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High-quality Bernedoodle puppies and Moyen Poodle puppies for your family! Families looking for a well-bred, meticulously raised, pre-cuddled, home-raised puppy to become a cherished addition to their family can apply within. If you are approved and choose one of our puppies you will be considered part of our family. I have 40 years experience raising and training wonderful family companions and I am happy to help with any support you need so that you and your puppy can have the smoothest transition and the relationship of a lifetime. I have seen and worked with many breeds over the last 4 decades. I can say without a doubt that my Bernadorable Bernedoodle puppies are a great choice for a family dog. They are trainable, very minimal to no-shed, laid back, great for folks with allergies, a great size we have puppies from lbs depending on parents , not so small that they are too fragile for kids to play with and not so big they take up a lot of room, devoted to their people, and always happy most pictures I get from families, I swear they are grinning. The Bernadorables are easy to live with and a great choice for your first dog. I used to train rottweilers and bullmastiffs, I wear boots and start young horses. When I decided to make the change from shedding dogs, my standard poodle Reiki joined our family. I have 3 poodles now: my retired and spayed standard Reiki, and 2 moyen poodles — Paisley our future mom, and King George who rules my world. They are the most loving, charismatic, trainable dogs, with huge personalities. I love the moyen size; a lot of entertainment in a reasonable sized package at lbs. Because toys get chewed up, treats get eaten, blankets get threadbare, but a great start for a puppy who is pre-programmed to be confident in his own skin is the best gift I can give the fur nuggets. We have all had anxiety in our own life. I strive from day 1 to eliminate and minimize that for your puppy. My dogs have always brought so many smiles to my life that it is my sincere hope that your puppy will do the same for you and your family. Please visit their individual pages to learn more about them. Search for:. Bernedoodle Stars Sarge is adorable and a charmer. He loves to snuggle and give kisses playful and social he is also very laid back for a mini poodle and very gentle. Marshall gets along with Jack because they are both laid back and easy going. Where ever Jack is you can find Sarge. Sarge is amazing with children and loves to be with people. He has an independent side but will make sure he knows where you are in case he needs to be pet. He has a goofy side to him. When he is excited he will dance with the kids and get in the most random spots. If the kids tell him to get in a box he will get in a box, if the kids tell him to get on a small stool he will get on a small stool, If the kids tell him to get on the swing he will get on the swing. He loves to please and always wants to learn a new trick. I think his least favorite thing to do is get his picture taken. He always makes the silliest faces or puts his head down when I am trying to take pictures. He is definitely a social dog and when he is not following Jack around he would rather be on your lap or sitting next to your feet. Mini Bernedoodles and Mini Poodles We love Mini Bernedoodles in any color, but because Bernese mountain dogs are my love breed, our goal is to produce puppies as close to the Bernese Mountain Dog as possible. At Utah Bernedoodles we strive to produce puppies that do not lighten up with age, have a stocky build, and have a calm easy going personality. Mini and Tyni Bernedoodle Litters Our original thought when looking for a new mini poodle stud for our Mini Bernedoodle program was that we would purchase a Mini poodle from Russia that came from lines of decades of poodle that did not fade and breed that mini poodle to an American poodle to get breed back the parti gene into the lines of the puppies. We researched and found a great breeder! Mini Bernedoodles and Sarge We wanted a Mini Poodle we could use in our Tiny Bernedoodle program and still be able to consistently produce puppies that were calm and docile like the Bernese mountain dog. We looked for a breeder that specialized in calm temperaments in their Mini Poodle breeding program. We did not want a Mini Poodle with off the wall energy or a poodle that would bark excessively. We wanted a calm easy going quiet temperament. We needed a Mini poodle that was tall enough to produce Mini Bernedoodles with the desired build. We needed to make sure that our mini poodle would not have short legs and a long body like so many toy and mini poodles tend to have. We picked Sarge because even as a young puppy you could tell he would have a good proportion. He is a good height for his size. And we needed a mini poodle that would produce mini Bernedoodles and tiny Bernedoodles that were traditional tricolors with the white of the Bernese mountain dog and sable phantom. On the top of that, we were trying to reach our goal to reduce fading in our Mini Bernedoodle puppies to get stunning mini Bernedoodles that would resemble the Bernese mountain dog. So far Sarge has held his color so we cannot wait until his puppies are old enough to get a good indication of how their coat will change as the puppies age. We found everything we were looking for in our boy Sarge. Sarge Moyen Poodle. About Bernedoodles Janae Peterson T About Bernedoodles Pairing the best of both breeds is what makes this mix so wonderful, producing allergy friendly family pets with a delightful temperament. We carefully select our breeding dogs for genetics, temperament, color, health and longevity. Our goal is to combine these attributes to make certain that you receive a family pet that will bring years of love, laughter, joy and companionship into your home. Bernedoodle Bernedoodles are known for their intelligence, affection, sociability and goofy cheerful attitudes. They are cute, loyal, friendly, even tempered, gentle and kind. This combination of traits makes them ideal candidates for service, therapy or assistance dogs as well as wonderful family companions. The F1 Bernedoodle can have a wavy to straight coat and we rarely see the curly coats in this first generation. The Berner was raised in the Swiss Alps as a farm dog to accompany the alpine herders and dairymen. They were used to herd cattle, pull carts, and be a watchdog and loyal companion. They are good natured, self assured and affectionate and generally do well with children and make excellent guardians. They can tend to be somewhat aloof and standoffish to strangers. Unfortunately the Bernese is one of the short-lived dog breeds compared to other breeds of similar size with an unusually high mortality rate due to musculoskeletal causes and a high rate of fatal cancers. Taking this into consideration, I look for longevity in the lines of my breeding dogs, genetic testing and hip and elbow certifications are done on each of my dogs, to ensure that they are worthy of breeding. Mixing the Poodle with the Bernese and the influence of the hybrid vigor has shown a significant increase in the longevity of this wonderful breed. Poodle No matter the size, Poodles have a playful but dignified personality and keen intelligence. The poodle is no snob, they are people-friendly dogs who want to stay close to their families and are always up for a good game. Poodles have a goofy streak and love to play, but they are also eager to please. Australian Labradoodle The ALD was created in Australia by mixing labrador, poodle, irish water spaniel and cocker spaniel. The Australian Labradoodle is an intelligent dog with a gentle loving temperament that is social, curious and clever. They are athletic, energetic and love to run, swim, fetch or be a couch potato. This pairing is low to minimal shedding and allergy friendly. F1B and 2nd gens will be any type of F1 bernedoodle bred back to a poodle. These pairings produce the most hypo-allergenic and non-shedding dog. These pairings are more likely to produce a non-shedding and hypoallergenic dog with a consistent hair coat in the litter. Australian Bernedoodle Any generation that has been bred with an Australian Labradoodle is considered an Australian Bernedoodle. These pairings produce the soft fleece coat that is know in the Australian Labradoodle. This also produces a more stout bone structure and boxy head. The first generation breeding will produce Tricolor, Phantom and Bi-color litters, while the 2nd generation or multi gen breedings will have a variety of different coloring in the litters. Sizes The size ranges are an average, we do not make any size guarantees. Some can be larger or smaller in a litter. Miniature: lbs and inches. Micro Mini: lbs and inches. Lola Becton May 9, .Kristin does a great job raising beautiful, healthy and vibrant dogs. I honestly fell in love with Teddi Kate and was honored to obtain 1 of her puppies. I have a beautiful, smart and sweet girl. Maddie Dotson April 8, .We were reassured and cared for the whole process. We were able to see details and updates about each sweet pup up until we chose our own. We could not be more grateful for the sweet family breeder, SoFun Doodles, and our sweet almost one year old puppy, Muddy May!!!! She helped us pick down to the personality, and we could not be more satisfied with our cuddly, sassy, fun-loving, and adoring Bernedoodle! Blake Reynolds April 3, .Kristin was incredible to work with and made the puppy acquiring experience as fun and seamless as possible. Could not recommend SoFun enough! Michelle Hill May 24, .We love SoFun Doodles and Poodles. From the beginning we were impressed with how well they kept us informed, answered our questions, and provided all information we needed to find our perfect puppy. By the time we brought our girl home, we were in love with the whole litter. Christian Turner July 19, .I could never have expected such a great experience with a breeder but it was amazing! She allowed us to come meet the puppies well ahead of time, was always available for any questions, kept us up to date on any news or developments and made the entire process so simple. These pups are in the most loving home and cared for as if they were their own. Our puppy is exactly as we expected after such a detailed personality test and we have been so thrilled woth our new addition. Thank you Kristin, we will be in your debt for many uears to come and my son thanks you for his new best friend! Jen Fields July 7, .We had such a wonderful experience with Kristin. Feel incredibly lucky to have found her. Our puppy is smart and eager to please. From day one, he fit into our family. She was responsive, transparent and enjoyable to talk with everyday. Never did I feel like I was bothering her with my many, many questions. She is a wonderful breeder and now friend. Highly recommend SoFun! J Cook July 2, .When we brought our pup home it was literally was 3 days before puppy was potty trained! If you are looking for a confident and well rounded Bernedoodle or poodle, do not hesitate to get in touch with kristin at Sofun Doodles and Poodles! Jeni Jenne June 29, .So thankful to have found SoFun Dogs when we were ready to add a new puppy to our family! Kristin is passionate about her job and her knowledge and enthusiasm about raising berenedoodles shows in our well adjusted, healthy and happy pup. She was so responsive with my many questions and made us feel apart of the process watching the litter grow. By the time we could bring "Patrick" home we were in love with all the pups! The curriculum and evaluation process Kristin uses guided us into picking the right puppy for our family and we could not be happier! Worth every penny! Charlene Gutierrez June 28, .I FaceTimed with Kristin and saw all the puppies, she was very helpful! The process was so easy. There was so much communication and many updates and I loved that! Definitely a nice thing to watch your puppy grow up from another state! She helped me arrange transportation from Tennessee to California and it was very easy, stress free! Would definitely recommend. We love our so fun puppy Johnny! Thank you Kristin! Best Suited For: Families with children, active singles and seniors, houses with yards Temperament: Friendly, gentle, smart, affectionate Bernedoodle Basics If you are looking for a fluffy dog that will be your companion for life, look no further than the Bernedoodle. While the name may sound a little funny, these dogs make wonderful pets and they are especially great with children. Origin Hybrid dogs have been in existence for many years, so the first crossing of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle may have occurred long ago. The breeder who claims to have been the first to intentionally breed Bernedoodles, however, is Sherry Rupke of SwissRidge Kennels. Rupke bred her first litter of two Bernedoodles in and has since developed a breeding program around this hybrid breed. It is possible to have a Bernedoodle with more or less than 50 percent of each parent breed in its heritage if a first-generation Bernedoodle is mated with either a Poodle or a Bernese Mountain Dog. Bernedoodles are playful and affectionate — they do well with children and they love to spend time with their families. Toy and mini Bernedoodles should be offered a dog food formulated for small-breed dogs while the standard Bernedoodle should be fed a large-breed formula. Training When they are still young, some Bernedoodles can be a little bit headstrong — this is particularly true of the toy and mini versions. For this reason, it is important that you start your Bernedoodle puppy with socialization and training early. This headstrong quality comes from the Bernese Mountain Dog line so crosses with less of this breed may not have this problem. Because the Poodle comes in three different sizes, so does the Bernedoodle. A toy Bernedoodle stands 12 to 17 inches tall and weighs 10 to 24 lbs. A mini Bernedoodle stands 18 to 22 inches tall and weighs 25 to 49 lbs. A standard Bernedoodle stands 23 to 29 inches tall and weighs 70 to 90 lbs. For the most part, however, Bernedoodles are playful and affectionate — they do well with children and they love to spend time with their families. From the Bernese Mountain Dog side, Bernedoodles can be a little wary around strangers so early socialization is important. Toy and mini Bernedoodles also tend to be more energetic and stubborn than standard Bernedoodles. Common Health Problems For the most part, the Bernedoodle is a healthy breed. In many cases, crossbred dogs are less likely to develop congenital conditions than purebred dogs simply because the gene pool is much larger. Some of the conditions that may affect the Bernedoodle include hip dysplasia, eye problems, skin problems, and elbow dysplasia. Life Expectancy Related: Poodle Exercise Requirements The activity level of Bernedoodles varies depending on breeding, but they are typically a moderately active breed. The smaller varieties — toy and mini Bernedoodles — tend to be more active than the larger varieties. In any case, a daily walk should be enough to satisfy the exercise requirements of a Bernedoodle. Coat Bernedoodles come in any combination of white, black, and brown. Many Bernedoodles are all-black or some combination of black-and-white or black-and-brown. It is also possible for Bernedoodles to be tricolor — black, white and brown. Just as Bernedoodles come in different colors according to breeding, they also have different types of coats. Most Bernedoodles have long, wavy coats that shed minimally. Straight-coated Bernedoodles are less common and they tend to shed more than wavy- or curly-coated Bernedoodles. Puppies Bernedoodle puppies look like little bundles of curly fur and they are just full of love and affection. Because these dogs are intelligent, it is important to start training puppies from a young age — early socialization is also very important. During the puppy stage especially, Bernedoodles can be a little headstrong but this tends to lessen as the dog matures and receives training.

South African Boerboel Puppies Puppies are vet checked, dewormed with first vaccines and docked tails. We have been vet checked, received our first shots and up to date on deworming We are.They are currently 8 weeks old and are ready to go. They have first shots deworming and are registered with a long list of pedigree. Vet checked only. These happy girls will come vet checked, first shots and dewormed. If you're looking for a sweet.Registered litter.Both parents are UKC registered. We have 4 males and 8females. They are being raised under foot around children and an assortment of other animals. They will come with vet.Ready for first vaccination. This breed is the must loyal. Kind abd sweet pet you can get. Great house guard. Litter is registered- papers, breeding rights at an additional cost. She comes with her shots and deworming x2 and flea and tick.Catharines we have an amazing all white American bulldog for sale. We are really attached but have to give her away. Mom is an American Bulldog and dad is a Boxer. Both parents have amazing temperments. If you like lots of snuggles then these babies are for.Raised with kids and a newborn all family dogs parents are family.We have remaining: 1 brown female 1 brown male 1 brindle female 1 brindle male They come dewormed. Vaccinated 4x dewormed UKC registered Please message me for more inquiries or questions and visit our instagram pages.Gorgeous Litter of eleven. Born July 15th, and are ready for their new home. There are 3 girls available. They will come fully vet checked with first and second shots, de worming and a clear bill of health.We have a litter of sweet American Bulldog puppies born on May 1,vary smart and they are looking for their forever homes! These puppies are the best.Your browser does not support the audio tag. Description The word "Bandogge" is the generic name for any Bulldog-type Mastiff breed. The Bandogge has a very prominent musculature and an angulation that gives the dog a very athletic and agile look. Most are black brindle but others colors include black, blue, red and tawny. Temperament The Bandogge is an extremely intelligent dog. It is confident and very docile. Like all Mastiffs, they should have owners who are capable of staying dominant over the dogs. They are not usually recommended as good choices for first-time dog owners, because they need someone who truly understands canine instinct and how to properly communicate what it is you want from him. Although not bred as fighting dogs, if they are with a passive owner who does not know how to communicate aggression is not acceptable, they may become dog aggressive. Some people, mainly on the East Coast, still use this dog as a fighting dog. Luckily, there are more folks breeding these dogs for protection than for combat. As a protection dog, they are as a whole, excellent. They have a great deal of drive and are very tractable. The only temperament drawback to protection work is their unwillingness to perform the "bark" portion of the "bark and hold. The American Bandogge is a breed that loves attention and thrives on leadership. While they are happy to receive any attention and gladly accept whatever you give them, they absolutely need an owner who displays authority over them. They prefer to be with their owners and live to please and protect them, loving their families and protecting their domain. Bandogges can get along with other animals if they are raised with them, including kittens, cats and other dogs, but can be aggressive with animals they haven't been socialized with. They will protect themselves and their families to the end. Confident and very obedient, they are excellent with children. Bandogges seem to have a sense of when to be gentle. They are excellent family members as well as an intruder's worst nightmare. They are said to be "The Silent Peacekeepers. Height, Weight Weight: Males pounds 45 - 63 kg Weight: Females about 85 pounds 38 kg and up. Height: Males 25 - 29 inches 63 - 73 cm Females tend to be smaller. Health Problems - Living Conditions Bandogges will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and a small yard will do. This breed likes to be with its owner and would not enjoy life in a kennel. Exercise American Bandogges need a great deal of exercise. Life Expectancy. Typically stand 24 to 26 inches Typically range from 75 pounds to pounds. Bull Mastiff American Bulldog Mix Personality Like all hybrids, you have to look to the parents to get a good read on how they will likely behave. This could have obviously make for a very powerful and strong breed that might be best for an experienced dog owner. They might be an alpha with a strong personality and needs a strong owner with experience who can set themselves as pack leader. They should get along well with other animals if exposed and socialized properly as well. They are somewhat capable of independence, or alone time when the house is noisy or full. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. The mixed with the Bulldog might be prone to cardiac and respiratory disease, hip dysplasia, cherry eye, and other concerns. Highly prone to heat problems. Note that these are just common problems in both breeds. This will be a moderately shedding dog. But will depend a lot on which one of these dogs it takes after. Be prepared to brush them a few times a week. Either way, get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him. What are the exercise requirements? This is a moderate energy dog that will need that from an owner. Plan on exercising them daily to keep their energy level down. A tired dog is a good dog. What are the training requirements? All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background. Links to other breeds you might be interested in.

Raised in a military family have lived in many places, My father retired here, so Arizona is my home, Boxer Mom Pups AZ has been breeding and raising boxers for 12 years. American Bulldogs for 3 yrs. We offer short term visiting. We have more than 20 years of breeding experience, We search high and low to find the best homes to suit our dogs. We have older dogs also, some are retired breeding stock that are waiting to become a couch potato! For Pet - Only homes, please. Some are rescues that we acquired due to families moving and can't take them or abandoned pets. All have been vet checked and are healthy and ready to go to their forever home. Let us know what you're looking for and we'll try to fit you with the right companion. We also have several males up for stud service, and breed back to our male pups on request and approval! When you choose your new companion, our relationship doesn't stop, we are available for any questions or concerns you may have just call or text. I have helped over the phone and in person with the birthing process with new moms and owners. We love getting pictures, visits as the pups grow along getting your feedback on our testimonial page about your experience with us! Boxer puppies for sale Tucson, Arizona Boxer puppies for sale Tucson, Arizona Introduction of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany and has been around since the late 19th century. His main purpose is for hunting large game. But this dog breed was also useful in guarding and driving livestock. It is said that he got his name due to using his front paws for just about anything. Boxer dogs look intimidating with their stern-looking faces and powerful bodies. But they are actually very loving family dogs that get along with children and other animals. They love being with their families, and being separated from them can lead them to develop separation anxiety. Since this working dog is highly intelligent but stubborn in nature, he is better suited for experienced owners. The average lifespan of the breed is 9—10 years. Look for a boxer puppies for sale Tucson Arizona? Here is a brief background of this protective dog with a good sense of humour. History of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed is a descendant of the now-extinct Bullenbeisser a fighting dog with Mastiff ancestry and the Old English Bulldog. He was developed in Germany in the 19th century as hunters of deer, wild boar, and bear. Later on, he was used to guard and drive cattle. The man responsible for the creation of the Boxer breed was Georg Alt, who was from Munich. He crossed a brindle-coloured female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown breed. In , the first German Boxer dog named Flocki joined a dog show in Munich. After winning the dog show, he was the first-ever Boxer dog to be listed down in the German Studbook. Modern Boxer dogs were believed to be the descendants of Flocki. He was then imported to the United States in and was accepted by the American Kennel Club the following year. The American Boxer Club was established in .In both world wars, various military tasks were given to Boxer dogs including guard dogs, attack dogs, and messenger dogs. The British Boxer Dog Club was then formed in .The Boxer breed was recognised by the Kennel Club shortly thereafter and classified under the Working Group. Versatile and hard-working, these dogs are capable of carrying out different canine work. Boxers are good choices for protection dogs, police dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. Temperament and Intelligence of the Boxer puppies Tucson for sale Extremely patient and gentle, the Boxer breed is good with children. But he is recommended for families with older children as he may accidentally knock over toddlers. Befriending other pets is possible if the Boxer dog is properly socialised at a young age. It will keep him from viewing small animals as prey and reduce his tendency to dominate same-sex dogs. Is a Boxer a good family dog? Yes, the Boxer breed is a good family dog. He may look noble and intimidating, but he is actually considered the Joker of the Dog World. Boxer dogs are playful and fun-loving. They love to be part of family activities and be the centre of attention. Are Boxer dogs dangerous? Boxer dogs may be tough-looking, but they are not generally aggressive. But they will stand guard and defend their families if necessary. Boxer dogs are initially wary of strangers, but they eventually warm up to them if no danger is detected. Their protective and loyal nature makes them good guard dogs as well as watchdogs. Are Boxers easy to train? Yes, Boxer dogs are easy to train if you are already experienced in handling the breed. They are intelligent but tend to be independent and stubborn. Due to this, they are not suited for first-time owners. Boxer dogs respond better to people that are firm and consistent. However, firm does not mean harsh. Instead of strict training methods, positive reinforcements are more effective in teaching this breed basic dog manners and tricks. Boxer Breed Highlights The Boxer dog breed is a loving, loyal, and protective companion. Boxer dogs are comical companions despite their intimidating appearance. The Boxer breed has low-maintenance grooming needs. As an energetic working dog, he has high exercise needs. Boxer dogs tend to be destructive when they are left alone or unable to let off steam. Are there miniature boxers? Yes, but they are rare. Miniature boxers are either a product of mating purebred runts or cross-breeding small dogs that have similar characteristics to boxers, such as Boston terriers, pugs, rat terriers, and fox terriers. While some of these minis may closely resemble their larger counterparts, they may not act similarly. Are boxers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, boxers are not hypoallergenic. What problems do Boxers have? Boxer dogs are brachycephalic, which means they have flat faces. This trait narrows their airway and causes breathing problems. As a result, Boxers should not be out in the sun for a long time as it can lead to heatstroke. Overexercising them must be avoided too to avoid triggering breathing difficulties. How long do Boxer dogs live? The Boxer dog breed has a short lifespan compared to other dogs. He can only live up to 9—10 years, and this is due to the prevalence of health issues in the breed. When buying a Boxer puppy, look for a reputable breeder whose breeding stock and litters are health-screened. This will help you determine how likely is your chosen Boxer puppy going to develop certain health conditions. It is the second largest city in Arizona, with a population of , in the United States Census,6 while the population of the entire Tucson metropolitan statistical area MSA is 1,, Tucson is the second most-populated city in Arizona behind Phoenix, both of which anchor the Arizona Sun Corridor. The city is miles km southeast of Phoenix and 60mi 97km north of the U. Wiki Tucson Drop us a line! We will not send you unnecessary notices in the future. My name is Tetyana and I am glad to welcome you on the site of the breed nursery. Boxer Description The Boxer has a compact and powerful body. Their head is proportionate with the body and has a short muzzle with an underbite. The tail is set high and typically docked. Their coat is short, smooth, and comes in multiple colors including fawn, tan, brindle, mahogany, and black and often with white markings. Boxers also come in a white coat, but some clubs will not register them. Discover more about our Boxer puppies for sale below and see why they are one of the most popular breeds in the U. Disposition and Temperament Boxers are happy, playful, curious, and energetic. So much so that many remain extremely fit and athletic into their old age. They are very intelligent, eager, quick to learn and known to be a good breed for competitive obedience. Boxers bond closely with their family and are loyal and affectionate. In fact, they are known to get along well with children. A properly socialized Boxer will get along with dogs and other household pets, such as cats, but small animals such as rodents or birds may be too tempting. Being energetic and playful, the Boxer can become boisterous and jump on people without proper training and leadership. Boxers need to go on a daily walk and get daily mental and physical exercise. Without it, they can become stressed out. You should start training your Boxer while it is a puppy: Boxers do best with dominant owners who can be firm, consistent and committed. You need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack with this dog breed. Owners who do not establish dominance often find their dogs to be stubborn or demanding which can hamper the owner-pet relationship. Living Conditions As for living arrangements, they can be fine in an apartment if sufficiently exercised even though they are active indoors, but Boxers really do best with an average-sized yard. They are also temperature sensitive, overheating easily and chilling quickly. Boxers have a natural tendency to protect their owners and home, and although visitors who the dog recognizes are not seen as a threat, will protect their owners if they sense danger. Boxers are courageous which makes them great watchdogs and will even restrain intruders. It is important to know Boxer puppies require human leadership and need to be taught not to be boisterous or jump up on people. It requires very little grooming. Brush it with a rubber curry brush once or twice a week to keep it looking good. The Boxer tends to be a clean breed only occasionally needing a bath. Origin The name Boxer is thought to come from the way they use their front paws for just about everything; pawing at its food bowls, toys, and even its owner in a playful way. The Boxer was developed in Germany in the 19th century and its ancestors were two German mastiff-type breeds. They were later bred with the ancestors of the Mastiff and Bulldog. Boxers were first used for dog-fighting, bull-baiting, cart pulling, cattle dogs, rounding up livestock, and to catch and pin wild boar and bison until hunters could arrive. Later they became popular theater and circus dogs. There are two types of Boxers: the German and the American Boxer. German Boxers have bigger heads and are generally more muscular than American Boxers. See store for details on a puppy. The American Canine Association, Inc. The American Canine Registry.

You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting an English Bulldog, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to English Bulldogs". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Bulldog from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon, or you can download the audiobook version here. If you can't find the perfect Bulldog puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many English Bulldogs young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos! Greetings from Bruiser Bulldogs and The Wysongs We are a family absolutely in love with the Bulldog breed and are dedicated to breeding genetically healthy English Bulldog puppies. As responsible AKC English Bulldog breeders, our extensive experience and unique take on the need for a healthier English Bulldog has positioned our breeding program as a visionary leader for adopters in search of a higher quality Bulldog. At our core, we love placing healthy, properly socialized puppies into loving families. There is no greater joy than to be able to share our lifelong passion for English Bulldogs with our adopter families. Feel free to read our blog , watch our videos and learn why Bruiser Bulldogs is producing a better bulldog. Instead of focusing on maximizing wrinkles or winning in the show ring, we have built our foundational bloodlines over the past decade with a focus on health first on foremost. Sires and Dams are health tested with a unique criteria. Bruiser Bulldogs must breathe freely, move athletically while still maintaining that classic English Bulldog look that people around the world have come to love. Our goal has always been consistently produce puppies that are both a head turner and fundamentally healthy Bloodline development is the key to producing healthy bulldogs. We believe that foundational genetics are created through layer after layer of breeding healthy generations of bulldogs. Over the course of a decade, we have focused on a stringent set of health criteria to gradually improve the health and quality of the dogs we produce. The rare combination of experience, repetition, and ethical awareness of correct breeding practices has set our breeding program at the forefront of responsible breeding practices. The process truly is an adoption that affects the time, focus, and schedules of each household that gets a puppy from us. After a healthy puppy , the single most critical factor for a successful bulldog adoption is adopter support. The English Bulldog is unique breed with a unique set of caretaking criteria. Previous dog ownership, while helpful, is not enough to fully prepare an adopter for English Bulldog ownership. We always say the adoption is just the beginning of our journey. Through blog articles and email prep, we focus on such topics as socialization, crate training, disease prevention, potty training, nutrition, and basic puppy supplies to ensure that each adopter will be fully prepared for their new puppy. View Our Available Puppies! They are also known as F1b pups-meaning a 2nd generation Beabull puppy. We usually have a few Unique Colored Beabull Puppies! In each litter of beabull pups, we are usually blessed with a few unique Lilac or Lilac Merle colored puppies in each litter. These puppies are unique and highly sought after. Our adult beabulls typically weigh between pounds once they are adults. They usually reach an average height of inches at the shoulders. The life expectancy of a beabull is normally years of age. Our second-generation beabulls are usually smaller in size than a purebred English Bulldog and have a lot of added benefits and genetic advantages over registered English bulldogs. They usually have a longer muzzle that allows them to breathe better than the snub nose of the bulldog. Giving your beabull regular baths will help keep their coats clean and shiny. So if you live near Lafayette Louisiana and are looking for a healthy and beautiful beabull puppy then check out are available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some beabull pups that have been adopted. Remember that the cost of a Bulldog puppy varies depending on certain factors such as, 1. Coat If you need a particular coat type or the most popular one, the price will go up. Authentic Breeds Bulldogs are purely bred, but there are chances of mixed breeds. So when you find a pure breed from a good breeder, the pricing will be according to the puppy and its parents. When you do find one, the breeder will charge you more. Before selling the dog, they must pay for health checks, training, food, and other expenses. Overall, you may need to prepare a good amount in your pocket before buying. Finding reliable Bulldog breeders might be difficult due to scammers. You can also check their notable works and kennel details to validate their location. Check to see if they have an Instagram or Facebook page. Kennel Visit When you visit the kennel, you can observe the puppies and breeders. You can learn about their health and mental being by checking whether the dogs are active or lousy. You can also check if the breeder has all necessary kennel items and keeps their spot clean. You can ask them why they chose to become a breeder or any other questions that can show you how professional they are. If they answer clumsily, you know the answer. When you obtain a Bulldog puppy, what should you do? Here are some helpful hints to get you started. Fix a Pee Spot Every puppy needs a peeing place that, if trained, will be the place the dog immediately goes to. Some Bulldog Breeders in Louisiana LA potty-train their puppies before selling them, so inquire about this and save time. Give Your Puppy a Home Tour Yes, you must show the puppy around your entire house for them to feel comfortable. Take the puppy for a walk around your house to help them relax. Ensure there is no sharp-edged furniture or other items in the house that could hurt them. Each family member should express their love for the dog one by one. It will take a long time, but its loyalty and companionship are unfathomable after the dog has adjusted to everyone! It will also dull their sharp teeth, making them safe when they bite someone without an intention. Because all dogs like chewing, chewing toys should never be an option; it should always be required. Maintain a Regular Schedule Maintain a schedule so that you know when to feed, bathe, and walk your dog, among other things. A well-behaved dog is far easier to handle than one neglected. As a result, it is critical to groom them consistently. You must show love to them while training them with a stern tone. Above all, be patient and wait for the training to take its course. Crate Training is Essential Bulldogs prefer napping for extended amounts of time. As a result, crate training is critical. Watch Over Them Puppies, mainly when they are young, require a lot of attention. Never allow them to roam freely without a leash if it is an open space, for they can hurt themselves or run away unintentionally. Here are the best three websites to check to see whether a Bulldog is available. One of their best features is their search engine with filters. Puppies for Sale Today Puppies for Sale Today is another website where you may see a variety of puppies, including Bulldogs. Bulldogs have short coats that require weekly brushing. Do bulldogs make good pets for families? Yes, they enjoy playing with family members, including kids. What is the lifespan of a Bulldog? Sadly, their lifespan is short. Though they are said to live up to 10 years, research has shown that mostly they live only between 6 to 8 years. Final Thoughts Bulldogs love to cuddle but are super clever at the same time. They are a fantastic choice for training to enter into shows and competitions. With this info, we now bid you farewell. Have a nice day! Find Bulldog Breeders in Other States. As a company, we are based in California, but you can find our beautiful, happy and healthy puppies all over the US and all over the globe. Without charging a fortune, we can get our puppies to you in Louisiana, including New Orleans, Monroe, Lafayette and more. Included in the price of the puppy is shots, de-worming and rabies vaccination, a puppy package that includes food and toys, 30 days of health insurance, and much more. For a full list of what you get, please check out our puppy page or simply give us a call on .I love to follow all of our friends and the adventures they have with their dawgs. Anyone else interested please do the same. Hes mellow, smart a huge :. We couldnt be happier with him and with Ary. Ary is always available to help answer questions of give advise and loves to keep up with his pups as they grow and beyond. In researching, we found Ary and the Olde English breed and could not be happier with the decision to get Bruce. Ary was incredible throughout the process, explaining everything we needed to know about the breed and the process of importing him into Hong Kong. He checked in with us several times before the flight and was in constant contact via text when we went to the airport to pick up Bruce, who arrived a little skeptical of his new surroundings but perfectly healthy and happy. The extent to which Ary cares about every one of the amazing dogs he sells is clear through his attention to detail and willingness to put in any extra effort to make sure his puppies get to, and stay in, good homes. He took to his kennel training and potty training so fast! In searching for our puppy, we did our due diligence researching online and then visiting your property in person. I was impressed with how happy and healthy all of your dogs are. I also enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet the parents of our puppy; they both seemed to have great termperments. Thanks for a wonderful puppy! Lauren W. I recently adopted her from Ary, and it was great! Ary is so devoted to all of his dogs, he even knows them by their bark! His property is a dog haven, dog runs, kiddie pools, and toys for days! He truly loves what he does. When I heard that Ary had rescued a litter of puppies i had to take a look! I fell in love with them all, as i do with all of his litters! He knows the background of each and every one of his dogs, he is so knowledgeable about the breed and is always there to answer any questions i have about Pepper. I will definitely be getting another bulldogge from Ary in the years to come. Thanks Ary! Jenna S. Iowa Hey Ary We just want to say thank for are boy Kane. He one of the best we gotten. He is are first bulldogge and wont be the last. Im just glad you made my day by letting take Kane home to live with use. S im looking forward to the day we get are girl from you. He is pounds and a real joy to have around! Ary is so helpful and we are grateful for him introducing us to this wonderful breed. There really is no better breed of dog! If you are looking for a bulldog and you should be! Shane S. Cares deeply about the health and well being of his dogs. A quality breeder with amazing dogs!! Cinda G. Brea, CA Just want to start off by saying: Ari, isnt just a Breeder hes a good guy and now a friend of mine!!!! I bought a puppy from him last feb !!! Since that time he taught me a lot about the breed to the point where i want to start breeding oldies!!!! So if you looking for a quality olde you have came to the right spot…. Most of this is caused by irresponsible breeders, lured into the business by the promise of quick money and with very little care towards the fate of the dogs they breed. Most of these dogs are beautiful happy animals that just need a chance. Follow Us on Social Media! Paypal Secured Payments.

We pride ourselves on the way we raise our Puppies. We treat the Labradoodle puppies with care and give them lots of love so that they will be fun and social pets. Our goal is to make it easy to transition them from our loving home to yours. Thanks for visiting Southern Doodles. We currently have available spots on our puppy list!! Goldendoodles Goldendoodles are known for their gentle, social and affectionate nature which makes them wonderful family and therapy dogs. We have several of our breeding dogs with therapist guardians, we also have a veterinarian with one of our guardian dogs. We strive for social happy dogs! Here at Southerndoodlin we start their training right after they are born with sensory training. We also have various noises so your puppy will not be afraid of normal home sounds. We also have a gun range nearby, trains and farm equipment sounds and airplanes too. Australian labradoodles have been created for their temperament, coat and conformation. This has been shown over and over again by so many who use the Australian Labradoodle for therapy dogs. They just have a special ability to know their owners emotonal needs. They are intuitive, smart, athletic, easy to train love bugs! Australian labradoodles have been very carefully genetic tested to give you the best. At Southern Doodlin' we are deciding to slow down our business after many years of providing loving puppies for homes acress the country. Standard Goldendoodles can weigh anywhere between 50 and 90 pounds. Personality The place where the Goldendoodle puppy really excels is its personality. Its breed is known for being simultaneously intelligent and adoring. A Goldendoodle puppy is very sociable, which makes them perfect animals for households with children and other animals or pets, even cats. Just like the Labradoodle, this breed requires correct socialization to ensure they get used to different sights, sounds and smells during puppyhood. This means taking your Goldendoodle to plenty of doggy-friendly parks so they can meet canine friends and introducing them to other people. Our Goldendoodle puppies for sale are fully trained Doodles, so you can focus on the fun bits, like bonding, eating food and playing. These dogs prefer to live in a house with a gated backyard where they can get regular exercise breaks. Do They Like to Play? Goldendoodle Puppy Training These clever dogs are perfect for first-time dog owners because Goldendoodles love to please and take great pride in learning new skills. Are Goldendoodles Intelligent? Both of its poodle and golden retriever parent breeds are known for their intelligence and trainability, and Goldendoodles have inherited this breed trait. This means the person training a Goldendoodle needs to be strong-willed, firm and consistent — but never harsh or aggressive. Much like a poodle, Doodles are sensitive dogs, and positive reinforcement is a must to bring out the best in them. How Obedient Are They? Goldendoodle pups adore human company, and making their pet parents happy brings them genuine satisfaction. As such, correct puppy training produces a highly obedient and loyal adult Goldendoodle. Older adults, people with disabilities and individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders can benefit significantly from the warmth and sweetness of these adorable Goldendoodle pups. Are They Easy to Train? Doodle puppies can be mischievous and cheeky, but aggression is practically unheard of. So as long as you treat them with the same gentle respect they offer, a Goldendoodle is one of the easiest dog breeds to train. Goldendoodles have loads of energy and require regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and calm temperament. A Goldendoodle need a moderately high level of outdoor activity — usually a minimum of 30 minutes, but ideally one hour, of moderate to vigorous exercise per day will keep Goldendoodle puppies at their best. Unlike puppy mills, all good puppy and dog breeders provide a certificate that shows health clearances. At Pride and Prejudoodles, our tests cover common health conditions. As such, you have peace of mind when purchasing your new puppy from us. How Long Do Goldendoodles Live? Goldendoodles live for between 10 and 15 years. We hope you found our guide informative. Please contact us with any other questions you have about our Goldendoodle puppies for adoption. Life Span Did You Know? A Labradoodle is a popular designer dog breed. It is a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Labrador Retriever. This designer dog breed originated in Australia around .The main goal of the Labradoodle was to create a hypoallergenic guide dog for people living with disabilities who were also allergic to dog fur and dander. Now, they are still a popular choice for service, guide, and therapy dogs and are also a popular companion dog. Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are both friendly, gentle, intelligent, and affectionate dog breeds. The Labradoodle tends to be similar. They are open and friendly and crave human attention and affection. They are happiest when they are with people. Labradoodles also tend to have an energetic and playful personality. They get along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and strangers. They are alert enough to bark or let you know when someone is at the door, but they are not generally good watchdogs or guard dogs as they are more interested in making friends. A Labradoodle is a highly adaptable dog breed. They do very well in homes with space to run and they can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. They also do well in most climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to extreme heat and cold. Because they enjoy being around people, they do not generally like to be left alone for long periods of time. They can also become bored if not given enough attention, exercise, or mental stimulation, which can result in destructive behavior. This dog breed is generally healthy, but they do have the chance of inheriting common health conditions from both of the parent breeds. Some health conditions to be aware of include elbow and hip dysplasia, ear infections, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy. Good breeding practices can reduce the likelihood of passing on many of these health issues. Be sure to talk with the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and ask to see any health clearances; this can help allay potential health concerns. A Labradoodle tends to be eager to please and highly intelligent, which makes them highly trainable. They are a good fit for dog owners of any experience level. As with most dog breeds, Labradoodles respond best to training that is consistent and uses positive reinforcement. There are some grooming tasks that are common to every dog breed. When it comes to coat care, it can vary with a Labradoodle. Poodles have a low-shedding coat that is also high maintenance in terms of brushing, trimming, and professional grooming. Labs tend to have a higher shedding coat that needs minimal brushing and grooming. For the most part, a Labradoodle will have a low or non-shedding coat that will need to be brushed a few times a week. But, they can have a higher shedding coat should they take after their Labrador parent. You may also need a few professional grooming sessions throughout the year. Nail trimming once a month is usually enough to keep movement comfortable and prevent longer nails from snagging on things. Proper dental care for your dog will help prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Drop-down ears are more prone to infection because floppy ears are more likely to trap moisture, dirt, and debris. This will make grooming throughout their life a much more enjoyable process for both you and your dog. It can even become a bonding time for you both as well. Labradoodles tend to be high-energy dogs. They require a few daily walks plus some time to run and play in order to stay happy and healthy. They certainly love to play and you may tire out before they do sometimes. They may calm down a little as they get to be a couple of years old, but they tend to be quite energetic as puppies. Going swimming with your dog , taking a hike with them, going on a trip to the dog park, playing a game of fetch, and more are all great supplemental activities to ensure your Labradoodle gets plenty of exercise. You can even train them to compete in dog sports like dock diving, flyball, agility, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Labradoodle will usually stand between 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 50 and 65 pounds. Labradoodles generally live 12 — 14 years. However, it did not become popular until when the mix was specifically bred to create hypoallergenic guide dogs. Featured Labradoodle Article. If you are looking for the perfect family companion, you have come to the right place. We are a family first, and our dogs are an integral, loving part of our lives. They have been bred to be as gentle, as intelligent, and as devoted, as they are beautiful. We expect nothing less of our puppies! Our Puppies Our puppies are multi-generational Labradoodles and Goldendoodles. They will be hypo-allergenic, non-shedding, wonderful, playful and probably the best dog you will ever own! Their parents all have exceptional temperaments and are fun loving, intelligent family members. We are very proud of our dogs and the puppies we raise. Every possible advantage is given to our puppy family members, and it shows. We have many happy families that have gotten their perfect Labradoodle or Goldendoodle from us. Available Puppies About Family Labradoodles Our dogs have freedom to run and play and just be dogs; to swim and dive after a ball or a crab or visit our neighbors without the threat of cars. We have dozens of lifetimes worth of beautiful memories. We let him out regularly and then at 10AM decided that we would bell train him so that he could tell us when he had to go out. By AM yes, only 30 minutes he had the hang of it. Every single time he has to potty or wants to go romp in the yard off to the bell he goes. He is truly the best dog! Murphy loves nothng better than a ride in the car. He gets to ride and take our girls to school every morning. You only have to say "ride" and he will most definately beat you to the car. He loves the water and we have enjoyed taking him to the lake. He is by far one of the prettiest parti labradoodles I have ever seen and people stop us every time they see him to ask what he is and to tell us how beautiful he is. I could go on and on about how well trained, smart and beautiful he is but I will wrap by saying that Murphy has taken over our bed and has stolen our hearts. He has made our family complete! Thank you!! Where do I begin. He is our baby so gentle and well behaved. He is so well mannered. Everyone loves him. Weighs 71 lbs. Just a beautiful dog. He goes to work with his Dad everyday and sleeps with his Mommy and Daddy every nite. Everyone loves Sam. Thanks for bringing Sam into this our world. Hope all is well with you and your family. We are Cindy and Jeff Suit, and we strive to produce puppies with the very best temperaments and personalities, and the health and overall condition of our Goldendoodles are a top priority. All of our puppies come with a two-year health guarantee, have been vet-checked, have received their first shots and have been wormed on a regular basis. The care we take in breeding to create the best puppies is matched by the thorough socialization we give them after they are born. After more than two decades of producing exceptional puppies, our reputation speaks clearly about our breeding methods, the level of care we provide and, most importantly, the great love we have for these wonderfully sensitive and intelligent dogs. We take great care in matching you with the right puppy. So, if you would like more information about our puppies, please fill out the puppy application on our website. We will call you to discuss your preferences and our available litters. Available Goldendoodle Puppies The health, beauty and temperament of a Blue Ridge Goldendoodle puppy is second-to-none. This page features the stunning selection of pups we currently have available. Learn More Meet Our Dogs The secret to continually producing great puppies is to always use the very best breeding pairs. We carefully select our sires and dams for health, temperament, beauty, size and coat type. Visit this page to learn more about the exceptional dogs we use to create our second-to-none Blue Ridge Goldendoodle Puppies. They are up-to-date on shots and have been wormed regularly and thoroughly checked by our vet. We send a detailed vet record with every one. Each puppy also comes with a blanket or toy that was played with and rubbed on the mom and the siblings. This helps in the transition from our home to yours. We also test them for problems with the elbows and heart, check for patella luxation and make sure that their eyes are cleared for Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA , a degenerative vision disorder. In addition to these checks, our breeding dogs are DNA tested for a battery of genetic diseases. Blue Ridge Goldendoodles is a member and recommended breeder at Goldendoodles. About Goldendoodle Puppies Goldendoodles are the result of calculated crossbreeding between pedigreed Golden Retrievers and any of the three officially recognized Poodle varieties standard, miniature and toy. Exceptional breeders like Blue Ridge Goldendoodles are able to produce puppies with the best attributes of each lineage — physical beauty, loving and loyal personalities, high intelligence, a strong desire to please and a size range that suits apartment dwelling, farm living and everything in between. Their patience and gentle spirit make Goldendoodles especially good with small children. If acquiring a Goldendoodle is the right choice for you or your family, start by locating a top-quality breeder. All puppies should be examined and okayed, too. These exams are standard operating procedure at Blue Ridge Goldendoodle Puppies. No, all dogs shed a little, that is nature. There is low shedders and high shedders. A low shedder would have more texture of the poodle coat. Where as a high shedder would have the lab texture. Most Goldendoodles are low shedders. What is the main difference between Labradoodles and Goldendoodles? Cindy Suit T What is the main difference between Labradoodles and Goldendoodles? The differences between Labradoodles and Goldendoodles depends mostly on the breeding stock chosen for the parents. With that being said, there really is no difference between our Goldendoodles and Labradoodles. Most people cannot tell the difference between the two breeds. Please feel free to look at my Doodle Hall of Fame and see if you can tell the difference. Are Goldendoodles easy to potty train? Cindy Suit T Are Goldendoodles easy to potty train? Goldendoodles are highly intelligent and motivated to please, this makes them outstanding pupils for housebreaking, crate training, learning tricks and more. What is the difference between and F1 and F1B? It depends what genes they inherit. What is an F2? Cindy Suit T What is an F2? In genetics, an F2 means a second generation cross, or a cross that is 2 generations away from the original parent breeds. There are 2 ways to get to the second generation. The second way is described above, as an F1B. So breeding an F1 Labradoodle or Goldendoodle back to a Poodle to get an F1B, is resulting in a second generation of the hybrid. Are Goldendoodles appropriate for apartment living? Cindy Suit T Are Goldendoodles appropriate for apartment living? Yes, Goldendoodles are a very adaptable breed that can thrive in all residential settings. All they need is proper love and care from you to flourish. Plus, potential owners have the option of choosing a standard, mini, toy or teacup Goldendoodle based on the ideal size fit for their living conditions. While this is an impossible question to answer with any specificity, the average lifespan of a Goldendoodle is calculated to be between 10 and 15 years. Do Goldendoodles get attached to one person? Cindy Suit T Do Goldendoodles get attached to one person? Goldendoodles are extremely affectionate dogs who love to give and receive outward signs of love. They have the propensity to become more attached to one person, but their drive for attention prevents them from limiting their interactions in this way. To the dog, anyone willing to spend a few minutes giving a belly rub is worth an abundance of licking. Are Goldendoodles lap dogs? Cindy Suit T Are Goldendoodles lap dogs? Whether your canine companion is a five-pound teacup or a pound standard, they will see themselves as equally small and act accordingly. If that sounds the least unpleasant, know that new owners quickly get used to having their entire laps swallowed and grow to love these times of bonding. Still have more questions about Goldendoodles? Check out our reference pages below:. The Labradoodles and Goldendoodles in our breeding program live with us in our home, not a kennel. Our puppies are whelped in our home and exposed to daily family life. At Blessed Day Doodles one of our top priorities is that our doodles are part of our family and receive daily love and attention. Our breeding dogs live with amazing and carefully chosen guardian families. Guardian homes allow our breeding dogs to be part of a forever family and receive the love and attention every dog deserves. Why Blessed Day Doodles? Labradoodle and Goldendoodle Health The Australian Labradoodle is a hybrid between the poodle, labrador retriever, and cocker spaniel. Miniature goldendoodles are a hybrid between the poodle and golden retriever. Our breeding dogs must pass extensive health testing to become part of our program. Labradoodle and Goldendoodle Temperaments Goldendoodles and Australian Labradoodles are incredibly social, intelligent, and equally loving. Doodles love people and animals alike, coupled with their low to non-shed qualities, it makes them the perfect family pet. Because of their social nature it would be a punishment to leave a doodle alone for long periods of time without human contact. Furthermore, we encourage you to consider that dogs, like humans, are happiest with a mate, so in their case…another dog. With this in mind, you may want to consider having two dogs so they can keep one another company. We humans are great company but dogs are happiest with another canine companion.

Do Father dogs know their puppies? By two weeks of age, they should be alert and trying to stand. By three weeks, they should be trying to climb out of their nest or whelping box. By four weeks, all the puppies should be able to walk, run, and play. How long do puppies stay in whelping box? During the first 3 weeks most dams like to be in a warm secluded area, not in the family living area. Pups remain contently in their whelping box for the first 20 days of their life. How do you transition a puppy from a whelping box? By the time the puppies are weeks old, the mother should have an area near the whelping box, but separate from the puppies to allow her time to rest. At about this time, the puppies will start trying to leave the box to explore. They should be well supervised and have safe toys available. Can I move the whelping box? We have found that moving the whelping box or puppy pen set-up on a weekly basis exposes the puppies to new scents and air currents and increases their adaptability and development by about two weeks, especially compared to puppies who are raised in the same corner until they go to their new homes. Is whelping box necessary? As the last week of pregnancy approaches, your female dog will often begin looking for a secure and comfortable place to have her litter of puppies. Before this time comes, it is essential to create a whelping box so she becomes comfortable with it and knows this is the preferred place to have her puppies. Do 4 week old puppies need a heat lamp? Young puppies cannot maintain their own body temperature for a week or two after birth. Heating the area over the whelping box with the aid of a heat lamp is usually all that is necessary. When should I remove the whelping box? I usually take them out at about 3 — 4weeks. This is what I have in My box they just stay there all the time. When can puppies go all night without nursing? A six or seven week old puppy can go through the night without needing to feed as long as they have had enough food during the day. Should newborn puppies sleep with Mom? A newborn puppy is completely helpless and dependent upon her mother. Puppies should remain with the mother and littermates until about age eight to 12 weeks. How do you keep a puppy whelping box clean? Clean the bottom with a chemical-free disinfectant cleanser. Spray a bit of chemical-free disinfectant cleanser on the bottom and sides of your whelping box, and use a paper towel to wipe this up. When can I leave my dog alone with her puppies? Can you leave newborn puppies alone with their mom overnight? Should I leave my dog alone while she is in labor? Should I be present during the whelping? Some dogs like the owner to be with them the whole time they are in labor. Others prefer to have their puppies in seclusion. If your pet chooses to be left alone, try to avoid intruding any more than necessary. What is the best bedding for a whelping box? Many breeders use shredded newspaper to line whelping boxes, but others prefer towels and blankets, wood shavings, or even sand. Should I keep my dog in the whelping box? A whelping box is designed to keep the newborn puppies safe, warm, and comfortable. Whelping means the process where a female dog gives birth to puppies. And a whelping box is a container or box designed to keep the puppies safe and warm. Having a whelping box makes it convenient for the mother to give birth comfortably. Female dogs are very protective of their puppies. Hence the nesting box offers a sense of security. Female dogs need assistance and a safe place to give birth. Hence, a whelping pen would be of great help. If your dog is about to give birth, it would be better to get a box or make it yourself. For a small dog like Pomeranian, you can convert a large card box into a whelping pen. You can put your creativity into the process and make a nesting box for your dog. If your dog is big, she might probably give birth to a large number of puppies. Hence, the size of the box should be large enough to fit the puppies and the mother. Furthermore, you can get the box from a pet store if creativity and DIY are not your forte. Here are some of the factors that you need to consider: The sides of the pen should be high enough that can keep the puppies safe for three weeks. Also, make sure that the mother can move to and fro freely. The size of the pen should be spacious enough for your dog and puppies. It should have enough space where the mother can feed her pups comfortably. In addition, it should allow them to move freely. It will help to keep the pups warm when the mom is not around. These are the factors that you need to consider while getting a nesting box. It helps the mother and the pups in the long run. You would notice the growth within the first few weeks. They can move and stand up over the sides of the whelping pen. By three weeks, they become mobile and able to move towards the edge of the nesting box. However, before it reaches that stage, you should take care of it diligently. Some pups would go astray and get lost. Hence, getting a box with proper height is essential. Sometimes the mother has to go out of the box for a nature call or food. The box offers a sense of security both to the dog owner and the mother. When the puppies are born, they have no control over their body temperature. So, while the mom is out, the box will keep them warm. However, you have to make sure that the bottom of the box is covered with a soft blanket. By three weeks, they will start moving, and some puppies might even get out of the box. So, the real chaos begins when they reach three weeks. It would be best if you were more careful than ever. How to Keep the Nesting Box Clean? Taking care of puppies can be quite tiring. Once the puppies are born safely in the box, it would be better to change the sheet or the beddings. The mother will take care of it. However, from the second to the third week, the real work starts. It will help if you make sure that the box is clean. While cleaning the box, you can keep the pups temporarily in a warm blanket. You need to replace the sheet or newspaper at least twice or thrice per day. However, keeping the box clean prevents the puppies from possible bacterial infections. It also helps to keep the puppies clean. You should see that the nesting box is clean and dry. So, like a responsible dog owner , make sure that the box is clean and warm. Changing the Whelping Box to Other Areas Once the puppies have passed the first week, you place the box in other areas. It will help them to get used to the new smell and sounds. However, make sure that the place is quiet and warm. Some kids would like to hold the pups, which would be too early and maybe dangerous. During the first two weeks, puppies are pretty delicate. So, it would be best to keep far away from children. The first three weeks are a crucial moment for you and the pups. The puppies are in their developing stage, and they need a quiet and calm environment to grow. So, you should make sure that puppies are kept safe and warm. They would be too young to take the regular food and would cause indigestion. But you can keep water for the mother. They get very thirsty while taking care of the puppies. She requires good protein and energy to keep the pups fed through her milk. You can place the food in the water once they can move or walk. However, make sure that the food is easily digestible. Also, puppies tend to eat food without a limit. So, you should give the food moderately. Overeating can cause indigestion and vomiting. Hence, it would help if you were careful not to overfeed them. It offers a sense of security to the mother and the dog owners as well. Having a nesting box helps to keep the puppies from going astray. The first three weeks are crucial for the puppies to grow and develop healthily. Having the right size of the whelping box can help both the puppies and the mother move freely. It allows the mother to breastfeed the puppies comfortably. If your dog is about to give birth, it would be better to arrange a whelping box. It offers safety and assurance to both the mother and puppies. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Stages of Puppy Development Birth to 3 weeks The first 20 days of a pups life it is not capable of much learning. The mental capacity is about nil. The pup will react when it is in need of food, sleep, warmth and its mother. During the first 3 weeks it is VERY important to look after the dam as well. She will in turn, look after the puppies. Once or twice a day the puppies should be handled by a human and they should be weighed daily. During the first 3 weeks most dams like to be in a warm secluded area, not in the family living area. Pups remain contently in their whelping box for the first 20 days of their life. Newborn puppies sleep most of the day away. No matter what the breed, this is the time when the dormant senses wake up. From day 21 to 28 puppies are in need of their mom more than any other time as their brains and nervous systems begin to develop and they become aware of their surroundings. As mom jumps out of the box, they suddenly watch her wondering where she went. Pups may start climbing out of the whelping box at this age, so it is time to expand their home. At this stage we add a small potty area beside the whelp box. If a puppy were to loose his mom at this stage it would greatly affect his emotional wellbeing. Emotional growth is just blossoming as the puppy realizes it is alive. It is also at this age that characteristics can develop like shyness and fear. Any negative characteristics that develop at this stage in life are often permanent personality traits. The puppies sleep 20 or more hours a day. They will not go far, but they will begin to explore. At this time we expand their area to add a play and eating area in the daytime. This is the time to move them out to the kitchen and family room area, where life is happening in the home. This is not the age to be in the back bedroom, garage or barn. During this time, a puppy will learn to respond to voices, sounds and recognize different people. The puppies in their group will establish a 'pecking order', some will want to lead and some will want to follow. The dominant ones will eat first and the omega ones will wait. The dominant ones can become bullies and hog all the toys. This is an important stage to watch to learn the temperaments of each puppy and should be used for placing puppies into the proper homes. Some scientific studies prove that if there is a bully in a litter that is making others cower and be shy it can set in traits that are very hard to turn around, but it is also important to leave puppies in a social group long enough to be adventurous and for the puppy to acquire some social competitive skills. On the same note, a puppy should never be allowed to get too pushy. While shyer puppies have to learn to handle themselves in social groups, a dominant puppy needs to learn it is not acceptable to be a bully. Different breeds need to be separated at different ages. Often if the bully is adopted out first the remaining puppies will loose some of their shyness. Puppies at this age sleep 18 to 20 hours a day. By 7 weeks, a pup is considered emotionally developed and ready to learn, but the pup does not possess an adult brain yet. At 7 weeks old the breeder of the pups can start crate training for an hour or two a day with 2 pups in a crate. This helps with separation anxiety. By 8 weeks of age a puppy should be able to go in a crate alone for a nap, and it is almost ready for its new home. A puppy should never be taken away from it's mother before weeks of age. The mother dog teaches the puppies in the litter manners, respect, social skills, and proper etiquette, along with many other valuable lessons. When a puppy misses this stage it can cause the pup to have future behavior issues as most humans do not understand natural dog behavior enough to teach the pup these things. What a puppy learns now will be retained and become part of who the dog becomes and his personality. Most dams stop caring for their pups by 7 weeks, as they have teeth and she pushes them away. If a pup is left with the dam during this period it's emotional development can be altered, as it remains dependent on her. The same can happen if littermates are placed together. They rely on each other instead of the new owner and they often do not find adequate security in their mom or littermate. They need their new owner to take over the role and it is important that the humans understand natural dog behavior in order to fulfill the puppies instincts and needs. First shots should be done at 7. When a puppy stays with his litter after 8 to 9 weeks of age without adequate human contact it doesn't adjust as well to a human social life. The optimum time to take a new puppy is from 8 to 9 weeks of age. It is always best to have a pup do his learning from his new owner and in his new home. Puppies are often adopted out at 8, 9, 10 or 11 weeks. Older puppies can do just fine if the breeder has spent a lot of time socializing them away from their littermates. Ideally 9 weeks seems to be the perfect age for most breeds to go to new homes. What the dog learns from 8 to 12 weeks will be with him forever. At this time the puppy must be introduced to other people and go for walks on the pavement street avoiding dirt or grass until it has had its 2nd shots. If the first shots are done at 8 weeks and second are done at 12 weeks it is a good idea to enroll in puppy kindergarten that starts right at 12 weeks. At this age on up to several months old, puppies will sleep 16 to 20 hours a day, give or take depending on the puppies energy level and the activity around them. Sleeping more during rapid growth sprurts. The sleep is broken up between night time sleep and naps during the day. It is common for a puppy to play hard, running around with bounds of energy, then suddenly crashing into a deep sleep. It is important to keep in mind that all puppies by this time have formed a general personality. Some are natural born leaders, some are middle of the road and could go either way and some are very submissive and really prefer not to lead anything. All puppies have an instinct to have a leader who can provide structure, because in their minds without it the pack cannot survive. Therefore even the most naturally born submissive dog may feel the need to take over as an alpha should they feel everyone else around them is too weak to care for the pack. These dogs are often very stressed out about their role because they really do not want it, but feel the need to lead just the same. After all, to them it's a matter of life or death. One of the biggest questions new owners call about is that the pup is an angel for the first couple weeks and then it starts to nip in an attempt to control things around it. This happens when a puppy does not see the humans as natural born leaders to which it can respect and it attempts to get the pack in order. If this happens it does not necessarily mean you got a bad puppy, but often means you are not being a good canine owner. Owners must be calm but firm and follow through. Set the rules of the home and stick to them. Teach basic obedience and how to heel on a leash. Do not let the puppy bolt out the door. Stay calm and confident and remember that dogs can feel your emotions. If you have emotional problems your dog knows and will see you as a weak being. Always remember to a dog anger is a weakness, so take a deep breath and control yourself. Should the puppy feel it is stronger minded than the humans it will not want to be at the bottom. Puppy owners should be prepared that the pup may attempt to establish itself as the dominant one in the family. This is where you need to understand a dog's natural instincts and learn their language so you can read them. It may see whether it can physically strike out at his owner like some teens and could nip or growl. Should this happen be prepared to stop the behavior immediately. It is kind of like kids wanting dessert before dinner or to stay up later. You just have to say NO. Each dog is different, just as kids are, therefore you need to figure out what works for you and your situation. If it is being aggressive one method is to pin it on its back and hold him there with a firm NO. If a pup is allowed to get away with bad behavior it will lose respect for the owner and learn that rebelling gets him his own way. The key is for the humans to be calm, confident and firm all at the same time. If you find yourself yelling or angry you as the human are out of control and need to learn how to portray yourself as someone your dog can look up to and respect. Dogs do not listen to unstable humans and anything but calm, confident and firm, to them is unstable. There should be zero tolerance for aggressiveness. Heaps of love and understanding will not stop bad behavior. A pup must be shown fast and firmly that you are the one in charge. If you have a good breeder who understands the dog even returning him for a few days can help as the breeder gets the dog back under control and you assess your own behavior and understanding of this animal you are trying to live with. Sending a dog away to be trained without training yourself never works, as the way your dog is acting often has more to do with the humans it is living with. This goes for any dog of any age. Learn how to groom your dog. Teach it to lie still for grooming and nail trimming. If you are having trouble call the breeder or a behaviorist for help. It is best to have earned a dog's respect and trust in regards to grooming by 16 weeks of age. A pups natural instinct will be to periodically try to test the order in the pack. Especially if there are children. If the owner is submissive, quiet and week, thus making the dog feel the need to lead the home, its respect for its owner will weaken and the owner will become inferior in the dogs eyes. In these cases the owner is destined to be owned by the dog and you will surely see behavior problems emerge. A puppy should have a good start on crate training when it leaves a breeder's home. Help your puppy feel secure by giving it its own bed and crate in a place where it can be alone when it needs some quiet time. It should be crated for one or two naps per day, especially when making and eating dinner and crated at night. It should not ever have the run of the house till after 6 months of age or housebreaking and training can become very difficult. A puppy should start formal obedience by 6 months of age, preferably sooner. Remember when you choose to adopt a dog you are choosing to take an animal into your home. The animal is not a human baby and humans are not born with canine instincts. Take some time to learn about the canine and be prepared to change your way of life to accommodate the new member of the family. The puppies have arrived. They have been weighed and identified; they have nursed and are now sleeping quietly except for the normal twitching. Now what? Your job is not over yet, in fact, it's really just beginning. Nutrition and Feeding The mother will be ready for some food and water. Bring the dishes to the whelping box, as she will not want to leave the newborn puppies. Do not leave the dishes on the floor in the whelping box, as the puppies could crawl into them. Hang the dishes from the side of the whelping box or offer her food and water at least every hours to start. She should be taken outside on a frequent and regular basis to relieve herself. Within days, the mother's appetite will dramatically increase to times her pre-pregnancy intake. She will need a near constant supply of a high quality puppy food do NOT use large breed puppy formulas, which are generally lower in protein, fat, and minerals and water to maintain her weight and health while feeding the puppies. She should not look gaunt or thin if her weight is maintained. Ideally, she should weigh the same at the time of weaning, as she did when she was bred. A healthy puppy is firm, plump, and vigorous. Puppies should nurse every 2 hours or so. If they nurse until their stomachs appear round and they sleep quietly, they are eating enough. If they are crying and moving a lot, they are not eating enough. They may be swallowing air, which makes the stomach appear larger. As they become weaker, they will lay still and not cry. Their weight should double in the first days. Before, during, and after nursing, the mother will lick the stomach and perineal area to stimulate urination and defecation. She will continue to do this for weeks. Weigh the puppy daily for the first 2 weeks, then weigh at least weekly. A food scale typically works well for weighing the puppies. Failure to gain weight is often the first sign of illness in puppies. At about 3 weeks of age, the puppies will begin to imitate the mother's eating and drinking. A secure shallow water dish should now be available at least part of the day. Prepare the puppy mush by placing 2 cups of high quality dry puppy food in a blender with .This should be blended until the consistency of human infant cereal. This feeds puppies of a medium-sized breed. The puppies should receive meals a day of this to start. Once the puppies have checked it out, walked in it, and have eaten some, the mother can be allowed to finish it and clean the puppies off. Each week, increase the amount of food, decrease the amount of the milk replacer and water that is added and the time of blending, so by 7 weeks of age, the puppies are eating dry food. Once they are on dry food, it may be left in with the puppies when the mother is out of the box or the meal times can continue. As the puppies eat more solid food, the mother may be let away from the puppies for an ever longer period of time. If the weaning is not rushed, she will naturally start decreasing milk production, as the puppies increase their intake of solid food. As the puppies begin eating the puppy mush at 4 weeks of age, start changing the mother's diet back to adult food to also help her decrease milk production. Keep increasing the adult food and decreasing the puppy food until by the 7th week postpartum she is eating only adult food. Hopefully she has been fed well during pregnancy and lactation so she weighs the same at weaning as she did before pregnancy. Want to learn how to save on your dog's veterinary care? Click here Sanitation and Housebreaking During and after whelping, the mother should be allowed to go outside to urinate and defecate. Take her out on a leash bring a flashlight if it is dark , and watch her closely, as she could have another puppy. The whelping box needs to be changed at least once a day at this stage, and times a day as the puppies begin eating solids and the mother is not cleaning up after them. A large heavy paper may be laid on the bottom, several layers of newspaper over that, and a tightly stretched blanket over the newspaper. The blanket should be large enough to fit under all 4 sides of the box. If the box was made so the sides set into the floor, the sides are picked up, the blanket stretched, and the sides set down to hold the blanket in place. Puppies can become lost under blankets or under wrinkles in blankets. When cleaning, check the consistency and color of the puppy stool. It should be brown and formed, but not overly firm. Any deviations and the veterinarian should be contacted. To facilitate housebreaking, the puppies should be given definite feeding, playing, sleeping, and elimination areas. Once the puppies are mobile, they will use one area for elimination. Cover this area with a layer of newspapers with cedar or pine shavings on top. The new owners then place a small amount of cedar or pine shavings in the preferred location of their yard to aid in housebreaking. Keep the elimination area clean and dry. Puppies head toward the heat source to nurse so do not have the heat source warmer than the mother. Hanging a household thermometer on the inside of the whelping box will help you know the temperature in the box. Puppies typically lay side by side or on top of each other to share warmth. If the puppies are scattered throughout the whelping box and away from the heat lamp, the temperature is too warm. If they are all piled on top of each other, it may be too cold. Puppies need the extra heat, as they are unable to regulate their body temperature until several weeks old. Health of the Mother Each mammary gland and nipple should be checked at least once a day for redness, hardness, discharge, or streaking color. If mastitis develops, the veterinarian should be notified immediately. If caught early, milking out the affected gland and applying hot compresses will help prevent a spread of the problem. Sometimes, antibiotics are necessary. If she gets multiple glands with mastitis, the puppies will need to be bottle fed. The puppies' nails should be trimmed weekly starting within days of birth. This will help prevent some of the scratches on the mother's mammary glands. The deciduous teeth start coming in around day .Check the mammary glands of the mother daily for bite marks. The mother will have a bloody discharge from her vulva which may be quite heavy for several days. It should decrease in amount and become darker and be almost gone within weeks. The mother's hair may have become very thick and luxurious during the pregnancy. Around the time of weaning, the mother starts to shed. This extreme loss of hair coat is natural and it should be back to normal in about another months. This shedding is more extreme than a normal shed cycle and some mothers become quite bald. This is often called 'blowing a coat. Click here Puppy Healthcare Puppies who are not thriving should be examined as soon as possible by a veterinarian to check for birth defects. Some defects, such as a cleft palate are not compatible with life. These puppies should be humanely euthanized. Dewclaws are removed and tails docked at days of age. Make an appointment with your veterinarian for these procedures to be done. Check your breed's standard, as some breeds need to have dewclaws left intact in order to show. Tail length changes, so again, the current breed standard should be consulted. When the puppies are at the clinic and having these procedures done, the mother should be taken for a walk around the block until the puppies are done. She should not be close enough to the clinic to hear the puppies crying. Once they are put back with the mother, the puppies normally nurse and then sleep. Vaccinations are started at weeks of age. Some breeders give a parvo virus vaccine at 5 weeks of age, if the puppies are at a high-risk. Ask your veterinarian if your puppies should be vaccinated early for parvo virus. They recommend puppy deworming for roundworms and hookworms start at 2 weeks of age and be repeated at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. Thereafter, use a heart worm preventive medication that is also effective against hookworms and roundworms. Foster and Smith suggest that owners of newly acquired puppies obtain the deworming history of their new pup and contact their veterinarian to determine if additional deworming is needed. The mother should be dewormed at the same time as the puppies. A health check done by a veterinarian at weeks of age before the puppies head for new homes should include checks for heart murmurs, hernias, cryptorchidism, demodectic mange, other parasites, eye disorders, etc. Normal puppy development The umbilical cord normally falls off within days of birth. Infections of the umbilicus are rare in clean, well-managed kennels. Puppies normally twitch and jerk while sleeping. This helps with the development of their nerves and muscles. The puppies crawl well by days, walk at 16 days, and have a normal gait at 21 days. They need to be on footing that offers traction. By 4 weeks of age, the puppies follow each other and carry toys in their mouths. They will play-fight with each other and learn how to inhibit their bites. If a puppy bites a littermate too hard, the littermate will yelp and stop playing with him. If the puppy is allowed to bite humans, he will not learn to inhibit his bite. It may be cute as a 7-week old, but it will not be as a 7-year old. Puppies are born without teeth. The deciduous baby teeth start to erupt at weeks of age. All of the deciduous teeth are usually present by 8 weeks of age. The puppies' eyes will open around days of age. The retina matures around 21 days of age. Puppies should see clearly by 4 weeks of age. Do not pry open the lids for any reason, as the immature eye is not yet ready to handle light. If the eyes appear swollen before they open, take the puppy to a veterinarian immediately as an eye infection may be present that needs to be treated to prevent loss of vision. Some puppies will take a day to open the eyes while others will take days. The eyes will have a bluish color to them at first and then change to their adult color over time. If the eyes appear white or solid blue, take the puppy to the veterinarian right away. The ears open at days of age. They should hear clearly by 4 weeks of age. Deafness may not be noticeable while the puppies are together and first noticed when the puppy is in her new home. Interactions Between the Mother and Puppies By the time the puppies are weeks old, the mother should have an area near the whelping box, but separate from the puppies to allow her time to rest. At about this time, the puppies will start trying to leave the box to explore. They should be well supervised and have safe toys available. The box at this point should be big enough to be divided between eating, sleeping, playing, and eliminating rooms. At this stage, a crate with the door removed and lined with sheepskin or a dog bed can be given to the puppies for sleeping quarters and to familiarize them with crates. Puppy Socialization Early socialization of the puppies will help them become confident and develop fewer behavior problems. The puppies should be exposed to everything possible from metal food dishes dropping, to vacuums, garage doors opening and closing, thunderstorms, sirens, garbage trucks going past, cats, and other pets, etc. Do not try to keep the area quiet during the day. The puppies need to get used to normal household noises. Children should be allowed to play outside the whelping box supervised so they do not enter the box or drop toys in , as children behave differently than adults. Everything the puppy is exposed to now, will help her become a well-socialized, unafraid adult. The puppies should be handled several times a day. They can be picked up, their teeth looked at, ears checked, toes played with nails will need a weekly trimming , and have anything that may be done as an adult started slowly now. Play helps to develop the puppy's mind, as he needs to find solutions to problems he encounters. If the puppies are not in new homes by 10 weeks of age, they should be separated from each other for a large part of the day and given one-on-one time with humans. They can have play times during the day, but they should eat, sleep, and be handled separately. Being in a kennel group situation beyond weeks of age decreases trainability. Ready to start saving money on pet wellness care? Then take a look at Mint Wellness, the pet wellness plan that provides fast reimbursement on routine pet care. Save on vaccinations, wellness exams, preventatives, dental, and more! A whelping box is an important item to have when puppies are about to be born. You can construct something yourself or buy a specifically designed boxes from pet stores. When can puppies leave the whelping box? Puppies can often leave the whelping box at 3 weeks old. At this age, puppies can move out of the whelping box as they become more mobile. Puppies can stand up and even climb out of the whelping box nest. At this age, puppies start to explore outside of their nest, to find out more about the wide and exciting world around them. Well, I can tell you that a whelping box will help you and the mother cope better with a horde of tiny puppies in their first few weeks. What is a whelping box? Also known as a nest or whelping pen, the whelping box is a container designed to keep the newborn litter in one safe and cozy place. The mother also likes to have a place where she can give birth to her puppies in comfort while having a sense of security. Whelping means to give birth hence the name of the box. It should be placed in a quiet part of the house and set up a couple of weeks before your dog gives birth. This gives her time to get familiar with the box. Image via Pixabay. What can I use as a whelping box? If your dog is a little girl, you could convert a large, sturdy cardboard box into a nesting box. You can make your own if carpentry is your hobby or you could go to the local pet store and buy a whelping box. What to look out for when picking a whelping box You need to make sure you pick a whelping box that takes into consideration the following factors: The sides are high enough to keep the puppies safely contained in their first 3 weeks but low enough for the mother to move in and out freely. The size is big enough to accommodate all the puppies being born. The bottom of the box may come with whelping pads or you can simply line it with newspapers and a soft blanket. Some breeders will use wood shavings to cover the floor of the box. Some whelping boxes come with an extension which is great for more active puppies who are still too young to leave the pen but are moving around quite a bit. Picking the right whelping box goes a long way to keeping mum and pups comfortable and secure. When is the right age for puppies to leave the whelping box? Puppies develop and mature very quickly in their first few weeks. A whelping box is designed to keep the newborn puppies safe, warm, and comfortable. Keeping the puppies in one place and even using a heat lamp will help keep them warm. And, when the mother needs time out, she can leave the box and get some space knowing her pups are all safe in one spot. A whelping box gives you peace of mind your puppies are well-protected, staying warm, and not disappearing once they start crawling. But be ready for the exodus once they reach 3 weeks old and might start walking! How do I keep the whelping box clean? If your dog gave birth to the puppies in the whelping box, you would need to change the bedding once all the puppies are safely delivered. Keep them warm with a blanket. Use a non-chemical cleaning detergent and warm water to wash out the box. Remove any dirty bedding and replace with clean blankets, newspapers or wood shavings. Some breeders do put in a litter box for puppies once they start crawling. This could be the first step to house training your pups. Do regular inspections throughout the day to make sure the whelping box is always dry and clean. Can I move the whelping box to other areas? Once your puppies have passed their first week, you could consider moving them to different areas in the house. But remember, you need to keep them warm so make sure there are no draughts and the puppies are not too intimidated by the new environment. Be careful also with handling newborn puppies when moving them. For the first 3 weeks, the puppies are small, developing, and can be easily disturbed by too much activity around them. Do I need to put food and water in the whelping box? The puppies will be drinking milk from their mother for the first 3 to 4 weeks, before moving onto water. For the first 3 weeks, you could keep a bowl of water in the box for the mother. She will be very thirsty while nurturing her puppies. However, once the puppies start becoming mobile keep both the water and food outside the box. Conclusion Get ready for a whole lot of fun, but also stress. She will take them no doubt but being able to help just a little with whelping boxes, nesting, and more will make it so much easier for you. You might also like…. During that first three weeks we weigh the puppies daily, trim their toenails every days, and put new collars on them every days as their growth is so rapid. The standard puppies are weighed on a regular digital scale and should gain an ounce a day at first and then up to ounces daily, whereas miniature puppies gain in a tenth of an ounce to start with and then an ounce or two a day. Jenny with litter at birth in 4' x 4' whelping box with lots of absorbent padding. Tasy in her "birthing bed" with the first three pups of the TS5 litter "Tasy" moves into her "doll crib" after the puppies are born - shown here at 3 weeks of age. We find it essential that the dam have food and water inside her whelping box the first week, however once she is willing to leave the box for short periods of time it can be set just outside the box, otherwise she will not eat and drink enough to provide all the milk needed for the puppies well being, and if you are not supplementing with goats milk, your puppies can suffer from dehydration. The standard dam has to produce almost two gallons of milk a day by the time a litter of puppies is two weeks of age. That's twice the amount a good dairy goat gives, who is at least double the dam's body weight. We find that goat milk, canned or fresh, is a much better supplement than the commercial formulas, as we have better weight gains and hardly ever have diarrhea in our puppies. If you have more than 8 puppies it is also essential that the dam's tail area and vulva be washed each time she goes out to go, as since there are not enough teats to go around there will always be a puppy trying to latch onto the vulva. The puppies can pick up bacteria and worm eggs, and a one celled organism called coccidiosis in this way which can lead to diarrhea. Mandy with AM3 Litter x Sterling at 1 week old. We practice what we call "giving the puppies an opportunity to learn" as a puppy raising method. We whelp the puppies in one corner of the living room where we have easy access to the box. We have found that moving the whelping box or puppy pen set-up on a weekly basis exposes the puppies to new scents and air currents and increases their adaptability and development by about two weeks, especially compared to puppies who are raised in the same corner until they go to their new homes. This is the first stage of their house breaking. Within hours the smartest puppies of the litter, barely able to crawl, will crawl out to use the paper and then crawl back into the whelping box. Within a few days the entire litter will usually be using the paper. Supplementing the puppies these first weeks gives us a good chance to play with the puppies feet, and get them used to their faces being handled for grooming, however even when we don't supplement we take time daily to handle every puppy and get them used to different textures, smells, and having their feet, faces, ears and tails handled. At three weeks of age when the ears open we start their cereal feeding, and use a soft clap with a "come, babies" command each time they are fed. This leads to the next step in the transition of removing the second box and the addition of a paper lined exercise pen to the whelping box at four weeks of age. At this time we start walking the puppies outside about every two hours from AM to PM. During this time ,the 4th-5th week, we teach them some basic commands - "in", "out", "potty outside", "walk", "watch", and continuing with their "come" command. Once they have understanding of these basic commands we then take them out to an outside play yard, regardless of the weather. It's really important to have this set-up close to an outside door if possible, or to use sections of an exercise pen to make an aisleway directly outdoors. Puppies can be carried outdoors, however their "potty outside" is learned much faster if they walk out the door in tune to the "out" command and the "potty outside" command at the same time. Usually within two days my standard puppies have quit having messes on the paper and are actually asking to go "out" - often at AM at this stage, and I do get up to accommodate them as this speeds their training amazingly, and I have a lot less mess to deal with - and less dirty crates when that time comes along. You can see that I do sleep within hearing of the puppies - usually until those we are continuing training with for their new families are weeks old. TS5 Miniature Litter - 2nd day of cereal feeding and 1st trip outside to the "big" world. We also start the grooming training at 4 weeks of age - starting with a bath with a soft water spray in a utility tub, and using a soft flow warm air dryer and a slicker brush - brushing the coat up the body toward the head, and up the legs toward the back as it dries. We always groom on a table, or the washer or dryer, or a counter - this is essential in getting the puppies used to being groomed on a grooming table and getting over any tendency toward the fear of heights. We cuddle them in our arms on the table to help them feel loved and secure, and to build their confidence level. We try to take pictures at birth, day old individual pictures, then every week thereafter for their new families, and for our albums. We also try to take litter shots as well at the various stages. I find that special touches add a lot of enjoyment, both for us raising the puppies, and for our families who are kept in the "link" of their puppy growing from infancy to toddler weeks. A Tasy x Promise Puppy before his first grooming and after his first grooming. My, oh my, what a difference!! We also start the worming program at four weeks of age - and this is really essential if you occasionally have a puppy that coughs after feeding, or vomits back up milk or cereal. Round worms are the one type of worm that the puppies can get in utero, and they grow as fast as the puppies. A heavy case of worms can often mimic other serious conditions in young puppies. It is also essential to use a low dosage of wormer in cases of heavy infestation, and at times give the puppy a few drops of oil by mouth, and possibly even an enema with a few drops of oil to help pass the worms. We use pyrantel pamoate for our first series of wormings. It is essential to worm every days until no worms are seen - these worms look like spaghetti - and once you see a litter of puppies pass them you never forget them. The wormer works in about six hours and is very effective. We have a computer generated health record that we complete on each puppy, and note all the worming's on it and on the litter weight records as well. Once the worming has been done, and if the teeth are coming in on the entire litter we start adding softened and mashed with potato masher kibble to the puppies cereal mixture - gradually reducing the rice baby cereal. During the next two weeks we gradually start adding cooked rice, cooked oatmeal, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, ground apple and carrot, and a supplement Green Vibrance which has microbials in it to their soft feed. As soon as the puppies are able to eat dry kibble well and not just play with it we gradually reduce the soft feedings to AM and PM. The puppies often prefer dry kibble during times of heavy teething, however dry kibble no matter how well promoted does not meet all of their nutritional needs. Also the more organically chemical, steroid, and low grade antibiotic free a puppy can be fed, the better for its health and longevity. We keep our puppies on microbials their whole life as this keeps their intestinal system in optimal health - they absorb more nutrients, they produce less fecal material, they are less prone to other bacterial infections, they don't have smelly gas, they are less prone to bloat typical in a number of large breeds , they have better pigmentation as a result of absorbing more nutrients. We have also found that since taking this approach to diet that puppy and show coats on adults are more luxurious. As you can see their fourth week involves a lot of changes for the puppies. At six weeks of age we start the weaning process - although most "mothers" have already started it. A poodle "mom" is the most devoted creature ever the first week or two, but after that usually reclaims part of her own life to be with her human family. She will return to the whelping box every few hours to take care of her puppies needs, but other than that spends her time on a blanket or pad outside the box. Using a higher powered water spray, a higher powered table dryer, and if the coat is still thin enough a palm pro clipper again to clip the face, feet, tummy and tail. At this time Mishelle also adds standing the puppy properly on the table and does the first scissoring around the tail head and up the rump - as much to get the puppy used to the sound and feel of the scissors as because there is that much coat to scissor off. This is also when we try to take the first pictures of the puppies in a nice stance to send to everyone. This also helps to train the puppy for standing on the table which benefits when we do the conformation evaluations at 8 weeks of age. Puppies fearful on the table are very difficult to assess. This is also essential for miniature puppies that are going to be shown. It's very sad when a miniature is put on a table in the show ring for the judges inspection, and is fearful. Just minutes a day on a table, being encouraged to stand and be touched, can make a remarkable difference in just a week. A Maddy x Calvin puppy at 6 weeks of age after her 2nd grooming Six weeks is also when we remove the whelping box, as the mother now just gets in with the puppies about 4 times a day and either sits or stands to nurse them. She also starts to regurgitate her feedings for the puppies at this stage. The teeth are starting to come all the way in at this time, and the puppies will start sparring, and at times will really yelp. They learn at this stage not to bite each other too hard, and this is the first step to them learning not to bite humans too hard. We often have families who want to get their poodle puppies at this age, especially if they are going to training in agility. We do not allow any puppies to go to their new homes until they are weeks of age, as we feel that they need the "sibling rivalry" stage to learn aggressive and defensive behavior - which is learned by their interplay with each other. Many of our poodles go to homes with runners, and I can't tell you how many times they have had to defend their owners from aggressive dogs of other breeds, and always successfully. You never know when your poodle may have to come to your defense, and the maneuvers they learn as puppies at this age are the foundation for their defensive techniques, increase their alertness, and the speed of their thinking and their reactivity time. I love watching the puppies develop their skills during playtime at this stage. It is their transition from infancy to toddlers. It is also at six weeks that we remove the whelping box replacing it with two small crates without the gates on. Our favorite crates are the Furrari's, as they just snap together, and the gates can be opened from either side and simply lifted off for this stage of training. The first night all the puppies will crowd into one small crate - then I will hear them in the middle of the night groaning and grumbling, and in the morning the puppies will be divided between the two crates. That day we add a third small crate, and go through the same process - which we repeat until there are two puppies per crate. We never put the gates on at this stage, just allow the puppies the freedom to sleep in or out of the crates, and to play with them. We estimate that a poodle puppy develops 21 years in it's first year. From infancy to toddler, to preschool, to kindergarten, to pre-adolescent, to adolescent, to pre-teen, to teenager, to post teen, and early twenties. Their intelligence is equivalent to that of many humans, and the learning of human vocabulary in a standard poodle is amazing. They are a joy to work with and to train, many almost training themselves. At this point we start giving the puppies rawhide chew bones to help with their teeth cutting, the cardboard rolls from toilet paper, paper towels, tape rolls, and small boxes that they can pack around, tear up and destroy. Much like a toddler builds a stack of bricks and then knocks it down destructive stage so also does a puppy need to go through this stage. So we give them things that don't cost anything, that are light weight, and the right size around for a puppy jaw to pick up. They love it. We also start giving the puppies soft and hard toys to play with, and also try to observe which puppies in the litter are water lovers - they play in the water and empty the container almost as fast as we can fill it. We often get asked for puppies that like water by families that boat, or live on rivers or lakes, or on house boats. We start watching closely for the different types of personalities that the puppies have, how they relate to each other, to new situations, to new people, to other animals they come in contact with. Those that are more adventuresome, more curious, more courageous, etc. We are also watching for activity levels and how they move. It is also at weeks that we take the puppies to the back yard to play - as they are then big enough to be taught to go up and down steps. We have closed back steps, and open backed steps like condos and the steps at the air cargo depots for them to learn on. This can be quite a challenge to some, and we usually have to delay this training with the miniatures for a couple of more weeks when they are a bit bigger. They are so proud of themselves when they achieve success in going up and down the steps, even though it is just three steps - and will run up and down just for the joy of it. In the back yard they also learn to drink from an automatic waterer, so that they don't fear the hissing sound as it refills. Having nice clean feet, faces, and tail head and rump helps us to evaluate the puppies much better, and they will score better when all can be seen and evaluated. We do not give the puppies any treats prior to testing, nor do we do any actual crate training in closed crates. At this age the puppies get their first bath in the grooming tub with a harder spray of water instead of in the utility tub. The Force dryer is used for the first time, and the Andis or Oster clippers. This is also the clipping that helps us to determine the color that the puppies might end up as - blues and silvers are born black, silver beige and cafe-au-lait can be born very dark brown, light apricots that are going to cream out - we study the nose, feet, heels, and under the tail and neck for signs of color change. Tasy x Promise Pup - Black - at 8 weeks! A Mandy x Sterling Pup - Silver - at 8 weeks. Silvers and blues are born black and change gradually - starting with the muzzle and feet We try to schedule temperament testing 16 tests and conformation evaluations a three page form using AKC breed requirements, International breed requirements, and Puppy Puzzle testing at 8 weeks minus or plus three days, as this is the most accurate time for assessing conformation before the puppy starts its rapid growth spurts. This is at times a little early for temperament testing, however as so many families want their puppies at 8 weeks of age, it is necessary to do this before the litter starts to go to new homes. Often our entire litters are reserved before they are even born, or at least by the time they are 6 weeks of age, and this helps us to match puppies and their capabilities and personalities and temperament to the homes they are going into, especially the puppies that are shipped across the United States. This also means asking our prospective families for lots of details about their home style, their activities, other pets or animals in or around their homes, and what they want to do with their puppy as an adult. We also help families at this point to decide the best age of puppy to suit their lifestyle, as many families in todays age have difficulty getting the time those first weeks to house train a young puppy. The weekly cost covers food, treats, training, vaccinations and wormings. Temperament testing is beneficial, although there are those that disagree. It is done in a strange place by a strange person. It's purpose is to note the natural instincts and adaptability of the young puppies, and our families have found our assessments to be pretty accurate as their puppies have developed. The disadvantage of testing at 8 weeks versus 12 weeks, is that puppies can be conceived over a ten day period. The gestation period is days, with all of the body development being in the first 50 days, and the weight gain being in the last days. If the bitch whelps according to the first puppy conceived, then the last puppy or puppies conceived may not have had much weight gain - however due to genetics it will not always be the smallest puppies. When we do temperament testing we also try to be aware of which puppies opened eyes first and last, which had teeth coming in first and last - as these can be indicative of which puppies in the litter are the oldest and the youngest - as the psychological development can also be different, with the thinking processes of the youngest not being quite as developed as the thinking processes of the gestationally oldest puppies. In temperament testing we are looking at social skills, inanimate object retrieving instincts, sensitivity testing, chase response, bird retrieving instincts, perseverance and motivation. These help to determine which puppies might be best suited as companions, service and therapy candidates, agility and obedience prospects, those with "bird" instincts, and very important today those with good search and rescue and tracking instincts. Conformation evaluations are where we literally take a puppies body structure apart and put it back together again - all on paper. We are looking for the few puppies in a litter that are the most correct by breed specifications in bone structure. As companions for runners, horse back riders, hikers, bikers, etc. Most of our standard puppies, after 10 years of breeding are quite structurally correct - however we try to match structural correctness, temperament and personality to the needs of a family. To be a pick of the litter puppy it must score high in all three areas. At times a structurally correct puppy may not have the best temperament for competitive events, and a senior family doesn't need a puppy with a high working drive. When we complete the testing we vaccinate each of the puppies and tattoo them with their individual identification number - that designates their dam, her litter number, and the number of puppy within the litter - in their left ear. This tattoo must be read and entered in the medical records of the puppy by the families veterinarian at the time of the "well puppy check" within 10 days of receiving the puppy for our 2 year from date of birth guarantee to go into effect. As soon as the testing is completed we start crate training the puppies. The first night two puppies are put into a crate with the gate on, and given 3 small treats. They are cuddled before being put into the crate, and we use the "in" command which they are used to. When they are taken out in the morning they are hugged and cuddled again, and given their "go potty outside" command as we take them "out" the front door. The second night they are crated individually, and are also crated during the day for short periods of time, to get them used to taking "naps" in their crates. They are always given three tiny biscuits when we want them in their crates, and usually within three days they compete to see who can get in the crates first and turn around for their treats. Usually at this age the puppies will crate from approximately PM to about AM without having accidents in their crates, however I do get up in the middle of the night and let them out if someone gets really fussy. In hot summer weather they at times need out during the night to get a drink just as much as they need out to go potty. We always make their last soft feeding of the day by PM, so that they have plenty of time to evacuate before bedtime. Remember poodle puppies are very smart, and if they get me up several nights in a row - I watch very carefully to see if they really needed to go - and if not they have just decided to get me out of bed for some extra attention and playtime - remember the pre-adolescent who wants another drink of water, etc. They will test their new families in the same way, and if they win they are ruling the family instead of the family ruling them. At this point the puppies are ready to go to their new homes to families living locally, or those driving from other states to get their puppies. If they are flying we keep them for two more weeks - and ship when they are approximately 10 - 12 weeks old. This allows us to start travel training and leash training of the puppies, and allow them to develop better holding capacity for daytime crating before shipping. Also it gives us time to receive family t-shirts worn until sweaty and placed in ziploc bags to give to the puppies in their crates three days before shipping. Having items of clothing which we tie into knots for a pillow or toy allows the puppy to get used to it's new families scents, and helps it to adapt and bond much more quickly. It also gives us time to ship their puppy pack to them, before the puppy is shipped. We follow up on our puppies for years, and encourage our families to keep in touch with us and contact us with any questions regarding nutrition, training problems or needs. We also board our own puppies back, which is wonderful as then we get to assess their development and personalities as adults. We have families now who purposefully plan their vacations for the Oregon Coast just so they can leave their much loved poodles with us - they come from as far away as Montana, Idaho, north eastern Washington, California, Utah, and of course the closer regions of Oregon and Washington. Unless we are expecting a litter imminently they get to come back and live in the house with us, and always enjoy playing with so many other poodles in our huge back yard, and side yard play areas. We also continue any training that is in progress on the younger puppies. A Mandy boy at 15 weeks! A Lucy daughter at 1 year - sent by her family in Idaho Many of our families also return with their puppies to take the one-on-one grooming classes with us - with Mishelle now being the primary instructor. Many of our families are now doing all of their own grooming, and even if they aren't have found the class very beneficial as they have learned what to expect from a good groomer. Many have returned for second and even third classes to learn advanced scissoring techniques, and several are now learning show grooming and handling from us as well. It's biblical that the older are to teach the younger - and we feel very strongly about this after not finding anyone willing to assist us when we first started out. We want those who have a true desire to become breeders of the poodles to start in the right way, learning to do the proper testing and research, taking part in genetic research projects, learn to groom their poodles properly, and to breed properly, caring for their whelping bitches and puppies correctly. Mishelle should have been in the picture with "Eve" but was in the Show Ring with her instead. She groomed 14 standards and 2 miniatures for this show. The poodle is a wonderful and unique breed - sharing life with it's family. For heating the pups in the whelping box particle board construction with adjustable entrance and pig rails , we have a lectro-kennel pad in part of it. There is a window into the rest of the shop from the room; for mama dogs' sake, I wish we had a window to the outside.But it's not a kennel setup, so it's not perfect. The pups stay in this room for weeks.When they are big enough to move outside, they spend the nights in a chain-link fenced kennel about 8 x 13 feet on gravel. If they have to be kenneled while we're home, then we can open that up to an adjacent kennel the same size. Puppy pen- I wouldn't use hogwire. We've had pups almost hang themselves in the stuff really young pups can hang up in diamond chain link too ; albeit I think the hogwire type fence we used had smaller increments than regular hogwire. Anyways, we supervised them closely when they were in this pen. Size-wise I think the largest you can provide, the better, as long as it's safe. We've used 10x10 too but it just seemed too small especially when they were weeks old. The cement blocks should work fine. Our puppy pens are on the grass and then we just move it around the yard when the grass seems to be getting too worn out.

Contact us for details! Our dogs are part of our daily life, romping in the fields, joining in the garden in the summer, or chasing the kids in winter playing in the snow. We have chosen strongly pedigreed dogs blessed with a loving disposition that have an innate desire to please. We are constantly learning more that we can do to enrich our puppies life from birth to 9 weeks in order to assure not only they, but our puppy families, have a healthy well balanced life. We are in the midst of establishing our name as a quality breeder of this ideal, loyal, and friendly dog. We make ourselves available to you, so feel free to email us, and we would be happy to tell you about these doodles we love so much. He weighs 28lbs and measures 16" from the floor to the top of his shoulders. Rosco is a very clever, fun loving and loyal little sidekick. He is happy to play fetch for hours or settle in for some couch time. Tilly Dam Tilly is a Double Doodle that weighs 35lbs and stands 20" from the floor to the top of her shoulders. Miss Tilly is a very sweet girl with a loving temperament. It takes a little bit to win her heart but once you do she will shower you with affection and bring you gifts! She loves to spend her time going on walks and showing off her bunny hopping skills when she runs through the fields. Daisy Dam Daisy is a Double Doodle. She weighs 35lbs and measures 20" from the floor to the top of her shoulders. Daisy is a very calm and loveable Goofball! Regardless of being one of our biggest doodles, she will climb onto anyone's lap for some cuddles. She is very clever and she takes her place in our pack as the Big sister making sure everyone minds their manners. Ellie had us all wrapped around her paw from the moment she got here so she is our Sweetheart. She is very calm and gentle and extremely affectionate. Reba Dam Reba is a Double Doodle that weighs 27lbs and measures .Reba loves the outdoors and is always up for a run. She is smart and learns very quickly. Reba is very low maintenance and has a very loving disposition with all dogs and humans alike. Maz is 20lbs and measures 15" from floor to the top of her shoulders. Maz is very clever and loves to socialize with humans and K9's alike. She is the perfect size for a house companion and has a gloriously soft and silky coat. A few weeks ago she asked if I would paint a portrait of Peaches. I was nervous, but I said yes! She brought Peaches to visit me at the gallery, along with a few of her favorite photos of the puppy. .Peaches is a sweet tempered, happy puppy, with a vivacious personality! Her curly hair bounces when she does! She has eyelashes that are, literally, 2 inches long!! No, really!! The first step I took in the process of creating a portrait of Peaches, was sketching her! I was feeling confident that I was capturing her personality by sketch, but, for me, translating the sketch from pencil to paint, is always a bit Rocky! I knew it may take a couple of attempts. .My first attempt was started on a color wash. At this point I still liked it! I could still see the end result that I wanted. I got a bit lost! The more color I added the heavier it felt. I'm not saying I won't go back and finish this one, but I did set it aside and started another one. I loved how it turned out and more importantly, Pam loves it too! I would love to try my hand at your furry friend! Message me to get started! Good Afternoon Chilliwack Labradoodle Families. As well we provided you with our website link to a list of "Our Favourite Supplies," and of course, your Litter Announcement! Without quality sleep, just like ourselves your puppy cannot learn as well and will not perform up to its usual standards. Whether we are talking about their crate or bed you want them to feel safe and comfortable so that they receive the best quality sleep they can have. Puppies need time to decompress especially during the first 16 months of life as they are experiencing and learning everything for the first time, this can be very exhausting for these little fur babies. It is very important to give them time and a soft, safe, and secure place to sleep. A place no one will disrupt them. In order to achieve this choose a smaller crate, with a nice soft crate mat preferably with a ledge for them to rest their heads. This is the deep bond we like to see our children have with our dogs. This is an opportunity to teach our children about understanding and the responsibility they have for their puppy's needs. While your puppy needs to know that their crate is a safe place and know nobody can get at them and they don't get out of on their own, our children need to understand this as well. A good equation to follow when you bring your puppy home is an hour out of the crate should equal the next hour in for nap time. Dogs instinctively never sleep where they go to the bathroom. If your crate is too large he will have room to go to the bathroom in a corner. To start we suggest a plastic crate. This will give your puppy the secure feeling of being in a den. A good size plastic starter crate for your puppy would measure approximately 28"L X 20"W X 21"H As your puppy grows into a full-grown dog he will probably prefer a metal or wire crate. These crates are cooler, especially in the summer months. Chilliwack Labradoodles will have already begun to introduce your dog with the crate, your dog will be familiar with her crate and see it as a safe place, "their den. Often puppies and dogs also like the idea that no one can see in, this can be comforting to them. It is said that the equation for this is one hour for each month the puppy is old. For the first three months, I would say that is a bit excessive. When you bring your puppy home I would suggest one-hour intervals in the crate would be more the norm. Except of course when your puppy is sleeping, if they fall asleep in the crate and are sleeping for hours that is perfectly ok let them sleep. If you have to run out every now and again once in a while, three-hour intervals would be perfectly fine for a three-month-old puppy. As discussed we want your puppies crate to be a place they want to be, whenever you put them in the crate get in a good habit of putting their favorite bone or a stuffed Kong into the crate. They will be content to be in their crate and able to exercise their brain as well as help with their teething. Puppies cannot see, hear, regulate their heat, or even eliminate when they are born. Their nose is the one sense that they have to rely upon. As you may guess they can detect scent with their nose, their nose has another very important purpose, their nose can detect heat and it leads them right to their one and only heat source, their mother. They rely on their mother to stimulate them to potty, she provides them with all of their nutrition, keeps them warm, and attends to their every squeak or cry. While Momma still needs to help the puppies eliminate and cleans up after them they are starting to do some of this on their own. For the past week, the puppies have scooched around on their tummies working on building strength for the big day when they could stand on all fours. This week we have watched each of them begin to pull themselves up onto all fours and wobble about like Bambie. It is truly beautiful to watch. When the puppies' eyes open they can see outlines and shapes but they still cannot hear. Their ears start to open closer to three weeks old, it will often take longer than three weeks for this to occur. He was born weighing grams today he weighs a healthy 1. Blue wears a Caramel or Red Coat. Red Peach Delight boy, born at am. He weighed grams today he weighs a healthy 1. Red wears a Caramel or Red Coat with white flash. Purple Glo Haven Peach girl, was born at am and weighed in at grams today she weighs a healthy 1. Purple wears a Caramel or Red Coat with a star of white flash under her neck. Black Peach Fuzz boy, was born at am, weighing in at grams today he weighs a healthy 1. He wears a Caramel or Red Coat with white flash. This week we hope to learn more about your lifestyle, hobbies, interests, and family make-up. This information will assist us in matching each puppy to their forever home. As well you will see this week we have information regarding exercise, puppy food, eating routine, and alone time for your puppy. As I am sure you are aware there is a wealth of information out there regarding diet and what to feed your dog, unfortunately very little if any are actually based on Scientific Studies. We recognize and appreciate that RAW Food feeding is not for everyone and respect your choice in sticking with the higher value kibble Nutrience Sub Zero if that is what you choose to do. We believe maintaining a raw diet along with kibble will help ensure a balance of nutrition for our dogs. Not only is it a superfood but dogs LOVE it! Tripe is a natural probiotic that helps dogs digest and processes the micronutrients in their body, increasing the production of good bacteria and helps lower levels of yeast. This in turn will mean a happier healthier dog with less risk of ear infections and GI issues for now and the future. What I usually do is buy a bag of Carnivora Beef Green Tripe, take one pattie or brick put it into the fridge in a sealed container. Dogs can eat as much tripe as they like. Tripe is not considered a well-balanced whole meal, your dog should be eating either a RAW diet or Nutrience SubZero with the tripe. Tripe is great for any dog with a low food drive, they usually cannot resist eating it! You can soak its kibble in the milk or give some in a bowl to lap up, with the cheese you can sprinkle an approx a tablespoon amount onto your dog's food or break pieces off for training treats. If you decide to do this I would alternate the goat products. Feed the quail egg to your dog RAW! I try to encourage mine to eat the shell some will some won't, if they don't I just mix the egg into their meal and pick the shell out. Labradoodles are notorious for a low food drive. When feeding your puppy or dog it is important to have variety in what they are eating, to both keep them interested in their food and to ensure they are receiving the well-rounded vitamins and nutrients needed to be at their healthiest. There is no need to worry this is completely normal. You will get to know your puppy, her preferences, and when she is holding back just to see if you have something better to offer! If your puppy does not finish their food simply put it into the refrigerator and bring it out at their next meal. Puppies and dogs will never starve themselves. There are not enough essential nutrients in any of the foods dogs eat that will satisfy all of the nutritional requirements needed for optimal skeletal development and sustainment. Bones make up a large portion of your dog's diet. Dogs can eat any kind of bone providing it is RAW! NEVER give your puppy or dog a cooked bone! We give our dogs frozen bones they are great for teething puppies and provide psychological stimulation for both puppies and dogs alike. They will eat the entire bone and this is what you want. It is not so much about the meat on the bone as the bone itself. If your dog is not interested in her raw food substitute it with the raw bone. If the bone you are offering your dog has more fat than meat this is ok if you are feeding it to them sparingly say once every other week. Some other great options for raw bone with meat on are turkey, chicken, lamb or duck necks, beef or buffalo knucklebones, duck frame or rabbit legs are just a few. If you feel your dog is not getting enough raw bone in her diet you may want to consider adding another source of calcium into their diet in the form of a calcium vitamin. You can purchase raw meat on bones at any quality pet food store or if you find a butcher or poultry farm in your area they will often be happy to provide you with various raw bone on products for reasonable pricing. One of the items you will find is a list of Chilliwack Labradoodles recommended foods we have also provided it at the end of this pup date. When feeding your dog any food whether it is kibble, raw, or dehydrated raw you need to follow the food guidelines on the package as to how much your puppy needs. How much raw meat should I feed my puppy? This a broad range as it varies between puppies. Like humans, some puppies have faster metabolisms than others. Some puppies are more active than others and it also depends on your lifestyle as well. Again you really do need to get to know your dog, if you put her food down and she eats it all and is looking up at you for more. If she eats a bit and leaves the rest in her bowl, put it into the refrigerator and give the rest to her at the next meal. There are many other types of meat to choose from when it comes to variety, rabbit, venison, and bison are a few others. The vegetable chosen for this particular meal will help prevent some of the yeast-driven irritations common to dogs. Such as ear infections, skin irritation, biting off their feet, and even dragging their bottom on the ground. The yeast buster blend will help combat these issues. You can add the frozen yeast buster vegetable to any meal. You will find one in your area that you prefer over the others. The manufactures dehydrate the meat at such a low rate most of the nutrients remain in the food. Smack is highly concentrated and you only need a little bit for your dog or puppy. You will need to follow the directions on the bag carefully. We suggest adding it in some way to your puppy or dog's diet so they are used to it. Smack is a great alternative to a full raw diet while traveling or if you need to leave your puppy or dog with a sitter while you are away. Smack is sold at some pet stores. We usually order it online. While they are a whole meal we often use them as treats for our dogs. You can buy this kibble at any Pet Smart location and a few select independent pet stores. Nutrience Sub Zero is a grain-free product that is made in Canada. It is the only Canadian-made kibble that has protein derived from sources that are digestible and extractable by dogs. Many dog foods have peas or lentils up at the top of their ingredient list as those are inexpensive sources of protein. This way the food manufacturer is able to claim a high protein percentage for their food without having to spend a lot of money to get the rating. Nutrience Sub-zero has meat as its primary source of protein making their percentage claims far more accurate than other foods. This means you feed less of the product making the food less expensive than others. This is a terrific natural source of fiber. As a puppy, a teaspoon of pumpkin with their meal is what we recommend, as a grown dog a tablespoon is what they will need. Take your feeding one step at a time; this will help you from becoming overwhelmed with all of the new information!

Raising a puppy while working is tough, but it can be done. Puppies have different needs depending on their age. After those intense first few weeks, things ease off. A combination of planning, friends, and paid help will certainly be a great support for you. Oh, those puppy eyes! Leaving that adorable bundle of cuteness is hard, but is it fair? Actually, yes it is. This can make them over-dependent on people. How long can puppies hold their pee? This is the number of hours they can hold their bladder. For example, a two-month-old pup can hold for three hours max. A four-month-old pup can hold for five hours. This equation levels out at around 6—7 months, with no dog being comfortable holding their pee above eight hours. Excluding comfort breaks mean risking the puppy getting confused about potty training, therefore, leading to an untrained dog. This raises the question: What to do about the dog while at work? The answer is to get help. They need toilet breaks at least every three hours for more options see the Toilet Training section. Somehow they need walks outside for potty training and a game to amuse them. This means planning ahead. Popping home in your breaks; Having a friend or neighbor called in; Employing a dog walker or puppy sitter to drop by; Leaving pup with a friend; Doggie daycare. And to plug the gap a dog walker calls in. But this still means leaving the puppy alone for some of the days. How do you keep your puppy happy? Keeping Your Puppy Happy People have strong opinions about whether raising a puppy while working full time is fair to the dog. Moreover, raising a puppy in an apartment! Their main objection is that puppies need companionship and plenty of play. Of course, it fills you with sadness to think your pup might miss out, so what to do with a dog while at work? Rule 1 is to leave the puppy pleasantly tired. This means plenty of play before heading out to work. Problem one sorted! Rule 2 is to give the puppy plenty to occupy them in-between visits. As well as the friend playing with the puppy, have a variety of toys and games pre-prepared for them to pop in with your pup when they leave. Rule 3 is to think about your puppy's safety before you leave. Make their space safe from things that could harm or scare them. Hide the glass vase, put away cutting or piercing objects, and dog treats, so your child doesn't eat too much. If you need even more reassurance that your dog is safe and that you can leave them alone, there is a solution. So you can be prepared if something happens to your four-legged friend in your absence. Freeze the Puzzle Feeder: In warm weather, freeze the food-filled Kong. It will take the puppy hours to lick out their meal. This provides great mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in. Safe Chew Toys: Make sure the toy is sturdy enough to be left with a teething puppy. Smear the toy with peanut butter, to make it extra tasty. The Cardboard Box Trick: Seal a treat inside a cardboard box. Let the puppy chew through to the treat. Rolled-up Newspaper: Put a few pieces of kibble or a treat inside a rolled-up newspaper. Add tape around it to stop the treats from falling out and offer it as a chew toy. You get the idea! No one said that doing it while working was easy! It hurts to be away from your pup. Petcube is more than a pet camera although this is important. While at your desk, Petcube shows what your furry friend is up to right there and then. More than this, you can speak to your pup through Petcube. Establish good behaviors, even from a distance. With Petcube dog camera you can praise them for resting peacefully and get them into good habits. As virtual pet sitting goes, Petcube spells furry fun for your pet pal. Preventing Separation Anxiety If the puppy links your disappearance with long hours of tedium, they may cry for you to return. This can become a learned behavior, where the dog cries when left alone. Preventing this means leaving boredom busters for the pup to play with see above. And you can always discuss tips for raising a puppy with a vet online! So when you leave, you make a big fuss, give lots of cuddles, bury your face in their fur, and apologize for going. Heck, you may even shed a tear or two. But what message does this send to the pup? Puppy cries when left alone. You soothe their crying, hence rewarding their anxiety. This is a pattern of action and reward which ends with the dog always acting up when you leave. In fact, sneak out. Play with the pup ahead of leaving. Then settle them down with a chew stick. Also, shake up your leaving routine. Change the order in which you put on your coat and pick up the car keys. Go out through different doors. So how to potty train a puppy when you work? The Puppy Pen Method A puppy that regularly soils themselves will stop trying to hold on. Down this path lies the dog that is not house trained. Encourage and praise the puppy to use the pads as a toilet. Done badly, a crate is a prison and a place that a puppy will hate spending time in. How to potty train a puppy with a crate? If necessary, buy a larger crate but use a partition to get the size right. Then make the crate super comfy with a soft bed and some toys. Good Things Happen in the Crate Hide treats in the crate and let the puppy find them. Put great toys in the crate. Feed the puppy in the crate with the door open. The idea is that the puppy will begin to link the crate to good things. Reward Calm Behavior Feed your puppy in the crate and briefly close the door. Praise their calm behavior and then open the door. Gradually extend the length of time the door is closed. Be sure to tell your pup how clever they are for remaining calm. This rewards their good behavior, rather than crying. Leave the Room With your puppy in the closed crate, leave the room for a few seconds. Only return when they are quiet and then let them out and give lots of praise. Well done! You now have a crate-trained puppy. Your puppy is kept safely away from objects they may chew or swallow; They feel safe in their den; It promotes good bladder and bowel control. First, crate train your puppy, and second, arrange for regular toilet breaks at appropriate intervals. Before leaving for work, play with your pup and take them out for a potty break. When they go, give the usual praise and reward. Then pop your pup into the crate with a safe chew toy. Make a low-key departure for work. Check that they are OK via Petcube. Have a friend pop in to give them a comfort break. For a week-old puppy, make sure this is at least every 3 hours. Take your pup to the potty training spot by this time they should be busting , and praise and reward when they go. Play with your pup and then settle them back down into the crate. Repeat this throughout the day until you return home from work. Few puppies have any bladder control before 8 weeks of age and this basically answers the question "can I leave my 8 week old puppy home alone? Some pups learn faster than others, so be patient. Set Up for Success Recognize when a puppy is most likely to pee. A puppy is easily distracted and will probably play with a leaf rather than concentrate on the job. Never Punish a Puppy When a puppy has an accident in the wrong place, never smack or rub their face in it. This makes toilet training harder, not easier, as a puppy learns you have an irrational dislike of their bodily function. Clean Accidents Effectively Clean up spills with a good deodorizing cleaner. This removes scent markers that might draw the puppy back to the same spot. Plan ahead, ask for help, and use Petcube to raise a puppy through those demanding early days. The reward is a well-adjusted adult dog with a wagging tail to welcome you home at the end of a long day. Plus, you can always have a peace of mind for your pup in case of a critical medical emergency. Petcube has got you covered for that as well. Woofs to happy puppies! Was this article helpful? Schools Hospitals The veterinary clinic. Plus puppies are a great stress relief and your puppy may be just what the staff need to get through a hard day. Not only does it keep them healthy but it may also decrease the tendency toward poor behavior and helps them sleep. There are many things you can do with your Golden Retriever beyond just neighborhood walks, here are some suggestions: Swimming. Even puppies can swim, just take the time to introduce them slowly to deep water. Throwing a toy helps. Playing catch. Playing ball is great exercise, just avoid tossing things like discs where they may try to jump and injure them selves Tug of War. Gentle tug of war is a great game that most Goldens love. Playing with other puppies or similarly sized dogs Chasing the kids around the yard. Have them drag a rope toy and run let your pup catch it every once in a while. This has the added benefit of exercising your kids too. Training your Golden Retriever puppy is essential, he or she needs to understand what is good behavior and what is not. Golden Retrievers are very smart dogs who learn quickly and enjoy training with their people. House training and teaching basic commands is an essential part of raising a Golden Retriever puppy. Additional training, whether that is advanced obedience or training them to do tricks, can be a great way to enjoy your puppy and creating a lasting bond. Golden Retriever puppies are able to learn as well as adults by 8 weeks of age. Even younger pups can learn basic behaviors like sit with just a little patience. Here we give a few suggestions, but we have a fantastic article on Training your Golden Retriever that goes into detail. Here are some commands every dog should know. Your Golden Retriever puppy should come right away every time you call. Carry treats in your pocket and practice this command everywhere you go. Coming when you call could save your dogs life one day. This one is critical for when you want your Golden to stop jumping on guests or when you want your pup to calm down. It can also be used in place of sit for not jumping on guests. Leave it. This one is important to get them away from that dead animal they want to roll in, the goose poop they want to eat, or the pacifier that your neighbors toddler dropped in front of your pup. Yes wait not stay. This means walk by my side without pulling on the leash. Some Fun Tricks and Commands to Teach Your Dog One of the best parts of raising a Golden Retriever puppy, is seeing first hand how smart they are and how much they love learning new things. Here are a few just for fun things you can teach your dog. Bring it. Point to a toy or object and have them bring it to you. Turn off the light once they are big enough to reach the switch. Off is easier than on but they can learn that too. Jump through the hoop. All you need is a simple hula hoop and a partner. Note Golden Retriever puppies should not jump higher than a inches before 6 months. They should not jump more than shoulder height before 1 year of age when their growth plates are closed. High five. Yup this is exactly what it sounds like, having your pup give you a high five. Be careful not to use the same hand signals for other commands. For example holding your hand up by your shoulder usually means sit, so you should hold your hand in a different spot for high five. If you are loving teaching these tricks, AKC has a Trick dog title you can earn with your dog. Or if you love dancing, canine freestyle, dancing competitions for you and your dog might be fun for you. Again, this could be an entire article on its own, but since I have not written one, I have included a link to a video that I think will be helpful. What I like about this trainer is his emphasis on positive reinforcement rewards and NO punishment negative reinforcement. This is exactly the technique I used to train my own dogs. See what you think. For other helpful tips see our article on article on Training your Golden Retriever. Also, you will discover while raising your Golden Retriever puppy, that they can be a bit exuberant or really hyper in the case of some field bred lines , check out this article on How to Train your Golden Retriever to be Calm. Dogs are by instinct more comfortable sleeping in a den a confined space with only one opening. Staring crate training early will make sure everyone in your household gets the right sleep. Even if you plan on letting your Golden pup sleep in your bed again I remind you they will be big dogs, so prepare for a bed hog , crate training can be helpful as a safe place for your pup to stay while you are not able to watch them. This is especially important if you plan on raising a Golden Retriever puppy while working. See our article on How to crate Train a Golden Retriever for tips. That is where some really great dog toys come in. This critter is on of our favorite toys for Golden Retriever Puppies. It is fairly sturdy so it can handle a lot of shaking and a little bit of tugging. Plus it is just really cute and will pose well with your pup for all sorts of photos. Make sure to watch your puppy carefully. You may need to change types of toys as your puppy gets older. Many companies claim their toy is chew proof but there is no such thing. However if your puppy becomes a moderate chewer, here are two that my dogs enjoy. Best Ball Toy View on Amazon This ball is made of tough rubber and is a different texture than the ever ubiquitous tennis ball. My dogs can pop, skin and take apart a standard tennis ball in about 5 minutes, making it both a hazard and a waste of money. They come in a couple of sizes so you can get the larger ones as your puppy grows. Here I have recommended the 3. It comes as a set with a ball thrower and a ball but you can get the balls separately if needed. The good news is that inside is a regular Kong toy so even after they remove the fabric, your pup will still have a toy to play with. The Wubba is great because they or you can throw it around, play tug, or just fetch it. They do come smaller for younger puppies. For more dog toy ideas and recommendations, check out our article on the Best Dog Toys for Golden Retrievers. This needs to start early with letting them get used to normal things like brushing, bathing, and dental care. You should gently brush your Golden Retriever puppy as often as times a week for just a few minutes. It is not that they need it, as much as you are training them that the brush is nice and feels good. Wait until they are sleepy and treat it like a petting session at first until they get used to the idea. For the rest of the list of recommended brushes here is the Full article, Best Brushes for Golden Retrievers. When to bathe and groom your puppy might become obvious. I find that there is not much of a need to put dates in the calendar because they find something to get into that necessitates a bath every couple of weeks. The first veterinary visit should be right after you bring your puppy home even if the breeder or shelter has already started their puppy shots. At that visit your veterinarian will make sure your pup is healthy and recommend the preventative care your pup needs. This may include a series of vaccinations to protect against common infectious diseases, heartworm and intestinal worm preventatives, and flea and tick medication. It takes tons of time, money and dedication. If you are not a professional breeder or are not willing to do all of the things necessary to become a responsible breeder, then your puppy should be spayed or neutered. For detailed information in this required surgery and when do have it done, see our article on Spaying and Neutering Golden Retrievers. Conclusions on Raising a Golden Retriever Puppy Following these essential steps when raising a Golden Retriever Puppy will help you to have a happy, healthy family member for years to come. As a new puppy parent, leaving your new Golden Retriever puppy alone can be a very stressful and guilt-ridden experience. However, you can ensure that your puppy is calm and well adjusted when being left alone with some planning and preparation before returning to work. So, how do you raise a Golden Retriever puppy while working? The key to raising a Golden Retriever puppy while working is knowing what to expect beforehand and implementing a structured plan. A plan that includes home preparation, teaching your puppy to be alone, and enlisting help when necessary will make the process manageable and less stressful. When working and leaving a Golden puppy alone, the main issues are that puppies need to relieve themselves frequently and require plenty of exercise and socialization. Puppies are also very dependent on you, especially when they are very young. A Golden puppy left alone for too long may experience separation anxiety and other behavior problems. To do this, you have two options; a dog crate or using a playpen, baby gates, or a room in the house to create a confined area. A dog crate is an excellent option for short periods. Dog crates can provide your Golden puppy with a sense of safety and keep them secured when you are not home or not able to supervise them such as when cooking. Most Golden puppies will love their crate if you make it a positive experience , so crate training is an excellent idea. However, the crate is a smaller space. Some puppies may do better with more freedom, especially when your Golden Retriever puppy becomes a bit older and larger in size. For puppies that are 4 months or less, an hour or two is all they can handle in a dog crate. No dog should be crated for longer than 4 hours, puppy or not. They need to be let out to do their business and stretch their legs. Dog crates are a tool, not a prison. The advantage of the confined space option is its larger size. Your Golden puppy also has more space to move about and play. Depending on what you use to cordon off an area for your puppy e. If the confined area is large enough, you can also place the crate within that space with the door open this is a great option. Your puppy can then use the dog crate when and if desired, and it gives your puppy an additional layer of security. Puppy Proof the Confined Area Are there toys that your puppy can easily pull apart and choke on? Are there items that, if swallowed, could cause poisoning or stomach issues? Can he be cut or get entangled in anything? Can he snag an ear, paw, or tail? You get the picture! Whether opting to use a crate or confined area, make sure the place you have chosen for your Golden puppy is safe and free of hazards. Expect Accidents Golden puppies will have potty accidents as they adjust to being left alone. Just remove your puppy from the enclosed area and clean the mess with no emotion. Just continue to do your potty training as you normally would. As your puppy gets older, accidents will become less frequent. With age, your Golden Retriever puppy can hold its bladder longer and will learn to wait until it can go outside. Adjust Your Schedule If possible, you should take a week off work when bringing home an eight-week-old puppy. This time is not for formal training, such as teaching your Golden puppy to walk on a leash, sit, or lay down. It is for establishing a trust bond and for potty and crate training only. Taking a week off now will make the return to work much easier. Once you go back to work, if you have the flexibility to come home during lunch or at other times during the day, that would be ideal. Depending on how far your commute is and how well your relationship is with your boss, this can work very well. Not only is this option inexpensive, but you can spend time with your puppy, which helps alleviate the guilt of leaving him alone. In addition to allowing your puppy to relieve itself, you should take your Golden puppy out for some exercise and play. And you never know, some workplaces allow employees to bring dogs to work. Introducing your Golden Retriever puppy gradually to being left alone for increasing amounts of time will help the puppy adapt more quickly. Just understand that it may take some time. When teaching a Golden Retriever puppy to be alone, an excellent way to begin is to place a high-value chew toy in the crate or confined area with your puppy. Then leave the room for 30 seconds to a minute or less and return. Reward your puppy and give him praise. Gradually increase the time you are away. In a few days to a week, you can build up to a fair amount of time. Fawning over your puppy and giving hugs and kisses goodbye may benefit you. However, it teaches your puppy to become anxious every time you leave. Leave the hugs and kisses for when you come home. When possible, look for opportunities to put your puppy in the crate or the confined area while doing other things. For example, while tidying up the kitchen or cooking a meal. Although your puppy may still see or hear you, it reinforces the concept of being away from you for extended periods. Most will do it at their home and have multiple dogs, but some will offer to come to your home privately at a higher cost. Some dog walkers will also provide dog sitting as an added service. A dog sitter is an excellent option when your Golden puppy is very young. As mentioned previously, a puppy under 4 months of age should not be crated for more than an hour or two, and they require more attention. A dog sitter will not only give your puppy ample attention but oversee potty and possibly crate training. Puppies are usually not fully vaccinated until 16 weeks. Once your Golden puppy is fully vaccinated and 4 months of age or older, you can then explore the option of a dog walker or doggie daycare. Dog Walkers Dog walkers can be a great option depending on your budget. They provide potty relief for the pup, exercise, and much-needed socialization if the service includes walking with more than one dog. There are many good dog walkers in most areas that are reputable and do good work. Your job is to screen them to ensure they are respected, good at what they do, and utilize positive training methods only. You do not want a dog walker that punishes your puppy for misbehaving. You should also be very clear with a dog walker on any expectations you have. Doggie Daycare Doggie daycare is also a great option but can be more expensive than dog walkers. But not always, so if there are a few in your area, check out prices. The doggie daycare will have multiple dogs and areas for playing. They will also feed your dog if necessary provided you bring the food. Like dog walkers, you want to ensure the business is reputable. Inquire about how they select their dogs and what they do when there are disagreements. They should not allow aggressive dogs in their facility. As for references, if you want an extra level of confidence. A well-run doggie daycare will also require your dog to be spayed or neutered. The advantage of the right doggie daycare is your Golden puppy is in a controlled environment and has socialization all day. A reputable doggie daycare provides supervision and structured play. The disadvantage could be if your puppy has a bad experience with other dogs, it may cause him to be fearful. Family, Friends, and Neighbors Most people love puppies. Often family members or friends will jump at the opportunity to pop in and play with your puppy. Alternately, if the puppy is less than 4 months of age, a family or friend may enjoy the opportunity to be a full-time dog sitter. This could be a good option until your Golden puppy is old enough to be alone for a much longer time. If you opt for these solutions, make sure any family member or friend you choose has the right temperament for watching your puppy. You may need to give them some instruction on how you want them to handle your Golden puppy. And that should be positive-reward-based training, not punishment, based. Neighbors can be a great resource if you have a good relationship and trust them. Like friends and family, make sure your neighbor is onboard with your training methods. Your neighbor should also have a personable temperament. Additional Tips Exercising your Golden puppy before you leave the house is a good idea. A walk before getting ready for work can be beneficial. Exhausting pent-up physical and mental energy will help reduce anxiety. Golden Retrievers are smart and can quickly learn and recognize your routines. If possible, get dressed and do your morning ritual where you are not seen. If your puppy learns the signs that you are getting ready to leave the house, it may increase anxiety levels. Leave plenty of chew toys and bones with your puppy. Puppies usually have a few high-value toys they cherish or a toy that comforts them. Communicate your expectations clearly to anyone watching your puppy. It can be awkward firing someone you have a relationship with or often see. Leave a radio or television on while you are away. Ensure the volume is not too loud, and the content is relaxing. It provides background noise for your puppy and can drown out other outside distractions that could cause anxiety. Final Thoughts Leaving your Golden Retriever puppy alone while working can be difficult. Understanding the challenges and issues involved is an excellent first step. Implementing the right plan that addresses these issues will help ease any separation anxiety for both you and your Golden puppy. Take comfort knowing that your puppy will be fine, and so will you. Many puppy parents have full time jobs and we will also be looking at raising a golden retriever puppy while you work. Socialising your Golden Retriever Puppy Every new puppy owner will hear about the importance of puppy socialization. But not all puppy owners carry out this important process effectively. Socialization means introducing your puppy to many new experiences before they reach the age when they become shy of strangers and strange objects. That age is surprisingly young and most dogs need to be socialized fully before they are 13 weeks old. That means you need to get going right away with your new Goldie pup! Your puppy needs to meet lots of different men and women, in different situations, children, other dogs, trains and lorries, and much much more. All from the safety of your arms. And all before he or she is four months old Puppy socialization is vital because it helps to prevent dogs becoming aggressive and increases the retention rate of puppies in their homes. No matter where they happen to be. TIP: Baby gates help keep small puppies in areas with washable floors By eight months things will be very different. Your puppy will be able to last several hours without emptying their bladder, and will have learn to use the appropriate areas for bathroom purposes The tricky part is getting there, and you may need a little help and support. The aim in the first couple of weeks is to make sure you take your puppy outside at frequent intervals and wait outside with them until they empty their bladder. Make sure you take them out after meals and when they wake up from a nap, and whenever they are getting excited — playing with another dog for example. When your puppy is indoors you need to supervise closely. If you need to leave the puppy for a few minutes, pop them into a small crate as puppies will try hard not to wet in their own bed. Stopping your puppy from biting All puppies bite. Even Golden Retrievers! But biting on skin really hurts and puppies have to learn not to do this. Play biting is commonly mistaken for aggression because puppies snap and growl when they are playing. For this reason, biting is by far and away the most common reason for new puppy parents to seek help. Vaccines are not completely without risk, but the risk of serious disease for unvaccinated puppies is usually considered by experts to be much greater. Most puppy parents want to know which vaccinations their puppies need, when their puppies can go outside safely, a few want to know what happens if they decide not to vaccinate their puppies When Can Puppies Go Outside — The Medical Point of View Puppies are typically ready to go to their new home at 8 weeks of age. Just like human babies, young puppies need a lot of sleep. As important as socialization is, ensuring your puppy sleeps enough is necessary to ensure proper growth and brain development and will also make sure your puppy is in a good mood. A common rule of thumb is five minutes of exercise per month of age. At two months old, this means only ten minutes. So over-exercising your puppy can be harmful to the development of their skeletal structure. However, the main reason to be cautious when taking a young puppy outside is exposure to diseases your pup may not be vaccinated against yet. Risking exposure to diseases your dog is not protected against is dangerous. Many diseases, such as the parvovirus, can be spread just through contact with inanimate objects. This means that even sniffing something an infected dog had been in contact with hours previous can potentially infect an unvaccinated puppy. Even seemingly healthy dogs may carry viruses. This means they may look and act healthy but still have the disease and can spread it to other dogs. Thankfully, no! Places such as private gardens and backyards offer safe places for young puppies to explore on their own without running the risk of exposure to dangerous viruses. A puppy can begin exploring your garden the day you bring them home. Becoming familiar with your backyard or garden will be a necessary part of potty training. Taking your puppy out for a walk should be delayed until they are fully covered by all their vaccines. This seemingly small action can result in your puppy coming into contact with a dangerous virus. Most veterinarians agree, puppies are fully vaccinated by 16 weeks of age, which is when they can exercise for about 20 minutes at a time. Up to this point, the exercise needs of your puppy can be met with within the safety of your home or backyard. Pet-friendly stores offer excellent opportunities for your puppy to meet more people. As your puppy builds up immunity through vaccines and natural exposure, talk to your vet about safe places you can start letting your puppy explore as they age. So this can be a great place to sniff around and meet people who love dogs! Always double check with your vet, though. The chance of contracting a virus preventable by a vaccine is low at a veterinary clinic, but your veterinarian will be able to tell you for sure if the area is safe or not. When I worked at a veterinary clinic, the best part of my day was always meeting a new puppy. Dog-friendly hardware stores make an excellent destination for a young puppy. This saves you from carrying a growing puppy the whole trip and means they get used to the motion of the trolly. Just remember to sanitize the trolly before and after use! Places a young puppy can safely explore on the ground are fairly limited for the first 16 weeks. One option is to arrange puppy play dates with dogs you may know. This will help teach behavioral cues for future experiences with other dogs and also helps burn some of that puppy energy. Socialising puppies with humans and other dogs is imperative for every dog, but especially breeds that are prone to aggression. Making sure your puppy not only has a lot of new experiences but positive experiences are ultra important. Finding safe playgroups with other vaccinated dogs is a great way for your puppy to learn how to play. These playgroups can take place in the safety of a backyard or garden where all the dogs are kept safe from potential environmental exposures and can be monitored closely. Playgroups are safer than meeting other dogs on walks for another reason. Leashed dogs are more likely to exhibit fear or anxiety-based aggression, so skipping the park and opting for backyard fun keeps all parties safer. This means your puppy is set up for success since the experience is more likely to be a positive one. Remembering to take new experiences slow with a new puppy can ensure new experiences are positive. But ensuring early experiences are positive and safe is the most important part of socialization. For several weeks, this may mean limiting their exposure to other dogs. Provided the experiences your puppy does have with other dogs are all primarily positive, though, they should begin to develop social skills at a young age. Though the critical period for socialization is often quoted as being the first four months, this is simply a foundation. Continuing to build on these experiences will make for a happy, well-adjusted adult dog. When can puppies go out in a backyard? Right away, provided no unvaccinated dogs have come in contact with the environment beforehand. However, puppies should wait to explore environments outside the home where other dogs frequent. For most puppies, this will be around 16 weeks. Carrying your puppy or placing them in a sanitized shopping trolly are two great ways of keeping your puppy safe while outside. From the safety of your arms or another elevated environment, a puppy can still meet a number of new people and experience the world outside your home. Raising a Golden puppy while working We all lead busy lives. Many new puppy parents take time off work when they bring their puppy home. This is rarely successful. Young dogs left alone for long periods tend to get up to mischief and some become extremely distressed, extremely destructive, or both. And you cannot successfully house train a puppy if there is no-one there to let the puppy outside Raising a puppy while you work full time is possible, but it takes planning and thought. This helps to avoid lack of health test certificates, poorly puppies, and other disappointments. Home bred puppies can be very nice if the owners have taken the trouble to health test and raise their puppies responsibly. Whatever you do, avoid puppy mills and pet stores. Your biggest expense is likely to be annual pet health insurance. There are a few differences in their needs and care, but not as many as you might think In some breeds there are greater tendencies to aggression in males compared with females. And people do worry that a male dog might be more likely to fight or bite. However, Golden Retrievers are among the breeds least likely to show aggression to other people or dogs. We have not seen any evidence that male Goldens are any less likely to be good tempered than females. Female Golden Retriever puppies Female Golden Retrievers need a little more care than males unless and until they are spayed. Neutering was once thought to be the easy solution but has now been linked with a number of different types of cancer and with joint problems, in this breed. Are Golden Retriever puppies good family pets? At times, when your puppy is small, you may question whether or not you have made a mistake in bringing a Golden Retriever into your home. Rest assured that Golden Retriever puppies do grow up into great family dogs. They have one of the best temperaments of any dog breed and are ideally suited to a young and active family There are situations where it might be better to wait before buying a Golden puppy. If you have very tiny kids — remember that Goldens are fairly large dogs and are very boisterous when young. Picking up a toddler and drying their tears for the tenth time before breakfast can become wearing. Think about the exercise needs of an active dog. If you have a very small home, or live in an apartment, think carefully before adding a big and potentially muddy dog to the mix. My husband and I are bringing home our first puppy in September a goldendoodle and this was super helpful! Emily June 29, , am Thank you so much for this, Jen! I look forward to the post on favorite dog toys! We just got a puppy and, while its only been a week, we are definitely having some issues getting puppy to embrace his crate. He is doing really well with potty training, and has yet to have an accident in his crate, but soon after he enters his crate the howling begins. This way he associates it with a positive place. Also, leave treats in there. Some dogs do better with their crates covered so like drape a blanket over the sides so it feels more like a cave. You might also try placing a t-shirt or something that smells like you in there. Also, leave the door open all the time and praise him if he goes in on his own. Good luck! OH, what a difference! Long after they no longer needed their crates, we kept them and always left the door opened. They would go into them when they were tired, knowing they were in a safe place; their place. Friends always said to us that they would have a dog if it behaved like our dogs. Be consistent. Fun for all of you. I can definitely see how teaching while a puppy can make a huge difference. Looking forward to your next dog related posts :. Reply Link Megan June 29, , pm Ahh thank you for this post! My husband and I are looking into getting a pug puppy soon and these tips are so helpful. Looking forward to reading more posts on this, especially the crate training. Love the tips, we are still trying to stay the course with the UD group classes! Golden are the best! It has been such an eye-opening month with our new puppy. Our other dog is 8 so everything feels brand new. I actually wrote about it in my post for tomorrow, but a puppy is like a baby. My boyfriend and I are getting a golden pup in the fall and while I grew up with the breed I have never trained a pup on my own. We made the choice to get a puppy mostly to instil good habits and behaviour long term. So long story short, I would never put a puppy or young dog or any age in airplane cargo! Reply Link Megan June 30, , pm Good tips! Socializing him right away and crate training him were so key to having an awesome, well-adjusted dog! Reply Link Josi August 20, , pm Hello! Just wondering where you got your goldens? This really helped me figure out what to do when she gets here. Jen May 3, , pm YAY! Our 3rd Golden in about 33 years and know he has some big paws to fill Taegan was wonderful for 14 years. We are so excited!! I have a new English Cream Golden. I feel like I need to work for his affection. Great otherwise! Not super energetic. Bursts of energy followed up by lots of naps but never really interested in walks. First timer here. Your pup could really benefit from basic positive obedience! I would recommend seeking out an experienced trainer in your area to help you as your pup grows! Having a puppy in the home can be fantastic, but you also need to make sure that you can offer it the best as well. She has been really easy to house break. We are excited to bring her home. Thank you for the helpful tips. That is a good idea to make sure that we are committed to doing the work to train this dog. We do really want him to be well trained. Thanks for the tips! Thank you so much for this super informative post! Reply Link Jen January 22, , pm I always made sure she went before we got to the gym and walked her frequently. Meghan January 29, , am Thank you so much for the reply!! We kept each of our puppies on a leash in the house, never out of our sight except when they were in the crate for 4 months before we gradually gave them independence. We always messed with them and held them. They had accidents as you would expect until fully house trained at about 4 months, but never any destructive or aggressive behavior. We gave them plenty of tough chew toys. Also training classes. They were never nervous or skittish. They love to lay on us and never have had any trouble with grooming, food guarding, loud noises, children or other animals. Goldens are great dogs but like any dog, they can only know what you teach them. Great article!! Kathrinne May 5, , am Hi Jen, how old are your puppies when you let them go out? Jen May 5, , am What do you mean? Reply Link Carly September 8, , pm Thank you so much for your article! What would your input be? Do you think they would focus on each other more than their humans? Would 2 puppies be so much more difficult than 1? Any advice is greatly appreciated!! Love the name Zoey!! Any tips to Prevent that?? Reply Link Christine November 1, , am About to get golden 3. Learning all over about everything. Reply Link Jen November 1, , pm It is like starting over again but you will figure it out! Every pup is different but be patient and consistent! This is my first large dog breed so a little nervous. I read your post and you give wonderful tips that I will follow. Please let me know if it is safe to put a flea collar on the puppy. Thank you. Reply Link Jen January 29, , pm I would consult with your vet to see what they recommend for flea prevention and treatment. Also, about the scratching. It could be due to something else like an allergen outside. I have not had a dog in 3 years because I lost my last one in a painful way for me and I am afraid to get another one. I am now ready to get one and this page has helped me prepare for my new puppy. I am a 74 yr old male in pretty good shape no health issues, and retired so I should be around a while to look after a dog. My wife passed about four months ago so I guess I am looking to fill a void. I live in a single family home and have plenty of time to spare. Thanks Reply Link marion duffield April 14, , am I am picking my pup up in 2 weeks! This is the best AND most realistic article I have read about training…. My pup Tank will be 4 months when we get him. He is absolutely adorable. Have only seen photos. He lives with his breeder in Missouri and we live in Canada…. I am so excited for you!!!! Puppies are intense but so much fun. And wow, that is going to be an adventure! Reply Link Theresa April 30, , am Do you have suggestions about golden retriever puppy biting? We got ours at 7 weeks. She is now .How do we stop her from snapping and biting? She is smart and loving. The biting has been rough though. Can you help? But I love dogs soooo much. This info is everything to me. I love this post Soo much. Thanks a ton. You left puppy in car? Or what? Reply Link Madeline October 31, , pm I am picking up my 7 week old golden in 2 days! I am so excited! How did you go out taking him places before he had his full shots? I want to socialize him, and of course potty train him immediately, but obviously there are risks. Whats your take on this? So the whole crate training thing is not going so well. She hates it. Emily Camalo April 2, , pm Hi! Really appreciate you sharing all of this advice! It was super valuable. Reply Link Julie April 11, , am Loved your comments. I have a 9 week double doodle. I have crate trained since day 1 and she has been really good, day 1 upset for a couple of minutes. Day 2 no problem at all. Now just the occasional cry when I leave her but that is over with in a very short space of time. I also leave a low radio on for her. She uses the garden most of the time for toileting, but occasionally she will come into the house and do another wee. The problem I have at the moment is trying to stop her biting. I have tried the gentle command which she listens to some of the time. And I have tried standing and turning my back on her so she realises I am not playing when she bites, but she will then go for trousers or feet, which I try my best to ignore, or she will just go off and do something else like chew a mat or something which is a no no. Any ideas? Regards Reply Link Stephanie January 25, , am Really great info, thank you for your article. Our puppy arrives in 5 days and we have been preparing for months. Your advice is. Very helpful. Blessings to you. Updated: July 10th, Unfortunately, most of us have to go out and work full-time, which proves a dilemma for dog owners — or potential dog owners. Should you get a golden if you work full-time? Not only is this distressing for your precious pup, which nobody wants but this kind of boredom and anxiety can manifest itself in all kinds of undesirable ways. How Long is Too Long? So, how long is too long? Is Age a Factor? The age of your dog is definitely a factor when it comes to how long they can comfortably be left home alone. While you might be tempted by a cute, fluffy little puppy, the fact of the matter is puppies need to be let out to use the bathroom many times a day, perhaps even every two hours or so. Plus, they need lots of time spent on training, and plenty of attention to help them feel secure and confident. As such, bringing an older dog into your life instead of a puppy can be a better idea if you work full-time. Besides, there are many abandoned and unwanted dogs out there who need to be adopted! Most rescue centers will assess the needs of the dogs in their care, so they should be able to tell you if a dog will be okay regularly left home for stretches of four or five hours at a time. What About Crating Your Dog? Crating is a good tool for dogs who feel insecure or who are destructive when left alone in the home. It gives them a sense of safety and security, while also protecting them from getting into any dangerous chewing situations, while at the same time protecting your belongings Please click here for advice on how to crate train your puppy. Imagine being confined to an area the size of a single bed for four or five hours, let out for an hour or so, then put back in for another four or five hours. Well, here are several options for you to consider. This can work well, but it really depends on you and your dog. The feasibility of this plan may depend on finances. One option might be to hire a dog walker in the morning or afternoon and also come home on your lunch break, so your pup has two things to look forward to during the day. Go To Doggy Daycare If you have a dog daycare near you, this is possibly the best option available. Enlist Help From Friends And Family Think about whether you have any friends or family members who would be willing to take care of your four-legged friend either in your home or their own. When this option works, it can work exceptionally well, but it depends on what type of support system you have near you and how accommodating your friends and family are. For instance, do you live close to your mom who happens to be home most of the day and would enjoy the company of a dog? Drop your pup off on the way to work, pick them up on the way home, and voila! Free childcare… uh… dog care. Or, perhaps you have a retired neighbor who would happily stop in on your dog for an hour a couple of times a day in return for the privilege of being able to snoop around your house haha. It may also mean changing your expectations of what owning a dog might be like. The key is making sure you can commit to the responsibility of keeping your dog entertained during the day. Further Reading. This is the schedule I stuck to for months after we got George. We use the Rover App to make sure George has all of the potty breaks he needs through out the day while we are at work. Now that George is older, we only do a Rover visit once over lunch time and he still gets his long walk in the morning and a park visit after work every day. This is the schedule that worked best for us, and he never had an accident in the crate. One of the best tips I can give you, other than keeping a schedule, make sure your puppy is tired. If your puppy is bored, they will get into mischief. Keeping your puppy tired is exhausting but it will keep them well behaved, happy, they will sleep through the night, and training will be easier. Be Prepared: Have the essentials ready when you pick the puppy up. I will link anything that I have loved. These biodegradable ones are great. Training: Any dog can be a good dog with the proper training. We started with Petco to help us teach the basics but as George got older, we invested in a better trainer. Petco is perfectly fine, we were having issues with him jumping and leash training. George sleeps next to our bed at night and we baby gate him in the kitchen during the day if we are gone for a long time. In the beginning, crate training was a must! We always gave him a treat when he entered and made it a positive experience. These tips and tricks have helped me survive raising a puppy while working full-time. I hope this post helps you navigate the craziness that is raising a puppy. If you are still deciding whether you want to get a puppy or not, know that getting George was the best decision Joel and I have made, but it is a big undertaking. I am confident that if you do your research, set a schedule, and prepare yourself for the next few months, you will handle the puppy stage with ease! Good Luck! Let me know if this post helped you! Share this:.

One or both of this puppy's parents have undergone genetic testing. One or both of this puppy's parents are hip certified. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Kentucky Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Kentucky? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Kentucky? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Texas Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Texas? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Texas? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl, and for companionship. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands. The first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, is credited with developing the breed and keeping detailed records to create the ideal gun dog for the terrain. Great discipline and a gentle spirit make the Golden Retriever a perfect retrieval breed since the goal of this task is to bring the trophy back as undamaged as possible. Golden Retrievers first appeared in dog shows in at a British dog show. They also started appearing in the United States around the same time as they were brought across the Canadian border. They gained popularity with sport hunters and in general. Their popularity really took off in the s and they are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are the epitome of friendly and make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. They tend to be good with kids, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Goldens love attention and they bond closely with their families. They are affectionate with them, and also just about everyone else. Although they do tend to get along with everyone, they love being around their favorite humans the most. They will bark to alert you and can end up barking a lot if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. They can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. These dogs do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they are not at all happy about being left alone for long periods of time. Although super-friendly and attention-loving, Goldens can also be sensitive to their surroundings; make sure they feel included, but have a quiet place to go if things get too noisy or overwhelming. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Retriever include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, elbow dysplasia , and hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Goldens are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. These traits make them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. It also helps them excel at obedience competitions. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered the command, move on to something more advanced or another activity. You can also enroll in puppy training classes for some variety in training and also some socialization. Golden Retrievers have a long double coat that will shed a little year-round and will be heavier twice a year as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding along with a bath as needed is usually enough for at-home care. You will want to go to the dog groomer for a professional trim a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Daily tooth brushing, along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. Golden Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep these dogs happy and healthy. But, they are high-energy dogs that will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Much like the Labrador , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They tend to start winding down a little around the age of 3 and settle into your lifestyle, but they will still be high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity. Goldens are known for being versatile and athletic dogs. They tend to love swimming. Once they are done growing and the vet clears them for higher-impact activities, you can try other things too. They are one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. You can also teach them how to play frisbee or play fetch. Training for dog sports is another good option. In addition to obedience, Golden Retrievers are well suited for agility, dock diving , rally, flyball, tracking, and more. Fully-grown Golden Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Golden Retrievers generally live for years on average. With their intelligence, eagerness to please, and gentle disposition, Golden Retrievers are versatile working dogs. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Goldens can be found working as emotional support dogs, certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, police dogs, animal actors, and more. Featured Golden Retriever Article.