labradoodle lancaster puppies

Boston Boxer Highlights Boston Boxers are mixed breed dogs. They are not purebreds like their Boston Terrier or Boxer parents. The main colors of Boston Boxers are black, brown, fawn, blue, and white. Sometimes their coats are solid, and sometimes they have a mix of colors, like in a pied or brindle pattern. Boston Boxers are known to be a good choice for families with children. Always supervise playtime. The Boston Boxer is a highly energetic mixed breed. If left alone for too long or without any sort of stimulation, this energy can manifest in unwanted destructive behaviors. Make sure your dog gets at least one good half-hour- to hour-long walk per day with a few good, active play sessions and shorter walks mixed in. When it comes to other pets, Boston Boxers can get along with other animals if they are introduced slowly and calmly, and early socialization will help this go smoothly. Boston Boxer History The Boston Boxer mixed dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started intentionally mixing Boston Terriers and Boxers in the late s, likely in North America. Breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds to keep the friendly and energetic spirit of the Boxer but in a smaller, Boston Terrier size. They continued to create Boston Boxers as demand for the mixed breed pups climbed. Even though the Boston Boxer got their start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide the Boston Boxer is the dog for you. Be sure to check your local shelters, look up Boston Boxer or Miniature Boxer rescues, or check with breed-specific Boxer or Boston Terrier rescues, as they sometimes take in mixed breed dogs and find homes for them. Boston Boxer Size Since the Boston Boxer is a relatively new mixed breed, there are few standards when it comes to size. That said, as a mix between Boston Terrier and Boxer parents, you can expect your Boston Boxer to be on the small-to-medium size. Most weigh in at 22 to 55 pounds and range in height from 15 to 23 inches from the shoulder. However, many can be larger or smaller than average. The Mini Boxer can be somewhat hesitant around strangers, which is why it is very important to socialize your Boston Boxer as early as possible to make sure they are people-friendly. These dogs are prone to attaching to one particular family member, and they can become somewhat protective of them. Even with their protective tendencies, most Boston Boxer enthusiasts say their dogs are complete goofballs. The Boston Boxer is also a highly energetic mixed breed, so they are best-suited with people who can keep up with the pace. Some of the more common health problems Boston Boxer suffer from include: heart murmurs. Lifespan Sociability Boston Boxer dogs are very popular, resulting in many breeders. We recommend searching for as many as possible to find the perfect puppy before you make your decision. Always ask a breeder to show you the facilities before making any payment. In many cases, you can find a breeder that is willing to sell you a puppy at a reduced cost, but we must caution against prices that are too good to be true, as unscrupulous breeders often create these puppies in unsafe environments known as puppy mills. The best way to fight puppy mills is not to buy their puppies. You can always ask your local shelter if they have a Boxer mix that resembles the Boston Boxer. They are athletic and can run fast and jump quite high and will maintain a fast pace for extended play sessions before tiring. They quickly become attached and protective of their owners and are wary of strangers who might cause them to become aggressive and bark. However, they generally get along with other household pets and small yard animals like bunnies and squirrels. Boston Boxers are sensitive to their environment and prefer a set, predictable schedule, and they can be stubborn if you change things up too quickly. They are very intelligent and easy to train, as long as they think they are in charge. They love the company and will remain at your side most of the day. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are very friendly, energetic, and playful. They get along well with pets including, cats and other dogs. They like to play with children and will provide each other with unlimited amounts of entertainment. Boston Boxers are intelligent enough to follow orders and behave and will even learn tricks and guard the house while you are away. They will require at least one family member to take them out for long walks, though, and these are high maintenance in the exercise department, requiring at least one hour of running and jumping each day. If you live in the city, it can be challenging to find enough room, and you will likely require access to a park or trail. They are even more friendly if you socialize them early and get them used to other animals, but even so, this breed rarely gets aggressive toward another animal. This food should be high-quality without any harmful chemicals or preservatives. High-quality dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits, according to the American Kennel Club. You can expect to take your Boston Boxer for a long walk every day, and on some days, you may need a second walk. You can expect to walk at least eight miles a week spread out over about an hour a day, every day, for the next several years when purchasing a Boston Boxer. In most cases, you will only require patience and a bunch of treats to have your Boston Boxer impressing your friends. To train your pet, simply stand in front of them with a treat ready. Boston Boxers are smart and will know you have it. When they figure it out and sit, give them a treat. Stand them back up and repeat. After several tries, your Boston Boxer will catch on and quickly sit on command. Using the above system, you can teach your dog plenty of tricks, like shaking hands, fetch, rollover, and plenty of others. You can even teach them more complex tricks like retrieving the newspaper with a little practice. They only require occasional brushing and trimming of their nails. But there are a few problems associated with them that you should know about before you make a purchase. Minor Conditions. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. These fun-loving dogs are great family dogs, but they are also highly loyal and supremely protective of their families, making them ideal guard dogs too — the job for which the breed was developed. With all these desirable characteristics, the Boxer has been a part of many designer breeds that are arguably just as adorable. In this article, we take a look at 20 of these designer breeds in all their glory! The 20 Popular Boxer Mixes 1. They are medium-sized dogs that need a great deal of exercise to stay happy and healthy, and they are not suitable for apartment living. That said, these dogs have the stubborn and independent nature of their Beagle parent too, and this can make training difficult for novice owners. They are strong, stocky animals that are highly athletic, making them ideal working dogs. They bond strongly with their owners and do not enjoy being left alone for long periods. Both parent breeds can be a challenge for novice owners to train, but with patience and dedication, the Box Heeler is a dependable and loyal pooch indeed. As such, little is known about the breed, although they are likely to be highly intelligent and exceedingly affectionate. Of course, both parent breeds have a stubborn streak that is likely to show itself in the Boxachi too. A Boxador! This Labrador cross is one of the most popular Boxer hybrids for many reasons. They are great family dogs, highly intelligent, and easy to train and have low grooming requirements: a near-perfect designer breed, in our opinion. These dogs are known to be a fair bit of a challenge to train because they can be stubborn at times, but their high intelligence and eager-to-please nature make up for it. They are great family dogs because they are generally docile and even-tempered and gentle with children. They typically have the medium-length, thick coat of their Chow parents but are far more muscular, stocky, and powerful, making for an intimidating dog indeed. They are easily trainable dogs, making them ideal for novice owners and families with young children. Boxerdoodle Boxer x Poodle A post shared by Andrea Dawn andreadawnworth This Poodle hybrid breed may inherit the short coat of the Boxer or the fluffy coat of the Poodle or be somewhere in between, but they are an adorable pooch either way! They are energetic pooches that will require a fair amount of daily exercise to keep them happy, but they are as loyal, lovable, and intelligent as they come. The Boxita is an extremely athletic pooch with a ton of energy, and they are known to be somewhat stubborn and challenging to train, making them a breed suited toward more experienced owners. They are known for being great family dogs, though, and are highly loyal and devoted animals. Boxmas Boxer x Mastiff A post shared by Jill Pelerine jmpelerine The Mastiff is a large, powerful dog and when combined with a Boxer , can make for an intimidating breed indeed. They are generally gentle giants, though, with a ton of devotion and affection to give. They are great family dogs, and their intimidating stature makes them excellent guard dogs. They are known for developing powerful bonds with their owners and are loyal animals. This Dalmatian hybrid is a playful, energetic pooch that needs a great deal of exercise and interaction to stay happy and healthy. They are larger than Boxers and may inherit the exuberant qualities of their Dalmatian heritage, a trait that can be problematic around small children. They are the ideal companion for active owners, though, with an almost inexhaustible reserve of energy. They are great family dogs, with a gentle and affectionate nature and staunch devotion to their owners. With their Husky heritage, these dogs can be independently minded and stubborn at times, making them difficult to train and not ideal for novice owners. They have high exercise demands and are not suited to apartment living. But if you have a large space at home and plenty of time to dedicate to regular exercise, they are a wonderful breed to own. They are playful, sweet dogs in general, but with the Rottweiler heritage, they need a firm and consistent hand in training. They are immensely powerful, with an intimidating appearance, but they are sweet and gentle-natured dogs at heart. Due to their power and strength, these dogs need early socialization and disciplined training and are not recommended for novice owners. Combining two loyal and devoted breeds, these dogs are highly affectionate and loving with their family and somewhat wary of strangers, making them great family protectors. They need plenty of socialization and a firm, consistent hand in training. Bulloxer Boxer x American Bulldog Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock The Boxer and American Bulldog are similar breeds, both with strong, sturdy frames and loyal, devoted temperaments, so the combination would naturally be a great match. They are generally sweet, friendly dogs despite their imposing appearance, and they make great family dogs that are gentle and loving with children. German Boxer Boxer x German Shepherd A post shared by BorisSV borisstarboardveracruz A somewhat unlikely mixed breed, this German Shepherd hybrid inherits the best traits of their parent breeds, making for a loving and playful yet loyal and devoted pooch. They are intelligent dogs that are highly trainable and ideal for novice dog owners, they make great family pooches, and they are as protective and loyal as they come. They are intelligent, devoted, playful, and gentle and bond strongly with their owners. They often inherit the long coat of their Retriever parents and are as adorable as they are friendly. Final Thoughts With the Boxer being such a friendly and loyal breed, any hybrid is likely to inherit these sought-after traits, and most are wonderful family dogs indeed. Some hybrids can be a challenge to train and may need far more exercise than is typical for Boxers. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement.

Red was there for our family for many years, through the good times and the bad, including the loss of my baby brother when I was .He felt almost human, always knowing when we needed a companion to romp and explore with us, or when we were sad, he would lay his head on our lap and snuggle us and let us hang on him and cry. His eyes were almost human in their expressions, and he was great at making us laugh. It was Red who gave me my deep respect and love for Golden Retrievers, and there will always be a special place in my heart for him and his memory. When our family later discovered Goldendoodles, and the fact you can achieve the low to no shedding while maintaining the temperament of the Retriever, we knew this was our calling. Our goal here at BrewerDoodles is to provide families and children with what I had the honor and privilege of growing up with. Poodles, Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs are all highly intelligent dogs, with many other lovable qualities. However, they are more prone to certain health issues and a shorter lifespan, due to being a pure bred dog. Combining 2 great breeds results in a hybrid dog, and should also give you a dog that will be healthier and live a longer life, while combining all the wonderful personality traits and intelligence of both! Get on the list now to reserve your spot to take home a summer pup! Summer Sale running! We raise our dogs and whelp them in our home, giving them the individualized attention they deserve. We not only ensure we have healthy dogs, but that they are brought up in a loving, family environment so that they will be well adjusted and comfortable in your home, too. The puppies will be handled by adults as well as kids and will be introduced to the beginning stages of being house-trained. We hope your pup will seamlessly transition from our home to yours. Together, the two AKC purebreds create a fantastic Bernedoodle breed that is well-tempered and loyal. Poodles are extremely intelligent, with little to no shedding. They are a playful, athletic and hardy breed. Bernese Mountain Dogs Berners , are gorgeous tri-colored big dogs who are extremely faithful friends, and traditionally were used in the Swiss Alps to pull heavy loads around the mountains. They are low-to-no shedding dogs, and are lovable, easy-to-train, smart family pets. Why Bernedoodles? Meet the Parents Our first Poodle, Ivy, is incredibly playful, attentive, and has an affinity for squeaky tennis balls! Our second Poodle, Rosie, is the sweetest! She loves crossing her paws like a true lady when she lays down, and she will do anything for a good cuddle. Oak also known as Oakley , our stud, is a big teddy-bear with a heart of gold. He is goofy, smart, and thinks he is a lap dog! All three parents have been DNA-health tested. Research: First and foremost, make sure that the breeder is reputable and has a good track record. There are many ways to research this, including reading online reviews and talking to other dog owners who have purchased Bernedoodles puppies from them. Health: Second, you want to make sure that the Bernedoodle puppies are healthy and well-cared for. Ask the breeder about the health of the parents and grandparents, and whether or not the puppies have been to the vet for a checkup. This means they should be introduced to a variety of people, and other animals, which will be beneficial for novice owners. Puppies from a reputable breeder are going to be more expensive than those from a backyard breeder. But, in the long run, a puppy from a reputable breeder is going to be healthier and have fewer behavior issues. Meet the Parents: If possible, you should meet the parents of the puppies before making your final decision. This will give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of temperament and appearance. But if you need more convincing, here are just a few reasons why a Bernedoodle might be the perfect pup for you. Coat: Bernedoodles come in three different coat types: wavy, curly, and straight. Temperament: Bernedoodles are known for their friendly, outgoing personalities. They are intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train. They are also very loyal and affectionate with their families and get along well with children and other pets. Size: Bernedoodles come in three different sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. Standard Bernedoodles can weigh anywhere from pounds, while Miniature Bernedoodles usually weigh in at pounds. Toy Bernedoodles are the smallest of the bunch, weighing in at 12 pounds or less. Health: Bernedoodles are generally a healthy breed, and are not known to suffer from any major health conditions. However, like all breeds, they can be susceptible to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. But with proper care and regular vet check-ups, your Bernedoodle should enjoy a long and healthy life. When it comes to finding the perfect Bernedoodle puppy in Tennessee, price is often a major consideration. While there is no definitive answer when it comes to how much a Bernedoodle puppy may cost, there are a few things that can help you budget for your new furry friend. However, depending on the specific breeder and bloodline of your puppy, the price could be higher or lower. In addition to the cost of the puppy itself, there are also a few other expenses to consider when bringing a Bernedoodle into your home. These include things like shots, spaying or neutering, and microchipping. All of these costs can add up, so be sure to factor them into your budget when deciding whether or not a Bernedoodle is the right breed for you. When it comes to finding the perfect Bernedoodle puppy in Tennessee, price is certainly something to consider. If you know any great Bernedoodle breeder who lives in Tennessee, please let us know in the comments below. So we can add it to our list. What is the Breeder Name? Where are they located in Tennessee? It really helps others who are looking for a Bernedoodle Puppies in Tennessee. Conclusion for Bernedoodle Breeders in Tennessee: Hope you Like this post, so these are the best Bernedoodle Breeders in Tennessee that we have added to our list. And we believe there are many but we will thoroughly review and close check the breeder before adding it to our list. If you are looking for the best Bernedoodle Breeders in Tennessee, you can consider one of these breeders. View Our Available Puppies! You should not confuse Mini Bernedoodles with Standard Bernedoodles. Our adorable Mini Bernedoodle are of the F1 variety. All the doodle moms are purebred Genetic Tested Bernese Mountain dog females. Our mini Bernedoodle pups usually end up weighing pounds and around inches tall when full grown. Most Mini bernedoodles live to be around years old. Mini Bernedoodles have become really popular because they shed very little after they shed their puppy coat, they are very hypoallergenic. We have specialized in breeding Mini Bernedoodles as well as a few other breeds for many years. They are a big part of our family and farm. We have also partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini bernedoodle pups that meet our very strict criteria and genetic testing. We usually have a good selection of very high quality doodle puppies. So if you live near Nashville Tennessee and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Bernedoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are a few of our Mini Bernedoodle Pups!

I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Questions about Bulldog puppies for sale in Seattle WA? We have answers. How much are Bulldog puppies for sale in Seattle WA? Bulldog puppies for sale in Seattle are never priced exactly the same. One Bulldog for sale in Seattle may be female, which raises the price, while another one may be a certain color or quality. Due to the fact that Bulldog puppies need to be delivered via C-section raises their price compared to regular pooch puppies! What if there are no Bulldog breeders in Seattle? Uptown Puppies offers you the ability to connect with Bulldog puppy breeders, companies and businesses from all over the US. Just connect with them and they might even fly their pooch to you so that it arrives safely at your nearest major airport! How are the Bulldog breeders and businesses screened? At Uptown Puppies, our team makes sure that all the breeding facilities are up to standard of all the Bulldog breeders Seattle, businesses and companies selling Bulldog puppies for sale Seattle. What matters to us most is the cleanliness of their breeding facilities, as well as health care of their puppies! Why is Uptown Puppies so different from other puppy finder websites? We know what a battle it can be when looking for Bulldog puppies Seattle. What is a Seattle puppy mill like? Puppy mills in Seattle are places where doom and gloom follow. Seattle Bulldog puppies for sale are found here, but worse for wear. Their moms never get the opportunity to run and play, only forced to give birth litter after litter for their owners to use them to make money. Bulldogs for sale in Seattle that come out of here alive usually get very sick and can cost you thousands. I want a Bulldog puppy now. Is that possible? Go buy that fluffy new dog bed, as well as a few dog toys, because a new Bulldog Seattle puppy will be yours real soon! Look at our site, find the Bulldog for sale Seattle that speaks to your heart, and get started! What type of dog is an English Bulldog? An English Seattle Bulldog for sale is the national dog of England. Back in the day, they were bred to drive cows to market, and participate in a sport that was rather bloody, called bull-baiting. Today though, these dogs want nothing more than to get cozy and fall asleep by your feet, only to be awoken by a big plate of food! Are Bulldogs big? What kind of personalities do they have? They have really heavy bodies just try pick one up! Who are the most famous Bulldogs in History? Bulldogs Seattle can really have many talents. Tillman is the name of a skateboarding Bulldog who holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest m on a skateboard by a dog. Tyson the Bulldog was also a skateboarding dog who appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. What are the funny behaviors of Bulldogs? Seattle Bulldogs for sale can be really messy eaters because of the shape of their face. They literally stick their entire face on the food when they eat or drink! They can also be very stubborn dogs - so just keep treats around!

Home of Kennel free living and lots of loving! Good Gracious Goldens was created in when I decided to follow in my mothers footsteps as she has been raising them for over 3o years. Recently we welcomed our 3rd child and decided it was time to split the work without compromising the experience for our adopting families. Now we are working along side Lone Oak Goldens, my dear friend Lori. This decision is not one we took lightly as our reputation is very important to us but I knew her care and expertise would only make us better! I could not imagine a more wonderful partner. She raises them in her home in NE and brings them to my home when they are ready as most of our adopting families are in Colorado including many repeat families! Now I can put all my focus in the communication I pride myself on quick replies , while Lori is loving on the puppies and socializing them getting them ready to meet you! And trust me when you see these puppies you'll see just how much love was poured into them!! I like to say us working together for you, is the truly best of both worlds! We love the English Cream and American Golden breed. We couldn't imagine a better way of life! Of course watching them grow up and thrive is amazing, but I would say my favorite part is seeing the families faces when they see their new family member. Thank you for taking the time to read about us! Our Philosophy! We believe dogs and puppies should be unconditionally loved and cared for as they truly become part of your family. When choosing the right puppy for your family, there are many choices out there. Some puppies are raised in undesirable conditions, this is incredibly heart breaking. Which is why we raise our Golden Retrievers with absolutely no kennels. We believe this makes us different from other breeders. As we are continually trying to improve our breeding program. Our reason for raising English Creme Golden Retrievers is because of our love for the breed and the joy our dogs have brought to our lives. We desire an extraordinary puppy for your family too. When you pick us, we have to pick you too, as we too are selective when choosing forever homes for our pups. Within the first 8 weeks of their lives we spend a lot of time helping them develop social skills and simply loving on them. We get to know each one of the puppies and are fully committed to helping you choose the puppy that is best for you and your family based on gender, temperament and color. We recently joined our breeding program with Lone Oak Goldens. Two families raising puppies together equals double the love! We want to thank you for taking the time to let us introduce you to our family dogs "Grace", "London","Ellie", "Viva", "Margo", "Cooper" and "Hudson" along with their sweet puppies! We look forward to meeting you soon! Sincerely, Libby and Lori. Contact us - Phone: or email: goldengirlskennels hotmail. Take a browse around our website and see what puppies we offer. Please feel free to contact us for any questions and enquiries. We do cutting edge health clearances. Many of the health clearances we have on our dogs are not being done by other Golden Retriever breeders. Many of our health clearances, less than Golden Retrievers out of the hundreds of thousands registered with the AKC have been tested for. If we can gain knowledge to ensure we are breeding the best of the best through health clearances then we do it! We are committed to breeding healthy goldens! One of our dogs doing some therapy work at a rehab facility. One of our girls is spending time loving on someone in a rehab facility. Dogs make such a difference in the healing of people. Koa, with the kids- our dogs are a huge part of our family! Loving on a puppy! Buying a dog off the internet is a scary experience and one that is becoming more and more popular. We ask questions of each other and hope you will feel like we are a good fit. Please take a moment to look at our family and get a sense of who we are. We have a large family with very active and successful kids. We have a lot of love to share and sincerely hope you get that vibe from the pictures and information we have chosen to share with you. Enjoy Skiing for the holidays. Every chance we get we try to all get together Draft night- what a fun time our family has when we all get together. Our family is so full of love. We try to get together as much as we can. With three kids who now live out of state that can be a challenge. We understand how very blessed we are and try to give back as much as we can. The family in CSU gear. Two of our boys have now graduated from playing football for CSU it is obviously a big part of our lives. Now on to a bigger arena. A much younger picture of our family. Dogs and kids- what can be better? We have been blessed with amazing kids. Glad to have him back on US soil. Young and old our dogs bring so much joy to our lives and the people who adopt them from us. We are so proud of where their lives are taking them but we miss them like crazy and do not get to see them nearly enough. Our oldest son was in the Navy and his beautiful bride who is in the US Coast Guard- so blessed to have such a great daughter in law. Kallie and Bryce even adopted one of our goldens to add love to their life How blessed we are that Kallie and Bryce had added to their beautiful family Our beautiful grandaughter taking her dog Colley for a walk in CA Look at this happy, growing family. We are so lucky to get to share our lives with these great folks. He had the amazing opportunity to play for football for Colorado State University. Amazingly proud of him and humbled by his talent daily. Not only is he a great athlete but he is also a wonderful human- so proud of him. Look how handsome this guy is! Another one of our sons doing what he loves. We are so very blessed with the best kids and also spending our lives with these incredible dogs we have the privilege of raising as well! Our son getting the CSU Rams fired up before a game. He was a tight end for Colorado State University and loved every minute of it. He has been on two mission trips to Mexico and is so funny and helpful Our son was the Arizona Cardinals number one draft pick in ! Go Cardinals. Arizona Cardinals TE .So proud of you son, living your dream!!! One of our twin sons wrestling as a true freshman in college. He has a huge heart and a servants heart. He volunteers with Special Olympics, Food Bank, and so much more. What a great kid! This is our son wrestling at his first college regionals. He took third and is headed to Nationals to try to earn All American as a true freshman. Proud of the young man he is turning out to be. Our son Dylan is a Firemedic. A Fireman and a Paramedic. We could not be more proud of him. Dylan in his Fireman gear and his beautiful girlfriend Hallee who should get all the credit for being amazing- all the time! Our family gets together as much as we can. This little lady is so lucky to have Dylan as her Uncle. Dylan and Hallee sure clean up nice. Love these two and they are so fun to hang out with! Two of our children in Juarez, Mexico on a mission trip building a house for a family in need. Our family has been to Mexico on many mission trips to help out people that soon become family to us Watching the twins grow up and into close friendships is so fun. They have great times together and it is just beginning. Our daughter, Taya, has always loved singing. Our daughter wants to be an actress so she participates in singing and dance as well as volleyball. She has a huge love of animals and is a big help with all the dogs. She teaches us things every single day and look at her great smile!!! Taya has moved on to drama in High School and has been in every play since 9th grade. Love watching her. Serving the Lord and helping others is a huge priority in our lives. Many of our family have gone to Mexico to work in orphanages and build homes for families in need. It is a rewarding experience and the relationships we make are forever. We are involved in so many volunteer activities and it rubs off on others. Here we are picking corn for Food Bank of The Rockies. Our family motto is, "everyone has something to give". Life is sure rough when you are a Golden Retriever! To anyone who has been owned and loved by a great dog- we recommend this book. It is a true testament to the special and unconditional love that a dog has for it's Humans. This book will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the dogs that are or have been in your life- just a little bit more. It is a story told from a dog's point of view and it will make you fall in love with your dog all over again! It is a book that you don't want to put down- a must read and a must have for every dog lover's library- a book you will read again and again. Cameron has done it again. If you have not read these books then you are missing out. Great stories about dogs. Silly dog. Our puppies spend time with our children and family from the day they are born until they go home. Our son when he was 8 years old, hanging out with Ilio, CGC in Maui Most of our dogs are imported so that we can get the lighter coat and blocky head- like this one from The Netherlands! Don't let the distance deter you, we will meet our customers within a reasonable distance! Country Pearls Golden Retrievers is a small, professional family breeder of English Cream Golden Retrievers raising one to two litters a year; we strive for excellence. Our farm is our own piece of heaven and is shared with our three wonderful children, farm animals and beloved dogs. We start our puppies out right with the puppy culture program. Our dogs are very much a part of our family and we would never raise or keep them in kennels. Our puppies are no different. They are raised as our own in our home until they go home to their new families. We like to know all about our Golden Retriever puppies future family and what activities they like to do so we can expose them to it, if possible, before they go home. By the time they are ready for their new families, they have already started to learn how to interact with children and are learning manners while interacting with their littermates and other qualified dogs. Our Goldens make wonderful family pets and many have gone on to be great therapy dogs. Our girls are treated like family and bred once a year at the most. We retire them at the age of 6 years old and they go on to live wonderful lives as family pets. They are always checked and cleared by our vet before they are bred. Our goal is to raise happy, healthy, smart puppies for great people. Dams and sires are also voluntarily genetically tested through Animal Genetics Inc. We strive to improve the English Cream Golden Retriever breed and provide families with healthy puppies with wonderful temperaments. We reserve the right to choose each puppy for the right family. They are raised in our kitchen in the center of our home. We socialize, train, bond with, and record their every moments and therefore we believe we are most suitable to choose a puppy for each home. We never let anyone come in and pick a puppy from our litters period. It would be a lot less work if we did, but we believe it is our job to match each puppy with their perfect family. They will steal your heart and give you many years of blessed memories. Breeders should never have anything to hide and should always make you feel comfortable knowing you are getting a wonderful puppy from a qualified non-puppy mill operation. We only have a couple dogs because we believe in making sure there is quality time for everyone, people included! From our family to yours, thank you for choosing Country Pearls Goldens! Attention puppy buyers!!! Responsible buyers only. And you know what, I agree…mostly. There are a lot of bad and irresponsible breeders out there. What is a bad and irresponsible breeder to me? I am not any of those. I breed to better the breed in health, conformation, and especially temperament. None of my puppies will ever sit in a shelter, rescue, or pound. My puppies are all microchipped before they leave my home and my contact information is permanently attached to them forever. My puppies will never stay there. Now, I believe irresponsible pet buyers are the real problem! If you are looking to buy a puppy from a breeder, a good, reputable breeder, you will never be able to just walk right in and buy a puppy with very few exceptions. Those bad breeders would be out of business very fast if bad buyers would quit supporting them. Those dogs are there at no fault of their own. They came from bad breeders who let bad buyers take a puppy. Not from a home like mine. If you are a new buyer and have questions, ask me. My friends will help you. But stop blaming the good breeders, the excellent breeders. Blame the ones who fork over the cash. Buy from and wait patiently for a puppy from a good, responsible breeder or adopt. E M A I L : countrypearlsgoldens gmail.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Wish your golden retriever puppy would stop biting so much? Puppy nipping is one of the most frustrating things about raising a new puppy—their teeth are razor-sharp, it hurts when they bite, and they can ruin your clothes! But why do puppies bite so much? Puppies bite to learn acquired bite inhibition, or ABI. What exactly is ABI? He might leap up and bite you because you hurt him and scared him. But the important thing is this: how hard will they bite? This is where ABI comes in. So ABI is really important. Now the question is, how do they learn it? The only way for puppies to learn ABI is to bite, and bite often. The best teachers are other dogs. Next time they bite a little less hard and playtime continues. This is how they learn ABI. Obviously, it takes a lot of repetition of this scenario to happen for a puppy to learn not to bite so hard, but this is essentially how it works out. Yes, you will need to help teach your puppy ABI. You can do this two ways: Set up puppy playdates and take them to puppy kindergarten so other puppies can teach them ABI. You actually want them to bite a little bit and learn to control how hard they bite. That being said, letting them go on a biting rampage is not helping the situation, so here are five tips to help you stop your puppy from biting so much: 1. Socialize your puppy Other dogs are the best teachers of ABI so make sure to get your puppy in kindergarten and set up playdates with dogs that you know are vaccinated. Remove yourself from the situation Puppies can often be over-stimulated or over-tired. One thing we did with our puppy, Oliver, when he got in these moods was to go sit at our high-top table in the kitchen and ignore him until he calmed down or distracted himself with a chew toy. Exercise your puppy A tired puppy is a good puppy. Young puppies have weak jaws, so if they had dull teeth, a bite from them would be no big deal. Most adult golden retrievers bite out of fear and a professional can help you properly handle it. Puppy Biting vs. Chewing Puppy biting or nipping is when a dog purposefully bites you. As we already talked about, they need to do this to learn ABI. Puppy chewing, on the other hand, is when puppies chew on things to relieve the pressure in their mouths from their adult teeth coming in. Since puppies bite and chew for different reasons, you need to handle these problems differently. Mentally wear them by out by training them, going for long walks and letting them sniff around, and giving them puzzle toys or frozen kongs. Remember that a tired puppy is a good puppy. A: It can take up to six weeks or more for your puppy to learn ABI and what is appropriate to bite or not. If it takes longer than six weeks, just remember to be consistent with the steps to stop it and have faith that it will slow down soon. Q: Is puppy biting an act of aggression? A: Most puppy biting is a form of play. It helps them learn ABI. If you think your puppy is biting out of aggression, then you should talk to a professional. Q: Why are puppy teeth so sharp? Q: What is ABI? A: ABI is acquired bite inhibition, or the natural ability for a dog to not bite so hard. Q: Do all puppies bite? A: Yes! Instead, they need to learn to control their bite force, then learn to bite less. Have any questions about puppy biting? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. But much like other puppies, a Golden Retriever puppy has a tendency to chew and bite. So, how can you train your Golden Retriever puppy not to bite? Consistency is the key to teaching your Golden Retriever puppy not to bite. However, you have to train your dog to behave, and that includes keeping them from biting. This article may contain affiliate links and loyalgoldens may earn a commission if a purchase is made. Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear. This is the best at home dog training I've ever used! Get up and walk away from the dog. Leave the room if you can. Focus on something else for a bit. And believe me, a Golden Retriever puppy or not always wants your attention! Now, you may not see immediate results with this method, but it will work over time if you remain consistent. Sending your new puppy mixed signals will only confuse him or her. You can pet your dog to reward them for not getting mouthy with your hand or fingers while playing. It can take a while to get to this stage, so be patient. When, your dog gets through an entire play session without biting, that deserves some extra love. Now, you have to be careful not to give too much attention when your dog does bite. If your Golden Retriever reverts to biting out of excitement or nervousness, immediately stop giving them attention. Turn away and ignore your dog like what you did before. Hopefully, they will get the message more quickly, so you can go back to playing without them biting. Use a firm tone rather than a cute tone you might use when praising your dog. When you say no, use physical signals to get your Golden Retriever to stop. Take your hand out of their mouth and move it out of reach. Make sure anyone who trains the dog uses the same firm tone. Tips to stop golden retriever pups from biting. Watch for Patterns Another way you can train your Golden Retriever puppy to stop biting is to watch for patterns. See if your dog tends to bite more at certain times of day, in the same room, or while playing with a particular toy. When your dog does bite, you can use other methods to get them to stop immediately. But after the fact, write down the date, time, and situation. If multiple people are training your dog, you should also log who your dog tends to bite. That way, you can see if there are patterns. Use Bitter Spray When you start training your Golden Retriever puppy, you may want to try using a bitter spray on your hands. Try this bitter spray Amazon , it works on your hands to stop chewing and biting and it also works on other things around the house that a new puppy might want to chew on like houseplants, furniture, etc. This can be an easy way to get your dog not to bite you. Now, this can be difficult if your dog bites other areas of your body, but it can help. You might get quicker results than if you only stuck to ignoring your dog. Have Lots of Toys Another excellent way to train your Golden Retriever to stop biting you is to use toys. You should be careful and use toys when your dog exhibits good behavior. But you can give your dog chew toys so that they have something they can bite. There is even a teething ring for dogs Amazon that you keep in the freezer and it provides something cool to chew on to help ease the pain during this period of your puppies life. Then, your dog will want to behave well when they play with you. Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games : 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved! You can have a bag of small treats in your pocket that you use when playing with your dog. Whenever they go a long time without biting, you can give them a treat. You can also use the treats to distract your dog. If you know their patterns and when they usually bite, you can preempt that with a treat. Then, your dog can chew on the food rather than your hand. There are tons of treats out there, so go with something small. Try to avoid using treats as a bribe, and focus on making them a reward. That way, your dog can look forward to a treat for their good habits. Start As Soon as Possible Training your Golden Retriever puppy not to bite should start as soon as you bring your puppy home. If you wait until your dog gets into the habit of biting, it will be hard to break. You may still need to use various ways to train your dog, but it should be easier. Starting when your puppy is super young can also help them with other areas of their life. If you can train them not to bite, you will know how they learn best, which will help you train them for other things. It will also be harder if you use one method while your spouse uses another method. Everyone in your household should decide on how and when to train your Golden Retriever puppy. Use the same toys or treats, train your dog simultaneously, or use the same speaking tone. That way, your dog can learn from everyone rather than a single trainer. Then, you all can enjoy your Golden Retriever, and they can develop good habits. Final Thoughts Training a Golden Retriever to stop biting can take some time. You have to figure out when your dog bites and what triggers the biting. Then, you have to determine how your dog learns best and use that method to train your puppy. But once you find the perfect tool, your dog will learn to stop biting. They Are Naturally Mouthy Golden Retrievers are a mouthy breed, to begin with, they are naturally inclined to pick up and hold anything and everything in their mouths. While it may seem like there is something wrong with your puppy to cause him or her to bite so much, rest assured, all puppies bite, not just Golden Retriever puppies. Play Behaviour When you see a litter of pups play together, they often nip and bite at one another. It is their way of socializing and initiating play. Your puppy will bite and nip at you during playtime with you because it is a natural behaviour to them. They Are Teething Many people associate puppy biting with teething, however when a puppy is teething they will resort to chewing and mouthing in order to relieve their pain. They may chew or mouth on your hands and fingers, but teething is not the cause of biting that every puppy owner experiences. Puppy biting is most often just play. To summarize, puppy biting is normal and should be expected as a puppy owner. In general, biting will naturally subside in Golden Retriever puppies around the age of months. This is around the time that their adult teeth have come in. Puppies at this age usually already know how to moderate their bite, and will not bite or nip at you as much as they did when they were younger. While biting anything and everything is normal behaviour to your puppy, it is not something that you want your puppy to continue to do. It is up to you to teach your puppy not to bite humans, especially children. Take a look at the common mistakes puppy owners often make, and learn to avoid them. Puppies who are excited bite more. Children often fall victim to the most puppy bites because they get very excited around puppies and this just gets the puppy going which results in biting. Any attention that you give your puppy after they bite you will seem like a reward to your puppy, and the biting will just continue. Yelling at your puppy, pushing them away, talking to your puppy, or even looking at them is giving them the attention that they want. Bite inhibition is when your puppy learns how to control the strength of his bite. Puppies learn this skill when they are with their littermates, which is why they need to stay with them and their mother until they are 8 weeks old. Playing with their littermates teaches puppies that biting too hard hurts and will end playtime. The puppy then learns to bite softer. When your puppy comes home with you, it is up to you to teach your puppy how to control the force of their bite. Biting down on the thick fur coat of his mother or littermates is a lot different than biting down on human skin. By not teaching your puppy bite inhibition, you will risk your puppy turning into a dangerous adult. Puppy bites are a lot different than adult dog bites. Once your puppy learns how to control the strength of his bite, eventually the bites become gentler, and in time, your puppy will learn to stop biting altogether. This is part of teaching your puppy bite inhibition. This is a way to mimic how puppies play together, when one puppy bites another puppy too hard, that puppy yelps in pain, and will walk away. In some cases, puppies could get even more worked up by the noise and keep on biting. This is when you need to walk away. When your puppy has calmed down, you can resume playing with your puppy. When your puppy bites you again, repeat the steps of yelping and walking away. Eventually, your puppy will learn to soften his bite, because biting too hard ends playtime. The following video discusses why puppies bite, how to teach bite inhibition and how to survive puppy biting. It is a good idea to have a few chew toys on hand to offer up as a distraction from your skin. Check out this list of the best teething toys for puppies. This will get your puppy to stop and focus on being obedient. A great way to solve boredom is by going for a walk with your puppy. How much exercise should you give your Golden Retriever puppy? A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes of exercise for every month that your puppy is alive. So a 3-month-old puppy should get 15 minutes of exercise a day, a 5-month-old puppy should get 25 minutes per day, and so on. This is in addition to and not instead of playtime. Bitter Apple Spray can also be used to prevent your puppy from nipping and biting at you. Before you interact with your puppy, spray it on your arms, legs, pant legs, or sleeves, anywhere that your puppy likes to nip at you. Once your puppy bites at you, he will get a bad taste in his mouth and will stop. Bitter Apple Spray may not work on all puppies, some may actually develop a taste for it. I know that when my Golden Retriever Ellie was a pup this stuff worked amazingly well, but as she got older she developed a taste for bitter things such as crab apples which are extremely sour and she once sucked on a vinegar packet that was lying on the ground! Reward Good Behaviour Every time your puppy stops biting and nipping at you, you need to see this as positive behaviour. Good behaviour should be rewarded so that your puppy learns that he did something good. Rewarding good behaviour with affection and praise is great, you can also use treats, or toys, sometimes the best reward for your puppy is just spending time with them. Be Patient and Consistent Owning a puppy requires a lot of patience! It is so easy to lose your patience at times, but you need to know that your puppy is learning what is right and wrong, and that takes time. It might not happen overnight, but as long as you remain consistent and patient, your pup will learn good behaviour. If your puppy is nipping at your pant legs or sleeves, chances are he is loving the tugging feeling and is actually already playing tug-of-war. Instead of using your clothing, redirect his attention to a rope toy. One thing to be careful of is being too rough with tug-of-war, especially when your puppy is going through his teething phase. A game of fetch offers your pup a distraction from biting, and Golden Retriever puppies naturally love to retrieve things. This is a great way to also teach your puppy to drop it, by offering a treat when your puppy drops the ball or rope toy. A well-socialized puppy will be less likely to exhibit any unwanted behaviours later on. Enrolling your pup in puppy kindergarten or arranging some play dates with other dogs who are friendly and vaccinated is a great way for your pup to learn social skills. Other dogs are sometimes the best teachers for a puppy because they will let your puppy know what is okay for play and what is not okay, in terms of biting and nipping. Always supervise your puppy while playing with other dogs. Yelling at your puppy will only make your puppy scared and confused as well as lose trust and respect for you. Common mistakes people make when their puppy is biting are pushing them away, clamping down on their mouths or spraying them in the face with water. All of these are a bad idea! Your puppy could see this behaviour as a form of play and continue biting and nipping at you even harder. If you remain calm and use a firm voice not yelling , your pup will see you as in charge. Puppies and dogs often exhibit the same behaviour as we do, if you get upset and start yelling, your puppy will just get even more excited. As unpleasant as puppy biting is, it is normal behaviour. Your puppy biting and nipping at you with a mouth full of shark teeth may seem aggressive, but it is most often just out of curiosity and play behaviour. Golden Retrievers are known for their calm and gentle demeanour, but there are rare instances where you may have an aggressive puppy on your hands. Puppies who have been taken away from their litter earlier than weeks, bad breeding, being abused, a chemical imbalance, and not being socialized are all reasons for aggression in puppies. Signs of an aggressive puppy include barking, growling, lunging at you or another dog, a stiff posture, and showing teeth. If you think your puppy is aggressive, it is important to work with a professional dog trainer or behaviourist in order to find out the reasons for aggression and work on correcting the behaviour before it gets worse. It is important to keep your calm and work with your puppy to teach him the important skill of bite inhibition, and to redirect his biting to more appropriate behaviour. Socializing your puppy, as well as rewarding good behaviour will all help to turn your puppy into a well-behaved dog. Have you tried any of the tips mentioned above? Do you have any other tips to stop Golden Retriever puppy biting? Share your thoughts and comments below, as well as any questions you may have. I would love to hear from you. Jenny I am the proud owner of a Golden Retriever named Ellie. She keeps me busy, and when she is resting, you can find me working on my blog. She is always close by though. I live in Stirling, ON Canada with my husband, and we both enjoy the never a dull moment life with our Ellie. Spread the love. You are bound to want to know when your biting puppy will grow out of this phase and how you can speed that process up. Biting, as you will have discovered is usually accompanied by lots of noise! Why do puppies bite? So why do puppies bite? My puppy is biting hard Puppies do bite hard and it does hurt. But I want to reassure you that even at 8 weeks old, your puppy has learned to moderate his bite in play. Puppies have powerful jaws designed to tear through flesh and crush bones. Those of you who feed your puppy a raw diet will know that even an 8 week old puppy from a medium sized breed can crush bones the size of your little finger. He is deliberately attempting to be gentle. Puppy Biting — Bite inhibition This ability, that your puppy has, to moderate the power of his jaws in play, is called bite inhibition. It is something that his mother started to teach him when he was just a few weeks old. And now it is your turn to take over and complete the training process. Growling and Puppy biting One thing that often worries people who have a new puppy in the family, is the growling that accompanies puppy biting. It sounds horrific. Great snarls and snaps accompany the biting and the puppy can appear quite demonic as he grabs onto your skin, or clothes. Tugging away with all the strength he can muster. Ninety nine times out of a hundred this is completely normal play biting. Is my puppy biting aggressive? You cannot determine whether or not a puppy is biting aggressively by how hard he bites or by the volume of the noise he makes. Play biting puppies bite hard and growl fiercely. Some puppies do occasionally draw blood. But these are not normally savage or crushing bites and the puppy is clearly enjoying himself. Fierce but fun! The play biting puppy will launch himself at the target of his bite. Whether it is your slippers or your fingers, with equal tail-wagging enthusiasm, hanging on grimly and grabbing repeatedly when the item is removed from him. All this, shocking though it may seem, is normal, and is not a sign that your puppy is going to be an aggressive dog! In fact some of the gentlest and most amiable breeds the labrador for example are the worst and fiercest play biters. The puppy that is a cause for concern is the puppy that is frightened. Because although puppies rarely bite through aggression, the nervous puppy may become aggressive as he matures Is my puppy afraid? A scared puppy may bite and scared puppies can grow into scared adult dogs so this is something you need to address quickly. You will know that your puppy is scared because he will try to avoid whatever it is he is scared of. A really frightened puppy will sometimes give off a distinctive musky smell. This hiding, and retreating, and the scared smell are warning signs that you have scared your puppy badly, or purchased a poorly socialised puppy. In this situation you need to get specialist help right away. Your vet should be able to advise you. For the vast majority of puppy owners then, biting is normal puppy behavior. Will my puppy biting stop naturally? To some extent biting is a phase caused by natural puppy playfulness and teething. Some puppies do stop biting with very little input from their family. Which is great. You may feel he should have grown out of it by now. We can physically prevent puppies from biting and we can train puppies not to bite. Both of these are good strategies. Or when children are getting upset, or visitors are winding your puppy up. Prevention usually involves interrupting the biting behavior, then redirecting the puppy into an alternative and more acceptable behavior, such as chewing on a toy. Or, it may involve temporarily separating him from his playmates. Interrupting the puppy biting In mild cases you may simply be able to put a toy in your biting puppy's mouth and get him tugging on that instead of on your fingers. If you are on the floor with the puppy stand up. And if you are standing up, turn and walk away from the puppy. This is where dog gates come in very handy with small puppies. A standard baby gate works fine for most breeds of dog. Managing the puppy You may have to pick up your biting puppy to remove him from the scene if he is biting your children for example, rather than you If he bites your hands and clothes as you try to restrain him, put him on the other side of a barrier or in his crate or puppy playpen for a short while. Although the puppy does learn from them, these are useful management techniques to enable you to control the situation. They help you to keep your puppy calm, and prevent the biting escalating through over excitement. Over-excited puppies Puppy play biting is directly linked to excitement. The more excited your puppy gets, the more and the harder he will bite. And the harder it will be to interrupt and distract him. Rough play excites puppies and noisy play does too. Children tend to squeal when they play and get very physical with puppies. One of the first rules they need to learn when playing with dogs, especially big dogs, is to stand up and stand still when the game gets too much. Limit such play and call a halt to it if your puppy is biting. With medium to large breed dogs, physical rough and tumble play is not a great idea. It can lead to dogs bowling people over or humping them, neither of which is very pleasant. Stopping play when it gets rough is a good management strategy and it is a form of training too. Over time, your puppy learns that biting and rough play loses him his playmates and that people simply leave if he is being mean. When do puppies stop biting? Many puppies have stopped biting completely by six months of age and biting is usually subsiding by the time that the puppy is heading towards five months old. This is if the puppy has been managed appropriately If people have been exciting him, or rewarding him for attention seeking behavior then biting can persist And it can be much more of a problem in bigger stronger puppies than in little ones. Training Puppies Not To Bite The idea of this exercise is to teach a puppy to accept being stroked and handled in any way, without touching us with his teeth. The event marker is a distinctive sound. Even around his mouth, without him making any attempt to bite you. You can also make it easier for him by starting this training when he is calm and not distracted. But for now, keep things simple. It can be a good way of getting the training started so that you have chance to say YES and give the puppy the opportunity to learn what you want him to do. Over the next few sessions, you can work on getting your hand closer and closer to the puppy. Until you are brushing the sides of his face without him making any attempt to mouth or bite at you Progress to touching and holding his collar, stroking his ears, grooming him, examining his paws and so on, all the time rewarding him for the correct behavior. Anytime the mouthing returns, back up to a point where he can succeed and move forward more slowly again Bite Inhibition Training Some experts feel that puppies should be allowed to mouth and even bite gently for a week or two before being prevented from biting altogether. Simply follow the instructions for managing your puppy above when he bites hard. But allow him to mouth you when he bites gently without much pressure. This is a great way to teach a dog excellent control over his mouth. After a couple of weeks of this, you can progress to the training exercise I outlined in the previous section. Older puppies that bite in play have often learned that this gets them a lot of attention. They have discovered that people squeal and shout and get quite cross. Sometimes these people push and shove the dog around which young dogs quite enjoy when they are playing. For these dogs it is important that you stop all physical play, with all family members If a puppy is biting hard at your hands when you try to interrupt his game. Or an older puppy is getting out of hand biting at clothing, you need to put your puppy on a harness and house-line a short trailing leash. This will enable you to control your puppy, and take him to a calming place, without handling him. You can just pick up the end of the line and lead him away. Older biting puppies are often bright and bored. And the best approach to avoiding future episodes of bad behavior is a structured programme of training and interesting activities. A professional dog trainer using modern positive training methods will be able to help you with these. Summary So now you know some tips on how to stop your puppy from biting. The first few weeks can be tough with a determined biter in the house, but you will get through this and come out the other side. A few months from now, this difficult period will be a distant memory In the meantime, focus on keeping your biting puppy calm, avoiding too much rough play, and redirecting his biting onto appropriate toys and activities. Spend some time on the training exercise set out above. Are you a proud new golden retriever puppy parent or considering getting a furry friend? While puppies are adorable and full of energy, they can also be a handful, especially when it comes to biting. This article will cover practical strategies to manage puppy biting and help you and your pup develop a solid and loving relationship. Thus biting is natural. Their bites will become softer as they practice and learn to manage their bite strength. They will eventually stop biting entirely. While biting is a natural part of the learning process, it is essential to train your puppy not to bite excessively. Here are a few tips to get you started: Providing Chew Toys for Redirecting Biting Behavior Providing chew toys is an excellent approach to help your puppy stop biting. When your puppy begins to bite you, remove your hand or foot and replace it with a chew toy. This teaches them that biting is acceptable, but only when done with toys, not people. It is essential to keep an eye on your puppy when they play with chew toys to ensure they do not consume anything toxic. By exposing your puppy to a variety of people, animals, and environments in a controlled and positive manner, you can help them develop proper social skills and reduce biting tendencies. Socialization helps puppies learn appropriate bite inhibition and establishes boundaries for acceptable behavior during interactions. Through well-planned socialization experiences, you can guide your puppy towards becoming a well-behaved and gentle companion. Employing the Time-Out Strategy for Persistent Biting Use the time-out strategy when other methods fail to stop your puppy from biting. If your puppy continues to bite, place him on a time-out for 30 seconds before allowing him to return to play. This teaches your puppy that biting is unacceptable and will result in a loss of playtime or attention. Again, use a gentle tone and avoid shouting or scolding your puppy. When your puppy plays gently with their toys instead of biting you, shower them with praise and perhaps even a tasty gift! This teaches your puppy that good behavior leads to beautiful things. Instead, concentrate on encouraging appropriate behavior and redirecting any inappropriate biting. Your puppy will learn to control their biting and play in a friendly and safe manner with time, patience, and positive reinforcement. This entails repeating the same commands, techniques, and rewards each time you train. When you do this, your puppy learns what is expected of them and how to get rewarded. On the other hand, if you are inconsistent, your puppy may get confused and unsure of what they need to do to please you. This can make training more difficult and frustrating for you and your puppy. So, strive to be consistent in your training. However, they can get nippy during their fun exploration of the world around them. The good news is that this is a natural habit for pups, and there are ways to deal with it. Puppies prefer to bite to initiate play, learn more about their surroundings, and adjust their bite pressure, especially when they are teething. These actions are part of how they play, interact, and learn about their environment. First, however, puppies must be taught how to control their biting pressure and redirect their biting to appropriate toys and chew objects, which we will discuss later. Puppy bites, for example, can become more painful and even harmful as they increase in size. Additionally, it might lead to destructive chewing if you do not divert their biting habit to appropriate chew items. As a result, it is critical to address this habit early on through regular teaching and positive reinforcement. Understand what motivates them and what makes them more likely to engage in biting. Adjust your training methods: Not all puppies respond to the same training techniques. Some may respond better to positive reinforcement, while others may require more redirection and distraction. Consider their energy levels: Golden Retrievers are known for their energy and enthusiasm. Be patient and consistent: Training takes time, and each puppy learns at their own pace. Be patient with your puppy and provide consistent guidance. Remember, every Golden Retriever puppy is an individual, and what works for one may not work for another. With a customized approach, you can effectively address biting behavior and set your unique puppy on the path to becoming a well-behaved and happy companion. So, most puppies begin to bite and mouth less frequently when they are 8 to 10 months old. However, this varies greatly depending on the individual pup. Some may stop sooner, while others may take a little longer. Golden retrievers, for example, love using their tongues. At the same time, herding dogs such as border collies or corgis may continue to nip at ankles as they age. Just keep working with your pet and providing the guidance they require to create positive habits! Conclusion As you begin the joyful road of raising your Golden Retriever puppy, keep in mind that training and socialization are essential for producing a happy and well-behaved dog. You can teach your puppy what is expected of them and create healthy behaviors that will last a lifetime using consistent and positive reinforcement techniques. Remember that each puppy is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. You will be rewarded with a devoted and well-behaved companion if you are patient and committed to the training process. Remember to give your puppy enough exercise and mental stimulation and to continuously reward positive behavior. You can help your puppy grow into a happy and healthy adult dog who will provide you happiness for many years by doing so. By the time your puppy reaches around three months of age, they should start to develop bite inhibition and learn to control the force of their bites during play. As you continue to interact and train with your puppy, you can gradually increase your sensitivity to the level of bites you find acceptable. By the age of four or five months, their play bites should no longer exert any force. Can I use physical punishment to stop my puppy from biting? Certainly not! To stop a puppy from biting, never use physical punishment. It is not only ineffective, but it can also be harmful and cause long-term behavioral issues. Instead, train your puppy using positive reinforcement techniques, including redirection, time-outs, and excellent rewarding behavior. What can I do? Puppies frequently nip and bite while playing with other dogs, but teaching them to control their bite force is essential. My puppy is teething. What can I do to stop them from biting? Teething is a normal developmental stage for puppies , and they naturally want to chew and bite things. Similar to what we discussed earlier. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. In reality, more than 4. Although only a tiny percentage have to seek medical attention, the experience can be unnerving for the person being bit and the dog owner. But to help your pup, you should understand why puppies and older dogs bite and what type of training will inhibit their inclination to bite. So, why do Golden puppies bite so much? Like human babies, puppies also teethe. Teething starts around three weeks when their first milk teeth come in. Once this process begins, your puppy will want to bite and chew on almost everything, including you! Biting helps relieve the pain in their gums and soothes some of the irritation as new teeth come in. Retrievers were originally bred to pick up and retrieve prey, which means using their mouths as a tool is part of their genetics. In the 19th century , hunters would use this breed to help them hunt waterfowl and other game. Once they shot down a bird, the dog would find it, pick it up in its mouth, and bring it back. Another factor is those foundational canine instincts. Guarding people, digging holes, turning around before lying down, and biting — these behaviors are part of the canine DNA. These early versions of domesticated dogs developed strong social instincts, which is why dogs today can become nervous when separated from their packs. When they feel alone and anxious, they might bark, howl, or start chewing or biting on anything they can find until you come home. Goldens, in particular, seek the approval of their owners. Training your puppy not to bite unwanted things and be gentle when using their mouth is known as bite inhibition. Most Golden Retriever puppies outgrow their biting habits. Usually, when teething is over and all their adult teeth have come in — at around six and seven months old — you can expect the puppy-biting phase to end. However, not every pup will stop on its own. Some will need training to break the habit. Of bites reported from to , Golden Retriever bites account for one bite every two years. If your Golden Retriever is biting, it might have underlying issues that require addressing. But seeing your older Golden bite can be alarming. Even the calmest dogs might bite if provoked. The better you understand where your dog is coming from, the easier it is to implement a solution. For instance, say an intruder breaks into your home. As a reaction, your dog might bark or growl. And, if they feel threatened enough, they might try to bite the intruder. This is an example of territorial aggression. Fear: if a dog feels cornered or trapped or is startled, their first instinct might be to bite. Maternal or protective: when your pet feels that someone in their pack is at risk, they might act aggressively to the perceived threat. Predatory: this is when a dog reacts to fast-moving things and starts aggressively chasing. Playful Playful biting is a lot like Golden Retriever puppy biting. This type of biting occurs when the dog never outgrows the puppy-play biting stage. If playfulness is behind the problem, teaching bite inhibition now by reinforcing positive behavior can go a long way in helping your dog drop their bad habits. For example, if a rambunctious puppy continually nips at an adult Golden Retriever, the older dog might snap at the younger puppy. This can happen when a dog is in pain because of a health issue. Golden Retrievers are genetically predisposed to several conditions that can cause pain and discomfort, including the following: Hip and elbow dysplasia Cancer Eye conditions, such as entropion Getting your Golden Retriever puppy from a reputable breeder can help to reduce the chances that your dog will develop these and other health conditions. The Golden Retriever breed has one of the highest cancer rates. And older dogs, in general, are more susceptible to disease. If you notice your dog starting to bite and growl for no apparent reason, it also might be worth talking to your vet to rule out health problems. But as every dog has a unique personality, you might need to work through different methods before successfully teaching bite inhibition. Here are three methods you can use to teach your Golden Retriever puppy not to bite. Method 1: Socialization Puppies who are properly socialized learn bite inhibition while nursing and playing. Both of these social feedback mechanisms help to teach a puppy to bite softly or not at all. Bringing your puppy to meet other playful pups or taking them to the dog park when they are ready can help them learn not to bite. A reputable breeder will also spend time socializing your Golden Retriever puppy with both other dogs and people. These interactions can help your puppy learn how to be gentle before you even bring them home. The key to this training technique is redirecting their focus before your dog can react. Method 3: Deterrence The name of the game here is to deter your puppy from having a satisfying experience when they start biting. There are a couple of ways deterrence training can work when teaching your Golden Retriever to stop biting. Golden Retriever puppies want to please their owners. Another option is to use a safe deterrence spray for puppies. For example, if your puppy has a habit of biting your furniture, you can apply an anti-chew spray like a bitter apple or bitter cherry. Eventually, your dog will start associating that fun thing to chew on with an awful taste and lose interest. Know that positive reinforcement is your best friend, no matter what training you use to teach your Golden Retriever to give up on biting. Successfully training your Golden Retriever comes down to understanding why the biting occurs. You can contact expert dog trainers who have experience with biting. Some trainers specialize in addressing underlying issues, such as aggression. Otherwise, your dog might never grow out of their habits. Instead, use socialization and puppy training tools to help your little Golden Retriever learn how to respond to different environments, triggers, and people. With social and lifestyle training, puppies are exposed to various situations, so they learn how to behave around other people, at the park, vet, and home. Ultimately, education during puppyhood is the foundation of a happy and healthy adulthood. At Snowy Pines, we teach our White Lab and English Cream Golden Retriever puppies the skills they need to be happy, tail-wagging dogs, including bite inhibition. Check out our Wagology curriculum and lifestyle modules today! Share on. Read the full disclosure here. Tasty finger! Your golden retriever puppy is as friendly as can be — great with kids, respectful of other dogs, and not overly attentive to your cat. Yes, golden retrievers are known for their good-natured demeanor, but they are still dogs — not so very far removed from their wild cousins, and they can be unpredictable when faced with stressful, disturbing, or frightening situations. One of our jobs as responsible dog owners, of course, is to keep our dogs safe, but we may not always be able to protect them, and we may not always be able to prevent them from biting through fear or when in pain. What is Bite Inhibition? Puppies begin learning this from their mother and siblings as soon as they start to tumble around with each other in play. If they bite too hard, they are scolded by their mother or alerted with a yelp from their siblings. Eventually, they learn how hard is too hard, and they use their teeth more gently in play. Human Sensitive or Advanced Bite Inhibition By the time your puppy moves into your home, they will have been using their bite inhibition skills for weeks. Your puppy needs to learn that human beings are fragile and should be treated with care. There are many professional trainers who recommend that you simply train your puppy not to bite. This seems like a practical course of action, and it does work — in the short term. Teaching a puppy not to bite will give you quick results, but it may mean they never learn how much force is safe to use on people when they are forced to bite in an emergency. So if they do eventually bite, they will know to hold back the pressure safely and will not cause anywhere near as much pain or damage as they otherwise might. Why is Bite Inhibition Important? Believe it or not, even the most gentle dog that has been trained from a young age never to bite, can react to certain triggers. Those triggers are fear and pain. Consider these situations: Your dog has been suffering from chronic ear infections and hates to have his ears handled. The neighbor stops by with her toddler, who immediately runs to your dog and fondles his sensitive ears roughly. What will he do? You and your dog are walking down the road like you do every morning when out of nowhere comes a huge dog who attacks your dog without thinking twice. You manage to pull your dog away, but in the process, your frightened dog bites your arm. Your sweet golden retriever has gotten themself tangled in some barbed wire while hiking. As you loosen the wire from her skin and fur, she snaps at you, biting your hand. You may never experience any of these situations. By teaching bite inhibition while your puppy is young, you will be far safer and ready for any of these situations should they occur. Teaching Advanced Bite Inhibition Following is a general guide to the bite inhibition skills your puppy learns and when, as well as where you should aim for their skills to be at certain ages. She will start the puppies off by teaching them how rough is too rough during nursing and play. These lessons begin when the puppies start nursing day 1 and continue until the day you pick your puppy up from the breeder. This works for some puppies, but for others, it just seems to arouse the pup and make matters worse. You will have to experiment to find out what works for you and your pup. You should withdraw all of your attention from your puppy for very hard bites. Do not over-correct your puppy so they become afraid of biting. After your puppy has calmed down, use a chew toy as a reward and let them chew it in your lap or lying by your side. This teaches you puppy that there are other ways to keep their mouths and teeth busy. By four or five months, all force behind play bites should be eliminated. Kids tend to play rough with puppies, and puppies will get rough right back. Your puppy needs to know that every human being is sensitive to their bites, not just you. It is a process that sometimes lasts months, depending on your puppy. Be prepared for this, and remember that long-term results in your adult dog are more important than curtailing puppy bites as painful as they may be. Supervise your puppy around children — If you have young children at home, you will have to think carefully about how you will protect them and your puppy. Little puppy teeth can cause a lot of pain, especially when your pup is still learning to control those urges. Young children can also cause a lot of pain to small puppies. Always supervise very carefully when your pup and children are together. A tired puppy is a happy puppy — It will be much easier to teach bite inhibition if your puppy is not bouncing off the walls. Make sure they get enough exercise every day. Not only will this help with training, but it will also help prevent all kinds of other destructive behavior. Conclusion Teaching bite inhibition to your golden retriever puppy is a gift you give to your pup that will last forever.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You need the best exercise for German Shepherd puppies to keep them healthy, fit, and, more importantly… Out of mischief! Quite the opposite is true for your fast-growing breed! German Shepherd puppies should stick to only five minutes of continuous, on-leash leisurely walking at a time, based on their age in months. So, an 8-week-old puppy can walk for 10 minutes at a time on a leash, while a 6-month-old can walk on a leash for 30 minutes at a time. However, your puppy can enjoy low-impact, gentle exercises for longer periods of time. You can play games that work on sustained growth multiple times per day safely. Instead, exercise on soft surfaces, for example: Grass Sand Dirt paths or trails Stretching of soft ligaments at too early an age, strains on young, growing joints, and carrying too much weight on their overall framework can and will harm your young puppy. This leads to problems in adulthood, which you could avoid! Remember to watch for: Panting heavily with rapid breath Lagging on their walks for longer than usual Stopping on walks and standing Lying down on their belly or side If your dog is hyperactive and displays excessive chewing and destructive behavior, they may need engaging brain stimulation to help them use their brains to engage in their environments constructively. Ideally, you also need to teach them basic commands and house manners. Start now with basic obedience training to avoid later behavioral issues. Eventually, your active, adult GSD will need at least 2 walks of 45 minutes each source. Other great ways to exercise your German Shepherd puppy include working on their balance, enjoying mental stimulation, and playing gently with toys they love. Until your vet clears your dog as having their bones fully fused this is around 12 to 18 months of age , activity should be cautious and slow-paced. Up to twelve months of age, natural free running is the best way to exercise German Shepherds. With free running, your dog is off-leash and can stop or slow as they wish. Limit and monitor on-leash walks and activity while your German Shepherd is growing. When walking on a leash, allow them to Walk at their own pace Stop and start as they please Sniff around leisurely to explore the grass, flowers, and trees Lay down, roll around, and dig in approved digging places Use a no-pull harness with a design that allows for natural shoulder movement to avoid unnatural gait development. Try this padded no-pull harness on your German Shepherd to avoid any neck injuries to her while she is young. This design also limits pulling and helps teach nice leash walking manners. The handle on the back of the no-pull harness makes it easy to grab your pup to stop them from running into a hazard or just to catch them! Read more helpful information on the benefits and disadvantages of using a harness or a collar to help you choose the right equipment for walking your new puppy. There are plenty of other ideas to try with your new baby German Shepherd. Even better? You can find so many ways to learn what your new German Shepherd puppy likes to play with for their fun and games! Keep reading for a German Shepherd puppy exercise chart and specific, step-by-step fun games to keep your new pup happy and healthy. Exercising puppies heavily too early in life may lead to joint damage. This is especially likely in large breeds with rapidly growing and heavily loaded joints, such as your GSD. High-Impact Activity to Avoid Jumping, especially from couches, furniture, or cars Twisting such as chasing a toy that wildly moves in many directions Exercising over hard or uneven ground especially sidewalks and asphalt Keep exercise short and frequent, as this is more beneficial than long, infrequent periods of activity. How to exercise your German shepherd so they get enough activity What kind of exercise is best for a German shepherd? How much exercise does a German shepherd need? Remember, this is just an average! Although exercise needs vary from dog to dog, German shepherds are an athletic, high-energy breed that needs several hours of activity per day. Recommended Videos Keep in mind that your German shepherd needs both physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Puzzle toys can be a helpful tool, though more energetic pups may prefer something like agility challenges. The idea is to give him a task that helps him feel satisfied and accomplished when he finally achieves it — sometimes just a good run together can do the trick. These are some of the most common symptoms of a sedentary lifestyle: 1. Destructive behavior Coming home to a room full of torn-up papers and other destruction is understandably frustrating, but it might also be a cause for concern. If chaotic behaviors seem to increase, especially suddenly, your pup might be redirecting the excess energy that would otherwise be released through exercise, work, or play. In fact, a bored shepherd may even try to herd you! Dogs also bark when looking for a reaction from someone in their environment. They may do this when bored, restless, or trying to communicate. It could simply be one way of expressing hyperactivity — in the same ways restless people tap their foot or pace — or it could be your furry friend trying to initiate petting or play. As cute as a chubby pup might be, carrying extra pounds definitely is not healthy for them. Poor physical health can be a precursor to mental problems like depression, which leaves a pup unmotivated, unhappy, and sometimes unwilling to exercise. He may lose interest in playtime and his other favorite things, or he may even act lethargic and sleepy. Of course, you might want to take them to a vet to eliminate the possibility of illness or injury. Some of these activities check off both physical and mental needs, but your dog will appreciate having a variety of activities as well. Even training can be fun and confidence-building for your dog — so, what are you waiting for? Editors' Recommendations. A daily German Shepherd exercise routine is a must for your high-energy breed! A daily exercise routine not only keeps them fit and healthy but also helps them develop better behavior. And you know how important it is to have a well-mannered dog! This guide has everything you need to start and keep your dog on the right track for a healthy life. So be sure to follow the right guide and advice for your German Shepherd. This information is for German Shepherds over one year of age who are healthy and without any known diseases or medical conditions. If you own an adult German Shepherd, his exercise tolerance will be almost limitless! This breed suits very active families and prefers lots of exercise daily source. They can become bored easily without a suitable daily routine. Exercises for German Shepherds The best exercises for German Shepherds move their bodies in a variety of ways while letting them explore their environment. They love to run, jump, sprint, swim, chase ball toys, fetch, tug, and catch. Walk your German Shepherd daily for the right amount of time. Walks are easy on most German Shepherds and are essential for dogs who spend much of their day indoors. Walking a German Shepherd is the most popular form of exercise for fitness and health. Walk your German Shepherd at least twice for 90 minutes Preferably split into 2 sessions in the morning and evening time Avoid extreme cold and heat to keep both of you safe Vary the surface you walk on to avoid damage to their joints from repetitive motions. Try this no-pull harness to have more control on your walks. The harness has 2 points to clip, in the front and on the back, which puts you in greater control of a wild-walking German Shepherd. The comfortable padding on the harness also helps prevent sore spots on your dog, avoiding any skin issues or fur loss. Walking Exercise Routine Two walks of 45 minutes to one hour each for an adult, healthy German Shepherd are a good start for an exercise routine to meet their needs. Remember, they require gentler exercises to avoid bone and joint damage. Jogging and running to increase endurance. German Shepherds love to run off-leash. Many German Shepherds love to run for fun with their owners. Your breed is built to move long distances over grassy, rocky, hilly terrain, and this shows in their desire for running. Look for softer surfaces to include with your daily exercise routine. Vary your surfaces for maximum health benefits. Also, running and jogging at a set pace is very repetitive on joints. Once your dog is more conditioned you can increase both the time and distance they run with you. Check their paws daily after each run to look for any sores, abrasions, or cuts. Tug-of-war game for strength and power training. German Shepherds are powerful and athletic, and they love to play games with their owners. Include simple strength training exercises at home to increase muscle mass and overall power by playing tug with your German Shepherd daily. And playing tug-of-war goes a long way in helping your Shepherd develop fuller, stronger muscles and more energy and vitality. The knots allow you to grip the rope and maintain control better while the cotton rope provides a soft surface for your German Shepherd to grip. Worried playing tug might make your German Shepherd more aggressive? German Shepherds are most active at dawn and dusk, so try to include at least 10 to 15 minutes of tug before work. Ideally, aim for tug daily if your dog enjoys the exercise. A flirt pole increases endurance. A flirt pole helps exercise your German Shepherd in small spaces. The flirt pole is a gift to worn-out German Shepherd owners! It not only helps your dog improve their basic manners and impulse control, but it also gives them a workout. And in just a few minutes of play! Look for a pole with an enticing lure to excite and interest your dog. How to Use a Flirt Pole with Your German Shepherd Lure your dog to play by dragging the toy on the ground in a large arching half-circle pattern. They chase the lure while you move the toy in different ways to keep them moving. They catch the lure and tug. You give their release or drop command and start the exercise game again. Avoid playing this game by moving the lure in tight circles or making your dog jump high in the air for it. If your dog is slipping frequently, definitely find another surface to play on. It can become damaged if left alone with your GSD or if they are allowed to tug on it excessively. Only use large arches on the ground to avoid sharp turns, especially for puppies. Include doggy squats for healthy hips. Have you heard of doggie squats for exercise? Dog squats help build strength in the large leg muscles. They also can help an aging Shepherd maintain their strength to keep them more mobile and prevent hip issues later in life. And in younger Shepherds that help give your dog the power to take on physical challenges. Dog squats are like human squats. Then, have them stand. Use treats to entice them to keep repeating the action. After two weeks, increase the reps in healthy dogs not puppies or seniors. Have your dog start with 2 sets of 5 squats and add on more squats gradually from there. Use a variety of tasty treats to keep them interested and motivated. You can increase the number of sets and reps as your dog looks more comfortable with the exercise and builds up strength in their hips. Running uphill improves muscle power and cardio health. Gently sloping hills are perfect for an exercise routine for your athletic GSD. Having your dog run uphill gives a great, free strength training workout. As your dog pushes themselves uphill, they must engage their rear leg muscles intensely. This is a great all-over bodybuilding exercise, but especially for their back end. Instead, look for a moderate rolling hill and encourage your dog by calling them up and down to you. This is also a cardio workout for you, too! Repeat this hill run a few times. Then, give your dog rest and repeat. Hill Running with Your German Shepherd Begin by exploring hill running only 2 times a week with plenty of rest in between hill runs to recover. You can gradually increase their routine to 3 to 4 times a week with longer sprints to keep their hearts in tip-top shape. A balancing disc helps improve reflexes and coordination. This is a balancing discs but only wobbles slightly on the top to avoid major falls or tumbles. The goal of balance activity is to enhance body awareness, encourage stable weight shifts, and promote stability and motor function. In a nutshell, balance exercises help teach your dog the way their body moves and how to alter their movements to adjust more easily. This means that your dog is less prone to injuries since their bodies are agile. Balancing discs are a very popular piece of exercise equipment for dogs and fitness professionals. It works by having your dog stand on the disc and using its muscles to stay balanced and stable. These are great for strengthening all muscle groups as a complete body workout. The Instability Challenge On the FitPaws balance disc, there are three basic ways to create a challenge for your dog. Have your dog place one paw on the platform and offer them a treat. Next, ask for both front paws on the board to increase difficulty. Finally, move into harder positions such as all four paws on the disc, sitting on the disk, or even backing up onto the disk with only the back paws. Balancing is also a great way to bond with your dog since they need to trust your commands and the support you provide to them. Balance Disc Exercise Routine 3 to 4 times a week start with an easy pose for your dog on the disc. As they improve their balance, increase the time slowly as you ask them to hold other poses, for example, front paws on disk, back paws on disk, and stepping on and off slowly. Sprints build muscle and cardio fitness. If you want to save your shoulder, try a dog ball launcher with your German Shepherd. And your German Shepherd naturally excels at speed because of its herding history. While excessive and sharp turns on the ground can injure your dog due to the stress of stopping, you can still play a game of catch in moderation. Instead of seeing how far you can throw the ball and having your GSD slide into the ground, aim for shooting the ball in the air a short distance in front to allow your dog to catch the ball and avoid harsh slides. You can launch tennis balls up to 50 feet in the air without exhausting your arms! Short sprints are great for burning away energy that would otherwise become pent-up anxiety in your dog. Sprints also increase lung and heart health, challenge muscles and balance, improve coordination, and make your German Shepherd happy! Instead, 3 to 4 times a week with rests during your sprints so they can catch their breath, aim for them to catch the ball from the air. Looking for the pawfect playtime for your German Shepherd? Weave poles for speed and agility. Your herding dog loves to learn to pole weave! Did you know that the German Shepherd holds the record for completing the fastest weave pole source? Nature made your breed for pole weaving! Weave poles are easy to teach by luring your dog through with a treat. Like this durable, adjustable weave pole that is easy to set up and store away, or can be adjusted quickly for beginners to learn the exercise. Set up your weave poles in your yard. Begin at one end of the weave poles and slowly lure your GSD through the poles. Reinforce their efforts with tasty rewards regularly. Once your German Shepherd has the hand of it, start narrowing the poles gradually together. This gives your dog a harder challenge. Many Shepherds love the weave and will readily enjoy it when you increase the difficulty with more poles. But some dogs, especially puppies, need extra practice to learn the weaving exercise motion. Stick with it for a great way to exercise your German Shepherd in a small area! Start slowly as they gain confidence in their new agility. Increase the challenge by adding in more poles or shortening the distance between poles. Encourage your dog to repeat the weave once they come through the end by running with them to the start of the weave poles and giving your command to weave again. Find a schedule that works for you and stick to an activity routine for the best health benefits for your companion. This means: You keep their mind active and out of trouble using puzzle games for your German Shepherd. You allow them to have a balanced social life where they interact with other dogs and people positively. Without a complete fitness and health program, your dog is likely to experience problems. And the worst part of it all? Some owners forget about starting at the most obvious foundation and neglect to give their German Shepherds the right diet. These negative behaviors can cause issues for your family that disrupts your lives. Start with a solid foundation to keep your German Shepherd healthy to avoid the fallout of poor fitness. Behavior and Mental Problems. Post header Skip post header How much exercise does a German Shepherd need? Making sure your German Shepherd gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation is really important for keeping them healthy and happy. Regular exercise can not only keep them in good shape, but it can also help improve their behaviour and well-being. How much exercise does a German Shepherd need? German Shepherds are highly active dogs , originally bred for working and guarding flocks of sheep, and more recently used by military and police forces. All this means that German Shepherds are among the most high-energy dogs out there. Of course, their exercise needs can vary based on a number of factors including age, fitness level, general health, food intake and more. That said, most German Shepherds usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing. To get an exercise goal tailored to your dog, simply download the free PitPat app and enter their details. How much exercise does a German Shepherd puppy need? This is especially true for this breed since they are prone to conditions like hip dysplasia. As a rule of thumb, puppies will need five minutes of formal exercise such as walkies for every month of their age. These walks should be opportunities to explore their environment, work on training and good behaviour outdoors, and socialise with other people and dogs in a controlled manner. How much exercise does a senior German Shepherd need? You can also set your own goals manually in case they have higher or lower exercise needs. What types of exercise are best for German Shepherds? German Shepherds excel at all sorts of exercise and canine sports thanks to their working background. In addition to their daily walks, you could try:. Sep 06, Puppies need exercise to develop healthy bones, muscles and hearts. Exercise goes a long way to help curb anxiety and behavior issues related to boredom. But you may have heard that too much exercise can be harmful. How much exercise is necessary, how much is too much, and what kinds of exercise should you be doing? As a general rule, your puppy knows best. Normal puppy play is okay, and you should never feel as though you should stop your puppy from playing on its own accord. Short walks are also okay, as long as your idea of a short walk isn't 3 miles every morning! Short games of fetch and tug are also okay. Fetch is especially hard on the body because most dogs rapidly accelerate to go after the ball and rapidly decelerate once they get to it, so good throws is plenty in conjunction with other acceptable exercises. Tug is also hard on the body, so minutes is plenty in conjunction with other acceptable exercises as well. Swimming is a great, low-impact exercise. Just make sure your puppy doesn't ingest too much water while swimming. It's also recommended that you not play fetch in the water because dogs can accidentally ingest a lot of water when retrieving toys thrown into bodies of water. Examples of exercises that are too rigorous for puppies are long hikes, running steps, long games of fetch, long walks, running, jogging, weight pull and pulling carts of any kind, wearing vests with anything over a few ounces in it for anything other than a short stroll, flyball, and inappropriate amounts of agility training. All of these things are stressful on soft, growing bones and joints and can result in hip and elbow dysplasia and musculoskeletal deformities, diseases and injuries. As a rule of thumb, don't exceed 5 minutes for each month of the puppy's age of acceptable exercise no more than twice a day. For instance, 15 minutes of exercise twice a day is ideal for a 3-month-old puppy, while 20 minutes twice a day is ideal for a 4-month-old puppy. As a general rule, you can start building up puppies to adult levels of exercise once they turn 9 months of age if they're not expected to grow over 25lbs. By a year they can be exercised as an adult as long as you properly build up their stamina. For medium and large breeds, you can begin to build them up to adult levels of exercise by 15 months and it's safe to exercise them as adults once they turn 18 months old. German Shepherd dogs will naturally travel in a cantering-lope rather than a slow walk. That means that it is imperative that you train your puppy early on how to walk on a leash by your side without pulling. German Shepherds are a powerful breed and are capable of dragging handlers who aren't strong enough to hold them back. Eliminate the possibility of a physical tug of war by relying on solid training instead. Remember, exercise is also great for keeping hip and elbow joints stabilized in German Shepherd Dogs. Many large breeds are known to suffer from hip and elbow problems later in life, but dysplasia seems to unfairly target the German Shepherd. Regular exercise can help to build muscle around joints to protect them. The more muscle, the less stress on the joint. Make sure you keep your puppies lean, well hydrated, and wait an hour or two after your puppy eats before exercise. If you stick by these rules, you lessen the chances of hip and elbow dysplasia, panosteitis, strains, sprains, ligament injuries, bloat, obesity, heart disease and arthritis. Also keep the temperature in mind and watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Stop exercise if your puppy no longer wants to play or stops to rest and everything should be fine. To start running, hiking, or any other intense workout, you should wait until your dog is fully grown. Before reaching adulthood, his bones, joints, and muscles are still in development, so they are fragile. As large dogs, they can take from 24 to 36 months 2 to 3 years to be fully grown and ready for adventures! As your dog ages, his energy will slowly start decreasing. At an elderly stage, your GSD will be more prone to joint issues and injuries. Just as puppies, old dogs are too fragile for high-impact sports. Around 1 hour of low-impact activity with some mental stimulation should be enough to keep them healthy and happy. Even if German Shepherds are generally healthy, they can still be prone to several medical or physical restrictions. At the same time, you can ask him for personalized advice to exercise your dog properly. Talking to an expert is always the best way to have accurate answers to your questions. They are also helpful to determine how much exercise he needs. Weight problems, joint issues, lack of stamina, and many other aspects can influence his requirements. Energy Level. German Shepherds are definitely among the most energetic working breeds, but some are more hyper than others. If you want to prevent your GSD from boredom and keep him healthy, your ultimate goal is to spend all of his pent-up energy at the end of the day. First of all, daily walks are essential for him to stimulate his mind and body at the same time. Now the real question is about how often should you walk with him? For high-energy dog breeds, the longer they walk, the better it generally is. An adult German Shepherd in good shape has enough energy, stamina, and physical conditions to walk all day long. However, the minimum daily requirement for most GSDs is approximately 30 to 45 minutes of walking. For the distance, anywhere between 2 and 5 miles of walking per day should be fine for the average German Shepherd. Learn more about how far you can walk with your German Shepherd! With 5 to 10 minutes of daily moderate exercise requirements per month of age, walking is still important for young dogs. A puppy German Shepherd should walk around 5 minutes per day for every month of age. For instance, 20 minutes of daily walking is perfect for a 4-month-old puppy. If you enjoy endurance sports and your dog is athletic, running can be a great way to exercise together. German Shepherds are strong, tough, fast, and generally have good stamina. With proper training and preparation, they can make awesome running partners! If you want to run with your German Shepherd, I have another article to help you out! To keep him fit, healthy, and happy, you have to find other ways to exercise. Interactive Games. You can tire out your dog quite easily with nothing else than a ball or a tug rope. The German Shepherd is very social, so playing games actively with him is essential. With some energy, time, and creativity, you have everything you need to exercise your dog. Try Some Dog Sports. Another great idea to provide your German Shepherd with proper exercise is to practice sports together. Some of the best sports for German Shepherds are agility training, Schutzhund protection , canicross, bikejoring, and tracking. Smart, courageous, and active, they are generally good candidates for virtually any activity. Thus, you should always try to include your dog in your exercise routine! Quick Tip: To make an obstacle course at your home, check out this agility equipment kit on Amazon! Free Playtime. If you are not a particularly sportive person, there are many other ways to keep your German Shepherd healthy and happy. Chasing bubbles, playing with the hose, and jumping in the snow are simple ideas to exercise your pooch. Hanging out together in your backyard can be as fun and beneficial as any other physical activity. Play With Dog Toys. Keeping your GSD active and busy is probably not an easy task. Fortunately, some dog toys can help you provide him with proper exercise. Let me share with you my recommendations for such an energetic and intelligent companion. My favorite exercise equipment for hyper dogs is the Flirt Pole. If your German Shepherd has a lot of energy to spend and a high prey drive, the flirt pole is the perfect toy for him. This accessory will help you throw the ball farther, pick it up easily, and avoid getting your hands dirty. Made for him to chew and play tug-of-war safely, it might help you to entertain him! Explore The Great Outdoors. My favorite way to exercise alongside my dog is to take him on my outdoor adventures. There is nothing better than working out, getting some fresh air, and spending quality time together. Escaping real life to enjoy nature is an excellent opportunity to have fun and do some physical activity with your four-legged companion. Furthermore, German Shepherds are excellent hiking partners. Thus, you have no reason not to explore the great outdoors with your dog. With the right equipment and proper training, you will be able to head out on trails together and share unforgettable memories! Cognitive work is as important as physical activity, especially for intelligent dogs such as German Shepherds. Providing them with appropriate mental exercise is essential to prevent boredom and care for their well-being. There are certainly better ways than others, so here are some of my suggestions to keep your German Shepherd mentally satisfied. First of all, the most important mind enrichment source for dogs should be training. By learning skills, your GSD will stimulate his brain, improve his manners, and burn off a lot of mental energy. Thus, I highly recommend you to teach him obedience commands or new impressive tricks if he is already obedient. Besides training, challenging dog toys are also great for mental stimulation. You can make him work for his food with the Snuffle Mat , let him play with the Classic Kong Toy , or give him bones to chew on. To keep your German Shepherd active and mentally satisfied, dog agility and scent work are also other ideas you may consider! In this state, your German Shepherd can develop destructive behaviors. Chewing, Digging, or Barking Just put yourself in his place for two seconds; he has to entertain himself if nobody else helps him stay busy. On the other hand, your German Shepherd can also have weight issues or be hyperactive. With personal life, work, other pets, and family, you have many things to manage. Thus, you might have to prioritize his health and well-being over other tasks. If you really have no free time, I highly recommend you consider hiring a dog walker to help you out. Short-Term Signs:. They are very loyal, intelligent and love to be kept active, so can be easy to train. They suit very active households as they need a lot of exercise every day. They are great dogs for owners with a lot of experience and time as, like most dogs, they can get bored easily. Unfortunately, German Shepherds do have a range of health issues due to the way they have been bred, which can end up being costly to owners and cause serious problems for the dog. Common health problems in German Shepherds German Shepherds are great dogs for the right owners, but they are at risk of certain conditions and illnesses common with the breed. Making sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening can reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by some of these upsetting conditions. This means that these types of dog have been bred over many years to look a certain way, but that these changes to the way they look have started to cause them health problems. For German Shepherds, this is mostly due to the shape of their back legs and hips. There is a screening test for this. There is a screening test. Inherited eye diseases — including cataracts and multifocal retinal dysplasia. There are screening testing for these. Epilepsy — a brain disorder causing seizures. Pituitary dwarfism — a hormone deficiency which causes severe growth problems and reduces lifespan. Haemophilia A and B — bleeding disorders that stop blood from clotting and cause wounds to bleed more than they should. Screening tests are available. This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other conditions that German Shepherds have been shown to be prone to. German Shepherds and barking As with any dog, German Shepherds are likely to bark. Their main purpose was for herding and guarding so they can be quite vocal when people walk past or enter or exit the house, but how much noise they make will vary from dog to dog. Training and socialisation Regardless of the age of your German Shepherd when you adopt it, you need to have clear boundaries to help keep them safe and happy. As with all training — consistency is key! Everyone in the family needs to follow the same rules. German Shepherds are very loyal to their owners and can be protective of their family. They can have a strong guarding instinct, so careful training and socialisation will be needed to prevent any guarding or aggressive behaviours. As with any dog, your German Shepherd will need to be well socialised with people, other animals and different objects and environments from a young age. Try to keep the time your German Shepherd is alone to an absolute minimum as they thrive on company and will worry about you if you leave them too long. You should never leave any dog alone for longer than four hours. Exercise Be prepared — German Shepherds are very active dogs! They need plenty of exercise to keep them happy and occupied. This will also stop them from barking out of boredom or having a nibble on the furniture. Your German Shepherd will need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day. This should include walks and off-lead exercise in a safe area, with extra playtime and training on top to give them a good variety. You can find out how much exercise your dog needs , or even find exercises you can do together online. Our vets recommend spreading exercise across the day rather than trying to do two hours all in one go. German Shepherds are a great breed if you enjoy long walks and spending loads of time exploring outside. If there are times when you are unable to give them the exercise they need, then arranging for a relative, friend or dog-walker to come and help would be essential. Grooming Be prepared for a lot of shedding because German Shepherds have such thick coats! Ideally, you should give your German Shepherd a brush or comb down a few times a week to keep their coat looking healthy, prevent matting and reduce the build-up of dead hair especially if they have a longer coat. You may want to take them to a professional for bath time because of their size. Will you give now to help people and pets in need? As the cost of living continues to rise, vet care could be out of reach for many. Donate to our emergency appeal now to provide vital vet care to pets in need and keep families together during this crisis. Donate German Shepherds and children Adult German Shepherds can range from being calm and patient to bouncy and boisterous, depending on their personality, training and socialisation. Some can make great family pets in homes with children of all ages, but dogs should always be supervised around young children. Make sure you can recognise the signs of unhappiness or anxiety in your dog to help avoid any conflicts. German Shepherds and other pets To help them be calm and patient, it's best to socialise your German Shepherd with other dogs and pets from a young age. Some can be a bit bossy with other dogs as they get older but with proper care, training and socialisation this is unlikely to become a problem. German Shepherds are usually fine with other family pets they have grown up with. Your vet will be able to tell you how much your dog should be eating. You should feed them a good quality, commercially available, complete dog food. We usually recommend splitting their daily allowance into two meals. If you give your dog the occasional treat or use treats for training, remember to take this into account and reduce their daily allowance. You should try to feed your dog at the same time every day to get them into a routine. Remember to leave at a gap after eating and before exercising. Beware unusually cheap puppies as they could come from a puppy farm. These breeders must do extra health tests and meet high standards. Set up costs Puppy vaccines — if you rescue a dog, reputable centres will often vaccinate them for you. Remember that ongoing booster vaccinations will be needed to continue their immunity. Neutering — you should usually arrange for your dog to be neutered at around six months old, though your vet will be able to advise you exactly when is best. Check prices at your local practice as these will depend on your vet and where you live. Some rescue centres will neuter any dogs they rehome, saving you this cost. Equipment — including a collar and tags, lead, harness, dog beds, dog bowls, pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes, grooming brushes and toys. Keep in mind that all these will need to be replaced with wear or damage or if your dog outgrows or damages them! Ongoing costs Food. Preventive healthcare — budget for routine vet visits to help stop your dog getting ill and catch any problems early. They need annual check-ups, vaccinations and regular flea and worming treatments. Check if your vet offers a health care plan as this can help spread the cost throughout the year. Accessories — including lots of poo bags, replacing worn toys and grooming accessories, buying doggy toothpaste and any other extras they might need. Other costs Training — basic training is very important and dogs can benefit from formal classes. Some dogs may have, or develop, behavioural problems which might need professional management. Boarding — you may also need to budget for boarding or dog sitting costs if you are planning to go away from home on holiday. If you are having difficulty with veterinary costs, you can check if you are eligible for treatment at PDSA here. Fun facts The first guide dogs for visually impaired people were German Shepherds. They were originally bred to be herding dogs, an instinct which still remains strong in the breed. They need lots of exercise and plenty to do to stop getting bored. Make sure you have enough space and time to give them the exercise and attention they need to stay happy and healthy. Rehoming centres There are plenty of rescue centres across the country where you may find a German Shepherd. Breed-specific rescues that specialise in German Shepherds are also out there. Good rescue centres should let you know of any health and behaviour problems. Breeders If you buy from a breeder, make sure your puppy will be well socialised and have all necessary screening tests, health checks and vaccinations. We recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured breeder as they meet higher standards.

Kristina began raising puppies before we were married and loved it so much that she kept doing so after we were married. Now we all help with the puppies and the kids love playing with the pups every day. This makes for friendly puppies who like people and are good with kids. We are now a five-star classified breeder who has served many happy puppy parents. We hope you can become one of them! She will always answer your calls and answer all of your questions so well and patiently. We purchased our gorgeous cavapoo Henry … More Mr. Ian 2 weeks ago and we could not be happier. He is the first puppy that I have ever met who slept in the crate on the very first night without crying. He sleeps through the night for hours and has not had one accident in his crate. He is calm and lovable and extremely social. Clinton and Kristina did an amazing job at socializing him. He is the sweetest little cavapoo boy! His addition to my life has been such an amazing experience. My vet gave him a good bill of health upon arrival. Any questions I had while working together, they were very helpful and patient. Overall, it was a wonderful experience to get Archie to his forever home. I have zero regrets about my decision, and who would have know that a puppy could really help improve my daily life. I would recommend anyone to purchase their pup from hopeful dreams. We brought home our sweet cockapoo puppy last week and are amazed at how well behaved she is. It is clear that the … More Martin family takes great care of their puppies. Already planning on getting a second puppy from them in the future! Check out some of our favorite Mini Goldendoodle Puppies ready and waiting for their new forever home…. However, it can be riddled with many questions and obstacles along the way. You can also start here at Doodle Doods in search of breeder reviews. See Also: Click the image One of the most important things to look for is rigorous health testing for genetic conditions. An ethical breeder ensures that all parent pups are tested for various hereditary diseases that Goldendoodles are prone to. Health testing should include OFA for hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, heart, eyes, and thyroid. For hip and elbow dysplasia, breeders can also provide PennHip testing. Equally important is that a breeder provides at least a two-year health guarantee that covers any tested genetic conditions. A good breeder has no problem showing you the health records and walking you through everything you might want to know about. Additionally, a good breeder has a great track-record in terms of past adoptions and litters. Look for online reviews, testimonials, or you can even ask the breeder if a previous customer would be happy to share their experience with you. All of the breeders in this article are highly-rated, follow ethical practices like rigorous health testing, and are recommended by many happy Goldendoodle owners. View all New York Goldendoodle breeders listed in our extensive Doodle breeder directory! This exceptional breeder specializes in Multigenerational Goldendoodles due to their higher non-shed success rate. In fact, all of their lines originate from AKC registered purebred parents. Fox Creek Farm follows the best, most current enrichment protocols. They raise their puppies with the Puppy Culture program , Early Neurological Stimulation ENS , and even introduce the pups to doggie door training, crate training, and basic commands. What Makes This Breeder Unique? At Fox Creek Farm, all of their parent dogs have been extensively tested and cleared for numerous genetic health conditions, including the hips, elbows, patella, eyes, heart, and many others. Waitlist: Yes, but be sure to contact them for current availability — who knows, you might get lucky! Goldendoodle Breeder Contact Details:. Welcome to Lakeview Doodles of NY! We care about our dogs, so to get them off to the best possible start, our puppies are raised inside our non-smoking, loving home with our children. This enables them to become used to the sights and sounds of an active family household. We have the good fortune of living on the shores of Lake Ontario located in Upstate New York, where we enjoy invigorating breezes with ample room to romp and play! On our website, you will find information about, and photos of F1b and Multigen Goldendoodles and Double Doodles. We follow NYS guidelines and regulations. All of our breeding parents undergo extensive health testing. This includes not only full genetic testing for over diseases, but also both parents undergo and have passed all the tests for their hips, elbows, patellas, hearts, and their eyes are checked every other year by our ophthalmologist. We would be happy to provide you with copies of their testing. When available, we also offer personal delivery of your puppy, and their starter kits, in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Ohio and Vermont. We will not ship or fly a puppy alone, but will welcome you to fly to get them. It is also possible to fly your puppy to you accompanied by one of our family members.

Unique Tips For Choosing The Best Name For Your Golden Retriever You are probably wondering what are some good names for a golden retriever and is there any way of narrowing the list of several names to a manageable few. Here are some quick tips on how to choose the best name for your golden retriever: Use Personal Names: Naming your dog is important since this is the name you will have to live with for a long time. Hence, it is a good idea to consider names you have heard and already like. Instead, take some time to research different names and meanings; you will know when you find the right one. Ask For Advice: Talk with your family and friends and see what name they would give to your dog. You may get inspired or end up liking the names they have suggested. So, spend more time with your new puppy and get to know them better. Listen To Yourself: The right name will feel the best right from the start. Most golden retriever names are short and sweet, mainly because shorter names are easier to pronounce and for a dog to learn and remember. While not impossible, it can be a bit tricky for dogs to learn long names with a lot of syllables. A good name for a male golden retriever is short and easy to pronounce so your dog can learn quickly. Nevertheless, it is up to you to pick and decide which name is best suited for your dog based on your preferences. There are many cool dog names you can give to your golden retriever, just make sure that both you and your pooch are fans of a particular name. If you have a hard time picking just one of several names, say them one at a time to your pup and see which one gets their attention. There is no shortage of cute golden retriever names that can be a perfect moniker for your adorable pooch. Whichever name you decide to choose, make sure you can pronounce it easily and that you can call it out quickly. There is a wide selection of male and female golden retriever names to choose from, so I broke them up for you into: The top names for this year Brave and loyal golden retriever names Hunting and tracking inspired names Cute names for golden retrievers Take your time to read through all the names; you will know when you find the best one for your golden retriever. You May Also Like. Updated: Apr 8, 22 This medium-sized British breed brandishes a distinctive personality, making it ideal for dog owners. Golden retriever names for ladies and gentlemen Although female golden retrievers are smaller in size and somewhat slower than males, they are easier to train and have a more mild temperament. In most cases, males have a slightly longer coat, a broader head, and a thicker ruff than females. Golden retriever names that mean business Even since the end of the 19th century, golden retrievers have been used as hunting dogs, meaning they had a reputation to maintain. For girls, Xena and Minerva are wicked names. Even since the end of the 19th century, golden retrievers have been used as hunting dogs, meaning they had a reputation to maintain. Cute names for golden retriever pups Moving on from tough golden retriever names to more benign suggestions, as the breed is used today mostly as guide dogs. Do you like food as much as your pet dog? No, problem, as these two loves can coexist! Food-inspired names Do you like food as much as your pet dog? No, problem, as these two loves can coexist if you name your golden retriever accordingly. One-of-a-kind golden retriever names Some dog owners want their mutt to stand out, especially if they own golden retrievers which are quite common pets in the United States and Europe. Names like Koda, Comet, Aspen, Maui, Dimitri, and Arya stand out enough to make your dog unique, yet they are suitable enough. Jackie Chan has two golden retrievers, JJ and Jones! While in office from to , the American president Gerald Ford owned a golden retriever called Liberty. Golden retrievers on Instagram One of the main reasons the public knows about pet golden retrievers of the rich and famous is Instagram, i. Golden retriever name borrowed from fiction So far, all of the specimens we spoke about were real but golden retrievers are so famous that they were featured in countless books and films. From using the golden color of their fur coat to borrowing a name from a celebrity dog, there is no lack of inspiration when it comes to naming your golden retriever. Precisely because three-quarters of a million Americans own a golden retriever, you need to come up with a unique name that will fully reflect the bond you share with Goldie. Recent Posts. Final Thoughts Congratulations on adding a Golden Retriever to your family. These friendly pups make fantastic pets. Just be sure they receive adequate exercise and stimulation to help positively release their energy. A trained Golden Retriever can do amazing things, like serve as a companion dog. Enjoy your new pet, and good luck finding a name! More Dog Name Ideas Another great place for dog names is our online generator. It lets you pick your favorite name styles or themes and then generates a list of ideas tailored to you and your dog. Style options include cute, funny, tough, elegant, and more. The themes span everything from movies, TVs, books and comics, to history, food, music, and so on. Is the name easy to say? Sure, some names look good on paper, but in real life they could be quite tough to say. Before you lock in on a name, say it a few times to ensure it rolls off the tongue. Is it right for your dog? Say it out loud a few times. Was it easy to say out loud? Can you imagine loudly calling for your furry friend with this name? Trust your gut! Share this post:.

This thoughtfully crafted dog food is formulated to meet the unique nutritional requirements of Labrador Retriever puppies up to 15 months old. It contains premium proteins and prebiotics for optimal digestion and energy. With vitamin E and minerals, it supports the immune system and overall health. The kibble size and texture promote dental health. This puppy food provides a tasty and balanced diet to support healthy growth and development, making it an excellent choice for Labrador Retriever puppy owners. This nutritious dog food is made with real chicken and eggs and provides essential vitamins and minerals for healthy digestion, immune function, and overall well-being. It also supports strong bones and healthy skin and coat. Its balanced nutrition and delicious taste make it a satisfying choice for adult Labrador dogs. This high-quality dog food offers a complete nutritional profile at a reasonable price, making it an excellent value-for-money option for pet parents seeking to provide their dogs with a nutritious diet. How to find the best Labrador dog food? Selecting the optimal dog food for your Labrador necessitates the meticulous evaluation of various factors. Look for high-quality ingredients: Choose dog foods that contain high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and are free from artificial preservatives and fillers. Choose a formula for Labrador Retrievers: Some dog food brands offer recipes designed explicitly for Labrador Retrievers, considering their unique nutritional needs. Suitability with age: Age factors matter a lot when choosing Labrador dog food. Puppies, adult dogs, and seniors have different dietary requirements, so select a formula appropriate for your dog's age. Read the online reviews to get an idea of how other dog owners feel about a particular dog food brand. You may be interested in Product. Diamond Naturals Dog Food Review An additional reason for there being specific food for puppies is the pieces are smaller which not only prevents them from choking, it also makes the food easier to digest. The pieces are richer, denser and the ideal size for smaller mouths. These ingredients are where your pup gets the nutrients they need to grow and live, nutrients that are sadly lacking in the cheaper dog foods. With foods that are a bit more expensive, your pooch can eat a more well-balanced meal and enjoy it. They eat more, they poop more, and this means house training becomes much harder for you. What you feed your puppy is a major factor in the success of your house training process. Firstly, dry food tends to be more complete and balanced with the correct amount of vital nutrients in it. The ingredients tend to be of better quality as long as you pick the right brand. Plus, dry food helps to keep teeth strong due to being a solid food, and the slightly abrasive nature of the solid food has a natural teeth cleaning effect. It also lasts far longer than cans as you need to feed less of it. Recommended Best Puppy Food For Labs And Large Breeds In this next section we give you 4 of the best foods on the market made from high quality ingredients but still available at a reasonable price. These foods will provide your puppy with all the nutrients they need in just the right mix and quantities, not just so they survive, but so they can truly thrive. Deboned chicken is high quality chicken protein, whereas the chicken and turkey meal is a concentrate. It is nutrient rich with vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin E, vitamin C and vitamin A as well as containing minerals like zinc, iron and calcium. It even has some fruit content like apples and blueberries. The Lactobacillus acidophilus, green tea extract and rosemary extract are all known to help prevent infections. This is a very high-quality food your puppy will truly thrive on and is our top recommendation as the best puppy food for labs. However, if price is no object, K9 is certainly one of the best foods available! K9 Natural Grain-Free Puppy Freeze-Dried Dog Food gives your puppy all the benefits of raw food, aiming for optimum levels of growth and development — not too fast nor stunted — and for lean muscle mass and peak conditioning. Its main ingredient is grass-fed New Zealand beef. And this is rounded out by whole food ingredients like flaxseed, kelp, New Zealand mussel, fruits and veggies, and hoki oil which provides DHA for EPA for healthy brain and eye development. It gets a big thumbs up from us. The first ingredient is bison and is a high quality meat product. The next ingredient is lamb meal, which has a large amount of protein in it being a meat concentrate, percent more than fresh lamb meat. The third highest ingredient is sweet potatoes, which are an excellent source of complex carbs. They contain fiber and beta carotene. In fact, this food consists of approx. This provides your puppy with a source of energy ideal for his busy puppy lifestyle. Overall, this food is highly recommended and your puppy should thrive on it. They also allow regular independent inspections of their manufacturing process and source ingredients the US, EU and NZ. So quality control is well taken care of. The large breed puppy formula contains a scientifically formulated balance of proteins, fats, phosphorous and calcium in just the right amounts and proportions to promote a healthy rate of bone and muscle development, highly important for large breed puppies where excessive nutrients can be just as harmful as malnutrition. The food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for the health of connective soft tissues which is reassuring for large breeds, and especially Labradors, who can suffer from many joint problems in life. It also contains omega oils for healthy brain development, as well as other fatty acids known to promote healthy skin and coat. So Eukanuba large breed puppy food comes recommended. The fiber in it will help with digestion while it has antioxidants that are known to help keep your dog healthy for many years to come. Royal Canin Breed Specific Labrador Puppy Royal Canin is a very well-known brand with lots of positive reviews from past and present dog owners on Amazon. It has an above average protein content than the minimum recommended for your dog, coming in at 31 percent protein at dry weight. The protein it has comes mostly from chicken by-product meal which is considered somewhat low quality and consists of whatever is left after chickens are slaughtered. However, it does NOT — as you might read elsewhere — consist of anything from feet to beaks. According to dogfoodadvisor. After chicken by-product meal, the second ingredient in this food is brewers rice. The fourth ingredient is corn gluten meal which is a residue left over once most of the useful, starchy carbohydrates have been washed out of it. With such popularity, high ratings and reviews with so many people saying their dogs thrive on this, there must be some truth to it. The third to 5th ingredients are wholesome whole grains that provide high energy from complex carbohydrates that are easy to digest. These are far better than corn and most other sources of carbs found in cheaper foods that are hard for a puppy to get any nutrition from. Out of everything in this product, 40 percent of it is protein, which is higher than average. About 14 percent of it is fat, and of the remainder, 38 percent is carbs. And the omega oils may help reduce risk of developing arthritis. Not only this, but Labradors are a large breed and are more sensitive to nutritional imbalances than smaller breeds. You really do need to get their diet right to do the best for them. Luckily, many brands of food specifically aimed at large breeds and Labradors have been created that provide everything they need in just the right amounts, that are easy for an owner to feed by simply following instructions on the packet. I know there is a lot of conflicting advice out there when it comes to dog food and it can be a nightmare to wade through if trying to find the best puppy food for Labs. So hopefully this article has been of some use to you. A very good resource that does good work for dog food quality awareness. Check them out! Please be aware this page contains affiliate links and Labrador Training HQ receives a small commission if you make a purchase through any such links. This has no effect on the eventual price you pay and we are very grateful for your support. Disclaimer All content on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Once they reach eight weeks, changing to dry kibble food is best. We recommend feeding a Labrador puppy dry kibble for the first months before changing to an adult food type. But to remain healthy, owners should know what to feed them. Dog owners should feed a Labrador puppy dry food kibble , wet food, or fresh human food, depending on their budget and lifestyle. There are many options for food for dogs, and it can become challenging to determine which one is the best option for the dog. We have found the best options and listed them below. They help us with our daily tasks, are always there when we need them, and bring great joy to our lives. But, it is essential to ensure that our dog gets the best nutrition possible. They have a lot of energy and need to be fed accordingly. This includes the number of calories, food type, and the number of meals per day. We will explain all of these factors to help understand what to feed these precious animals. A Labrador puppy needs high-quality protein in their diet, so they should not be fed just any type of food. This is why we recommend three food options: dry food or kibble, fresh food or human food, or wet food. We prefer using dry food or kibble in most cases, but it is beneficial to start with wet food for young puppies and transition to dry food after a few weeks. Feeding a puppy human food is possible, but it can be more expensive and requires extra work to stick to a cleaner diet at this age. We have found it to be a healthier and more convenient option for our pets. It is also a good alternative to wet food which can be difficult to store and prepare. The benefits of dry dog food are that it offers the pup a balanced diet that doesn't need refrigeration. It also offers convenience because we can buy it in bulk and store it in the pantry or freezer until needed. Dry dog food is also less expensive than wet food, which is another benefit for pet owners. Fresh Food Human Food Feeding a Labrador puppy a diet of fresh, real human food is one of the best things to do for their health and well-being. It will not only make them happy and content, but it will also keep them healthy. This eliminates the guessing game; they are only fed real, natural foods with no unknown ingredients. However, it will become expensive and require regular cooking and preparation. Wet Food Wet food is recommended for Labrador puppies when they are first born and for the first weeks while they grow. It can be either raw or cooked. Wet food is a good source of water and minerals, which are important in the early days of their life to help them grow strong bones and teeth. It should be given to a puppy as soon as it comes out of its mother's womb, but it must not be given before it starts eating solid foods because it will cause diarrhea. Once they get more mature, moving to kibbles is best. It is known for its low level of grain and carbohydrate content and high protein content. Once they reach the week mark, there are better options to help the puppy continue to develop and grow. This food also helps with digestion and weight management. It also promotes proper bone growth with antioxidants and necessary nutrients like vitamin E. The kibble is also shaped strategically to help puppies who chew fast while helping with jaw growth. Overall, this is the best food option for a Labrador puppy. It is designed for all life stages, from puppies to seniors, and we love the benefits it provides to younger labs. The product features a blend of highly digestible proteins, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, taurine, and glucosamine. This ensures the dog gets the nutrition they need while also reducing the risk of digestive tract problems such as bloat or pancreatitis. It also has a low glycemic index and no corn, wheat, or soy in the recipe. Dog owners can also expect an excellent protein ratio when using this food. Both veterinarians and nutritionists have recognized it for its high-quality ingredients for young puppies. The Acana High Protein formula is made with a blend of chicken, turkey, and fish meals, whole eggs, and natural beef or lamb meal. The product has a limited ingredient list with no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. It also has no added sugar and a low glycemic index. This food also contains probiotics and prebiotics to help the pet maintain a healthy immune system. This is the perfect dry dog food for puppies after eight weeks old. This brand is also very affordable for those who want to feed their dog a healthy diet without breaking the bank. It features a patented recipe that helps to promote healthy digestion, strong teeth and gums, healthy skin and shiny coat, a strong immune system, healthy joints and muscles, and a healthy heart. This is a high-protein food option for Labradors too. It promotes lean muscle growth and improved body health with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics 5. It is made with high-quality ingredients and has a great taste and texture for labs to enjoy. This food is to help with puppy development and is suitable for all Labradors under one-year-old. This wet food provides the perfect balance of healthy proteins to support a dog's growth while providing the energy they need to maintain its fitness levels. This can be fed as a meal or as an occasional snack between meals. It has no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or added sugar. It also contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are important for healthy skin and the dog's coat. They are large, strong, intelligent dogs that need a lot of attention, exercise, and food. These dogs can be picky eaters and usually need a lot of calories because of their size. This is especially true for puppies so they can grow properly and remain healthy due to their increased risk of health issues. Food Type Labrador puppies' most popular dog foods are kibbles and canned wet food. Kibbles are the best option for a puppy because they are easy to chew and digest. Canned food is a good option for pups who have difficulty chewing or digesting dry food and would benefit from a little moisture in their diet. The food type also depends on the owner. Dry food or kibbles are faster to prepare, while serving human food to a lab puppy requires extensive prep time. Nutritional Value When it comes to nutritional value, we want dog food that has high-quality protein and carbohydrates. This will help the puppy grow strong and healthy. This is why we need to take into account the nutritional value, quality of ingredients, and taste. It should be made with all-natural ingredients that are sourced from human-grade materials such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. A brand should have all the essential nutrients for a pup but still, be low in toxic elements and preservatives too. Dietary Restrictions Lastly, consider the dietary restrictions of the Labrador puppy before choosing a dog food option. This includes any allergies or health concerns for the dog and shopping for something that suits them best. For example, lab puppies must reach a certain carbohydrate and protein number daily. Labradors are also known to have allergies, especially young ones, so planning around this is crucial. A puppy should be fed at least three times a day, with a meal size that is appropriate for its body weight. They should also be given small daily snacks to keep them satisfied and happy, including treats to help with training. We feed our puppies the best that we can. We want to give them all the nutrients and vitamins they need. We also want to make sure that they are getting a balanced diet. The most important thing when feeding a Labrador puppy is that they get enough calories from their food every day. In the first weeks, the puppy should eat four smaller daily meals. Once the lab reaches three months, this can be changed to three meals per day. And after months, we recommend two meals per day. The key is not to change the calories much when the meals change but to simply modify the size of each meal to fit the total daily food amount. Feeding a Labrador puppy is not rocket science, but there are some things everybody should know about what to feed them and when to feed them. We have covered this basis, but changes need to be made as they age. This leads to a common question about changing food to fit the needs of a grown adult Labrador. The dog's age will determine how quickly they grow and how much energy they need. Lab puppies can stick with kibbles for up to 12 months. Increase portions as your puppy grows. Be sure to follow the rule of dog treats. This is about changes over time. Nutritional deficiency or excess can lead to disease and ultimately death. You may have noticed that your dog has dandruff after changing food, but the food is really good — try adding levels of zinc and vitamin A. Your main task as a pet owner is to monitor the health of a small family member and be responsible for this life. Image credit: canva. The first one is a protein that can be found in meat, poultry, fish, yogurt, and cooked eggs. Protein is responsible for the structure of muscles and tissues, as well as the formation and growth of new cells. In the diet for a Labrador puppy, it is imperative to include carbohydrates that are found in brown rice, potatoes, and wheat. Carbohydrates supply the body with glucose, which is responsible for the functioning of the brain and nervous system. An obligatory component of dog food is fats. It is a source of energy, development, and functioning of the cells and muscles of the body. Fats are included in oil and even fish oil. Puppy food for Labs or any other dog includes a certain amount of minerals such as calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and others. Minerals in dog food form bones and cartilage and balance the nerves. It promotes the production of hormones in the Lab puppies, regulates the balance of fluids in the body, and transports oxygen into the blood. Like people, dog and puppy foods should include plenty of water. Water is life! Once in the body, they strengthen bones, and teeth and fill the Labrador puppy with energy. Cost point Every time you buy pet food, you think about the issue of price. Of course, cost is important when making a purchasing decision. You should be aware that higher-quality puppy food can cost more than the average price. Your dog is an irreplaceable member of your family, which must be protected and loved with all your heart. Risks and diseases Lab owners should know well about all risks and diseases that their dogs may face. Numerous studies confirm that the Labrador Retriever breed is prone to digestive sensitivities and skin allergies due to irritating foods. This leads to pruritic diseases. Skin allergies and problems with the gastrointestinal tract are severe. Labs are prone to obesity. Maintaining a healthy weight and body is considered an important point of caring for a dog. In general, Labrador Retrievers should have a taut, hourglass-shaped figure. Obesity puts additional stress on bones and joints and makes it difficult to stay healthy. To combat weight gain, you need to exercise your dog with certain physical exercises, follow a proper diet, control portion sizes, and receive treats. Another disease caused by malnutrition is Gastric dilatation-volvulus. In short, this is boating. Indigestion is a severe problem that should not be ignored. The worst risk is death from the musculoskeletal disorder of muscles, nerves, joints, arthritis, and spinal discs. Also, you should be aware that feed processing of dog foods affects the occurrence and development of cancer. Dry food is cooked at a very high temperature, which leads to the formation of harmful chemical elements in the body of the dog. Such food also contains carbohydrates, which break down into cancer-causing glucose. You can combine dog food with homemade recipe food for your pet yourself. Moreover, it is a good way of feeding your dog if the dog food at home is over or there is very little left, but you need to extend the time until the next purchase. Dogs fed solely on home-cooked or combined diets lived for about 13 years, while those fed only processed food lived for about 10 years. Like human food, it can be chewed easily. Food is broken down in the body so that key nutrients are absorbed more quickly. Such food facilitates digestion and relaxes the stomach. Reducing stress on the digestive system reduces the likelihood of bloating. If you still decide to cook homemade food, follow the rules. Study each ingredient. Cook all animal products for the exact finish to kill harmful bacteria. Risks of homemade dog food Most of the problems are caused by a misunderstanding of the nutritional needs of the Labrador. If you do not understand the effect of food on the body of your pet, which reaction is correct and which can lead to negative consequences and different stages of life, contact a professional veterinarian who can tell you in detail about the effect of food on the body of a dog and how to properly form a pet diet. What food is best for a Labrador puppy? We made for you the list of the best puppy food for Labrador puppies. We can highlight the most noteworthy products from this list. Should I feed my Lab puppy dry or wet food? Mix dry and wet food. What is better to choose — opinions are different. But if you are in doubt about which puppy food to choose, consult your veterinarian. What is the recommended amount of water for a puppy? Older pups that have been nursed require one-half ounce to one ounce of water per pound of body weight. What do you feed an 8-week-old Lab puppy? An 8-week-old puppy should be fed several small meals a day. After 14 weeks, the Lab puppy can switch to two meals a day. Food for a Labrador puppy should be full of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals for healthy development. Giving treats is fine, but remember that Labradors are prone to overeating and gaining weight quickly. Also, try to give treats for obedience. You can choose canned food and dry food for your dog as you wish but you should always think about the effect of this dog food on your dog. Hope this article was helpful for you and that your pet will grow healthy and strong. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. The best food for Labrador puppies to consume in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to trained breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a Labrador puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. You can do this by mixing some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, you can reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed a Labrador puppy as they get older. In their four months living with you, and once they are weaned off milk, Labradors are likely to reach almost half their adult weight. They will reach their full adult weight by the time they are 6 to 7 months old. With this rapid growth can come some risks. Labradors can be susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia and joint abnormalities that can start in puppyhood. Once your Lab puppy hits 6 months, their growth begins to slow down. Once puppyhood is over, you can move to feeding your lab twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times. Labs are still very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen at around 15 months. This is because, being a breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your Labrador puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. It is also dangerous for a puppy to overeat. Labradors are large breeds, which means they need plenty of nutrients and calories as they grow to ensure they go from being active puppies to healthy adult dogs. Labrador puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, Labrador puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. The amount of food you give your Labrador is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult Labradors, around 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female Labradors, who tend to be around 5 to 10 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, to 1, calories per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your Labrador based on how calorically dense their food is. Adult Labradors should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs may benefit from exercise after eating: especially high energy Labs with a lot of energy to burn off. You should also try to give your Labrador a high quality food that is specially designed for large breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. For example, Labradors can be particularly susceptible to obesity. As a breed, they tend to be one of the most commonly obese dogs in Australia. This is due to several factors, including a genetic predisposition to unhealthy weight gain and a famously large appetite. However, plenty of Labs suffering from obesity are simply overfed and not getting enough exercise. Choosing a low carb diet is crucial to preventing obesity in your Labrador. If you are unsure about what you should feed your Labrador, you should always consult your vet. They will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any chronic health issues, and they will be able to create a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for many years to come. Wet food for Labradors is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. Chewing on dry food can be especially good for teething Labrador puppies. A raw diet can be a good option for your Labrador as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your Labrador, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of nutrient support as they go through the various stages of their life. It can also be easy to overestimate the amount of food your Labrador needs to stay fit and healthy — especially if they are skilled at begging! You need to make sure that your dog is eating the right amount of food for their breed, their size, and activity level. You should also avoid foods that, while delicious for humans, can be harmful or toxic for dogs. Foods like onions, nuts, alcohol, cooked bones, and artificial sweeteners are commonly included in dinners meant for humans, but can cause serious health issues for your Labrador. No matter how old your Lab is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.