dogs will be fed one meal in the morning and one in the evening. When your furry friend reaches the point in their life where they are considered to be a senior dog, your pooch will have the slowest metabolism in their life. The slow metabolism for senior Labs means that these dogs do not need to eat as frequently as they did when they were younger. In fact, senior Labrador Retrievers can get by with eating a single meal every day. One to two meals per day is ideal for a senior Labrador Retriever. Owners can see if their senior Lab prefers one or two meals each day by allowing them to try each option. Is this because these dogs are prone to obesity or simply because there are so many Labs out and about? It turns out that Labrador Retrievers are more prone to obesity than many other dog breeds. Labs have evolved to be very active dogs. If owners fail to provide their dogs with proper exercise and feed their furry friends excessive amounts of food, there is a good chance that owners will end up with overweight dogs. Why Is My Labrador Overweight? If you are someone who owns an overweight Labrador, you are not alone. Overweight Labs are still lovable pooches, but they could stand to lose some pounds for their own good. Obviously, feeding your dog less food is likely to be one of the keys to helping your canine companion to lose weight. However, you may be wondering what else you can do to help your Labrador lose weight. Well, if you do not frequently exercise your dog, then this is a good place to start. Try feeding your dog its typical amount of food but increasing its exercise to see if it starts to lose weight. For those that are still struggling to get your pooch to lose weight, be sure to cut out table scraps and dog treats from the diet of your dog. Moreover, be sure that you are not free feeding your Labrador Retriever. Free feeding is acceptable for puppies when they are infants, but Labradors that are any other age should not be free fed, for this can also result in a chunky pooch. If you fear that your dog is consuming its food too quickly, there are plenty of feeding methods to help your pooch slow down. Obesity in dogs is a serious issue. We briefly touched on this subject when discussing the best foods for Lab puppies, and the same advice will apply here. Some owners feed raw to their Labs, while others may feed kibble. Does this mean that those who practice raw feeding are likely to own healthier dogs compared to those feeding kibble to their dogs? Of course not! High-quality dog food may take many different forms. A raw diet could provide your dog with all of the nutrients that it needs, but it is not inherently better for your dog than dry food or homemade food. Ultimately, owners know their Lab better than anyone else, so they should have the final say regarding what to feed their dog. Deciding what to feed your Labrador can be an overwhelming prospect. Consult A Veterinarian Inquiring with a trusted veterinarian about the diet of your Labrador Retriever will help an owner determine the optimal food intake for their precious pooch. They may also recommend certain dog foods that can be purchased to feed a Labrador. A feeding chart will provide information related to how much food to provide a Lab based on its age. A feeding guide may even break down how much food to feed a Labrador based on its weight. There are plenty of Labrador Puppy feeding chart options and feeding guides for adults. Finding a feeding chart that was created by a trusted source like the American Kennel Club can help you make an informed decision about how much to feed your furry friend. Ultimately, a feeding guide is a good place to turn if you find yourself in need of a quick answer about the topic of how much to feed your Lab. The best food for Labrador puppies to consume in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to trained breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a Labrador puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. You can do this by mixing some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, you can reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed a Labrador puppy as they get older. In their four months living with you, and once they are weaned off milk, Labradors are likely to reach almost half their adult weight. They will reach their full adult weight by the time they are 6 to 7 months old. With this rapid growth can come some risks. Labradors can be susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia and joint abnormalities that can start in puppyhood. Once your Lab puppy hits 6 months, their growth begins to slow down. Once puppyhood is over, you can move to feeding your lab twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times. Labs are still very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen at around 15 months. This is because, being a breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your Labrador puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. It is also dangerous for a puppy to overeat. Labradors are large breeds, which means they need plenty of nutrients and calories as they grow to ensure they go from being active puppies to healthy adult dogs. Labrador puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, Labrador puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. The amount of food you give your Labrador is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult Labradors, around 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female Labradors, who tend to be around 5 to 10 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, to 1, calories per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your Labrador based on how calorically dense their food is. Adult Labradors should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs may benefit from exercise after eating: especially high energy Labs with a lot of energy to burn off. You should also try to give your Labrador a high quality food that is specially designed for large breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. For example, Labradors can be particularly susceptible to obesity. As a breed, they tend to be one of the most commonly obese dogs in Australia. This is due to several factors, including a genetic predisposition to unhealthy weight gain and a famously large appetite. However, plenty of Labs suffering from obesity are simply overfed and not getting enough exercise. Choosing a low carb diet is crucial to preventing obesity in your Labrador. If you are unsure about what you should feed your Labrador, you should always consult your vet. They will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any chronic health issues, and they will be able to create a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for many years to come. Wet food for Labradors is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. Chewing on dry food can be especially good for teething Labrador puppies. A raw diet can be a good option for your Labrador as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your Labrador, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of nutrient support as they go through the various stages of their life. It can also be easy to overestimate the amount of food your Labrador needs to stay fit and healthy — especially if they are skilled at begging! You need to make sure that your dog is eating the right amount of food for their breed, their size, and activity level. You should also avoid foods that, while delicious for humans, can be harmful or toxic for dogs. Foods like onions, nuts, alcohol, cooked bones, and artificial sweeteners are commonly included in dinners meant for humans, but can cause serious health issues for your Labrador. No matter how old your Lab is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.

Dawson Creek According to this small and family-owned breeder, good puppies come in small packages. Brenda Dawson lives in the ancient town of Luka, Mississippi, with her husband, son, and eight Labradoodle parents, which is known for its healing mineral springs. Their Labradoodle breeding program prioritizes health, happiness, and a peaceful disposition. Inside their houses and the homes of guardian friends, the adult dogs and Labradoodle puppies all live as family members. They are treated with the same respect and adhere to the same rules as their human counterparts. When you visit Dawson Creek, you will see red in a good manner! These Labradoodles have a lot of character. Each labradoodle has a distinct personality that distinguishes it from the rest. These dogs have undergone extensive health testing to ensure that we provide you with top-notch service. They have a show-quality line of Australian Labradoodle puppies in mini, standard and medium sizes: black, chocolate, red, apricot, and other beautiful colors. Their pets are non-shedding, hypoallergenic dogs that live about 15 to 18 years. Their puppies have a pleasant demeanor, enjoy being around people, and have the unique ability to empathize with humans. Their pups are healthy and have a maximum lifespan of 15 to 18 years. They have beautiful, well-bred puppies available at their Kennel. Barksdale Labradoodles offers a health guarantee on their puppies and requires that all dogs pass genetic testing before breeding. They also make sure that their puppies are dewormed, vaccinated, and socialized with other animals and people. Moreover, they offer a lifetime warranty against genetic defects. If something does happen, they will take the dog back and replace it with a new puppy of equal value. They offer you excellent service and support, as their goal is to provide you with years of happiness and memories. Their adult dogs are healthy, happy, well-tempered family members that can be taken anywhere. All of their Labradoodle parents are OFA certified. They are one of the most trustworthy, reputable, and caring breeders in Mississippi. Their puppies are friendly, docile, gentle with kids and visitors alike. Health, temperament, intellect, conformation, and low to non-shedding coats are all important. All of our dogs are genetically tested and have their joints certified. They only produce one or two litters per year and give them proper attention and care. Starting at one day, they employ Early Neurological Stimulation on our puppies. They keep puppies until they are eight weeks old, which is the optimal period for them to adjust to their new surroundings. Puppies have had their dew claws removed and provided their vaccines by a professional veterinarian. They have also been dewormed and given a heartworm prophylactic. At six weeks of age, they receive a complete health examination and their first series of vaccines from a registered veterinarian, as well as a health certificate. They also provide a health assurance against genetic disorders and deformities for the rest of your life. We conducted our investigation to ensure that the breeders we found were not puppy mills or backyard breeders. In general, if you want to locate a happy and healthy Labradoodle puppy in Mississippi, you should also be aware of the different coat colors and sizes available. The Labradoodle breed has three sizes: mini, standard, and medium. The price for a dog will depend on its size, age, lineage, coat color, temperament features, etc. The three breeders we have listed above are among the best Labradoodle breeders in Mississippi. If you are looking for a healthy, low-shedding, and friendly Labradoodle puppy, be sure to contact one of these breeders. They will be more than happy to help you find the perfect Labradoodle pup for your family. To ensure that your Labradoodle is healthy, you must confirm all health and genetic testing results to ensure that they do not inherit a condition. Finally, visit their breeding facility and develop a rapport with the Labradoodle breeder if at all possible. We hope you choose a puppy and connect with a reliable breeder! 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. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Biloxi Mississippi and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. These Labradoodles are bursting with personality. They are lovable, playful, and very intelligent. Each labradoodle having its own unique personality makes it very special. These unique personalities develop from the Australian Labradoodles wonderful temperament. Labradoodles love their humans and make extraordinary family companions and excellent Emotional Support Animals. Our girls and boys have been extensively health tested in-order to assure that we provide you with premium quality. Click here to view our current litters or click here to view our upcoming litters. Guardian Program Dawson Creek Labradoodles has a firm belief in the one-family concept. We ensure our breeding boys and girls have a loving home and live life to the fullest. Therefore, we offer a guardian program to well-deserved families at no cost. Nothing pleases them more than participating in family activities and family fun. About Our Family We are blessed to live on a small farm and enjoy the outdoor living. We enjoy taking care of our animals and having family togetherness. Our breeding girls are a big part of our family. They live in our home as family members. Our girls enjoy our country lifestyle. Whether they are taking a walk to the creek or a run to the barn the girls love being a part of the family. Our country lifestyle provides our girls and their puppies with a relaxed environment that allows plenty of socialization with adults, children, and other animals. At Dawson Creek our Australian Labradoodles are an important part of our family. We hope when you find your Australian Labradoodle, your doodle will be an important part of your family too! Our doods enjoy roaming around our sprawling homestead in picturesque Iuka, Mississippi. Purchasing a Dawson Creek Australian Labradoodle If you feel that a Dawson Creek Australian Labradoodle is a good fit for your family, please begin the adoption process by filling out our puppy application. We would love to make you a part of the Dawson Creek Family. We enjoy making families happy and putting smiles on faces. Please browse our Puppy Culture Protocol website for more information about our facility.

We're a happy, friendly team and would love you to come and visit us at the centre to see our fantastic facilities and all the waggy tails of our doggy guests. We can care for up to dogs at any one time and our facilities include a training barn, veterinary and surgical suite and a dedicated training and rehabilitation unit to enrich the lives of the dogs in our care. By public transport: Closest train stations are Wickford Greater Anglia line , which is about a five-minute drive from the centre, and Basildon and Pitsea C2C line , which are both a minute drive from the centre. The 25 bus runs between Basildon and the rehoming centre and takes about 25 minutes. Parking available on site. Local supporter relations If you are interested in donating In Memory, have questions about our Canine Care Card service, leaving a Legacy or if you would like to book a guest speaker for your Community Group, then please get in touch with your local Supporter Relations Officer Stephanie Disch or calling .Supporting us Donate your pre-loved items. Signage outside will make it clear where you can drop off your donations. We rely on your kind support to continue our vital work, please donate today. How rehoming works. Trainable, loving, intuitive companion, therapy and assistance dogs Top Quality Training and Boarding for all Breeds and ages in a quiet, happy, environment. Our dogs: Highly intuitive, easy to train companion, therapy and assistance dogs. Our pups are carefully raised, confident pups, with a loving, people focussed temperament. Parents are comprehensively genetically health tested, with the Orivet Full Breed Profile, to help ensure your pup remains healthy and clear of genetic diseases. Our dogs are much loved and well cared for each step of the way. Pups are firstly born and raised in our home, then safely explore the natural environment, with play, daily human love and attention as they get older. They receive the best nutrition every step of the way. In addition to regular voluntary vet audits, we also do early age training with our pups, feed the very best of diets, and ensure they are raised with lots of toys, space, a happy mum and tons of love and attention, and provide a lifetime rehoming policy. A BIN number does not require an audit, or any expertise to obtain. Our dogs have lots of space to play together, lay around under trees, swim when it is hot, and are part of our home and family. Puppies are born in our home, and as they grow they enjoy our clean, spacious areas, with an inside room and a doggy door leading to a large outside area with clean, different toys each day, lots of people time and the best of health care. We welcome you to come and visit your pup, subject to our quarantine requirements. Below are some photos of our facility and others of our dogs and pups in their forever homes Be S M A R T, who ever you purchase your puppy from. Make sure your puppy has the following: Genetic Testing. Our breeding program includes Labradoodles from Tegan Park and Rutland Manor, the originators of this clever breed. We are dedicated to preserving the Australian Labradoodle, by insuring sound breeding practices, excellence and the highest standard of ethics. Our dogs and puppies live in our home as loved pets. They are well socialized and used to children and other animals. Proper socialization is important to the puppy you will adopt so much attention is given to your new puppy. While in our home we take the utmost care of your new puppy. Your little prince or princess will be treated like royalty. You can be assured that the best care and attention is given to all aspects of breeding, and that we are devoted to advancing and preserving this unique breed. Only sound Labradoodles are allowed to participate in our breeding program. Our adherence to these policies backs up our guarantee in providing only the best Australian Labradoodles. It is my goal to produce the finest companion for your family and am honored that so many families come to me for their puppy. Australian Labradoodles. Apply for a Puppy Sunset Hills welcomes you! You will find available some of the most beautiful allergy and asthma friendly Australian Labradoodles for sale as family companion pets and breeding stock. Our Family Care Home Program Our breeding centre is dedicated to the development and breeding of the multi-generation Australian Labradoodle. The majority of our breeding dogs live with our carefully selected care homes as their family pets here in South Australia. This is one of the many ways we ensure our puppies come from the best possible sires and dams who have already proven their success living as adored family pets themselves. Temperament and trainability are a very important consideration with our family. You will find in your research of the breed that our breeding stock is some of the best Australian Labradoodles to be found in the world. Assurance of Quality Sunset Hills goal has been and continued on in providing beautiful, well figured, healthy, genetically sound, well rounded, excellent temperament, allergy and asthma friendly dogs to families and breeders throughout Australia and around the world. We have strong confidence about our investment of genetically sound, and healthy lines to the Australian Labradoodle breed and its future health. Thank you for visiting Sunset Hills website. If you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact us at any time. Full Name.

The people who run the organization think the Poodle is a special breed with many amazing traits that enable them to flourish in many different ways. The qualities that they strive for in all of their Poodle puppies are conformation, top-notch health, intelligence, and friendly temperament. They exhibit their poodles in the conformation breed show ring to demonstrate that they possess the traits required by the breed standard. Genetics are clearly a major factor in autoimmune disorders, and for that reason, genetic diversity is crucial. The best way to get in touch with them is to check out their website for more info and then go from there. Silver Nickel Puppies — Englewood, NJ Silver Nickel Puppies have a puppy nursery and showroom that are fully equipped with ventilation and exhaust systems in order to make the air as fresh and as clean as possible. They put a lot of time and effort into making sure that these furballs grow up into healthy, smart, and well-behaved dogs. As required by New Jersey State law, all of their puppies come from USDA-licensed breeders, which they inspect every year to ensure that they keep up their standards. When you buy a puppy from Silver Nickel, you receive the full medical records, pedigree information, breed certification, as well as other necessary paperwork. They sell a variety of breeds, but they specialize in hypoallergenic dogs. This, of course, includes Poodles, and particularly Toy Poodles. Silver Nickel Puppies Contact Info. Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.Top 30 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World If you're a dog lover, you've probably heard the age-old debate: which dog breeds are the smartest? While all dogs have their own unique intelligence and personality, some breeds have proven to be consistently brilliant over time. In this guide, we'll explore the top 30 smartest dog breeds ranked, from problem-solving whizzes to trainable and intuitive pups. We've done our research to provide you with an updated and informative.These pooches are joyful, lively, eager to please dogs. They are adventurous, kind, family-oriented pups who love hiking, swimming, canine games, sports and any, and all, family activities. These puppies are merry and bouncy little marshmallows. They are cuddly and sweet pups who love running around, playing, making friends and are very enthusiastic learners. The breed is divided into 3 recognized categories: Toy Poodle; Mini; Standard. Although they differ in size, one thing is for sure: they are glamorous companion pets. We are Silver Nickel Puppies! Let us tell you all about it. Our puppy nursery and our puppy showroom are both equipped with clean air ventilation and exhaust systems that purify and circulate the air constantly to help eliminate all odors and bacteria that cause germs. Checkout our available poodles for sale , and our poodles coming soon , and if you want to learn more about the poodle breed. For pricing on our toy poodle puppies for sale, give us a call today! Toy Poodle Breed Information The toy Poodle is the common breed for many, many popular crossbred dogs right now. The toy variety of poodle is a very small dog no taller than 10 inches in most cases. It is often this toy sized one that is used to breed the Mini Goldendoodle, Mini Whoodle, Cockapoo, and many more! However, this could not be further from the truth! Poodles historically have been used to retrieve game such as waterfowl, they have no qualms with getting down to brass tacks. The Poodle is a very hardworking breed and has great intelligence which makes it an excellent sporting dog for dog competitions. This makes the breed very trainable and good for many different occasions and lifestyles. The Poodle is also well known for their coat which sheds very little and is considered to be hypoallergenic. However, like many hypoallergenic breeds what you get with lack of shedding you must make up for with frequent grooming and maintenance. Toy Poodle Breed Info: Temperament Those looking for Poodle breed info will be happy to learn these dogs possess many excellent qualities. However, like most intelligent dogs they require mental stimulation and play to keep any misbehaviors at bay. Poodles offer a robust package of brains and beauty, a difficult to beat combination. Toy Poodle Gallery. Both parents have intensive genetic testing, and the results are available to view. All new puppies come with a microchip, a health guarantee, and lifetime support for adoptive owners. You can reach City Lights Standard Poodles by calling , emailing [email protected] , or filling out an online contact form. However, the option for a breeding contract is a possible option that you can discuss before the final sale. Contact them through the online web form for more information. All of the puppies come with a limited AKC registration. These Poodles come in several colors: white, cream, silver, blue, and black. All puppies they offer come from champion bloodlines and are bred for looks and personality, for owners to have the very best in a new best friend. You can contact Firebrook Poodles by calling Nola at , emailing [email protected] preferred or [email protected] , or by submitting a request through their online contact form. Joan Markowitz has focused on breeding mainly white and black for the past 40 years. All puppies come with limited AKC registration , health check and certificate, microchipping, deworming, and a portion of their current food. Mount Bethel Poodles Mount Bethel Poodles regularly offers standard and occasionally miniature puppies for sale. Their dogs are bred for optimal health, temperament, and conformation. In addition, they receive proper socialization and stimulation, so all puppies are acclimated to many everyday sounds and activities. They are an AKC Breeder of Merit and focus on exceptional attributes, including intelligence, and a well-rounded personality, making the ideal companion. In addition, Mount Bethel Poodles strive for the highest breed structure and balance standards. You can reach Mount Bethel Poodles by filling out an online puppy application for an upcoming litter. Nobility Poodles Nobility Poodles in New Jersey breeds standard Poodles that have been breeding dogs since and focusing on this breed since .Their love for these non-shedding dogs that do not emit an odor motivates them to provide exceptional Poodles that make the best companions while carrying the best attributes of the breed. Their puppies are raised in the home around children and receive proper socialization and introduction to everyday life with humans. You can call them at to leave a message or email [email protected] for more information. All Poco A Poco Toy Poodles puppies carry exceptional gene characteristics, including proper bone structure and balance. In addition, each breeding dam and sire undergo annual health screenings and receive DNA checks for any health concerns. You can reach them by calling or emailing at [email protected]. The goal of Scheherazade Poodles New Jersey is to breed dogs that contain exceptional characteristics, are health, happy, and well-rounded as excellent companions for a home. However, responsible pet owners should take the time to interview potential breeders, ask for health certificates, and ensure they have proper documentation and contracts in place when taking home their pup. Bringing home a Poodle is a long-term investment. While you need to put in the time and effort for training and proper diet and care, it is worthwhile when you have a lovable best friend with you. Similar Posts. We are a small family owned breeder located in Northen New Jersey. Let us help you find your perfect puppy. We want to share with you and your family all the love and joy that our pups have brought us. Family Raised Dogs are family members. Every dog is a family member, from 8 weeks old, for LIFE. Socialization Our puppies get lots of socialization training, with children, and other dogs. That way, they learn at an early age not to be afraid. .They also receive a lot of kisses before go to bed each night! And every of our parent dog has the best temperament: loving, smart, and super affectionate. Good morning. Just wanted you to know that the puppy is doing great! Harley is just under five pounds now at 3 month old. Very sweet and friendly, smart, and so playful. Thank you for this wonderful puppy who is bringing us so much joy and happiness. Diane Houston Scott is doing great! He is the cutest, smartest, most lovable little devil. Who would ever think such a big personality could come in such a little package. He entertains us and himself for hours on end. I swear he understands everything I say to him. He is the neighborhood clown and has a very devoted following. Thank you so much for him and your obvious devotion to your puppies because it really shines through. I am in LOVE with my fur baby!!! Call us: Come and met your new best friend!