new french bulldog puppy

We have answers. The average cost of San Francisco Bulldog puppies for sale depends on a range of different factors, including coat color, breeder experience, and more. Fortunately, when you use Uptown to help find your Bulldog for sale San Francisco, you'll see a great range of competitive and fair prices from proven, trusted breeders and businesses. What if there are no Bulldog breeders near me? No worries! When we connect you with a vetted business or breeder in the Uptown network, your selected breeder will be able to make travel arrangements for your new pup, flying it over to any major airport of your choosing in the Lower .So even if you can't any pups from local Bulldog breeders in San Francisco, your dream dog is still never too far away. How do you screen Bulldog breeders? Well, the simple truth is that we only want to connect our customers to the very best providers of Bulldogs for sale in San Francisco. Check out our in-depth Breeder Pledge to learn more about the high standards we aim to uphold. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other networks with Bulldog puppies for sale? You've got a lot of options when looking for a San Francisco Bulldog puppy for sale, but the truth is that there are some amazing breeders out there, along with plenty of bad ones. Sadly, a lot of breeders and businesses are only interested in profits, and their puppies pay the price. Uptown has created a haven for the most ethical breeders to succeed, a place where finding a happy and healthy Bulldog San Francisco couldn't be easier. What is a puppy mill like? In simple terms, Puppy mills are essentially like factories where dogs are forced to produce litter after litter, and the owners only care about profits, rather than the well-being of their pups. Bulldog puppies for sale San Francisco from mills are often very sickly due to their mistreatment, with some even suffering life-threatening issues that require thousands of dollars of vet treatment. Are there any Bulldog puppies for sale right now? The Bulldog is a very popular breed in the United States, so the chances are always in your favor that your perfect pup is out there waiting for you right now. There are many litters being born all the time and we're here to help you connect with trusted providers of Bulldog puppies San Francisco. Begin your search today and find your perfect Bulldog for sale San Francisco. What kind of dog is a Bulldog? English Bulldogs were first bred mostly for use in cattle-driving, as well as for use in a violent sport called bull-baiting. Their strong and stocky nature helped the breed succeed in these roles, but over time, with bull-baiting being outlawed and more effective breeds used for cattle-driving, Bulldogs began to be kept more commonly as family pets. These days, a typical San Francisco Bulldog for sale will be more than happy curled up on your couch or playing with the kids. How big does a Bulldog get? What is Bulldog temperament like? Bulldogs are medium-sized dogs that are instantly recognizable with their broad chests and stocky bodies. Even though they can seem quite big, Bulldog puppies in San Francisco are a good choice for apartment-dwellers due to their low exercise requirements. In terms of temperament, Bulldogs are quite passive, docile, and very friendly too. Are Bulldogs suitable for apartment life? If you live in an apartment and would like to find a dog that can thrive in that kind of smaller space, a Bulldog for sale in San Francisco could be a terrific choice for you. Bulldogs are relatively big dogs, but they have low energy needs, so they don't need big backyards to run around in. Just be sure to take your pup out for regular walks so it doesn't gain too much weight. Looking for a low-shedding pup due to allergy issues in the home? San Francisco Bulldogs for sale might not be the best option. Bulldogs, like a lot of other breeds, do shed some hair throughout the year. They don't shed anywhere near as much as other breeds and have shorthaired coats, but still aren't recommended for severe allergy sufferers. He loves to be sleeping on top of his person, belly rubs and tummy scratches. He enjoys riding in the car and has good manners doing so. He also is crate trained and will sleep well in the crate at night. He will be best suited in a household with no other dogs as he enjoys being "the man of the house. Rufus will need a strong grip on his lead while on leash as he is powerful, a bit willful, and curious, and he is still working on his leash etiquette. He can be lazy, but also ready to roll! Rufus is a very sweet and sometimes silly dog, and will be happy to be a cuddly couch buddy and walking buddy for a lucky person or family! Come check out this handsome chunk of love! A note from his foster: "Rufus is the best pup. His favorite thing to do is cuddle on the couch with his people he makes a great little spoon! He is incredibly sweet, loves belly rubs, and very goofy! He loves food and is incredibly smart. He learns commands quickly, and already knows Sit, Crate runs to his crate , Stay, and Wait. We are working on 'Down' - Rufus always rolls over, which makes us laugh. We're working on leash walking - a front harness helps! Rufus is such a good boy, and deserves the best home where he is showered with as much love as he gives. Rufus' favorite activity is cuddling on the couch with his humans. Rufus is starting to enjoy toys. He is an excellent napper. He loves walks, though doesn't love his harness. He is fine when its on, and is easy to handle so can easily put it on him.

Thus, it will do good for both you and your pet. First, however, you must pick your future pet to adopt from a good rescue. Rescue should have active and preventative programs to reduce animal killing. The Rescue or Shelter must have an aggressive public education about overpopulation. Further, they should exert efforts to apply differential licensing. Thus, a good rescue should comply by neutering all animals before going to their new homes. All these should always direct towards the well-being of the animals. A clean and comfortable place means the animals are also well-cared. Further, it echoes a skilled, compassionate, and good hygiene and healthcare program. How do I pick a good rescue Golden Retriever? Thus, you may want to do the following in choosing a good Golden Retriever. Observe the dog Most shelters have an observation room for you to do this. If it has none, just do your best to find some quiet place. As soon as the dog gets comfortable, you may start observing. The Golden Retriever should be friendly. It should come at you with no hesitation, sniff you, or even jump for attention. If you see it exhibits exciting behavior, like tail wagging, it means it wants you to pet him. Thus, you need to give it different tones and noise, especially with your voice. Touch the dog with caution Shelter or rescue dogs are usually under stress. Thus, you always need to be cautious when touching it. You may also see how it reacts when you touch it. A Golden Retriever likes getting touched or petted. Thus, if you cautiously touch it and begs for more, it can be a good sign for you. Other things you can note would be tail-wagging and endless sniffing and licking. Play with the dog Since Golden Retrievers are playful by nature, you should also play with the dog. Moreover, you need to take note of how well it interacts as it plays. Golden Retrievers are born to play. Thus, it should get excited upon seeing a ball or any other toys. At other times, excitement means circling and moving enthusiastically. Walk with the dog Golden Retrievers like to walk, so you may want to test that out as well. Observe how it reacts when on a leash or when it sees other dogs, people, or anything on the road. A good Golden Retriever does well with walking. So anything it sees around, like cars, bikes, or even other people and animals, would draw its attention. Let the dog interact with other dogs or animals. It may or may not be possible, but you may ask to observe how the dog interacts with other animals. It will also be necessary if you have other pets at home. Golden Retrievers play and interact well with other pets. Thus, if you have a pet at home, it would be great to take it to the shelter and allow it to play with the dog. Summary If you live in New York, you will have numerous alternatives to explore, owing to a large number of Golden Retriever shelters in the area. As a result, if you contemplate adoption, you will not have a difficult time finding your pet. As always, if you want to adopt a pet, you will need to put in a lot of time and work. Other States. 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 New York 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 New York? 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 New York? 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. History Where are Golden Retrievers from? One of the best documented and most fortuitous efforts to produce a breed resulted in the Golden Retriever. The man responsible for the breed was Lord Tweedmouth, who lived just north of the Scottish border along the Tweed River. How big do Golden Retrievers get? Goldens can reach a weight of 55 — 75 lbs, and a height between .A Golden Retriever has a dense, straight or wavy outer water-repellent coat, which sheds heavily twice annually and lightly throughout the year. Groom a Golden Retriever weekly to maintain the double coat and control shedding. What are the Golden Retriever colors? The breed was first considered to be a yellow variety of Flat-Coated Retrievers but was recognized as a separate breed, the Yellow or Golden Retriever, in .What makes the Golden Retriever dog so popular? The breed was valued for the hunting abilities so ably produced by the careful blending of foundation stock, and only later became popular as a pet. How long do Golden Retrievers live? Golden Retrievers have a lifespan of 10—13 years. What are some Golden Retriever facts and information? Facts Golden Retrievers are best known to: Push through heavy vegetation. We are a c 3 nonprofit relying on donations , supporters , fundraising, and event and retail proceeds for funding to provide top-quality care to all DVGRR dogs. Learn more about our Golden Gateway campus and watch our campus tour video. Watch our video to take a quick tour. Click to learn more. Our mission is simple: Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue provides new beginnings for displaced Golden Retrievers, and other golden-hearted dogs, along with a full array of adoptive and educational support for the adopters and broader community. If you are interested in adopting, please attend one of our Monthly Open House: Meet the Dogs, Tour, and Shop events, held every second Saturday of the month from 10am until 12pm. Plus, we always need event sponsors. Learn more, click here! All dogs must remain on lead during the event; no flexis. We ask that each dog be handled by one human. Click here for all the details! Details are coming! Help us cover the costs of renovations! Click here for details! Kennel Caregivers — Dedicated, responsible, hard-working, compassionate individuals. Must be 17 years or older. Click here to learn more and apply.

Life Span Did You Know? The loving and gentle English Bulldog is one of the most well-liked companion dog breeds around the world. A breed of English origins, the Bulldog was first recognized as a non-sporting dog by the American Kennel Club in .The original use of this breed was Bull baiting, which was eventually outlawed with the establishment of the Cruelty to Animals Act of .This legislative act made the act of Bull and Bear baiting both illegal. The current role most suitable for the English Bulldog would be as a companion or family pet, given their sweet demeanor. The English Bulldog is relatively easy to train but definitely takes some work for more complicated commands. If you are looking for a breed to sit, stay, and play dead for treats, this is the breed for you. While they may not be the sharpest tool in the shed compared to some of the other highly intelligent breeds, they are easy going and apt to please their owner. Training this breed will be accomplished with less difficulty if you make the training reward based. Can you say Sweetheart? While this dog breed makes an above average watchdog because of their courage, this breed is a loving companion at heart. The Bulldog is excellent with kids when socialized and should be very agreeable with guests of the house. The English Bulldog breed as a whole is heralded as one of the most well liked companion breeds in the world. The Bulldog should do well with other family pets as long as properly introduced and socialized. They need to be socialized early and often to curb any negative feelings towards strange dogs. This breed is generally agreeable to most environments. Although they easily adapt to a noisy and chaotic household, they are not very tolerant of extreme weather, whether it be hot or cold. Although they are well liked and very popular, one must be aware of the potential health pitfalls with this breed. Some of the potential issues you can see with the English Bulldog is Cherry Eye, Entropion, or dysplasia. This breed also has a high risk for weight gain, so this should be monitored. An average Bulldog life span is between 8 and 12 years. You do not need to be a professional dog trainer to own an English Bulldog. They are good for most novice owners because they are passive by nature. The English Bulldog is an average shedder, so brushing him twice a week with a firm brush will be a good idea. Also, they can have a tendency to drool, so making sure you wipe their face off everyday can help ensure they do not suffer irritation on their faces and between their wrinkles. Because of the amount of wrinkles they have, it is recommended that you clean between the wrinkles fairly often to avoid irritations. The English Bulldog is a generally low energy breed. They do not require a lot of exercise, but when they do play, they play hard! Because they can be intense when they do have an energy burst, an owner must be aware of overexertion. They can be very playful, but do tend to tire out quickly. The English Bulldog is a short, stocky breed that should weigh between pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren G. Harding both owned English Bulldogs. Featured English Bulldog Article. At BigBullDogs. We offer the best service for purchasing the perfect bulldog puppies, and we have quality studs that have set us apart as the top breeders for bulldogs. Whatever it is that you need regarding these beautiful bullies, this is the right place for you. Here are the varieties we have; What You Need to Know About English Bulldogs English Bulldogs are very distinct from the other breeds of bulldogs and are the more prevalent breed. These sturdy, muscular dogs have a cute waddle walk that directly results from their short, stubby legs. The English bulldog also has a flat-looking face, dark and low set eyes, massive and broad jaws, and fleshy cheeks and lips that give it that signature pouty and droopy look. Its short neck, thick shoulders, and barrelled chest, slightly arched back make it one breed that you can easily identify anywhere. Our standard Male English bulldogs are inches and weigh an average of 50 pounds, while the Female English bulldogs weigh about 40 pounds. All our English bulldogs have the finest textured coats and healthiest skin with a variety of colour patterns. Whether you pick a male English bulldog or female English bulldog from us, you can be assured of their wonderful demeanor and gentle disposition. The AKC recognizes over dog breeds and rated the Bulldog as 2 for the best family dog breed. They are incredible family dogs but not the best watch dogs these days. The last nine decades of domestication has turned them into couch potatoes, considerably different from their original genetic breeding that made them perfect for Bull Baiting. Nevertheless they are fantastic at lying on the couch and giving you the stink eye when you disturb their rest. Quick Guide to French Bulldogs French bulldogs were named for their origin story, which says that they were a breed of English toy bulldogs and several unidentified dog breeds. They have distinct features that make them stand out against their English counterparts, such as their pointy, bat ears. French bulldogs are small, cute dogs that are very playful and perfect for being a home pet. Regardless of whether you pick the male french bulldogs or the female French bulldogs , you get a pet that is calm, attentive, attention-loving, and a partner to you and your kids. The male french bulldog is an estimated 12 inches in height and 25 pounds in weight. On the other hand, the female french bulldog is about 11 inches and 20 pounds. The male french bulldogs are usually a bit more muscular than females and have larger heads. However both are equally affectionate and super family oriented. Not to be outdone by their British Bulldog cousin, the female french bulldogs also made the Top 10 Best Family Dog breeds list in .Looking to Adopt Bulldogs? Our website is dedicated to connecting you with reputable English Bulldog breeders across the USA, ensuring that you bring home a healthy and happy furry companion without breaking the bank. Finding the perfect English Bulldog puppy at an affordable price can be a challenging task. However, our platform simplifies the process by curating a list of trusted English Bulldog breeders who offer these delightful companions at budget-friendly rates. We understand that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy and companionship that a lovable English Bulldog can bring to their lives. History of English bulldog puppies Cheap near you! The national dog of England, their strong heads, loose skin and short legs give them a very distinctive, amusing appearance. Bulldogs are generally gentle, affectionate dogs that love to be around their families. They are excellent with children and have a medium-low activity level that makes them great for apartment or city living. These loveable dogs are loyal to a fault and are sure to make you smile. English Bulldogs are calm, non-sporting dogs with a sourmug face that love to chew and play tug-of-war. British Bulldogs rarely bark but snore, snort, wheeze, grunt, and snuffle instead. Bulldogs are a people-oriented, loyal and devoted watchdogs that love to nap by your side. Temperament of english bulldogs Temperament is a crucial factor to consider when bringing a new furry friend into your life. English Bulldogs are known for their gentle, friendly, and affectionate nature. They make excellent companions and are particularly good with children, making them a fantastic choice for families. Despite their somewhat serious expression, they have a fun-loving and playful side that will bring joy to your everyday life. This Bulldog puppy is a very social and sweet baby girl who loves everyone she meets! She is raised with children that play with her daily. This gal will steal your heart the second you look into those puppy eyes and when she gives you one of her famous puppy kisses. She will make a fantastic addition to any family. This puppy is AKC registered, vet checked, vaccinated, wormed and comes with a 1 year genetic health guarantee. Her momma is Kayla. This puppy is anxious to meet her new family and begin her life of adventure with you! Call now!

Be mindful of the first few days The next thing would be to prepare yourself for the next few days. Remember, all young dogs form a bond with their family and a previous owner. Thus, separating a two-month-old Frenchie can be stressful not only to you but primarily to your pet. Whatever the breed, they still pack animals, meaning they need their parents to survive in the first few months. The separation from their parents can mean danger. Thus, it would be best to prepare yourself for nights of whining, howling, squealing, and restlessness. The first few nights might be truly tough. Still, try your best to hold on and put the puppy in a place where it will not feel alone. It would also be best if you make a schedule with your family for the first few days. You can decide who among your family will play with the puppy. Giving the pup plenty of attention will relieve the separation anxiety and make the housebreaking process much more efficient. Make the ride home comfy If you took your Frenchie home through a car ride, it would be best to make it as comfortable as possible. In short, it would be best to have someone to accompany your pet instead of leaving it in a crate or alone in the backseat. Getting a health check If possible, it would be best to have your vet examine the puppy while still with the breeder. This way, you can make sure the pup is healthy. For this reason, always make sure you remember and follow all instructions. This way, you can take care of your pet easier. Choosing a Good French Bulldog Seller and Breeder While all French Bulldog pups are excellent pets, you can still go wrong if you choose the wrong breeder. If you want the best care and support for your pup, you also need to find a reputable breeder. In general, you can take these things as your guide in finding the right breeder: A reputable breeder will show all paperwork A reputable breeder would be proud to show all the paperwork it has for your pup. It includes the pedigree and health clearances. Thus, it will ask all kinds of questions. Thus, it breeds pups but not much and lets the parents rest and not mate all the time. A reputable breeder will provide you with feedback from other customers A reputable breeder would be proud to show the feedback and experiences of other customers. In fact, he or she will even show a connection to other breeders and vets. A reputable breeder would show his or her breeding experience. A reputable breeder would show the dogs in recognized confirmation shows. Further, he or she should have strong connections with other breeders. A reputable breeder only breeds a single type A reputable breeder shows its expertise if they focus only on a single breed and not multiple ones. Other states. Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water. Questions about French Bulldog puppies for sale in Connecticut? We have answers. How does French Bulldog puppies for sale in Connecticut work? The price of French Bulldog puppies largely depends on its color, coat, and pedigree. However, expect puppies from more experienced breeders to be more expensive in general. What kind of dog is a French Bulldog? Perhaps the most defining feature of the French Bulldog is its bat-like ears. A descendant of the English Bulldog and another smaller dog breed from France, the Frenchie is essentially a sweeter and smaller version of its cousin. The breed was created to the ultimate lapdog to socialites of the time. Today, the Frenchie enjoys the same popularity. Why do Connecticut French Bulldogs have such a high price tag? French Bulldogs are special for many reasons. Anatomically, they have very narrow hips which makes conception and birth impossible without any assistance. Because of the medical attention needed during breeding, the French Bulldog sells at a high price. The good thing though is that what you spend is always worth it. Will I be matched only with French Bulldog breeders in Connecticut? You are more than welcome to search the entire Uptown Puppies network to find the right French Bulldog puppy for you -- our network covers 48 states except Alaska and Hawaii! Most breeders and businesses in the Uptown network are experienced in shipping puppies to their new home, even when it means flying to another state. How do you screen French Bulldog breeders in Connecticut? Prospective breeders and businesses are scrutinized by Uptown to ensure that no puppy mills enter the network. Businesses who make it are made to take our Breeder Pledge, which is a legally binding agreement that holds the breeder accountable to uphold high breeding standards. How is Uptown different from other places with French Bulldogs in Connecticut? Finding a French Bulldog may be easy to do online. However, finding a perfectly healthy Frenchie is more tricky, no thanks to inexperienced breeders and puppy mills. Uptown makes finding healthy puppies easy by connecting you only with ethical breeders and businesses that we are sure of. What is a puppy mill like for French Bulldog puppies in Connecticut? These places often produce sickly puppies that either die early or require expensive treatment for the rest of its life. Some puppies also develop behavioral issues that can cause owners heartbreak at some point. Are there any French Bulldog puppies in Connecticut right now? Our job is to connect loving families with responsible breeders. Uptown Puppies can help you find the perfect Frenchie puppy in Connecticut today! Feel free to search according to area, price range, pedigree and more.

Get to know the Golden Retriever When we think of the quintessential family dog, the Golden Retriever comes to mind. But did you know that these pups started out as working dogs? Adorable pure Golden Retriever dog Goldens were bred as waterfowl retrievers in 19th century Scotland. Their ability to serve alongside hunters was matched only by their mild, obedient disposition. Who knew this spunky breed had such a celebrated past? What do Golden Chis look like? Combining an itsy-bitsy, toy-sized pooch with a larger-than-life retriever is bound to come with its fair share of surprises. If your Golden Chi Retriever comes from an apple head Chihuahua, they may have a rounded skull with a pointed snout. Deer head Chihuahuas , on the other hand, could give your Golden Chi pup a longer muzzle and softer features. They often have floppy, fuzzy, Instagram-worthy ears that are usually light and dark golden. They almost always have thick fur, thanks to the Golden Retriever. But their coats will be even longer and denser if they come from a long-haired Chihuahua. Technically, Golden Chis can be golden, red, black, white, fawn, cream, or chocolate. How big is a full-grown Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix? Most Chihuahua Golden Retrievers will reach a middle-of-the-road weight by adulthood, around 15 to 30 pounds 7 to 14 kg. Goldens have a height of 21 to 24 inches 53 to 61 cm , while Chihuahuas are only 6 to 9 inches 15 to 23 cm at the shoulder. Their hybrid offspring will be somewhere within the range of 9 to 24 inches 23 to 61 cm. As a small-sized breed, the Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix will feel perfectly at home in apartments, but be sure to give them plenty of on-leash outdoor exercise. Are Golden Chihuahua mixes good or dangerous dogs? You want to get ahead of any potential problem behaviors. Chihuahuas, for example, can be territorial. Make sure your Golden Chi puppy learns how to share and respect your leadership from a young age. All is not lost, however. Speaking of homes with tiny tots, stay close by when the kiddos interact with your Golden Chihuahua. Your odds of keeping the peace go up exponentially is when you socialize your Golden Chi early and often. Take them to puppy kindergarten and doggie daycare to reinforce good manners and proper boundaries. You also want to observe your puppy and their parents before buying. Even at just a few weeks old, puppies can give you glimpses into their personalities. If you have kids or fur babies now or plan to in the future , look for a Golden Chihuahua that readily romps with its littermates. How often should you groom your Golden Chi? Golden Chihuahuas are nowhere near as high-maintenance as purebred Golden Retrievers. Between their smaller stature and shorter coats, Chihuahua Golden Retriever crosses can do without daily brushing. Although they shed all-year-round, expect heavier shedding when the seasons change. Brushing your Golden Chi once or twice a week should keep loose hair, mats, and tangles at bay. Keep an eye out for the telltale signs of irritation and infection: redness and an unpleasant odor. Dental hygiene is another non-negotiable. Golden Chis with narrow jaws are at greater risk of overcrowded teeth, contributing to plaque buildup and tooth decay. Your Golden Chi will likely stage a resistance whenever the grooming kit comes out. Over time, grooming will feel less and less scary for your pup. Be patient, and remember that the trials and triumphs of beautifying our canines are part of the experience! Exercise: how much do Golden Chis need? Purebred Goldens require at least 2 hours of exercise a day, while Chihuahuas only need about minutes. Your Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix will fall somewhere between those two extremes, depending on their energy level and physical stature. While your Golden Chi is still a puppy, pepper their day with brief walks and short play sessions at regular intervals. Once Fido reaches his mature size, you can ramp up the amount of time you exercise him but reduce the frequency. For example, you might switch minute walks around the block for a light minute jog at the dog park. You can go a little below or above this range if that suits your pup. They can help you find the caloric sweet spot for your particular pooch. Health: How long do Golden Chis live? Chihuahua Golden Retriever mixes have plenty of life ahead of them. The average lifespan for this hybrid is 11 to 15 years! Purebred Golden Retrievers are prone to both cancer and hip dysplasia. Dental issues are rampant among Chihuahuas and their hybrid relatives. Their small jaws leave them vulnerable to cavities, crowded teeth, and tooth loss. Many Golden Chis luck out and inherit only the healthiest genes from their parents. To be on the safe side, exclusively shop with breeders who can provide health certificates. You want a well-cared-for canine that comes from good stock. Where to buy a Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix puppy? The size disparity between its parents makes the breeding process cumbersome and costly. For this reason, this crossbreed is far more challenging to find than other designers Chihuahua or Golden Retriever mixes. Not every breeder wants to deal with the hassle and expense. And those who do expect to be fairly compensated. Be wary of any kennels or breeders with dirt-cheap puppies. The last thing you want is to commit your time, money, and heart to a pup from a bad breeder. Be on high alert with any sellers that seem reluctant to let you visit their facility. Trustworthy breeders should have no problem with an in-person visit. Many will go so far as to require a face-to-face meeting with potential customers. Vet-certified proof of genetic testing is another must-have. Believe it or not, a lot of mixed breeds end up in shelters for different reasons. Try to check with rescues near you once a week or so. We spoke with Nico from Irvine, CA to find out more about this rare breed. His pups name is Olive. She loves to be near me and relax all day but is also a great companion for hiking and running. She is very loving and gets along with other dogs really well when playing. Some things to watch out for are: High energy Potential to be loud and snappy Stubborn streaks This breed is not easy to come by. How Are Golden-Chis Bred? One of the biggest things to know about golden retriever chihuahua mix pups is that they cannot be naturally bred; breeders of this unique mix rely on artificial insemination. In this case, the mother will always be the golden retriever, who receives the sperm from a chihuahua father. Because of the difficulty breeding this combination it will be hard to locate a breeder. Before you adopt or buy any pup, be sure to do your research and choose a reputable breeder! The best ones often have waiting lists, and they carefully breed their pooches to be the best and the healthiest. To get the most of your new golden retriever mixed with a chihuahua, look out for the signs of a good breeder before you buy. One of the best ways to learn more about a breed is to ask owners, and there are plenty of awesome golden chi parents all over the world! Many of them happen to run social media accounts for their dogs, which you can follow and check out to learn more about the breed! Here are some of our favorite golden retriever chihuahua mix pups on the internet: 1. Hermes As a Los Angeles resident, Hermes knows when to be wild and when to play it cool. This awesome pup loves to explore just as much as he loves to kick back and snuggle! Image Source: Hermesthegoldenchi 2. This little pup is the perfect example of a long-haired golden chi, and he loves to play. Image Source: loganpaws 3. This gorgeous pup is known for her silly antics, and she loves to explore with her mom! Image Source oliveacrosstheuniverse 4. Oskar Originally from Tenerife, this chihuahua-faced pup now enjoys a luxurious life in Germany. What is the best food for your dog? The three foods that are super healthy and that almost every dog loves, even the pickiest dogs, are: 1. There are a number of fresh frozen dog foods available on the market and I tested them all. You can see the fresh frozen food test here. Golden-Chi Origins The Chihuahua Chihuahuas are among the tiniest of breeds, but what they lack in size, they more than make up for in temperament. This loyal companion is zealous, fearless and always down for an adventure. Even though these dogs can be clingy and bark at seemingly random intervals, these pups consistently strive to please their owners, The Golden Retriever The Golden Retriever is by far one of the most delightful breeds you will ever come across! They are loyal, friendly and easy to train, making them an ideal addition to any family. With a striking golden coat and an eager-to-please attitude, there's no mistaking this breed for any other. As such, they make popular choices in many households. Not only do they get along easily with people, but also with other dogs, cats and children too. Highly intelligent and incredibly sociable, these dogs require regular exercise and human interaction. The Golden Chi The Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix is one of the strangest combinations of two completely different breeds out there. Even though the origin of this mix remains a mystery, both purebreds that the pup came from are fairly popular and it's easy to understand why! Because of their significant size difference, Chihuahuas and Golden Retrievers can't mate naturally - instead, it requires highly controlled artificial insemination for a successful result. The Golden Chi is not recognized by the A. Golden Chi Appearance Golden Retrievers and Chihuahuas offer a stark contrast in size, weight, and appearance, with the former being one of the largest and the latter being one of the smallest pedigree dogs. While Golden Retrievers can weigh up to 75 pounds and reach heights of 25 inches when fully grown, Chihuahuas usually stay within a pound range and max out at about 9 inches tall. These differences place them on opposite ends of the canine spectrum, yet both are incredibly affectionate animals who thrive when given human interaction and attention. A Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix is any dog owner's dream come true. The pup has a unique look, since it combines two different breeds that have vastly different characteristics. This delightful breed may have a range of physical characteristics due to the two distinct parent breeds combining DNA, from short and long coats to a wide range of colors and shades, but their personalities can be almost as unpredictable. Owning one of these animals could end up being a very unique experience that nobody else in your area has had yet! A post shared by Brittany Douglas brittany. Golden Retriever Chihuahua mixes have inherited the loyal nature of both parent breeds, so they tend to develop close friendships with other animals quickly and easily. However, some caution should be taken when introducing them to a new pet, as smaller animals may view the Golden Chi as too energetic or intimidating. With proper socialization though, these loving pups will be fast friends with any animal you bring into your home. As double-coated breeds, both Chihuahuas and Golden Retrievers require regular maintenance to keep their coats healthy and looking their best. Chihuahua Golden Retriever mixes are not hypoallergenic. Golden Chi Health Golden Retriever Chihuahua mixes typically have a lifespan of between 10 and 13 years. While Chihuahua Golden Retriever mixes may inherit some of their physical and behavioral traits from their parent breeds, they also inherit the same health issues. Dental issues Unfortunately, Golden Chis often suffer from dental issues due to genetics and their somewhat unfavorable size ratio. The larger teeth may not fit properly in the tiny mouth, making the teeth more susceptible to overcrowding and misalignment. While veterinary care at an early age is essential for providing preventative treatments for certain dental problems, owners should also be mindful of daily teeth-brushing instructions and feeding routine in order to ensure that their pup remains healthy. Osteosarcoma Golden Retriever Chihuahuas mixes are known to suffer from an aggressive form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma that has the potential to spread to other organs and drastically reduce life expectancy. It's an incredibly heartbreaking illness for any pet, and can occur at any age so it's important for owners of Golden Chis to be aware of the risk. However, with regular trips to the vet and proactive care, it's possible to identify and manage any issues early on. Hip dysplasia The condition is actually quite common in larger dogs, but also affects small breeds too, like the Chihuahua Golden Retriever mix. It occurs when the hip joint is malformed, making it difficult for them to move around or even walk. Unfortunately, there's no single thing that can prevent it from happening, so all owners must keep an eye out for symptoms such as stiffness after exercise or difficulty getting up to their feet. Grooming As a unique combination of two beloved breeds, the Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix comes with some very special grooming needs. To keep your Golden Chi's coat looking shiny, it is important to brush them at least once a week, including their legs and other areas that might be harder to reach. Bathing should also occur no more than once a month using a shampoo specifically designed for dogs. Additionally, regular checks for fleas and ticks are necessary as these pesky parasites love to set up shop on this double-coated pup! Training While the Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix provides loyalty and affection, unfortunately, it also includes some unwanted tendencies from the latter breed, such as being difficult to train. Despite their intelligence, proving stubbornness in this area tends to be a common problem. And while there are ways to work around this, it will take patience and consistency during training sessions for owners to get the desired results from their Golden-Chi. A post shared by Toffee Khawaja toffeethegoldenchi Feeding Feeding the perfect amount of food to a Golden Chihuahua mix can feel like a balancing act. Variables such as age, size and activity can throw off the ideal diet for your pup. Plus, even for purebred dogs, there is no cut-and-dry formula. However, you can achieve a good baseline with cups of dry food per day. Exercise Exercise is important for any pet, even more so for certain breeds. If you have a Golden Retriever Chihuahua mix, you'll need to determine which parent breed they most closely resemble when it comes to exercise requirements. Purebred Goldens usually need at least two hours of exercise per day while the tiny yet feisty Chihuahua requires just minutes. Male vs Female Golden Chi The differences between male and female Golden Retriever Chihuahua mixes may include the male being more aggressive and dominant. Also, depending on their parents' temperaments, female mixes can end up being aloof or overly clingy, while males tend to bond better with their humans. On the other hand, females can exhibit stronger loyalty and protectiveness for their humans than males. Well, a designer dog, quite simply, is the result when you breed two purebred dogs to create a new breed. What do you get when you mix a dog with one of the friendliest dispositions and is considered brilliant, loyal, and playful the Golden Retriever with a dog that is tiny in size but enormous in personality, sassy, and sometimes very stubborn the Chihuahua? A Golden Chi is a unique kind of dog! Well, sit back, and we will dive into their history, temperament, size, appearance, and more. Be prepared to fall in love with this relatively new designer dog, the Golden Chi. Therefore, it must be done through in vitro fertilization IVF or artificial insemination to create this dog breed. Since breeding is not typical, it can be difficult to find breeders. Do your research and make sure you find a reputable dog breeder — one that does it for the love of the animal and not the love of the dollar! Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix Temperament Having had several dogs throughout my life, I firmly believe your pet will take on the personality of its owner. My father got me a long-haired female Chihuahua when I was 18 months old. Now, Chihuahuas were not customarily considered good pets for children, particularly toddlers. However, this puppy was the most loving gentlest dog in the world. She was my watchdog, my playmate, and most of all, my best friend. We were inseparable, and she never growled or snapped at me. Even when I accidentally broke her leg when I was holding her and running with her in the snow. However, if my mother yelled at me, this dog would growl at my mother for disciplining me. A Golden Retriever is happiest when they are with people. The Golden Chi is sure to be loving and loyal as the Golden mother and sassy and bold as the Chihuahua father. Sometimes you will be butting heads with your adorable pup if it tries to be the alpha dog! It is essential right from the start to let this dog know you are the alpha dog, as it is with any breed of dog. Dogs, by nature, are pack animals, and they all want to be the leader, but we all know the dog cannot be the leader in the household! Chihuahuas can be territorial if left to their defenses and, like a toddler, might not like to share. So it can be with the Golden Chi, and you must make sure it knows the rules right from day one. If you are planning on getting a Golden Chi as a puppy and a family dog, especially if it will be around younger children, make sure you start training from the first day. Remember, you are the alpha dog, as well as the rest of the family. Your dog should learn to take commands from all family members. Golden Chis can be very confident and playful, and you and your family can relish in and be entertained by all their fun-living and playful antics. The Golden Retriever female, on average, is 55 to 65 pounds and 21—22 inches tall, while the average male Chihuahua is 2 to 6 pounds and about 9 inches tall. You can expect an average Golden Chi to be between 15 to 30 pounds and inches tall — a lovely small to a medium-sized dog! A Golden Chi dog will reach its full adult size, usually around a year to a year and a half old. The coloring of the Golden Chihuahua mix is usually tan or golden. However, they can also be red, chocolate, white, black, fawn, or cream. All thanks to genetics. They almost always have thick fur like the Golden Retriever. And if the father was a long-haired Chihuahua, you can expect your Golden Chi to have an even denser, thicker coat of fur! Since Golden Chis are considered small to medium breed depending on their height , they are generally regarded as suitable apartment or condo dogs. However, as with most puppies, you must ensure they get plenty of outdoor exercise. The last thing you want is a bored dog, which usually leads to destructive behavior. So please make sure your dog gets adequate exercise and training. Golden Retrievers shed A LOT emitting many fibers of joy and love in addition to hair and require regular brushing and grooming. Golden chis require less brushing. While they do shed, you can get away with weekly hair brushings. It may be worthwhile to invest in a robot vacuum cleaner to keep up with any fur that they leave inside. Dental care of the Golden Chi is a different story, however. Because of the shape of their mouth, their teeth can be overcrowded, leading to plaque buildup. It is recommended to brush their teeth at least every other day. Now, remember, this breed is part Chihuahua. And Chihuahuas are known for their stubbornness. It is best to start brushing and touching their mouth at an early age. It is in your best interest to start early and often with brushing their teeth! Another challenging but necessary grooming item is nail care. Most dogs do not like getting their nails trimmed. Again, it is vital to start this at a young age, do it regularly, and make it a game. This is easier if it is done with two people — one to do the trimming and the other to do the distracting and entertaining. At a minimum, it should be done every three to four weeks. But you can tell if it needs to be done more often. When their nails feel like actual nails being hammered into your body parts, that is a sure sign that nail trimming needs to be done! It is pretty safe to say your Golden Chi will require regular daily exercise. Remember I mentioned before you do not want to have a bored dog. A bored dog is a destructive dog. A well-exercised dog leads to a happy dog and delighted dog parents! Goldens require at least two hours of daily exercise, and Chihuahuas need about 30 minutes. On average, expect your Golden Chi to require between 30 and minutes of daily exercise. A puppy chi does better with several minute exercise periods, while a mature adult chi would do fine with two minute exercise intervals. Remember, a tired dog from exercise and play is not a bored dog, and an exercised dog is a happy dog with happy parents! And speaking of exercising your Golden Chi, it is essential to socialize your Golden Chi as it is with any dog. Just remember, as I said in the beginning, I am a firm believer that a pet takes on the characteristics of its owner. So, if you are very social, your dog probably will be as well, no matter the breed. But keep in mind socialization is crucial for any dog. Introduce them to strangers, young and old, at an early age. Ensure your dog knows not to snap or snarl at someone they do not know. It is sometimes beneficial to introduce your dog to doggy daycare to learn to interact with other people and dogs. If your Golden Chi is in a household with young children, never leave a child with the dog unattended, no matter the breed. A child must learn to respect the dog, and the dog will appreciate the child. If you plan to have children sometime in the future, you should schedule times when your chi puppy can get used to youngsters. Several things must be taken into consideration. For example, is your Golden Chi closer to the lower end of nine inches tall or the higher end of twenty-four inches tall? Younger chis need more food than older ones, and more active dogs need more food than less active ones. Do they get a lot of treats throughout the day? More treats equal less food. So be careful with how many treats they get. On average, you should give your pup between one and two cups of nutritious kibble daily, ideally divided up between two feedings. As they mature, they may prefer only to eat once a day, but in the puppy stage, it is essential to eat twice a day. Treats are essential during training, but treats should happen less often once trained. If ever in doubt whether you are feeding your dog enough, consult your vet. Most vets look for a belly that is smaller than their chest, and you may be feeding them too much if they start to lose that clear indentation. Responsible pet owners take their dogs to the vet regularly, and your vet will let you know if your Golden Chi is at a good weight. Is a Golden Retriever Chihuahua Mix right for you? There is not much difference between a female or a male chi, and no two chis are ever precisely the same, but they share some of the best and most challenging characteristics of both breeds. Some of their best characteristics are that they are intelligent yet sassy, trainable, generally have good health, low to moderate maintenance, and make good family dogs. Some of the challenges you might encounter are that they are not easy to come by; therefore, they tend to be quite expensive. They can be high-energy dogs, so they must get regular exercise. They can be stubborn, yappy, and can be snappy if not put in their place at an early age, so they must be trained right from the beginning. The Golden Chi is a designer dog breed you did not know you wanted. Once you look into their eyes, they become irresistible. So, buyer, beware. Do your research, and make sure this breed is the breed for you. They are captivating, lovable, loyal, and deserve the best. If you cannot accommodate their needs, they can become a giant, costly mistake, and they do not deserve this. However, if this breed is an excellent match for you, they can be one of the best pets you will ever have in your life! Golden Chis can be very loyal companions. Love and train them well, and you will reap the rewards of this unique breed! Other Golden Retrievers Mixes. Golden Retrievers and Chihuahuas cannot breed naturally. The process of creating the Golden Chi hybrid breed is complex and expensive, so while this breed is still relatively uncommon and not highly sought after, puppies are expensive. Choosing this type of breed means that you will have to do a lot of research, not only to ensure that the breed matches your lifestyle and requirements but to find a reputable breeder. The cost of the puppies means that you may find some disreputable breeders passing other crossbreeds off as Golden Chi in a bid to make more money from their breeding. Because this breed is not purebred, they are not recognized by kennel clubs, nor are they recognized by hybrid kennel clubs. You will have to call breeders to locate one that is dealing with this breed. The rarity of the breed means that you are unlikely to find them in rescues or local shelters. If you do, ensure that you get as much history as possible, and meet the dog before you take him home with you. If you already have dogs, ensure that you introduce your existing dog to the Golden Chi before you take him home. They have an excellent sense of smell and they are keen tracking dogs. They love to swim, have plenty of energy, are intelligent and they like to please their humans. This combination means that they can be trained as service dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Although the Golden Chi is unlikely to follow the same path, primarily because of the difficulty in breeding the line, they do retain many of these beneficial properties. Your puppy could be a keen swimmer with lots of energy and a desire to please. A purebred typically weighs around 5 lbs and is 8 inches tall. Crossing it with the Golden Retriever means that the resulting hybrid will be around three times the size, weighing a minimum of 15 lbs and standing at least 20 inches off the ground. Instead, a veterinarian has to artificially inseminate a female Golden Retriever with the sperm of a male Chihuahua. The size of the resulting breed means that it cannot be inseminated into a female chihuahua. The parents of the Golden Chi. Left: Chihuahua, Right: Golden Retriever. Expect the breed to be approximately three times the size of the Chihuahua and half the size of the Golden Retriever. Are These Dogs Good for Families? The Golden Retriever is famed for being one of the best family companion pets. He is known to love people of all ages, will love to spend time playing with older children especially, and he will enjoy any time you give him outdoors. The Chihuahua, on the other hand, is not as well as suited to life with children. He can be a bit grumpy, and if your son or daughter does not yet know how to behave around dogs, it can lead to aggression from the Chihuahua breed. It is likely that your Golden Chi will fall somewhere between these two extremes. Expect it to take time for your puppy to befriend all family members and when they do, you can bet they will become an integral and loving member of the family. Similarly, whether your Golden Chi gets along with other dogs, cats, and other furry family members, will depend on whether it takes after the Retriever or the Chihuahua. He offers the perfect compromise between these two breeds, but he may not be suitable for all families and owners. Consider the following factors before welcoming one of this breed into your home. The exact amount you feed will depend on the age and size of your dog. Active dogs also require more food. You should measure the food and provide it over two meals during the day. If you use food or treats as a training aid, take this into account when calculating how much food to give. Exercise Expect to give your hybrid at least 45 minutes of exercise a day. Walks should be sufficient, although the breed may benefit from dog agility and other canine sports classes. Training Golden Chis usually adopt the loving nature of the Retriever but the stubbornness of the Chihuahua. Unfortunately, this stubbornness does tend to prevail when it comes to training. So, while you will have an intelligent hybrid breed on your hands, they can prove difficult to train. You should attend training classes because these give you the tools to further train your dog, and they also teach some of the basic commands. Early training is especially important if you want your Golden Chi to live with children. Socialization should also be considered important, otherwise, your Golden Chi could adopt the standoff nature of the Chihuahua parent breed. They have a lot of hair, and it does tend to shed profusely. It will shed but this will be less than you would experience from a purebred Retriever. Other than a weekly brush, you should only have to deal with regular maintenance. You will also have to brush their teeth three times a week. This is especially important because poor dental hygiene is an issue with smaller breeds like the Chihuahua. Health and Conditions. Long hair, brown nose, flowing long-haired tail. Are you looking for a way to treat your furry friend? Sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win a free month of Barkbox! Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to get emails from myk9life. We'll respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe any time. However, we can glean that it was probably the result of a recent crossbreed, likely sometime between the s and early s, when crossbreeding peaked in popularity in the United States. Major Marjoribanks was searching for a dog as a companion and a guardian of his luxury mansion. Thus, the first Golden Retriever litter was born. Golden Retrievers are fantastic dogs for just about anyone! Their friendly and loving nature makes them great family pets, though they may have a little too much energy for an elderly owner. The Golden Retriever was first bred in England in , as a result of a cross between a golden-colored street dog named Nous and a Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle. The popularity of crossbreeding in the United States began in the s, peaking in the s and early s. Though the exact date when Golden Retrievers began to be crossbred is unknown, we can safely assume that people began to cross Goldens with other dogs during this time. The Chihuahua begins in Mexico and is a descendant of the ancient Techichi dog, a mute dog that was kept as a pet by the Toltec people, an Aztec tribe. Despite their impish size, the Chihuahua remains a moderately popular pet among Americans, with the American Kennel Club putting their popularity ranking at 37th. Given their size, the Chihuahua is a great pet for elderly people, without the strength to control a larger animal. They were a result of crossbreeding of unknown origin in Mexico, beginning as descendants of the Techihi dog, an ancient breed belonging to the Toltec Peoples, an Aztec tribe. The crossbreeding history of the Chihuahua is almost unknown, though, given their small size, not many people tend to cross-breed them, as there are numerous physiological boundaries to doing so. Therefore, their cross-breeding history is somewhat spotty. Making sure that you get a temperament match for you, your family and your potential adoptee will only make things easier once the dog arrives. The Golden Chi adopts some of the temperaments of both of its parent breeds. Expect an active and sometimes hyperactive dog with a small frame but feisty nature. Though it is loving and loyal to its owners, it may be somewhat standoffish with strangers. Despite their stubborn nature, the Golden Chi should be relatively easy to train, with some time and patience. The Golden Chi is a little heavier than your average Chi, weighing between 15 and 30 pounds. Given that it has Golden Retriever genes and will likely be long-haired, you can expect a light to moderate amount of shedding throughout the year. A weekly brush will help mitigate this significantly. Despite being small, they are rather energetic dogs, requiring roughly 45 minutes of exercise per day. The average life of a Golden Chi is roughly years.

French Bulldog Whelping Ethical Kennel Learn the process behind how the breeding and pregnancy process works for French Bulldogs and their puppies. By: James Harrison Jul 22, Before you start breeding your French Bulldog you should educate yourself as much as possible. Do research on genetics, take courses, etc. If you are here, after an accidental breeding happened and you are low on time and knowledge, we will try to help you out as much as possible with this article. Keep reading. Before Birth French Bulldog pregnancy lasts from days. You will be able to confirm the pregnancy with an ultra-sound after 30 days. So make the appointment with your local vet as soon as possible. The price of the ultra sound and X-ray really depends from city to city. Right after you confirmed your French Bulldog is pregnant, switch her to a high quality puppy food. Puppy food contains more nutrients than the adult food, which are crucial for the development of the babies. Deworm your dam, so you prevent her from infecting the puppies at birth. Let your vet recommend a product that is safe for a pregnant dog. By the 6th week introduce smaller portions 3,4, maybe even 5 times per day. Her babies are growing and the amount of space in her belly is getting smaller by the day. This is also the time to get the whelping pen ready, and make sure she is used to it and feels comfortable in it, since she will spend a substantial amount of time there in the next few weeks. The amount of food should be gradually increasing until she whelps. The Labor After the 50th day you should start consistently measuring her rectal temperature. Every day, same time, keep notes. Other behavioral patterns will also give it away, like restlessness, nesting, panting, lack of appetite. Whelping Kit: Whelping box, located in a quiet part of the house. You can buy one online or build one yourself. A heating lamp or heating pad. They need to be kept warm at all times, but also need a space to crawl to if they get too warm. Digital thermometer. Make sure the room temperature or the whelping area temperature is above 80 degrees at all times. Hand sanitizer. And also to intervene with opening up the sacks if she is not doing it fast enough. You can warm them up in the drier and use them to dry up and warm up the puppy before placing them under the heating lamp. Suction bulb, you can order this one or get one from Walmart. This is very important. You will use it to suck any fluids out of the puppies lungs and nose. Puppy feeding bottles. Puppy feeding formula. We recommend using the GNC Goat milk one. A scale. You will be measuring their weight from birth on, every day, no excuses. You have to make sure all the puppies are gaining. Lots of blankets. You will be switching blankets several times per day. You have to keep the whelping box clean at all times. Baby wipes. There will be a lot of mess. Use gentle baby wipes to clean the pups up. Week 1 Weight the puppies and take their temperature daily. Feed them every 2 hours. It would be helpful if you have someone to assist you, or you will end up being a walking zombie. Puppies need to be fed every 2 hours for the first 10 days of their life. Make sure they are all pooping and peeing. If she refuses to do it, you will have to jump in. The pressure from the bloat can damage their internal organs. Take a syringe with 5ml of luke warm distilled water and slowly squirt it up their anus. Wait 30 seconds and start massaging with a warm cloth until they poop. Follow the instruction on the puppy formula. If you see milk coming out of their nose, use the sucking bulb to remove it. Around day 5 puppies front legs will be strong enough to start crawling towards their mothers teats. They can recognize and take a preference for a certain teat by the smell. You can start supplementing her with Raw Goat milk , to increase calcium intake after birth. Week 2 Puppies should be gaining weight daily. They are regulating their own temperature and also slowly opening their eyes and ears. They will be reacting to sounds and will start recognizing their mom, siblings and yourself. Start trimming puppy nails. I just use human trimmers at that point, since the nails are soft and tiny. I swear puppy nails are murder weapons. You may not be aware but almost all puppies are born with some kind of worms, usually transmitted from their mother. Repeat the process every week until 12 weeks of age. Week 3 At week 3 your French Bulldog puppies will start taking their first steps. They will now be able to use their hearing and vision for exploration. Make sure to remove any unwanted objects they could ingest or nibble on. The nursing process is going to become more and more uncomfortable for the mother and that is where the next big step comes in. Time to introduce the pups to food and water. Offer it several times per day. If your litter is big use a baking sheet and place the mush on it to make it easily accessible to all of them. They will still nurse, as much as the mother lets them. Week Puppies are actively exploring their surroundings and interacting with their siblings. Their senses are now fully developed. Interaction with their mother is still essential during this period; through play, she will start to guide them in how to behave appropriately. In short, the dam will communicate with them and teach them. You can introduce different types of stimulatio , from toys, to TV sounds, kids, unusual sounds, people picking them up and playing with them, etc. If socialization is poorly accomplished, this could create fear and inappropriate behavioral responses later in life. Week 6 In contrast to their earlier readiness to explore, around week puppies will begin to withdraw, appearing more reserved when faced with new and unfamiliar experiences. Puppies should continue to be offered as many stimulating socialization opportunities as possible, yet everything new must now be introduced with greater care. Failure to do so could make the puppies frightened, which is highly undesirable. If your child is handling puppies make sure they are informed and as gentle as possible, not just physically but also vocally. Week The mother now pays less attention to her young, allowing them to suckle less and less. This development in maternal behavior is quite normal. Nevertheless, the dam will continue in her role of teacher, deciding when and where to intervene and stop play. Week 8 is also the time to take a trip to the vets office for their overall vet check to make sure they are growing, healthy and parasite free. Puppies will receive their first set of vaccines. Your vet will be able to advise on the vaccination schedule to follow. Sometimes they need plenty of stimulation to get them going. Start by using the sucking bulb to make sure no liquid is preventing them from taking a breath. Cover their mouth and nose with your mouth and start performing CPR on the pup. Try pinching the puppy several times to get a response out of him. Do that for an hour. Our Experience, passion, and dedication for our french bulldog puppies speaks for itself. Each litter gets their own room away from everyone else in the house. It limits exposure to disease and keeps mom calm and relaxed. First we lay down vinyl flooring. Especially since we have carpet. Things get messy. Vinyl is easy to hose off and disinfect. Then we set everything else up. The metal pen is used to contain the whelping area to the space we want, keeping poop and pee off the carpet — usually implemented once pups are ready to start exploring. This heating pad has a hard shell, and specifically made for dogs. It never passes a temperature of .We like this pad because its easy to clean and near impossible to destroy. Puppy potty training pads may become your best friend and can cut out a lot of laundry time. Depending on the litter we will put pads ALL over the whelping box on top of the blankets. Acoustic Egg carton panels are great and important to put under blankets to keep the surface bumpy. This keeps pups from laying on flat surfaces, helps with building muscle strength, and preventing flat chest and swimmers syndrome. When we first come home we use our LPF Incubator or a plastic tote to keep them in halfway under the lamp with the thermostat cord hanging inside basically, an incubator. Around 2 weeks of age they start to fuss, needing more space and we let them roam free in the big box. This is helpful anyway so the puppies can smell where to go. Even though youre cleaning the turf, pheromones are still there that we may not smell. Using a turf mat also prevents disease mom may pick up in the yard. Mom has access to food and filtered water at all times in between feedings located outside of the pen. Make sure to have a thermostat in the room so you can monitor temps. Moms tend to have explosive diarrhea a few days after puppies are born. The tarp makes for easy clean up of the space. Of course, I have my closet full of extras. You might not want to get the best of the best like the ezwhelp whelping box. I used a kiddie pool for my first two litters. It looked really stupid, but it worked! Ok so now your room is set up! Your girl has been bred. You now have 63 days from ovulation to mentally prepare and get all the sleep you can. She may become picky with eating, grumpy, extra needy, morning sickness or just sick. Seared Salmon Between 28 and 35 days You can, if you like, have an ultrasound done on mom to confirm the litter. The vet may give you a guestimation. Take this lightly. Ultrasounds are fun and exciting but more often than not, counts are wrong. This past litter we were told 3, possibly 5. Elsa had 6 puppies! Vets can also see absorptions as well. Some girls go early, some go late. Keep in mind due date is a calculated but educated guess that is extremely accurate. Check for colostrum production. Get your car ready, throw some towels and puppy pads where mom will ride. Get your LPF Incubator or a bin ready for your pups with a blanket or towel in it. You can use a heating pad that connects to your car if you like, or the vet will give you some hot water bottles for travel. Discharge is totally normal Colostrum What is it? Milk drop takes a few days to come in. So initially pups will only be eating colostrum. The first few days of milk is called colostrum. This protects newborns from diseases and infection. This substance is made of fats, proteins, mucus, bile and cells the puppy ingested inside his mother. Normal Poop like the one to the right should be light brown or dark yellow and formed. Once her temp drops below 98 degrees, have her go to the bathroom, retake temp in 30 min to 1 hour. This usually takes about an hour sometimes 2 depending on how many clients are ahead of you but the process itself is usually pretty fast. The C-section itself plus waking mom and puppy exam took maybe 45 minutes start to finish. Things your vet should send you home with: The vet SHOULD give you: Pain medication 2 doses of oxytocin the love drug shot — aids in uterine contractions to push out any residual gunk, colostrum and milk productions, and bonding Antibiotics Dyne — Dyne is a high calorie goo. It stimulates appetite and helps pups to gain weight. This can be given every 2 hours at. Betadine — Betadine is an antiseptic that protects the umbilical cords from infection, which can cause serious problems if it happens. Instructions were every 8 hours for 3 days. Easy enough! Domperidone as needed for milk production During your drive keep pups warm and covered. Make sure mom is in a stable spot. Elsa likes to ride in the very back of my suv, its flat and she feels safe. When you get home: Carry mom inside or up any stairs. Support her belly with both arms to avoid ripping stitches. I usually carry mom with each arm behind the front and back legs like a fork lift. Bring in newborn puppies. Get mom settled in her pen and administer the 1st oxytocin shot. Mom will be woozy and funny; she may need to be held down to feed her puppies. This is ok. Work with one at a time in the beginning. Take it nice and slow. Be prepared to spend an hour or so just getting her acquainted. Never leave mom alone with the pups. It will take her hours for her to become comfortable. Be cautious about allowing mom to clean the puppies, especially within those first 72 hours. Let her sniff and lick. Mom may need to be given calcium but not always. Oxy momma is a great postnatal with all vital nutrients for recovering and nursing moms. Fenugreek can be given as lactation support. We do 3 pills a day until her breath smells like maple syrup and milk comes in. This could take a few days. You can only get domperidone from your vet. It takes at least 24 hours for the dom to kick in. If you notice a few days before her due date that the colostrum has not yet started to drop- consult with your veterinarian for options. Her second litter was a breeze. This time she ate puppy food by choice. Cottage cheese also boosts milk production. You can even make her Leerburg formula recipe below Settling in with French Bulldog puppies in the Whelping box. Enjoy it! You will need to feed the puppies every 2 hours for the first week or 2. Set alarms. Weigh your pups when you get home and x daily thereafter. This is normal. Keep everything clean! Change bedding and potty pads often throughout the day. Keep things disinfected. Never use chemicals around puppies and dogs. You may move them to a different room as needed to clean. Read the directions, contact time is important to kill bacteria and viruses. During each feeding Make sure to rotate nipples, put strong suckers on the overfilled ones and put smaller puppies on the nipples first and give them a little extra time. Be sure to burp the pups as they come off the nipple. Pups will need to be cleaned and stimulated. Stimulate using a baby wipe. This will allow pups to do their business. Mom is usually good at cleaning but may need help. Elsa will NOT clean poop, so I definitely had to help her with that. Keep butts especially clean. French Bulldogs tend to glue themselves shut with their tails. If this happens use a squirt bottle or warm water and a baby wipe to loosen and clean. If puppy butts become raw, use aquaphor or Neosporin to soothe tender bums. If mom goes outside to potty, make sure to wipe her paws off. Never use nipple towers on new born pups! We currently do not have a nipple tower. Never enlarge holes unless needed. A nipple on a bottle should never be dripping milk, even if it is slow. If you want to bottle feed with Leerburg because it is so thick, widen a hole but keep that nipple separated from the rest of your bottle feeding things. Noisy pups are unhappy pups. Between feedings they should be quiet. If you have a pup that shoots milk out his nose, sucker it out and listen to his breathing to make sure you got it all so nothing gets in the lungs. Pat the pup on the back to make sure its out. Never remove pup while its latched. Milk may be coming out of the nose, but if you disturb the latch, the pup will breath in the milk. You can sucker or wipe while pup is latched or wait until the pup is done feeding. Incubators and oxygen tanks or concentrators can be useful. We have used a nebulizer on a pup before with albuterol. At 2 weeks You can start to do feedings every 2. Nail cutting is easy at this point. Use human nail clippers to snip the talons. Eyes will start to open. However, uncommon, I had a litter start to open eyes at 3 days old. By 3 .Mom will still nurse, but get them used to the taste. We use boiled or purified water to adjust consistency. For feeding we use muffin tins. The muffin tin keeps them cleaner and separated. We still give them filtered water. By .They need to learn how to chew. At 6 weeks you can start to reduce liquid in the soaked food, drier and drier until around 7 weeks. Around 7 weeks we start to play around with hard food. We like to do this and just put a huge bowl of it out to eat as they want. Once they get used to it, we switch to unblended kibble and let them eat as they want. This checkup is usually between weeks of age, one week before they go home. You can do it, or the vet can do it for you. Make sure to bring fecals to test for worms and other things. Fecal testing throughout whelping can be useful. We use pill bottles bought of Amazon for fecal samples. Which we also put the bottles in a bag and label each bottle. French bulldog training starts early and slowly. We start with crate training and basic things like name recognition. This includes placing a crate in the whelping area with a nice fluffy bed. The door is left open so the pups can move freely in and out to get used to the space. You will notice your french bulldog puppy is like a sponge and will love to learn new things. On day 5 he had to have his eye opened due to an infection. Always keep terramycin on hand. Then on day 12 we had to take him to the er. We tried enemas, soaking his butt in warm water, cotton ball stimulation, karo syrup, baby gas drops. He also kept vomiting. His skin was pink and translucent, thin. It looked more delicate than a tissue. The er told us he had an ileus. Ileus is an obstruction of the intestine and causes poor to no gut motility. They wanted us to euthanize him, but we treated him with antibiotics and took him home to make him comfortable and continue to try. We used nebulizer treatments on him. After 5 days we took him back to our reproductive specialist vet. At 5 weeks old, while the other pups were on mush and soaked food, he could barely walk, was gasping for air, ears were set extremely low and far back, eyes bulging. I could barely get him to poop once every few days. Hydrocephalus — cons to whelping When we took him for his follow up, the doctor diagnosed him with hydrocephalus, an underdeveloped respiratory system, and was in severe pain to say the least, among other things that were surly and unknowingly wrong. That was the last time we saw that little pup. It was devastating to say the least. At one point this same litter had gotten a little too chilly and started vomiting but resolved quickly. Another puppy developed a urinary tract infection. Symptoms included:. Main Menu French Bulldog Whelping! Here we will break down French Bulldog whelping from A to Z. We have included a list of supplies to have on hand as well as detailed instructions. However, there are some things that you can do to make your life much easier throughout this process. Continue reading for a more detailed explanation of their uses! French Bulldog Whelping Checklist! To achieve this, artificial insemination can be done at home by you or at your local veterinarian. Once your Frenchie is confirmed pregnant switch her to quality puppy food, we prefer Iams! After 30 days you may notice that your dam has become a finicky eater. If you are struggling to get her to eat try giving her food in smaller portions or feeding her other options salmon, chicken breast, ground beef Mix it up! These are signs she will be going into labor soon. At-home births are highly discouraged for French Bulldogs for multiple reasons. Make sure to get your car ready for the big day! Frenchie Puppies Weeks 1 - 2 After her pregnancy, it will be important to keep your dam eating. Make sure you are setting alarms for this, even at night. Be sure to watch your puppies closely while feeding, if they suck milk too quickly or if you are supplementing and your bottle is leaking your puppies can aspirate. If this occurs you must immediately use a sucking bulb to remove any milk or mucus as it could obstruct their airways potentially being deadly. Weigh your puppies daily and keep track to ensure they are gaining weight. Also, trim their nails to make mom more comfortable while nursing. In the case of an aspirating puppy, an oxygen tank can be a lifesaver. If you begin to notice abnormal breathing patterns or an inability to nurse your puppy may need to be tube fed. Frenchie Puppies Weeks 3 - 5 At around 3 weeks you should begin to notice that your puppies teeth have started to come in. Mom should still be actively nursing her puppies but at this point you can begin to slowly introduce mush into their diet. As your puppies get older, they will begin exploring their surroundings so be sure to remove any harmful objects you may have lying around. Frenchie Puppies Weeks 6 - 8 By week 6 you can begin to introduce soaked food into your puppies diet. By week 7 try introducing hard food puppy food, if you struggle with this you can try blending the puppy food at first. After 6 or 7 weeks be sure to schedule their first vet visit to get your puppies their 5 way shots or if you are experienced feel free to provide this to them yourself!

They have been a Labrador Retriever state for over 20 years, with numerous Labrador Retrievers setting up in the state every year. And who can blame them? The Labrador Retriever is an awesome dog that is perfect for the family due to its calm and gentle temperament. Its high intelligence, outgoing personality, and energetic nature make it a great work dog, service dog, and hunting dog. When adopting a Labrador Retriever, helps to know the credibility of your breeder, as not all breeders are reputable. In this article, we help you make your search a little easier by recommending some of the best Labrador Retriever breeders in the state of Connecticut. These breeders care for the health of the Labrador Retriever and offer good quality Labrador Retriever puppies in Connecticut. So, get a glass of something chill and do ensure you read on to the end. Founded in , Barefoot Labradors of Killingworth are strong breeders of chocolate, black, and yellow Labrador Retrievers of superb quality. All their puppies possess a gentle temperament and high intelligence. They have a robust breeding program that allows the use of top-quality breeding lines into theirs. All their Labrador Retriever sires and dams are healthy, they possess gentle dispositions and are championed AKC dogs with a decorated pedigree to show it. The puppies are raised on a acre property in Killingworth Connecticut, where they get their name. It is a large landed property with a pond so the dogs get to swim in. They are well fed with high-quality food and sleep in temperature-regulated spaces. Each puppy enjoys a bio-sensor program or Early Neurological Stimulation from day 2. They are also exposed to various sounds like NPR and other stimulating experiences. All their puppies are microchipped and health checked by a vet. They come with a month health guarantee that frees them from genetic defects of the eye and hip or elbow dysplasia. They are also AKC registered and fully dewormed and vaccinated. Labrador Retriever Puppies For Sale! Raise them in Connecticut! Connecticut is certainly a perfect place to raise a labrador puppy. With the state having so many parks and recreational areas, as well as dog friendly common places, your young pup will surely grow to becoming a healthy, happy, and strong adult. Labrador colors! Labrador lovers also have the great liberty of choosing from 3 main different colors which one they like the most. The yellow labrador is often associated with guiding the blind, the black labrador with gundog work, and the chocolate labrador as pets at home or for dog shows. Ultimately however, it has been discovered that each of the different colors of the different labradors are able to excel in either of these known traits of above par performance. So perhaps it matters little. Labrador origins! Labradors bred for show are commonly known as English Labradors and are more common in the UK. Labradors bred for field trials and hunting are commonly known as American labradors and are more common in the USA. However, many American labradors enter dog shows and many English labradors compete in field trials and are used for hunting. The more important question to ask, is are you ready to be a labrador puppy owner? The Basic 6 Questions Have you got the space to raise a large dog? Even as puppies, labradors need quite a bit of space. Whether it is indoors or outdoors. For the space they need outdoors, it is pretty obvious. These puppies can run long and far and need to stretch those growing legs of theirs. Indoor space can be more of a challenge. Labrador puppies typically bounce off the walls and their long, thick tails tend to knock down decorations found on shelves as well as glasses and anything else it comes into contact with. You may have to move ornaments onto higher shelves and beware of their growing teeth. They may be small but they sure are sharp and can tear up delicate furniture as well as seats and other fabrics found around your house. Labradors also need to be potty trained and as puppies need bathroom breaks as often as every minutes. If you live in an apartment complex or building, doing this may be a challenge. Some dog owners are able to use doggie crates to help potty train them but these do take up quite a bit of space. Ideally, having a garden would be the best. It is a contained space in which your dog can not only run around but can also learn to use the bathroom. Just make sure that you have a good system for cleaning up after them. Do you have the time needed to love a dog? There are numerous sad stories that have come out of new puppy owners admitting that they are unable to balance their regular work lives with raising a puppy. Older dogs may be a bit more independent and less in need of your loving attention but puppies certainly require more of your time, patience, and love. In the end, a young dog should not be left alone for long periods of time and if this were to happen, one cannot expect the dog to behave as you would want him to. A healthy reminder is that dogs that are alone will make tons of noise and break things that he can get his teeth on. If you need to go out and work all day, it is best to have someone in the house with him to take him out for walks, bring him to the bathroom, play with him, train him not to break everything, teach him what he can and cannot bite, and give him water to drink and food to eat. These tasks may be a lot to ask of anyone, so be sure that who you leave these responsibilities with is someone who also loves your dog. Beyond the necessary early training of a puppy , there is also the long term commitment in training your dog to be able to co-exist in human society with being a complete nuisance to everyone around. This daily commitment and regular interaction is what will teach your dog to behave and ultimately be a good dog. Training a dog is not something that you need to do only weekends. If you try this, you will see that by the time the next weekend arrives, your dog would have forgotten everything you taught him the week before. Dogs do not have the attention span to concentrate for over an hour, this is why it is necessary to train him everyday, throughout the whole day. Besides all of this training, there is also the exercise your dog needs. Missing a day here and there will not be so bad, but making this an important habit is also what will keep your dog in tip top shape. What about your lifestyle? Buying a labrador puppy will also change your lifestyle, for the better of course! Also, if you are one who travels often and would have to leave your puppy at home, then perhaps it is not yet the right time for you to be a dog owner. Sleep ins on weekends may be harder to achieve as well, your dog is going to demand your attention and will need to be fed, and taken out to go to the bathroom, and played with. Will having this dog fit right in with your family? Think of your puppy as a human toddler. That is the sort of attention that they need. But if your kids are for example, over 5 years old and able to walk on their own, speak their thoughts, no longer need to be carried all the time, and are accepting that your pet dog has important needs too, then this might be a good age for them and the whole family will benefit from having this puppy around. Is a labrador really the right breed of dog for you? Labradors by nature are very playful dogs. They grow to a rather large size, eat a lot, but are also loving, intelligent, and loads of fun! If you want to have a Lab, call CT Breeder — .In addition to our selection of designer and purebred puppies for sale, we offer expert dog training, professional pet grooming and the best pet supplies, pet foods and pet products available at the low prices. Located in Killingworth, Connecticut , we have been providing exceptional puppies to families in the Northeast since .We breed for sound health and good temperament. We raise our puppies in a home environment and socialize them through frequent handling and play. From their third to 16th day, we give them a series of gentle neurological stimulation The Bio Sensor Program to improve cardio vascular performance, tolerance to stress and resistance to disease. We microchip all of our puppies to help in their return to you in the event they are lost or stolen. All of our pups are examined by a Vet at days and again at 6-weeks 1st immunization. They are sold with a limited AKC registration to help protect the breed from genetic faults. They come with a month Health Guarantee for hip and elbow dysplasia, and hereditary defects of the eyes. Luna and her pups Our litters are planned well in advance. Our puppies are sold to approved families that have been placed on our waiting lists. The puppies go home when they are 8 weeks old. Occasionally, we have older or retired labs to place to suitable homes. If you would like more information about upcoming litters, please email us at barefoot barefootlabpuppies. Sorry, but we cannot respond to text or phone call requests for information. Only email inquiries, please. Autumn and her litter. How to care for your new puppy Our new puppy owners might want to check out the "Caring for your new puppy" section on the left side bar. It has a lot of valuable information and tips for taking care of your pup. Also, information about Puppy Development may be of interest. Photos of recent puppies are featured below. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Nevertheless, you always want to select a Lab breeder that is reputable and responsible with all their dogs. To help you find a new addition for your home, we have put together this list of the six best Labrador Retriever puppy breeders in Connecticut. Just by taking a quick glance at their website, you can easily see how much these breeders love and respect their dogs. This club only accepts breeders that are in good standing and treat their dogs respectfully. It is the only club of its kind in the area. Their dogs are all championship grade. They only breed chocolate or black Labrador Retrievers. This is a great breeder if you want your Lab to be both a show dog and a house dog. Cross Bay Labs only breed black and chocolate puppies, and they only breed their dogs once or twice a year. All their puppies are registered, and they are diligent in ensuring that the puppies are placed in proper homes. All their adult Labs have obedience titles or are in the process of getting it. As a result, Tanzy Labrador puppies are intelligent, hardworking, and versatile. They consistently breed puppies so that you can more reliably purchase a puppy through this breeder. All puppies are registered with the AKC. In addition to breeding puppies, Woodland Kennel also offers obedience training, advanced obedience training , and even hunting dog training. They breed all three official colors, including black, chocolate, and yellow. More so, Barefoot Labradors does a great job of creating puppies with good temperaments. All of the puppies are raised inside a home environment so that they experience thorough socialization from a young age. They also provide examinations and microchips for safety and health. These efforts make the Barefoot Labs great pets. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. The Labrador Retriever is also the most popular purebred dog in America for the 21st straight year. More than twice as many Labs were registered than any other breed making it a likely leader for many years to come. In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Lab can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: The ten reasons that I am giving for children to have a dog are not listed in order of importance. All of us have different characteristics which we find more important than others. Every reason I list, however, is important to the childhood of your son or daughter. Dogs are better than popping pills or drinking elixers. Children with dogs for pets have been found to have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and fewer overall physical complaints than those without dogs. In fact, there are several diseases where dogs have been used to help those who have the disease. Two of these are: rheumatoid arthritis and emotional disturbance stemming from cases of severe abuse. Samuel B. Be sure to read the rest of her seven part article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for more than thirty-five years. Our second-to-none Puppy Guarantee makes buying a pure-bred Labrador retriever one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Lab owners from around the country. And visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-date puppy information at .Did you know… Stamford was known as Rippowam by the Native American inhabitants to the region, and the very first European settlers to the area also referred to it as such. The name was later changed to Stamford after a town in Lincolnshire, England. Stamford was home to a less famous witch trial than the well-known Salem witch trials, which also occurred in .The accusations were less fanatical and smaller-scale but also grew to prominence through gossip and hysterics. Starting in the late 19th century, New York residents built summer homes on the shoreline, and even back then there were some who moved to Stamford permanently and started commuting to Manhattan by train, although the practice became more popular later. Stamford incorporated as a city in .Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client! Questions about Labrador Retriever puppies for sale in Connecticut? We have answers. What affects Labrador Retriever puppies for sale in Connecticut price? Do Labrador Retriever breeders in Connecticut ship puppies out of state? Labrador breeders and businesses in the Uptown network are total pros when it comes to shipping puppies, and can send your new best friend to your nearest major airport outside of Hawaii and Alaska. And yes, your pup will be flying up in the cabin, not crammed down in the baggage hold. How do you screen Labrador Retriever breeders Connecticut? What do we look for in a partner? Peek at our Breeder Pledge for more info! We created Uptown to give great breeders a place to shine—and to give families a fast, easy, and fun way to find their dream dog. What is a puppy mill? Why are some Labrador Retriever puppies for sale Connecticut so cheap? Puppy mills are almost like puppy factories, where profit is king and the welfare of your puppy is rarely a priority. Puppy mill dogs live short lives full of behavioral issues, health problems and more—not to mention the countless, costly vet visits. Luckily, there are NO puppy mills or unethical breeders in the Uptown network. Are there any chocolate Labrador Retriever breeders Connecticut? MatchMaker is our simple but powerful method of matching customers with breeders, businesses, and puppy litters that perfectly match your preferences and expectations from your ideal puppy. Businesses and breeders in the Uptown network love puppies just as much as you do—read over some of our glowing reviews and meet our Puppy Alumni to see the difference a little love can make.

Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger and require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen. As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity. How big should a 6-month-old German Shepherd be? A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will be quite large, as many German Shepherds undergo massive growth spurts between two and five months old. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. How much bigger will my German Shepherd get? There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. First, check your puppy's age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing! Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog and means your pup is likely still growing! Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents. What is the size of a full-grown German shepherd? An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds. Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. Preventive care is key in helping your German Shepherd live a healthy and long life. Helping your dog maintain an optimal weight is one of the best things you can do for their health. Taking your German Shepherd to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they are healthy and feeling their best. Compare German Shepherd health insurance plans before they get sick or injured. They are also more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract and hip issues. A veterinarian should regularly assess your pet for these health problems and run tests for anything they may be more prone to due to their breed. Treatment for many conditions, including bloat and GI issues, can cost thousands of dollars. Dog insurance is a wise investment that can give you peace of mind by covering pet emergency expenses. Wellness plans are also available to help cover the cost of vaccinations, vet exams, microchips, and more. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Get Peace of Mind Today Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. It is not recommended to take it from its mother and littermates because it starts its socialization and gets the first experience of biting inhibition from them. When you take your doggy home, follow the advice of your breeder and veterinarian. In addition, you need to measure and weigh your pup to be able to follow its growth. You should also think about crate training your dog from the first days of staying at your home. Start potty training as soon as possible. However, be very careful about the first walks. The immune system of a little German Shepherd is too unstable and vulnerable to many infections. It has already received all the nutrients it needed during its first month. You can opt for high-quality puppy kibble or homemade food. However, you should avoid poor-quality products and cheap kibble that is full of chemicals. If you are planning to feed your pet with kibble, it is recommended to moisten it with goat milk or fresh water if this milk is unavailable. Giving it cow milk is not recommended. Give your puppy 1. Try to formulate a consistent feeding schedule with the same hours for feeding. You should have two bowls for your German Shepherd. One is for food and the other for water. Your puppy needs a lot of water, so you can leave the water in the bowl to let it drink whenever it wants. As for food, do not leave the leftovers in the bowl. Your puppy cannot control how much it wants to eat, and it can lead to overfeeding if it eats something every time it sees its bowl. You need to make the feeding schedule work. However, do not feed the puppy two times per day. It is too young for that, so it can overeat too and have severe digestion problems. You should teach it to recognize the connections between commands and responses or responses and consequences. Foremost, you need to set primary anchors. It means that you should develop certain reactions to your actions to teach the puppy to follow you, eat food or receive treats, and sit. Your clapping hands, whistling, or a specific word can be such anchors. Avoid setting anchors that your puppy will feel as similar. The next training step is establishing authority. Your puppy should understand that you are its guide, and it will help you when you start training more complex commands. Your little pet should understand that you are its pack leader. So, the first thing to teach is to follow you. Praise the puppy if it does everything correctly, and never punish it if it does not understand you. Early socialization training is also very important. However, early exposure of your pet to many people and unfamiliar things may lead to psychological problems. That is why start socializing your puppy gradually. You can take it on short visits to your family or friends. Keep socializing your doggy every day but in small portions of positive experiences. Start potty training as soon as you bring your GS puppy home. Show it where you want it to do its business, in the backyard or garden. Ensure that this area is quiet and fenced. It has to be something soft like grass or mat. Establish an exact schedule for going potty. Taking the puppy outside is the first thing you need to do after it wakes up in the morning. Then, follow the schedule after each meal, playing, and before going to bed. Keep the puppy out of biting and nipping. You should not beat or punish it anyway. Though, teach the puppy to avoid severe bites on the hands and legs. You can arrange timeouts for it if it bites too harshly. For example, if it bites your hand while taking a treat, withhold the next treat until it understands how to take it gently. Reward it with a treat when you see that the little one understands what you want of it and denies biting at all. German Shepherds are very clever, so they understand the explanations very quickly. Be patient while training your little dog. It will be trained enough to understand how to control itself by the 10th week. Therefore, your boy will grow as tall as inches cm , while the little girl will be inches cm tall. How much does a 2 month old German Shepherd weight? GS puppies gain weight at this age very quickly. They tend to double it in comparison to the first month. Your male doggy will approximately weigh pounds kg. If you have a female puppy, its weight will be smaller — pounds .How much to feed a 2 month old German Shepherd puppy? You can give your puppy .How often should I feed my 2 month old German Shepherd? You should feed your pup times per day. Never make a feeding schedule of 2 times per day because your doggy can overeat and have digestive problems. How much exercise does a 2 month old German Shepherd puppy need? Little GS puppies are very energetic, so they need a lot of exercises. However, they are too young for hard exercise and training. The sessions can be very short about minutes or less and not too intensive. Can I walk my 2 month old German Shepherd? Yes, you can walk your puppy in the backyard or any other fenced space after it is vaccinated. Though remember that your little doggy cannot go on long walks yet, so never make its walks too long. Another thing to consider is that it cannot follow you yet, so try to avoid going for walks in the open spaces and streets, or your pup can get lost. Learn a lot about the breed before you decide to adopt this dog. You also need to know that your pup will have enough space for its activity and energetic behavior. You also need to consider your budget. Get prepared that your doggy will bark, whale, bite and chew everything around. However, you will also get a lot of joy, playing, laughing, and loyalty. German Shepherds are very intelligent, and you will get the best friend for many years if you are patient and consistent enough during its first days at your home. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Final Thoughts It is important to know that a 4 month old German Shepherd differs from a puppy of an earlier age. Here, we want to tell you about these differences, about the changes in diet, exercise, and interaction with people and other animals. These doggies are very cute but they do not look like young puppies anymore. They are pretty massive animals that overgrow one foot of height. It is about pounds kg for males and pounds .It means that a puppy gained another 10 pounds during the last month. The puppy grows rapidly. Your boy can be inches cm and the girl inches cm at the shoulder. The coat has changed. They start shedding a lot like an adult dog, too. So, it is very important to brush them regularly — everyday brushing is necessary during this period. The skin is rather sensitive, so loose hair can cause allergies when it contacts the skin and the air. Teething continues. Adult teeth are replacing the milk ones. That is the process lasting for more months. The ears start perking up. Though, they are not stably erect at this age. The ears also can perk up and then fall and lay flat. It is a norm. Puppies at this age do not have strong cartilage. It will strengthen at the age of 5- 6 months. However, if your puppy lives in an environment with very loud sounds, its ears can flatten out because the noise does not allow them to perk up. You should do obedience training, a lot of walking and jogging, playing in the backyard, and other activities. Your puppy already knows that it should be protective of the members of your family. However, it can bark a lot because it is time to develop its vocal cords. Teach it not to do this so much. It is very easy to train a 16 week old German Shepherd puppy because it has a strong desire to please you. Remember that you need strict discipline because your pet can display signs of disobedience at this age as any teenager does. Your 4 month old GSD sleeps about 18 hours per day. Though, the number of hours can depend on the environment because it does not sleep so much if it has many things around to explore. Nevertheless, some puppies prefer short naps in the daytime too. In any case, let your pet have a good rest. Discuss these changes with your veterinarian to pick out the most appropriate daily schedule for better rest. Your puppy can walk effortlessly for about a mile 1. It is always ready to go outside and accompany you wherever you may go. Though, do not overload it with walking. Several walks during the day are a better option. It should get about 2 hours of active playing every day. The puppy learns a lot during its first four months. Everything seems an adventure to it. It is an exciting experience for both your doggy and you. Though, its behavior can be a bit unpredictable at times. So, you need to control it. In general, your 4 month old GSD puppy is entirely healthy, and it continues growing quickly. You need to weigh and measure your pet every time you come to the vet, or you can do it yourself at home. You may also need to get a DNA test to know what health issues to expect from your doggy when it is over 5 years old. This age is the proper time for having the third set of vaccines because they have had the first two already. The third set includes DHPP and rabies. Even if your puppy is healthy and active, you need to continuously watch out for possible disorders. You need to show your puppy to the vet, if you notice such things as changes in behavioral and sleeping patterns, sneezing and coughing, runny eyes or nose, losing weight, decrease in appetite, and other digestion issues, such as diarrhea or vomiting, red and swollen gums, heavy breathing, and excessive urination. Keep your doggy clean and protected. You do not need to bathe it very often — it can be harmful to the production of the natural oils that protect the skin. Brush your puppy every day now because of its excessive shedding. This is connected with the change of the coat from the puppy to an adult one. Grooming and brushing are very important parts of the care. You may also need the help of special grooming salons. Feeding Your 4 month old GSD is a good eater because it grows a lot. It should be fed not fewer than 3 times a day. It should take cups of kibble of natural food per meal. At the end of the fourth month, you can start the transition to two feedings per day. Do not rush to switch your pet to adult food. You can do it only when it is 6-month-old when its growth slows down a bit. You can also offer your GS puppy some treats. Never give your puppy human food or human treats — the latter is rather dangerous and can cause severe health issues. Avoid overfeeding, too. Your dog should not suffer from obesity when it is an adult because there are bad health conditions caused by it. If you decide to feed your puppy a natural raw diet, be careful about its nutritious value and high quality. It can consist of meats, vegetables, and fruits, but nothing fatty and toxic like junk food. Training There are several behavioral problems that you need to handle. The first of them is, of course, potty accidents in the home. Unfortunately, such accidents are pretty common at this age. You need to train your pet to do all its business outdoors. Since German Shepherds are very clever, it will understand very soon what you want from it. You need to be patient and persistent, though. Never show irritation or anger when an accident happens. You need to be encouraging if your puppy does everything correctly during its potty walks, but never punish it if something has gone wrong. One more unpleasant thing at this age is biting and nipping your hands or feet. You need to control it while playing to prevent the formation of a biting habit. Never scream or shout at your pet when it bites you. Your little one can be frightened, and the problem may become worse over months. It will let your puppy know that it is doing something wrong. Chewing furniture or things around can also be frustrating. Your puppy is teething, so it is a common thing now. Chewing helps it remove the milk teeth easily. Keep most things in your house out of its reach. Buy some chew toys, for example, a rubber bone or ball to discourage chewing things. A 4 month old German Shepherd puppy can bark excessively at all unknown or suspicious objects. Barking all the time can become a serious issue for you and your pet over time. Teach your doggy not to bark at something unfamiliar. It only means that your pet needs more training and socialization. Your Shepherd dog at this age does not look like that cute fluffy toy-like cub you once saw and liked. It begins to shape as an adult dog. Now, it continues to grow rapidly. So, the males can be inches cm and the females grow as tall as inches cm at the shoulder. How much should a 4 month old German Shepherd weight? Follow the weight of your pet by measuring it regularly. The puppies at this age grow very fast, so they tend to overeat. You should give your pet so much food to let it grow healthily and free from obesity. You can see that your doggy has gained about 10 pounds since the previous month. How much should a 4 month old German Shepherd eat? Your puppy should eat cups of kibble per one meal three times per day. It grows very fast, so it needs a lot of nutrients and minerals for its ears, teeth, and coat. If you feed it natural food, you can add some supplements for puppies to its meals. How far can a 4 month old German Shepherd walk? However, it does not mean that you need to walk it for such a distance every time. Consider two walks of half an hour per day if you want your puppy to grow healthy and strong, and develop all its perfect physical characteristics. Final Thoughts You can see that raising a 4 month old German Shepherd puppy and taking care of it is a responsible and complicated task. You need to know all the peculiarities of this age, so we hope that this article will help you. You should be very patient and persistent to train your dog, do a lot of exercises with your pet, socialize it, and make friends with it. In a while, you will obtain the most loyal, intelligent, and protective friend for your family and yourself. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Breeds Puppies The link has been copied! German Shepherds are medium to large working dogs that were bred in Germany to be used as a herding dog for sheep. Today, they are common household dogs that are loved around the world. These dogs tend to be loyal, stubborn, confident, intelligent, curious, brave, obedient, and protective. They have many positive attributes that make them very popular as pets. Size and Appearance of a 4 Month Old German Shepherd Once a German Shepherd reaches four months of age, it can be one foot tall and will weigh about half of the total adult weight. Male German Shepherds will weigh between 35 and 40 pounds, while females will weigh between 31 and 35 pounds. Between months three and four of life, a German Shepherd will gain around 10 pounds of body weight, and this will cause a difference in the dog's size and appearance. At this age, German Shepherds will be growing quickly, and you will be able to notice differences in the dog's size month-by-month. A four-month-old German Shepherd will no longer look like a puppy, and it will more closely resemble an adult by this age. Once the dog reaches four months old, the coat will be different from that of a puppy, and the dog will shed much more. The coat will become thicker and glossier, and the exact texture might depend on what foods the dog is eating. German Shepherds come in a variety of colors that include black, white, gray, black and tan, black and red, black and silver, and sable. The coloring of your dog will depend on the breeding and parents. Additionally, the dog is teething at this age. The German Shepherd will be teething until about seven to eight months, and during this time, the milk teeth will be replaced with larger adult teeth. German Shepherd puppies tend to have ears that lay flatter, while the adult's ears will be perky and stand straight up. At four months, the process of ear perking will begin, although the cartilage will not strengthen for another month or two. This means that the ears can perk up, then flatten, then perk up again until they become permanently lifted in adulthood. The dog's ears can remain flat if they live somewhere with consistently loud sounds, as they will try to avoid damage to their hearing by listening to these noises. To allow the dog's ears to perk properly, it is important to keep your dog away from loud, abrupt noises that can negatively affect their hearing. Activity and Behavior Four month old German Shepherds are very active puppies that must be stimulated physically as well as mentally. Some great activities to do with a dog include playing outside, playing with toys, going on walks or jogs, dog sports, and attending obedience training. A four-month German Shepherd will enjoy going on walks for about a mile at a time, and it is preferable to go on several shorter walks throughout the day rather than going on one very long walk. About two hours of active playtime per day is important for your puppy. Playtime is when they are both physically and intellectually enriched, and it is vital for development going into adulthood. For the first four months of life, there are many new experiences and adventures that your dog will learn from, so it is important. Sleeping Needs Sleep is extremely important for a young German Shepherd, and if the dog is not getting enough sleep , it might start to misbehave. If you notice this, it is important to discuss working out a proper daily schedule with your veterinarian, as it will often be a fix that you can make yourself by changing your routine, walk schedule, eating times, or play times. At the age of four months, a German Shepherd will sleep for around 18 hours a day. They need the energy to grow, which is why they sleep for most of the day, but in the hours when they are awake, German Shepherds tend to be very active. Dogs that exercise a lot will also sleep more to recuperate the energy lost during the day. If there are many new things to explore, the dog will sleep for fewer hours during the day. Some four months later, German Shepherds will also take 15 to minute naps during the day, and then they will wake up to play, eat, or use the bathroom. Health and Care Each time you take your dog to the vet, you should weigh and measure your German Shepherd to make sure that they are growing at the proper rate. If your dog is healthy, it should be growing quickly, and the veterinarian can confirm that everything looks good. At the age of four months, you should get a third set of vaccines, including DHPP and rabies, to protect your dog against these diseases. This can be done through a veterinarian. Vaccines are important to complete on time to boost your dog's immune system and keep them as healthy and up-to-date as possible. It is important to take your dog to the vet if you notice extreme changes in behavior, sleeping patterns, coughing or sneezing , runny noses or overly watery eyes, any form of weight loss, lack of appetite, heavy breathing, excessive urination, irritated gums, vomiting, or diarrhea. These can be signs that your dog is sick and needs medical care. Bathing your German Shepherd too often can cause the natural oils that a dog needs to keep its skin protected to dry up, so it is important not to over-bathe your puppy. However, it is important to keep your dog's bed, bowls, and toys clean to avoid fleas or other insects that might negatively affect your pet. As your four-month-old German Shepherd's coat is transitioning into an adult coat, it is important to brush the fur every day. This is to prevent excessive shedding, which can irritate your dog and create a mess inside the house. It is important to always be gentle with your dog and not brush him too roughly. Feeding Your 4 Month Old German Shepherd A German Shepherd is a big dog, and at the age of four months, it is still a puppy that is actively growing and will therefore require a large amount of food. Four-month German Shepherds should be fed three times a day, and they should eat one to two cups of kibble at each feeding time. This kibble should be specifically meant for puppies of this age, as it will have the proper nutrients and ingredients for your puppy to grow into a healthy adult. At the end of the fourth month, you can begin to feed your dog twice a day, but they should still be eating kibble meant for puppies until they reach six months of age and they are no longer growing as rapidly. Treats are also a good addition to kibble, but you should not exceed three to five small treats per day. These treats should be exclusively for dogs , as feeding your German Shepherd adult food can cause many health issues. It is important to monitor how much you are feeding your dog, as overeating can cause obesity and lead to severe health issues. Additionally, if you decide to use a raw diet rather than kibble, it is important to be mindful of the quality and nutrition of the food to keep your German Shepherd healthy and energized. Training A four-month German Shepherd will be easy to train because the puppy's main goal will be to please their owner, and they are very intelligent and loyal dogs that will be eager to learn from their owner. One of the reasons why German Shepherds are such a popular breed is because of their trainability. A German Shepherd's instinct is to protect, as the breed was originally bred to herd and protect sheep. This can lead to a puppy barking often as a means to protect its family, and this can be a misbehavior that the owner hopes to correct. Training can help reduce unnecessary barking in your German Shepherd puppy. Another potential behavioral issue is using the bathroom inside the home, which is common at four months old. The owner must train their dog to go outside to use the bathroom, and patience is required for this process. The most efficient strategy for potty training is to be encouraging when the puppy correctly uses the bathroom outside and to avoid any anger when they have an accident, as this will only make training go slower. German Shepherd puppies might also bite and nip people to try to get attention or play. They will understand that they should not repeat this behavior and will learn quickly. While your German Shepherd is teething, it might bite furniture, which can cause damage. The best way to avoid this is to buy many chew toys to help your dog with the process of teething, as well as move any valuables out of the dog's reach. This behavior will reduce once the dog's adult teeth have all come in. Socialization with people and other animals can help your German Shepherd behave better, and it is important to expose them to new situations to help them learn. They are very curious animals who will enjoy having new experiences and trying new things. A German Shepherd is a medium to large-sized dog, and by the age of four months, the puppy will already be much larger than it was at birth. At four months, a male German Shepherd will have a shoulder height between 11 and 14 inches. A female German Shepherd will have a shoulder height between 10 and 12 inches. A male German Shepherd at four months old should weigh 35 to 40 pounds. A female should weigh 31 to 35 pounds. The dog should be rapidly growing, but it is important not to let them overeat because obesity can be a real health issue for your dog. Measuring the weight of your dog regularly can help you keep track of its growth, and if there are any concerning patterns, you should discuss it with your veterinarian. At the age of four months, it is not unusual for your dog to grow up to two pounds in a single week, and it is a time of great change and growth. At the age of four months, your German Shepherd should eat three meals a day. These meals should consist of one to two cups of kibble. This means that the total amount of kibble eaten per day should be three to six. You should base how much you feed your German Shepherd on their size, activity level, and how hungry they are. If you are unsure about how much to feed the puppy, you should consult your veterinarian for help. Treats can be used in moderation to train your young puppy and motivate them to partake in good behavior , or they can just be used as a snack throughout the day. A 4-month-old German Shepherd can walk for about one mile at a time before they become tired. Going for a thirty-minute walk twice a day will be sufficient exercise for your puppy to keep them nice and strong without overworking them. Fi smart dog collars make it easier than ever. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are great dogs to keep as pets. They have many positive traits that make them brilliant, loyal, and protective companions that will stay by your side no matter what. They are great work dogs as well as great pets, including for families. German Shepherds are easy to train, and they are very obedient animals that can learn all kinds of tricks. When your German Shepherd is still a puppy, it is the best time to teach them obedience, potty train them, and teach them to play. German Shepherds will be growing rapidly at four months, and it is important to take proper care of them so that they can grow into strong, healthy adults. Making sure that they have enough intellectual stimulation through walks, exploring new people and places, and toys can ensure that your dog is getting the attention that they need. Additionally, they should be fed enough to fuel their growing bodies. They should be taken to the veterinarian regularly to make sure that they are growing at a proper rate and that there are no health problems that need the attention of a professional. German Shepherds grow up fast , and when they are four months old, you will notice many changes in their size, mannerisms, and behavior. By four months, they will have developed a unique personality, and they will be your best friend! Taking care of your best friend will bring joy to both you and your pet, and it is an exciting journey to take together. For additional pet-parenting tips, head over to TryFi. And don't forget to check out TryFi's innovative Fi Dog Collar , which offers GPS tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts to keep your furry friend safe. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. And large dogs need to have many care factors taken care of to thrive. So, the first step is preparing for a home suitable for a German Shepherd puppy that will one day become a big dog. First, make sure you have enough space for them to run and play. If you have a small yard, consider getting a dog run or fence to give them extra room as well as space for you to do important obedience training exercises. And finally, be sure to stock up on puppy food, treats, toys , and other essentials. Separation Anxiety It is common for month-old German Shepherd puppies to develop separation anxiety when they are first separated from their parents and litter mates. It is because they have not yet learned how to cope with being away from their pack, especially in the first few weeks. Separation anxiety can manifest in several ways, including howling, barking , chewing, and pacing. If your German Shepherd shows separation anxiety, seek professional help from a vet or an animal behaviorist. With time, patience, and guidance, your German Shepherd puppy will learn to cope with being away from other dogs and, little by little, start getting used to you and your family. First, it is crucial to understand that basic training for your German Shepherd to potty is a process and will take time, patience, and consistency. No magic solution will instantly train your month-old German Shepherd puppy to use the bathroom outside. Instead, it requires positive reinforcement, consistent follow-through, and a lot of patience. It means taking your puppy out to relieve themselves regularly throughout the day. Your one-month-old German Shepherd puppy should have a potty training schedule first thing in the morning, after every meal, after naps and playtime, and before bedtime. If you stick to this schedule, you will succeed. German Shepherd puppies generally have to relieve themselves every two to three hours, so be sure to set a timer or alarm to remind yourself to take them out. Introducing a Puppy Crate Choose a designated potty area, a. You can find puppy crates for your German Shepherd puppy at most pet stores or online retailers. Start by taking them to the designated area on a leash and letting them explore. Give it a treat if it shows interest in the space. Try again later if the puppy shows no interest or seems scared of the room. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started: Use a leash: When taking your German Shepherd out to relieve themselves, use a leash to keep them focused and prevent them from running off and exploring. Fixed routine: Try to take your German Shepherd to his designated potty area at the same time each day. It will help him develop a regular bathroom schedule. Give them time: When you get to the designated potty area, give your German Shepherd puppy plenty of time to relieve themselves. Reward good behavior: When your German Shepherd uses the bathroom in their designated potty area, praise them and give them a tasty treat. It will reinforce correct behavior and help your German Shepherd puppy learn that going potty outside is good. It will only scare your German Shepherd puppy and could cause it to hold urine or feces in, leading to health problems. German Shepherd puppies that are weaning for a few weeks to 12 years require four meals daily. After 12 weeks, you can switch to 3 meals per day. Your German Shepherd should maintain a diet of cups of puppy food per day, depending on their activity level. The German Shepherd breed is also prone to joint problems, so ensure they get the proper nutrients for healthy joints and bones. A quality dog food for your German Shepherd will have the right balance of calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin. The most common health issues seen in the German Shepherd dog breed are the following. These conditions are caused by a hip or elbow joint malformation, leading to pain, lameness, and eventually arthritis. German Shepherds with these conditions will require lifelong pain medication and surgery management. Bloating Bloating is another common health problem seen in German Shepherds. This condition occurs when the stomach fills with gas and then twists on itself, cutting off the blood supply. Some of the most common signs of bloating include restlessness, pacing, drooling, and abdominal pain. Contact your vet immediately if you think your German Shepherd is bloated. Hemophilia Hemophilia is a blood clotting disorder that can affect German Shepherds. This condition can lead to excessive bleeding, even from minor injuries. German Shepherds with hemophilia will require lifelong management with medication and close monitoring by a vet. The best way to prevent health problems in your German Shepherd breed is to get them from reputable breeders who do health testing on their dogs. Be sure to ask about the health history of the parents, grandparents, and brothers or sisters. Having your German Shepherd examined by a vet within the first few days of bringing them home is also essential. It will allow you to catch any health problems early and get treatment immediately. Degenerative Disc Disease Degenerative disc disease is a condition that can occur in German Shepherds. This condition is caused by the deterioration of the discs in the spine. It can lead to pain and paralysis. German Shepherds with this condition will require lifelong management with pain medication and surgery. Allergies German Shepherds are also susceptible to allergies , which can be caused by anything from food to environmental allergens. The most common signs of an allergic reaction include itching, redness, and hair loss. If you think your German Shepherd has allergies, it is vital to speak to your vet so they can recommend the best course of treatment. While there is no guarantee that your German Shepherd will never experience any health problems, working with a reputable breeder and taking good care of your German Shepherd will help to minimize the risk. It is essential for their growth. German Shepherd puppies usually wake up several times during the night for a potty break or a quick snack. Over time, your German Shepherd will learn to sleep through the night as they grow and mature. In the meantime, enjoy those cute German Shepherd puppy naps. Also read:.

Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. These smart, social dogs are known for their amiable temperaments and their patience. Traditionally bred as hunting dogs, Labs also are among the most popular service dogs, acting as guide dogs for blind people and as therapy dogs. By socializing these dogs early, you can tap into their natural instincts as protectors and companions. Socialize Puppies Labs are natural born people pleasers. Introduce your Lab puppy to as many new people and places as possible during the early months of its life. Keep each new meeting and experience positive and upbeat. Doing this will reinforce your Lab's natural tendency to be friendly and accepting of everyone. If you have young children in the home, be sure to socialize them to the animal as well as the reverse. Although Labs are patient and tolerant, they may still nip at a child who teases or hurts them during play. Make sure everyone knows the boundaries and rules. Exercise Every Day Labrador retrievers are high energy dogs, which is part of the reason they are such great pets for active families. But if Labs aren't given sufficient exercise, they can quickly become bored. This often leads to destructive behavior and other common behavior problems , such as barking, chewing, and digging. It's also why Labs are not well-suited for apartment living; they're too big and too active. Plan on giving your Lab an hour or more of exercise each day. Most Labs love long walks or a game of fetch. These are the perfect way to burn off your Lab's energy. Take advantage of their innate trainability by starting an obedience program as soon as you bring your Labrador retriever home. You can work on basic obedience commands on your own, or sign up for a dog obedience class with a local dog trainer. Classes are a great way to train your Lab while socializing at the same time. Since Labs get to be fairly large and have a tendency to pull on the leash, make walking on a loose leash your first priority. You should also teach your Lab to "come," "drop it," and "fetch," so you can take advantage of its natural tendency for retrieving. Use Positive Reinforcement Training Their eagerness to learn, playfulness, affectionate natures, and their love of treats make Labrador retrievers fantastic candidates for positive reinforcement dog training. Reward their good behaviors with a small treat, a game, or some cuddle time with you. You'll find your Lab is soon offering you the behaviors you like with little prompting. If you decide to use treats in your training, remember that Labs have a tendency to become overweight. Plan on a Long Adolescence One of the most endearing qualities of Labrador retrievers is that they remain very puppy-like long after they've reached adulthood. The downside is that their energy level and tendency to get into mischief continues well into adulthood as well. Therefore, it pays to have behavior management tools handy. The training to become a service animal will vary depending on what the dog will be doing; some are trained to be animal companions to sick children and adults in the hospital, while others are trained to serve as seeing-eye dogs. Others may provide assistance to people with mental illnesses, or behavioral problems. Check the requirements for licensing and training where you live; some places have more strict rules and requirements for service dogs than others. Problems and Proofing Behavior Many Labrador retrievers are happiest and the most well-behaved when they have a job to do. Consider getting involved with a dog sport or training your Lab as a service animal or pet therapy dog. Crate train your Labrador so it doesn't have the run of the house when you're not there to supervise Provide your Lab with a variety of interesting toys and chews to keep it from getting bored. Continue practicing basic obedience commands; it reinforces your Lab's training and provides mental stimulation. No matter what training you decide on, keeping your Lab busy and active is sure to keep one of those famous Lab smiles on its face. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. McGreevy, Paul D et al. Labrador retrievers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders. Canine genetics and epidemiology vol. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the bathroom at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialization Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the yard Besides the gnomes and questionable yard furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own yard is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and yard to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favorite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. Print Raising a retriever puppy like the pros Your Labrador puppy can seem small and fragile during those first few weeks home from the breeder. Labrador puppies will learn quickly about acceptable and unacceptable behavior those first few weeks, if you, the owner, are willing to set and enforce boundaries. Here is the training you should be working on with your week-old Labrador puppy. About this series of posts This is post three of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Training and socialization for week-old Labrador puppy — week three home Your week-old puppy has been with your family for approximately 3 weeks now. This week you should start noticing some bigger changes with your puppy. Here are some of the changes I notice with Bubba. First, she is growing fast! Bubba is almost ready for a new collar already. I have loosened her current collar twice, and there is no more room to expand it. She is also learning a lot. Bubba is also becoming more personable. She likes and has more interest in people now and wants to be petted and scratched more often. Training equipment for Lab puppy We added a couple new training tools this week. But a thicker check cord will also work. We use this check cord for longer outside marks and assistant-marks which I will discuss more in a bit. Puppy sized canvas or light-weight plastic bumpers In week two, we introduced formal retrieving in a hallway in the house. In week three, we move outside with retrieving and introduce assistant throws, so it is helpful to have a few more bumpers. Puppy training that will continue Much of the training I have been working on for the past two weeks with Bubba will continue into this week and beyond. Dog training is not something that has a definitive end-date. For instance, you teach your puppy to SIT and then you must work and practice that command daily or weekly, often for months before the response to the command is solid. But even once the response is solid, you cannot completely stop training. If you stop training, even an older dog, the dog can lose the previous training. So, realize that you are never done working with your dog, especially on obedience training. Some areas that we will continue training Bubba on are: Crate training Bubba is doing great at crate training. She rarely makes any noise while in her crate and settles down quickly after being put into her crate. In the upcoming weeks, we will work towards getting Bubba to enter her crate on command. Looking for more information on crate training? Housebreaking Housebreaking Bubba is going well. We have caught her in a few accidents, but she already seems to understand that she is not supposed to go potty inside. This does not mean that she is done housebreaking. We still expect accidents and will for a few months, so we watch her carefully while she is running around in the house. We also praise her for behaviors like going to the door and tapping the door or whining at the door. These behaviors are rewarded with us taking her outside to go potty. When she goes potty outside, we praise her and then take her right back in. We want her to start understanding that these cue behaviors will get her out to go potty and that is all. Looking for more information on housebreaking? But we will also add a few new ones. We will use this while teaching our puppy the SIT command. It also will be used going forward, anytime we are done working on structured obedience work. We will release the dog from formal work with the OKAY command. But we also use it to mean go to a certain place, such as on a mat or stand. Or, when we want her to go into her crate or kennel. This is an associative command, meaning the puppy will learn the command through our repetition of the word as we tie it to a behavior. But over time, she will make the association and will perform it on her own. This is very important especially if you ever plan on doing more advanced training with your retriever. You will use whatever your dogs name is. A few commands that we will continue to work on this week We will continue to work on obedience commands this week and in the weeks to come. Each week we will expect a little more and better compliance and performance to the command. She is sitting when I put the leash and chain collar on her and when I am taking it off. This week we also added SIT before eating. We only make her SIT for a few seconds; we are working on control. She does not SIT on her own yet, but she will be doing that within a week or so I would guess. Right now, I grab her collar and say SIT. In week three, I have a slightly higher expectation. On walks, I make her walk right beside me for a minute or two using the HEEL command before releasing her and letting her run back and forth a bit. This tells me that she understands the command. Then release her. If every time your puppy comes to you, you put her away or take something away from her, soon your puppy will not want to come to you. You must work hard to make coming to you a good experience for your puppy. So, call her, praise her when she comes and release. Remember: Never use a HERE command if you are not in the position of being able to enforce the command. Make every effort to socialize your puppy You should continue to take steps to socialize your week-old puppy. Anything you can think of. The more things and situations you expose your puppy to, the better your puppy will be equipped to adjust and learn in the future. Learn more about socialization. Hand throws with a puppy bumper you are throwing out a bumper done outside will carry a lot more distraction than retrieves in a hallway. Just pick up the bumper and try again tomorrow. When retrieving outside, make sure you have a long foot rope attached to your puppy. Never try to do retrieves outside without a rope. You will have problems and encourage bad behaviors. You must have a way to get the puppy to come back to you, otherwise you should not be doing retrieves outside. Once your puppy is doing well retrieving outside, you are ready to introduce assistant marks. Introduction to assistant marks The most important thing we worked on with Bubba this week is assistant marks. Assistant marks are retrieves where someone else is throwing the bumper, not you. This teaches your puppy to watch out in the field for a mark. It is very rare that a duck will come from behind you, fly over your head and you shoot it. The ducks and pheasants will be falling in front of you, so the dog must learn to look out and watch for the mark. We start assistant marks on very short grass with white plugs so that the puppy can clearly see the item on the ground. We hold the puppy in a SIT position facing a thrower who is about 20 feet from you. When your puppy picks up the bumper, immediately start calling her back to you. Remember, you should have the foot check cord on her so you can pull the puppy in if needed. Then, take the bumper from her, throw it behind you, make your puppy sit facing the thrower again and repeat. Only do retrieves and then call it a day. Soon your puppy will learn this game and love it. They will start facing the thrower on their own and sitting and waiting for a mark. Final thoughts on training for your week-old Labrador puppy week-old puppies are so eager to learn, so be sure and take advantage of this enthusiasm to teach new concepts and enforce previous ones. Continue to teach your puppy to handle more and more pressure and correction while maintaining a good attitude. Lastly, assistant marks are a big deal. Once a dog learns this part of the game, you can work to increase the distance and complexity of the marks. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. Print Early obedience first step to better hunting dog Labrador puppies start out sweet and innocent. All you want to do is cuddle up with your pup and love them! And you should! But rest assured the innocence will not last. As your pup gains confidence and courage, they will begin to test you in many ways. That is why you must obedience train your Labrador puppy. Early obedience training is key to establishing borders and boundaries that will help your puppy grow, learn, and adjust with a good attitude. There is no shortcut to doing this, just use the name often when you talk to your puppy. Over time, the pup will start to respond to the name. Socialization, while not technically obedience training, is the single most important thing you can teach your puppy during the first few months of life. If you are not sure how to do this, refer to this post. Tools needed to obedience train Labrador puppy You will need a few tools to teach your puppy obedience. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. Collar — You should purchase a size appropriate collar for your new puppy. You may have to buy new ones as your dog grows, but it is important for your puppy to get used to wearing a collar early on. A simple nylon adjustable collar works great. Chain collar — If your puppy is more than a few months old, a chain or prong collar is extremely helpful in teaching obedience, but they must be used correctly. For more information on how to put a chain collar on your dog correctly refer to this video. A longer lead, called a check cord, is also useful for teaching HERE and retrieving. You can learn more about that here. Heeling stick optional — While optional, a heeling stick can be especially helpful in teaching basic obedience. Treats — Treats are good for teaching very young puppies. I use treats for pups under 12 weeks of age, but treats should be discontinued rather quickly. When to start basic puppy obedience training Obedience training can and should start within the first couple weeks of having your puppy home. Young puppies are ready and willing to learn and teaching obedience to a young puppy is much easier than teaching it to an older dog. How long should obedience sessions be? Most labs do not enjoy obedience training. For this reason, we aim to keep obedience sessions short, especially if your dog is under 4-months of age. Five to ten minutes of obedience a day can work wonders. Especially if you are consistent. Using rewards or praise to teach obedience Many people like to use treats or rewards for obedience training. And this can work, especially with very young dogs. But for hunting dogs, over the long-term treats can become a problem. We do not want our dogs, or the dogs we train to be obedient only because they are getting a food reward. We want them to be obedient because they understand their place in the family and respect the owners. To get these lasting results, we use praise words and petting and a reward that retrievers live for — retrieves! Well-timed praise is a particularly important part of dog training. A message that it is okay to ignore me the first 9 times! This simply means that after a few minutes of formal obedience training, we release the dog with an OKAY command and that means they can run around and be a dog. We then throw a bumper or plug a for the dog to retriever. We do this a few times with a lot of excitement and allow the dog to retrieve the bumper. For retriever breeds, this is often more effective than a food reward. Be careful that you are not letting your puppy get into bad habits with retrieving. For instance, if your puppy often goes out to retrieve the bumper but then runs away with it, or picks it up and drops it, do not continue doing retrieves. While retrieving is a reward for many Labs, it is not an excuse to engage in behaviors that are not going to be acceptable in the field. If you want to learn more about how to properly teach your Lab to retrieve, check out How can I teach my retriever puppy to fetch? Introduction to leash and nylon collar The very first step for any puppy obedience is to introduce your puppy to a regular collar and leash. This should be done in two separate steps, first the collar and then the leash. Introduce the collar by putting a nylon type collar on your puppy. This is normal and you should not react to it. Introducing the leash is a little different. We like to do this outside. After a few sessions of this introduction, you can start holding the leash by the end and walking with the puppy. When the puppy tries to run or walk away, hold tight to the leash, and just let the puppy get used to the resistance. Some puppies have a hard time with this and will growl or whine and whip themselves around at the pressure, but most will not. Remain calm and after a few sessions the puppy should get used to the resistance of the leash. Do not allow the puppy to pull you around. That will make for some bad behaviors that you will need to correct later. If you cannot control your puppy with just a regular collar and leash, you may need to move to a chain or prong collar to keep control. What commands to teach Lab puppy There are only four basic obedience commands that you need to teach your young puppy. Remember when it comes to commands, less is more. OKAY — this is a release command, basically tells your dog were done training, go be a dog. As your puppy grows and learns more, there are some other commands that may be needed, but for puppies I like to start with just the four above. Dog training requires consistency Before you start with obedience training, I want to make a note about the importance of consistency. Obedience training only works if you are consistent. This means that when you say a command, you expect the puppy to perform the command, and are willing to take steps to make the puppy perform the command. If you do not remain consistent in this expectation, you will confuse your dog and get poor results from your training. You and your family must be consistent! How to start obedience training Lab puppy The first command you want to start teaching your puppy is SIT. This is quite easy to teach with a small puppy but gets a little tougher as they get bigger. Then release the puppy with the OKAY command. Repeat this process several times, then stop. If your puppy is weeks old, you can repeat this training several times a day for only a couple minutes at a time. This will be a two-person job for a little while. The other person will put the food down a few feet from the puppy. Then release the puppy to eat saying OKAY. As the pup learns and understands the command better, you will no longer need a second person to hold the puppy. You must be a little careful here because young puppies do not have great bladder control and making them wait, even a few seconds, can mean the difference between an accident and them doing their business outside. But this is a great way to teach impulse control and manners to your puppy. I do not want to have to fight for a position by the door. You can usually start working on this within a week or two of teaching SIT. A great way to teach this command to young puppies is to use two people and sit in a long hallway, one at each end. Take turns calling your puppy with a HERE command. A toy or treat can often help the process. Let your puppy run around a bit but hold onto the end of the cord. Occasionally, call you puppy with a HERE command. It can be helpful at first to crouch down to encourage the puppy to run towards you. Then release the puppy with an OKAY command. Do this a few more times and repeat daily until the puppy is coming to you without you needing to pull the cord. It is also the command most of our clients struggle with the most. Mostly because they are using the wrong tool for the job. For heeling work, it is important that you work with a chain or prong collar. This will give you more control and stop the pulling and surging that many people struggle with. Using a chain or prong collar and a six-foot leash, start walking your puppy at your side. If your puppy is young, be sure to use a puppy chain collar which is smaller than chain collars for adult dogs. And make sure that you are putting it on correctly! An alternate tool to a chain collar and leash is the Wonder or Command Lead. These work great for teaching HEEL. As you start walking use gently tugs on the chain collar with the command HERE to keep your puppy at your side. If your puppy surges or pulls ahead, simply make a degree turn and start walking the other direction giving a sharp, upward tug on the chain collar and saying HEEL several times until the dog is back in a heeling position. Many of our clients have told us they never left their driveway the first few days! But if you are patient and consistent, your dog will quickly learn that if they want to go for a walk, they need to stay at your side. If you want to learn and progress in more obedience work, check out these obedience drills for retrievers. Final thoughts on how to teach your lab puppy obedience Teaching your puppy obedience may take a lot of patience, time and work, but it is such an important thing to do. You will never regret the time! A well-mannered dog is such a joy to be around both in the home and in the field. How to obedience train Labrador puppy. Commencing Marker Training your chocolate labrador pup Start Marker Training at 8 weeks of age When you take your 8 week old labrador pup to their new home, you should commence their obedience training immediately. Just repetitively say yes and give your pup a treat immediately. Then familiarise your labrador pup with a leash. Clip the leash to their collar and allow the pup to roam a little. This way they will adjust to its weight and the sensation around their neck. If you try to walk your pup straight away, they will simply resist. Don't pull and command, but rather cultivate a positive experience with a leash. Secondly, I recommend that you feed your new labrador pup with a leash attached until they learn to sit. This will establish you as the master and immediately teach the pup restraint. Do not give the food bowl to your dog without firstly bringing him under your control. Even with my mature dogs, I will not let them feed except on command. Feeding should never be random. Hold the leash close to the labrador pup's neck and push their rear end down to the seated position. When they are sitting, enthusiastically praise your pup and, only then, reward their obedience with food. Remember, food should always represent a reward for good behaviour. They hear tones and frequencies. When we train them, we are conditioning them to associate a particular sound with a response so that it means something to them. Labrador puppies like all dogs learn contextually and by consistent repetition. In this way, a labrador pup learns to associate sounds with responses and rewards. This is why you should reward your pup immediately when they have performed a command correctly, even if they did not intend to do so. In the early stages, I prefer to teach a dog to 'sit,' then move on to 'staying' before teaching them to 'come'. This is especially so while they are still a puppy. Remember that a 12 month old dog is still a pup. They are regularly hyperactive and overstimulated. The goal is to get your labrador puppy into a calm and submissive state as often as you can. Ensure you are demonstrating a calm and composed, yet assertive demeanor. When you are in charge, your labrador pup will willingly sit and look to you for direction. Exercise patience and be repetitive but don't overdo it. Remember that the time you put in now will help you bond with your young dog, even if they do not appear to be advancing quickly. It will be a very worthwhile investment in a long term relationship for years to come. Of these three basic commands, the 'stay' command will take more time to teach. When this is mastered and entrenched in your dog's obedience, it can save your dog from danger. You are teaching them associations, not English words. Sit Teaching your new labrador pup to sit should begin immediately when you take it home. Begin by feeding them on a leash. Hold the leash close to the pup's neck. Give the pup the 'sit' command, but don't reward them with food until they are sitting. In this way you have begun to condition the pup to the 'sit' command. This requires patience at meal time. Remember that a labrador pup requires 4 feeds a day for the first phase of their life. This gives you ample opportunity for repetition and reward. When the dog sits, reward them with a treat and a lot of enthusiastic praise. Each time they repeat the behaviour, reward them with a treat again. You can train your labrador pup for short intervals at any time. Carry a few small pieces of food. Call your pup, then reward them with lots of affirmation and a piece of food when they comply. Teach them to sit by offering a small treat. Say 'sit', then let them smell the food as you move your hand over their head. A labrador pup will automatically lift the nose in the air to follow the food. As the head moves up and back, the pup will tend to sit. Give lots of praise and gradually increase repetition as they associate the word 'sit' with the food. Stay Your Labrador pup will need to understand the 'sit' command before you advance to 'stay'. Before you give the 'stay' command, make sure that the dog is seated. To keep the dog in the sitting position, you will use your hand with the fingers pointing up and the palm in front of their face. To begin with, position yourself about half a metre away from your pup's face. Direct the 'stay' command calmly, with your hand up. Slowly take half a step back and remain there for 3 seconds to begin with. Then step back towards to the dog. Wait for another 3 sec and then reward your dog with a treat. Repeat this 5 times. Reward them at the end of each 'stay' routine by praising them enthusiastically and giving them a treat. Don't praise or reward the dog until they have remained seated in front of you for a minimum of 3 seconds when you return. Your puppy should not move a millimetre until you give the reward. If your dog breaks early, you have gone too far. Simply return to your dog, reset them in the seated position and begin the routine again. Come It is important to make sure your Labrador understands the 'stay' command before you begin the recall or 'come' command. Make sure you pup is seated before you give the 'come' command. As your walk away from your pup, maintain eye contact. Don't back away too far too soon. If the pup breaks early, give the 'come' command to establish association. When you call your dog to 'come', do not let them jump up on you. If the dog wants to stand on its back legs and reach up, place the palm of your hand on their head and hold it away from you. I suggest that you don't say 'no! The down command should be used as a more constructive training command. If your pup jumps up, make your disapproval known by using a 'dog' sound; 'Ahhh! If you find yourself becoming frustrated, then put the pup away and start again tomorrow. Don't take it personally and don't blame the dog. Corrections are necessary, but not out of frustration or anger. If it's not working, then look at your consistency and your communication. If the training is a positive experience then you will strengthen the bonding and learning process. Develop consistent communication and trust with your dog in the process of the training. Labrador pups love to please and they will be very proud of themselves when they accomplish the command and gain your approval. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Labrador Retriever pups are working dogs. This means they live to please you for a treat. The more you engage them with different puppy training behaviors the happier they will be. Of course, Labs will be Labs, and this means that dogs do dog things unless they are trained to follow your expectations. Potty training your puppy is just the beginning of you making clear expectations for your Lab. Puppy training from long leash training to potty training, to not nipping is discussed in greater detail along with clear, easy to follow videos at www. But we will give you an expert training tip summary below. For this reason, you need to become an expert on puppy training. Contact us for a discount on the Puppy Trained Right positive reinforcement training program. Expose your puppy to as many different people and situations possible. Teach dog to dog manners when required. Use Positive Reinforcement. Allow for Play with Other Puppies. Play with other Lab Puppies not only allows your pup to get some exercise it is a form of puppy socialization. Bond with your Puppy. Once a strong bond is formed your Lab Puppy will want to please you even more. Potty Train Right Away. Learn how Dogs Learn. Training a Lab puppy is easy if you understand how to go about it. Give your Lab Puppy Play time to Explore. Labs need this as part of their natural development. Spend more time with your puppy when young. This is the time when your expectations should be clearly outlined and can decrease as she gets older. Begin Training day 1. This happens weather or not you intend it to. Every action and reaction is something your puppy uses to form new habits. So ignoring them jumping up as an 8 week old puppy is training them to jump up and will be much more difficult to un-train once they are 70 lbs. Relax and make learning fun. Your pup needs you happy and enjoying yourself! Use Positive Training Methods because they work. This means reward what you desire. Ensure most Experiences are Positive. Imagine a training session of No, No, No, No! Expose them to as Many Human Situations possible. One cause is that there was not adequate socialization with different men. Be Patient. You are building an amazing K9 personality. The window is between 8 and 20 weeks old. Make the most of it. The better your Lab is socialized the happier they will be. Anxiety in dogs comes from many things. The more things your dog is comfortable with the less chance for anxiety and therefore the happier they are. Prepare yourself, your family and your home before your puppy comes home. It is too late once you meet your puppy as simply interacting with her is training. Allow for Safe Experiences both in the home and outside. Seek professional trainers to help guide you when faced with a problem. Be consistent. Clear expectations are easiest to learn. Focus on Guiding not controlling. Best Start Training or Training Classes are beneficial for both you and your puppy. Expect Success. We tend to move in the direction we believe we will travel. Reward the Behaviors you want to see even something as simple as 4 paws on the ground if you are trying to train your Lab not to jump up on you. Become Well informed. You are teaching a skill like reading that takes clear expectations and builds upon last session. Lab Puppies need constant supervision either human, a crate, a fenced area or a baby gate across a doorway. Encourage a soft mouth. Keep your training up or it will be forgotten. Begin Walking on a Loose Leash Right away. This is always easier for your Lab when they are 12 lbs not 70lbs. Change direction before the leash tightens so they are followers not leaders. This is much easier to train before it happens than correct. Allow alone time for your Lab. Know when to end a training session. End training before your puppy quits. Make time for a few shorter training Sessions. Three fifteen minute sessions are better than one 45 min one. Teach your Lab to respond to their name. Teach your Labrador basic obedience before tricks-come, sit, stay, down, leave it. Have all humans learn the commands and be consistent. Ignore undesirable behaviors. Ignoring includes not saying no, bad dog, touching your dog or making eye contact. Find rewards that your Retriever loves and use them when you have breakthrough training moments. Adjust your expectations as your Lab puppy matures, the older more experienced the higher the expectation. Set Realistic Expectations. Minimize distractions when you begin training. Be aware of your Body Language, Labradors pick up cues from you. Be aware of your leash tension. A tight leash says anxiety from the handler. Know when to get Help .Have fun! Understand that Labs do Lab things. Make them work for food and treats. Exercise your Retriever properly for both intensity and duration. Learn some exercise games Labs love. Give lots of repetition. Stop before they get bored. Establish a Pattern by Praising. Redirect undesired behavior. Accept partial actions at first and gradually increase your expectations. When treats end Verbal treats and chin scratches rule. They will know. Enjoy your well balanced purebred Lab puppy for many years. Purebred Lab Retrievers, are they easier to train? The answer to that is definitely maybe! Not all purebreds are bred for intelligence. For example, if a Labrador Retriever breeder chooses to breed their dogs for a certain look then they may overlook intelligence as one of the important characteristics in order to get a specific Lab look. We however breed for intelligence, health and temperament. So in our case, yes, our Purebred Lab Puppies are easier to train than many because we choose the parents and their puppies specifically for their smarts!