mini goldendoodles puppies
Color variations Blue merle French Bulldog Blue merle French Bulldogs are one of our most sought-after puppies of all the colors. They got their name after the blue patches on their light-colored coat, which are essentially grey with a bluish shine in the light. The shade of the grey parts may vary from very light to almost black, while their base color also ranges from a yellowish cream color to light grey. Lilac merle French Bulldog Lilac merle French Bulldogs are often mistaken for blue merle Frenchies, but they are much more unique and harder to come by. Lilac merle Frenchies have very light, almost ashy or silver colored patches on their light coat. To produce this rare and beautiful color, the parents have to carry the blue, chocolate and merle gene. Lilac merle French Bulldogs usually have light-colored eyes which are glowing red. Chocolate merle French Bulldog Chocolate merle French Bulldogs have dark brown mottled patches all over their light-colored bodies. Choco merle pups also have unique genetics so they are quite rare and hard to come by. Similarly to lilac Frenchies, they are the combination of blue and chocolate but their grey shade is more of a champagne color. Breeders have managed to mix in the merle gene as well producing the Isabella merle French Bulldog, but these dogs are extremely rare. Black merle French Bulldog Black merle French Bulldogs have black mottled patches often covering most of their bodies. Their base coat is also slightly darker than in other merle Frenchies, ranging from light grey to light brown. Fawn merle French Bulldog There are a number of different variations of fawn merle French Bulldogs, like blue fawn merle, lilac fawn merle or chocolate fawn merle. The dark patches these Frenchies have are less distinct looking than in other merles, as they are only a bit darker than their light fawn base color. One of these rare traits is their sparkling blue eyes. Since the merle gene affects the skin pigment as well, when a merle patch crosses the eye area the Frenchie will have bright forever blue eyes. Sometimes only one of the eyes will remain blue, which is a phenomenon called heterochromia. Because of how dominant the merle gene is, merle Frenchies should only be bred to a dog with a solid coat color. They are insanely affectionate making them the perfect companion dogs, they just want to spend every minute of their time with their owners. They are extremely friendly with kids and other animals too; they love basically anyone they meet! Thanks to their easy-going nature, a Merle Frenchie will adapt to your lifestyle very quickly no matter where you live. As you might expect, colors that are considered common for the breed have the lowest prices, while colors which are more unique and harder to produce are more expensive as well. When it comes to Merle French Bulldogs, they are already in a higher price range, but depending on the color variation their prices may further vary a lot. Permanent blue eyes also push the prices up a bit: we charge USD per blue eye. Check out our French Bulldog Puppies What is included in our prices? We provide nanny service to all major US airports for an extra fee. Shipping to other countries is also possible, contact us for more info! PayPal and Stripe have payment insurance which means that they keep your money pending until you get the puppy. We get your money just after you have confirmed that your puppy has arrived in your arms safe and sound! Shots up-to-date worth USD Our pups receive all the necessary shots while they are with us: 1. Deworming worth 50 USD Our puppies are dewormed every two weeks from the age of 4 weeks old and they also get Simparica Trio against ticks, fleas and heartworms right before they leave. Anti-parasite treatment worth USD We give our puppies anti-parasite treatment against all parasites before they leave except for heart worms. Echocardiogram heart examination, worth 1, USD We do echocardiogram on our Frenchies and when we find the slightest chance of heart murmur in one of them, we rather cancel the adoption and find a loving home for them locally. Valer, French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies Membership and right to post in the TomKings Frenchie Family closed Facebook group We created a Facebook group for our adopters where we answer their questions and they share their experiences with each other. We are a Family because we are connected by the love towards Frenchies and we are always there to help and support each other, as well as share valuable experiences and advice! Only TomKings Frenchie parents are allowed to post and ask from us or any other member in the group. Participation in TomKings Frenchie Meetups We organize Frenchie Meetups in major cities throughout the States where you can talk with other TomKings Frenchie owners and exchange advice while your Frenchies are playing with each other. Frenchie Love eBook worth .Lifetime Health Guarantee We give you a lifetime health guarantee on all genetic disorders which cause death, which means that we send you another puppy if your Frenchie dies. We have never had that so far since the parent dogs go through a rigorous selection process before the breeding program and our vet checks the puppies often. We know that Frenchie owners have a bunch of questions about feeding, raising, training, etc. Our goal is to have only happy and healthy puppies so we will always be there to answer your questions! Lifetime vet assistance Frenchie owners have a lot of questions about the health of their puppies and most of the time they run to their vet right away and leave a fortune there for nothing. We even tell you whether you need to visit your vet at all! Health certification TomKings Frenchies are examined strictly before they leave for their new homes and we give you a health certificate which can be used if you want to have insurance for your puppy which we highly recommend. Exceptional care We treat every puppy as a family member from the moment they are born. We believe that the secret of having socialized and healthy Frenchie puppies is spending time with them all day long and letting them run and play in the backyard. Potty training It is crucial how puppies are trained at the beginning of their lives. At TomKings Puppies we are focusing not only on their health but their proper training as well. We start potty training for them so that you have a much easier job! Ultimate Guide.
I'm Dixie Rae, it's nice to meet you! My foster mom says I'm the goo- rope! Is that a rope? I love ropes. Anyways, my foster mom says I'm the bounciest, goodest girl ever, even though I'm a bit easily distracted. How can you not be distracted by all of the fun things in the world?! Like ropes, and tennis balls and toys full of stuffing! Toys are my favorite, especially ones that I can pull all the stuffing out I don't eat, just toss it aside and ropes that I can play tug of war with. My foster brother and I can play tug ALL. We also like to wrestle. My two footed friends call me a helper dog because I'm really good at reading the body language of my doggy friends. I can bring my timid furriends out of their shells and back off when my furriends need a break. I make friends everywhere I go.I'm not really a fan of the cat type four footers. I learned my name super fast, and as long as there's not something better, I come when you call me. I know how to sit when you tell me, and I'm learning 'place'.Are you ready for me to move in? For more information, you can email adopt dallaspetsalive. September 14, , pm. Why adopt WB English Bulldogs? Travel Nanny Services Optional As experienced and reputable breeders; at WB English Bulldogs, we understand that the transportation of your English Bulldog puppy is one of the most important things. British Bulldogs Breeder in Dallas since We at WB English bulldogs take into consideration that all puppies we place in new homes must have excellent conformation, good health and amazing temperament. Microchip ID Optional We offer a more secure form of identification for your pet that is safer and extremely more effective than common pet tags. Our happy customers who chose our in cabin nanny services! English Bulldogs stand out for their unique appearance combined with a heart of gold. Their wrinkled face, stout stature, and gentle eyes are not just adorable but also exude their loving nature. How big do English Bulldogs get when they grow up? English Bulldogs, though compact, have a sturdy and muscular build. Males typically weigh between lbs, while females usually range from lbs when fully mature. Their size makes them suitable for both apartment living and homes with yards. Are English Bulldogs good with children and other pets? English Bulldogs are renowned for their gentle, patient nature, especially with children. They often become protective of younger family members and coexist harmoniously with other pets. How often do English Bulldogs need exercise? A daily walk of about minutes helps maintain their health, manage their weight, and keeps them mentally stimulated. Play sessions in a fenced yard or indoors are also appreciated! Are English Bulldogs easy to train? English Bulldogs have an inherent eagerness to please their owners, making training a rewarding experience for both parties. With consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement techniques, they can learn commands, tricks, and good behaviors, enhancing your bond with them. English Bulldogs and British Bulldogs are the same? The breed is commonly known as the Bulldog. How to buy an English Bulldog puppie? Browse Our Selection: Explore our website to view available puppies. Need More Information? Our team is here to provide all the information you need to make an informed decision. Prepare for Your Puppy: Once your purchase is complete, ensure you have all the essentials ready at home for your new furry friend, from food to a cozy sleeping area. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about care, feeding, or health concerns. Thank you for choosing WB English Bulldogs. Do you ship to other cities in the USA or to other parts of the world? Yes, WB English bulldogs offers shipping services for their English bulldog puppies to any major city within the United States. They ensure that transportation considerations, including breed conformation and temperatures, are taken into account before arranging the transportation of the puppy. So, distance is not a barrier for those looking to get their dream puppy from WB English bulldogs. If there are any further questions or concerns about shipping methods or in-person pickups, the breeder encourages prospective customers to reach out to them directly via their provided phone number. English Bulldogs are medium-sized, robust, and muscular dogs. Adult male English Bulldogs typically weigh between pounds kg , while adult females usually weigh around pounds kg. In terms of height, English Bulldogs generally stand about inches cm tall at the shoulder. Regular check-ups and a balanced diet can help ensure that an English Bulldog grows to its optimal size and maintains a healthy weight. English Bulldogs are sturdy and muscular canines. Typically, adult male English Bulldogs weigh between pounds kg , while adult females tend to weigh around pounds kg. However, individual weights can vary based on factors like genetics, diet, and health. Our Blog.
My Scottish family always named our dogs after alcohol. My grandma had a dog named Jigger. When my young family moved to Manhattan Beach we decided to get a pug puppy for the girls. We agreed to name her Lulu after Lucinda Williams who we admire as a musician. Luckily Lulu, now Martini, was very cool about the name change and my toddlers just went with the flow. He gave me this sideways look and I immediately said there was an Italian painter named Martini. There had to be right? I looked it up when I got home and there is. Simone Martini was born in Siena and was a major figure in the development of early Italian painting and greatly influenced the development of the international Gothic style. I currently have a pug named Whiskey. She actually fetches which my other pug did not. So back to pugs. Pugs are short, funny, full of energy, weird creatures that were bred for Chinese royalty to do nothing but be companions for them. Pugs started showing up in Europe in the 16th century during the Age of Exploration when merchants and travelers brought them to the Netherlands. Throughout the 17th-century pugs started popping up all over the place, especially in European portraiture. I remember watching the movie about Marie Antionette with Kirsten Dunst, I think called Marie Antionette, and she had a cute pug but was not allowed to take the pug to France upon moving there to marry the heir. That made me sad. Take her head off but come on…let her keep the pug! What is it about dogs that make us happy? How great is that? Dogs already know how to be Zen. They live in the moment and are loyal and loving. In art, dogs often symbolize fidelity in a painting. The loyal dog next to his owner, ready to defend and obey. Pugs in paintings perhaps symbolize fidelity in addition to fun and a childlike essence. I believe pugs belong in the carefree romantic, flower swinging, pastel-colored world of the Rococo chapter of art history. And everyone needs a little more Rococo in their life! Can you tell the difference between a reputable breeder and Elizabethpugpuppies. Nowadays, most people start their search for a Dachshund puppy on the internet. Current Screenshot of Elizabethpugpuppies. In the report, PetScams. Using images stolen from genuine breeders websites, they advertise on classified websites as well as Google and Yahoo search. It is not as hard as it might seem. Before you become hoodwinked by the cuteness, check out a few of these ideas. The easiest way to determine if you are working with a legitimate breeder is to find a Dachshund breeder near your own home. If you found the Dachshund of your choice that is not close by, insist on speaking to the breeder over Skype, Facetime or any other video conferencing software. Ways to Detect Dachshund Puppy Scams 1. Excellent breeders will not sell their Dachshund puppies for rock bottom prices. It is not cheap to raise a litter. Vet bills, health testing, food and supplements, time and effort go into a litter. So, if the price seems too good, it probably is not legit. If you have been checking the price of Dachshund puppies that you are interested in buying and a puppy comes up that is way below the going price, there is a reason for it. Read on for more information about prices. Free or nearly free shipping: Many scammers will offer shipping at a ridiculously low price with their choice of Pet Delivery Agency. Scammers entice you to purchase knowing that shipping is not going to be an added expense however, if you fall for the scam, the cost of shipping continues to grow almost daily. Scammers will normally insist on shipping the puppy to you. They will make up excuses for why you cannot pick up the puppy in person. This is because they will charge you much more for the shipping that you have paid for the puppy. If you are adamant that you will pick up the puppy in person the scammer will eventually relent and arrange an appointment to meet. Scammers do this as there is a possibility that you will relent and pay for shipping. It does not cost them anything if you insist on driving cross country to an address that has no connection with the scam. There are several stories of home owners who were unaware that their address was being used as part of a Dachshund puppy scam 3. A genuine breeders website will have a location, phone number, email and probably social media links. This is because genuine breeders want to be contacted by what ever method is convenient to you. Scammers spend time creating multiple new websites. It would take them a lot longer if they needed a new email, phone and address for each one. The simplify it by having as few methods of contact as possible 4. They prefer not to speak to you as this may arouse your suspicions. Scammers are also happy to correspond by email. Read the email carefully. The wording in the email should be proper English. If you are in the US, scan the wording and determine if it is a native speaking US citizen. Puppy scams often originate abroad. Ask questions. If it is a scammer the first replies to your questions will be well written however this a script that they are coping and pasting. If you ask continue to ask questions about the puppy the scammers answers deteriorate and become much shorter. If the response you receive seems odd, or does not conform to the local vernacular or how you would expect a native to speak or respond to your questions, chances are you are not corresponding with a local person. While not a definite sign, that should at least send up a red flag. Odd use of grammar is a telltale sign that you are not dealing with a native speaker. No Visiting Permitted There are very valid reasons why a breeder might not want to allow you full access to their kennel, but if you get the feeling that the person refuses to allow visits, there is a problem. Some breeders will allow a visit to their home but not tours of their kennel facilities. Do not immediately rule these breeders that refuse admittance to their kennels, as they may have a good reason for not allowing access to their kennels. Infectious disease is one such reason. Some breeders have been hurt by people visiting their kennels and introducing parasites or viruses. For example, if you visit one site that may have a parvo outbreak and then travel to another breeder, you can unwittingly pass on the parvovirus to the dogs in the second kennel creating a biohazard to the breeder. One such instance is likely to prompt the breeder to close off the kennel to outside pathogens. There is no excuse for a Dachshund breeder to not have a video call with you. If you are going to spend a lot of money on a puppy they should oblige you with a video call! Now, there is nothing wrong with a testimonial, but when you cannot confirm the legitimacy of the person providing the testimonial, you should question their authenticity. You can search part of the text to see if the testimonial has been used on other scam websites. There are normally beautiful photos of small puppies all appearing to be between 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Study the photographs well. If the photos look professional then they should all share the same background as they would have been taken at the same time. If they are not professionally taken then they should all be of the same quality and appear to be from the same location. The site normally will have little actual information about the puppy other than a fake birthdate and a price. If there is information about the breed you can use Copyscape to see if the content has been stolen. No Physical Address Do you have a real physical address of the person you are sending money to? Google it to see if it exists. Do not accept a PO box for an address. Many breeders have been hurt by people who send bad checks, but if the payment requirement seems odd, such as a Walmart money order, postal money order, Western Union, Zelle or other anonymous money transfer you may want to do a bit more research. You may find many legitimate sites that accept these types of payments, but contact them before you send any money. Photos Virtually Nonexistent but Surprisingly, a video exists. A site that can only provide pictures of an 8 or 9-week-old puppy may be a scam. If they have no pictures of the puppy prior to 8 weeks old, that should send up a red flag. Most good breeders will start photographing their puppies from birth onward. Can they keep you up to date with pictures of the puppy as they grow? Many scam sites will only have one or two pictures of a puppy that is 8 or 9 weeks old. Ask to see newborn pictures. Where did the video come from? It is relatively easy to steal a video or ask a legitimate breeder to send you photos and videos. Once the scammer has both in his possession, it is simple to add them online. Ask for a new video of the puppy you are buying. Tell them that you want your name and their website written on a piece of paper in the video. The Urgency to Ship Right Away The urgency to ship your puppy right away often within 24 hours is a big red flag. They want your money. Ask them if they can ship in two weeks and see what they say? Beyond that, there is no way that someone can secure a flight that quickly. If the puppy pictures were stolen from another website, this site would find the original source. Check out the Owner of the Website at Whois Whois is a database that will allow you to look at the person who owns the site. It should provide identifiable information about the website owner, their host server, where the host is located and the and IP Address. Look for the date the website was established. If it is recent, it could mean you are dealing with puppy scams. According to Whois, Elizabethpugpuppies. It only has a 1 year registration. This unusually short for a genuine website but is common for a scam website. Scammers often use privacy protection to hide their details but also use false information. The information used to register Elizabethpugpuppies. Are they on any social media sites? Scammers often display links to social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest order to look legitimate however the links do not lead to a brand page. Not all good breeders are on social media, but many are on at least one form of social media, often Facebook. Ask to chat with them on their Facebook page. Do they have Skype? Some breeders use this form of communication. It is worthwhile to see what their Skype number is and contact them there. The more places you report it, the better chance you have to shut Elizabethpugpuppies.
I live in Northern Minnesota, where winter takes up a lot of the year, my Frenchie always feels cold, Frenchiely offers quality sweaters with beautiful patterns. They are perfect for my furbaby and I will be ordering more. Always excellent quality. If you're looking for some clothes to keep your Frenchie warm; look no further. Highly recommended. Amanda Patin Adorable! My dog just got groomed and was freezing and shaking nonstop. I have taken sooo many photos since then because she is adorable in this sweater. We were nervous about how she might feel about this, but she actually looks really happy when it's time to put it on. Perfect size,and the fabric feels very comfortable. Kelly Moore Would recommend! Honestly I have no complaints. I love their products. It did not take long to receive our order. The sweater and shirts are nicely made and feel very comfortable. MinookaMom Made well and good fit Their products are true to size and the size guide is accurate, I followed their size help and all the clothes I received are perfect fit for my bulldog. Made well and no smells, the sweater is thick and the shirt looks like cotton. Your dog serves to be modern and elegant at every opportunity. There is no need to look further. All manor of styles and colors are available for your little one. There are so many options to choose the best clothes for your little dog. We love to make all our customers happy. Our collection French Bulldog Clothes offers a lot, start dressing your beloved Frenchies! What are the Best Clothes for French Bulldogs? We have Clothes for French bulldogs for everyday wear or for special occasions. You can shop French Bulldog Jackets, shirts, hoodies, sweaters, pajamas, costumes, etc. We guarantee a perfect fit for your French bulldog. Protect your dog and keep him or her safe with our Hoodie - French Bulldog Clothes. For cold weather conditions, this hoodie provides ultimate comfort with minimal bulk and maximum quality. If you want something that your dog would wear every day, then this Blue French Bulldog Hoodie is perfect choice. You can't deny the fact that, French Bulldog Halloween costume captures attention and is a must-have item. Therefore, we are sure that Chucky French Bulldog Costume is the most popular and sought after Costume on the market. As the weather heats up, keeping your Frenchie safe and comfortable requires special attention. Your dog will thank you! And pajamas are definitely something your little dog needs. Banana French Bulldog Pajama is something special and cute for your Frenchie.
Articles Sit. Heal German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia Signs and Treatments Muscular, intelligent, and loyal, German shepherds are steadfast guardians and all-purpose workers. Highly trainable and obedient, German shepherds provide a range of services—excelling as show dogs and household companions, as well as military and search and rescue animals. Exuding confidence, this breed is royalty of the dog family. They are susceptible, however, to challenging hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia any time from puppyhood all the way through maturation. As with many large breed dogs, German shepherds are prone to canine hip dysplasia CHD , a dog skeletal condition that can be inherited or caused by a traumatic fracture or other environmental factors. CHD occurs from malformation of the ball and joint socket of one or both hips the hip joint is called the coxofemoral joint. If so, it maybe be because of breeding. The exaggerated hind leg angulation is often bred into the dog because of standards that dictate rear legs upper and lower thighs should come as close to a degree angle as possible. Along these same lines, a sloping back causes hindquarters to become more angulate and, thus, prone to lower back pain. These bent legs could point toward one of many health problems, one of which is hip dysplasia. Although irreversible, canine hip dysplasia can be monitored and treated to reduce chronic pain. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals , .The progression of it and the treatment options available depend on a number of factors, including the degree of misalignment and age of the dog. CHD has a range of signs, depending on the severity of the disease and degree of looseness in the joint. The severity also ranges from mild to extreme pain—some German shepherds even have to use a wheelchair. CHD Treatment Options Dog hip dysplasia surgery for severe cases in medium to large dogs can be expensive. If invasive surgery is not the best choice for your dog, look into non-surgical, conservative management options, such as dog leg braces, physical therapy, weight control, acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, and massage therapy. Ortho Dog specializes in flexible, adjustable, and affordable dog leg braces. Additionally, leg braces for hip dysplasia may slow the progression of this chronic issue. Is a Hip Hound Brace right for your pup? Designed for dogs who suffer from arthritis and mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Below are four common disorders of the hip and joint commonly seen in this breed: Degenerative Myelopathy As a German shepherd owner, you have likely heard of the fatal, chronic, and progressive disease called degenerative myelopathy that is most prevalent in this breed. Typically apparent between the ages of , degenerative myelopathy is a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord and muscle coordination, ultimately leading to paralysis of the back legs within months. CHD shares several symptoms with early stages of degenerative myelopathy, including difficulty rising and jumping, and progressive weakness of hind limbs. As with any signs that something may be off with your dog, contact your veterinarian for a full exam. Canine Myasthenia Gravis A rare neuromuscular disease, canine myasthenia gravis is a disorder of the signal transmission between nerves and muscles, resulting in progressive muscle weakness, and fatigue with mild exercise. This disease is not typically confused with CHD because the signs tend to show up on the face more than the hindquarters. This incorrect movement can put a strain on their hips, which causes them to walk with an irregular gait. Our Hock Holder brace offers stabilization and support to the hock to help relieve stress. Osteoarthritis Most often seen in senior dogs, osteoarthritis is the inflammation of the hip joints due to cartilage deterioration. You may notice your dog moving a bit more slowly and having trouble with stairs. With less cartilage, bones can grind against each other and cause inflammation. Much like a human wearing a wrist or hand brace for arthritis, the Ortho Dog Hip Hound brace limits the movement of the joint, which helps with the pain. Helps with joint lubrication 4. NSAIDs Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Just like humans, dogs can benefit from taking certain pain medications to treat their hip dysplasia. In particular, NSAIDs can benefit your dog by reducing some of the pain and inflammation that hip dysplasia causes. There are some great charts available online that show you how much your German Shepherd should weigh at various stages of his life. Hard surfaces can be especially painful for your dog to walk on, so avoid walking on asphalt and sidewalks and instead take him for a walk in a grassy park. Repair and Prevent Cartilage Deterioration We mentioned cartilage a bit earlier. When your dog moves, cartilage helps cushion the joint. But it can become damaged when your dog has hip dysplasia. Over time, this cartilage deteriorates, causing pain and inflammation. Another word for this cartilage deterioration? Fortunately, certain active ingredients can help maintain joint health and reduce the likelihood that the secondary condition of arthritis will form as a result of German Shepherd hip dysplasia. In particular, the active ingredients of chondroitin and glucosamine for dogs help maintain cartilage health. These two naturally occurring substances work together to not only repair damaged cartilage but also prevent it from deteriorating in the first place. Lubricate Joints Hyaluronic acid is another key active ingredient that benefits dogs suffering from German Shepherd hip dysplasia by improving joint mobility and reducing discomfort. In particular, hyaluronic acid may help reduce the pain your dog experiences as a result of hip dysplasia. And how does it do that? Well, hyaluronic acid is an important component of synovial fluid. So it stands to reason that making sure your dog has enough hyaluronic acid is a great way to ensure his hip joints can move as smoothly as possible. But fortunately, MSM, a powerful antioxidant and building block for healthy joints, can help reduce the pain and inflammation your dog experiences from hip dysplasia. And the great news is that this ingredient is often found in joint supplements. Additionally, MSM may become even more effective when used alongside glucosamine, another common active ingredient. Yes, that is indeed our product. References 1. Clinical and pathological effects Hip dysplasia HD is a disease of the hip coxofemoral joints. Dysplasia means abnormal development. Both hips are usually affected Brass .It is a complex disease that results from a combination of genes that predispose a dog to developing hip dysplasia interacting with environmental factors that lead to its full development and expression Riser .It is characterized by hip joint instability which, if compounded by environmental factors, then results in secondary osteoarthritis and the clinical signs of hip dysplasia which include pain, lameness and disability Zhang et al .To fully understand hip dysplasia, it is necessary to understand the structure of the hip joint. The hip joint is the joint at the top of the hind leg, where it articulates forms a joint with the pelvis. It is described as a ball and socket joint, as in normal hips the ball-shaped head of the femur the thigh bone fits perfectly into a cup-shaped socket in the pelvis, the acetabulum. The head of the femur femoral head and the acetabulum are normally covered with cartilage which produces a smooth, low friction surface. Within the joint there is also a fine layer of synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant between these cartilaginous surfaces. This thin layer of synovial fluid, along with the round ligament a ligament that runs round the edge of the acetabulum — between the acetabulum and the femur , keeps the two cartilaginous surfaces together by creating a suction-like effect. The ligaments and the joint capsule also help to hold the ball and socket closely together. In newborn puppies, because the bones are soft and not fully ossified turned into bone as they need to grow and develop, they are still deformable if abnormal movements or stresses and strains occur in them. Riser suggests that, in a normal six month old individual, ossification of the bones and soft tissue strength the strength of the surrounding ligaments, joint capsule and muscles have developed enough to prevent hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is described as a biomechanical disease. The hips appear normal at birth. However, in affected individuals, the hips develop abnormally due, at first, to joint instability sometimes called joint laxity Riser .This means that the developing femoral head and acetabulum are not held constantly, closely together, and can move into abnormal positions relative to one another. This puts abnormal stresses and strains on the joint. Riser states this is due to the soft tissues, such as ligaments and muscle, not being strong enough to maintain congruity between the articular surfaces of the femoral head and the acetabulum ie the constant contact between the surfaces of the bones is not maintained. The pathological changes seen due to the joint instability are progressive inflammation and degeneration of the tissues that together form the joint. Brass details the following changes in the joint: The joint capsule can become thickened and the round ligament can become stretched or ruptured leading to additional, excessive movements. The synovial fluid increases in volume and changes in nature, due to inflammation, this pushes the joint surfaces apart. The cartilage on the bone surfaces gets worn away exposing subchondral bone the layer of bone beneath the surface cartilage. Unlike cartilage, bone contains nerve endings and such exposure will commonly cause pain. The rim of the acetabulum becomes damaged and flattened and later new bone starts to grow here as the body tries to stabilize the joint. The femoral head becomes deformed and flattened and also grows abnormal bone called exotoses or osteophytes. This changing of the shape of the joint with new bone growing in abnormal positions, and being lost in others, is called joint remodelling. The signs that are seen with hip dysplasia can vary hugely in their severity, the age at which they first appear and their progression. In mild cases dogs can be free from clinical signs for years; however, for more severely affected individuals, signs of pain can develop whilst they are still immature less than a year old Signs include acute pain, particularly after strenuous exercise or movement. This may show as lameness or reluctance to jump, to go for walks, climb steps or move at all if really severe. The pain may be worse in cold, wet conditions Brass .These signs may start intermittently, but over time can become constant. Muscle wastage is often seen in the hindlegs Brass .There appears to be little correlation between the severity of pain shown by the dog and physical abnormalities felt on examination by a vet or revealed on an x-ray Brass ie some dogs can be in severe pain but have few changes on x-rays and vice versa. This is typical of any joint disease. Controlling food intake during growth has been shown to decrease hip dysplasia in Labradors ie by reducing excessive energy intake and therefore excessive weight gain during growth Kealy et al .High calcium intake during growth has been shown to delay maturation of the skeleton and increase the risk of hip dysplasia in Great Danes Hazewinkel .It is thought that controlling the amount and form of exercise during development may also help Corr .Bennett and May suggest excessive exercise during development can lead to hip dysplasia. Treatment for hip dysplasia is complex; many surgical interventions have been developed to prevent signs appearing in young animals with high joint laxity and to treat dogs with severe osteoarthritis. All need specialist surgeons. Various medications to aid pain relief are also available, along with recommendations to reduce the effect of environmental factors. Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact Though some dogs may be mildly affected, for many German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia, the impact of the condition is major and life changing. These animals suffer pain that is severe and debilitating, leading them to be in pain even with small everyday movements such as standing up. Their quality of life is severely affected so that they are unable to enjoy normal canine behaviours such as walking and running. It is not uncommon for dogs to be euthanased due to the pain and disability of arthritis associated with hip dysplasia. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact Hip dysplasia is a progressive disease with signs seen from any age. For some dogs pain starts before a year of age. Signs may be intermittent to start with but often progress to be constant. Medical treatment and advice can help control pain and possibly slow progression, though a cure can only be obtained with major surgical intervention in dogs that are considered suitable candidates for such surgery. Return to top 4. Number of animals affected Hip dysplasia is the most common joint problem of large dogs Smith et al .UK VetCompass data for dogs overall, showed that 7. In this sample, diagnosis of conditions affecting the pelvis eg hip dysplasia did not significantly differ between purebred and crossbred dogs. Figures vary greatly for how frequently German Shepherds are affected by hip dysplasia, depending on the method by which they have been screened and the database reviewed. The frequency is likely to vary for geographically different populations of the same breed Brass .However, Paster et al suggested that the OFA population was biased, as it is not compulsory for radiographed dogs to have their x-rays submitted to the OFA scheme so some owners may have had dogs pre-screened and only submitted apparently non-dysplastic ones for consideration and scoring. In this study, German Shepherd dogs had a higher odds ratio of hip dysplasia occurrence than Dobermanns, Labradors and Rottweilers, indicating that the breed is at a significantly higher risk of hip dysplasia development. Return to top 5. Diagnosis For a young dog suspected of hip dysplasia, a diagnosis can be made on the clinical signs shown at home and on examination of the dog, including assessment of joint laxity and joint pain plus evaluation of radiographs x-ray pictures of the hip joints Corr .Assessment of the joint laxity and radiographs may need to be performed by a specialist vet who is used to checking for this condition. For a formal diagnosis, the radiographs are usually submitted to a panel for evaluation. There are three methods of assessing joint laxity. Radiographs and assessment of joint laxity need to be performed under heavy sedation or anaesthesia Corr .Return to top 6. Genetics Hip dysplasia in dogs is a polygenic disease; many genes are thought to play a role in its development. Most of these genes probably have small additive effects quantitative, polygenes and some probably have larger effects Zhang et al .Heritability estimates are used to demonstrate how much variation in a phenotypic trait is due to genetic variation among individuals in a population. Using hip scores published by the British Veterinary Association, heritability for hip scores of German Shepherd dogs was 0. Genes are not solely responsible for whether a dog with the genetic potential for hip dysplasia develops the condition. Environmental factors play an important part. They are discussed in the clinical and pathogenic effects section above. However, there are significant breed predispositions to this condition and the German Shepherd dog is one of the breeds affected. Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? There are a number of breeding schemes around the world developed to decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia in dog breeds. These schemes assess potential breeding animals in somewhat different ways. All aim to give breeders and owners a strong indication of which dogs are likely to produce healthy offspring and which should not be bred. However, this is by no means straightforward for hip dysplasia as it is a polygenic condition in which the genetics are poorly understood and which is also affected by environmental factors in a major way. This lack of clarity has produced much debate over the best way to assess potential breeding dogs. A brief summary of the various schemes follows including some current evidence for their benefits. All dogs must be at least 12 months of age. There are nine radiographic features which are scored, including the Norberg angle NA - a measurement for hip laxity taken from the EHR and each dog is given a score out of 53 for each hip total of up to for both. A low score indicates healthy hip joints eg Greyhounds would score 0, as is not seen in this breed and a higher score indicates worse hip dysplasia. Breeders are recommended to only breed from animals with a score lower than the breed medianscore e. It is also based on an extended hip radiograph EHR , which is then graded by three independent experts to give an overall grade. All dogs must be over 2 years of age to be assessed. There are seven possible grades for the radiograph: excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate or severe hip dysplasia. Dogs must be between 1 and 2 years of age and the radiograph is graded by someone appointed by each breed club — they do not have to be an expert. Grades include: A- no signs of hip dysplasia, B — near normal hip joints, C — mild hip dysplasia, D — moderate hip dysplasia, E — severe hip dysplasia. Older dogs can be assessed but the likelihood of more secondary osteoarthritic changes is taken into account. Dogs from 4 months of age can be assessed. It involves the assessment of three different radiographic views of the hip joints called the distraction view, the compression view and the EHR. The radiograph must be taken by a vet who is registered with the scheme and the radiographs are assessed by vets at the PennHIP Analysis Center. Dogs with a DI lower than 0. Dogs with increasing DI values over 0. Advocates of the PennHIP method like it because it accurately identifies individuals who have hip laxity - the primary phenotypical abnormality that predisposes dogs to hip dysplasia. The other schemes only look at the EHR and though the NA can be measured from this, the NA has been shown to be an inaccurate method to assess hip laxity Culp et al .Much of what is assessed on the EHRs are secondary arthritic changes, these are not specific to hip dysplasia and are affected by many environmental factors. Recently, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have confirmed that the Distraction Index DI is a significant risk factor for the development of hip dysplasia. In other words, DI scores give a very good indication of the likelihood of osteoarthritic changes, due to hip dysplasia, developing in the future Smith and others , , , Smith , Runge et al .These and other researchers argue that the other schemes are not as good at detecting animals that have hip dysplasia as the PennHIP method and, despite older schemes existing for over 40 years, little improvement has been seen in hip dysplasia in the general pet population Corley , Kaneene et al , Leppanen et al , Paster et al .In fact, one recent study looking at a database of over 1,, dogs found an increase in the prevalence of hip dysplasia Witsberger et al .However EHR scores were found to have a much higher heritability 0. Heritability studies are difficult to compare between different populations with different environmental influences. To improve the gene pool, phenotypic traits that can be easily detected with strong links to the genotype genetic make-up of animals have to be found. Ideally, any potential pet would have had its hip joints assessed by one of the above schemes prior to purchase, although this is often unhelpful, as most pets are purchased as young puppies. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee all their offspring will be free from hip dysplasia. Certainly any potential breeding animal should be assessed prior to breeding using an appropriate scheme. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem Hip dysplasia is a complex trait which involves multiple unknown genes and environmental factors. Eradication schemes have been running in some countries for decades and still it is commonplace. Thus prospects for its quick elimination are low. In a recent study, Zhang et al suggested that using scores from four hip traits combined to create a breeding value for each animal would help speed up elimination of the condition. They felt that information on the single joint trait EHR eg the OFA scheme gave insufficient information to provide the basis for breeding decisions. The DLS is a measurement made from an x-ray taken in a weight-bearing position to measure the subluxation of the femoral head Farese et al .In this study on two populations of dogs where environmental factors were strictly controlled, heritabilities for all these traits were found to be relatively high eg heritabilities were 0. The researchers suggested these heritabilites were higher than expected due to the controlled environmental conditions. Zhang et al suggested an improved way for selectively breeding out hip dysplasia would be if breeders could be given breeding values derived from the four traits for each potential breeding animal, plus a measurement of the inbreeding of any potential mating eg the inbreeding coefficient. This way, they suggest, inbreeding can be avoided and only animals with phenotypes strongly indicative of healthy hip joint genes would be bred from. This scheme is a more organised form of others that have suggested using a combination of breeding values determined from pedigree information and phenotype score Ginja et al , Hou et al .As described by Bell , when breeders are prioritising raising dogs that have good hip dysplasia genotypes for future breeding the phenotype has to be used as a marker for the genotype. Although the diagnostic signs can be affected also by environmental factors such as feeding and exercise regimes. It is important that the puppies are raised in a standard and not excessively protective way. Otherwise, dogs that would normally have developed radiographic signs of hip dysplasia will have this masked and their genes will be perpetuated. Future development of genetic tests to help identify some of the hip dysplasia genes, along with more use of pedigree data that includes the health of ancestors and progeny for clinical signs of hip dysplasia and also for other inherited defects of German Shepherd dogs , may well help to improve methods used to eliminate this condition. Currently we have to continue to rely on choosing phenotypical traits which apparently indicate the presence of healthy genes. Return to top 9. Reviewed by Petal Smart Petal Smart is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and has been an editor in the veterinary and medical sciences since .She has edited more than assignments, including research studies published in various academic journals, continuing medical education materials, and articles on pet health. Canine hip dysplasia is most often seen in large breeds like German Shepherd dogs , Saint Bernards , and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs , but a dog of any size and both male and female dogs may be affected. The cause of canine hip dysplasia isn't known. The condition is thought to have a genetic link, and dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Puppies from parents that have hip dysplasia will be more likely to develop the condition than puppies born to parents with normal hips. However, even dogs with normal parents can develop hip dysplasia. What Is Canine Hip Dysplasia? The pelvis cradles the head of the femur thigh bone in a cup-like socket of bone that forms the hip. Puppies typically are born normal, but as the puppy matures, the hip joint alignment becomes progressively worse. This places abnormal stress and wear on the bones when they rub together, and causes further joint degeneration and pain. Bones respond to stress by growing thicker, which makes the fit even worse. As the dog matures, this damage predisposes to arthritic changes and painful joints. Signs and Symptoms Severe hip dysplasia may become noticeable as early as four months of age, but is more typically seen in pups aged 9 months to 1 year. The painful condition causes limping , favoring of limbs, and difficulty rising, running, or jumping. Dysplastic pups may exhibit an odd wobbly gait when walking and "bunny hop" when running or climbing stairs, which may help to ease joint stress. Stairs can prove a particular challenge for these dogs, and sore hips and pain may prompt aggression , causing the pup to snap or flinch when touched. However, there are degrees of severity. Some pups may show few to no signs at all, and mild cases may go undiagnosed until the dog reaches middle age or older. How quickly, or to what extent degeneration occurs is in part determined by the pup's activity level. While healthy, normal hips probably won't be adversely affected by hard work or exuberant play, the dog with mild to moderate hip dysplasia develops more noticeable signs more quickly when excessive stress is placed on these joints. Fortunately, only a relatively small percentage of pets suffer the severest, most crippling form of the condition. The condition may also be influenced by lifestyle, nutrition, body weight, and activity level. The puppy is placed on its back and the veterinarian looks for the typical arthritic changes and subluxation laxity of the joint. Some changes may not become evident until the pup reaches 2 years old, and experts say there may be considerable changes from 6 to 9 months up to 1 year. The OFA provides a consulting service for purebred dog owners and breeders, through which it reviews hip X-rays provided by an owner to evaluate the dog's conformation and, when normal, certifies that fact. The PennHip testing method, developed by Dr. Reputable breeders have dog parents tested prior to breeding to make sure they do not have hip dysplasia and reduce the chance of the condition in puppies. Dogs can be certified free of hip dysplasia by sending appropriate X-rays to either the OFA registry or the PennHip registry. This is evaluated by three radiologists who score the hips fair, good, or excellent. PennHip evaluation uses computer analysis to compare the X-rays to all the other dogs of that breed in the registry. Management of Hip Dysplasia There is no cure for hip dysplasia. Treatment is aimed at relieving pain and improving joint function. How well treatment works depends on the severity of the problem. Often, mild to moderate cases of hip dysplasia can be managed with gentle exercise, a healthy diet, and oral pain relievers like buffered aspirin or Rimadyl as prescribed by the veterinarian. Moderate exercise helps maintain and improve the puppy's muscle tone, which alleviates painful wear and tear on the joint. Encourage your dysplastic puppy to take short walks with you. Swimming is an ideal exercise, but jumping and prolonged running should be discouraged. Keep your puppy lean; obesity increases joint strain and can make the condition worse. Massage can also help the dog feel better. Severe cases of hip dysplasia may benefit from surgery that rebuilds or removes bone or alters the muscles and tendons to reduce pain. More from The Spruce Pets. If your dog qualifies for surgeries, you have even more options. Tips for Preventing Hip Dysplasia in German Shepherds Although not all cases of hip dysplasia can be prevented, a good majority can. Even if hip dysplasia is not preventable in your dog, you can use these tips to minimize pain caused by the condition. This can make a huge difference in whether your dog develops hip dysplasia. The best reputable breeders will even provide a screening for their puppies. After the screening, which can only be done after 16 weeks of age, you can know if a puppy is predisposed to hip dysplasia. From an early age, make sure to provide your dog with high-quality dog food specific for large breeds. For example, get a large-breed puppy-specific dog food when your dog is young, and switch to an adult dog food once the dog ages. Note that most senior dog foods are not generic, so your vet will be the best person to help you choose which product is best for your older German Shepherd. Only provide your dog as much food as they need, never under or over. Both malnutrition and obesity increase the risk for hip dysplasia development. If you are unsure how much to feed your dog, talk to your vet for recommendations. Right Exercise Exercise is another factor you need to consider carefully if you want to prevent hip dysplasia in your German Shepherd. Preventative Supplements Image Credit: ElenVik, Shutterstock You can begin giving preventative supplements to your dog to nourish their joints. One of the most popular is glucosamine. This supplement is prescribed to dogs with arthritis and hip dysplasia, but you can use it for preventative measures too. Of course, preventative supplements will have a lower glucosamine count than prescribed medications. Final Thoughts If you suspect that your German Shepherd is experiencing hip dysplasia, please visit the vet right away. Luckily, most German Shepherds with hip dysplasia live long and robust lives. If they get a great treatment, you can expect your dog to be happy and carefree. By starting a well-rounded prevention plan from an early age, you can help your dog grow with minimal issues. Featured Image Credit: makeitclear, Pixabay Contents.
A puppy may experience 20 sleep cycles nightly. Humans typically go through about four or five cycles. These are the phases. Non-rapid eye movement NREM. This phase often lasts about 10 minutes. Rapid eye movement REM. Breathing increases during this phase of deep sleep, especially if your pup is dreaming yes, dogs dream. Recommended Videos Your dog will run through these cycles. There may be other reasons, too. How can I find out how fast my pet is breathing? However, vets say some dogs have lower thresholds. Count the breaths. Repeat for 30 seconds. Multiply the number of breaths by 2. Should I call a vet? Several factors can trigger fast breathing during sleep. Exertion Best-case scenario: Your pup is still cooling down from a rousing play session or exercise. If you took your puppy out for a game of fetch or went on a power walk together, they may still be breathing heavily as they nap it off. Heatstroke is dangerous for dogs, just like for humans. Turn down the heat or move your puppy to a cooler space, preferably inside, on a hot day. Make sure they have plenty of water. Food poisoning If your puppy got into something they should not have, like garlic or onions , they might breathe heavily. If it collapses or has too much pressure, your puppy may start breathing more heavily. Other symptoms of this issue include a dry cough. This problem typically occurs in older dogs, but puppies can have issues too. Certain breeds, like chihuahuas, are more susceptible to tracheal collapses. Heart issues Heavy breathing can be a sign of heart disease. If your dog is diagnosed with ticker trouble, the vet may have you monitor their resting breathing rate more often. Simply count each breath, which is considered one inhale and exhale, for 30 or 60 seconds. If counting for 30 seconds, multiply the number of breaths by 2. Generally, anything over 30 to 35 breaths per minute is cause for concern. Puppies may breathe rapidly when sleeping if they have recently played or exercised or are too hot. Fast breathing during rest periods can also be a sign of something more serious, such as food poisoning or heart disease. Make sure to keep your dog out of the heat and ensure they always have plenty of water. Call your vet if you notice fast breathing while sleeping. They can advise you on the next steps and evaluate your pup to determine if treatment is necessary. Editors' Recommendations. Heavy Exercises Heavy exercise is also one of the primary reasons why your dog keeps panting a lot. Goldendoodles love to run, swim and play. If you keep exercising your Goldendoodle a lot, it may start panting heavily to maintain proper body temperature and coolness. So, these are some of the reasons why your Goldendoodle keeps panting heavily. Other causes may include stress, anxiety, underlying medical issues, etc. Goldendoodles will require regular grooming and upkeep. During the daytime, your Goldendoodle may be involved in physical activities that cause heavy panting. However, what if your Goldendoodle keeps panting at night too? So, your Goldendoodle might also be chasing something or engaging in strenuous activity in their dream. Due to this, they may have been panting all night. So, if your dog keeps panting at night , we recommend checking the spots where you usually put them to sleep. Another thing to keep in mind is checking the material on top of which your dog usually sleeps. If the material is too thick and warm, your Goldendoodle may start feeling hot. So, try to check that material also. See more Goldendoodle videos on our YouTube channel! Stress and Anxiety One of the primary reasons why your dog keeps panting and breathing heavily is maybe because of stress and anxiety. Dogs like the Goldendoodle or Cockapoo are highly social dogs that depend on humans for support. You cannot always precisely pinpoint why your Goldendoodle suddenly feels stressed and anxious. However, some of the significant reasons are: As Goldendoodles are loving creatures, they may be afraid of getting separated from you at night. It is usually more common if your dog sleeps alone. If your Goldendoodle is quite old , anxiety is a common phenomenon due to different physical and mental changes. This can also cause panting. Dogs are often scared of loud noises and speakers. Some dogs are also scared of unknown people. Your dog may also not be comfortable in any new environment. However, if your Goldendoodle keeps panting heavily, it can also be because of an underlying chronic disease. There can be certain diseases such as pneumonia, tumors, cancer, or other respiratory illnesses that are causing such suffering. So, try to consult a vet as soon as possible if the panting continues. Poisonous Food Although some vegetables like carrots or asparagus are okay for dogs to eat , others like onion are poisonous to dog. They may also begin to puke or have an increased heart rate. Now, this can be because of someone who may have tried to give poisonous food to your cute pup. In such a situation, it is essential to see a vet as quickly as possible to save your Goldendoodle from suffering. So, these are some of the reasons why your Goldendoodle keeps panting at night. There are various ways you can prevent your precious dog from panting a lot, such as: Check the Temperature If your dog keeps panting a lot, we advise you to check the temperature both indoors and outdoors. If you feel like the temperature outside is way too hot for your Goldendoodle, stay in rather than risking a heat stroke. In case you do, keep your dog hydrated at all times. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Hot rooms can definitely cause extreme panting and sweating. During summers, you can even go for an elevated dog bed for your Goldendoodle. Regular Exercising and Proper Meal Plan If your Goldendoodle is gaining a lot of pounds lately, consider taking them for exercising regularly. Even a walk would do the job. On the side, do not feed extra fatty and sugary to your dog. Calm Your Goldendoodle Stress and anxiety also cause panting. So, try to soothe your little dog and calm him down. Remember that touching your dog at this time may scare them off more. You can try to distract your dog by commanding gently. You can also take your dog to their favorite spot even if it is outside just gently attach the Goldendoodle harness and let them become calm and steady. Go to a Vet If the panting condition keeps continuing, it is recommended to take your Goldendoodle to the veterinarian. Additionally, if you also feel like your dog is undergoing a heat stroke or food poisoning, immediately see the veterinarian prevent anything from happening. All dogs, including Goldendoodles, have a habit of panting to maintain their body temperature. However, suppose the panting gets too much, along with other symptoms such as severe anxiety, breathlessness, or coughing. In that case, you should definitely take your precious gem to the veterinarian. Heavy breathing causing the dog to be distressed for months on end can be a sign that a dog may, unfortunately, need to be put to sleep out of kindness. Closely monitor and visit the Vet early to help prevent more serious issues. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Contact Help! Why is my dog breathing fast but acting normal? You have just noticed that your dog is breathing fast but hasn't been exercising or playing. Should you be concerned? Today our Davidson County vets share some of the reasons why dogs breathe fast, and when you should call the vet. Why is my dog breathing fast? Is something wrong? For you to be able to spot abnormal breathing you'll need to understand what a healthy respiratory breathing rate for your dog is. A typical healthy dog will take between 15 to 35 breaths per minute while at rest. Naturally, while exercising, your pooch will breathe much more quickly. So, anything above 40 breaths per minute while your dog is at rest is considered abnormal and certainly worth investigating. That said, it's important to understand that panting doesn't always mean that there's a problem. Panting is your pup's way of regulating their body temperature, cooling themselves down and allowing water and heat to evaporate from their upper respiratory tract, tongue, and mouth. Dogs can't sweat to cool themselves down, instead they need to breathe fast to allow air to circulate through their body. Rapid breathing helps your pup's body to get back to a normal temperature. How can I tell if my dog is breathing too fast? You may even want to do this when you are not concerned, in order to have a clear understanding of your pet's normal respiratory rate. Anything under 30 breaths per minute is considered normal, anything above 35 may be a cause for concern and is worth contacting your vet over. Your vet will have a good understanding of your dogs normal respiratory rate from previous examinations. Brachycephalic dog breeds, breeds with 'squished faces' or shortened snouts , such as Boston terriers, boxers, and pugs face a higher risk of developing breathing issues and should always be closely monitored by pet owners for signs of increased respiratory effort. Short nosed breeds aren't the only ones that can run into difficulties breathing normally. No matter which breed your dog is, fast breathing could be a sign that your pooch is suffering from an illness or injury that requires urgent veterinary care. A few potential causes of fast or heavy breathing in dogs include: Asthma Lung Diseases such as cancer Exercise. By Beth Satterfield Between puppy-loving kisses and peaceful naps, you might notice that your Goldendoodle seems to be breathing fast, and you might be able to even hear it. Is this typical of Goldendoodles, or is your dog having an issue you should be concerned about? Goldendoodles normally breathe between 25 and 40 breaths a minute. If your Goldendoodle is breathing above 40 breaths per minute in a resting position, it may be breathing faster than normal because of a health issue. If fast breathing persists, take them to the vet. To find out if Goldendoodles naturally breathe fast, we need to look at what is considered normal, as well as why dogs pant and how it relates to their breathing. Your dog may have other reasons for breathing fast, including more serious health issues. What is Considered Fast? Before we can answer the questions as to whether your Goldendoodle is breathing faster than normal, we need to look at what a normal breathing rate is. For most Goldendoodles, a normal breathing rate is between breaths per minute. Your dog may be breathing faster than normal if it is breathing more than 40 breaths per minute. However, if it is a little bit higher or lower, do not be alarmed. Just like your breathing rate changes when you walk up the stairs and throughout the day, your Goldendoodles breathing rate is subject to change throughout the day. Goldendoodles breaths per minute have been known to get to breaths per minute or more. If this is the case, see the contributing factors for very fast breathing. While humans sweat to cool down, often when it is hot or after physical exercise, dogs do not sweat. Instead, they pant to cool down, which is accompanied by heavy breathing. If your dog has been running around, barking, or the temperature is warm, they may pant and breathe at a quicker rate than normal to cool themselves off. If they are prevalent, the odds are you have nothing to worry about. If your dog is cool and rested but continues to breathe very fast or loud, you may want to look into it more. Contributing Factors for Fast Breathing If you have come to the conclusion that your Goldendoodle is breathing faster than normal, you are going to want to know why! Goldendoodles are naturally high in energy and excitement. They are energetic and love to play. Anxiety: Goldendoodles are known for being fiercely loyal. They love to be around people and love to please their masters. However, Goldendoodles are prone to anxiety , especially separation anxiety. If you leave your dog alone often, it may experience anxiety, increasing nervousness, heart rate, and breath rate. New places and people can also contribute to anxiety in your Goldendoodle. Trauma: Trauma is also a cause for nervousness, skittishness, and increased breathing rate in Goldendoodles. If your Goldendoodle has been adopted or experienced some form of trauma or abuse, this may be a large contributing factor for its fast breathing. Anemia: Anemia is a condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells in the body. This means there is also less oxygen and a dog will pant and breath more often to provide sufficient oxygen to the body. Other signs for anemia include pale gums, eyes, or ears, loss of appetite, vomiting, and weight loss. If you suspect your Goldendoodle has anemia, take it to the vet for treatment. Congestive Heart Failure: Fast breathing is a symptom of congestive heart failure, which is when the heart cannot pump an adequate amount of blood throughout the body. Other signs include fatigue, swollen belly, crackling sound in the lungs, and persistent coughing. This should be treated by a vet immediately and can be life-threatening to your dog. This puts dogs at risk for kidney damage, diabetes, and other illnesses. Fast breathing and shortness of breath are symptoms of this disease including frequent urination, hair loss, muscle weakness, and thinning skin. Calming Your Goldendoodle If your Goldendoodle appears stressed and is breathing quickly, try helping it calm down and relax. There are several things you can try to slow the breathing of your Goldendoodle and help it be comfortable. Goldendoodles may be able to experience less anxiety by spending time with owners, training, exercising, and giving them treats. Be gentle with your Goldendoodle and avoid punishing it. Petting your Goldendoodle and brushing it may help it feel safe and loved. Making sure your Goldendoodle gets lots of time to play and exercise will help it to be calmer at home. They must get out their wiggles! Lowering the temperature and letting them rest are also ways to reduce fast breathing. If you have tried several of these methods and your Goldendoodle continues to have a fast or very fast heart rate, you should look for other symptoms described above and take it to the vet in case of serious health conditions. Any puppy owner knows that the first few months with a new puppy are a scary time. During this time, puppies are also extremely fragile and receptive to everything. Taking care of a young dog is obviously going to stir up some emotions and bring out your natural instincts of care and constant worry. So, is it normal for puppies to breathe fast? What if your puppy is breathing fast while sleeping? To determine whether or not your puppy is breathing too fast, we first need to understand what the normal breath rate is. For puppies, anything from 15 to 40 breaths per minute is considered normal. In contrast, adult dogs tend to take less breaths per minute, usually between 10 and .REM stands for rapid eye movement and this is also the time when both dogs and humans dream. Although puppies generally breathe faster than adult dogs, there are a few other reasons why your puppy may be breathing faster than usual. Fortunately, for the majority of the time, puppies breathe faster because of normal causes. On the other hand, some common causes can also become dangerous, if left untreated. Just like we dream in our sleep, so do puppies and dogs. More often than not, puppies breathe fast while sleeping because they dream about something exciting or even scary. Sometimes the fast breathing is also accompanied by whining and paw movements in sleep. After all, puppies need up to 20 hours of sleep a day! For example, when they arrive at their new home, away from their mama, littermates, and familiar surroundings. They might breathe faster, but also experience other respiratory issues, including struggling to effectively regulate their body temperature. In addition to that, smaller dogs often breathe faster compared to large-sized Doods. Your puppy may be breathing fast, or they might even be panting to cool down more effectively. Keep in mind that excessive heat can be extremely dangerous and even fatal for puppies and adult dogs. Also, make sure your pup has free access to clean drinking water at all times. Bonus points for air conditioning. Most commonly, we notice this in dogs and puppies who are in the middle of a vigorous playtime. So, breathing fast helps your puppy restore its oxygen levels to transport out all the excess carbon dioxide. For instance, small-sized breeds tend to get tired much faster, so do puppies. Likewise, brachycephalic dogs are at an especially high risk of overheating from hot weather or strenuous exercise. For this reason, you should never push your puppy or dog to train too hard. Is your puppy breathing fast while sleeping or did they just finish their playtime? But when is it time to consult with a veterinarian about the problem? If it becomes a persistent issue, you should contact your vet as soon as possible, as it may indicate that your puppy is struggling with an underlying medical issue. Other serious symptoms to keep an eye out for are changes in behavior, appetite loss, lethargy, difficulty moving, excessive drooling, visibly using stomach muscles to help with breathing, and making unusual sounds when breathing. When it comes to more serious cases, there are various reasons why your puppy may be breathing too fast. These include lung diseases and respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, kennel cough, lungworm, viral and bacterial respiratory illnesses, and pneumonia. Heart diseases, parasites, heatstroke, anemia, hernia, and pain can also contribute to fast breathing. Both external parasites like fleas and ticks , as well as internal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms can cause a puppy to breathe faster than usual. Although some parasite infestations are completely asymptomatic, others can come with symptoms like coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, and abdominal pain, to name a few. Either way, parasite infestations can be extremely dangerous for your little pup, some of them even potentially lethal. Parvovirus Parvovirus is a very dangerous and highly contagious infection that spreads unbelievably easily via other dogs or by coming in contact with contaminated objects, people, or surfaces. It comes in two different forms — intestinal and cardiac — both of which can be fatal. The best way to prevent parvovirus is to have your puppy regularly vaccinated against parvo and other infections as instructed by your veterinarian. Lung Diseases If your puppy is breathing fast while sleeping, lung diseases are something that you should consider. One of the most common, yet serious lung conditions in puppies and dogs is kennel cough. Although kennel cough is treatable, it can be very dangerous for young puppies. Heart Diseases Although it might seem like heart diseases are something that only elderly dogs have to deal with, some unlucky puppies are born with genetic or congenital heart defects. Even though the heart and lungs are two very separate organs, the heart actually pumps blood into the lungs. To compensate, the lungs will try to work over time, causing a puppy to breathe faster than normal. Numerous conditions can cause anemia in dogs, including parvo, parasite infestations, cancer and tumors, autoimmune diseases, and blood loss. The most common signs of anemia include pale gums, lethargy and weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and, of course, faster heart rate and faster breathing. Excessive exercise, not drinking enough water, and hot temperatures can all contribute to heatstroke, which can be fatal for both puppies and even adult dogs. A helpful trick is to never overexert your puppy with exercise, especially in warm weather. Also, make sure that your puppy always has access to clean drinking water, a cool and shaded area, and you can also help them cool down with a cooling mat. You can also use pet gates to keep your pup away from dangerous items around the house. As we mentioned earlier, puppies tend to breathe faster than adult dogs. The normal breath rate for puppies is 15 to 40 breaths per minute. Anything above or below that is considered worrisome. By comparison, adult dogs take about 10 to 30 breaths per minute. Moreover, as dogs age, their respiratory rate tends to slow down. Nevertheless, each puppy and dog is unique, and only a veterinarian can help determine whether or not your puppy breathing fast is something to investigate further. One breath equals one inhale and one exhale, paired together. For example, if you counted 10 inhale-exhale movements, your puppy takes 20 breaths per minute. There are numerous reasons why your puppy might be breathing fast, most of them being completely normal and safe. Puppies usually breathe faster than adult dogs. Additionally, as 8 weeks is typically the time when puppies get to go to their forever homes, it might indicate that your puppy is feeling a bit stressed. Being taken to a new environment, with new people, and away from their mama and littermates, can prove to be quite a challenge for many puppies. The easiest way to know whether your puppy is breathing too fast is by counting how many breaths they take per minute. Typically, puppies take 15 to 40 breaths per minute. Use your phone timer and count how many times your puppy inhales and exhales this is one breath in 30 seconds, and then double the result. Like us humans, puppies dream while they sleep. For the majority of the time, yes. However, your puppy should only be breathing faster for short periods of time. For example, when they exercise, or when they cool down after spending time in heat. To learn more about the joys and challenges of puppyhood, be sure to check out our other guides on all things puppy-related. It is not intended to be a substitute for qualified professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have. You Might Also Like. Veterinarian Advice! By Dr. Merliza Cabriles, D. Panting is normal canine behavior. When Goldendoodles pant, cool air is circulated through their bodies and body heat evaporates from their mouth and upper respiratory tract. During panting, the air is rapidly inhaled, humidified, and exhaled. Not sure what to do? In non-emergencies, you can live chat with a veterinarian online by clicking here! Is Goldendoodle Panting Normal? Like any other dog, Goldendoodles only have a few sweat glands that are located on the undersides of their paws and also within their ear passages. However, these glands have minimal cooling capabilities. The number of sweat glands in dogs is inefficient in maintaining normal body temperature. Without an efficient set of sweat glands, Goldendoodles pant to cool themselves. Panting when engaging in exercise or play allows heat to be released in exchange for cooler air. Aside from physical activity, dogs may pant because they are happy and excited. You can see this in the happy wagging of his tail coupled with bright and happy eyes. Common Causes of Heavy Breathing in Dogs Excessive panting in Goldendoodles can be associated with a variety of issues that may require medication attention from a veterinarian. Some of these conditions can be expensive to treat, especially in emergency situations. This is why we always recommend dog owners have pet insurance to help cover these unforeseen costs. The problem is more pronounced in brachycephalic dogs like Pugs or Bulldogs because of their abnormally long soft palate and abnormal anatomical structures of their head and face. When a dog starts to feel a little bit warm, he starts to pant. As the body temperature increases, so does the intensity of panting. Aside from heavy panting, your Goldendoodle may also drool and their gums and tongue may appear red. Dogs suffering from heatstroke may also exhibit wide eyes and lethargy. Heatstroke is a medical emergency that requires prompt veterinary attention. Rapid panting leads to the evaporation of a large amount of moisture from the body within a short span of time. Make sure your Goldendoodle has easy access to fresh clean water, particularly on hot days. As much as possible, avoid outdoor excursions with your pooch during the hottest parts of the day. Never leave your dog inside a car even for just a few minutes. Related: Do Goldendoodles Like Snow? Excitement or Exposed to Stressors Dogs that are exposed to stressful events may pant because of anxiety and fear. Fireworks, thunderstorms, visits to the vet or the groomers, car rides, and separation anxiety are just some of the most common stressors in Goldendoodles. Exposure to any of these events can cause a dog to pant and whine. Pain or Discomfort Dogs are wired to conceal signs of pain and illness, a trait handed down from their wild ancestors. In the wild, weakness makes an animal vulnerable to predators. However, when the condition worsens, pain and discomfort can become too much for the dog to hide and telltale signs of illness are eventually manifested. These may include panting, loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, limping, and changes in behavior. Bloat Bloat gastric dilation-volvulus is a life-threatening condition that is caused by the rapid buildup of air in the stomach and the consequent twisting of the stomach on both ends. When this happens, air and other contents of the stomach are trapped inside. If you suspect your Goldendoodle may be experiencing bloat, take them to the veterinarian immediately. Large and giant dog breeds are more at risk for bloat compared to smaller breeds. Affected dogs appear to strain to vomit or defecate without any success. The stomach becomes distended and painful. Signs of shock—rapid heartbeat, pale gums, irregular or shallow breathing—soon sets in followed by collapse and death. A Full Stomach: Panting may precede vomiting. Panting may be exhibited in affected dogs. Laryngeal Paralysis: The problem occurs when muscles that open and close the larynx become weak or paralyzed. Panting may be accompanied by a high-pitched wheezing sound as a result of the dysfunction of the vocal cords. Labradors and Golden Retrievers are particularly predisposed to the problem. Photo courtesy of finleyfaith. If your Goldendoodle appears to be overheating, cool your pet down by spraying them with water from a hose and move your pet to a cool and shady spot. Offer cool, clean water to drink. It is highly recommended to call your veterinarian for guidance on what other measures to take. There may be a need to place your dog on fluid and electrolyte therapy to replace any losses. Tests may also be needed to rule out certain Goldendoodle health issues that may be causing excessive panting. They are known for their loyalty to their owners. They are very playful, active, and fun-loving personalities. But sometimes your dog starts breathing heavily and becomes lethargic. Also, their energy level becomes down. This will be stressful for the owner of the dog to understand what were the reasons behind the heavy breathing of their dog. To understand more we give here some genuine reasons. There is therefore no need to be concerned if your dog appears to be fine other than for the normal panting. If you find that your dog is heavily breathing and gets tired too early in this condition you need to be concerned about it. Goldendoodle heavy breathing symptoms Before discussing the reason we need to understand what are breathing difficulties? Breathing difficulties are a symptom of a strained respiratory system. Dogs breathe about 30 and 40 times each minute. It is a major problem if your dog begins to breathe at a pace of or more breaths per minute. Dyspnea: Shortness of breath is known medically as dyspnea. Chest and stomach motion during breathing can be seen. During breathing, the nostrils flare. Noisy breathing. Tachypnea: Breathing that is shallow and quick is medically known as tachypnea. Breathing faster than usual while keeping your mouth closed. Panting: Breathing faster than usual while keeping your mouth open. Tongue hanging out. Shallow breaths. Here, we must lower their temperature. Obesity Dogs are also prone to obesity, just as humans. In addition to obesity-related issues, other issues like lethargy, anxiety, and breathing issues are also on the rise. If they are not active and engage in any activity, such as exercise, they breathe heavily while doing it. Stress Dogs experience stress when they are separated from their owner when loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks are made when they are in unfamiliar surroundings, or when they have a new companion with them. These factors could all contribute to dog stress. However, when a dog is under stress, their heart rate rises and their body pumps more oxygenated blood, which demands more oxygen from the system. As a result, the dog has breathing issues. Poisonous food Some foodstuffs are bad for the health of your dog. Dogs can eat carrots and asparagus without any problems, but onions are poisonous to them. It will start panting and vomiting after eating poisonous food. It will make the heart beat faster. You should take your dog to the veterinarian and treat him appropriately if he has this condition. Allergic Reactions Due to allergic responses, dogs can have breathing problems. Pollen, plants, and some chemical fragrances and perfumes have been known to cause allergies occasionally. They sometimes even develop food allergies. Diarrhea and stomach uneasiness will result. Antihistamines are an effective home remedy for treating minor allergies. If symptoms persist for a long time, you should take your dog to the vet. Treatment of Breathing Difficulties in Dogs Breathing problems can have a number of causes, and the diagnosis will determine the best course of action. However, we still have a few options that you can attempt to soothe your dog. If your dog is panting constantly, you should check the temperatures both indoors and outside. Heat stroke will result from your dog spending more time outside during the hotter days. Therefore, you must bring them inside where it is cool and provide fresh water so they may stay hydrated at all times. You must exercise with your dog and go on walks with them if they have grown indolent. Additionally, feed them properly. You must soothe your dog if it is stressed, anxious, or having trouble breathing. Sit next to them while you comfort them till they get peaceful. Go to their favorite place and let them relax. If the painting issue persists, we advise you to take your Goldendoodle to the veterinarian. Summary Breathing issues are common, but they can sometimes develop into serious conditions that require medical attention. To regulate their body temperature, all dogs have the habit of painting. This is not a major issue if the breathing difficulty is temporary and normal. We also discuss other factors, such as whether your dog is overexcited, living in a heated environment, under stress, or for any other cause. If your dog is experiencing breathing difficulties combined with other health problems including coughing, extreme anxiety, or shortness of breath. In this situation, you must take your dog to the vet.
No Puppy Mills. What We Do Our desire is to create a place where people connect with their new in-home raised puppy, in-home breeders can show off their healthy and thriving puppies for adoption, and dog families can locate reliable services to care for their dogs. Homemade Puppies is your one-stop shop for puppies for adoption that have been home-raised and are ready to find their forever home. We feature a range of puppy listings from comprehensively screened and interviewed breeders in order to provide you with the ultimate source of happy, healthy dogs that your family will love for a lifetime. Not all of our furry friends come from the Lancaster region, but you be confident that every single puppy—and their moms, too! We also offer dog breeding services with our stud, Watson, our ACA registered family miniature poodle who has successfully sired many litters for our clients. There are still too many puppy mills, and the big players care more about their bottom line than happy, healthy puppies. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive listing service for puppies for adoption that offers peace of mind that your new family member is happy and thriving. Our dog breeding services are provided for people who will raise the puppies in their home, and we never work with puppy mills. With us, you know that your puppy from Lancaster, PA is always coming from a happy, clean home. Browse our listings today to find your new pet or contact us about our breeding and puppy listing services using our web form. If you are looking for a healthy, happy, home-raised puppy from Lancaster, PA, then welcome to the Homemade family. Life Span Did You Know? There is a reason that year after year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States. The history of the Labrador Retriever dates back to the early s in Newfoundland, just off the Atlantic coast of Canada. Had these families not played a vital part in the continuation of the breed, the loving and affectionate Labs we have all grown to love may not exist today. The first recognized Yellow Labrador Retriever was born in .One of the friendliest breeds out there, Yellow Labs are great companions and love to be a part of the family. While the color yellow is part of their namesake, their coats range from fawn or cream to butterscotch or a deep golden hue. Coming into popularity during the midth century, the Yellow Labrador Retriever has been a staple for hunters and family homes alike ever since. These dogs are patient and kind when faced with energetic young ones. Yellow Labs delight in big spaces, opting to run and play wildly. However, they will happily lounge on the couch after having a long, hard run outside. When given a little training, they can easily learn to control barking habits and restrain themselves from digging. Their double coat also makes them a good fit for just about any climate. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold. Generally speaking, Labradors are healthy. They can develop certain inherent conditions, along with cataracts and kneecap displacement, but will remain healthy overall. As long as they are taken to their vet appointments with regularity, Labs will usually feel just fine. Yellow Labs are loyal companions with few drawbacks. Treats never hurt, of course. This, paired with their eagerness to please, makes them a highly trainable dog breed that is a good fit for owners of any experience level. With minimal training, these dogs can control their barking and digging without much trouble. Labs have very short, double-layered, and water-resistant fur. Its density protects them from the cold, so they will often try to swim any time of year. They experience heavier seasonal shedding twice a year and slight shedding throughout the year. Giving them a good brush once a week or a few times a week should keep their coats shiny and healthy. Other grooming tasks include nail trimming, ear care, and dental care. Proper dental care for dogs includes brushing their teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day. This helps prevent the tartar buildup that causes dental diseases like gum disease and tooth decay. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with dental hygiene chews, a special dental care diet, and more. This breed tends to be very active. They were bred to be working dogs and need exercise. A few daily walks and some time to run should help assuage their energy levels. Yellow Labs also need a fair amount of mental activity as well; they like to stay sharp. Yellow Labs are classified as medium to large dogs. They reach an average height of 23 inches and an average healthy weight of 75 pounds. A Yellow Labrador Retriever generally lives years. It was traditional in Newfoundland for every fishing boat to have a Labrador Retriever that would help retrieve the fish as they came in off the trawl. Featured Yellow Labrador Retriever Article.
Senior Poodles Overview There is not an official age that a dog becomes a senior; this is something that the Poodle's veterinarian will discuss with you as your dog is aging. In general, smaller dogs live slightly longer lives than larger ones; they age a bit slower and for this reason Toy Poodles and Minis are often declared to be a senior by the 8 or 9 year old mark. Standard Poodles become seniors earlier, often by the 7 year old mark. Even if the vet does not make an official announcement, any dog that is at least 9 years old will be considered to be in his or her senior years. This does not mean that your Poodle will suddenly be old. Rather, it is a slow process and being declared a senior will mean that the dog should begin to have geriatric screenings twice per year to check for common health issues that occur with older dogs and that there should be some changes in regard to care. Ahead we will look at some of the common signs of aging and what to expect with your senior Poodle. Slowing Down One of the most noticeable changes will be a dog that slows down, in just about all aspects. The tricky thing is that nothing happens overnight. It is usually not until a Poodle is really struggling that owners will take notice. For toy Poodles and miniature Poodles, obtaining pet ramps and pet steps can help your Poodle reach the places that they are used to. For Poodles of any size, a high quality orthopedic pet bed can greatly help with sore joints and muscles. Vision and Hearing Changes It is a normal process of aging that vision and hearing abilities will be decreased. Because of this, an older Poodle does best when routines are kept and changes are not made. One of the most important things that you can do is not to rearrange the furniture in your home and keep all toys and food and water bowls in the same place. An older Poodle does well when commands are given both vocally and by hand signals. It helps to begin this well before your senior Poodle has any hearing loss. Approaching your dog from the side, as so not to startle him or her is also recommended. Changes to the Coat While it does not occur with all Poodles, dog of any breed can develop gray hairs, very much as we do as we grow older. Skin will be much more sensitive now and having exposed skin can cause skin to dry out quickly and can lead to sores. See also: Grooming Tools. Pepper, 10 years old Photo courtesy of owner: Carrie Maples Behavioral Changes A senior Poodle may have a hard time accepting new situations and may have a harder time coping with what used to be normal situations. For example: Separation anxiety - An older Poodle may be much more aware of your presence and begin to feel nervous when left home alone. This can show in many ways such as destructive behavior, increased barking or depression. Many people wonder if getting a new puppy will help an older dog cope with loneliness. This depends greatly on your current Poodles ability to accept a new puppy and their tolerance for the playing and high activities levels that the puppy will have. Sensitivity — An older dog may become afraid of loud noises, such as trucks backfiring, slamming doors or thunder storms. Do try to control the elements that you can. If it is a simple sign of canine old age, the use of belly bands or diapers can be of great help. Sleep — While dogs do sleep more than we do, senior Poodles will usually sleep even more. It is best to accept this, never waking up your dog and allowing them to rest when needed. Be sure to offer a quiet, comfortable resting and sleeping area. As a dog enters the senior years they may either want a very quiet place to retreat to or they may want to be closer to the family. By trying out both, you will be able to know which change your Poodle appreciates. It is important to bring your Poodle for geriatric veterinarian screenings. Many canine illnesses can be treated and there is no reason for a dog to suffer when so many treatments are available. Weight - Help your Poodle maintain a good body weight. You may notice that your dog gains weight as they grow older, most often because activities such as long walks are cut short. It is best to continue feeding your Poodle very high quality food, we highly recommend home cooking, as this offers your dog real food with zero fillers. Dental Care - Canine dental care is important at any age, and even more so as a Poodle ages. Periodontal disease is the 2nd most common health ailment for senior dogs and this breed is already prone to tooth decay. Daily brushings at home are important as ever and either home scraping or professional scraping must not be ignored. Observation - While the world spins fast and some days seem to only last hours, we must take time to have a good look at our senior Poodles each day. Look for any physical signs, but also behavioral signs as well and do not hesitate to bring your Poodle to the vet. Early treatment is the best method to a fast recovery from any health issue. All rights reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share Us. Site Map For Poodle Pictures Older Poodles Choosing older poodles over a puppy may be a good choice for people with time constraints or who don't have a lot of patience for housebreaking and training a puppy. Bringing an adult poodle home won't require all the time that a puppy does. Keep in mind that an adult dog will still need to get used to his surroundings, and like a puppy, will probably want to explore the household. But it won't be exactly like taking care of a puppy. May Train Easier Most adult dogs are housetrained, some are not. If he is not, you'll have to train him just like you would a puppy. But adults dog are normally easier to train than puppies, they learn more quickly and they have the capacity to hold their bladders longer than puppies do so there won't have to be hourly outside potty trips. Finding One Look in your local animal shelter for a purebred poodle or contact the Poodle Club of America's National Rescue Organization for assistance with obtaining a rescue dog near you. Rescued dogs are waiting for adoption into a loving home. Each is Different Unlike caring for a puppy, adult dogs normally won't chew things like puppies will. Buying her a chew toy is a good idea. An older poodle will probably know her name, words and basic commands so you won't need to spend as much time training her. An adult poodle could come with habits you aren't pleased with. If so, teach her how things should be done, and she'll learn quickly with a desire to please you and fit into her new home. Lots of Love Your new adult pet will need lots of love and affection while he gets used to his new home. You'll need patience to gently and lovingly teach him the rules of your household. Give him a few weeks to learn, and you'll have a loving new family member. History Get the background on your adult dog. Where did he come from? Why is he looking for a new home? Are there any health or behavioral issues you should be aware of? Ask for his medical records, ancestry information and AKC registration information. Older dog health problems may exist, so ask when the last time he had a vet checkup was. Senior dog health need not be a problem if he's up to date on his vet visits. Take a Chance An adult dog has just as much love to give as a puppy. Through no fault of his own, he ended up at a shelter or rescue shelter. By making a grown poodle a part of your family, you'll be saving him and bringing a loving companion into your family.
We are a small hobby breeder located in Mansfield, Texas. We got our first German Shepherds in and immediately got hooked on the breed. We had our first litter in ! Through our research and experiences we realized that the breed isn't just a hobby, but a true lifestyle for us. The German Shepherd is a breed full of ongoing debates, full of opinions in what direction the breed should be going in. We believe the German Shepherd to stay the way it has been intended by the breed's founder, a versatile working dog. We mainly focus on West German working lines as well as some Czech lines, these two combined bring forward a lot of the qualities we find admirable in the breed. Our dogs are active in several venues such as PSA Protection Sports , Mondioring, Obedience, Tracking, Conformation, Dock Diving, Agility, and Lure Coursing not only to prove their athleticism and versatility, but for the simple fact that they love it! Our operation is small and run through our home, which gives us a good grasp on our dogs qualities and temperaments as well as being handler owner trained, meaning we put in the work to train our dogs ourselves. We aim to be honest and humble in our evaluation of our personal dogs as our goal is to produce sound German Shepherds with the qualities needed to be a versatile working dog, be it in Competitive Sports, Personal Protection, Herding, SAR or just great family companion. We will typically only have litters a year. Subscribe to our mailing list for litter announcements! Join Our Mailing List. Kristi C. Dave and his staff are amazing. They helped find the right dog for me and have worked with us to make sure we are a successful fit. I have a wonderful companion who is better than I could have ever imagined. Dave gave us a program to follow and explained every step. He let me know what to expect and has been available to answer any questions I have along the way. Dave and his staff love the dogs they work with and it shows in the way the dogs respond to them. When I pull in the drive [at CVC], my dog is excited and happy to be there. Tyler B. Cedar Valley Canine is a sure thing if you are wanting to add a German Shepherd to your family and train them to their full potential! We bought both of our German Shepherds from them and do our follow-up training there as well. I would give more stars if it were possible. Tyler N. Dave is by far the best dog trainer in Nashville! My wife and I purchased our first German Shepard pup and training class from him 6 months ago and I couldn't be happier. His drive and knowledge is unmatched. Our puppy has been amazing; her drive, train-ability, and temperament are amazing. We couldn't have asked for a better experience!! Kaye R. In the past 10 years, we have obtained four German Shepherds from Dave Taylor. These dogs have all been perfect companions in our family and expertly trained by Dave in obedience and protection. Dave is extremely knowledgeable about dog behavior and handling, and he will be a phone call away through the dog's life if you have any questions. Our dogs are dark black and tan, sable and naturally occurring solid black. We strive to produce a social, environmentally sound dog with natural protection instincts. Our puppies are active, inquisitive and have strong personalities. They benefit greatly from consistent constructive training. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you put your puppies in a structured training program as they develop. We offer several different options for training and they are designed to fit our type of German Shepherd. How much training and what kind of training do you recommend for a Cedar Valley Canine puppy? We begin training at 7 - 8 weeks of age. The busy puppy translates into a young dog that is suitable for a wide variety of activities and it is important to direct the natural energy and curiosities of the dog into practical training and living scenarios. We also advise crate training for our dogs. Dogs have an inherent desire for a den or shelter and a crate allows them that space and also aids in the housebreaking as they have a natural instinct to keep their living and sleeping area clean. How much is a Cedar Valley Canine dog? Is there a waiting list for puppies currently? When can I expect my puppy? We do have a waiting list for our puppies. The time of the waitlist is hard to predict as it is dependent on many things - preference of sex and color as well as the size of any given litter. What kind of family is the right fit for a Cedar Valley Canine dog? German Shepherds can live almost anywhere - in an apartment in the city or on a farm. The important thing is that they have appropriate outlets for their energy. As mentioned above, they are busy and active puppies, so it is important to be aware of the time and energy needed for proper exercise and socialization in order to keep everyone happy! Do you transport dogs out of state? What is the current fee for transport? We ship dogs all over the United States and the price depends on the mode of transportation, time of year and the destination. We are always happy to help with this in whatever way we can. Contact Us for Details on Our Puppies! The joy of owning a working line bred German Shepherd is immeasurable — but a companion and workmate that gives itself over to you so completely requires a significant reciprocal commitment. Do you have a fenced yard? Are you able to devote at least 30 minutes per day to exercising your dog? Will your puppy be raised inside of your home as a part of your family? Do you have small children, infants or other animals in your home currently and if not do you plan to in the future? Do you plan to crate train your puppy in addition to housebreaking? Are you prepared to feed a high quality food to your dog such as a grain-free or holistic food as a regular diet throughout its lifetime? Do you know the difference between the temperaments and character of a Working Line German Shepherd Dog over a show line or an American bred German Shepherd? Have you already consulted with a private trainer or know of obedience classes that are offered in your area that may be more specific to working dogs over an average Pet Store style all breed pet training class? Do you plan to spay or neuter your puppy when he or she is old enough? Are you financially prepared to provide care for your dog and seek veterinary care in the event of an emergency that may require hospitalization of your dog? If you are planning on breeding, do you have at least 5 years minimum experience as a Breeder? Are you educated in canine reproduction and development, have the basic knowledge and understanding of genetics as well as proper care for newborn pups, neonatal intensive care and experience in identifying reproductive complications or emergencies should they arise? Our mission is to improve the breed standard, produce stable, clear headed puppies and prepare them for bonding with their new humans. Come and see the difference. Whatever task you may have - a canine from West German Shepherds. Welcome to West German Shepherds. Our mission: to improve the breed standard, to produce stable, clear headed puppies and prepare them for bonding with their new humans. Committed to producing exceptional canines with 14 years of hard-earned expertise and insight; here, you will glean insider information on selecting a German Shepherd pup and why West German Shepherds. She passed away in my arms on Monday September 16th at AM. Brownie was our reigning queen, an alpha female who earned her stripes the hard way; as a result she never flaunted her position but rather ruled with a strong bark and gentle paw. Great with families, working bloodlines, very protective. When the AKC American Kennel Club or CKC either of the 2 following entities Canadian Kennel Club or the Continental Kennel Club registers a new puppy, it does so sight unseen - without ever having evaluated the appearance, health or quality of the parents of the litter. In fact only a minuscule fraction of the tens of thousands of breeding dogs all across America have ever been evaluated. While registration is a great place to start, there is more to consider than whether the dog is registered. Sadly, the marketplace is chock full of puppies with bad genetics and these are from officially registered canine parents. A puppy born with a slight genetic abnormality might come from purebred parents, and can still be registered. An inexperienced or unscrupulous breeder may not recognize the uneven hips on a puppy and sell it to someone who will later breed the puppy. The final outcome will be a new line of registered dogs that are genetically inferior. None of these statements are made to be derogatory of the AKC or CKC, these registration organizations do many wonderful things to improve the health, welfare, training and advocacy of ALL canines. Yes, AKC registration is an important factor that should not be overlooked, but there is much more to contemplate. The pedigree of both parents should be considered as part of your quest for a puppy, the pedigree will list all of the ancestors historically for 3 or 4 generations back up the family tree. All of the canines listed in the pedigree impact the genetics and thereby the health of the offspring. The pedigree itself does nothing to convey the health of a puppy, but it tells the dogs lineage, their titles and country of origin. By searching, you can find a breeder offering puppies from parents with exceptional pedigrees, that have correct body structure, a superior visual appearance, plus the temperament to match your expectations. What is an exceptional pedigree? The more champions in a pedigree, the better. Here is a quick run down of German Shepherd championship titles. The German Sieger beats hundreds of other Champions to be selected this coveted title. The only higher title accomplishment attainable is the World Sieger. It is the same as the Sieger - but is for the female winner of the German National Championship Conformation show. Not many people are familiar with the word Sieger but even less are familiar with the word Siegerin outside of German Shepherd professionals. The Sieger show is held annually in Germany. VA-2 is the Vice- Sieger, etc. The best genetics possible are found in Sieger show winning adult German Shepherds. The puppies born from these bloodlines will be the absolute best in quality and appearance when compared to the average German Shepherd you see on the street. An analogy would be like comparing a shiny Ferrari against a rusted out Ford Pinto. The top bloodlines are found in the VA titled dogs and filtered down into their offspring, but be prepared to pay a significantly premium price for that level of parenthood and prestige. You will hear of dogs described as being from show lines, herding lines or working lines. Show lines refers to canines that are used to compete in conformation shows, herding lines means canines used to herd sheep, working lines denotes canines used to work in protection, Schutzhund or other disciplines. Primarily there are 3 main types of German Shepherd Dogs. Czech Shepherds are longer and leaner in body frame, more narrow across the chest and have taller rear hindquarters. Typical coat colors are black and tan, black and creme, black and silver, brown sable, silver sable and brindled. The coat patterns of a Czech Shepherd run from blanket-back to saddleback and brindled but most are blanket backed. We do not produce Czech Shepherd pups. Yes, Dutch Shepherds still fall under the umbrella of German Shepherds. Dutch Shepherds originated in the Netherlands and are very similar to Czech Shepherds in body form however they are typically more solid, weighty and sturdy than Czech Shepherds. Dutch Shepherds are not very commonly found outside of police or military use. They also present as a harder dog meaning they require an experienced trainer, handler or owner. Obviously there are exceptions to these generalized statements. Dutch Shepherds are brindled in coat color, brindled simply means a mottled and multi-colored un-patterned coat appearance. We do not produce Dutch Shepherd pups. West German Shepherds come from the democratic capitalist state of West Germany. West German Shepherds have shorter more compact torsos, thicker across the chest and have the squatted or lowered hindquarters. It is not that the dogs are stacked or posed for pictures, their rear bone structure is genetically encoded to be positioned more angular than that of a Czech Shepherd. The coat colors of a West German Shepherd are black and red set in a saddleback pattern. While interesting, we do not own or breed for these types, nor am I going to invest any time delving into them further. Over the past 25 years I have owned and bred different types of German Shepherd dogs. I keep track of the litters being sold in our geographic region. The West German type German Shepherd dog is the most sought after type. This is the number one variety of German Shepherd dog that previous GSD owners, consumers, enthusiast and new first time owners are actively seeking. You might assume that the cheap dogs are not as healthy or desirable, and the more expensive ones are a better, safer choice. Breeders know this. Many breeders will put a higher price on their low quality dog to look professional and make their dogs appear more valuable. Some breeders import very expensive dogs so they can breed them to sell puppies at a higher price bracket. An experienced breeder can evaluate a dog by comparing the conformation or show quality, health, physical performance and the ability to work; but can only do so after having studied the breed and being immersed in these canines for many years. One factor that has impacted price structure is the difference between Czech Shepherds and West Germans Shepherds based on an over-inflated value. Many first time German Shepherd buyers are ignorant of this fact. The new buyer will look at a few breeder websites, see the price tag, then sticker shock sets in; so they search again based on a lower initial purchase price and soon find a breeder that sells at lower price tiers. It never was a bargain. Czechoslovakian Shepherds sell for less money for a number of reasons. The market is diluted with them, it seems they are on every street corner. If you want the best German Shepherd for your money you will need to hit the perfect trifecta: choose breeder, bloodline and puppy very wisely. Breed level dogs or dogs used for breeding purposes should be exceptionally beautiful, it should be like a day versus night comparison. Its time for a really bad analogy, but it should be like comparing the cute girl you saw at BurgerDoodle against the hot supermodel on TV. Or for the lady readers, it would be like comparing an overweight plumber to a ripped fitness instructor. There should be an impressive difference between the quality of a German Shepherd breed dog when compared to the German Shepherd you just saw on the street corner. Both parents should have correct body type, not be excessively underweight or overweight, they should have dark eye colors, the coat should be exceedingly beautiful with vivid color pigmentation. The body should be proportional to the animals overall size, the body should not be too short nor should it be too long. The dog should not be a giant massive pound beast, nor should it be a petite 55 pounds worth of dog. The withers should be the high point and the back line or top line should gracefully slope to the hind quarters from there. The torso should appear rugged with powerful legs, the angulation should be correct and the stance when viewed from the side should look as if the German Shepherd were ready or capable of striking in a nanosecond. The West German Shepherd is a herding type breed and should weigh between 70 to 90 lbs and be 22 to 26 inches tall. That is 22 to 24 inches for a female and 24 to 26 inches for a male Toss a ball and observe the adults as they run, their movement should be easy, graceful as if to announce - yep, I can do this all day long! Look to see if the movement is fluid or constrained. Check the eyes, ear and teeth. Eyes should have dark pupil colors, teeth properly aligned, ears should be set close and stand erect, they should be reasonably clean and not coated with goo inside. Do the adult dogs track you as you move around? Are they agitated or nervous at your presence there? Pet them, handle them and look for their response. Nearly every German Shepherd breeder in America will tell you that they have champion bloodlines. Immerse yourself by studying, looking at pictures, making comparisons, asking questions via phone, text or email and then going to visit several of the top contenders. Go visit, meet them in person, ask questions, make notes etc. Choosing a breeder does not sound like a complicated task, however you should visit with several individuals and keep a skeptical eye open. Just because this breeder has nice looking German Shepherds - does not make them an ethical or honest person. Nearly everyone has heard the term puppy-mill. This refers to a large breeding operation that mass produces puppies to sell in a variety of retail outlets. Some of the puppies go to pet stores and boutiques, others are sold on-line and shipped in crates via carrier or air-freight, still others are to be sold at events like dog shows, local flea markets, farmers markets, outdoor festivals or from the back of a pick-up truck. Please beware of purchasing from the aforementioned venues, a large portion of these animals also come with very serious life threatening diseases. The puppy mills are known for over-crowding, unsanitary conditions and harsh treatment of animals since they often operate in secrecy in a warehouse or very remote type location. Another type of breeder is the novice, money driven or back yard breeder. These types are largely copy cats. They read websites of professional breeders and the on-line ads, familiarize themselves with the terminology, soon enough they begin executing their forgery. They position themselves as professional breeders but on a smaller scale, offering puppies that are hand raised etc. If you were to look around their property - they place looks like a normal home, there is no footprint or significant investment to indicate that they have created a top-notch, professional environment for their canines. See the selecting a breeder section for more information on how to identify unsavory breeder types and more specifically what to look out for. The canine breeder should be a walking encyclopedia about the overall health, housing, care, nutrition, exercise and training necessary for the type of canines they are breeding. They should have built up a considerable amount of knowledge, expertise and experience around their breed, they should also be proficient at mating and whelping too. Their kennels and property should reflect careful consideration about every decision that impacts the housing, health and environment for their canines. I highly recommend you visit with a few breeders, there is no substitute for this step. This is an opportunity for you to evaluate the breeder, to observe the adult canine animals and also the time to examine the relationship between the breeder and their animals. If the breeder is a professional - then there should be compelling evidence that they have made a significant investment in providing great facilities for the animals. What is the condition of the fencing, the shelter, the dog house, the whelping area etc? How does the breeder talk, do you feel extremely comfortable with their knowledge, character, speech and demeanor? This is the precise moment in time where you need to follow your gut. I have visited other breeders and seen unbelievable things, such as: When the puppies eat, play, then take a nap; mice scurried out from under the shed and begin scarfing crumbs of food dropped by the puppies. Another breeder had a koi pond with long strands of green slime pond scum, the puppies were using this as a water source; the issue was every time that it rained, the runoff rainwater drained back into the koi pond carrying with it the germs and bacteria from the waste products generated by the puppies. I have met a few great breeders and many really bad ones. In the final analysis - you are not just buying a puppy, but you are buying into the combined genetics of both parents, you are buying into the kennel, the breeder person, their level of knowledge and expertise, lastly whether or not that person is honest and ethical. Believe me - there are some real unsavory characters out there breeding dogs, selling puppies and offering stud service. For more info please read - Selecting a Breeder. The health of the animal is determined by genetics as passed down from both parents. Each pup has 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great grandparents 16 great great grandparents all of these ancestor impact the offspring. Inquire of the breeder if there are any known genetic problems. Inquire about the frequency of those genetic problems occurring. If a breeder proudly says there have never had a problem with any of their animals then you should consider 1 of 2 possibilities. The very best kennels in the country have encountered genetic problems, but because of strict quality control protocols they move to a different pairing of adults to eliminate the genetic problem or they stop breeding that line altogether. A sincere breeder should offer a health guarantee to protect the customers investment. Always read the contract and ask questions long before making a deposit. A genuine breeder should want to stand behind their puppies, they should want to protect their reputation and provide detailed records. Furthermore a breeder should encourage open communication and build a relationship with their customers, how else will the breeder stay abreast of the health, wellness and genetic factors that are happening within their bloodline? An experienced breeder should have insight as to the traits of each puppy in the litter. The breeder should be able to help show you which puppy best suits your needs based on the criteria you have stated. What is the singular most important trait to you? Do you travel frequently and want a protective dog for your family? Are you seeking a dog for companionship? Is your situation that you have a big family, a lot of friends, neighbors and relatives who visit often and want a family dog? Were you planning on working the dog? Share this information with your breeder and ask them to help steer you towards a puppy that exhibits traits that are well suited for your primary intended purpose. Many clients want to actively choose a puppy, while others are more comfortable with a passive approach, spend time with the litter and allow the choice to be more organic and mutually made by the puppy that is attracted to them. There is nothing wrong with either method but I will offer this - If you want to ensure that you get the puppy with the traits that most closely match your needs, then for optimum results take an active role in making the selection. In each litter there will be certain trait variations the pups have inherited from their parents. Any German Shepherd puppy born in the litter can be trained to serve or work in any type of role that you desire, however some pups are more naturally suited to be self starters and do the task with minimal input from you. A German Shepherd is not naturally a mean or vicious dog, however they are alert, aware and protective. These traits have been locked into them from the start by the nature of the breed, these animals were coded to be discerning from the start. A Golden Retriever is a great congenial dog, it loves everyone it encounters right down to the burglar who is prying open the back window of your home with a crowbar. The Golden Retriever will hold the door open and wag its tail as the contents of the home are being ransacked and loaded into a truck. Now flip the script and try that with the German Shepherd dog. The German Shepherd dog has already been eyeballing everyone long before they set foot on the property. Even if the dog was inside and did not see someone coming - it is always listening for sounds that are non typical for its environment. Go ahead and pry the window open with the crowbar - lets see how that works out for you. Someone may actually get inside but I am pretty confident they will be encouraged to leave hastily by the canine with intense actions of fierce barking, deep growling, hackles up, ears on high alert and eyes laser focused on the intruder. The uninvited guest will drop everything - run out the door with empty arms, a chewed up backside, a renewed fear of God Almighty and total respect for the German Shepherd Dog… Again, the German Shepherd is not a mean dog, it is not a vicious dog, but it is a vigilant dog. It is a watch dog - it is a dog that closely looks after the people that it is bonded to and the place where they live together. All things considered - a German Shepherd is a very practical investment for peace of mind regardless whether you are young or old, single or have a large family. On pickup day I will spend a minimum of an hour and a half with each new owner going over paperwork and the best practices for feeding, health, training, tips on care, etc. With West German Shepherds. You are buying into the tremendous wealth of bloodlines we have selectively cultivated and created, you are buying the expertise we have accumulated in 14 years of running a top notch breeding program. I am passionate about this breed and ensuring that everyone who wants a German Shepherd - has an amazing experience. Please contact me if I can be of service to you. Thank you for visiting West German Shepherds. The original quote was intended for every breed of dog; as German Shepherd owners already know - these canines are far superior to any other breed on the planet! I often repeat - some days you are the dog, some days you are the fire hydrant. More quotes can be found at the bottom of each page. I have three pets at home which answer the same purpose as a husband. I have a dog which growls every morning, a parrot which swears all afternoon, and a cat that comes home late at night. Do you get the difference? The man will be there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from touching the equipment. Kreative Kennels is a working line Professional German Shepherd breeder. We offer german shepherd puppies for sale , personal protection dogs for sale , police dogs for sale , family protection dogs for sale , family companion german shepherds for sale. We are striving to breed great working line german shepherds for the military, border patrol, police departments and family companions. We are breeding dogs that exhibit excellent prey drive, courage, intelligence and also have a ton of energy. We have purchased some of the best german shepherd stud dogs available in the Czech Republic and Germany for use in our kennel. The same is true for our females. Kreative Kennels employees have personal contact with all of our german shepherds every single day of the year. We also evaluate the performance of each dog after its training session. We test all of our german shepherds dogs in real life surroundings. Kreative Kennels located in California is a relatively new venture that came about as a result of a present. We began researching pedigrees and titles, unable to quell our interest in the beauty of the working line German Shepherd. We have high expectations for these dogs; their pedigree and ability is that convincing. Our german shepherd stud dogs and breeding females are carefully selected. Their list of accomplishments speaks for itself in regards to quality. German Shepherd Dogs are the perfect dog to own. Their impeccable training allows them to be not only a superb guard or protection dog but also the perfect addition to any family. Feel free to contact us to schedule a visit or discuss any of our fine dogs. Any reproduction of any part of this website is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use any of the content of this site, Please contact us at npalffy kreativekennels. We are number 1 out of 50 Top rated breeders in America!!! Rated by happydoggo. There are scams out there who use our brand. Their website may look exact the same since they duplicate our website or their domains look similar. Our website is vomragnar. We take payments only over the phone by a credit card or with quick pay Zelle. Our brand name is patented. We are licensed breeders in Illinois. These phone numbers has Chicago Illinois area code. Please do not trust scammers and beware. We are the top rated German Shepherd licensed breeder located in the Northwestern suburb near Chicago, Illinois. We show and train our dogs with known World Champion trainers. We offer German Shepherd puppies for sale as well as trained adult German Shepherd dogs. Our German Shepherd puppies range from 8 weeks old to young males and females. We ship dogs within United States and Worldwide. Please contact us about pet transport information. Owned and operated since by Natalya Babenko. Not interested in award-winning show dogs? No Puppy Mills Our puppies are our babies. All of our puppies have plenty of wide open spaces to get all of the physical exercise their growing bodies need Puppy Power We work hard to match the perfect pup for you and your family. Give us your preferred puppy specifications and expectations and we will do our best to surpass them Breeding purebred West German Showline German Shepherds are our passion. If you share our passion and is looking for a German Shepherd breeder that specializes in providing the highest quality show dogs, protection dogs, working dogs, service dogs or family companions, your search just ended. You can reserve the puppy over the phone and pick up the puppy at 8 weeks old. Our Chicago kennel has several litters each year. However, we strive to breed healthy dogs with best bloodlines in mind. We breed dogs with good temperament and character. We breed to the established SV Standard. They are black and red, solid black, and red sable in color. Our dogs are raised and socialized in a home environment with children and other dogs. We are proud of our achievements! Take a look at the latest show results. Why To Choose Us.
mini goldendoodles puppies - To get on to our waiting list please see the following: 1. Because of the number of inquiries that we receive and the amount of information that we provide to you, it is preferred that your initial contact be via email. Interested families must fill out a questionnaire before being approved. You will be contacted and advised of your place number on the list, once you have been approved. GGK offers separate lists based on male or female preferences and planned breedings. A non-refundable deposit will be expected by the time the puppies are 4 weeks old to reserve your pick. Once pregnancy has been verified by ultrasound you will be notified. You must respond and comply within one week of this notification to maintain your position on the wait list. Failure to do so will result in a loss of your position on the list. GGK has the rights to first and second choice of puppies from each litter, if we so choose. The Buyer will make their puppy selection when the puppies reach 6 weeks of age. You are always more than welcome to come to our home and make your selection. Actually we prefer that. We will not ship puppies. We will however, arrange for the proper documentation that will allow you to pickup and fly with your puppy home for an additional fee. We think that it is beneficial for you to meet the parents of your new puppy, be able to choose the puppy in person, as well as seeing the environment that he or she has been raised in. However, because we know that this is not always possible due to distance, it is not mandatory. During the visit, puppies cannot be picked up by visitors and proper protocols will be followed to protect the health and wellbeing of the litter. GGK may elect to sell their selection to parties not on the waiting list. After GGK selects if we so choose , then the next selection belongs to 1 position on the waiting list. As dogs are placed, your name will move up the list. Once you are number one on the list, you have the right to select any puppy of the gender you selected or defer until new pups are available for selection. If a Buyer has had to return a dog due to illness or genetic defect, they will immediately become number 1 on the waiting list. Most importantly, we want you to love your GGK puppy as much as we do. This is why we do not require a mandatory deposit before pups are born or force you to take a puppy that may not be exactly what you are looking for. Your new puppy will be a member of your family for years to come. We hope to make this a pleasant and exciting experience for you! This waiting list has been designed to give you the power to choose, which we feel is the way that it should be. His temperament is fantastic. He had his CGC at 9 months. To see more images of Pablo go to instagram and search ggkpablopicasso Pablo is a proven stud and is available to all approved bitches. Please click "learn more" to see his pedigree and clearances. Nature has a way of changing our plans sometimes. We cannot put in an order for the correct amount of females or males. We will also only breed if we have a substantial amount of commitment deposits for that litter. Please be patient, we are committed to find the right puppy for you, it might even be with another breeder we recommend that would better fit your needs. Phoenix, Arizona. We breed quality Golden Retrievers for service, therapy, facility, hunting and pets. Sires we pick have all of the same health certifications as well. Which means that our goals for being a good breeder revolve around Health, Education, Accountability, Responsibility and Tradition. Our local owners enjoy six weeks of free puppy classes after they take their pups home and have unlimited counseling with us and our trainer. Family Pets Goldens are made to love We believe Golden Retrievers are the best for all types of owners. They are so gentle that you can be assured your loved ones are safe around these wonderful dogs with responsible training. Service, Therapy and Facility Dogs goldens are made to serve We breed for service, therapy and facility dogs at a high quality. All of our puppies are trained as if they are going into service. We typically have about pups in every litter that go into service of some kind. We usualy donate one puppy out of every litter. It is our tithe and a gift we love to give to someone in need. Our Training Mission goldens are made to work We strive for excellence in our training program. All puppies are introduced to many sounds, textures and surfaces to create a confident dog. We offer complimentary 6 weeks of puppy Socialization and Obedience with their litter mates. Testimonials "Quality parentage and conscientious breeding standards.He is beyond eager to learn. She has truly changed our lives, especially our daughters life. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Arizona Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Arizona? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Arizona? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. They are affectionate, obedient and loyal to a fault. Originally bred as a hunting dog for retrieving waterfowl it makes an ideal pet for any type of family. They make a great family dog because of its patience, versatility, and adaptability. A golden retriever is super easy to train because of how smart and devoted they are to their owner. Goldens are gentle and playful with children and other pets, making them a perfect family pet. Their coat comes in various shades of gold and is dense, waterproof and may be wavy or straight. Discover more about our Golden Retriever puppies below! Interestingly, the Golden Retriever is very calm and relaxed indoors despite its hunting roots. However, they immensely enjoy activities, such as carrying objects around in its mouth and a good game of catch. The breed is faithful, obedient and easy to train. Golden Retriever Disposition The Golden Retriever does best when kept inside with the family, though it needs daily exercise. The Golden Retriever is very playful. Not surprisingly, it lives up to its name as a great retriever, excelling in games of catch and carrying objects around in its mouth. While it enjoys active time outdoors, the Golden Retriever is calm indoors — making it a great household pet for anyone. They do especially well with kids too. This breed is highly regarded for its love of human companionship. It is faithful, obedient and picks up easily on new commands. The Golden Retriever is among the easiest breeds to train. Its enthusiasm for learning new tricks and the ability to quickly and easily understand new commands makes it a pleasure to own and train. See store for details on this particular puppy. American Canine Association.
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mini goldendoodles puppies - Introducing a new puppy to your home The importance of early training How to give instructions The importance of socialization How to socialize your puppy Basic commands - sit and stay Basic commands - come and lie down Training your puppy to heel Training your puppy to fetch and retrieve Rewarding and disciplining your puppy Training your puppy with a leash Your puppy and other people Your puppy and other animals House training Barking - and how to prevent it Biting and chewing Why choose a German shepherd? Congratulations on your choice! German shepherd dogs are the only dog breed to have the word dog as part of their official name. Not many dog breeds have as unique and proud a heritage as the white German shepherd. The breed had its beginnings in Austria in the 19th century when the Queen of Hapsburg reputedly wanted white dogs - to match both the white dresses and the white horses used by the family. German shepherd dogs are popular for several reasons their distinctive appearance, their reliability and their suitability for families. According to the American Kennel Association, in , the breed was the second most popular in the United States only the Labrador Retriever was more popular. Its no wonder that German shepherds are so popular apart from their distinctive appearance, they are also considered to be among the easiest breed of dog to train. Many breeders claim that they are one of the top three most trainable breeds, along with the Australian sheep dog and the Labrador retriever. White German shepherds are also well known for their loyalty and devotion it isnt unusual for them to form a strong bond with a trainer or handler. And not surprisingly, entering them at dog shows and obedience competitions can be rewarding German shepherds enjoy more than their fair share of success. Because they are so easy to train, German shepherds are widely used around the world for various tasks. In France, they are used to track criminals and to search for avalanche victims. Switzerland has a large number of German shepherds in it police force - and in the UK, German shepherd dogs were regularly used by world famous Scotland Yard up until the s. Apart from their suitability for law enforcement, German shepherds are used in other lines of work. In , the first Seeing Eye dog was a German shepherd today, the breed is still the most popular for the job. And the German shepherd is also a great choice for such tasks as herding sheep, pulling carts or acting as watchdog. However, training a dog can be time consuming, frustrating and hard work you will need to have patience and a routine. The task of training your puppy will be a lot easier if you begin the process at as early an age as possible - a younger puppy has generally not had the chance to learn too much negative or destructive behavior. The following pages will tell you how to train your puppy for most situations - house training, biting and barking, and interacting with other animals and people. You will find that the job of training your new friend is a rewarding and happy experience. Introducing a new puppy to your home Training your puppy should begin as soon as you get your puppy home and should ideally be undertaken by just one family member. At the same time it is important to make sure that everyone else in the house as well as any other pets are comfortable with the new arrival. Unlike some dog breeds, German shepherds prefer to live indoors, rather than outside. If possible, bring your new puppy home during a calm time and when you have the time to concentrate on training him. It isnt a good idea to bring home a new puppy during a hectic time when your routine and his will be disrupted, such as holidays or when family are visiting. Try to introduce a new puppy to family members one at a time so it isnt too overwhelming. When bringing your puppy home for the first time, make sure you are organized. Dont forget to have food in the house, as well as bowls specifically for food and water. At first, try to buy the type or brand of food that the dog is eating now you can always switch his food gradually. A sudden change in food can often have unfortunate results - diarrhea or an upset stomach. Apart from food and water, you will also need some toys for your dog if you are bringing a puppy home, its particularly important to have something for him to chew on. And your puppy will need somewhere to sleep many owners find that having the dogs bed close to them particularly at first - can make training easier. You may want to puppy-proof your home, just as you would make it baby-proof. Put any things out of reach you dont want to be chewed, such as shoes. Some rooms may be off limits and you may want to install a gate across the bottom of your stairs. If your puppy will be outside, make sure the environment is safe and secure and he cant slip out anywhere. Ensure that he doesnt have access to such things as paint, medicine and cleaning products. When introducing your new puppy to his new home, immediately start enforcing rules. If he jumps up on furniture, make sure that he understands not to do that using a treat as a reward is more effective than discipline at this point. House training should be undertaken at this time. You may want to make a point of showing your puppy that the family eats before he does and dont start feeding him from the dinner table, otherwise he will routinely expect that. Its surprisingly easy to overlook his water make sure he always has plenty and that its fresh every day. The first few weeks a puppy is in your home can be hectic but important. German shepherds live a long time generally from between 12 to 14 years, so you and your family have many happy years ahead. The importance of early training When it comes to successful dog training its important to start early. The first few months are particularly important as any behavior that has been learned will stay with your dog throughout his life. A young puppy has hopefully not had the chance to learn negative or destructive behavior. Ideally, this learning process should continue for up to two years. If you are the proud owner of a new German shepherd puppy, try to begin training as soon as the dog is in your home - just as you would immediately start teaching a newborn baby how to behave around other babies or animals. All family members should learn to handle the new puppy and be comfortable with the new addition to the family, however only one person should undertake most, if not all of the training. Dogs thrive on a routine, so try to have one that works around your job and other commitments. Its a good idea to introduce a new puppy into your home during a quiet time, and not at the holidays, for example. Training at this stage should include both obedience and hygiene, as well as eliminating any bad habits, such as chewing shoes or begging for food at the dinner table. The first few months in your home are some of the most important to a puppy many of an older dogs behavioral problems can be traced back to this period. Experts say that a dogs experiences between the ages of three and twelve weeks are the most critical and the ideal age to acquire a puppy is at about eight weeks old. This includes getting the animal used to any other pets and family members, as well as house training and teaching your dog to use a lead effectively. And any routines which will become part of your dogs later life should be introduced at an early stage, if at all possible. During much of your puppys early training, the two most widely used words will be no and his name. You should also make a point of exposing your puppy to different objects, as well as people. Introduce your puppy to such everyday but potentially scary things as toys, bicycles, large boxes, and even an umbrella. Its also recommended to take a puppy for short car rides, letting the window down occasionally. A dog is a lifelong commitment. Begin your training early and you have a better chance of avoiding problems later in life. The importance of giving instructions while training You will be giving plenty of instructions and commands while training your German shepherd puppy and its important to know how to give them. When training your puppy, instructions should be given in a firm and clear voice it isnt necessary to shout or become angry. As mentioned before, German shepherds are considered one of the easiest breeds of dog to train. The breed is also known for its patience and an instinctive desire to please an owner or trainer. They also have a keen sense of timing and are admired for their overall agility. It isnt necessary to give lengthy instructions to your puppy. Most of your instructions will consist of just two words your dogs name and the particular command. You will soon learn the importance of being able to effectively give the basic commands to your puppy come, sit, stay and lie down. You may want to master some of those commands before moving on to the command to heel. The secret to successful training is to give your puppy instructions in what you want him to do and not what you dont want him to do. Make sure that your commands are realistic and your dog is able to easily and safely carry them out. Never give a command or instruction unless you actually want it carried out. Much of your training should be done with the lead at first, and later without the lead. If your dog doesnt do what is asked always correct or discipline him immediately as dogs dont retain information for more than a few seconds. If you correct him after the fact, he will have forgotten what it is that he was asked to do! The same principle applies when rewarding your puppy. Remember, you are giving your puppy commands and instructions and not becoming angry or impatient with him with practice, your training will be easy and effective for both of you. The importance of socialization White German shepherd dogs are considered to be among the easiest dogs to train, making them particularly suitable for families with pets and children. Once you have chosen your pet, have taken him home and introduced him to your family, one of your next steps is to learn how to socialize your dog. Experts consider that the most important socialization period for a puppy begins at around three weeks of age and lasts until around twelve weeks. The period during which a puppy is most influenced by socialization is supposedly between six and eight weeks of age. Regardless of how old your puppy is when you get him, you may well have little or no knowledge of his previous life. Socializing your dog includes various things getting him used to other dogs as well as other people and also everyday sights, sounds and smells. And you shouldnt find it too difficult to find friends and neighbors who want to come over to admire your new puppy! Try to bring your puppy home when you can establish a routine and spend some time training him. Socializing is important as it can help to prevent serious behavioral problems in your German shepherd such as aggression, timidity and shyness. A dog that has been exposed to other animals such as cats and horses is better able to interpret their intentions, potentially avoiding a conflict. And a dog that has been thoroughly socialized is less likely to have behavioral problems in the future with other dogs or children. Some trainers even advise that a puppy should meet strangers and visit 50 new places all before he is three months old. You may not be able to do all that but it illustrates how important it is to thoroughly socialize your puppy. If you find socialization difficult, you can actually take your puppy to socialization classes ask at your local vets for details. Try to avoid taking your puppy to training classes that put an emphasis on punishment techniques. Simply the act of taking your puppy to the vets is a form of socialization and it also helps him prepare for future visits. Socializing your puppy correctly can take time and patience but the end results are well worth it and you will understand why white German shepherds are such a delight to own and train. How to socialize your puppy Socializing your puppy is important and will have a major influence on his behavior - start out slowly with socialization training begin with one on one situations with a friend or neighbor. Work your way slowly to more demanding situations with perhaps several people and pets. Make sure you are in control of the situation the object isnt to frighten your dog, simply to get him used to things. Try to ensure that your puppy meets different types of people young and old, loud and quiet. If your puppy only encounters people of a specific appearance for example, young girls he may be fearful or aggressive when he later encounters other types of people. If you dont have small children in your home, try taking your puppy to a park or playground. Try to avoid taking your puppy to areas where unvaccinated dogs may be found, unless your puppy has had all its shots. You may want to deliberately walk where you may encounter other dog walkers or even arrange for a friend to walk their dog at the same time. Your puppy should be exposed to different objects, as well as people things that we all take for granted. Introduce your puppy to such everyday but potentially scary things as bicycles, large boxes and childrens toys. You should also take your puppy for short and then longer car rides, letting the window down occasionally. You should also expose your puppy to things that make noises or move quickly. Try exposing your puppy to such everyday things as the vacuum cleaner, television, washing machine and doorbell. Start out slowly until he has got somewhat used to these things for example, leaving the vacuum out before switching it on. If you live in the country, or on a quiet street, take your puppy to a noisy or crowded area. Likewise, if you live in the heart of the city, take your puppy to the countryside or to a farm to experience such strange creatures as hens, ducks and cows. Dont let your puppy chase other animals during this time. A small puppy treat makes an appropriate reward when socializing your puppy. At first you can reward him every time you meet another pet or person; then progress to the point where you are rewarding him only for non-fearful interactions. If your puppy seems fearful or nervous around people, ask other people to crouch down this helps to put a nervous dog at ease. Dont be discouraged by the term socialization. If you are taking your puppy out and about, meeting people and interacting with other pets you are basically doing that anyway. Basic commands sit and stay Sit is one of the most basic and important commands that you will teach your puppy. Typically, a puppy is ready to learn this command at eight weeks old. And you will also discover that its one of the most difficult commands to enforce - as puppies of course, tend to be naturally playful. The good news is that even the liveliest puppy can be successfully trained. You should train your puppy to obey these commands before any others. Begin your training in a quiet part of the house with no distractions. Some trainers suggest training by the front door a puppy who sits easily by the front door is more manageable when you have visitors. Try to limit each training session to around 15 minutes and be sure to use a firm tone of voice and offer praise and reward when he gets it right. To successfully train your dog to sit, you may want to have him on a lead at first and then progress to training without the lead. Once you have given him the command to sit, gently help your dog to sit by folding his back legs under his bottom repeat this as necessary until he gets the idea. The command stay is often used in conjunction with sit and will help you control your puppy when its necessary. Once your puppy has learnt to sit, practice walking away while giving the command to stay. If he gets up before he has been told to, you should persuade him to sit again, by using the technique above. You should gradually walk further and further away, leaving him to stay for longer periods in general, it takes a week or so to train a puppy to sit and stay for a couple of minutes. After a few months it should be possible for your puppy to stay while you leave the room, for a period of around 15 minutes. You can also use a hand signal to instruct your puppy to stay, for example a raised hand. At first, this should be done using the lead; then you can progress to doing it without the lead. Once your puppy has got used to these commands, you should be able to command him to sit and stay, by using hand signals alone. With a little patience, your puppy will soon master these basic commands making for a better relationship between the two of you. Basic commands come and lie down Generally, you can start to teach your German shepherd basic commands once he has reached the age of six months. Try to have everybody in your family take part in these lessons everybody will need to use the commands at some point and keep lessons short, ideally around ten or fifteen minutes. As with other aspects of training, you should reward your puppy with affection and perhaps a treat when he does well. If he isnt learning quite as quickly as you had hoped, then you can withhold the reward. Dont punish your dog for not obeying these basic commands he will then associate that particular command with punishment. All the commands that you give your puppy at this stage should consist of just two words your puppys name, followed by the command Rover, come! When giving commands to your dog, make sure that you use a tone of voice thats both firm and enthusiastic. Be sure to praise your puppy when he gets it right. You should start training your puppy to obey the word "come" just as soon as you have brought him home the first time. To train your puppy to come, you should use the lead at first. Extend the lead distance as far as it will go and then use the command while at the same time tugging gently on his lead. If you dont see positive results at first persevere. Make sure you are crouched down on the same level as your dog and are using the word come in a positive, firm way and not angrily. Praise and reward your puppy dont be cross if he doesnt get it right the first time. After he has got the idea, take the lead off and repeat the procedure. To train your puppy to lie down, first command him to sit. Lower one of his favorite food treats between his front paws and say down or lie most dogs will lie down to get at the treat. Once he is lying down, you can then give him the treat. Try to practice the command to lie down from different positions from both a standing and a sitting position. Dogs tend to lie down in two different positions flat where the hips are rolled and the legs are to one side; and sphinx in which his hind legs are tucked underneath. Training your dog to lie down helps to show him who is in command it can also be helpful in a busy or dangerous environment. And a puppy thats lying down is usually a quiet puppy! Training your puppy to heel One of the supreme tests of obedience is to train your puppy to heel. Heeling is the act of walking with your dog close beside you - paying attention just to you and not being distracted by anything else. Once you have trained your puppy to do this, its an easy and safe way to walk through crowded or unfamiliar places with your dog. Ideally, you should first train your dog to sit on command before you start training him to heel, and you should use the lead at first. You should begin training your puppy to heel in a quiet room, with minimum distractions a long hallway or corridor is ideal for this - and you should not lead him to the door or outside at first. Begin your training with your puppy sitting on your left side. Assuming that you are right handed Hold the lead in your right hand, but hold the lead close to your dogs collar with your left hand. Start to walk slowly, using your dogs name and the command to heel. Remember, while training, most of your commands will consist of just two words the command and your dogs name. Give your commands in a firm authoritative tone dont become angry with him if he doesnt get it immediately. Try to keep your puppy close to you and once you have gone a few steps, you can reward him with a treat. If he starts to move away from you, a short sharp tug on the lead will get him back at your side. Once you have done this a few times, you should be able to walk further with your dog by your side eventually without using the lead. Twenty paces is a realistic goal. Once your puppy can walk to heel, the next step is to train him to turn around when you turn. To turn with your dog, put your hand on his collar while you turn and give the command to heel again, practice with the lead on at first, then off. Puppies can be lively and playful and you may not find this training easy. Persevere and the end result will be well worth it. Training your puppy to fetch and retrieve A puppy that runs to retrieve objects is not only getting physical exercise he is also getting mental stimulation. Playing fetch and retrieve is a chance for your dog to get some exercise as well as practice his instinctive hunting skills. And throwing and fetching objects can also keep children happy for quite some time! Before you are able to train your dog to run and fetch objects, you must first train him to hold objects in its mouth. Dont use squeaky toys for this as your dog will then want to chew them! While training your puppy to hold things in its mouth, reward with verbal and physical praise, rather than treats. You can begin training your puppy to fetch things and bring them back to you, once you have taught him how to hold things. Trainers advise that the ideal age to teach a puppy to hold and fetch things is at around six to eight weeks old. Most puppies will learn this fairly easily and quickly, although as with other aspects of training, it depends on the animal and how much time you can devote to it. German shepherds are not generally selectively bred for retrieving, although they can easily be trained. As with other aspects of training, things may not always go smoothly. If your puppy is reluctant to fetch, try to get him excited by throwing a squeaky toy and running with it yourself. If your dog seems reluctant to bring the object back to you, you may have to continue working on the command to come. If your puppy runs to the object but doesnt pick it up, you may need more lessons on the command to hold. And the same applies if he picks it up but then continually drops it while bringing it back make sure your puppy is proficient at holding objects before you begin fetch and retrieve training. Its an easy thing to overlook - dont give your puppy items to retrieve and hold that are too big to comfortably fit in his jaws. Your puppy may bring the retrieved object some of the way back to you but doesnt quite understand to bring it to you. One solution to this is to say no firmly, then retrieve the object yourself and bring it the rest of the way back. And some dog owners say that if your puppy watches other dogs fetch and retrieve, he will get the idea. Training your puppy to fetch and retrieve can give you and your puppy hours of fun but dont force it. Some dogs just seem to enjoy it more than others. Rewarding and disciplining your German shepherd While training your German shepherd, you will soon realize the importance of offering rewards for good behavior or for learning something quickly. German shepherd dogs are quick to learn, are reliable and obedient and it isnt unusual for them to form a strong bond with their trainer. Rewards actually fall into three basic categories verbal praise, treats and physical contact. You may find that your dog is motivated by one, rather than the other. In this case, physical contact would mean stroking your puppy. Be sure to give him long strokes along his body, rather than patting him on the head which your dog may see as a dominant gesture. Its a natural thing to want to use treats as a reward during training but you should be careful not to overfeed your puppy. Many treats are actually rich and fairly unhealthy. If you are using treats as a reward, one solution to overfeeding is to make sure the treat is part of your dogs daily food allowance. Try not to use treats as a reward for your puppy all the time over time you should gradually start to praise good behavior instead of rewarding with a treat. Eventually, during a training routine, you should offer the treat as a reward every other time, and then every 2nd or 3rd time, and so on. Your puppy will need constant praise and encouragement while being trained its a good idea to keep some treats easily accessible. If you are walking or playing outside, keep them in a pocket or backpack somewhere you can easily get to them and then immediately give them to your puppy. Good timing is also essential when you give your puppy a reward you must offer the reward at the same time that the dog has done whatever you commanded, or at least within a few seconds. Dogs are only able to retain information for a few seconds. If you reward your dog for sitting, but he has already stood up again he wont quite get the message. Some effective but humane methods of disciplining your dog are as follows. A puppy that misbehaves can be isolated from other people, for no longer than a few minutes. A squirt with a water pistol filled with water or lemon juice can be an easy way to stop a dog in its tracks. And a stern and commanding voice, along with the word no sometimes works best of all. If you are training your puppy to do something, such as sit or come on command and he is a little slow, repeating the exercise several times from the beginning may also help to reinforce the message. While training, use a firm but enthusiastic voice and offer rewards when applicable you may find you wont need to use discipline much at all. Training your puppy with a leash It is of course, one of the most indispensable items you will have when it comes to training your new puppy his leash, or lead. A properly used leash ensures your dogs safety as well as the safety of other animals and people. In fact you should never allow your dog to run free unless you are in an enclosed and protected area you may even have leash laws in your neighborhood. You should actually use two types of leash for training a long houseline with a bolt snap for indoor training, and a standard leash for outdoor use. Collars come in different styles and colors a well-fitting collar should allow you to slip two fingers underneath it with comfort. If you are choosing a collar and leash its a good time to make sure you have identification on your puppy, too. Most dogs particularly German shepherds dont have a problem wearing a collar and leash, although some dogs take longer than others to be completely comfortable. If your dog seems a little bit slow it doesnt mean he is are any less intelligent, he just needs a little more time. Start out by simply training your puppy to be comfortable with the leash. Let your puppy smell the leash and inspect it. Have your dog wear his collar and leash while eating, over a period of a few days this way, your dog associates his leash with the somewhat enjoyable task of being fed. During this time, the puppys leash should just trail on the ground. After a few days of this routine, you can start to lead your dog around the house while hes wearing the leash - then repeat the exercise outside. Gradually begin to walk longer and longer distances ideally, in a quiet environment with few distractions. Your dogs leash should not be too long between four to six feet is ideal. Some dog owners think the retractable lead is a wonderful thing this type of lead lets your dog roam up to 30 feet away, but still be under your control. However, be careful when using the retractable lead alongside busy roads. One of the problems you may encounter with a boisterous puppy is that of climbing up the lead or trying to jump on you. Train your puppy not to do this by saying no firmly and moving away or commanding your dog to sit. If necessary, repeat the exercise that you were practicing before he started jumping. One of the biggest challenges you may face while training your German shepherd to use a leash is that of pulling on the leash. If your puppy does this, he may be excited or bored. Try praising him if he remains at your side. Keep the leash loose at all times if your puppy starts to run off, abruptly change direction so that hes suddenly behind you. If your puppy is pulling on the leash, dont pull him all the way back again give a quick tug and then immediately release and make the leash slack again. With a little bit of perseverance, youll find that your puppy is comfortable with his leash after all, most puppies usually love to have their leash put on as it means they are going outside! Your puppy and other people Perhaps one of your most important considerations will be successfully training your new German shepherd puppy to interact with other people especially if you are bringing your dog home to a large family. Fortunately German shepherd dogs are not only easy to train they make an excellent choice for a family with children or pets, as they generally get along well with both. As with all aspects of training, try to begin this training when your puppy is less than four months old. These first few months are particularly important as any behavior that has been learned will stay with your dog throughout his life. This process should continue for up to two years. Training your puppy to comfortably interact with people, other animals and situations is known as socializing your dog. Socializing is also important as it can help to prevent serious behavioral problems in your German shepherd - such as aggression, timidity and shyness. A puppy often barks at strangers this is actually your dogs way of protecting or warning you. Try to get your dog as familiar with strangers as possible by introducing him to people who call at the house and having them give your puppy a treat. If this is still a problem, you may have to leave blinds or curtains closed to eliminate distractions from outside. German shepherds tend to be dependable with children; however you should still exercise caution. Babies tend to figure largely in a puppys life if you have a baby or toddler in your home, its important to make sure they get used to each other. You should allow your puppy to inspect the baby, but hold him on the leash while you do it the first time. Never tease a dog with a baby. Young children can be almost as challenging as babies. A puppy just cant help joining in if theres a group of small children running around and playing. Playing is acceptable, but make sure your children don't tease your puppy - teasing a dog is actually the major cause of children being bitten by a pet take it seriously if your child is jabbing or sticking fingers into the dogs face. Older children are better with a puppy the ideal age for a child to have their first dog is between the ages of 8 and .Youll soon discover that even the most responsible child generally needs some reminding to help look after their puppy. Children this age actually make excellent trainers for a puppy they tend to lack the self-consciousness of adults and are of course, learning themselves. Aggression towards people is an extremely difficult thing to correct. German shepherd dogs are known for their placid nature and their ability to bond with people, so you may never have this problem. To effectively deal with an aggressive dog, you first have to try to determine why he is aggressive he may be frightened or being teased. Fear biting is a possible symptom. Training your puppy to interact effectively with people can be hard work - fortunately you have one of the friendliest breeds that there is. Training your dog to get along with other animals Training your German shepherd to interact with other animals can be a challenge, as most dog owners know only too well. However, German shepherd dogs are considered to be one of the easiest dog breeds to train they also tend to get on with other animals and people particularly well. Try to create a relaxed atmosphere when you bring a new puppy into your home for the first time its all too easy to have a frantic environment which just makes the dog excitable. Your puppy will find himself the center of attention and its easy to forget the basics of training him. You will find it easier to get a puppy used to other animals and people socialized, as it is known if your puppy is less than four months old. A puppy thats older than four months may find if difficult to fully socialize with other animals and you may find it more difficult too. If your home has other animals, such as cats or guinea pigs, it can be effective to first introduce your puppy to the smell of the other animals. As far as your puppy and cats are concerned, you should keep them separate for the first few days. At the first meeting, hold your puppy securely on a lap or floor and allow the cats to smell the puppy with no contact. Once the animals have all inspected each other, you can allow the puppy to walk around the room with the cats be sure to keep an eye on all the animals. If your puppy chases the cats or barks at the cat, a firm no should persuade him not to do that you may also want to give him something to chew on. After a few weeks of this, your dog and cats should be able to live together peacefully. Another effective way to achieve harmony is to put a small piece of the other animals bedding near the place where your puppy will be sleeping. A new puppy is far more likely to accept the other animals as harmless family members if he first becomes accustomed to their smell. If you are walking your puppy, you may have trouble when encountering other dogs. A puppy that has been socialized exposed to other dogs, people and things will generally have fewer problems in this respect. You should start getting your puppy used to other dogs just as soon as you can, by taking him to parks, playgrounds etc or allowing people with dogs to come and visit you. Fortunately, German shepherds are well known for their ability to get on well with most other animals so you should have no serious problems achieving a peaceful environment for all your pets! House training Once you have your new puppy home, one of your most important considerations will be house training your puppy. As with most other aspects of puppy training, its best to begin as early as you can expect the training to be complete only when your dog reaches six months old. Nearly all dogs respond to house training fairly well the German shepherd is one of the most receptive breeds. Perhaps the first thing you need to know is how frequently your puppy may need to go. On average, a three month old puppy needs to urinate every three or four hours, while a puppy that is five months old urinates every four to five hours. Generally speaking, as a dog grows older, it can go that much longer before having to urinate. There are certain signs that your puppy may need the bathroom after a while, you will be able to spot them and anticipate. If he suddenly puts his nose down and sniffs intently, its usually a signal. Your puppy may appear agitated, or begin to whine or pace if he needs go. He may also run behind a piece of furniture, squat down or raise his leg. If your dog urinates in the house when left alone, this is actually a form of separation anxiety. Its caused by stress and the dog usually does this shortly after being left alone. One solution is to train your puppy to feel comfortable with his crate and to leave him there the problem may go away after a few weeks or months. Other than that, try to leave your dog alone as casually and with as little fuss as possible. One of the biggest problems for a dog owner is the dog who goes to the bathroom in the house but wont go outside. There may be several causes of this: a dog that has been confined indoors for at least a month has simply got used to relieving himself indoors he doesnt know any better. If your dog goes to the bathroom indoors, rather than out, make sure you are taking him outside as often as he needs. A puppy should be taken outside several times a day immediately after waking, and after eating or playing. While walking your dog outside, try to be alert to any signs that he needs the bathroom. If your dog has an accident inside the house, immediately and thoroughly clean the area so your puppy wont assume that spot is for going to the toilet. And if your dog goes in an approved spot in your yard or outside leave the droppings there, if practical. The next time your puppy sniffs that spot he will be encouraged to do his business there. House training may not be the most glamorous aspect of training your puppy but as most of us would point out, it is one of the most important. Barking and how to prevent it All dog owners are going to have a problem with unwanted barking or howling at some point although German shepherds are easier in this respect than many other breeds. In fact, a lot of German shepherd owners firmly maintain that their dog only barks when absolutely necessary! To deal effectively with barking, you first need to determine why the dog is barking. A puppy barks for several reasons. He may need exercise or he may need to use the bathroom. He may simply be bored and need attention. And some puppies bark because they are excited or theres just too much going on around them. A bored dog tends to bark a lot. If you feel your puppy is barking because hes bored or neglected, try not to give your dog attention as soon as he starts to bark. By doing this, you are then saying that its acceptable to bark and that barking leads to a positive thing your attention. Instead, you should make sure your dog is getting enough attention when hes not barking Your puppy may bark if left alone for too long although you might not know this unless the neighbors tell you! If you do have to leave your puppy alone, make sure he is exercised before you leave him and that he has plenty of water. Some owners even advise putting some music on for the puppy. If your puppy barks for no other identifiable reason, he may simply need to go to the bathroom. On average, a three month old puppy needs to urinate every three or four hours, while a puppy that is five months old urinates every four to five hours as he gets older, he will go less frequently. A dog shouldnt be punished for too much barking or howling which is after all, an instinctive thing. Any action you take to stop a dog barking must be undertaken at the time that they are actually barking and not sometime afterwards. Dogs are not able to retain information for more than a few seconds. If your puppy is barking for no apparent reason, simply try silencing him with a firm no. If you are desperate, you can purchase a no bark dog collar manufactured by several different companies. When your dog barks, it triggers a harmless spray of lemon liquid which supposedly stops the dog from barking. The disadvantage of the collar is that most dogs are too clever they will sooner or later learn to bark without the spray affecting them. An alternative to the spraying collar is the shock collar. As the name suggests, this device triggers a mild electric shock whenever your dog barks. The shock collar is completely humane and most experts consider it to be generally more effective in stopping barking than the no bark dog collar. A puppy that barks too much can certainly be annoying. But keep in mind there may be occasions when you want to hear your dog barking - noises outside in the yard, or a smoke alarm, for example. After all, German shepherds do make excellent watchdogs. Biting and Chewing Biting and chewing may be annoying to us sometimes but they are perfectly natural activities for your puppy. A puppy that bites does so instinctively and has probably learnt to do so from his siblings over time, your puppy will outgrow this behavior. However, there are some steps you can take now. Biting is most common with young puppies although most young puppies do not bite often, and if they do, something has caused them to bite. Ideally, a puppy should be trained not to bite before he is four months old. Normally, a puppy learns not to bite from his mother or other puppies if he is an only dog he learns from his owner. Many people think puppies are just playing when they bite, but in fact puppies can bite for several reasons. They may be teething puppies teeth for about a month, usually at four months old - or trying to strengthen their fairly new jaws and teeth. A puppy that bites may be exploring, or trying to compensate for an unbalanced diet - or he may just be bored. If your puppy is biting due to teething, the good news is that he will outgrow this. You can also buy toys designed specifically for teething dogs that help soothe the discomfort. A puppy may also be biting because he doesnt get to bite enough while eating - in this case your puppy will appreciate a nice bone. Chewing is also a common problem with puppies - be prepared to deal with your puppy chewing as soon as you bring him home and have plenty of chew toys in your home and ensure they are accessible. Some trainers recommend having up to 20 different chew toys available and rotating them periodically, to add an element of surprise and to keep your puppy interested. As with biting you shouldnt punish your puppy for chewing. Instead, you should gently remove the object and substitute something he can chew on such as a chew toy. Be sure to praise your pup for using the chew toy. German shepherds are well known for being easy to train and communicate with. However the breed is particularly prone to what is sometimes called fear biting which is sometimes genetic. Fear biting also sometimes results from having been ill-treated or from inadequate socialization of a puppy. A fear biting dog also often suffers from low self esteem, is often nervous or apprehensive and can frequently cower when introduced to strangers. You may need to get a professional to help train your dog to overcome fear biting, but there are some steps you can take. You need to gradually expose a fear biting dog to the things that hes afraid of. Its rather like the process of socialization all over again. Another technique you can try is to have a friend walk away from your dog with a dog treat and hold it out in the palm of their hand. The dog should be allowed to walk up and take the treat, and you should gradually progress to eye contact, verbal praise and stroking the dog All it takes is 15 minutes a day for a well trained dog. Have fun! Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. For serious owners only: If you want to master potty training, stop jumping, and everything a new dog owner needs to teach their dog, check out The Ultimate Puppy Training Bundle by SpiritDog. When should I start training my GSD puppy? You can start training your German Shepherd puppies as early as they are 8 weeks old. Crate training and potty training are the very basic skills your puppy will need once she gets home. You can start right away when she comes home. How is it different to train German Shepherds? German Shepherds are very intelligent and they learn fast. This makes training very easy. Many GSDs are play-motivated in addition to food-motivated, which makes it very easy to train new behaviors with a toy or ball as the reward. Timing is VERY important If you want to reward your puppy for doing the right thing, you must do it right after she exhibits the desired behavior. It is therefore extremely important to have your reward treat or ball ready in your pocket so you can give it to your pup immediately. Rule of thumb: Keep training sessions short After all, your puppy weeks old is still a young child at this age. She has a limited attention span and may get distracted easily. It is suggested that you train your puppy the same trick several times a day, repeating times in each session, preferably minutes each time even shorter sessions puppies. Your pup will quickly learn what she needs to do to please you. Voice Always praise your puppy with a lively and happy voice when she does something right. Treats Treats are essential when it comes to training a dog. It works especially well with food-motivated puppies. Playing or Petting If your dog is not food-motivated, you can reward them with their favorite toy or petting as an alternative. When you first started, you may need to try on different treats based to see which one your pup likes. The treats should be in bite-size and easy for your pup to chew. Cheese cubes, cooked chicken, or small bread cubes are quite popular with young puppies. To further motivate your pup, you may also like to have different kinds of treats in one training session. This will keep your puppy looking for more. What to Expect? Not only will these training sessions prepare your puppy to exhibit the desired manner, you will also take advantage of the time spent bonding with her. The more you practice with your puppy, the better and faster your puppy will learn. There will be accidents and at times your puppy may just turn around from you. After all, she is only a baby, you need to give her love and patience. Are you ready? Table of Content.