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Whether you want a good family pet or an AKC show dog, this breed is the perfect choice. Our Labrador puppies in Michigan come in all three recognized colors — chocolate, black and yellow. We breed the classic English Labrador, known for its stocky appearance and otter tail, and all our adult dogs are AKC pure English lines. Because of this, many of our Labrador puppies for sale in Michigan have excelled in rally, obedience, conformation and agility. This is all on top of being loving family companions. Our available puppies are great choices for multiple needs and tasks. To learn more about the breed and breed standards of our Lap puppies, visit this helpful American Kennel Club resource. Interested in purchasing one of our Labrador retriever puppies for sale in Michigan? Check out the individual page for a specific litter. You can also contact us to be put on the deposit list for picks, and to also hold a puppy. Our puppy Price is for limited registration. Deposits are non-refundable. Full AKC Registration breeding and show rights contact us for an additional fee. Finding the right Labrador Retriever puppy can be mind boggling We here at Rozey K9 Farm provide a convenient and efficient means of selecting and purchasing the perfect Labrador Retriever puppy or Labrador Retriever puppies from your home through videos and pictures or on a visit to our farm. Take advantage of browsing our puppies or adult dogs. We are known as reputable Labrador Retriever dog breeders. Take a look at our individual Labrador Retriever puppy for sale listings with photos and detailed descriptions. We also offer shipping for our Labrador Retriever puppies for sale. As one of the trustworthy Michigan Labrador Retriever dog breeders with puppies for sale we offer a health guarantee. With several Labrador Retriever puppies for sale and numerous Labrador Retriever dog breeders, you're sure to find the perfect Labrador Retriever puppy with us. We are located close to Grand Rapids, MI. You can have your new family home soon. Check out the different Labrador litters and give us a call at to get started. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We are trusted and experienced Lab breeders in Michigan, priding ourselves in raising Labrador puppies that make wonderful companions for your family. Fabulous puppies are produced from our quality lineage. Most importantly we breed to better the quality of the English Labrador to preserve fabulous bloodlines. As a result of this they all have wonderful, gentle and friendly personalities. Therefore according to AKC standards our parents also meet and have great build and conformation. Because of these outstanding qualities, our Labradors excel in AKC performance and many also hold therapy titles. Consequently, we are always working above and beyond to bring out the best in all of our Labrador Retrievers. We pride ourselves in raising Labrador puppies that make wonderful companions for your family. Each puppy leaves here ready for a lifetime of love, loyality and companionship with their new families. Our thrill especially comes from seeing our puppies bring joy and happiness to their new homes. Our daily dedication of hard work and love makes happy puppies and families. Moreover, your new puppy is hand-raised, above all, with much love, personal care and attention. We raise our puppies with constant positive socialization and gentle handling from birth. Because of this quality care, one of Rozey's Labrador Retriever puppies will be the perfect match for your family. Our lab puppies for sale, are also known to be intelligent, easy to train and excel in their obedience classes. We especially make sure that your new puppy will exceed all of your expectations. You will, truly, not go wrong with one of our puppies. Call us today for your new furry family member. Branch Family This is Lola.She is the best. She enjoys boating on Lake Michigan summer weekends and retrieves like a super star. She can catch a basketball midair!! She is such a sweetheart and so smart. Thanks so much for breeding such quality pups!!! We can't get over how calm he is and he just likes to lie by our feet and follow us around. I must say you are doing a great job with their disposition. We have had so many compliments on him. Jerry and Teresa P. Thought I'd send you a picture of Mackinaw a one year old. We couldn't ask for a more sweet, loveable and loyal pet. He has quite the personality. We absolutely love our gentle giant. Wish we could have more! Ashley Just wanted to send you an update saying how much we adore Eva. She has really warmed up and loves to run around chasing anything! She loves walks and knows sit and lay down already. Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful pile of chocolate into our lives! We are so happy! Mike I just wanted to let you know that I took Gracie for her first vet appointment. The doctor said that she is very healthy. Also I received a lot of compliments on not only how good she looked but how well behaved and her temperament. One of the technician asked for your website. She said that she has been looking and thought Gracie was the best looking puppy she has seen. I believe she will be getting a hold of you. Here, our dogs enjoy the fresh country air and open spaces with us. Contact us today, for more information on our lab puppies for sale in michigan and on how to add your wonderful puppy to your home. Call us at .We will surely be able to fulfill your request for the perfect puppy. All Rights Reserved. Phone: .We are the proud parents of the smartest, sweetest, most laid back lab, Gracie. Steve Karp and family are incredible to work with and truly care for their puppies and the families who adopt from them. If I could give stars, I would! If you're searching for a lab, look no further. Kara Bunbury We cannot say enough great things about M. Steve is very hands on throughout the entire process- sending weekly updates until the pups come home and remaining in contact thereafter. Everywhere we go people ask what breeder he came from. We got many very cute updates on our soon to be little puppy. We feel honored to be apart of the Michigan Elite Labrador family! Jill Price We were looking for a pure bred lab but were very skeptical about many breeders until we found Michigan Elite Labs. We knew after our first contact with them we found the breeder we were looking for. Stan is 10 months old and we love him to pieces. If you are looking for a pure bred lab you have found the perfect breeder. We would never think of going anywhere but Michigan Elite to get a Lab. Steve is always just a phone call away if you have any questions. Steve is very knowledgeable about his Labrador Retrievers. If you want an amazing Labrador puppy check out Michigan Elite Labradors you will be glad you did! From the first contact with Steve, you are reassured with their dedication to the breed and the MEL family that you become a part of. It's said that one of the best signs of a "good product" is repeat customers. We're proud to be an example of that, with 2 MEL dogs in our home. Temperament, physical health and the characteristics of MEL dogs are perfection. The added benefit of the MEL owners group is also a great perk. We've made amazing friends through the group, which is reinforced each year at the annual reunion. I would not hesitate to recommend Michigan Elite Labradors to family and friends! We looked at all of the photos and knew we would get a beautiful pup but didnt expect all of the wonderful traits they would have. We ended up getting 2! They are beyond my wildest dreams of what a pet should be.So intuitive! When ive had issues, steve has been a phone call away with the answers. Best babies around.You wont be sorry! I believe we were part his second litter and his biggest litter with Cocco and Chopper 14 pups. Both of the parents were beautiful and on site when we went to pick out our first "Pink Collar" girl. We picked up our second "Pink Collar" girl in late .They have become best friends from the beginning. They have never fought or growled at each other and play very well together. The Karp's are very caring and knowledgeable about the Labrador breed. Any questions I have ever had Steve has always been there to guide me and teach me. His extended MEL family has been very inspiring and amusing as we all watch the pups grow into beautiful pets. Kris Thompson Michigan Elite Labradors are wonderful. We had a great experience working with the Karp family. Our little black lab has brought us so many blessings! They are the most wonderful family and breeders. They are extremely reputable and involved with every pup. Steve is always available to you. I called so many times. He is conscientious and really cares about where his puppies go. He is beyond gorgeous. As a matter of fact, I can honestly say that I have never seen better looking labs. Elite labs are very intelligent and have excellent temperaments. Jax was potty trained right away. When I got a trainer, He learned everything immediately. She was so impressed with him and shocked how well he did. She trains Leader of the Blinds dogs so it was a huge compliment coming from her. We have people stop us everywhere to ask if he is a show dog. One of them was a breeder. Another huge bonus is the all the relationships we have made amongst the Elite family. I love all the stories and pictures. Many of us got together for a Michigan Elite Lab's Reunion. All the dogs were gorgeous fun and well behaved. Even all the parents were a blast. I could go on and on about Michigan Elite Labs, but most important is the fact I would never get a dog from anyone else! Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Today, they are some of the most popular companions that families have. Not only do they socialize well with others, but they are intelligent and easy to train. We have compiled a list of some of the top Labrador Retriever breeders in Michigan. Scan this list to find potential breeders near you. The 7 Labrador Retriever Breeders in Michigan 1. Over time, they started growing their kennel and are becoming even more dedicated to providing purebred dogs to families all over Michigan. Michigan Elite Labradors provides puppies certified through the Bred with H. T Breeders with AKC. All their dogs go through extensive health screenings before coming home with you. They were established in and focus on temperament and structural soundness that helps put their dogs into shows or simply become your new best friend. They only breed a few litters per year and often keep some dogs to show, train, or further build their breeding program. They have been a quality breeder since , and most of their dogs are successful competitors in derby, field, and hunting. Oldsquaw focuses on personality as much as they do DNA. These dogs have a reputation for being excellent companions. They pride themselves on providing people quality, champion-pedigreed puppies with recognition from the AKC. Rozey K9 Farm is known by customers for its excellent bloodlines that go through health-testing before being sold. Many of their dogs are involved in several activities and compete in dog shows throughout the year. They sell Black, Yellow, and Chocolate labs, though their yellow range from fox-red to cream. This breeder has a thorough selling process. Expect to answer in-depth questions about your experience with dogs and the environment they are going to be living in. Each dog is socialized and goes through many tests before going home. All their dogs have clearances for elbows, hips, eyes, cardiovascular health. They socialize their labs before allowing them to move to a new home and expose them to regular household living. After a few weeks, Endeavor Labradors exposes their dogs to bird wings and start to crate-train them. They are also micro-chipped , dewormed, and given vaccines as six weeks old. As the years passed, she was able to breed more generations of her champion bloodline. The great thing about this breeder is that they care for their dogs as pets should be. All dogs stay inside the home and are trained to become excellent companions and show dogs. Related Read:. Benefit from a Stronger Dollar. Save hundreds when you exchange your money We take care of everything for you so you can return to Michigan or another state in the USA with everything you need to easily cross the border with your new Lab Puppy. We have focused for the past twelve years as a chocolate Lab breeder and have experienced great success with our chocolate lab puppies in Michigan. Although our focus has been mainly on chocolate Labrador puppies , we also have black Lab puppies and silver Lab puppies for sale at times. We have a couple male studs who carry yellow and a few of our chocolate females do as well. Needless to say that yellow lab puppies for sale to Michigan will be a future topic in our home. Puppies come with a vet examination, free puppy health insurance, microchips not tattoos , and lifetime Labrador breeder support. We also provide a generous discount to the online training website www. If you do not end up getting your puppy from us, we will let you in on a little secret. So please visit the rest of our website and learn more about who we are as Professional Labrador Breeders, the services we have to offer, see pictures of our chocolate lab puppies or possibly our black or silver lab puppies, visit our Facebook page so you can look through hundreds of posts of happy families with their Labradors. We have helped many people from Michigan and the Detroit area find their new Lab puppy. Our goal is to exceed your expectations for adopting simply the best Labrador dog possible weather you are interested in Labrador puppies as a pet, a chocolate Labrador for hunting, or an adult Labrador. We breed both American Labrador retrievers, English Labrador Retrievers yes we know the difference between English and American Labs and also mixes between the two types of retrievers. Field Labradors, a lesser known third type of Lab are also available. Rather, search for the best Labrador retriever breeder in Michigan. Or if you are searching for American Lab breeders in Michigan. Or even chocolate lab puppies for sale in Michigan. We pride ourselves in our work, we love the recognition we get for being a top Labrador retriever breeder and even though we are not in Michigan, we are extremely close to the border. We are a short ferry ride across the border at Algonac Michigan, a 45 minute drive from Port Huron, or about an hour drive from Windsor Labrador Retrievers for Sale Please click the link below if you would like to visit our Lab Puppies for sale and upcoming litters. If you would like to apply you can find our puppy application form at the bottom of our home page where you will also find a map to our location.

We have 4 children and many animals. We fell in love with the traditional American Bulldog breed. We take pride in our large, healthy, awesome tempered, bulldogs. Our average dog weighs over 95 pounds. Our dogs are a very important part of our lives, they live in our homes. Our dogs ride around with us and are socialized by going to stores, camp grounds, ball games, boating and numerous other outdoor activities. My 4 children make sure that our puppies are well socialized and are ready for anything. We stand behind our puppies and offer a warranty on their health. We offer excellent quality, champion bred, bulldogs. I personally do not show my dogs, I have 4 children and a farm to look after, so I can not travel to dog shows. I have champion pedigrees on all of my dogs in their files, but these pedigrees do not protect my home, they do not love my family, they are not our best friends and long time companions.Please check my MANY references. Come see for yourself, my dogs are happy and healthy. If you choose to show your dog, great. .No junk!! No health issues!! Please look at the information at this link and make sure that an American Bulldog is right for you. We want you to be happy with your new companion and we want your new companion to be happy with you! Thank you for looking at our website and considering one of our puppies for your family. Terry and Alicia Wills If you have a question please email or call me. All rights reserved. Early bulldogs were used in the bloody sport of bullbaiting. Some of these dogs emigrated with their masters from England to America. Eventually the English Bulldog was bred down in size and his personality was softened, but the American version remained a larger, fiercer dog. The American version has longer legs and more speed and agility than the English show dog. After World War II, two men made an effort to preserve and re-establish the breed as working bulldogs in the Sand Valley area of Alabama where farmers used these dogs to help handle unruly livestock. By , the dogs were a distinct breed, and in , the United Kennel recognized the breed as the American Bulldog. The American Bulldog has also been used as a guard and in hunting bear, wild boar, squirrel, and raccoon. They have even been trained to drive cattle and guard stock from predators. Farmers prize the dogs for their stamina, protectiveness, intelligence, and working abilities. Description The American Bulldog is a muscular, sturdy dog with a large, powerful head and jaws. He is very strong, but agile and light on his feet. The chest is wide and the muscular neck tapers from shoulders to head. The neck might have a slight dewlap. The head is square and broad, with muscular cheeks and a furrow between the rounded eyes. The strong muzzle is shaped like a box. The stop is sharply defined and deep. The teeth should meet in a tight undershot, even or scissors bite. A variety of ear types are accepted, including rose, half pricked, and pendant. Though some people crop the ears, uncropped ears are preferred in the American Bulldog Breeders Association and in the United Kennel Club standards. Any eye color is permitted, but black eye rims are preferred on white dogs. Black nose color is preferred, but red or brown are acceptable. In black-nosed dogs, the lips should also be black, though some pink is permitted. The heavy-boned front legs should be strong and very straight. The hindquarters should be very broad and muscular. The low-set tail begins thick at the base and then tapers to a point. The short, harsh coat comes in combinations of red, brindle, white, and fawn, with any color acceptable except solid black, solid blue, merle, or tricolor white with patches of black and tan. A full black mask is also unacceptable. Key Facts Height: 19 to 28 in. Size: Very large Weight: 65 to lbs. Availability: Might take some effort to find Talents: Hunting, tracking, watchdog, guarding, and weight pulling Personality Brave and determined, but not hostile. Alert and self-confident. Might be assertive with other dogs and aloof with strangers. Because of his strong protective instincts, the American Bulldog should be well-socialized and obedience trained at an early age. Behavior Children: Good with children only when raised with them from puppyhood Friendliness: Fairly friendly with strangers Trainability: Very easy to train Independence: Needs people a lot Dominance: Very high Other Pets: Good with other pets if raised with them from puppyhood Combativeness: Tends to be fairly dog-aggressive Noise: Average barker Owner: Not recommended for novice owners Care Grooming: Very little grooming needed Trimming and Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed Coat: Short coat. A good dog breeder is registered in a breeders association and breeds according to the rules and guidelines of the respective breed association. In addition to participating in beauty and performance shows at dog shows, this also includes health checks on their breeding dogs. These papers show which ancestors were involved in the development of the puppy and whether inbreeding was carried out. What makes a serious dog breed? A reputable breeder is dedicated to their breed and usually only breeds this one breed. The prices that dog breeders charge for their puppies mostly flow back into dog breeding. A profit is hardly achieved with good and species-appropriate husbandry. How do I recognize a reputable breeder? First, make sure that the dog breed leaves a clean and well-groomed impression. The following points can also help you buy puppies from a reputable dog breeder: Do all animals look lively and healthy? Do the puppies grow up in the family instead of having to live in a kennel outside? Are the parent animals on-site? Are you allowed to visit the puppies several times? Is the breeder interested in your living conditions? Would they like to know as precisely as possible where their puppies will live? Does the dog breeder take special measures to give their puppies a good start in life? For example, do the puppies get to know car journeys and train journeys? Are they used to other pets and children? Does the breeder grant themself a right of repurchase in the event that the buyer wants to give their dog back? These points are indicators of a reputable breeder. In addition, you should make sure that the puppies are not over-vaccinated and dewormed before buying. Worming treatments in particular can cause permanent damage in puppies that cannot be justified by a potential benefit. If the dog breeder is critical of your questions, that is also a good sign. American Bulldog Breed Overview The American Bulldog is a fairly large breed with a height of inches for boys, inches for girls. Weight ranges from pounds in males, pounds in females. These dogs are strong, but proportionally built, and the breed has a rather formidable appearance. The exterior is a bit rough — American Bulldogs embody strength and power. Boys are larger and more massive, girls are slightly smaller, but without a hint of weakness or thin bones. The muzzle is elongated, wedge-shaped, the feet are not so clearly expressed. Cope with the role of hunters or detection dogs. Classic Johnson — massive and squat dogs similar to English bulldogs. The muzzle is square with a sharp stop. Often they have deep folds in the neck and head. These bulldogs are ideal for guards. Sometimes dog breeders include descriptions of two more types of the breed in the classification: Williamson — includes 2 subtypes: long-legged, extremely aggressive dogs and massive, balanced animals. Pantera are mini-bulldogs weighing up to 75 pounds, obtained by crossing classic and standard individuals. Modern breed members combine the traits of the Scott and Johnson types, as the main goal of breeders is to obtain hardy dogs with first-class performance. The main purpose of the American Bulldog is as a companion and bodyguard. Color and type of coat The body of the American Bulldog is covered with short fur, the length of which does not exceed 0. Permitted colors of the American breed: White — monochromatic or with small brindle or rufous markings. White-brindle, white-red from pale fawn to deep red — the background color can be either white or colored. Accordingly, in the first case, large spots of permitted colors will be scattered over the body, in the second — large white marks. Tiger, red-brindle — any shades are permissible from dark with red or fawn brindle to light with rare dark markings. The brighter and richer the colors, the better. Black, black and tan, blue, piebald with black markings without brindle, tricolor, marble colors, as well as the presence of a dark mask on the face are disqualifying defects of the breed. Before buying a puppy, it is recommended to get a full description of the breed — visit exhibitions, talk with breeders and other owners. Only an experienced dog breeder can handle a willful dog with a difficult character. It is important to correctly assess the strength and make sure that the future owner will definitely be able to subdue the dominant animal. It is better to buy a puppy from a reliable kennel or breeder. Sick pets or dogs with serious defects of temperament are often sold through ads on the Internet. Such an American bulldog is dangerous not only for others but also for the owner. A responsible breeder will be happy to tell you about the characteristics of the breed, the advantages and disadvantages of each puppy, not only give a verbal description but also demonstrate the litter and the parents. If mental instability is observed, it is worth contacting another nursery. Healthy American Bulldog puppies are active and curious, they do not show aggression and do not hide when they see a new person. A good puppy is evidenced by: strong, moderately well-nourished body; shiny coat without an unpleasant odor; clean eyes and ears;. These sweet boys got lost on an adventure and probably on a grand search for a new, loving responsible home of their very own. Ivory is very cute, affectionate and just the sweetest. He is simply adorable. Look at that face? Who wouldn't want him or both for their very own? They love each other very much and have each other's backs very, very much. They are each other's rock, support system. They find comfort in sharing their Kuranda bed. I bet they would love to share a much softer bed and dream the sweetest dreams with you. Can you find it in your heart to consider these boys into your home and allow them to experience a wonderful life with a roof over their little heads? They would love that so much. He is very intelligent as he knows to sit when asked, and he may know even more. Can you help him get out of this shelter so he can experience a second chance at a stable life in a home that will keep him safe, happy and loved? If you have the room in your heart and home for Ivory or for both that would be a blessing. If you are looking for a companion for your pup, bring your pup and see if this baby or both of these babies are a match for your baby! Ivory is 4 years old, and weighs 61lbs. He is current on vaccines, neutered and will be microchipped upon his adoption. Ivory will be tested for heart worms upon his adoption as well. Ivory is patiently waiting for you in Run , his ID is .Please note, all of the pet listings on Friends of Shelter Animals for Cobb are done by volunteers, not shelter staff. If this pet came in as lost not an owner surrender , we don't know how they might be with children, other pets, or if house trained. Marietta, GA , call for more information. Shelter hours are: Tues. But you can also just show up between and Tues. The adoption includes shots, altering, a heartworm or combo test and a microchip for permanent identification. When you do book an appointment, keep in mind it doesn't reserve a particular pet for you. Thank you for considering a Cobb pet!

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

Pin 0 Shares My family and I were recently playing outside on a hot sunny day with our Frenchie. He got really hot as they tend to do , so we brought him into the shade for a while. We gave him some water, but also wanted to know if it was safe for our French Bulldog to eat watermelon to cool down. Can my French Bulldog eat watermelon or cantaloupe? Yes, French Bulldogs can eat watermelon, and it is safe for them to eat. However, be careful with the seeds and rind as they can cause digestive blockages and problems. Make sure you prepare the watermelon properly for them to eat first. Is watermelon good and safe for a French Bulldog? Watermelon and cantaloupe are one of those super foods that all dieticians recommend we eat as part of a healthy diet. But what about our beloved Frenchies? Is it good for them, can we feed them watermelon, and more importantly; is it safe? Watermelon and cantaloupe are safe for a French Bulldog to eat as long as you take out the rind and seeds. Watermelon includes essential nutrition, calcium, potassium, plus vitamins A, C, B6, and B1 but in small doses. Strawberries are also a great idea — read more here. In fact, in the video below you can see my son and Claude playing with a water pistol out in the sun. Claude was really worn out and hot afterwards, so we gave him a small amount of watermelon to help cool him down. Watermelon contains no fat or cholesterol Watermelon also contains zero cholesterol or fat, so is safe for a French Bulldog to eat, with no concerns for the owner over long-term health issues. However, the rinds, skin, and seeds can present a problem. Are watermelon seeds dangerous for a French Bulldog? Can French Bulldog eat watermelon seeds? French Bulldogs can eat watermelon seeds, but it is not advisable that you let them do so. Seeds can cause gastrointestinal problems, are hard for them to digest, and can lead to blocks in their intestines, diarrhoea and upset stomachs. If you are going to prepare watermelon for your dog, you can read how to do so lower down the page. The bottom line is; remove the seeds before letting your Frenchie eat it. Can dogs eat watermelon rind and is it poisonous? Just like the seeds, the skin and rind can also cause gastrointestinal upsets. Just like any food, too much of one thing can be a bad idea. I have written extensively about this before for example, eggs are good for a Frenchie, but not in excess. So, can too much watermelon harm your Frenchie? This is good, but only in small amounts as a hydrating and cooling snack. View it as a treat, not a staple food. But what does that actually mean in reality? If you consider that the average French Bulldog weighs around 25 pounds, then his daily calorie intake should be no more than 25 to 30 calories per pound in body weight. There are 30 calories in grams of watermelon it should not exceed 75 to calories daily. That will equate to a watermelon intake of grams at a maximum — but not every day like our vet said. Handy Hint: Want to know what other fruits are okay for a French Bulldog to eat? Click here and download the list with 39 fruits ranked and rated for safety. Which part of the watermelon is safe for a Frenchie? Watermelon seeds: this should not be fed to your Frenchie as they can create obstructions in the intestines, particular in small breeds such as this. Frozen watermelon: yes, this is safe, and will retain the goodness from leaking out when they eat it. Cut the watermelon in two halves. Cut away the skin and rind. Remove the fleshy part with any seeds in. Chop the remaining watermelon flesh into small 3-centimetre squared cubes. You also might want to consider making your Frenchie some refreshingly frozen watermelon for a really hot day. Frenchie are prone to overheating, so this can be a great way to help bring their temperature down with a tasty and relatively healthy snack. All you do is freeze the small cube blocks you prepared earlier and bring them out of the freezer when required. I know I do, as do my whole family, Claude the Frenchie included! Not long after this photo was taken, Claude ate a refreshing portion of frozen watermelon to help cool him down. However, the watermelon cubes have the rind and seeds completely removed beforehand. It will make a healthy in small doses , refreshing, and hydrating treat that he will absolutely love! Can French Bulldogs Eat Watermelon? But Frenchies have their little drawbacks too. Another thing that you can offer to your Frenchie is watermelon. In this blog, you will get the answer to whether your Frenchie can eat watermelon or not. French bulldog puppies can eat watermelon without worrying about them falling ill as a result! This helps to ensure that French bulldogs remain well hydrated and are better equipped to regulate their body temperature during warm weather or heavy exercise. Another benefit of watermelon for French Bulldogs is that it offers an important source of key vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins A, C, B1, C, B6, and Niacin plus Calcium which help in the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth as well as helping to fight infections. Watermelon can be a very healthy treat for your pet, but they should not consider it the main source of food or nutrition. Watermelon is considered a fruit and can contain a lot of sugar and calories. French bulldogs should never eat more than 10 percent of their daily calories from treats or snacks, so always remember to consider watermelon as one of those things when deciding how much to feed them. Benefits of feeding watermelon to your French bulldog There are many advantages of feeding watermelon to your French bulldog. Most of the benefits are similar to those of humans. Here are some major benefits of feeding watermelon to your Frenchie. It contains two very important vitamins, including vitamin A and C, which are known to be essential for healthy hair and skin. Vitamin C helps build healthy skin as it can promote collagen production by keeping joints strong, thus helping them retain their shape and elastic texture. Vitamin A also contributes to skin health as it helps repair damaged tissues in the body. They have trouble regulating their body temperatures, often becoming overheated and dehydrated. It Protects Them from Cancer Watermelon contains several compounds that may reduce the risk of cancer, including cucurbitacin E and lycopene. These compounds help to lower insulin-like growth factor IGF , a protein created at high levels in tumor cells. If the level of IGF is increased it will increase the risk of cancer. A natural compound cucurbitacin present in the watermelon has the great ability to decrease the chances of tumors in French bulldogs. It can help protect dogs from being damaged by reactive oxygen species. This can be something as simple as damaged cells caused by too much exposure to the sun. Other environmental elements day after day through repeated bouts of stress that could eventually lead to health problems. Lycopene is something that may not just help French bulldogs avoid such damage to their bodies. But it could also prevent them from getting heart disease and cancer. It also a host of other implications associated with free radical damage. It Improves Digestion Watermelons may help your dog with digestion because of the large amounts of water contained within them. Watermelons are also high in fiber, which will cause your dog to defecate more regularly. It can also provide relief from constipation suffered from. It Helps In Relieving Muscle Soreness Watermelon juice is effective at relieving muscle fatigue and soreness after excessive activity such as training. The citrulline contained in it is a likely key factor. After a hard workout, we recommend giving your French bulldog watermelon juice to rehydrate your furry best friend and revive him or her with some much-needed energy in order for them to feel good again. Some parts of watermelons are certainly poisonous to French Bulldogs. The toxicity of watermelon comes from its rind and skin. Fortunately, if a French bulldog has eaten only the outside layer of watermelon. They are likely not in any danger unless they have consumed a large amount. As there is a risk of blockage in this case. Seeds have been known to cause digestive tract problems and would most certainly be unpleasant to eat. Conclusion With the hot weather upon us, there are a lot of people wondering if dogs can eat watermelon. While watermelon is safe for dogs to eat in moderation, there are some things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to feed your dog watermelon. Try not to feed the skin and seeds of watermelon to your French bulldogs.

We interact with them. They are exposed to children and other small animals every day. We live on a small ranch south of Ainsworth, NE. We have been here since .We get to know each puppy and try to place each one to fit your family See our Client Reviews from our happy German Shepherd owners. German and Czech Working Dogs. Our puppies are very social and friendly. Perfect addition to any loving home. This puppy is sired by King Charles Cole one of our Males. She is the most obedient dog we have ever had, and has a high training ability. She is always happy and full of love. Augie is a smaller very athletic girl. She is super smart and has a high protective drive and her siblings have been known to be great cattle dogs. Trigger boy and Cassie Girl were Otters parents. He is a big lovable boy that keeps everyone in line including horses and chickens, he has a high herding drive but is not aggressive towards livestock at all. Charlie also goes hunting. She is all black female and is fun and loves watching over our goats and cats. She is very loyal to me and is always by my side. Rainy will not be breed until .Frequently Asked Questions Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question. It could take as long as 6 months, the bigger the dog the longer it takes. What is the price of your Puppies? We want to make it possible for the average family to afford them. What is our "Puppy Guarantee" We offer a health guarantee up to one year of age if all vet checks have been done and you choose to feed a good quality food like Victors or Pro-Plan Your Puppy must be examined by Dr. You must have proof of all vet records. See our requirements Deposit Amount Required? In the case of death or injury or does not pass vet check. You can move your deposit to a different puppy or it will be refunded, but only in those cases. Do we ship puppies? Is it okay for my dog to jump? How long should I feed puppy food 4 to 6 months depending on size of your puppy. Connect With Us. For the complete list please see our German Shepherd resource page. Some breeders will offer a discount if you buy more than one pup at a time and others may have higher prices due to having a champion bloodline or other desirable traits that can command a higher price. Prices vary for a few reasons: some breeders may be trying to make a profit, some may have high-quality dogs with champion bloodlines, and others may have puppies that have been well-socialized from an early age. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is and you should go look for a more reputable breeder. How to Find A Responsible German Shepherd Breeder in Nebraska The first thing you should do when trying to find a German Shepherd breeder in Nebraska is to go and talk with some of the other GSD owners that you know and see if they can recommend any good breeders to you. Another way of finding a responsible German Shepherd breeder in Nebraska is by going online. There are several online forums where reputable breeders love to post information about themselves and their dogs so that people can easily get in touch with them. You can also search for German Shepherd clubs in your area which will often have listings of quality breeders who are members of the group. Finally, there are several dog breeders associations in all states which you can ask for help when trying to find a responsible German Shepherd breeder in Nebraska. In some areas, all breeders have to be members of local kennel clubs so it is important to contact these organizations and see if they have any recommendations for reputable breeders in your area that you can talk with. These resources should prove helpful when attempting to find a good German Shepherd breeder in Nebraska and help ensure that you get a healthy puppy from a caring breeder who will stand by their dogs over the years. Many breeders, even those who are well-respected and experienced, offer their puppies up for sale online so that they can reach out to people all over the country when trying to find good homes for their pups. However, it is always best when inquiring about one of these dogs to visit the breeder in person and see where the puppy was raised and socialized before making your final decision. This allows you to easily view any certificates or proof of health for both parents as well as seeing how the pups were cared for while still with their mother. Visiting the breeder will also allow you to ask them any questions about their experience with the breed, how they mate their dogs, and other important decisions that are necessary when raising German Shepherds. You can ask about what training or socialization has been done to prepare the pups for new homes and decide if this is something you feel comfortable with before moving forward. After seeing one of these reputable breeders in person and talking with them on the phone, it should be much easier to choose a breeder and see if their prices meet your budget as well as offering new families the right environment where the pup will thrive. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your German Shepherd Breeder in Nebraska When looking for a German Shepherd breeder in Nebraska to purchase your new puppy from, it is always important to ask if they have references you can contact. Many reputable breeders are happy to give you the names of people who have purchased their dogs in the past so that you can get an idea about what type of experience you may have while raising this dog. You will want to contact at least three people before making your final decision but getting firsthand information from previous owners regarding experiences with your specific breeder can be very helpful when trying to find a good place. Ask Your Nebraska German Shepherd Breeder if You Can Meet Past Customers If the German Shepherd breeder you are looking at purchasing a puppy from is reputable, they will more than likely allow you to meet some of their past customers. This is a great way to get an idea about what the dog is like and if it has been well-socialized. When meeting past customers, be sure to ask them lots of questions about their experience with the breeder as well as the dog itself. Meeting past customers can also help you identify any potential problems that you may encounter while raising your new puppy. A good breeder will have a veterinarian they work with frequently and who they feel is a very knowledgeable resource. They should not be afraid to give you the contact information of this veterinarian so that you can speak with them about any questions or concerns that may come up while your pup grows. If, by chance, your breeder does not have their own veterinarian in Nebraska, try to find out if they are registered with one of the established dog groups like AKC or Canine Health Foundation. These organizations maintain standards for canine health testing and care so working with these veterinarians ensures that your pup will be healthy throughout its life. You do not want to purchase a puppy from someone who cannot get it back in for regular checkups to ensure good health. A German Shepherd breeder in Nebraska should be willing to provide all of the above information to you before you make your purchase. They should also be able to provide a healthy, socialized puppy that has been raised in a clean and loving home. If the breeder cannot meet these minimum requirements, it is best to move on and find a different breeder. It is important to know the signs of an unethical German Shepherd dog breeder in Nebraska so that you can make sure you do not work with one when looking for your new pup. An unethical German Shepherd breeder will be very pushy to get you to sign the contract and pay them quickly. They should give you plenty of time to think about things before rushing into anything. Another sign of an unethical German Shepherd Dog Breeder in Nebraska is if they seem uninterested or unenthusiastic about you adopting their puppy. A good breeder wants to ensure that their pups go to good homes so they should care more than just a little bit about where their puppies end up. If the breeder cannot provide you with health certificates, registration papers, or a pedigree for the pup then they are likely not legitimate. These items are important when registering your dog and make sure that it came from healthy bloodlines. Finally, be on the lookout for breeders who have a lot of puppies available at any time of the year. This can lead to health problems so it is best to avoid these breeders in Nebraska. A good breeder will only have one or two litters available each year so they can properly care for them. A responsible breeder also does health screenings when necessary and takes their pups back when they are not sold in order to ensure that they receive proper veterinary care if anything comes up with the dog. At any rate, your new puppy should never be sick or diseased upon purchase. Taking them back to the breeder may be an option but it is still important that they remain in good hands. How to Prepare Your Home for Your German Shepherd Puppy Regardless of where you get your German Shepherd puppy, there are a few things you need to do in order to prepare your home for their arrival. The first is to set up a safe and comfortable area for the pup to sleep in. This can be a crate or an enclosed area like a small room. Make sure that there are no dangers lurking in the area such as poisonous plants, wires, or small objects that the pup could choke on. You will also want to have plenty of toys and chew items available for the pup so that they can keep themselves busy. A bored German Shepherd can get into a lot of trouble so make sure that you provide them with plenty of stimulation. Finally, start obedience training right away. This will help to ensure that your pup knows who is in charge and will help to prevent any bad behavior from developing. If you are not familiar with the method, here are some basics. Allow your pup to sleep in their crate at night and while you are gone during the day. This will help them feel secure and safe while also making it easier for them to be confined for long periods of time without having accidents on the floor. Place newspapers or puppy pads in the area that they are sleeping so that when they wake up they will have an appropriate place to go. You can also try taking them outside right before bedtime but this may not work every time. It is important that if they do have an accident you clean it immediately so that they do not get used to doing their business in the crate. This will help to reinforce good behavior and make sure that they understand what it is you are wanting them to do. Be consistent with your training and rewards and your pup should be potty trained within a few weeks. If you have any further questions about German Shepherd Dog Breeders in Nebraska, please feel free to reach out to us. We would be happy to help you in any way we can. Looking for a reputable German Shepherd breeder in Nebraska can be difficult, but there are some best German Shepherd breeders in Nebraska. Best of luck with finding your perfect furry friend. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. We weren't going to operate like everyone else did, because we were not happy with what we were seeing from other breeders. Every time we looked for a reputable, quality breeder in and around Nebraska we were met with challenges we didn't appreciate. Poor customer service, poor breeding quality dogs, poor breeding facility, poor nutrition, poor cleanliness, and high prices. Each time we had one of these experiences, we learned exactly what we didn't want to be here at Krieghund Farm. I would definitely recommend them first to anybody searching for a quality GSD. We got our beautiful Axel boy in March and he has been a great addition to our family. They would send us so many pictures and updates while we were waiting to get him. It was important to me that we got a dog from somewhere that was so caring to them as we would be, and they definitely surpassed my expectations! Murphy became our furbaby in and he has been a great addition to our family. We have another German Shepard who was 7 at the time and the two have been the best buds from day one! Murphy is active, smart, funny and we love him so! Krieghund Farms was a great find, they are very personable and to this day still check up on us to make sure all is well!

Nutrition information With only six ingredients, puppy chow muddy buddies is extremely quick and easy to whip up, making it the perfect recipe for the busy holiday season. Puppy chow ingredients This sweet snack mix is made of six super simple ingredients! The best part? You probably have all of the ingredients on hand already. All of the ingredients are staple pantry and fridge items that all have a long shelf life. Rice chex cereal makes the base of this recipe and makes this snack mix super crunchy and addicting. Semi-sweet chocolate chips. Peanut butter gets melted together with the chocolate chips and creates an amazingly creamy mixture that coats the cereal. Use smooth peanut butter — instead of chunky — to ensure even melting. Unsalted butter. Vanilla extract. Powdered sugar. Set aside. Place chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter into a large microwave safe bowl or measuring cup. Melt until smooth, then stir in vanilla extract. Pour chocolate mixture over the cereal and gently stir together. Stir in the powdered sugar. Tips for making puppy chow muddy buddies There are SO many recipes for puppy chow, but I promise you, my recipe is the best, because of these tips and tricks. Use the whole box of cereal. Most recipes call for 9 cups of cereal, leaving 2 cups left in the box. What the heck are you supposed to do with 2 cups of chex?! Use the whole bag of chocolate chips. More is more in this recipe. Just throw the whole bag in. Use more powdered sugar than you think necessary. Chunks are the best part. Just trust me on this one. How to store puppy chow Puppy chow can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. It does not need to be refrigerated, but some people prefer it chilled. Puppy chow recipe substitutions If you can, I highly recommend making the recipe as is. It truly is the perfect combination of crunchy, sweet, chocolate-y, peanut buttery goodness. Do I have to use semi-sweet chocolate? You can use dark chocolate or even milk chocolate, but semi-sweet is really gives you that perfect sweet, but not too sweet balance. Processed peanut butter — think Jiff or Skippy — works best, but sunflower seed butter should work as well. Butter is essential, but try using a vegan buttery spread instead. Do I need to use vanilla extract? No, you can omit it, but you will loose some of that cozy depth of flavor. I grew up calling it puppy chow but plenty of people call it muddy buddies. It depends on where you live. Other names:. Click the button above to save this recipe! Chocolate chips — We typically use semi-sweet. Milk chocolate or dark chocolate are also delicious. Peanut butter — Stick with creamy peanut butter for this recipe. Butter — Salted. Vanilla — Pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla or paste. Sugar — Powdered. Chex cereal, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, butter, peanut butter, vanilla. How do you make puppy chow? Add the vanilla and stir until well mixed. Gently stir the chocolate mixture with the cereal until the cereal is evenly coated. Seal and shake until the powdered sugar has completely coated the cereal. Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions. Melt the chocolate, butter and peanut butter, add vanilla. Combine chocolate mixture with cereal and stir. Toss with powdered sugar to coat. Preparation Can you make puppy chow ahead of time? Yes, this recipe will stay good, if kept at room temperature stored in an airtight container, for up to a week. But good luck not eating it faster than that! They make a great holiday gift. Is the butter really necessary in muddy buddies? But also, no. Ohhhh, yes. I like mine well coated! Leftovers and storage How long does puppy chow last? In my house? Maybe an afternoon. Kidding, I know what you meant! These will keep at room temperature in a sealed container for up to a week. I do not suggest refrigeration. Can you freeze puppy chow muddy buddies? For sure! Freeze in an airtight container for 2 — 3 months. When fully defrosted you will probably want to dust them with a little extra powdered sugar to bring them back to their former glory. Spread on a lined baking sheet to set. Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions What is puppy chow? Puppy chow is a dessert snack made with Chex cereal, peanut butter, chocolate, and powdered sugar. Fun fact, Chex was originally made by Ralston Purina, the maker of Purina dog food! According to Wikipedia, puppy chow is also called muddy buddies, monkey munch, muddy munch, reindeer chow, or doggy bag. Is puppy chow a midwest thing? I believe it is! This Florida girl had never heard of puppy chow or muddy buddies until my midwestern raised mother in law served it one Christmas. Is puppy chow gluten free? This recipe, as written, is gluten free. Please always double check each ingredient that you add to a recipe to be sure. Can I substitute something else for the peanut butter in muddy buddies? The peanut butter can be swapped for any nut butter or nut butter substitute or even cookie butter or nutella! How many cups are in a box of Chex cereal? A 12 ounce box of rice Chex contains roughly 11 cups of cereal. Is puppy chow safe for dogs? Please do not feed this to your animals, it is meant for human consumption only. Try using different kinds of chocolate or candy melts! More fun dessert recipes. Jump to Video Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy. Snack mixes are one of the best party foods. How to Make Puppy Chow You can break the process down into three easy steps. Measure your cereal into a large bowl and set aside. In 1 quart sauce pan, heat semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter over low heat stirring frequently with a spatula until melted. Remove from heat and stir in a teaspoon vanilla. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into two gallon resealable plastic bags. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag and shake until well coated. Spread over waxed or parchment paper to cool. You want each piece of chex to have an ample amount of chocolaty peanut butter sauce for the sugar to stick to. If you like your mix extra saucy try reducing the Chex amount to only cups. You can also customize it to whatever holiday candy is being sold at the time. This can also be made dairy free by using the right chocolate and a butter substitute like margarine. Sunbutter, soybutter, almond butter, and cashew Butter are great substitutes for peanut butter in this recipe. You can even use Nutella instead for extra chocolatey Puppy Chow. It can stay at room temperature for up to 10 days, or kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. However, at my house it never lasts that long! Allow it to thaw before eating. This will allow it to set and dry. These are great for parties, get-togethers, and more! This is also the best Muddy Buddy recipe you will ever have. Muddy Buddies or Puppy Chow is seriously one of the best treats ever! This recipe is so great because it uses an entire box of Chex mix! No need to measure. And no worries about sharing because there is plenty for everyone! Muddy Buddies are so good because they are chocolatey, peanut buttery, crunchy, tasty, and oh so delicious! Muddy Buddy Ingredients: The ingredients are simple but together they create magic! Semisweet Chocolate Chips- Semisweet is just the best! Not too sweet, not too bitter. Salt- This recipe is plenty sweet so adding just a pinch of salt really helps contrast the sweetness. Vanilla Extract- Vanilla makes everything better! It adds such a delicious taste. It gives Muddy Buddies a snowy look and delicious sweet taste. You can also vary the amount of powdered sugar that is added, depending on your preference. A lot of Muddy Buddy recipes I see are pure white from powdered sugar overload. Pure heaven! But you can store Muddy Buddies in an airtight container… -at room temperature for about 4 days. I know a lot of people who love to freeze Muddy Buddies and eat it straight from the freezer! It just depends on the texture you prefer.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Our puppies are raised inside our home in Sorrento, British Columbia, where they are loved and socialized from day one. We're dedicated to improving this already outstanding breed and bringing excellent quality dogs into the world. Labradoodles were originally bred for therapy and service work, which makes them ideal family companions. They are gentle and non-aggressive with a keen sense of human emotion. They come in a variety of beautiful colors, including chocolate, cream, red, black, and apricot. Part of a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle Breeding Program, Notch Hill is proud to be contributing to the development of this wonderful breed. As members of the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association, we meet and exceed the highest ethical standards. Our breeding stock is tested for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, genetic eye disorders, and heart disease. We plan a small number of litters every year with the goal of producing healthy Labradoodle puppies with exceptional temperaments and non-shedding, allergy-friendly fleece coats. Each puppy is sent home with age-appropriate veterinary care, a 2-year health guarantee, and a lifetime of support. Labradoodle Puppies B. Your faithful puppy to love is waiting B. Australian Labradoodle breeders with High Quality Health tested puppies since From our family to yours. They will go to the bathroom either in a potty box or outside, they will have been introduced to a crate, be able to come and sit for a kibble and will have met new people every day for their socialization. They will be ready for homes in early .We are so excited. If you would like to welcome a puppy like Lulu into your family Shelby is planning a family for spring. She is taking a well deserved rest and will be bred again in early .We are taking family names for our lovely Larger Medium puppy Shelby list. She sent this more than a week ago and happily things are now looking better for Over The Moon Woofy and her family. Fire tripled in size last night and is much closer to Sorrento this morning. We did have a rain shower which will help. Kelpie has flown to Ottawa and is happily living with two children to play with and an extended family full of love. Kelpie had a wonderful fan club rooting for him and he is thankful to each one of you. It was through his wonderful friends that he found is forever family. Labradoodles thrive with the training methods of Dr. Ian Dunbar. Lick on Dr. Dunbar's photo to learn more about it. Judith Moench, therapist with her therapy dog. The Australian Labradoodle and Allergies We strive to breed puppies that are non-shedding and allergy friendly. If you have concerns about allergies in your house please find more information about the labradoodle and allergies on our Labradoodles and Allergies Information page. They can do this easily because we make sure before they set out on their journey they are crate trained and are old enough to travel. Our puppies stay with us until they are 11 weeks of age. They are spayed or neutered and have had two out of the three sets of vaccinations. They receive Bordatella kennel cough vaccine if they are older and go to play group. International travelers receive a rabies vaccine. Usually puppies travel more easily than many humans, Jean included. Our Australian Labradoodle Puppies who become therapy Dogs Our Labradoodles are trained and temperament tested to be placed as therapy dogs. This is Dr. Contact Us. Copper Canyon Australian Labradoodles Australian Labradoodles for Sale We raise exceptional quality non-shedding Australian Labradoodle puppies … from our home to yours! Our labradoodle puppies are loved and cared for, raised in our home with our children and make wonderful family pets. We welcome you to our website! We are not listed with them but are on amicable terms with the Goldendoodle Website and recommend their services for any puppy family interested in a Goldendoodle puppy from health tested parents. We are now accepting applications for medium and miniature Australian Labradoodle puppies for our current and upcoming litters. We do also have the occasional litter of standard sized AustralianLabradoodles as well. Since then, our labradoodle family has grown! Our labradoodles are family members and live in the house with us or in carefully chosen guardian homes. We do not believe in the long term kenneling of our AustalianLabradoodles as they are a breed that thrive with contact with people. In fact, all our Australian Labradoodle puppies are born and raised in our home, where they are introduced to household noises and lots of attention! All our breeding dogs are health tested before being accepted into our breeding program. It is not enough that a labradoodle look cute, they must also be a delight to have around, be sound, easily trained and social. We have never met a breed of dog more personable than the Australian Labradoodle and we invite you to welcome a labradoodle into your heart and home! Copper Canyon Australian Labradoodles is a premium rated labradoodle breeder. All our labradoodles are fully health tested and our labradoodle puppies come with a 2 year genetic guarantee against genetic health issues. Come fall in love with a labradoodle! There is a link there to the adoption application as well as information about how to get onto a litter list. Please do read below for more information about our adoption process. Our labradoodle puppies are sweet natured and are bred for temperament… after all, this is a pet you will have for 10 — 15 years or more! Our intention is to breed with the breed standard in mind as originally created by the breed originator at Tegan Park. Our babies are born in our home and handled daily so our babies are used to people, household noises and children. Please read through our guarantee before adopting one our our labradoodle puppies… purchasing one of our labradoodle puppies constitutes acceptance of the terms of our health guarantee. We want all our families to be aware of and comfortable with the guarantee that comes with all our puppies. Please contact us by email and confirm there is a space available on a litter before sending a reservation fee for any of our puppies. When you are placed on our wait list, we RESERVE a puppy for you and your reservation fee is considered not refundable as it often means that other families may decline to put their name on the wait list, thinking that the list is getting full. We do, however, bank your reservation fee for two years from the date it arrives and you are free to move your name from one list to another. We do interview our families before placing our puppies, both to ensure they go to families who have the time and space for our babies, and to be certain the puppy is the right one for your family. We reserve the right to retain puppies from our litters for use in our breeding program, so it may be that puppies shown in pictures may not be available for adoption. We also reserve the right to refuse or return reservation fees for any reason. Copper Canyon Australian Labradoodles is a premium rated labradoodle breeder. All our labradoodles are fully health tested and our labradoodle puppies come with a 2 year genetic guarantee against genetic health issues. Come fall in love with a labradoodle! Showing 1 - 31 of 31 resultsPage 1 - 31 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. The puppies will be pounds full grown. Mom Callie- is cream.What a beautiful litter! Visit us on our website.Our Babies are.Ready to go home now. Vet check, first vaccines, and several rounds of deworming complete! Both Mom and stud have completed genetic testing. Males and.We have a variety of beautiful colors to choose from, with three males males are the.One of their other names, the Shichon Teddy Bear refers to their.Victoria This fabulous tri phantom F2b Labradoodle needs a guardian home. He is 8 weeks old as of September 4th. His expected weight is around 30 pounds. Also featured in the photos are his parents. He will.I am Vet checked, first shots and dewormed. They call me Chunky Monkey for now, because I was the.Please Contact Gorgeous F1b medium labradoodle puppies Mission Waitlist opportunity for gorgeous F1b labradoodle puppies. Date of birth November and available to rehome early January perfect Christmas presents! Mom is a 50lb F1 labradoodle. She is very.There are more pups than we took reservations for, so we have some extra spots on the list. Fill in an application on our website. Mom Oakklie 45 pounds is a parchment multi gen labradoodle and father Buddy 38 pounds is a multi gen double.There are 2 girls and 5 boys! We are accepting reservations for these stunning.Parents are family dogs with prefect demeanors and are great with children and chickens : even cats Pick up is an option in.Please Contact Waitlist! Join our waitlist for future litters Ready October by completing a puppy application! Previous litters have.ONLY 5 Left. They are vet checked and shots done. As of today, Sept. I have been waiting for many many years for this litter. I imagined up for myself the perfect retriever dog. My perfect companion dog, family.She wants to play with my old dog but the difference in size makes my old dog scared and refuses

I've had her since she was 8 weeks old and she is now 2 and has been placed in her new home, where she will help her new owner. Aero the Standard Poodle as a puppy at five months old Abbey the black Standard Poodle at 13 months old Abbey the black Standard Poodle at 13 months old Abbey the black Standard Poodle at 13 months old Abbey the black Standard Poodle at 13 months old Abbey the black Standard Poodle at 13 months old Abbey the black Standard Poodle at 13 months old A litter of 7-week-old puppies , photo courtesy of K-Lar Standard Poodles Puppies, photo courtesy of Littlefield Kennels Photo courtesy of Littlefield Kennels Photo courtesy of Littlefield Kennels This is Sedona working in obedience, retrieving over the high jump, photo courtesy of Valentine Standard Poodles Taking time to "smell the roses," photo courtesy of Valentine Standard Poodles Baily the black Standard Poodle at 8 years old Baily the black Standard Poodle at 8 years old Baily the black Standard Poodle at 8 years old Baily the black Standard Poodle at 8 years old on the run. Black standard poodle in front of white background Poodle dog portrait. Natural untrimmed hair Shot of pedigreed poodle dog with pure white fur standing against light gray background. A large male gray standard poodle wearing a red christmas bow tie standing against a white background Beautiful large standard Poodle dog wearing a black bow tie standing on a white background Standard poodle in front of white background Shot of cheerful poodle dog with groomed pure white fur posing inside studio. Shot of pedigreed poodle dog with pure white fur standing against light gray background. A gray male standard poodle dog wearing a red christmas bow tie with a rhinestone. Isolated on white a white background Studio shot of single pedigreed poodle dog with stylish black fur posing against gray background. Studio shot of purebred poodle dog with black fluffy fur posing against light gray background. Standard Poodle dog on lawn. Standard poodle in front of white background Black standard poodle in front of white background Front view of White Corded standard Poodle running in front of white background Studio shot of purebred poodle dog with black fluffy fur posing against light gray background. Portrait of a standard poodle laying on the floor switzerland A beautiful large Gray standard poodle Poodle dog wearing a colorful collar with a platter of cookie treats in front of him. Isolated on white. Black standard poodle in front of white background White Standard Poodle in front of white background Shot of lovable purebred poodle dog with fluffy white fur against dark background. Black standard poodle - 2 years old listening to its owners commands turning her head to make sure she understands green grass back ground Beautiful standard poodle portrait in the colorful autumn with leaves in the park Dog icon. Concept flat style design illustration icon. Beautiful standard poodle portrait in the colorful autumn with leaves in the park Dog icon. White Corded Standard Poodle running against white background Rear view of two White Corded standard Poodles and a girl with dreadlocks sitting in front of white background Standard poodle during a dock diving event grabbing a toy Studio shot of fluffy poodle dog with white curly fur against light gray background. Black standard poodle and woman in front of white background Portrait of single black poodle dog with stylish hairstyle sitting on luxurious chair. Dog icon. Off-leash dog park in Northern California. An older, male blue standard poodle sits in the bright summer grass. Image of Goldendoodle puppy in grass with light brown curly hair Dog icon. Studio shot of single fluffy poodle dog wearing heart shaped sunglasses against dark background. Red haired poodle dog sits and looks into the camera on the beach near the sea on a sunny day Standard Poodle dog on lawn. A young, male silver Standard Poodle sits outside in the summer grass. Beautiful standard poodle portrait in the colorful autumn with leaves in the park The Black Standard Poodle is standing on a playground in the city. Beautiful young woman celebrating winter holidays with her standard poodle puppies. A black purebred standard poodle laying in a bed thinking about taking a nap. Large American Standard Poodle facing left looking across dog park. A purebred black standard poodle relaxing in his dog bed. White standard poodle jumping off a dock into a swimming pool A black standard poodle laying on a bed with his toy and blanket. Large American Standard Poodle looking across dog park. A black standard poodle laying on a bed with his toy and blanket. A purebred black standard poodle standing in a kitchen in a home. Beautiful young woman celebrating winter holidays with her standard poodle puppy. Close-up on White Corded standard Poodle Silver standard poodle face in outdoors. Grey fur and wearing a harness. Little brown poodle. Small puppy of toypoodle breed. Cute dog and good friend. This close-up photo captures the unique and fluffy texture of a standard poodle's hair, with a ball of white fur set against a dramatic black background. The poodle breed is known for its distinctive coat, which requires regular grooming and maintena Black standard poodle standing in the grass smiling. Black standard poodle sitting in the grass next to Lake Taupo, New Zealand. Devil's kettle waterfall A dogs toy and treat waiting to be packed for a trip. A yellow labrador retriever is just about to catch a treat A one year old solid black standard poodle standing on grass White poodle on sitting red chair Black Poodle dog walks in the water on the beach. Groomed clean white poodle dog portrait isolated Ed standard poodle dog with green walking harness and coloured adornment Poodle sitting isolated on white background Studio shot of cheerful poodle dog with curly white fur and stylish hairstyle. Studio shot of cheerful poodle dog with curly white fur and stylish hairstyle. Profile portrait of groomed poodle dog isolated A dog poodle for a walk in the park Side view of a cute poodle wearing red fur earmuffs and looks away in studio Beautiful adult black poodle dog. Studio shot isolated on white. Copy space. A large red-colored royal poodle yawns with its mouth wide open. A poodle is getting ready for a dog show and embraces the owner of a girl in a red jacket with long hair.

Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger and require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen. As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity. How big should a 6-month-old German Shepherd be? A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will be quite large, as many German Shepherds undergo massive growth spurts between two and five months old. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. How much bigger will my German Shepherd get? There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. First, check your puppy's age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing! Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog and means your pup is likely still growing! Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents. What is the size of a full-grown German shepherd? An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds. Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. Preventive care is key in helping your German Shepherd live a healthy and long life. Helping your dog maintain an optimal weight is one of the best things you can do for their health. Taking your German Shepherd to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they are healthy and feeling their best. Compare German Shepherd health insurance plans before they get sick or injured. They are also more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract and hip issues. A veterinarian should regularly assess your pet for these health problems and run tests for anything they may be more prone to due to their breed. Treatment for many conditions, including bloat and GI issues, can cost thousands of dollars. Dog insurance is a wise investment that can give you peace of mind by covering pet emergency expenses. Wellness plans are also available to help cover the cost of vaccinations, vet exams, microchips, and more. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Get Peace of Mind Today Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Females continue to fill out until about the 2-year mark, while males take a bit longer by putting on weight until the 2. But can you tell how big a German Shepherd will get before then? What other developmental milestones should you keep an eye on with your pup? We answer both those questions and more here. While there are tons of backyard tricks to help you determine how big your German Shepherd will get, the truth is that none of them really work. The best way that you can make a guess is to take a look at their parents. If you want a small German Shepherd, try to find one from two small parents, and if you want a large one, try to find large parents. The average size of a German Shepherd largely comes down to genetics, but if you have a purebred GSD, then they should fit into these parameters. Fully grown male German Shepherds typically stand about 24 to 26 inches tall and weigh between 66 and 88 pounds. Females tend to be a bit smaller, standing between 22 and 24 inches tall and weighing between 49 and 71 pounds. This large discrepancy in size generally comes down to genetics. But how much does a German Shepherd typically grow in the first year, and how much can you expect over the next year? By the 1-year mark, most German Shepherds are near their full height. Males typically have another 25 pounds to add over the next year, while females typically have about another 20 pounds to pack on. Teeth Did you know that your German Shepherd goes through two sets of teeth throughout their life? Around 12 weeks, they start to get their adult teeth, which means their baby teeth only stick around for about 3 months! Image Credit: aleksandra85foto, Pixabay Sexual Maturity If you have pups of different sexes in the same home, you need to be aware of when your German Shepherds can reach sexual maturity. Most male German Shepherds will reach some level of sexual maturity by the 6-month mark. This is a big deal if you have an unspayed female pup in the house. On the other hand, females can experience their first heat anywhere from the 6-month to the month mark. If you have unneutered males in the house, this is a pretty big deal. Image Credit: lancegfx, Pixabay Final Thoughts When you have a growing German Shepherd , it can seem like they get bigger every day and like the growth will never stop. While growth might happen for longer than you were expecting , what we can promise is that it will slow down. But did you really get a German Shepherd expecting them to be a small dog? Your German Shepherd is going to grow, and you knew this when you got them. Related Reads:. May 10, Dogs , Pets John When you adopt a German Shepherd as a puppy, you bring home this tiny, cute, cuddly, bundle of fur that fits in your hands. Fast-forward by a year and you probably wonder if your dog decided to grow at the 98th percentile. The five-pound puppy you brought home will become a full-grown dog of about 90 pounds. Essentially, she or he will grow to the size of a teenager in weight, but about 26 inches in length. You chose one of the largest dog breeds in the world. While these dogs reach physical maturity at three years of age, they typically have a median life expectancy of about ten years. Many German Shepherds live longer than that. Your puppy might grow up to live until the age of 12 or 13 , which equates to 77 to 82 years old. You will get many years of love from this breed of dog. While every dog differs, in general, female German Shepherds reach the age of full maturity before the males do. A female German Shepherd typically grows to two inches shorter than the male and a weight of about 70 pounds. All in all, German Shepherd growth is divided into seven stages. The Stages of Growth: Newborn to Adulthood Perhaps you got to visit with the puppies when they were firstborn. Enjoy it while you can. They gain weight quickly in their early days. Each day, your puppy will gain between 2. As a newborn, your German Shepherd probably weighs around four pounds. That means that in its first year of life, the dog goes through childhood, pre-teen or tween years, and half of its teen years. They gain weight and height accordingly. At the end of one year, the dog typically weighs about 49 to 50 pounds. The German Shepherd will nearly reach its full height by this time, too. Transitional Stage Veterinarians refer to every few weeks, then months as a different growth phase of early development. They call the two weeks to four weeks period transitional stage. T four weeks the typical female weighs between 4. The males may weigh between 5. When it comes to maturity stage for training, you can start even at the transitional stage, especially when you use positive reinforcement. Socialization Stage The socialization stage lasts through their third month. In the middle of this phase, the German Shepherd puppy usually experiences a growth spurt. By the end of the three months, your GSD puppy will measure about 10 to 11 inches in height. Females will weigh between 11 and 17 pounds, males will weigh between 22 and 30 pounds. Juvenile Stage Try not to think of your German Shepherd pup as a juvenile delinquent as they pass through this period from three to six months. At four months, your furry friend reaches the halfway point of height and weight. At the end of their fourth month, your puppy becomes a man or woman-dog. At this point of German Shepherd development, it reaches sexual maturity. At six months, the German Shepherd exits the juvenile stage. Your male German Shepherd exits this phase weighing between 49 and 57 pounds and at a height of 16 to 18 inches, but your female puppy will weigh between 44 and 49 pounds and attain a height of 15 to 17 inches. Adolescent Stage The adolescent stage ranges from six months to two years. At the end of one year though, your puppy becomes a dog. At one year of age, he or she enters adulthood. At this point, the female German Shepherd weighs between 60 to 64 pounds and has a height of 20 to 22 inches. The male German Shepherds weighs between 71 and 71 pounds and has a height of 22 to 24 inches. Some German Shepherds reach physical maturity at the age of two years, but most continue to grow until they reach the end of their third year. Female German Shepherds typically reach a height of 22 to 24 inches and weigh between 66 to 70 pounds. As long as their diet is stable, the adult German Shepherd dog should relatively stay the same weight for the rest of their lives. Genetics Plays a Large Part Like a human, your dog will grow to a smaller or larger size based on its genetics. To get an idea of how large your dog will grow, meet the parents. Tracing the genealogy can also help determine what are the potential German Shepherd health issues even German Shepherd skin issues to know your pup might have down the road. Regardless on the stage of growth, always make sure your German Shepherd pup is healthy. At Vetericyn , we have wellness products that can help keep your pup healthy and happy. Reviewed by Dan Richardson, Veterinarian Dan Richardson has been a practicing veterinarian for over 10 years. He specializes in surgery and orthopedics. Dan is originally from rural western Nevada and attended the University of Idaho for undergraduate study and Oregon State University for Veterinary School. The Richardson Family enjoys camping and spending time on the water fishing, paddle boarding, or digging their feet in the sand somewhere warm. Sources: All Shepherds. When do German Shepherds stop growing. Large dog breeds. GSD Growth Chart.