german shepherd puppies short hair

Raising Puppies From Birth to Weaning After Whelping From the moment the puppies are born it is very important that mom smells her babies right away. The connection is in the smell of the amniotic fluid. Mom's that do not form this connection can sometimes reject their puppies. Allow mom to smell and lick her puppy before you dry them off. Allow her to eat the placenta. This is perfectly natural for her to do this and there is much nutrition in the placenta's. Dry the puppy off well and put the puppy up close to mom to nurse unless the puppy is struggling you will need instruction from your vet or an experienced breeder on what to do. Making sure that she is attending to the puppies and not laying on them. For the first 2 weeks you must watch for mom laying on a puppy I have a video camera set up. Having a bar around the bottom of your whelping pen is a great way to help prevent this. It is not full proof but it helps. Mom will continue nursing frequently for the first couple of week and may not want to leave her puppies. You must take her out to use the bathroom every hours minimum. This is more difficult in first couple if you have had a c-section. Mom will be very resistant because of the drugs she will be taking and why I always at least try to free whelp. Birth to 1 Week Old Puppies are still nursing frequently. They need to be kept warm and dry. I keep my whelping pen at 70 degrees. It keeps the puppies warm enough and doesn't over heat mom. The puppies eyes are closed and they can not see or hear at this point. They are also toothless. Nursing and sleeping are their primary job. Mom will lick the puppies to stimulate urination and defecation. If mom does not lick them you must stimulate them a warm wet wash cloth or cotton ball works well. Jerking and twitching motions are normal as their nervous systems are still developing Weeks Old Puppies are still eating and sleeping often but a little less and they are starting to move around more. At this point make sure that they are well contained and they can not access mom's water bowel. They could get in but may never get out alive. They are starting to open their eyes but still can not hear at this point. They make grunting and mewing noises. Jerking and twitching motions start to decrease as they become more mobile. It is essential to keep the puppies clean and dry at all times. Frequent changes to bedding is a must. I use fleece remnants from local fabric stores. This makes for a cheap way to keep puppies clean and dry. I wash blankets times per day until weaning. Make sure you trim puppies nails. They test their vocalizations yelping, barking and whining. Puppies are nursing around every hours at this point and mom is feeling more comfortable leaving them for longer periods. Puppies are now urinating and defecating without mom's assistance. Now it the time to do their first worming treatment. Puppies should have at least doubled in weight by now. They are also beginning to play with their siblings. They move out of their sleeping area to eliminate and now is a good time to expand the whelping pen. I take the front off of my pen and have another enclosed area for the puppies to urinate and defecate in. I mark it with the scent of fresh green grass. This helps them when potty training. They are also becoming ready for puppy mush. I use a raw beef mixture with Pro-Biolac formula to get them started. You can use kibble if you wish. I find raw feeding very beneficial in preventing disease. They will get into everything and anything they can find. Pick up any small items that they can choke on. Now is the time to add a water bowl. A water bottle can also be used. If so make sure they know how to use it. They are curious and have no fear of other animals at this point. They are learning and exploring their environment. It us time for puppy kindergarden. Puppies are developing their muscles and coordination. They are fully aware of their environment. Strange noises and objects are a curiosity right now and it is the perfect time to expose them to everything you possibly can. Providing a great puppy companion is hard work but worth every minute. If you are using the scent method for potty training. I use a special pad and scent which can be bought from durawhelp. This makes for an easy transition to using the outside to potty. Puppies are now eating ground raw food of at least 3 different protiens along with nuvet vitamins. At 6 weeks puppies are vaccinated and vet checked. At 7 weeks they are microchipped. I do not do both at once as not to stress them too much. At this time it is crucial to carefully socialize your puppy. This is where they learn to really trust humans as their protectors. Keeping your puppy out of harms way as well as making sure that they have plenty of opportunities for positive experiences is essential. Puppies are now being fed ground raw with some whole prey puppies and dogs should always be supervised while eating at any age. I had a 10 week old choke on kibble once. It was a good thing I was watching or that puppy would not be alive. I no longer feed any kibble and have had much better results with raw foods. Now is the saddest and happiest days. Time for puppies to go to their new homes. Your still not done though. You are the "go to guy"for advice and guidance for the rest of that dogs life. Home » Blog » What happens with your Frenchie in their first few weeks What happens with your Frenchie in their first few weeks You certainly want to know about every minute of your sweet puppy. Last year we did a documentary about our breeding program in which we showed where our Frenchies live and we also wrote about how our program has grown over the years. In this article, we share with you how we help our little puppies on the TomKings Puppies farm, from the first moments of their lives until we find a forever loving family for them. The vet checks if everything is fine and we take them home. The average birth weight of a Frenchie is 0. Their size strongly depends on the size of the litter; when there are a fewer of them they can be as big as a two-week-old puppy from an other litter. Newborn puppies are deaf and blind and absolutely helpless so we are here to assist their mother to nurture them. In the first two weeks They are breastfed every 3 hours, and then their mom stimulates them to pee and poo. Not all mothers are eager to do this, in which case we assist them with a dam, warm cotton towel. The puppies spend the rest of their time sleeping they often seem to be dreaming! Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! First name Email They are so cute as they love to huddle together, but we also keep them warm with an external source like an infra lamp. As the puppies are very small, there is a threat that the mom accidentally smothers one or more of them. In the first 4 weeks We make strict precautions to keep the newborn babies sterile to avoid the risk of them being infected. They sleep in the house with us, and only a small circle of carers are allowed to touch them who use lots of hands sanitizing. As the mother has less and less milk we gradually switch to give them milk from a bottle and then crushed food. The puppies open their eyes when they are days old, and then they are able to hear — a whole new world opens up for them. At the age of weeks, the little explorers start crawling and then the first few shaky steps. At this stage, they are already very playful and start love-biting each other. The early care and environment of the French Bulldog newborn puppy are very important. Reasons a French Bulldog puppy might die early on are usually due to difficult whelping, congenital or genetic defects, environmental factors i. However, the following formula is cheaper and provides all the nutrition. Many use it instead of evaporated milk — both can be found in the bakery section of your grocery store. If this seems to be, change to bottled water to make the formula. Keeping the litter box tempature between degrees with no drafts for the first few days is usually adequate. Other sources of warmth can be heating pads or heat lamps. If using a heating pad, monitor the intensity of heat, as pups have been known to cook on pads set on high settings! There are many excellent heat lamps on the market, but remember that caution is needed. Heat lamps have been known to start fires! The temperature on the French Bulldog puppies 1 inch above the bottom of the box should be about degrees with a corner that is slightly cooler and allow them to scoot to wherever they like best. There should also be plenty of clean blankets, as this will allow for regulation of temperature. Hydration is one of the most important things to monitor in new Frenchie pups, as it can be one of the first signs of problems. Check hydration by by pinching the skin on the back of the neck or on the top of the back. If the pinched skin stays creased, the French Bulldog puppy is dehydrated and needs fluid replacement. Dehydration can either be a result of inadequate nourishment, too much heat, or sickness. It is strongly suggested that you use regular newborn or infant bottles and nipples. The ones available for purchase for cats, dogs, ferrets, etc. Bottle feeding is far more preferable. The sucking on a nipple, the handling and holding of the French Bulldog puppy is so very important to their overall development. The French Bulldog puppy should be held with his head upwards and his body and tail down in a 45 to 90 degreee angle when bottle feeding. If French Bulldog puppies and their blankets are not kept clean, it is very easy to come down with a staph infection and diarrhea — which is serious, as Frenchie puppies can go downhill quickly. As mentioned before, it is equally serious if the French Bulldog puppies get chilled so avoid drafts. Even if you have them in a basket with a heating pad, you need to cover the basket with a towel to keep out drafts. A chilled French Bulldog puppy must be warmed up. There are lots of little ways to accomplish it. Priority should be to get the Frenchie puppy warmed up slowly. Newborn French Bulldog puppies cannot regulate their body temperature or body functions like urinating and stools. It is important that they are pottied at each feeding. They might not have a stool each time, but they will urinate. This is what the mother does when she licks them. After that, she will become a good mommy. Some might start off being good, then after a few days, or even a couple of weeks, not want to be bothered and might even be nasty to the puppies such as snapping and biting them. Always be careful and watch. If the mother will not clean the babies, you must be sure to do it. Using a kleenex, gently rub the area to stimulate their potty. Then be sure to clean them well. Make sure to check them even if the mother cleans them. Often the stool will get stuck to the tail and be dry. If that happens, or if the French Bulldog puppy seems to be straining and constipated, try the following: Run warm water in the sink slowly. Put a drop of soap on their behinds, and wash and massage their behinds; it will get the tail and poop unstuck, clean them up, and cause them to potty very well. If the little bottoms are red and sore, use some Desitin ointment. You may see green puppy stools and stools that have an appearance of bunches of tiny seeds. If all else seems normal, this seems to be harmless and short-lived. However, watery diarrhea can be very serious if left unchecked. Diarrhea together with vomiting usually means infection. It should be broken into feedings every 2 hours 5cc per feeding. If it is a good sized Frenchie puppy 1 lb. Towards the end of a week, you should increase the food needed to about cc or more. For the first week they should eat every two hours. If they are good size Frenchie babies, you can sometimes go longer. An average weight for newborn French Bulldog puppies is around ounces. Good size puppies are oz. New born puppies are very helpless. They are born blind and deaf and unable to regulate their body temperatures, so we have to use an external heat source when the puppies are not in direct contact with mom. During this time period, their mothers have to stimulate them in order for them to urinate and have bowel movements. This is a very busy time for us and we are usually very sleep deprived because we assist the mothers every 3 hours around the clock to make sure that all puppies are latching on well, growing, and being stimulated to urinate and defecate. It is a critical time in which the puppies are so small that an unaware Frenchie mother could accidentally smother one or more of her pups, so we monitor them very closely. Lacey takes a video of each litter at 3 weeks of age and posts them on our website under New Puppies so that our clients near the top of the list, as well as other clients and prospective clients, can get a early look at them. They continue to gain weight rapidly over the next several months of their lives. At two weeks age their ears open and they are able to hear, and another big part of their new world opens up. Prior to this event, about all they do is grunt or mew, but afterward their vocabulary includes yelps, whines, and even little barks. At three weeks of age the more advanced puppies start taking their first shaky steps; prior to this their basic mode of transportation is basic army crawling. They are now able to urinate and defecate on their own and will move away from their sleeping area to do so. Up to this point it is strictly the mothers and us Donna, Lacey, and Bick who have handled the pups with lots of hand sanitizing before and after and they have been kept in their kennel. Even though it is hard on the kids, we do not let them or their friends handle them until 4 weeks of age. At four weeks we start introducing them to solid food initially crushed and moistened. By the end of the 4th week they are eating their crushed puppy food, with no water added, three times a day. Because they are not nursing as long or as often, we provide fresh water for them at all times. The kids are allowed to hold them now closely monitored and with clean hands and we allow the puppies to run around and explore our large main room in the house. At 5 weeks of age they are starting to run around all over the place when they are let out to play, and, when they are in their kennels, they play sometimes rather roughly with litter mates. It is during this time when some of their adult personalities will start coming out. By the end of this week their puppy teeth are all in, and they love to chew on things, including fingers if you let them. However, even at this age, they will spend most of their time sleeping, probably close to 20 hours per day, with only short times between naps when they are alert and active. By the end of the 6th week they are completely weaned from their moms and eating solid food well. We frequently take them out of their kennels to scamper around. They are full of energy and love to play with their litter-mates and the kids. This is the time that we really focus on socializing them and we even start their paper training. By 7 weeks they have already passed through most of their puppy milestones and are continuing to grow rapidly; they are generally in the 4 to 6 pound range. This is when their personalities really start coming out! It is so fun to watch them play with the kids and their litter-mates and observe their new fascination with toys. They have become somewhat accustomed to going potty on pee pads so that when they are out running around the room they often recognize them on the floor and will go potty on them. Though they are fast, active, playful little puppies at this point in their lives, they still are like babies and require lots of sleep probably over 18 hours per day and are still quite fragile. This video will show the color and conformation of each puppy, in addition to its personality. Their their third DAPP and 2nd Bordetella vaccinations are given at 12 weeks and then a yearly booster thereafter. The rabies shot can also be given at 12 weeks no later than 16 weeks. They are also regularly de-wormed and given a medication for the prevention of coccidia and giardia. Occasionally we hold onto puppies a little longer if we do not feel they are quite ready to go to their new homes. Our clients are encouraged to come to our home to meet their fur babies if this is feasible. When this is not possible, we arrange for one of our responsible puppy chaperones to hand deliver our puppies to meet their new owners at their nearest major airport. In fact, even as adults they will sleep at least half of the day in a series of long naps, and probably closer to 14 hours per day. Have More Questions? French Bulldog Care How to take care of newborn french bulldog puppies? Most, if not all, owners will let their litter grow for about 9 weeks before finding them their forever home. These initial weeks are very crucial as the newborn puppies initially cannot see, hear, regulate their body temperature, defecate nor urinate on their own. Although the mother keeps her babies warm, you should always check to make sure that she does not accidentally suffocate the puppies. Other artificial sources of heat like heat lamps, heating pads, or a space heater may be used but be very careful because the puppies can easily dehydrate and die when overheated. Make sure that the temperature of the whelping box is at a range of 86 to 90 degrees. It is important to check their weight every day and make sure that they are gaining weight daily. If not, you should take a closer look at them to make sure they nurse adequately from their mom or provide them with a supplement like goats milk or prepared formula milk for puppies. Stimulation For Bowel Movement The mothers need to stimulate the puppies for them to urinate and defecate. Some mothers will do this regularly but others may not want to so it is up to you to do it. Use damp cotton balls with warm water or a small dab of petroleum jelly on your finger. Gently wipe this over their genitals until they urinate and defecate, then clean them up. Make sure that the puppies and their whelping box are clean to avoid infection. About Us The exclusive destination for all your luxury accessory needs. Inspired by French Bulldogs, made for all pups. The bat ears, large bright eyes, stubby tail, compact and muscular body, playful nature and remarkably docile demeanour; some of the innumerable qualities that make the French bulldogs an excellent companion animal. Due to their smaller body size, these dogs make good travel companions as well. Additionally, their intelligence and quick adaptability ensure that they are safe to be let about around infants and old members of the family as well. To these statements, I can attest myself for I have a 4 years old female French bulldog — one of the most brilliant dogs that my family has ever had the privilege to own. However, during these past four years, one major concern surfaced itself time and again to my veterinarian parents: Pyometra. Pyometra is defined as an intrauterine accumulation of pus accompanied by a persistent corpus luteum and failure of oestrus. Apparent failure of the endometrial luteolytic factor or endogenous prostaglandin to cause luteolysis makes bitches appear and behave as though they were gestating. Risk factors for pyometra include increasing age, nulliparity, breed, and exogenous oestrogen or progesterone administration. Spaying Ovariohysterectomy completely and promptly removes the infection, prevents uterine rupture and peritonitis, and prevents recurrence, in most cases. Spayed animals do very rarely develop pyometra in the uterine stump. Even so, ovariohysterectomy is currently considered the most effective and safest treatment. It is thus, a very important disease to be aware of for any dog or cat owner because of the sudden nature of the disease and the deadly consequences if left untreated. While it is observed that this condition may occur in any dog regardless of age and mating history, it is more common in bitches that have not whelped even once throughout their life nulliparous. Therefore, after a proper discussion and consultation with scientific literature, we decided to allow our French bulldog to mate with a healthy adult male of the same breed. Little did we know what was in store for us in the next few months to come. Our dog conceived successfully and started showing some symptoms of gestation such as gradual enlargement of abdomen, quick exhaustion, reluctance to run or play, enlargement of mammary glands, etc. However, she lost her appetite abruptly and refused to eat her meals about two weeks into her pregnancy. As her abdomen rapidly grew in size, her appetite reduced alarmingly. To manage the issue, she was given appetite inducers, liver supplements and shifting of meal ingredients from fish, to egg, to chicken, to pork alternatively, in an attempt to spark her interest. She ate almost nothing. There was gradual loss of condition as her abdomen distended significantly. At merely 30 days of gestation, her general appearance was of a bitch at full term. A general abdominal ultrasound was conducted on the 40th day of gestation and roughly 7 puppies were observed even though the number could be greater since unlike X-ray, the number of foetuses cannot accurately be determined using ultrasonography and we were unwilling to conduct radiography due to radiation hazard. She instead preferred to sit close to walls and furniture and lean for support, thus keeping her thorax elevated than her abdomen to reduce pressure on her diaphragm while breathing. There were a couple of concerns we were ailed with. Since French bulldogs are known to have a narrow pelvic girdle and foetal head size is typically large, normal parturition could lead to lodgement of the head of the foetus in her birth canal leading to dystocia. This is why being a veterinary surgeon; I had made all preparations for a caesarean section. Additionally, on an average, French bulldogs have no more than 5 puppies per litter but in the case of my dog Paris, her litter size appeared considerably larger upon ultrasonography, which could be correlated with her abnormally distended abdomen. On the 58th day of gestation, she displayed vivid signs of labour such as nesting, restlessness, panting and straining. We were alarmed due to her pre-term parturition since there were still days of pregnancy remaining. At pm in the winter evening she delivered her first puppy via normal parturition without incident and continued to deliver 8 more over the next 7 hours and delivered a total of 9 puppies of which one was still-born. It was severely cold and raining outside. She displayed admirable maternal instinct and licked away the foetal membranes from all the puppies enabling them to breathe and stimulated them by licking their faces and bodies until the pups let out their first cries. The puppies were cleaned and stimulated further by rubbing gently with sterile absorbant cotton. Unlike most other breeds of dogs, Paris readily allowed us to handle and care for her pups, trusting us completely to keep them safe. On the first two nights, the puppies were allowed to remain with the mother however; we lost another pup as a result of crushing injury inflicted due to her lack of experience. It was then decided to undertake human intervention so as to ensure the safety of the remaining 7 puppies and avoid such accidents in the future. On the 4th night however, the mother managed to get into the basket housing her puppies, reached in with her mouth and carried out one puppy then took her to her bed. The puppy was licked thoroughly by the mother and was only discovered approximately 4 hours after the incident. By then the puppy was hypothermic and dehydrated. Due to severe dehydration and subsequent hypoglycaemia, she was very weak, unable to suckle milk and twitched in frequent intervals. Intensive care was initiated immediately and the puppy was separated from the rest, kept constantly warm at 39 degrees Celsius, fed artificial milk in intervals of 1 hour. However, not much improvement could be observed. After repeating the procedure thrice, she visibly regained strength and began suckling on the finger showing intent. I continued to feed her the milk replacer at 1 hour intervals and 0. This is an essential step since most puppies at neonatal stage are unable to void faeces and urine independently and require stimulation from the mother by licking or artificially using soaked cotton balls. In the case of Paris, she would tend to lick using excessive pressure perhaps due to her overwhelming maternal instinct, which is why we had to deter her from doing so and took charge of the issue ourselves. From the 4th week, feeding was repeated at 4 hour intervals and subsequently increased to 6 hours at the age of 6 weeks. They are currently 12 weeks old and in the past couple of months, I have put my theoretical knowledge on neonatal care of puppies into practical application. General status of health could be assessed by observing faecal consistency and frequency. Neonates void yellow or brown semi-solid faeces with a seedy appearance at intervals of 2 to 3 hours. Faeces solidify gradually and take the form of small boli in healthy puppies without gastrointestinal ailments and having sufficient hydration. Anaemia was assessed by colour and dryness of the oral mucous membranes, dehydration could be assessed by pulling the skin on the back using thumb and index finger as well as the colour of urine. Healthy puppies void clear, colourless to slightly yellow urine, and dehydrated puppies have dark yellow urine voided in scanty quantities. The first two weeks are very crucial since the puppies were prone to hypothermia and hypoglycaemia if optimal room temperature and feeding schedule is not carefully maintained. Methylcellulose eye drops were instilled at 6 hour intervals for one week to prevent corneal desiccation. The mother resumed feed consumption the morning after her delivery. Her diet was supplemented with multi-mineral and multivitamin syrup Multistar Pet and calcium chew tablets Drools to help her regain optimal health as well as to sustain the high nutritional requirements during lactation. All puppies were vaccinated with Puppy-DP Distemper and Parvovirus at 30 days age considering the facts that Paris missed her vaccination during her pregnancy and a Parvoviral infection was on-going as an epidemic in the city. Additionally, the puppies were kept under complete isolation and I had to place myself under home-isolation since I would encounter multiple Parvo and Distemper cases at my workplace. It is with great pride that I can say that all seven puppies have shown remarkable growth and development, are healthy, happy and playful. A healthy female French Bulldog Paris , 4 Year age. A photograph of Paris at 30 days of gestation, with distended abdomen and mildly enlarged mammary glands. A photograph of Paris resting with her fully fed puppies after nursing. Six French bulldog puppies of 60 days age, sitting attentively for a photograph.

Articles People often have mixed feelings when it comes to Bulldogs. Some think of them as furious and grim, while people who own a Bulldog know what a lovely companion they are! The American Bulldog is a well-adjusted muscular dog that is energetic, strong, and friendly. American Bully is a successor of the English Bulldog , who was bred to work on fields. However, black is not the correct color for an American Bulldog. Traditionally, American Bulldogs are often white with patches of red, brindle, and black. Apart from mixed shades of white, this dog breed also comes in other colors, including all-white, black, and chocolate. But yes, American Bulldogs can be all-black. Black is among the other four rare colors for these Rocky Bullies. Regardless of appearance, Bulldogs are excellent domestic canines. Before you drive down to get one, let us discuss things that will help you raise your Bully right. This breed reaches a weight of 70 to lbs for males and 60 to lbs for females as they enter adulthood. If you own an average-sized yard, you can easily exercise your medium to large-sized American Bully in your home without taking them out for a walk on busy days. Physical Appearance Black American Bulldogs are rocky, strong, and have a long back that makes them look very upright. Bullies usually stand 2 feet at the shoulder and have a much-positioned body structure. Since Bullies were originally bred to work on farms, they have big heads with powerful jaws. Their ears may be uncropped, rose, drop, semi-prick, or cropped. They have dark brown eyes, round or almond-shaped. Bulldogs have an erect tail, thick at the base, that gradually thins out at the top. Coat Color And Pattern The characteristic black coat on the Black American Bulldogs is due to a certain pigment called eumelanin, whose production depends on the B locus in the cells. These Bullies are black because these expressed B genes are dominant. Black American Bulldogs have varieties of coats that may be solid or patterned. Their black coats are soft and short-haired. They may contain patterns of black, brindle, fawn, or red color on their coat. Image from Instagram: lola. Bullies are a working breed, so obviously very healthy. Exercising is crucial to keep the pooch healthy. While they are comfortable indoors, physical activity is not to be compromised. They are robust and active, so playing outdoors helps them stay healthy and live even longer. However, there are some common health issues of Bulldogs that you may face if not given proper care. Obesity Black American Bulldogs are brachycephalic dog breeds that have shorter snouts, thereby making it harder for them to breathe well. So, obesity will make it hard for your furry friend to breathe. Lack of exercise will make them prone to being overweight. Hip Dysplasia If Black American Bulldogs have been overweight since childhood, they are more likely to develop hip dysplasia in adulthood. In this, the hip joint grows abnormally and becomes weaker. Overheating Black American Bulldogs are not very habitable to humidity and heat. When you are walking or exercising your canine outdoors on a warm day, keep an eye for signs and symptoms of overheating. If you encounter such a situation, lie down your doggie in a cooler place. You can also buy a small pool for your Bully to help them beat the heat. Unlike humans, dogs have three eyelids to protect their eyes. In certain conditions, the third eyelid gets irritated and protrudes. Cherry eye is not an emergency but can be concerning if ignored for a long time; therefore, consult a vet sooner. Your Black American Bully needs at least an hour of exercise every day to stay healthy and away from health issues like obesity and hip dysplasia. Bulldogs have strong muscles, and to maintain them, your Fido requires good playtime each day along with a high-quality diet to increase their life expectancy and keep fit. However, lack of exercise will lead to problems mentioned below: Heart diseases Hip dysplasia Obesity On the contrary, a good exercise routine will help your canine friends in the following ways: Better functioning organs Improved brain function Quality of sleep You can take your four-legged buddy on a good min walk to help them maintain their strong muscles. Some other fun activities are fetching, jolly ball, Frisbee, tug-of-war, and dog toys. High-Quality Diet For Bullies, diet is a vital factor in keeping their muscular body intact. The ideal meal for a Bully can be 2 to 3 cups per day. The high-quality food should be given in two meals. However, the amount of food your canine eats also depends on his activity level, age, and metabolism. The ideal diet of a Bully must consist of carbs, protein, good fats, minerals, and multivitamins. To make sure that your Fido gets all the essentials, you can also get a nutritious Pet Plate for them. For better oral hygiene of your Bully, you can use dental water additives. Such traits are likely to be inherited from generations since these Bullies were bred to perform farm works such as baiting or herding, where dominance comes in handy. Younger bullies are more aggressive than older ones; they bite, nibble, and chew things they should not. But take this normal, it will get better as they grow old. However, to promote a stable and calm temperament, early socialization is mandatory. Separation Anxiety Just like other doggies, Black American Bulldogs suffer from separation anxiety too. Without the proper training, these pooches cannot be left alone for more than 6 hours. When they do, they can become destructive. In terms of destructive behavior, Black American Bulldogs can exhibit chewing of furniture or barking tendencies. As Bullies are companion dogs, they will need lots of attention and play-time. Consider setting them up with a professional sitter or dog daycare center in your absence. Image from Instagram: onyxtheblackamericanbulldog Quick-Learners Black American bulldogs are eager learners and consistent. They can be dominating, so training is necessary to teach them obedience. Hyperactive Black American Bulldogs are hyperactive up to the age of 4 to 5 years. It can get difficult to calm them as all they want is to play and run around. You can provide them with calming chews to compose them. Female Black Bullies are more active and aggressive as compared to male ones. However, plenty of energy is a healthy sign, and you can always use treats or training to wind down. All in all, Black American Bullies are best owned by owners with an active lifestyle and love having an athletic companion for hunting, farming, or protection. Naturally, they are calm, and their behaviors toward strangers fluctuate from friendly to aloof. All these Bullies are vigilant guardians and live for their owners. Do Black American Bulldogs Shed? Factors such as climate, diet, and skin conditions also contribute to their shedding. These Bullies have short coats that do not require excessive grooming. Also, puppies tend to shed more hair, but their shedding levels will reduce as they mature to become adults. Black American Bulldogs are not hypoallergenic. These purebred pooches produce a high amount of allergens. Therefore, people sensitive to allergies must avoid being in proximity. Brush The Coat Twice Or Thrice Per Week You can brush your Fido 2 to 3 times a week to get rid of all the dead hair that may lead to skin problems if not cleaned properly. Brush for at least 10 minutes every three days to maintain a healthy coat. To make things less hectic, you can use the FURminator Undercoat Tool , which helps in removing the deadhead from the undercoat without hurting your pooch. It is safe and effective in reducing shedding with regular use. Removes loose hair: reaches through the topcoat to remove loose undercoat hair without cutting skin or damaging the.FURejector button: just push the button to release hair with ease. Do not delay bathing your canine for more than six weeks, or it will start smelling bad. Before bathing, use a dryer to loosen dirt, dander skin, and dead hair from their coat. Use a high-quality shampoo for bathing your Bully. This shampoo is hypoallergenic and soap-free, so completely safe for your pooch. Other Grooming Tips Use a hydrating spray to keep the coat moisturized after bathing your Bully. Brush their teeth daily. The price may vary from different places to breeders, but you get a fully screened doggie for temperament issues and health. Bullies are not the most expensive to own. However, purebred puppies may cost you more as they are pricey to breed. Do Black American Bulldogs Swim? No, a Black American Bulldog cannot swim because of their short snouts due to brachycephaly; it is difficult for them to keep their head out of water. Make sure to use a life vest for your furry friend whenever they are near water sources to avoid the risk of drowning. On average, this tiny pooch can weigh between 10 to 20 lbs for females and 11 to 22 lbs for males, and it is no wonder that it is often called a Miniature Pit Bull. A Pocket Bully is a designer dog and, therefore, very expensive. You can carry this tiny muscular canine in your bag easily. Photo from: nobilisabs Thanks to some genetic acrobatics, the black American Bulldog deviates from the usual breed colors and patterns. Although most other combinations involve at least ten percent white coverage, the black American Bulldog is completely black. Since all of the color combinations involve some white markings, a solid black coat in the American Bulldog really catches the eye. There is a possibility of expressing some markings on the chest, neck, between the eyes, and the paws, but our interest is in the solid black version. Males are between twenty-two and twenty-five inches tall and weigh seventy-five to one hundred pounds. Females reach weights of sixty to eighty pounds and grow anywhere between twenty and twenty-three inches in height. With a body length that barely exceeds its height, the American Bulldog carries a lot of muscle and has thick bones. American Bulldog puppies can often be overfed due to their immense appetite, so tracking their progress is key. Consider using an American Bulldog growth chart to see if your pup is within the healthy range of weight and height. Although it is related to the English Bulldog, it is significantly taller and more substantial in mass. The athletic body of an American Bulldog was designed for work, so the head is wide, with a muzzle proportionate to it. The small to medium triangular ears are spread wide and hang facing forward. When alert, they are level with the eyebrows or just under the eyebrow line. A strong reverse-scissor bite is possible thanks to a moderately thick neck that connects to well-developed shoulders and a deep-seated chest. The feet and leg bones are perpendicular to the ground without any arching. There is a slight tuck of the loin that accentuates the muscular hind legs. The back is straight except for a small slant at the lumbar spine lower back. The only thing that did not change was the Bulldog part. When it comes to differences, they are mainly in physical appearance, but the temper is slightly different too. The Scott type has thinner bones, less muscle mass, and is of a slightly smaller body frame. A Johnson type will have a wider skull, shorter muzzle, and more pronounced stop. This type was preserved as a working dog, so it makes sense that it is the more powerful of the two. The Scott type is considered a show dog due to its more elegant silhouette. Differing Aspirations In terms of temperament, both dogs have the same protective instincts and unwavering loyalty and affection for the family. They are the utility dog for any home with farm work to be done. The color for the Johnson type is far less important as long as it does not affect its working ability. Although both types are admirable working dogs with great strength, the bully dog is preferred for people who own cattle and need protection from wild animals, with the Scott type being the more popular choice as a family pet. Keep in mind that many a modern American Bulldog is the product of these two separate lines that makes them American Bulldog mixes. If you like stories of breed lineages that result in subtle variations in physical appearance and temperament, I recommend you read our articles on Gator and Razor Edge Pitbulls. Coat And Grooming Both types have the same smooth, short coat that requires almost no effort to groom. The quality of the coat can be soft or stiff, with the latter being more common in the Johnson type American Bulldog. They are low to moderate shedders, but the peak periods of hair-rich homes come with the seasonal coat change. Brushing them once or twice a week should be enough to maintain that hair shine and remove the excess hairs. Since their coat length and quality is similar to that of the Pitbull, this article on Pitbull shedding potential and more will certainly be of help. For a hair-free festive period, Santa put some tips and tricks on stopping Sheddmageddon in your sock. Regardless of their best friend potential for family members, strangers can be a point of concern for them. If you live in an apartment and there are no cattle to manage or intruders to ward off, the high energy levels of the American Bulldog will have to be spent in some other way. Out of the two most well-known types, the Scott and Johnson, the bully breed will be more individualistic and focused on work, while the standard type has a more laid-back approach to life. That is not to say the bigger version does not enjoy the occasional cuddle. An American Bulldog will not bark a lot unless there is a black French Bulldog in the house that reminds it of what it would look like in a compressed black coat format. The standard type will be a tad more responsive to dog training, but both can be trained to do most things other dog breeds of similar type can do. Socialization The challenging nature of the American Bulldog, no matter the coat color, can be kept in check if the dog receives proper socialization from puppyhood. One of their favorite pastimes is a game of tug-of-war, which will prove to be a good strength exercise for both you and your doggie. If you have other dogs in your home, the American Bulldog will be a good roommate, but only if raised alongside them. You do not need to worry about their temperament around young children. They will be protected, and the sizeable lump of a dog will be very gentle with them. Just make sure your kids know how to understand dog behavior and signals that it does not want to be bothered. Small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc. If you have the occasional deer, raccoon, or badger visit your home, then they might get the pointy end of the stick. For the black and other American Bulldog colors , there are potential congenital issues stemming from genetic mutations specific to the breed. A quick look into those will provide a more realistic portrait of what to expect when considering getting one, so let us start off with the ones most associated with the American Bulldog breed. Canine Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses CNCL Characterized as a set of debilitating progressive neurodegenerative diseases, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses are a serious genetic mutation that was discovered to affect as many as thirteen genes. Depending on which gene is affected, treatment and prognosis differ, but symptoms often overlap. The only viable diagnosis that can tell with certainty which gene underwent mutation is a DNA test. Symptoms include loss of motor function, difficulty breathing and swallowing, cognitive decline, loss of vision, and seizures. Because only one form of CNCL has somewhat effective treatment, the prognosis is usually premature death. For the one treatable type, a gene found in the Dachshund was used as a model on which to test different hormonal and enzyme therapies. Hypothyroidism A stunted production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine by the thyroid gland is called hypothyroidism. It can be caused by a tumor or have an autoimmune-mediated origin. In dogs, the latter is responsible for over ninety percent of cases of hypothyroidism. The immune system mistakes the cells of the thyroid as foreign bodies and, in the process of defending the body, it neutralizes them. With the damage to structural and functional parts of the thyroid, the production of hormones is reduced, often leading to major clinical signs. Those include lethargy, weight gain without increased appetite, degrading coat quality, increased heart rate, metabolism changes, etc. With varying degrees of severity, hypothyroidism affects nutrient absorption, body temperature control, and cognitive function in very severe cases. Although incurable, synthetic hormone therapy is an effective treatment. This is mostly a congenital disease inherited from the parents, but there have been cases where entropion was caused by injury. It is not a serious condition, and the symptoms are easy to spot. Your dog might have discharge or pus coming out of the eye, increased production of tears, and keep its eye closed eye most of the time. A full physical examination by a vet will give a final clinical picture and concrete diagnosis. Thankfully, the treatment is a routine surgery that involves restoring the skin around the eyelids to its natural and anatomically correct position. Puppies and adult dogs have different kinds of surgery because puppies do not have fully developed faces yet. American Bulldogs are more prone to the congenital variant of entropion due to the shape of their skull, eyelid length, or other anatomical factors. Cherry Eye Dogs and many other animals have a third eyelid that has a protective and functional role. It shields the eye from debris and produces watery content for eye lubrication. Cherry eye simply indicates that the gland is protruding due to inflammation. The protrusion occurs when the tissue connecting it with the lower eyelid detaches. American Bulldogs are among the breeds that are more susceptible to cherry eye, but it is not exclusive to it. Cherry eye is easy to diagnose since the protruding nictating membrane their third eyelid looks like a cherry. It will present itself as a swollen red mass and will usually be confined to the corner of the eye. Surgery of the gland is the treatment for it, and it is important to take your dog to the vet as soon as you notice a red mass in the corner of the eye. If left untreated for a prolonged period, it can swell further and cause more damage to the structural elements of the eye. Hip And Elbow Dysplasia Everyone and their dog knows about dysplasia. It is an inherited condition that causes the head of the femoral bone ball not to develop fully. Without a perfect fit into the hip bone socket , the cartilage between the two bones that provides cushion and smooth movement will become damaged and eventually completely wear off. The ball and socket will grind against each other, scraping the tissue and causing inflammation. Ultimately, the dog is going to develop arthritis, which means pain and difficulty moving. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are used to alleviate the pain. Life Expectancy And Food For a large breed dog, the black American Bulldog and all the other shades of it is quite healthy. On average, you will share your home with one for ten to twelve years. Since the American Bulldog is prone to obesity, you should keep calories in check. The American Bulldog feeding chart is the perfect tool that can help you come up with a healthy diet for your dog. Every single treat must be accounted for in the daily calorie limit. Whether you choose to feed it high-quality kibble, wet food, home-cooked, or raw diet, it is important to manage the weight. Protein should take up most of the meals, with fatty acids omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 and vitamins and minerals filling out the rest. If you like the prospect of a raw diet, check out our American Bully raw diet article. Being similar in size and with some common lineage, you can apply the same principles to your American Bulldog. Alleles gene variants found on specific loci locations on a chromosome give instructions on how and where the pigments will be produced. For the black American Bulldog, the first locus where a decision has to be made is the E locus. Here, the decision of whether black pigment eumelanin will be allowed production is made. If there is at least one dominant gene found on the E locus, eumelanin will be produced. Next stop — the K locus. Black is the dominant color on the K locus, but the black in the American Bulldog is not produced by it. Two recessive genes are required for the decision to be passed onto the A locus. Keep in mind that a brindle American Bulldog has a brindle allele on the K locus, which is the second most dominant gene on it. From A To B Since the most common colors and patterns in the breed are determined by the A locus, the black American Bulldog has to carry two recessive genes on it. Usually, it would be white and some other marking color or fawn, but a recessive pairing is required for the full black coat. Thanks to the wide variety of interactions of the A locus with other loci, we see different patterns and colors in most American Bulldogs. One dominant gene B is enough to tip the scale in the favor of eumelanin, giving the dog a solid black coat. Not many American Bulldog breeders will breed dogs with solid black coats. Since it is not desirable for a show dog to be fully black due to the breed being predominantly white the rule is that at least fifteen percent white is required to be able to participate in conformation events. If the breeder does have black American Bulldogs, then a DNA test to rule out genetic diseases is necessary. Indeed, it is a steep price, but the amount of dog you are getting is more than worth it. Always be mindful of ads selling American Bulldog puppies for ridiculously low or high prices. This is most often the mark of a backyard breeder or a puppy mill. This is particularly the case for French Bulldog puppies, as they are the most wanted designer dog breed in the US. Another thing to note is that a black American Bulldog is not eligible for conformation shows. The Pitbull is a mix of the American Staffordshire Terrier and various other breeds from the terrier family of dogs. On the other hand, the American Bulldog is considered to be a purebred dog that has its roots in the mix of the English Bulldog and domestic dogs from the US south. You can find out more about their difference in our American Bulldog Vs. Pitbull article! Note that the American Kennel Club AKC does not recognize American Bulldogs as a distinct breed, so you are stuck with your dog participating in very few events, which mostly include work-oriented challenges. Summary Having reached the end, I only have two things to say. Black American Bulldogs are incredible dogs. Despite the breed standards, color should not play a major role in its temperament. Breeding dogs with recessive genes is a concern, but largely unfounded and lacking concrete evidence in the case of recessive black genes. If the breeder selling black American Bulldogs can provide adequate DNA test results and bloodline records, then the color makes no difference. Liking a dog for its color is not desirable, but if you like the dog first, the black coat will only be a bonus. Most importantly, stay away from shady discounts and dodgy ads to avoid paying thousands of dollars in vet bills. Stay smart, stay informed, and I will write to you in the next one. Post navigation. Our take on the Black American Bulldog is that black is just a color and it has always been around. Black was not accepted in the show ring so many people did not breed the black color. Now that Black is accepted in the show ring you see more American Bulldog Kennels breeding for it. That being said we prefer a white dog with black patches over a heavily black colored dog. We have no plans to breed just to produce the black color but there are some nice Black American Bulldogs that we have used in our line in the past. If you are looking for a solid black American Bulldog or a very heavy colored black American Bulldog there are other kennels out there that concentrate on producing that color. Our main goal at Bull Pull American Bulldogs is to produce well structured dogs with good temperaments no matter the color. We do lean towards a more athletic dog with a bullier type without being over done and un-functional. Take a look at our dogs and accomplishments to see what we strive for. Color is the last thing you should look for when choosing to add an American Bulldog to your family. Temperament and health should be the first things you look for. But when it comes to colors our favorite color combination is a white dog with red patches but a white dog with black patches is probably a close second. Bull Pull Kennels has an up and comer named Macho Man that is an almost all white with a black ear patch. Pictures of him are at the top of this page. We will be updating information about him on our males page as he matures. Black patches and very dark brindle are acceptable, let;s take a closer look. What the Registries say Why the confusion? Kraken above looks black but when you take a loot at his coat it has some brindle in it. The existence of Black American Bulldogs is nothing new, many breeders have experimented over the years with infusing black into the bulldogs, mostly with the standard type infusing pit bull blood. History of the Black American Bulldog We have been involved with the breed since and have discussed this many times over the years. If you like black and want black go for it but if you want a correct American Bulldog to breed and show you are much better off getting an American Bulldog that is white with patches of brindle, red or fawn or a dog with a brindle, red or fawn body suit. Needless to say, with such a mix in her background, Doug produced Black as well as Blue American Bulldogs when line breeding down from her. Konferderate Kennels Don Matthews Another Kennel know to have infused Pit Bull into his program to produce black dogs is Konfederate Kennels, who also breeds Staffy Bulls, perhaps they too are in there? John D. Joe Painter Also, a bit player in the early history of the American Bulldog, Joe painter was rumored to go to the pound and adopt anything resembling an American Bulldog, and then sell them as such, again, there could of been a multitude of breeds and colors in their background. So there you have it, Black American Bulldogs do exist, most registries do not accept them as an acceptable color, and if you want a true representation of what an American Bulldog is best to choose from the myriad options in the color palette that is acceptable. To see photos of the dogs that we have owned and produced please check out our photo gallery.

References 1. Clinical and pathological effects An understanding of the anatomy of the normal spine of the dog is useful in understanding this condition. Figure 1. The regions of the spine. The spine or spinal column of dogs is made up of many bones, called vertebrae and it is divided into 5 different regions. There are 7 bones in the neck cervical region, 13 in the chest thoracic region, 7 in the lower back lumbar region and 3 fused together to form the sacrum at the hips. Lastly, there are the tail coccygeal bones, and their number varies. In English bulldogs and other screw-tailed dogs there are relatively few coccygeal vertebrae. Vertebrae are numbered according to region of the spine, starting from the head and working towards the tail. Thus the first cervical vertebra is called C1, the second C2 and the first thoracic vertebra is T1 etc. Intervertebral discs are found between the vertebral bodies. The body of each vertebra is positioned ventrally towards the lower side. Dorsal towards the back of the dog to the vertebral body each vertebra forms a hollow tube of bone, called the vertebral canal. Through this tube created by the column of vertebral canals the spinal cord passes, connecting the base of the brain with peripheral nerves. This tube of bone protects the spinal cord. The spinal cord is made up of delicate nerve tissue which transmits the messages between the brain and other parts of the body excluding the head. Figure 2. Diagram showing the shape of normally-formed vertebrae in the spinal column and how the spinal cord runs through them. Each vertebral body develops in the foetus from two separate parts which fuse together and then ossify turn to bone. Hemivertebrae occur when this fusing process fails to happen correctly so that the vertebral body of one or more vertebra is malformed and wedge-shaped LeCouteur and Child .Often the fusion or ossification is asymmetrical Jeffery et al .The malformations vary, with the apex of the wedge pointing dorsally, ventrally or medially towards the middle of the animal across the midline LeCouteur and Child .These abnormally-shaped vertebrae often lead to alterations and deformities in the shape of the spine such as kyphosis curving upwards of the central spine , scoliosis deviation to the side in the central spine or lordosis curving downwards in the central spine LeCouteur and Child .This angulation of the spine is often moderate to severe and can lead to displacement of the vertebrae LeCouteur and Grandy .The deformity or instability in the spinal column can then narrow the vertebral canal, compressing and damaging the spinal cord, and this can lead to serious clinical signs LeCouteur and Child .This spinal deformity and the consequential clinical signs often progresses as the dog grows or, sometimes, happen secondary to mild trauma because of the spinal column instability LeCouteur and Grandy .Figure 3. Abnormal development of vertebral bodies results in formation of hemivertebrae. Unlike the normal shape of vertebrae shown in Figure 2, in which the opposing faces of adjacent vertebrae are at right angles to the line of the spine, wedge shaped vertebrae as shown here can lead to distortion of the spine with health and welfare effects. Figure 4. Radiograph of a hemivertebra in the thoracic region of a Pug. The wedge shaped vertebra has caused lordosis of the spine, which in turn can cause compression and damage to the spinal cord. Image property of Helen McDonald, to whom we are grateful for permission to reproduce it here. Hemivertebrae can occur in any breed but are most common in brachycephalic, screw-tailed dogs such as English bulldogs also Pugs, French bulldogs and Boston terriers. This is because the kinked tails that many find desirable in these breeds result from hemivertebrae in the tail region of the spine and these breeds have genes that tend to cause the formation of hemivertebrae elsewhere in the spinal column as well as in the tail LeCouteur and Grandy .The commonest region of the spine to be affected by hemivertebrae, in brachycephalic screw-tailed dogs such as the English bulldog is the chest the thoracic area LeCouteur and Child .Figure 5. Hemivertebrae is the cause of kinked or screw tails in some breeds of dog, such as the Boston Terrier and Pug shown here. This condition makes them prone to developing hemivertebrae elsewhere in the spinal column also. Image sourced from Wikipedia at www. Hemivertebral abnormalities commonly occur without clinical sign of disease Done et al .However, if the spinal cord becomes damaged or compressed signs appear. Signs include posterior paresis abnormal functioning of the hindlimbs , muscle wastage, an abnormal shape to the back and back pain. If the problem is severe then the dogs can lose all use of their hind legs and can have urinary and faecal incontinence inability to control passing urine or faeces. Signs can be gradual or rapid in onset and sometimes are progressive Colter .In a number of cases, however, signs may be mild and non-progressive and stabilise once the dog has stopped growing at about 9 months of age Jeffery et al , though the deformity will remain. In these cases no treatment may be necessary. Skin infections and other skin problems can occur in skin folds if the tail is very tightly coiled. In severely affected individuals the only hope is major surgery of the spine to attempt stabilisation and to stop the spinal cord being compressed. This is not straightforward, needs specialist veterinary treatment and may not always be successful. Some dogs which are completely paralysed in their hind legs may not recover use of them after surgery. Paralysed dogs have long-term care needs which many owners find difficult and some dogs will be euthanized because of this. It is an ethical dilemma whether these permanently paralysed dogs should be euthanized or if their quality of life may be sufficient to justify supported living with paralysis and incontinence. Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact Some dogs with hemivertebrae suffer no apparent ill effects however others have major welfare problems such as pain, loss of function of the hindlimbs and incontinence. Pain from spinal cord compression can be significant and severe and difficult to control using drugs. Along with pain, the spinal cord damage in severely affected individuals leads to the need for rapid veterinary treatments including major surgery. Some animals may not recover and may need to be euthanized. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact The condition usually first manifests in young growing dogs and worsens as growth proceeds. In a case study by Jeffery et al , all three dogs described were less than 7 months of age. Though some may be mildly affected, all affected animals will have permanent deformity unless surgical intervention is used. The disease problems can develop rapidly over hours or more gradually. Though some dogs with hemivertebrae do not develop signs, others develop severe problems which will not improve unless surgical intervention occurs. Some dogs with severe signs may not improve after surgery and may need to be euthanized. Return to top 4. Number of animals affected The numbers affected are not known, but it is considered a common problem in English bulldogs and other brachycephalic short-nosed breeds that have screw-tails, as the deformity is connected to the screw-tail phenotype physical shape which is a breed characteristic. From data on estimates of total dog population in the UK and on the percentage of all micro-chip registered dogs that are English bulldogs Lucy Asher, , personal communication , we estimate that the UK population size of this breed may be around 50, Return to top 5. English bulldogs are considered to be predisposed to hemivertebrae because of the breed having a screw-tail Jeffery et al .The condition may be suspected in any English bulldog with spinal deformity or with the characteristic clinical signs because it is commonly seen within the breed. A diagnosis can be made using plain and contrast radiography x-rays, with or without dye, which shows up on the x-ray being injected around the spinal cord , however, Jeffery et al believe MRI magnetic resonance imaging scans are needed prior to surgery to help decide on exact surgical requirements. The presence of hemivertebrae seen on x-rays may also be a confusing finding. Older English bulldogs may have spinal disease from other causes and detection of hemivertebrae may make diagnosis of the real cause difficult. Return to top 6. Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? All English bulldogs are potentially prone to the problem because the breed has a screw-tail. Without x-ray images of the spine, definite absence of hemivertebrae cannot be confirmed. However, a mature animal without signs has a lower chance of developing clinical problems than a puppy which has yet to undergo its period of significant growth. Currently no advice can be given on how to ensure a healthy individual, free from the condition, is not a carrier. This may become clearer when the genetics of the condition are better understood. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem Not known, though whilst the breed standard includes a screw-tail the condition seems likely to persist. It seems likely, since the screw tail is caused by hemivertebrae in the tail, that out-breeding to dogs with straight tails, then selection for a straight tail might be a way forward to eliminate this welfare problem. Return to top 9. Return to top .References Colter S Congenital anomalies of the spine. However, they also have a range of health issues due to the way they are bred. One of the most common is the English Bulldog back and leg problems, also showing signs of lameness. It can be painful watching your furbaby limping or in pain from their back legs. To understand more of why this happens and what you can do, read on! English Bulldog Back Leg Problems You may have noticed that your English Bulldog has been limping from their back leg, showing signs of lameness. Sometimes, the limping would happen after sleeping or lounging on their leg for a few hours, which would wear off gradually. However, if the pain lasts for a few days, then it may be a health issue that requires intervention. Here are a few reasons why your English Bulldog is experiencing back leg problems: It can be a strain due to falls, accidents, overexertion of energy, or playing too much. This can cause strain around the tendons, ligaments, or muscles in the back leg. It mostly happens after heavy exercise, especially since English Bulldogs tire easily Your English Bulldog might have broken their claw , causing pain in their back leg. This may come in the form of a stone, gum, insect bite or sting, or an open wound. In order to avoid insect bites in future, you can use an effective pet safe ant killer. Other times, the back leg problem may be due to other serious issues, including: It may come from a break, fracture, or dislocation. English Bulldogs are more prone to injuries because of their genetics, as English Bulldogs are more prone to leg injuries because of genetics, easily hurting themselves when more active. Ligament damages can also happen if your English Bulldog would twist and jump incorrectly. Hip or elbow dysplasia is very common in English Bulldogs, as they are a brachycephalic breed. This may cause lameness and back leg pain. Treatment and Prevention of Back Leg Problems Now that you know more about English Bulldog back leg problems, the next question is how you can treat and prevent them from happening. If they have a pained reaction, gently massage it and lightly apply pressure on the spine to see if they put any resistance. If he also shows other symptoms such as broken toes or claw nails, lethargy, and loss of appetite or swelling, take him to the vet right away. Take note of all of the signs and symptoms you notice in your dog. The vet will perform in-depth diagnostic tests such as a blood test, x-ray, MRI, and fluoroscopy all as needed to see what is wrong with your English Bulldog. Fortunately, most conditions can be treated with antibiotics, medication, therapy, a cast, among other treatments that are deemed appropriate. Furthermore, make sure that your dog gets a lot of rest and drinks water, especially if the reason behind the pain is overexercise! Wrapping It Up English Bulldogs may limp at times, which is one of the different health issues they come across due to their breed. With earlier intervention, your pet can live a longer and healthier life without much pain and discomfort. Hopefully, you learned more about the English Bulldog back leg problems and how to treat them properly. If you believe your English Bulldog is suffering from such pain problems, do evaluate their situation and take them to the vet as needed. One of the more common problems can be them limping on the back leg or front paws or showing signs of lameness. Some limping happens after sleeping and it will gradually wear off. No matter what the situation, you should always call your own vet for professional advice if your English Bulldog suddenly starts limping. Why is my English Bulldog limping? Some of the more common reasons why your English Bulldog has started limping will be strains to a tendon, ligament, or muscle — this is the soft tissue injury I referred to earlier and will happen after your English Bulldog has been exerting himself; the limping will start suddenly afterwards. Given time to recuperate, rest, and stop jumping and running, your English Bulldog should be better in just a few days. That means no walkies or indoor play! Check there is no visible bleeding or cuts on the paw. Check for any splinters or foreign objects in the paw. Check to see if your English Bulldog is lethargic and not eating. Check for any visible signs of swelling. When you call your vet, make a note of what you see, if anything. This is particular important if your English Bulldog wakes up from sleeping with a limp and shows no sign of the limp going inside of 30 minutes. Your English Bulldog might start limping after sleeping, laying down and just waking up. Keep scrolling down for the more serious English Bulldog lameness symptoms. Over-exertion: Your English Bulldog could be limping after some particularly excessive exercise. English Bulldogs get worn out very easily and will be exhausted after heavy exercise of just a few minutes. The limping could be due to utter exhaustion so give them water and time to recover. Injured claws: Your English Bulldog might have broken a claw. This injury can be extremely painful, especially if the tear in the claw gets to the nerve ending. Wound to the paw or insect sting: Your English Bulldog might have a splinter in his paw making him limp. It could be an open wound, a stone, chewing gum, or even a insect bite or sting so do a thorough check. Strain or muscle injury: Your English Bulldog might have strained a leg, joint, or muscle whilst playing or even just going about his day to day business. But there are more serious health conditions that limping legs are sometimes attributed to. Breaks, fractures, and dislocations: English Bulldogs are prone to leg injuries due to their genetics and can easily hurt themselves when active. Torn ligaments: Ligament damage will occur after your English Bulldog twists and jumps. It can be very painful but can be treated easily by a vet. Hip or elbow dysplasia: English Bulldogs are prone to these health conditions, being common with brachycephalic breeds. The hip dysplasia can occur in their back leg with elbow dysplasia in the front legs and paws. Luxating patella: This is the medical for a kneecap dislocation. It occurs on the back legs and you will notice your English Bulldog skipping or limping in pain. Inflammatory disease: Also known as panosteitis, English Bulldog puppies will often have this inflammation on their leg bones. You might see your English Bulldog shifting from leg to leg to balance the weight with this lameness condition. Your vet can check for it with a simple blood test. It can be fixed with an operation surgery, and your English Bulldog might even be back and walking inside of 60 days. Arthritis: This condition is most common in older English Bulldogs, where limping is a gradual thing as the joints become more swollen over time. Vets can prescribe therapy and medication for the pain. It can be treated with antibiotics. Valley fever: This is a fungal disease found in the United States and can either make an English Bulldog puppy limp, or an older dog. It is not related to how old your dog is. Neurological disorders: This will often occur after damage to the spine where a disc will touch against the nerves, leading to potential lameness in your English Bulldog. English Bulldog limping on front leg or paws Many of the reasons I have already listed for English Bulldog lameness and limping will happen with the back and front legs. But there are some conditions which will only cause limps to one of the other. For example; elbow dysplasia front legs or hip dysplasia rear legs. Elbow dysplasia front leg limping : This is very common in English Bulldogs and happens due to bone abnormalities in the elbow joints on the front legs. It happens due to cartilage fusing to the bone resulting in an elbow joint being pushed out of place. It will be very painful to your English Bulldog, with obvious swelling. Handy Hint: To keep your Bully free from injury you should not walk them too much. Here are guidelines for daily exercise limits. How vets diagnose lameness and limping Once you have booked an appointment in with your vet, they will do a manual check of your English Bulldog using just their hands. They will press and pull to see what the cause could be. The check will go something like this: Examine the paws for obvious signs of injury. Pull the legs stretched out to check for a reaction. Do gentle massage on all four legs. Lightly apply pressure to the spine to see if the English Bulldog puts up resistance. In this article, we will be focusing on the English Bulldog. The English Bulldog is a sweet, dependable dog breed that makes a wonderful addition to the family. As with all dog breeds, Bulldogs are predisposed to certain health conditions and mobility problems. Joint conditions such as dysplasia, degenerative joint disease, and breathing issues are just a few of the medical issues impacting the English Bulldog. The bulldog is classified as a brachycephalic breed. A brachycephalic dog is any breed with a flat face and smooshed nose. Bulldogs are the most diagnosed breed with BOAS. This can lead to overheating, difficulty getting enough air into their lungs, and can cause heavy and rapid breathing. Bulldog breathing issues can range from mild to severe. Age is not always a contributing factor, although it can worsen as a dog ages. Very young dogs can also exhibit signs of BOAS. Dogs diagnosed with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome should be cautious of any medical procedure that requires anesthesia due to an increased risk of dying. Secondary risks of BOAS include gastrointestinal issues, bronchial collapse, and even heart failure. Joint Problems Joint and ligament injuries are quite common among bulldogs. In fact, hip dysplasia is one of the most common issues among English Bulldogs. Sometimes referred to as Bulldog Dysplasia, both the elbow and hip joints can be affected. This can cause looseness in the hip joint leading to instability, joint pain, and arthritis. Both elbow and hip dysplasia are prevalent among the English Bulldogs. Simple Ways to Promote Canine Joint Health: A high-quality dog joint supplement can reduce inflammation, support joint mobility, and ease joint stiffness. Keep your pet at a healthy weight to limit joint stress. For example, an overweight bulldog is at a higher risk for developing joint issues as they age. Regular exercise. Bulldogs prone to joint problems should avoid high-impact activities such as jumping or running. A multi-modal approach through canine rehab can help keep joints healthy. Although a dog can show signs of arthritis at any age, most Bulldogs will show signs of arthritis in middle age or later. In addition, because bulldogs are prone to knee and elbow issues, osteoarthritis is also quite common among the breed. Sudden paralysis can be caused by a neurological condition, a traumatic injury most frequently when the spinal cord because compressed , or a degenerative disease. Bulldog Mobility Solutions Luckily there are mobility aids available to help your bulldog walk. Becoming paralyzed or having sudden hind leg weakness does not mean the end for your best friend. The cart will help your dog stand and walk naturally, and your dog will also get the exercise it needs. Benefits of a Bulldog Wheelchair: Ability to stay active and independent. Continued exercise encourages the natural elimination process, making it easier for dogs to pee and poop! Great for mental health, an active dog is a happy dog! Perfect for rehabilitative support during recovery Dogs get to spend more time with their family doing their favorite things! When choosing the best wheelchair for your bulldog, pick an adjustable cart. Since your dog will be moving more often, regular exercise can help an overweight dog shed extra weight and even help strengthen their legs. In many cases, mobility loss can be progressive in nature. Related Articles:. From to , it detected hip dysplasia in .Genetics and joint malformations are known to contribute to the prevalence of hip dysplasia in Bulldogs. To better understand Bulldog hip dysplasia, you must understand the function of the hip joint first. The hip joint is just like a ball fixed into a socket. In normal hip joints, the femoral head can rotate smoothly and freely within the socket. A strong ligament holds the joint together. In most cases, Bulldogs who develop hip dysplasia are born with normal hips. But because of genetic factors, the soft tissues around their hip joints do not develop normally and remains loose. When the hip joints and the tissues surrounding are too loose, the femoral head can get displaced on the edge of the socket instead of moving smoothly inside. This results in changes in size and shape of the articular surfaces — causing pain and possible formation of calcium deposits in the hip joints. This can affect either the left or right hip, or both. Bulldog hip dysplasia can be debilitating and painful. If you are able to detect the early signs of hip dysplasia in your Bulldog, appropriate measures can be taken before the disease progresses and results in partial or complete dislocation of the hip joint, arthritis, or bone degeneration. Here are some early signs of Bulldog hip dysplasia. You may notice your Bulldog taking longer to stand up from a laid-down position, especially if the surface he rests on is slippery. He may do this to avoid feeling too much pain in the hip joint area. This behavior is a very common sign of hip dysplasia in Bulldogs. Signs of Bulldog Hip Dysplasia 2: Pain and Sensitivity in the Hip Area Hip dysplasia often causes damage or the breakdown of the cartilage in the hip joint. When this happens, the contact between the pelvic bone and the femur causes friction, which later results in joint inflammation and pain. Dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia may whine or bark when the hip area is touched. Some dogs may even show aggressive behaviors. Hip dysplasia can make your pet refuse to move, jump, climb, or descend the stairs in an attempt to avoid feeling pain. Affected dogs often lose enthusiasm in doing things they used to enjoy. Is your Bulldog hopping like a bunny when he walks? Bunny-hopping is one of the early signs of Bulldog hip dysplasia. To avoid pain, your Bulldog may try to lift either of his hind legs when he has to walk or move to another location. Dogs with hip dysplasia do bunny-hop to avoid putting on weight on their painful limb. Because your Bulldog will most likely avoid using his hips and thighs, as the muscles in these areas generally shrink atrophy. As your Bulldog relies on his front body to move him from one place to another, the muscles on his shoulders and front limbs may grow large hypertrophy. If your Bulldog suffers from this problem, he may experience problems when he goes potty. Squatting and even lifting legs can be difficult for dogs with hip dysplasia. If you see your Bulldog straining, whining, or having a hard time when he pees or poops, consider having him checked for hip dysplasia. Some of them can manage to move or walk despite the pain. But they often find themselves falling over because they try to balance their weight to prevent their hip area from getting hurt. Sometimes, they slip or fall on the floor due to weakness in the hip joint. If your Bulldog has this problem, consider placing rugs or carpets on the floor. Toe grips may also help prevent him from slipping. Signs of Bulldog Hip Dysplasia 8: Frog Sit Bulldog hip dysplasia can make it hard for your pet to sit in a normal position. Dogs with hip dysplasia often slouch or sit like a frog when they rest. The position allows them to rest without straining or putting much weight on their hips. Leave a Reply: Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

To learn more about us watch this videos Home Some of our babies! We are located in the country just outside of Johnston, SC. Our home is built on 55 acres with a 2. We are surrounded by open fields and woods; the perfect playground for a Labrador retriever. We have been involved with Labradors since when we purchased our first Labrador and our love for this incredible breed has grown significantly with every Labrador that has been part of our life. Our first, Jessie, a black Labrador was gentle and loving. Our second, Jamie, a high spirited yellow Labrador always seemed to get into some sort of trouble. Our third and first male dog, Jake was a gentle giant weighing in at lbs and was a creamy white color. Whether Jake was on the dove field, tracking a deer, fishing in the pond or just playing with his squeaky toys, he was the all around hunting companion and family member who will forever be remembered in our hearts. Having a well rounded and valued member of the family ready for the field as a hunting companion or living an active lifestyle in the home is our 1 goal at Dry Pond Retrievers. This is accomplished by breeding for intelligence, train-ability, physical soundness and having a natural marking ability, and good all around attitude that can do the work and then come back home to be a valued member of the family. Puppy Rearing Area! Atwater click here! You can have confidence your new puppy from Southern Flight Retrievers will have all the drive you are needing in your 4 legged hunting companion for those long retrieves in field trial events or in muddy grass marshes and waterways. Then after the successful hunt, field trial event, or just a daily walk in the great outdoors your furry companion will be ready to curl up for an evening by your side, ready to do it all again the next day. Working Labrador Retrievers We raise working labrador retrievers, not show labradors This means our puppies are bred to be very trainable, very athletic, with strong beautiful body builds for endurance when hunting or competing out in the fields, marshes or waterways. This is made possible by carefully selecting what will be our future brood Bitches. We make sure the mother of your future puppy is of strong character, lots of natural retrieving drive, highly trainable, and a calm, not hyper temperament. Sires have a great record of offspring performing well. All the male labs we use are out of very strong Field Trial and Hunt Test Pedigrees that have been carefully selected for each breeding to produce the healthiest and highly trainable puppies. Why Buy a Lab Puppy From Southern Retrievers Do you want the confidence in knowing your puppy came from a reputable breeder that has done the best they could to provide you with a very well bred, and guaranteed healthy puppy? Do you want the assurance you can contact the breeder anytime for advice, tips, and questions? These are the questions we strive to answer and fulfill to the best of our ability for each and every one of our clients, whether a new client or a returning client for multiple puppies. We want to keep in touch with you as our client to see your puppy grow into a beautiful dog with many achievements. You are welcome to have a look at them to see what your future puppy from Southern Flight Retrievers could look like. Take a look at the testimonials we have received. Our Commitment: Welcome to Bailiwick Retrievers web site. We concentrate on Sporting Dogs, Hunting Dogs, Puppy training and of course, family companion puppies. We take a great deal of time researching just the right breeding combination, resulting in puppies very strong in intelligence, health and genetics. All of which allows you to take your new hunting companion and family member to the next level. We are licensed and inspected yearly by Georgia Department Of Agriculture We are not a boarding facility……. .Our Labrador retriever puppies carry the intelligence, trainability and instincts found in only the very best. Hunting Lab Breeders, like Bailiwick Retrievers, produce top hunting companions and of course, first class family members. We have placed our lab puppies for Search and Rescue, Narcotic Dogs, to the government and individual trainers, and Agility Dogs. We at Bailiwick Retrievers believe in socializing, starting on the first day they arrive. Our Pups are born in our house, in the Florida Room next to the Pool…. They are socialized from day one, introduced to loud noises, different sounds and different spaces. This is very important in helping them adjust to their new world without fear. It is all in the training, our dogs even sleep in the bed BUT they know the house rules as well as learning the rules and requirements of a Hunt Test. Teaching what is acceptable from the beginning is very important. Getting a Hunting Labrador Retriever puppy that has the best of both worlds is very easy with great breeding. The intelligence this strong breeding brings makes training easy. Our new lab puppy owners are very important to us. We encourage you to keep us posted on your new labs progress and development. We take great pride in our pups and love progress reports. We are always here for you with suggestions and to answer all questions. Labs are naturally born to hunt and make wonderful companion dogs with a natural family oriented temperament. The Labrador Retriever is unusually adaptable, obedient and kind-hearted. They are sociable, affectionate and loyal with a keen sense of smell. No wonder they are so popular!!! When we began looking for a puppy, we knew we wanted her to have a strong bloodline and come from a reputable breeder. We did a lot of research and finally landed on the Kennels of Baliwick based on their breeding standards and credentialed dam and sire. We are so happy with our decision and feel our Sweet Reese Lee is truly a great-looking dog! She is very affectionate and has demonstrated her ability to be a fabulous hunter time and time again. Loud noises, not a problem; gun shy, not this pup; curious, you betcha! Crate training was no problem with Reese and she had the basic obedience commands down in weeks. On top of that, her keen sense of smell and alertness is unmatched. She is high energy, super playful, and brings so much joy to our lives! We are very grateful to Barbara and Tyler for the love and safekeeping of Reese after she was born and could not have asked for a greater first puppy buying experience! Thanks again! This is is a very strong breeding presenting 14 National Field Champions in their combined pedigrees. She is a muscular rock solid 52 pound female of pure energy. She can outrun anyone and her love of retrieving is pure and always front and center. She is definitely her mother's Jet daughter. She taught her well, she is a strong hunting partner and a loyal family companion who loves with her whole heart. She trains the young ones around Bailiwick, she is so very smart. Spend one minute with her and it is obvious, she is "Over the Top", she truly has it all. Retrieve, yes she loves retrieving, ask her and you shall receive. She is a devoted companion who loves with her whole heart, will work all day, not a problem with her. At the end of a long day she is not hard to find, she will be right at your side. This beautiful gal was born dreaming if ducks and duck ponds. Radley is Mr. Personality, he will put a smile on your face. We can retrieve all day or we can just visit and be cool, either way not a problem for Radley. He is truly a pleasure to train, so smart just tell him once and he has it down pat!!!!! This is a very strong breeding.Her love is retrieving, if you have the time she has the energy. She is dedicated, loving and very smart. Training her is a pleasure. What a loving personality, she will put a smile on your face. This is a very strong breeding. Stella presents three National Champions in her pedigree.Our Prices: Our base prices are listed below, according to current demand for colors and genders. Note: Sales tax is due on any pups or merchandise sold in California. By request, and for an additional fee, we often transport puppies to Davis. We used to be able to ship puppies via airplane all over the continental United States, but more restrictions apply at this time, due to Covid, extreme heat, or extreme cold. Unfortunately, we no longer ship puppies to Hawaii, due to their quarantine restrictions. Can I pick out my Labrador Retriever puppy before the designated adoption date? Sorry, but no. Most people will not know which puppy they are choosing until puppy adoption day. What supplies do we need for our new puppy? So many people ask us this question, we wrote a blog giving our advice. You can read our blog here. Do you raise American or English Labs? Both, actually, but mainly American. Only a few of our dogs are pure English; some are a blend of American and English. Litters are usually pure American or a blend of American and English. None, so far, are pure English. If you scroll down to the bottom of the videos page you can also view links to past litters of Labrador puppies for your viewing pleasure. We may, however, be able to refer you to hunting dog trainers, so feel free to shoot us an email asking us about that. Marble Mountain Kennels.

I have a great love and passion for German Shepherds, due to their intelligence and loyalty. I have a large, close family that are helping me raise, train, show and breed the dogs I love. Tiltonhaus kennel is attached to our home so that our German Shepherds can live primarily in our home enjoying family life with us. Rotating the dogs this way gives each dog lots of quality time with us. We strive to give our dogs the environment and attention that best enhances their well being and health. We live on 10 acres of land where our dogs can run and explore, along with several secure yards and runs for outdoor activity. Tiltonhaus German Shepherd dogs enjoy family outings, such as hikes, bike rides, picnics, camping, vacations, etc. All of our German Shepherds are purebred, AKC Registered, and come from top West German champion bloodlines known for producing dogs that are not only beautiful, but have balanced temperaments and strong work ethics. Degenerative Myelopathy. Our breeding dogs have had their hips and elbows certified with either the German SV a-stamp program or through OFA, which gives us the confidence to have all of our Tiltonhaus puppies guaranteed for hips and health in writing. Our puppies are handled and socialized from birth. So we become very attached to these little pups and care about their well being. Potential buyers should be prepared to answer questions about why they want to purchase a puppy and their plans for their puppy. We recommend that your new puppy get basic obedience training to be a happy, well-adjusted dog. Tiltonhaus is family owned and operated, fully licensed business located in Deer Park, Washington 15 minutes north of Spokane, WA. Write a Review vitali P 2 weeks ago Thank you affinity! We are very happy with our work together! A very special thank you to Jessie. Our new puppy sends you much love! Anastasiya Karovina 2 weeks ago Thank you guys for the beautiful baby. She's gorgeous! Brought joy to the house for the whole family. Excellent work, service, responsible attitude. I recommend it! Hagen 3 weeks ago My journey with my German Shepherd began with the expert guidance of the breeder at I Guard International and was beautifully complemented by the training prowess Jessi, Cody and Nick at K9 Country Club. Together, they've shaped a truly remarkable experience for me and my family. At I Guard International, I found not just a breeder but a passionate caretaker for these noble animals. The attention to detail, the commitment to quality, and the profound understanding of the German Shepherd breed were evident from our first meeting. Our pup was not merely a product but a living testament to their dedication to excellence Cody, working in unison with Nick, brought a whole new dimension to our German Shepherd's training. Their collaboration, with unique insights and methodologies, created a synergy that was reflected in the outstanding development of our pet. Cody's patient approach, his investment in understanding our dog's unique needs, and his ability to work seamlessly with Nick, resulted in a well-rounded and perfectly trained companion. But it wasn't just about the training; it was about the relationships that were forged. Jessi, Cody and Nick became more than trainers; they became mentors and friends to our family. They shared their wisdom, their love for dogs, and their unwavering commitment to providing the best care and training possible. Our German Shepherd's growth under their combined guidance has been a joy to watch. His character, discipline, and happiness are direct reflections of their hard work and heartfelt investment. If you're considering a breeder who truly understands the essence of the German Shepherd breed and trainers who will not just train your dog but celebrate its unique personality and potential, I wholeheartedly recommend I Guard International for breeding and training. In a world filled with choices, choosing them was one of the best decisions we've made for our family and our beloved pet. Their combined expertise and genuine love for what they do have created a lifelong bond and a truly happy, well-trained German Shepherd. Thank you, I Guard International, Cody,Jessi, and Nick, for being more than professionals in your field; thank you for being partners in our family's journey. Tom Jones 2 months ago.Hans Hauge 3 months ago We wanted two dogs that could both defend our home and still be a part of the family. We got it with these two. When someone comes to the door they let us know, and then they just chill out. Megan Mathews 6 months ago.As I was looking for breeders in the Spokane area. I came across I-Guard and gave them a call and spoke with Jessi. We set up a meeting to talk about their German Sheppards and she introduced us to Nick. He listened to our story about our Mal and he matched us up with the perfect German Sheppard for our family, Ace. I was impressed with the knowledge and professionalism that both Jessi and Nick gave to me and my family and feel very fortunate that I made the phone call to I-Guard for our next addition to our family. Since July Nick has reached out to ensure that all is going well on top of training Ace 1 on 1 to help out with my autistic son. Thank you Jessi and Nick for all you have done for my family. Zach Phelps 8 months ago Love these guys! Jessi was super helpful in answering any questions. They breed great tempered dogs for any environment. They took the time to talk and match the right dog to my crazy lifestyle. I will absolutely be coming back to expand my pack in a year or two. Chris Destro 2 year ago We searched and spoke with many German Shepherd breeders. Once we connected with Jessie, we felt super comfortable as she did not rush our decision at all, in fact, she was extremely patient and helpful as we made our final choice. So glad we went with I-Guard and her! He is amazing with kids and has a friendly disposition. We love him very much. Thank you again, Jessie.Koda is the best! We look at every German shepherd puppy as a special member of our family—and a future member of yours. Think of it like skipping the baby stage and the sleepless nights. Puppies range from two to 10 months old depending on your preference.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You probably already know that learning how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy can be a stressful time. But… once you know these easy steps, great things happen! Knowing how to potty train your German Shepherd is vital to having a happy, comfortable life with them. Use this training consistently to have the most effect. A proactive approach works best. Which means you should… focus on preventing accidents, instead of waiting on them to happen! Follow a strict feeding and bathroom schedule to see the best results. Basically, you teach your German Shepherd puppy the right potty skills… until it becomes a habit humanesociety. The key to quick success is taking your pup out every 2 to 3 hours and never giving the opportunity for them to have an accident inside. This means at least 8 to 10 trips outside every single day! In their welcoming and safe crate either resting, eating their meals, or enjoying a play toy. In an exercise pen or playpen with a strict potty area. Under your direct, undivided attention. This means you are always watching your pup. All it takes is for you to check your phone for a few seconds for your pup to have a toileting accident! You can either use a crate to speed up their potty training or provide them an area indoors to eliminate. I prefer the crate method. Housebreaking with the use of a crate speeds up your success rate incredibly! But you want to use the crate positively so they learn to love their little den. Make their crate an enjoyable and inviting place to go. How to show your pup how to love their crate: Never force your pup into their crate! Take your time with crate introduction and allow them to explore under their own will. Serve your pup at least one meal a day inside their crate. Use a Kong with their meal stuffed inside and mixed with a small spoonful of unsweetened Greek yogurt or peanut butter to entice them to stay and work on the Kong inside the crate. Offer treats when they willingly go inside to rest or explore their crate. Use a verbal cue when you want your pup to go into the crate. You can learn all the benefits of teaching your dog to use their crate in this easy post on crate training your German Shepherd successfully. Check it out to get the complete facts, tips, and step-by-step instructions to perfect crate training today. Use Puppy Pads You can use puppy pads if you need to… or skip to step 4 to learn potty training without pads. Not going to use puppy pads? You can skip to step 4. But… if you prefer to use puppy pads, then you need an area where you always take your dog when they need to go to the bathroom. Preferably place their pads near the door that you eventually want them to use to go outside. Place more pads down than you think you need at first. This is because puppies have poor aim and also may find a spot they prefer other than the one you pick. After a couple of weeks, you may remove the extra pads until there are only two puppy pads on the floor in the primary area they prefer to go. Keep the food and water area away from the puppy pads in another place. Using Puppy Pads Successfully Change your puppy pads as they become soiled. But a lightly soiled pad is attractive to your pup in the beginning stages of training and helps them learn the right area to potty indoors at first. Once they are reliably using the correct spot, you need not continue to use this trick and can throw away the pads as they become too soiled. Training Them to Go Outside After Using Pads Indoors If you set up your pads near the door you use to take them outside to their elimination area, then you can transition them to go outside more easily. So, place or move your puppy pads closer to the door from their original spot to begin the transition to the outdoors. When your pads are close to the door, watch them for their elimination signs and get them to the outside as swiftly as you can. While I generally use a crate to house train my German Shepherd puppy I also totally understand that you might prefer to learn how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy using a puppy pad for any number of reasons. Teach Them a Potty Routine Every day, follow the same routine and schedule to keep your puppy from having accidents inside your house. Teaching your dog to eliminate outside means that you must have a strict schedule. Watch for signs that your pup needs to go potty so you can avoid indoor accidents. Morning Potty Routine First thing in the morning when you let your pup out of their crate or from their sleeping area take them to their potty spot. If in doubt, carry them outside yourself. If you will not leash your pup when you take them out in the morning, then run ahead of them to lead them outside quickly. If you have stairs, carry your pup since rushing downstairs on a full bladder is never a good idea. Outside Potty Routine Stay with your pup until they do their business. You can place your pup in a small confined area to go potty or keep them leashed to you. Stand quietly until they potty. Then, praise them and offer a tasty treat. This can bore you at first, but potty training a German Shepherd puppy becomes easier every day. After 10 to 15 minutes, take them out of their crate and repeat the above process. Learning how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy takes repetition and patience. How do you know when to take your GSD puppy outside to potty? Take them out after a nap. They need to relieve themselves after sleeping or napping in their crates. Take them out after a play session. Take them out after they drink a large amount of water. Take them out first thing in the morning and the last thing before you place them in their crate or go to bed. Take your dog out when their body language says they are searching for a potty spot! You should take out your German Shepherd puppy every 2 hours for an 8-week-old pup. Add an hour for each month your pup is old. So, a week-old dog needs to go out every 3 hours. And a week-old German Shepherd needs to go outside to relieve herself every 4 hours. Puppy Age How often do you take them outside to potty? Most dogs do not have full bladder control until they are six months old. This means that even if your puppy does learn to hold it, accidents may still happen if it is left inside too long. Not potty training early can extend the process and make things harder. As the puppy grows, the mess and smells will increase. It is also harder to break an existing habit than prevent one from starting in the first place. How long on average does it take to potty train a puppy? If everything goes according to plan, your German Shepherd can be potty trained within five days. However, that does not mean your pup will be able to be locked indoors for eight hours while you go to work and not make a mess. Therefore, a two-month-old puppy needs to go out every two hours. A three-month-old can hold for three, and so on. German Shepherds also often have a high play drive and might completely forget that they need to potty when they want to play instead. There are few things more frustrating than playing outside with your puppy for an hour, only to have them calm down enough to relieve themselves the moment they come indoors. Have a complimentary diet An upset stomach is one of the most common setbacks in housetraining. In particular, puppies are vulnerable to garbage gut because they tend to eat anything smelly or exciting. This is another reason to make use of a crate. Excellent digestive health is not only good for your puppy, but it makes it much easier to stick to your routine. Use a specific door By now, you might be noticing a theme of consistency and routine emerging. Taking your puppy out through the same door helps condition and imprint the housetraining process on your dog and will also serve you later when your dog learns to always ask to go outside at the same door. Leash and lead The leash or lead is a further way of conditioning your puppy. The lead ensures that you can keep them close and make sure they always go to the specific spotty to potty. Do some research on the best collar for German Shephards , as there are some breed specific requirements. Then give a treat or some playtime to reward the correct behavior. Guide your dog back inside A potty run needs to be conditioned as a potty run. While praise, playtime, and treats should be used to make it a positive experience, your pup must learn to stay focused on the task at hand. Creating a negative experience for your dog is more likely to cause sneaky behavior such as peeing and pooping secretly out of fear that you will reprimand them if caught. Make sure you check on your puppy at least twice throughout the night Set an alarm clock and check if your puppy is awake and restless at least twice a night. This is your cue to take the pup outside. If the crate is near your bed and you are a light sleeper, you will likely wake when you hear rustling or whimpering. Stick to a routine A rigid routine is the quickest and smoothest route to a house-trained puppy. Be sure to take the puppy outside as soon as it wakes up in the morning, as well as after a nap, after playtime, and after meals. Until they are at least twelve weeks old, they should be taken out a minimum every two hours during the day. Positive Reinforcement As with all dog training, positive reinforcement works best. Make sure to praise and reward within three seconds of your puppy going potty to make a positive association. While your German Shepherd is learning that the entire house is out of bounds for elimination, the crate is a useful tool to avoid accidents. Once this has been achieved, you can gradually allow your puppy more free rein indoors. Pee Pads are not helpful. Puppies Puppy accidents are inevitable and can also be the most frustrating part of welcoming a new dog into your household. However, with a little bit of patience and the commitment to establishing a routine, you should get your GSD puppy potty trained in no time. This article will dive into how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy as well as give you step-by-step instructions and tips for success. German Shepherds become aware of their ability to control their bodily functions at around 3 weeks old. However, it is best to start potty training as soon as you bring your puppy home, usually, this is around 8 weeks of age. So, a 2-month old can hold their pee for about 2 hours. To avoid accidents, take them for potty breaks once every hour. No, not all adult German Shepherds are potty trained. Nevertheless, the general process of training an adult is pretty much the same as potty training a puppy. The key is in setting your rules and establishing a routine from the beginning. Ideally, choose a relatively quiet place. German Shepherds, like many other dog breeds, are creatures of habit. Having a designated potty area and using it consistently is key to making this process work smoothly. When dogs eliminate, their urine and feces leave behind a unique scent. Smelling it will signal to their brains that it is, indeed, time to go potty. Step 2: Establish a schedule Just like having a consistent potty area, sticking to a regular schedule is essential. Take very young puppies to their designated potty area every hour. As they age and as they become familiar with the routine, you can lengthen the time between their potty breaks. Start by choosing a command and sticking with it. When your pup gets to their potty spot, say your chosen command. Then say your command again and praise your pup as soon as your pup has successfully eliminated. You can usually tell this by their body language. Keep doing that until you can just give the command and your pup knows to squat and poop. Step 4: Reinforce positive potty behavior Whenever your GSD pup potties successfully, give them a good time! Reward them especially when they potty on command. Make sure you give them lots of praises and maybe a good head scratch. Depending on what motivates them, reward them with food or play. Step 5: Give it time and patience Following these steps will give you the best chance of success, but expect it to take some time. Top Tips for Potty Training Success German Shepherds are easy to train , so by following the proper potty training steps, you should get your GSD pup housebroken in no time. Nevertheless, here are some tips that will set you up for success and allow you to get over this tedious phase much more quickly: Tip 1: Make crate training a priority Crate training offers plenty of critical benefits, especially to puppies. Apart from providing a private space where they can feel safe, the right crate can be an excellent housebreaking tool. Tip 2: Establish a routine German Shepherds tend to thrive on a daily routine, so try your best to make every day the same for them. It will also help you more accurately predict when they need to go potty. Try to limit feeding times to three times a day for puppies younger than 6 months. German Shepherds that are at least 6 months old can eat once in the morning and then again in the evening. Tip 4: Withhold water at night Dogs should always have access to clean drinking water, but free access to a water bowl will make potty training more difficult. Once housebroken, your dog can have free access to water. When you take your dog out to potty, try to keep yourself relaxed and only talk when giving the potty command. This will also make your post-potty reward extra special. Disciplining your puppy for a potty accident is likely to do more harm. It will lead to negative potty behavior like being afraid to eliminate in your presence as well as feeling anxiety over having to pee or poop. Just clean it up and hope you can both do better next time. If your dog is having accidents too regularly, you likely need to take your dog out more frequently to prevent it. This is also the best way to maintain proper hygiene and good health. Tip 8: Listen and observe Dogs have their own way of communicating and will be especially communicative when they need to go potty. Some dogs might whine while others paw at the door. You just need to establish a routine and give them time to develop full control over their bladder and bowels. As long as you are committed to following your protocol, you should be able to enjoy a fully housebroken dog soon enough. Plenty of wipes and toilet tissue 1. Build a potty-training routine When you first start house training your German Shepherd puppy, you should aim to build a routine around their toileting needs. Luckily, their bladders and bowels are fairly predictable, as they are determined by not only their sleeping pattern, but also what they eat and drink. You should always take your puppy out to the toilet first thing as soon as they wake up — and this goes for whenever they wake up from naps too! As well as taking them out first thing in the morning, you should also take them out last thing at night or before you are going to leave them alone for an extended period of time: this is to prevent any accidents overnight or whilst you are gone! On top of this, you should also aim to take your puppy out to the toilet every thirty minutes to an hour. We actually started up a diary of what our puppy had eaten and and how often and what times he tended to urinate and defecate. Take your German Shepherd outside as soon as you see any signs that they need a pee or poop. All puppies have immature diet systems, which means that each meal tends to stimulate their digestive system faster than it would in adult dogs. Generally, puppies need to urinate within fifteen minutes of eating and then do a poop within half an hour of eating. Once your dog has finished eating, take away the food bowl until the next scheduled mealtime. This will prevent your puppy from overindulging. You should also ensure that the food you give your puppy is of the higher possible quality — this means avoiding dog food with artificial colours and preservatives and ensuring that real meat is the primary ingredient. Confinement and consistency When your German Shepherd puppy is in the early stages of potty training, it is good to confine to a small area such as a room, a crate or via a lead until you are confident that they can roam the house freely without accidents. Furthermore, consistency goes hand-in-hand with confinement, and it involves introducing your dogs to select areas to toilet in so that, over time, they will learn to associate going to the toilet with that area of the house or outside. A good way to ease your dog into this component of toilet training is via puppy pad training or crate training. Essentially, the purpose of the puppy pad is not only to reduce mess, but also to get your puppy used to the idea of doing their business in an approved, select area indoors an area that is easy to clean up! Overtime, your puppy will learn to associate the pad itself with areas where it is okay to toilet, and at this stage it is good to move the mad outside to help them adapt. You can buy puppy pads on Amazon. Here are the ones we used which also have very good Amazon reviews. Crate training Crates are an effective and approved way of toilet training your German Shepherd puppy at the beginning. It helps to avoid mess, helps you keep a closer eye for signs he needs to go and, most crucially, teaches the pup to hold it until they are let outside to go toilet. Make sure the crate is large enough for the puppy to stand, turn around and lie down but not large enough for them to defecate and urinate in. You can find a suitably-sized crate on Amazon which work well with the German Shepherd breed. Learn to pick up on the signs To avoid accidents in the home, it is good to learn to recognise signs that your German Shepherd needs the toilet. Commons signs include: Sniffing the floor. Looking restless and anxious. Going into an area they have previously toileted in. If your puppy shows any of these signs, take them out to your chosen toileting spot immediately. However, if accidents do happen, it is best to stay calm and not get angry at your puppy, as this will just make them fearful and cause them stress, which will actually result in more random accidents. Use a phrase they will learn to understand One of the most important aspects that goes a long with in potty training your German Shepherd puppy to use a phrase they learn to identify with. By doing so, he would learn to identify the phrase and location with the action. Reward the puppy for a good job When your German Shepherd puppy has finished his pee or poop in the right place , you should give them a reward or positive reinforcement with praise. By rewarding good behavior you will start a pattern of success which can lead to far faster house breaking and training. Never scold them Accidents are going to happen a lot, and whilst this can be frustrating, never shout at or scold the puppy. I remember countless times where I would have just cleaned a pee up from the kitchen floor, only for our puppy to crouch and pee again just seconds later. When should I start potty training my German Shepherd puppy? It is generally recommended to start house training your German Shepherd puppy once they are between 12 weeks and 16 weeks old. This is a good age to start because whilst it means that your puppy is still young enough to learn life-long skills and have their behavior moulded, at this stage your puppy should have enough control over their bladder and bowels to hold it when necessary — making the potty training process easier for them, and cleaner for you! How long does it take to potty train a German Shepherd puppy? There are other factors which come into play though, such as individual temperament and environmental factors. Be prepared for accidents, but above all, have some wipes and tissue paper on hand all the time as you will get through a lot of this stuff! Conclusion Now you know how we advise you housebreak a German Shepherd puppy, I would love to know how you got on. Get in touch via social media and leave a comment. Similarly, if you have better ideas on how to potty train a German Shepherd puppy, please share those in the community too. The bottom line is this; do not underestimate to the work that goes into taking care of a new puppy. Toilet training your puppy might feel a bit difficult at times, but with the right attitude, attentiveness and patience, they will learn this life-long skill. However, if you have any concerns about their ability to toilet train, always contact a vet or a professional trainer. As unlikely as this is, there are some German Shepherds who will need expert help. You might also like….

Look no further! Our top-rated breeding facility is within driving distance of Atlanta, offering easy access to our lovingly-raised and well-socialized puppies. At our breeding facility, we specialize in breeding high-quality Australian Labradoodles. Our puppies are carefully selected and bred for their friendly temperament, hypoallergenic coat, and intelligence. We prioritize the health and well-being of our puppies, providing them with socialization and individual attention. As an Australian Labradoodle breeder within driving distance of the Atlanta Georgia GA area, we offer convenient access to our facility, where you can meet our puppies and choose the one that best fits your family's needs. We have a wide range of puppies to choose from, including different colors, sizes, and temperaments, ensuring that you can find the perfect furry friend for your family. With our focus on customer satisfaction and excellent customer service, we are confident that you will have an amazing adoption experience with us. Our dedication to our puppies and their well-being is second to none, and we take pride in helping families find the perfect addition to their homes. Contact us today to schedule a visit to our facility and meet our beautiful puppies. We can't wait to help you find your perfect furry companion! Our free litter notification email is the perfect way to stay up-to-date on our latest and greatest litters of adorable labradoodle puppies! Follow Along on Social Media! Popular Links. Although the beautiful curls and waves of a Labradoodle alone can convince almost anyone to adopt them, there are various additional reasons that make Labradoodle puppies the best dog breed to adopt and take home. Physical Appearance Being a crossbreed, Labradoodles come in multiple types of fur or coat such as wavy coat, wool coat, and curly fleece coats. In addition to the coat, Labradoodles are available in three different sizes: Standard, Medium, and Miniature. Moreover, the variety of colors in which Labradoodles are available range from black, chocolate, apricot to cream, gold, and silver, making them one of the most attractive dog breeds. Adaptability Labradoodles are one of those dog breeds that can live anywhere, given that they receive a lot of care from you. They can tolerate high heat as well as cold temperatures. Also, if you live in an apartment with limited space, you can still have a Labradoodle as your pet. Hypoallergenic The ability of a Labradoodle to shed a minimal amount of hair during any season makes them one of the most desirable dogs, especially among people who are mildly allergic to dog fur. Moreover, the low shedding of fur also makes them require less maintenance. Also, since Labradoodles love water, it would make it easier for you to clean and groom them. So, if you suffer from mild allergies, then you can consider having a Labradoodle as your companion dog and enjoy its friendly as well as protective temperament. However, since they have high energy levels, you should take them for walks and exercise daily. Labradoodles are a big fan of water so you can take them for swimming as well. Moreover, Labradoodles are highly intelligent and can grasp any instruction given to them quickly. You can easily train them to be guard dogs as they are loyal and have a protective temperament towards their owners and family. Service And Therapy Dogs Labradoodles are considered to be one of the friendliest breeds due to which they make amazing service, therapy, and guard dogs. They are gentle, outgoing, playful, loyal, and protective at the same time. Most importantly, Labradoodles get along with children, elders, other dogs, and cats as well. So, if you or anyone in your house needs a support dog or a dog that could guide them through their day-to-day activities, you should consider adopting a Labradoodle puppy. Therefore, you can adopt Labradoodles from the four best Labradoodle Breeders in Atlanta mentioned above. Labradoodles would not only shower you with their cuteness and love but would also help you get through your day-to-day activities by always being there for you. They are hypoallergenic, gentle, and friendly, making them one of the best dog breeds to have as a pet. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and adopt the Labradoodle puppies in Atlanta. 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. 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 Atlanta Georgia 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. We breed multigenerational Australian Labradoodles and American Labradoodles. Our goal is producing loving Australian Labradoodle puppies and American Labradoodle puppies to add to your family: with hypo allergenic qualities, beautiful wavy fleeces and curles and exceptionally smart. A smart dog is a happy dog, they are easily trained which adds to the enjoyment of your new family member. We have chocolate Australian labradoodle puppies for sale, chocolate parti Australian labradoodle puppies for sale merle Australian labradoodle puppies for sale and many other color Australian labradoodles for sale. Our puppies will be smart like their parents who know both hand signals as well as voice commands. Many of our past puppies have become service dogs for Epileptic Seizure Services, Hospice Services, and other Service related settings. Why do our dogs make such Great Service Dog Candidates, our wonderful Rocky passes his wonderful calm demeanor to all of his puppies. Also, many people love the look of our Merle labradoodles - They are absolutely stunning. We tend to have clients in the Chattanooga, Tennessee and Huntsville, Alabama areas that have a found interest in our Miniature Australian Labradoodles and clients in Florida are particularly interested in our Merle Australian Labradoodles. Of course clients in Dallas Texas and parts of Illinois have added our Standard size Australian Labradoodles to there households. Whether clients are on vacation or simply enjoying the local park, It's exciting when we hear reports from our owners that they ran into another Australian Labradoodle that turns out to be a Lord and Lady Labradoodle all over the country. And clients never cease to tell stories of how people they meet rant and rave over there Lord and Lady Australian Labradoodle. Serving Atlanta and the South East for 12 years! The Australian Labradoodle is different from all other labradoodles In the mids, The Australian Guide Dog Association received an inquiry from a blind lady requesting a guide dog that would not cause her allergies to flare. To achieve a hypoallergenic dog they needed to breed their proven Labradors to a dog that was already non-shedding, hence the Standard Poodle. The resulting Labradoodles subsequently have been bred to each other, continuing the multi-generational tradition without ever having to go back to the parent breed of the Labrador or Poodle. Even when the other types of Labradoodles are bred on for generations, the result is not an Australian Labradoodle, as the attributes of the infused breeds were not included in their ancestry. We have also produced many therapy and service dogs in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Our puppies are birthed in our home and raised in our acre farm in the suburbs of Atlanta. Labradoodle puppies for adoption Atlanta Georgia. Australian Labradoodles near me Thank you to all of our Families. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Atlanta GA? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Atlanta GA. Australian Labradoodles are designer dogs bred to be the perfect companion. How much are Labradoodles for sale Atlanta? When you look for Labradoodle puppies online, you may see different prices for seemingly identical dogs. Will you only connect me with local Labradoodle breeders Atlanta? One of the most convenient things about using our network is that no matter where your dream dog is—Atlanta, elsewhere in Georgia, or halfway across the country—meeting your new pal is a cinch. How do you screen Labradoodle breeders in Atlanta? Why is Uptown Puppies different from other places with Labradoodles Atlanta? We built Uptown Puppies to give honest breeders and businesses a chance to reach loving families like yours, and a place where families never have to worry about dishonest breeders again. What is a puppy mill for Labradoodle puppies Atlanta? At mills, safety and wellbeing go out the window, and dogs are bred in totally inhumane conditions. Are there any Labradoodle puppies in Atlanta available now? What is the MatchMaker process like for Labradoodle Atlanta?

PetMD is operated by Chewy. Bringing home a new four-legged family member is such an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming—especially for your new puppy. When dogs are nervous, they tend to seek out small spaces to create a protective shelter for themselves. Crates are a great way to provide that safe haven for them. There are several things you can do to make the crate a safe space for your pup: Feeding meals or treats inside the crate is often seen as a reward and creates a positive association for dogs. Keeping dog toys in the crate can also provide a similar reward and positive association for pets. Adding a dog bed or blankets to the crate can make it even more comfortable although some dogs do prefer to lie on hard surfaces. This gives him enough time to digest his food and go to the bathroom one last time before bedtime so hopefully! While there are no hard and fast rules on timing, having playtime in the hours leading up to bedtime can be very helpful. The hour leading up to bedtime should be used to allow your puppy to gradually calm down, which will help him with the transition to bedtime. This gives him from p. Some great stimulating activities for puppies include: Training: Dogs love to be trained, and it provides a lot of benefits for them. Training is mentally stimulating and can be as exhausting as physical exercise. It can also help keep them safe, and the more rules dogs know, the more comfortable they tend to feel in a home. Long walks: Walks not only provide dogs with physical exercise, but all the smells are mentally stimulating for them, too. Just be sure your puppy is fully vaccinated before going for long walks in public places! Playing games: Puppies love to play games like tug of war, hide and seek, scent games, and play with puzzle toys. This should be a short outing, just long enough for him to go to the bathroom. If timed well with dinner, he will hopefully both urinate and defecate during this potty break. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help your new puppy feel more comfortable in his new home: Putting the crate in your room can help your puppy feel closer to you, while also providing him with the safe space of the crate. Typically, anxiety and stress crying occurs early in the night when your puppy is first put into his crate. If he starts crying in the middle of the night, he might need to go to the bathroom. Bringing home a new puppy is a major lifestyle change for both of you. But once the first few nights are through and your bond grows, puppies can be some of the best companions—and their love is worth all the sleepless nights. Featured Image: iStock. Brittany Grenus graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in with her doctorate in veterinary medicine and a.Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? First day and night with puppy First day with a new puppy Your first day and night with a new puppy Getting a puppy is a really huge step for anyone and if it's your first puppy it's important to know what to expect. We've put together our tips and advice on the first 24 hours with your four-legged friend. A new member of the family is a big commitment but also really exciting. If you're a first-time puppy owner, you might have heard stories good and bad about owning a puppy. Your first day and night together will help to set the tone for your time together, so it's really important to be prepared. Our vets have put together their advice on dealing with your first day with a new puppy. Be prepared before bringing your puppy home Before you even bring your puppy home, there's a lot you can do to prepare! Remember to make sure to get all the supplies you need first - our new puppy checklist can help you decide what to get. This will be an area they can go and take naps in, chill out in when they want a bit of alone time and generally feel safe in. If you do decide to get your puppy a crate, remember they might not be used to one so you will need to take your time introducing them to it to make sure they are comfortable and happy with it. Take a look at our guide on crate training for more advice. Growing is thirsty work, after all! Ideally you want this near to their quiet area and bed. Set some ground rules Before your puppy comes home, you have some decisions to make. Will they be allowed on the sofa? Are they allowed on the bed? You need to set some rules and make sure everyone at home knows what they are — and sticks to them! Consistency is key when training any dog and your puppy will be learning all the time. Puppies will need to go to the toilet regularly, so giving them the opportunity straight away will help before they go inside. Remember to give them lots of praise or even a treat when they go to the toilet in the right place — for more information, visit our toilet training guide. When you take your puppy inside for the first time, try to take them to their space first. Too much too soon can get them over-excited or stressed, so slow introductions to new things is key. Make sure you keep your home and everyone in it! The breeder or rehoming centre can let you know when, what and how much your puppy normally eats. Offer lots of toilet time. Give your puppy the chance to go out to the toilet regularly and give them lots of praise when they go in the right place! Playtime can be OK. Short playtime sessions are absolutely fine, but remember that your pup will tire out quickly so keep them short and sweet. Naps are important. Puppies are still growing, which is tiring! Avoid walks. Your puppy is unlikely to be fully vaccinated when you first get them. Stick to supervised playtime in a secure garden, keeping them away from water sources and thick undergrowth where rats could have been. Spend lots of time together. Your puppy is always learning, so make sure you spend lots of time with them so they know they can be happy and safe around you. Pets love routine, so get your puppy into a regular routine as soon as possible! Decide where they are sleeping. Whether you plan on your puppy forever sleeping in your bedroom, or want them in a separate room, you need to start this from the beginning and stick to it. If you have your puppy in your bedroom but plan to move them into a different room at a later date, this can be really distressing for them. Keep calm. Keep bedtime as calm as possible for your pup. Give them gentle praise such as a few strokes when they settle where you want them to. Sleep in the same room for the first few nights. For the first few nights, your puppy will need time to adjust to being without their mum. Remind them of mum. Pop this where they sleep every night as it will help to comfort them and keep them calm. Night time toilet breaks may be needed. Puppies have little bodies and little bladders! For the first few weeks you might find they need a toilet break during the night. If your puppy is worried during the night, they might cry or bark. This is completely normal as they adjust to a new home and environment. When your puppy is scared, comforting them will help, but being ignored will make them feel isolated and even more frightened. Got a question? The puppy should be allowed to explore and meet his new family. You should now start teaching your puppy his name amazing because now Stetson knows his name like the back of his paw. Try again in 10 minutes. If the puppy does relieve himself in the proper area, give him lots of praise. Afterward, you may take him inside, but remember to supervise the puppy; do not let him out of your sight. Talk to your puppy when it explores to make him feel more at home. The first few nights at home may be difficult for both you and your pup. At night the puppy will feel lonely and will probably demonstrate this by whining Oh, you betcha! These are a few things that you can do that might make the puppy feel at home. We use a MidWest Life Stages Double Door Crate which comes with a divider this allows us to adjust the crate size and put a blanket over it to make it seem cozier. Keep the crate in a draft-free area next to your bed. For approximately the first three weeks, if your puppy cries, take him out, on a leash to relieving area. After relieving put him back into his crate. Do not give him any treats or any playtime. Put him right back into his crate and he should go back to sleep. Under no circumstances take the puppy to bed with you. This will form a very undesirable habit. Give the puppy a stuffed dog toy to snuggle with. Then when it was time to crate Stetson for the first night he could snuggle with the toy and smell the scent of his littermates. Our favorite and one we highly recommend is the Calmeroos Puppy Toy with heartbeat and heat pack. Our last puppy, Anna loved her Calmeroos Puppy Toy and it helped her sleep better her first night in her crate. Hold your puppy by his collar by slipping your thumb in his collar and set his food about two feet away. This should be done at every meal throughout training. Even within a breed. There are several people in our group who have raised 10 or more Labrador Retrievers in the Guide Dogs of America program and each one is different. My experience with Stetson was very difficult in the early days and weeks. I had no problem with Stetson when I first got him home. I already knew about the trials and tribulations of house training and crate training after raising my first rescue puppy, Linus. Puppies tend to piddle about every 10 to 20 minutes. You have to watch them like a hawk or they will end up using your house as their personal restroom. Stetson had some accidents here and there, but nothing out of the ordinary. The agony came in the evening. Stetson did NOT take to the crate! He whined, howled, cried, and barked…probably made every noise he could possibly produce, but would not relax and go to sleep. He did sleep once in a while honestly I felt like a zombie for over a month. During those first 4 weeks, the most sleep I got was approximately 6 hours, broken up 3 or 4 times a night by whining, howling, barking…you get the picture. I was a wreck and I thought Stetson would never get used to his crate. Awww, the first night home with puppy Stetson was…sleepless… I have two words for you — consistent and patient. After about 4 weeks of consistently sticking to my guns, not letting him out of his crate, and praising him when he was quiet Stetson suddenly stopped making noise in his crate. In the long run, it pays off. Stetson has not barked, howled, or whined in months. New puppy owners often ask me where should a puppy sleep on the first night? Starting on day one we want our puppies to get used to sleeping in their crate. If we allow them to sleep elsewhere like our beds then we are reinforcing the behavior of sleeping on the bed. Therefore, trying to start them in the crate will be more difficult on day 2. Also, I want them to get used to sleeping in their crate until they are potty trained and learn the appropriate rules in our house i. Most likely he will wake up crying times at night. What happens when your puppy starts crying? Should you let your puppy cry the first night? That question is more complicated than it seems. First, as mentioned earlier we crate train our puppies. If at the end of the night our puppies start crying in the crate they will most likely settle down after about minutes of whining. Therefore, yes we let our puppies cry. Second, if our puppy wakes up in the middle of the night and starts crying we take him immediately to his potty spot. After he goes potty we take him straight back to his crate to go back to sleep. This generally happens times a night. Those are the two most likely crying scenarios with your puppy. However, there are an infinite number of other possibilities for puppies crying in the crate on the first night. Should you leave your puppy alone on the first night? I sleep about a foot away from my puppy in my own bed, puppy in his crate. If I feel like my puppy is experiencing some anxiety on his first nights home I will also sometimes sleep on the floor for a few nights and slowly start to migrate back to my bed. This is the question I fear when I bring home a puppy. The answer is it depends, every puppy is different. However, you probably want to know what I consider normal for how long a puppy will cry at night? At which point he will likely settle down and go to sleep. Over the next 8 hours, most puppies will wake up times and will need to go outside and potty. When you get back from the potty break most puppies will cry for another minutes before they go back to sleep. After about 8 hours of sleep, your puppy will want to wake up and eat breakfast. As I mentioned earlier, all of my puppies sleep in their crate on the first night. This calls for a story: Many years ago, I talked to a friend who allowed her puppy to sleep in her bed. She cleaned up the mess but could still smell poop. Check out our New Puppy Checklist. Get a good book on raising and training a puppy like Puppies for Dummies. Let him get comfortable in his new environment. Start training your puppy immediately with basics like potty training, name, and crate. Always supervise your puppy. Use a small crate near your bed. Give your puppy a stuffed dog toy to snuggle with. Be consistent, persistent, and patient when training your puppy. The first night with a puppy is often a sleepless night. On the other hand, if you get a homesick puppy then you might have to endure a night possibly several nights of barking, howling, crying, and yelping puppy. Hopefully, you get the latter and are only disturbed a few times in your nightly slumber. Good luck! Tell us your experiences in the comment section below. Related Article. They are merely small, cute, and compact dogs. When you first get your Pug puppy, they may cry and whine at night…. Are you wondering why your Pug puppies keep on crying and whining at night? Have you ever found yourself trying to sleep with the crying Pug puppy at night? Then this article is for you. Why is Your Pug Puppy Crying? Hearing your Pug puppy whine or cry at night is enough to break your heart. They need to get used to their new surroundings. Pug puppies cry and whine as a natural alarm system to call out for help. Puppies removed earlier from their Mom and litter may have separation anxiety issues. This can result in crying at night. If your breeder wants to keep your puppy for 12 weeks before you pick her up, please wait. Please wait. The breeder knows those extra few weeks is what is best for the pup. That time can reduce behavioral and mental health in the future. Even if you bring your Pug puppy home after eight weeks, she will still miss her Pug Mom and littermates. Pug puppies will cry and whine when they feel this way. When you first bring your Pug puppy home, try to take some time off from work. Spend a lot of time with him during the day to try to ward off loneliness. Also, a tired Pug puppy may sleep better at night. Your Pup is Scared They may feel scared, and it may take a while to settle into their new environment. Put your puppy in a crate next to your bed. Pug puppies cry and whine when scared. Having them next to your bed may help. Loud wind, noises, or the sound of rain may also scare your puppy. Some suggest putting a windup clock under their pillow to hear the ticking. That may give your puppy some comfort. Once in their bed, they may realize they need to go. Also, Pug puppies have tiny bladders. My little Lulu did until she was about eight months old. Once her body started to develop, she no longer needed to go out in the middle of the night. Most of the time, puppies will not pee where they sleep. Although Pug puppies cry and whine to get out in the middle of the night, it helps with potty training. Most Pugs would love a delicious snack day or night. Giving them a snack may only train them to cry more. If whining and crying once brought them a snack, why not try it again and again? Be sure your Pug puppy has a water bowl out all during the day. Encourage a small drink before bed, but they may refuse. The place might be uncomfortable, too hot, too cold, or too bright for him. Make sure your puppy is in a dark room around 70 degrees. Be sure he has a nice comfortable blanket or pillow to sleep on. You may decide to let him sleep with you once he is potty-trained. When my Mimi was almost potty-trained, I used to think she would be OK to sleep in the bed with me. Unfortunately, I spent some mornings washing sheets. Finally, I went back to putting her into her crate until she was fully potty-trained. Given a choice between peeing outside on the ground in the cold weather or in a toasty room with soft blankets, well… you know how that went. Your Pug Puppy gets Bored at Night Pug puppies need enough exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and relaxed. When they do not get enough exercise, they show a lot of extra energy at night. Pug puppies cry and whine out of boredom and maybe part of its way of burning energy. During the day, spend a lot of time with your pup and give him a lot of attention. Play catch and give him a lot of verbal praise. Should you Ignore a Whining Pug Pup? Little pups think that if they call for help, someone will quickly locate them. Try to understand the underlying cause of your Pug puppy crying and whining. Your Pug puppy is maybe in a stage where he learns how to communicate his needs and wants. Pug puppies generally whine to get attention and food from their parents. Avoid unintentionally encouraging your dog to whine. Encouraging whining lead to a pup that whines excessively. Even reaching down to pet your Pug or speaking soothing words can be an encouragement to whine more. Try to keep them in the room with you at night. Are you worried about your whining Pug pup? The good news is that you can train your puppy to whine less. If your Pug puppy is crying at night, there are many ways to calm him. The goal is to have a relaxed, self-assured puppy and can be left alone for the night. You can try to keep them in a crate. Even though your puppy might resist this idea in the beginning, but dog crates can be lifesavers. A crate offers your puppy a sense of safety and security. The ideal food for your Pug is the one that ensures all the nutrients your dog needs for growth and development. If you get a Pug puppy, be certain you are feeding puppy food. They have different nutritional needs than adult dogs do. Also, ask your breeder what she is feeding the pups. Then transition your puppy from her dog food to the one that you would like him to eat. Tailor the puppy food to meet their needs. Avoid saying emotional goodbyes and try to have a low-key departure and arrival. Puppies can be emotional sponges and soak up everything you are feeling. Long, emotional goodnights or goodbyes can create anxiety for your pup. A Pug puppy with pent up physical or emotional energy is more likely to cry and whine. You must make sure to take care of the following things before you leave your puppy at night: Feed your puppy before you leave. Pugs are greedy eaters and become satisfied when they are full. Provide sufficient exercise and social interaction. This will reduce their destructive behavior. Give your pup chew toys and other interactive toys like puzzles and kongs while you are away at night. This will distract them and keep them busy while they are alone. Keep dangerous things out of the reach of your Pug puppy. The daily workout will potentially help him get rid of the excess energy that he has. Spend time playing brain games and doing obedience training with them. Eventually, without your interaction, he will fall asleep. Establish a Positive Reinforcement Protocol Rewards like treats, playtime, and chew toys are the motivators for your Pug puppy. During the day, you can reward your Pug for not crying and showing some independence. Never punish your Pug puppy for whining or crying as this may make a fearful or anxious pup become even more so. Punishments, yelling, and harsh behavior can lead to aggressive behavior. Talk to a good trainer about this and how to deal with separation anxiety. It will save them from crying and whining. Again, puppies taken from their Pug Mom too early may have difficulty being able to self-soothe. Follow these simple steps to teach your Pug to stay alone for longer periods of time: Have your Pug stay in a small, confined area with a chew toy. Then quietly leave the room. If quiet, return immediately. Praise your Pug and perhaps give them a treat. Repeat and slowly increase the time you are away each time. If you get your Pug to a point where he is happy being left for an hour, he should be fine at night. Here are some ideas for a calming bedtime routine: Give them a Treat Give your puppy a tasty treat at bedtime. It will provide him with something special to look forward to. They will associate sleep time with a yummy snack. Give them a Good Place to Sleep You must provide a cozy and comfortable place for their sleeping. Make it cozy, so they feel secure and cry and whine less. Give them favorite toys Pug pups can also develop an association with a special toy. Give them safe toys to feel at home. When I brought Lulu home, she loved this fried egg toy the breeder gave her. The toy had been with her and her littermates, and she played with it a long time. Help them Calm with a Dog Aromatherapy Some scents can have a calming effect on your little tail-wagging pals. Spend a little calm time with your Pug dog before going to bed. It will take time to completely rid your Pug puppy of the habit of crying and whining. The important thing is to cope with it until he feels safe and does not whine anymore. Also, do not encourage it by responding to him in any way: positive or negative. Remember, when you bring home a Pug puppy, you are committing to a long-term relationship. You will eventually be able to stop your Pug puppy from crying at night. Be patient and determined to make it work. All dogs are social creatures and love companionship. Pugs are even more social than most breeds. They have been bred to be part of your family. It is important to dedicate quality time to your little furry buddy and ensure that their needs are met. Meeting his needs will help them to become well-rounded and socially healthy dogs. Before you know it, your puppy will be potty-trained and in the bed with you like the majority of Pug owners do. Post navigation.

Narwhal, the so-called "unicorn puppy" was a biological marvel that drew adoption offers from all over the world. But not all the messages sent to the rescue shelter in Missouri were kind. Rochelle Steffen Because of "so many death threats and hints of danger", the founder of the shelter Rochelle Steffen decided to keep him. Narwhal is now a happy, curious and friendly four-year-old dog. The puppy was named after the whales known best for their tusks sticking out the middle of their heads. Narwhal was initially thought to be a golden retriever, but his small size indicates otherwise. Rochelle Steffen "He also absolutely loves to be outside," Steffen told nine. He loves to inspect the yard and run around and lay around in the grass or if there is sunshine. Narwhal's forehead tail doesn't grow or wag, but it doesn't bother him either. Rochelle Steffen But the initial publicity given to the puppy hasn't made him shy. Rochelle Steffen Narwhal's tail doesn't wag, and does not appear to have grown since his birth. The cause of the forehead tail hasn't been determined, but a popular theory among biologists is that it is the remnant of a parasitic twin. Such twins are the result of a late-splitting embryo, which results in a fully-formed animal with some leftover parts from the other. Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox. Continue reading. Against all odds, little Rae pulled through and went on to make a full recovery — albeit, with one unique feature. Shortly after being born, she suffered a critical injury and had to be rushed to Family Friends Veterinary Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. But against all odds, little Rae pulled through and went on to make a full recovery — albeit, with one unique feature: Her remaining ear strangely re-positioned itself at the top of her head! Brianna, who had recently lost her own golden, Loki, to lymphoma, felt an immediate connection with the special-needs puppy. After taking the two-day-old baby home, Brianna was a devoted and doting mom, providing Rae with around-the-clock care that included routine bottle feedings. Around the time Rae was six weeks old, fully healed, and started growing, Brianna noticed that the lone ear had migrated to the top of her forehead. She has also blessed Brianna and her family with endless amounts of love and loyalty. Read more about this pawsitively adorable and inspiring little pup inside the pages of our newest annual book, Out of the Box! By Stephanie Weaver, contributor for Ripleys.