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Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Updated: Nov 15, When it comes to coat color of Labrador puppies, there are three colors recognized by the American Kennel Club. Black Labs, yellow Labs, and brown Labs often called chocolate Labs are the three main varieties of Labrador retriever, however these puppies often exhibit different shades of black, yellow, and brown fur. So with so much variation, what causes a difference in color? Where it begins to get tricky is when we discuss the genetics of black labs and chocolate labs when compared to yellow lab. Allele: One of two or more versions of a gene. When it comes to the coats of Labrador puppies, fur color is determined by one of two different genes, as well as a variety of alleles. When it comes to black lab puppies and chocolate lab puppies, both varieties inherit their fur color from a single gene, known as "Tyrosinase-related protein 1. Here we have two dominant genes for black fur, obviously resulting in a black lab puppy. In a situation in which either parent passes on the dominant allele and the other passes on the recessive, the lab puppy will still have a black coat. When both parents pass on the recessive allele, only then do we see a chocolate lab puppy. So, Where Does Yellow Come from? Yellow Labrador puppies get their hair color from a gene entirely different from the gene that determines black or brown fur. Melanocortin 1 receptor MC1R is the gene responsible for yellow lab puppies, but can still result in fur coats of black and brown. As you may have deduced, the allele for yellow lab puppies is recessive. Both parents pass on dominant alleles for black or chocolate fur, resulting in a black or chocolate puppy. Only in a situation in which both parents pass on alleles coding for yellow fur is the TYRP1 gene overridden and yellow lab puppies are produced. What is also interesting about the creation of yellow lab puppies is the fact that while their fur coat is without black or brown pigment, their skin will still exhibit the same color pigment as that of black or chocolate lab puppies. Find out how we get chocolate, black or yellow puppies and what color pups we might get when we mix Labradors of different colors. Strictly speaking, there are only three different types of Labrador color: black Labs, brown Labs usually referred to as chocolate and yellow Labs. These are the three colors recognized and accepted by the Kennel Club In practice, there is a wide range of shades of yellow Labrador color, from palest cream to richest fox red. But what makes a Labrador brown, or black, or yellow. And what about Silver Labradors? Where does this new and controversial coat color come in to play? Where do Black and Chocolate Labradors come from? The information that determines whether or not your Labrador is basically black or basically chocolate is passed on through a pair of genes. Why black is a dominant color: It is normal for dominant genes to switch off, or over-ride, recessive genes. And that is exactly what happens here. A dog with BB genes will be black, because he has no little b gene, the one that gives us a brown coat. But a Bb dog will be black too, because if the dominant black gene is present, it switches off the brown gene. How chocolate Labradors are made: Even though a dog inherits a little b gene, the dog will only appear brown if no black gene B is present at all. Two black genes BB gives you a black Labrador One of each Bb also give you a black Labrador Two brown genes bb gives you a chocolate Labrador Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog at the bottom will actually look brown. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. Remember, the dog in the middle of our list above will look black, but pass the brown gene on to about half of all its offspring. But things are never that simple are they? Because of course some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. And these genes have a different kind of power. The result is a yellow dog But little ee is recessive, and if the dominant E gene is present, it switches off the masking gene. It only takes one big E gene to do this. So the dog will only appear yellow if no big E gene is present at all. There are three possible combinations of eee gene that a dog could inherit. There are nine different possible combinations. Nine different possible Labrador genotypes! The chart below lists them genotype is the genetic makeup, phenotype is the appearance of the dog. Original Labrador Retriever Color Black is the original, archetypal Labrador color, and genetically the most dominant. Chocolate and yellow puppies were frequently euthanized at birth. To understand that we have to look at the genetic difference between black and chocolate Labs. Labrador Retriever Color Genetics Both types get their color from a pigment called eumelanin. Labs with lots of eumelanin pigment in their coat are black. If they have a little less, they appear brown instead. We use letters to tell each place apart — a bit like giving each locus its own zip code! The B locus is home to a pair of genes called B genes. There are two types of B gene your Lab can get in their pair: One we call big B — it contains an instruction to make lots of eumelanin, and causes a black Labrador coat. And one we call little b — it contains an instruction for less eumelanin, and causes a brown or chocolate coat. Big B is a dominant gene, and little b is a recessive gene. Dominant genes to switch off, or override, recessive genes. So dog with BB genes will be black, because he has two genes for a black coat. And a Bb dog will be black too, because the dominant B genethe recessive b gene. Only a dog with a matching pair of bb genes will express the instruction for less eumelanin in their coat, and be brown. Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog with two copies of the b gene will actually look brown. But the dominance of the black color enabled our chocolate friends to remain hidden and rare with the breed, for many decades. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. In fact, it would take two black Labs both carrying the little b gene to produce chocolate puppies. Like this: Statistically, one quarter of their litter would be chocolate colored. And of course, some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. These genes are located at the E locus. And — you guessed it — we call them E genes. Just like B genes there are two versions of the E gene, big E and little e. Big E is the dominant gene. It does not interfere with the B genes. Little e is the recessive gene. It has the potential to mask the B genes that would otherwise give us black or brown coats. And the result is a yellow dog. How Yellow Overrides Black and Chocolate Only the little e gene can mask the instructions for black or chocolate fur. There are three possible combinations of E gene that a dog can inherit. It could have two dominant genes EE two masking genes ee or one of each Ee. Only the middle of these three dogs will be yellow. Nine Different Possible Labrador Genotypes! Every Labrador has a combination of B and E genes — called their genotype. There are nine different possible genotypes. Here they are in full: Can you see why each combination of genes turns out the way it does? Because as you can see, the second dog down the list may look black but he could throw brown puppies, and the fourth dog down the list may look black, but he could throw yellow puppies. The fifth dog down the list is also black but he could throw yellow and brown puppies. Puppy colors are easier to predict when both parents owe their appearance to the recessive genes b or e. Mating Two Yellow Labradors Two yellow Labradors mated together will never throw brown or black puppies. All their offspring will be yellow. This is because yellow dogs do not possess the big E gene which is needed to switch off the masking effect. Mating Two Chocolate Labradors Two brown Labs mated together will never throw black puppies because brown dogs do not have the big B gene. But two chocolate Labs can produce yellow puppies, if each of the parents carries the little e gene — like this: In the mixed litter, statistically one of half of the puppies will be chocolate and one half yellow. Depending on their genotype, two black Labradors can indeed have yellow or chocolate puppies. Remember from our grid above that there are four different possible genotypes for a black Labrador. The genotype refers to the genetic code that the dog carries. And the four different possible black genotypes down the side to represent the father. Inside the grid are the puppies that could be born from each combination. If and only if, both parents carry a little e gene, then some of the puppies may be yellow. Remember that your puppy needs two little e genes one from each parent in order to be yellow. If only one of two black dogs carries the little e gene, all their puppies will be black. Yes it is, check out the bottom right hand square in the diagram above! Notice that it can only happen if both parents dogs have this genotype: EeBb. In other words, they both carry a little e and a little b. This is good example of how complicated, and unexpected, Labrador colors can be. There are six different possibilities for litter color combinations depending on the genotype of the parents. You can even get a litter of all black puppies from a chocolate mother and a yellow father or vice versa! Here are the color possibilities: yellow, black, and chocolate puppies yellow and black puppies. Old chocolate Labs I have been writing about Labradors for many years now, and there is no doubt in my mind that they are all wonderful dogs. But the chocolate Labrador is special. Meet Rachael, my Beautiful Brown Lab All Labradors are beautiful, of course, but brown Labradors will always hold a special place in my heart. In fact, I am unashamedly biased! You see, I am lucky enough to share my life with Rachael. A female chocolate retriever from a mixture of American and English Lab lines. This is Rachael as a puppy. This page is a celebration of what is for me, one of the most beautiful dogs in the world. Rachael has been a huge source of inspiration for this website, so this is a little tribute to her and a thank you for all she has taught me. Where do Chocolate Labs come from? But they had been around for some years before that. The Labrador breed was developed mainly by a couple of English aristocrats in the s, from dogs they had imported from North America. Although our early Labrador Retrievers were predominantly black, some of these original dogs carried the genetic information required to produce chocolate puppies. Just as some also carried the information required to produce yellow puppies. If mainly black dogs were bred from, you may wonder how a brown puppy was ever born! To understand that, we need to take a peep at the genes that carry the code for coat color in the Labrador retriever. How is the Chocolate Color Inherited in Labradors? The instructions that tell your dog what to look like, and what color to be, come packed in genes. And genes come in pairs. This is true for the gene that determines whether or not the Labrador will be brown this gene is called b or black B. Every Labrador has either two genes for a black coat BB or two genes for a brown coat bb or one of each Bb. The color black in Labradors is dominant. That means that if a Labrador has one gene for the color brown, and one gene for the color black, the dog will be black. This is because his black gene switches off the brown one. The brown gene just sits hidden inside him doing nothing in particular, while the black gene takes control of his coat. What about Chocolate Labs? So for a chocolate Lab puppy to be born, he needs to have those two chocolate genes, one is not enough. However, a black Labrador can sneakily carry a brown gene Bb and pass it along to his children. This is how the color brown can and did remain hidden in generation after generation of black Labradors. Shedding chocolate Labs can appear paler as the undercoat shows through more when deep in shed. In old age their coat can also fade, especially around their face. Why were Chocolate Labs not Wanted? So if there were always brown genes in our Labrador population, there have always been occasional brown puppies. All that was required to produce some chocolate Labrador Retriever puppies was for someone to mate a black dog carrying brown Bb with another black dog carrying brown. And hey presto, some of this litter of puppies are brown! And of course in the days long before DNA tests,, there was no way of knowing for sure that a black dog was carrying brown, until he had made some brown puppies. By which time it was too late! It seems bizarre to us now, in a world where chocolate is such a popular color in dogs. But in the early s only black would do. When did Chocolate Labs become Popular? By the s and 30s a few brown or liver Labradors as they were then called were making an appearance on the shooting field. But for some years more, brown was not widely acceptable to Labrador enthusiasts. Chocolate Labs are loving dogs, full of warmth and enthusiasm That preference continues today, and we still often name our brown Labs after favorite snack bars and chocolate flavored drinks! The s was a turning point in the popularity of the chocolate Lab, but interest grew slowly at first. Gradually, the public began to demand more chocolate Lab puppies, and gradually breeders began to produce them. Over the next few decades, Chocolate Labradors became increasingly popular both in the show ring and as pets. In the shooting community, where Labradors were expected to do a job of work, the preference for black continued. This continued throughout the late s, and into the present day, particularly in the UK. American Chocolate Lab American chocolate Labradors were bred to work, and are also known as field Labradors. The chocolate Lab has now become more established in the working community, but they are harder to find. There is a rumour going around that this is because brown Labradors are a bit stupid! But is it true? You might also have noticed that chocolate Labs are rarely seen as seeing eye dogs. Chocolate Lab Characteristics Just like you and me, every dog is a product of both his environment. As well as the genes he is born with. We have seen that many chocolate Labradors come from show Labrador lines, and these bloodlines tend to have certain characteristics in common. Characteristics that are passed along from parent to puppy. Chocolate Lab size varies quite a bit. Show Labradors English are often more heavily built, and somewhat slower and physically less agile than their field bred counterparts. Some English brown Labs may reach 80 or 90lbs without being fat or overweight. Whereas American chocolate Labs are often lighter. My Rachael, for example, weighs less than 60lbs. Most males of her build will weigh five or ten pounds more. English chocolate Labs are also more likely to have a chunky Labrador head and thick otter tail. And while some feel that the chunkiness of the skull has been taken too far in show lines, there is no denying the beauty of a classic Labrador head. A brown Labrador is more likely to be from these show types of bloodline and are therefore more likely to share these general characteristics. But there is more. Chocolate Lab Temperament American Labs may have a more intense retrieve drive, or urge to chase and retrieve things than their show bred cousins. In short, they are desperate to please. Over many generations this biddable quality has been bred into our working Labs alongside their retrieving and hunting prowess. This has given working dogs a rather different temperament from our show stock. Chocolate Lab Intelligence In show dogs you may see a more robust temperament. An English chocolate Lab is often less concerned over the little ups and downs of life. Nothing is taken too seriously. Many English chocolate Lab owners report that their dogs are especially playful. And I have certainly found that to be the case with Rachael. She adores soft toys and spends hours playing with her Flat Squirrel! However, they may less distractible, more focused and therefore easier to train. This can certainly give the impression of a dog that is pretty smart. These dogs may also be more likely to be black. English Labs are still highly intelligent, highly trainable dogs. The differences between field and show might give you the edge in competition. They are also becoming increasingly irrelevant as we switch to more modern methods of training which are much better at motivating dogs to engage in the training process. We mentioned earlier that the color black has long been favoured by the working retriever community. Experienced, working gundog enthusiasts are less likely to buy a puppy that is not from working lines, and when they do, they are more likely to choose a black dog. Unsurprisingly this means that most working lines of Labs are predominantly black. Black is also a great color for a hunting companion. A yellow dog really stands out in the countryside, even in poor light, so even when yellow dogs became more common, they were not so popular with the hunter. Brown dogs are better camouflaged but became more numerous much later and were embraced first by the pet and show communities. Are Chocolate Labs Stupid? To my knowledge, no study has ever been carried out on the differing intellectual abilities of Labrador of different colors. Everything you hear is based on personal anecdotal stories, often passed along in fun. At least to begin with! She has very intense retrieve drive, but is less naturally keen to share the outcome with anyone. She is also easily distracted and because of this she has taken me a little longer to train than my working line Labs. But it is most unlikely that there is any distinct difference in intelligence between dogs of the same breed that happen to be a different color. Being chocolate does not make a dog stupid Even if there were a difference in learning ability between different colored dogs, it does not mean that one caused the other. The answer lies in the behavior and temperament of dogs from different bloodlines. Types of chocolate Labs The difference in trainability is in short a feature of the difference between the field bred dog and the show bred dog. Not a feature of the color of the dog. It is a coincidence that many chocolate Labradors are English in type, and many black Labs are American in type. Because of this coincidence the characteristics of the show bred Lab tend to be attributed to our brown friends. While the characteristics of the field bred Lab tend to be attributed to our black dogs. So you can see how the myth got started. The fact is, that chocolate Labs from working lines are just as easy to train as black Labs from working lines. But you are less likely to meet a chocolate Lab from working lines at the moment. But rest assured, your chocolate friend is not stupid. With modern training methods you can easily teach him to be a well behaved and obedient dog. Chocolate Labrador Shades Unlike our yellow Labradors — which come in a wide range of shades, the color chocolate is pretty consistent in puppyhood. Most chocolate Labs are quite similar in color. As the old hair dies it starts to lose some of its color, and the dead hair is much paler than the glossy new coat that will soon appear. And though some chocolate Labs are darker than others, even when taking the stage of moult into account, variations between individuals are fairly small, with one very contentious exception. The Silver Labrador. Silver Labs Are Chocolate Labs Silver Labradors have a gene which dilutes the color chocolate and makes it a pale, silvery shade. Some people find this very attractive, while others regard it as an abomination. There is no doubt that a hundred years ago, there was no coat dilution gene in our Labrador Retrievers. We know for sure that this gene has appeared quite recently. The strongest theory is that the gene arrived through cross breeding a Labrador with a dog that carries the dilute coat color gene. A breed such as the Weimaraner for example. This seems rather less likely. Not as silver itself. A bright Future for the Chocolate Lab Throughout history, there have been a number of famous black Labradors, and we tend to associate yellow Labs with the all important role of working as assistance dogs. This is not because chocolate Lab dogs lack the qualities or abilities of black and yellow dogs, but simply because the popularity of the color is a relatively recent phenomenon. There are as we speak, plenty of chocolate Labradors serving in the military, working as assistance dogs and in the shooting field. Maybe you have a story to tell about your own chocolate friend, or maybe you are just starting out on your journey to finding a chocolate Lab to share your life. We have some tips for searching in the right places. The other way, is to buy a chocolate Lab puppy and raise him yourself. There are pros and cons to both rescuing an older dog and raising your own puppy, I go into these in some detail in The Labrador Handbook. It may well depend on what stage of life your family is at and on how experienced you are with dogs in general, and with Labradors in particular. You can buy both books from Amazon by following links above. If rescuing appeals to you, and you are ready for the challenges and the many benefits of giving a dog a new lease of life, there are plenty of rescue societies that specialise in Labradors. Rescuing can be a wonderful and fulfilling way of bringing a lovely brown retriever into your life, so do consider it thoroughly. You can find lots more information here: Is a rescue Labrador right for you and here The right dog for you- Puppy or Rescue? If now is not the right time for you to rescue an older dog. Or if you are getting a Labrador for a special purpose — as a hunting companion for example — you may be better off with a new puppy. If someone wants to sell you a puppy much younger than that, alarm bells should be ringing. You also need to make sure you buy your puppy from the right place. This means choosing the right breeder. And avoiding puppy mills and pet stores. If you want a puppy for hunting, you need to go to a breeder that specialises in field-bred dogs. If you want to get involved in the world of showing, you need to go to a breeder that breeds Labradors for the show ring. It is possible to train a show dog for work, though he or she is unlikely to get far in high level field competitions. It is not normally possible to succeed in the show ring with a field bred dog. Keep this in mind. Chocolate Labrador Puppy Health Labradors of all colors suffer from inherited disorders. Please, please make sure your puppy is from health tested parents — it may all end in tears if you omit this important step. Their parents should have good hip scores, good elbow scores, clear eye tests and be PRA clear too. But does picking a chocolate Lab puppy set you off on the wrong foot in terms of health from the start? Are Chocolate Labs Unhealthy? In a study hit the headlines hard, and had a lot of chocolate Lab owners in a panic. Their research suggested that there is a link between Lab color and not just health, but lifespan too. Over 33, Labs were studies, with .Giving a good sample size. Chocolate Labs in the study were more likely to have dermatitis, which matches with some colloquial findings of owners of silver Labs with skin problems. Ear problems are also more common, and this is in fact something Rachael has even suffered with in the past. Gastrointestinal issues were more common with chocolate Labradors too. Chocolate Labradors live on average for just .At least according to this study. Interestingly, they were least likely to have degenerative joint disease or dental problems. It reduces the chances of your pup becoming ill. But it is also important to look at the coefficient of inbreeding. Chocolate Labs get their color from a recessive gene. This means that to ensure you have a litter of chocolate puppies you need to breed from two chocolate parents. Reducing gene pools will always increase health problems. Finding a puppy with a very low coefficient of inbreeding will help you to avoid some of these problems. In addition to health testing, of course. It would also be sensible to avoid a chocolate Lab puppy with parents with a history of ear or skin problems. You can find out more about health issues in Labradors in this article: Health screening for Labrador Diseases. And there is lots of information on finding a good breeder here: Labrador breeders — how to find a good one Training and Exercising your Chocolate Labrador My advice for training and exercising your chocolate Labrador is to figure out what type of lines your dog is from and adjust your expectations accordingly. Then to follow a good positive reinforcement training programme. Make sure you exercise his mind as well as his body. Even if you never intend to take him hunting, he still needs a job to do, retrieves to complete, toys to find, streams to cross and so on. If your dog is from show lines, he too needs training and plenty of exercise, but he may also need plenty of play. Toys and games, and other dogs to interact with. Training my Chocolate Lab Even at seven years old, Rachael still loves to play with other dogs and with people. She is hugely enthusiastic about meeting people and dogs and prone to be over-friendly. And I have to make a special effort to ensure that she is not allowed to interact with visitors until she is sitting calmly. On the plus side, I have had to spend less time socialising Rachael than I would with a field bred lab. As she takes everything in her stride. Too friendly! You may find she is intensely friendly and rather distractible, so this aspect of his education is important. Above all, treat your chocolate labrador like an individual. He is far more than just a product of his breeding and environment. He is a unique character, there will never be another quite like him Caring for an old Chocolate Lab As the years pass by, we leave behind one set of challenges and they are replaced by new ones. Failing eyesight, stiff joints, and declining hearing. However, these senior years can still be happy and fun filled for many dogs, especially if you keep your dog slim. If your chocolate friend is quite heavily built as many chocolates are, you need to be extra careful to keep an eye on his weight as he ages. More body weight means more stress and strain on joints, this can aggravate problems like arthritis in older dogs. I personally think that elderly chocolate Labradors are particularly beautiful, with their greying muzzles and kind eyes. Of course, you will want to make your old friend as comfortable as you can. Tell us what is so special about your chocolate Labrador and why you think they are the best.

We are prepared to give these pups the BEST start in life. We are experienced, family-centered, ethical breeders. Our program is based in New England — but our gorgeous puppies have been placed with families from coast to coast. We are longtime breeders of purebred dogs with over 40 years experience. We are passionate about our dogs and puppies. Our elite breeding program strives to preserve, promote, and protect the natural strength and beauty of both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle by carefully crossing select bloodlines to produce Bernedoodles that embody the very best traits of both foundation breeds. Our Bernedoodle dogs and puppies are home-raised, never kenneled, and puppies spend the first eight weeks of their lives living intimately with our family and learning how to be good family members. All our dogs receive the highest nutritional support and are fed a premium organic raw diet. We genetically test every single breeding male and female Bernese Mountain Dogs, Poodles, and Bernedoodles prior to breeding to screen for any hereditary health problems. This means we screen for both Poodle and Bernese Mountain Dog hereditary diseases. Every single puppy receives a full veterinary wellness exam, age-appropriate vaccinations, internal parasite control, and all recommended screenings before going to a new home. We are constantly monitoring the veterinary literature, both in the US and abroad, for continuing advances in canine genetics, health, wellness, nutrition, and disease prevention. Our breeding program is exceptional in its commitment to veterinary advances, and is constantly improving. Beautiful Fun-Loving Friends and Companions. Bernedoodles are an amazing cross between the giant Bernese Mountain Dog, and the multi-talented Poodle. Bernedoodles are very people-oriented, are great with children, and like nothing better than to be where their people are and to be involved with everything that that's going on around them. They are loyal, highly affectionate dogs, and have an intuitive intelligence that makes them superb companions and very easy to train. They will play all day if that's what you want to do, but just as happily snuggle with you on the couch or lay quietly at your feet while you are working. They are truly stellar companions, at ease with people of all ages. Photo Gallery Five week old red and white micro puppy My Blog. Our main aim is to produce a happy, healthy family companion. We have bernedoodles living all over Europe and are happy toa ssist with exporting a puppy safely. Many of our Bernedoodle puppies are trained assistant dogs or are resident dogs at schools. We are really proud of the work our puppies are achieving in developing children's confidence and abilities. Many of our bernedoodles have instagram pages also. Here at spring well we have the show-type cocker spaniel. We love the cocker spaniel for their intelligence and their loving temperment. Our cocker spaniels make excellent family dogs , They aim to please and are fairly easy to train. We have 2 cocker spaniel males - Wichyn and Prince both are available on stud Cockapoo A firm family favourite; which Chlidren seem to love! Cockapoos are loved for their playful characters and for the less shedding of hair. Cockapoo are produced from an English Cocker Spaniel and our Petite Minature Poodles; we always try to get a great variety of interesting colours. Their sweet, loyal and affectionate traits are a big part of what we as a family love about the breed. Many people have returned to buy more of our beautiful Bernese. Welcome to New England Bernedoodles we are a family-owned breeder of exceptional Bernedoodles. We breed for temperament, trainability, and affectionate, lovable companions for any family. We started with this breed after having Australian Labradoodles for many years. However, the shedding and the largeness of the breed were off putting. We decided to put our understanding of genetics to work and combine quality, loving, gentle Bernese Mountain dogs with smart, affectionate poodles to produce Bernedoodles here at New England Bernedoodles. We are also producing the Australian Bernedoodle. Yes, they really are low to non-shedding. We here at New England Bernedoodles breed specifically for temperament so we know that our bernedoodles will excel in gentleness, trainability, love and sweet demeanor. Our bernedoodles have exceptional beautiful coats. There is nothing like snuggling up close to your New England Bernedoodle. New England Bernedoodles strive for excellence and we produce puppies that are extremely intelligent, abundantly affectionate and forever your best friend. Life Span Did You Know? These large, fluffy dogs are known for their non-shedding coats and lovable personalities. Bernedoodles tend to be a great addition to any family! Although the Bernedoodle is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other dog registries. As long as they are properly socialized, they tend to be open and friendly dogs that get along well with just about anyone. These dogs tend to do well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they can be initially wary and watchful at first, they even tend to warm up quickly to strangers once introduced. Bernedoodles are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. Despite their size and energy, they can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise and attention. These dogs tend to handle the cold better than the heat; you may even have some trouble getting them to come back inside after some playtime in the snow. Because Bernedoodles bond so closely with their families and enjoy nothing more than being around them, they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. They can also be prone to skin issues like sensitive skin, allergies, and hot spots. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large dog breed, the Standard Bernedoodle is also at risk for bloat like both parent breeds. The Bernedoodle is a highly intelligent and easily trained dog breed. Some facts about Bernedoodles are that they are a good fit for owners of any experience level and tend to pick up commands easily. Although they tend to grow out of this initial stubbornness with age, puppy training classes will certainly help with training and socialization early on. Bernedoodles tend to have a longer coat that ranges from curly to wavy. Although they tend to be non-shedding, they still need a lot of maintenance to keep their coat looking great. Daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats along with grooming every weeks are recommended. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Brushing daily along and cleanings at the vet as needed are an ideal start to a good dental care routine for your Bernedoodle. Standard Bernedoodles can range from moderate to high energy. They tend to sit in a more moderate activity range and have bursts of higher energy when they play. These dogs are known to play hard and energetically until they are tired, but are not usually considered high-energy dogs. Daily walks plus playtime and some time to run should be enough for a Bernedoodle. But, these dogs will likely be up for more activity if you are. They will love the opportunity to spend more time being active with you. A fully-grown Standard Bernedoodle usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Standard Bernedoodles generally live for years on average. A Bernedoodle is also sometimes called a Bernese Mountain Poo. Featured Bernedoodle Article.

My name's Aaron. I've been trying to find a family for a while now and I have dreams of going for a walk with a new mom or dad, and maybe playing in a yard. I love my belly rubbed and hanging out watching West Wing; I'm a man of classic tastes. I love food and I don't like sharing much but I'm willing to trade recipes. I'm an Aries, I love Gordon Ramsey, and my dream is to make beer battered cod and chips someday. I can jump fences, and everyone thinks that it is not safe to wander off so I will need a secure, 6' privacy fence. Since we are unable to do a meet and greet, we recommend Aaron be the only dog. We had a DNA test done on Aaron and found out he is .Because we care about our rescues and their future, some animals have certain new family requirements before they can be released to their new home. We will ask for a video that shows the entire fence so that we can verify that there are no holes or gaps where the dog could escape. We do not accept invisible fences. Please note, the health certificate fee is nonrefundable after the exam has been done and the transport fee is nonrefundable within 2 days of departure. Considering Aaron for adoption? Welcome to the Maryland state page on TrustedPuppies. Known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and charming coastal towns, Maryland is a fantastic place to find and raise your new Boxer companion. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional Boxer breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the perfect furry friend for your family. Our site features a wide variety of reputable breeders who specialize in raising healthy and happy puppies. Our MD breeders are committed to raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary checkups to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new furry friend. Discover the vibrant dog-friendly scene in Maryland, featuring inviting restaurants, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog shows. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the Maryland Kennel Club Dog Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the elegance and charm of Boxer canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. In terms of dog ownership, Maryland ranks 24th among U. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable Boxer breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in Maryland. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your Boxer puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect Boxer puppy on TrustedPuppies.

Ready for new homes: August 11, .Ready for new homes: September .Ready for new homes: October .Ready for new homes: November .Ready for new homes: December .Ready for new homes: June .GSDs are a versatile and highly intelligent breed capable of mastering complex obedience commands. Their intelligent versatility is just one of many unique factors that put GSDs head and shoulders above most other breeds in the canine world. The average GSD can grow to a shoulder height as high as 26 inches and are capable of equal parts grace and power. Because of this incredible mixture of intelligence, grace, and strength, they are the favorite breed of security experts from local K-9 police departments to every branch of the military across many different nations. GSDs are also capable of mastering the highest levels of show dog training making them among the most popular breeds of championship show dog organizations. There are plenty of reasons why German Shepherds have long been thought of as canine royalty. Select your new pup from one of our available litters and make your reservation with us. No problem. You can contact us at or or email us at vomragnar gmail. Our trainers can also train your pup for basic obedience, advanced obedience, and protection or security work. Your puppy will learn excellent manners and communication skills that will provide you with many years of a rich, full relationship with your German Shepherd. Design Please beware of scams and frauds! There are scams out there who use our brand. Their website may look exact the same since they duplicate our website or their domains look similar. Our website is vomragnar. Our brand name is patented. We are licensed breeders in Illinois. Please do not trust scammers and beware. Want to see our puppies available for sale? Write a Review vitali P 2 weeks ago Thank you affinity! We are very happy with our work together! A very special thank you to Jessie. Our new puppy sends you much love! Anastasiya Karovina 2 weeks ago Thank you guys for the beautiful baby. She's gorgeous! Brought joy to the house for the whole family. Excellent work, service, responsible attitude. I recommend it! Hagen 3 weeks ago My journey with my German Shepherd began with the expert guidance of the breeder at I Guard International and was beautifully complemented by the training prowess Jessi, Cody and Nick at K9 Country Club. Together, they've shaped a truly remarkable experience for me and my family. At I Guard International, I found not just a breeder but a passionate caretaker for these noble animals. The attention to detail, the commitment to quality, and the profound understanding of the German Shepherd breed were evident from our first meeting. Our pup was not merely a product but a living testament to their dedication to excellence Cody, working in unison with Nick, brought a whole new dimension to our German Shepherd's training. Their collaboration, with unique insights and methodologies, created a synergy that was reflected in the outstanding development of our pet. Cody's patient approach, his investment in understanding our dog's unique needs, and his ability to work seamlessly with Nick, resulted in a well-rounded and perfectly trained companion. But it wasn't just about the training; it was about the relationships that were forged. Jessi, Cody and Nick became more than trainers; they became mentors and friends to our family. They shared their wisdom, their love for dogs, and their unwavering commitment to providing the best care and training possible. Our German Shepherd's growth under their combined guidance has been a joy to watch. His character, discipline, and happiness are direct reflections of their hard work and heartfelt investment. If you're considering a breeder who truly understands the essence of the German Shepherd breed and trainers who will not just train your dog but celebrate its unique personality and potential, I wholeheartedly recommend I Guard International for breeding and training. In a world filled with choices, choosing them was one of the best decisions we've made for our family and our beloved pet. Their combined expertise and genuine love for what they do have created a lifelong bond and a truly happy, well-trained German Shepherd. Thank you, I Guard International, Cody,Jessi, and Nick, for being more than professionals in your field; thank you for being partners in our family's journey. Tom Jones 2 months ago.Hans Hauge 3 months ago We wanted two dogs that could both defend our home and still be a part of the family. We got it with these two. When someone comes to the door they let us know, and then they just chill out. Megan Mathews 6 months ago.As I was looking for breeders in the Spokane area. I came across I-Guard and gave them a call and spoke with Jessi. We set up a meeting to talk about their German Sheppards and she introduced us to Nick. He listened to our story about our Mal and he matched us up with the perfect German Sheppard for our family, Ace. I was impressed with the knowledge and professionalism that both Jessi and Nick gave to me and my family and feel very fortunate that I made the phone call to I-Guard for our next addition to our family. Since July Nick has reached out to ensure that all is going well on top of training Ace 1 on 1 to help out with my autistic son. Thank you Jessi and Nick for all you have done for my family. Zach Phelps 8 months ago Love these guys! Jessi was super helpful in answering any questions. They breed great tempered dogs for any environment. They took the time to talk and match the right dog to my crazy lifestyle. I will absolutely be coming back to expand my pack in a year or two. Chris Destro 2 year ago We searched and spoke with many German Shepherd breeders. Once we connected with Jessie, we felt super comfortable as she did not rush our decision at all, in fact, she was extremely patient and helpful as we made our final choice. So glad we went with I-Guard and her! He is amazing with kids and has a friendly disposition. We love him very much. Thank you again, Jessie.Koda is the best! We look at every German shepherd puppy as a special member of our family—and a future member of yours. Think of it like skipping the baby stage and the sleepless nights. Puppies range from two to 10 months old depending on your preference. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article. Sound in mind and body, strong, functional, intelligent, trainable, courageous, and resilient. These are the natural qualities that can only be realized through the incredible genetics of purebred German Shepherds. We only import the best-of-the-best. Certified champions straight from Germany! Due to his home being burglarized in , Wayne decided to train dogs in tracking, obedience, and protection. His untrained Staffordshire Bullterrier was unable to protect his home and he then decided to obtain a Rottweiler for protection. Wayne continued to train Rottweilers up until the early 90s where he purchased his first German Shepherd. He was raised along side German Shepherds which had a huge impact toward his love and respect for the breed. At Kraftwerk K9, we honor the history of the German Shepherd. We here at Kraftwerk K9 care for and teach these world-class dogs to live up to their full potential. Our ethical breeding facility sits on 25 gorgeous acres of Washington soil and is available for touring before purchase. Take a look at our facility Learn more about our certified German Shepherds by calling today at or visiting our Available Dog page!

We have answers. What should I know about Golden Retriever puppies for sale near Valdosta? Golden Retrievers are an incredibly versatile breed that are beloved by many pet owners. They are known for being loyal, loving, and intelligent companions that are easily trainable and can be tailored to whatever lifestyle you desire. Golden Retrievers require fairly high amounts of daily exercise as they were originally bred to be hunting dogs. Grooming is also important as they tend to shed a lot throughout the year and require regular brushing. It's important to always check them for any abnormalities when playing or out on a walk to make sure they stay healthy. Are Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Valdosta non-shedding? That means that, like other breeds, they do shed and have a coat that requires regular grooming and maintenance in order to keep them looking and feeling their best. Brushing your Retriever's coat weekly or bi-weekly is recommended to help control their shedding and remove any excess fur. Additionally, occasional bathing and trimming of the fur may be needed, depending on the needs of your pet. How do I know what not to feed Valdosta Golden Retriever puppies for sale? Knowing what not to feed Golden Retrievers is essential for keeping them healthy. The first thing to avoid is people food. This means no providing table scraps, fried or processed foods, or for that matter anything with a lot of salt. Chocolate is a definite no due to its toxicity to dogs, and foods containing caffeine should also be avoided. Non-food items like bones, gum, cigarettes, even certain kinds of plants can all have a deleterious effect. As always, talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about what you can or can't give to your pet. Am I ready to adopt Golden Retriever puppies in Valdosta? Preparing your home for your new Golden Retriever can be an exciting yet daunting task! To ensure your pup has a safe and warm environment to come home to, start by puppy-proofing your home ensure all hazardous items are inaccessible to your pup and that furniture isn't easily knocked over. Removing items your pup could chew on is also important. Next, ensure all your cleaning supplies are out of reach and any potentially dangerous food is not left lying around that your pup could get into. Are Golden Retrievers for sale in Valdosta considered small dogs? Golden Retrievers are generally considered to be a medium-sized breed. While the average size of a fully grown adult is between pounds, a smaller variety can weigh up to about 11 pounds less. Additionally, there are giant varieties that can weigh up to pounds. Conversely, their bigger size means they need more exercise than small dogs, making them an ideal pet choice for active households. Do Golden Retriever puppies near Valdosta like to swim? Golden Retrievers are known to love water and often enjoy swimming, as it fits their athletic builds perfectly. They tend to be quite eager to jump into the water, especially when other dogs are swimming around them. They make excellent swimmers and are often used for water rescue operations. So yes, Golden Retrievers do like to swim in fact, some even enjoy swimming competitively. Their strong swimming ability, as well as their friendly, fun personalities make them great candidates for water sports like dock diving and swimming. Are Golden Retrievers in Valdosta good for first-time owners? Golden Retrievers are excellent dog breeds for first-time owners because of their naturally friendly and affectionate nature. They thrive on human attention, are great with kids, and possess exceptional intelligence. They're an especially good choice for owners who plan to have an outdoor dog, as Golden Retrievers have a natural love for the outdoors and many strive to please their owners. They can be easily trained since they're quick learners and love learning new things. With regular exercise, they are highly obedient and make wonderful companion animals. Are Valdosta Golden Retrievers for sale considered smart dogs? Golden Retrievers are widely considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds. They are highly trainable, eager to please, and have excellent memories. Not only that, but they are loyal, friendly, and have a strong desire to work and to please their owners. On top of that, they are highly social and often bond closely with their handlers. All this makes them the ideal family pet as well as an adept working dog. No wonder the Golden Retriever has been consistently ranked as one of the top breeds in intelligence tests. You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting a Golden Retriever, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to Golden Retrievers". It's written by expert owner and veterinarian Dr. The book contains a lot of really useful insights that can help a new owner avoid common mistakes that most Golden Retriever owners make. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon, or you can download the audiobook version here. If you can't find the perfect Golden Retriever puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many Golden Retrievers young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos!

Tell your golden what a good boy or girl it is and offer a treat right after the deed is done. Recommended Videos Be consistent If you want to teach your golden to go outside, you must be consistent. Set an alarm for certain times of the day to go out, so your golden has plenty of chances to get it right. Be realistic about how long your golden can hold it. That will allow you plenty of time to help your puppy make the transition to following the rules of your house. Use the potty command To help ensure your golden does its business, add in the potty command. Each time your dog eliminates after the command, offer praise and treats. It could take some consistent practice for it to go outside, and it may arrive in stages. Your puppy may have trouble at night for a little bit until it understands the schedule and is able to make better decisions. If you find that your puppy is having a lot of trouble getting the command, take a look at your process. Are you expecting your puppy to go too long between potty breaks? Are you inconsistent with your praise or timing? Sometimes, a simple change in your process could finally help your pet over that hurdle. How do I train my golden retriever? Offer praise and treats each time your puppy is successful. This is unhealthy and dangerous. Your puppy will need time to get things right. If you only punish your puppy, it may hide to go to the bathroom to avoid the punishment. The training process may take patience, but goldens are highly trainable dogs. Your puppy is ready to be part of the family and needs a little encouragement to understand the rules and behavior you want to see. Editors' Recommendations. An hour later, the puppy has been running around the house, chugged a bunch of water, pees in the house again, and it starts all over… So how do we stop this cycle from happening? Step 1: Take Them Outside Often Some people recommend taking your puppy outside every 20 minutes, while others recommend every hour. The point is, take your puppy outside often before they need to go. Puppies can hold their bladder for about an hour per their age in months, so a two-month-old puppy can hold it for about two hours, a three-month-old puppy can hold it for about three hours, and so on. But now that playtime is over they suddenly remember they have to pee and this nice carpet looks like the perfect spot! You can use this to your advantage by taking them to the same spot every time. To stop this, you need to clean up accidents with an enzymatic cleaner , not regular soap and water. One issue that many people make we made it, too is praising them too loud and too soon, and interrupting them. Then grab them and bring them outside to their spot and if they finish going, praise them like normal for going outside. So if you do all of the steps above, how long should it take for your puppy to be potty trained? All puppies are different, but it can take two weeks to a few months for your golden retriever puppy to be potty trained. So they eventually pick what they think is an ideal spot and go potty out of necessity. We all know that puppies pee-a LOT! It seems like they have tiny little bladders. But how long can they hold it before they have to go? Usually, puppies can hold it for somewhere around an hour per month of age. So if your puppy is one month old, one hour, two months old, two hours, three months old, three hours, etc. You just take them outside to go potty and praise them when they go outside. You just take your pup outside before it has time to realize they need to potty. Instead, it ensures that your pup goes outside and never gets the idea that going inside is acceptable. Most pup parents screw up by not taking their pups outside frequently enough, so they have accidents in the house. They go on to get mad at the puppy who has no idea why their owner is scolding them. A little while later, after the pup has drank a bunch of water or wolfed down a ton of food and then had a good romp, the puppy goes in the house again and starts the process all over again. Some say every hour, while others say every 20 minutes. This means to potty train your puppy quickly, you should avoid these accidents entirely and keep ahead of them. This is NOT playtime! Puppies have the attention span of goldfish, so even though they went outside with the initial intention of going potty, they can completely forget why they came outside when they start playing and then just not go. Instead, you can walk around in circles around the area or pace. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage for you. Golden Retrievers were originally bred to be hunting dogs, which means they come equipped with an intensely strong sense of smell. Neither soap and water nor regular household cleaners are going to work, no matter what exaggerated claims they make about their odor-fighting power. The reason enzymatic cleaners work is that they chemically break down the odors and destroy them. Golden Retrievers respond really well to positive reinforcement. In fact, they eat it up. They love making you happy! You should be vigilant about supervising your puppy, and not just for potty training reasons. Crate training your Golden Retriever puppy is a great idea. Remember to praise them for going potty outside! Step 5: Handle and Clean Up Accidents Properly The unfortunate truth of potty training is that there will inevitably be accidents. If you catch them in the middle of going potty in the house, find a kind way to startle them. Say it quickly, clearly, and use a voice a little louder than your usual speaking voice. If your puppy finishes going potty outside, then you should praise them and maybe give them a treat. How long does it take to potty train a Golden Retriever puppy? Every puppy is different, and so is their learning speed. You can expect it to take anywhere from two weeks to a couple of months to potty train your Golden Retriever puppy. This can include things like barking, pawing, biting, or nipping. My Heidi grumbles at me. Sitting by the front door or scratching at it. I once had a dog that would go stand at the door and wag his tail when he had to go. It can be a really frustrating process for everyone involved. There will be mistakes, made by both your puppy and you. Depending on your puppy and your training techniques, it can take somewhere between 2 weeks and a couple of months to potty train a Golden Retriever puppy. Because Golden Retrievers are large breed dogs, they tend to pick up potty training faster than smaller breeds. Your puppy can only hold their bladder for around one hour per each month of age. So, if your puppy is 3 months old, you can expect that they can hold it for around 3 hours. Plan to wake up throughout the night to let your puppy out. Adopt the NOAH potty training strategy. And take your puppy outside before you think they have to go. This means letting them out every 30 minutes. Any time your puppy has an accident inside, clean it up with an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate the odor. If you happen to catch your puppy having an accident in progress, interrupt the action, and take the puppy outside. If your puppy resumes going potty outside, then praise and reward them. Praise and reward your Golden Retriever puppy every time they go potty outside, or where you want them to go. Pay attention to your puppy and learn the warning signs that your puppy needs to go. There will be a learning curve. For instance, some puppies prefer grass over things like dirt and mulch. Once you figure that out, you can take your puppy to a nice grassy place to potty. Crate training goes hand-in-hand with potty training. Use the NOAH strategy and try to avoid accidents in the house at all costs. This will make the process go a lot quicker. And lastly, learn the warning signs that your puppy provides to let you know that they need to go potty. Learn more » Golden Retrievers are intelligent, social dogs that love being around people. Potty training a Golden Retriever puppy can be frustrating and messy, but with some consistency and patience, your dog can be taught how to appropriately handle his business. Just keep in mind that accidents will likely happen. A puppy can typically hold its bladder 1 hour for every month of age, which means a 3-month-old pup can control its bladder for 3 hours. Once you pick a bathroom spot for your Golden, always take him to that spot on a leash. Reward Your Puppy Every Time He Eliminates Outside As soon as your Golden does his business outside in the designated area, reward him with praise or give him a yummy dog treat. Crate Train Your Golden A dog crate can come in very useful when potty training a puppy, as it allows you to watch for signs he needs to go out. Just make sure the crate you use is big enough for your puppy to move around freely but small enough to stop him from using a corner as a pee and poop spot. When done correctly, crate training can teach your dog to enjoy spending time in his crate. Image Credit: Parilov, Shutterstock 5. Clean Up After All Accidents Dogs have the habit of eliminating in the same places over and over again. This is why you should clean up after any previous accidents your Golden pup has had. Use an effective enzymatic cleaner that will do a good job of cleaning up and removing the smell of pee and poop. Image Credit: Olimpik, Shutterstock 7. When food is offered at the same times each day, potty training your Golden Retriever will be easier for you and your pup. Conclusion Potty training a Golden Retriever is not all that difficult to do if you follow these helpful tips and tricks. There is nothing cuter than a puppy… until it makes that first hot, steamy mess on your new Persian rug. Potty-training frustrations have formed more than a few wedges between new pet parents and their fur babies. Fortunately, with a bit of knowledge, consistency and patience, spending time on your knees scrubbing up pet stains can be a thing of the past! Training Methods to the Madness There are four popular house-training methods utilized by owners: Crate training Constant-supervision Umbilical-cord training. Some people stick to one method, while others use a combination of these different approaches to best suit their lifestyle. Crate Training Crate training works on two genetic principles: the safety of a den and the need to keep it clean. When the pups are old enough, they learn to eliminate outside of their den. Your puppy has these same genetic rules in his brain: the den is a safe place and it needs to be kept clean. Crates utilize these instinctual rules. Therefore, if you put your puppy in the crate, he learns to hold his bladder until you take him to the appropriate spot. The crate is a tool to utilize any time you cannot actively watch your puppy. When your puppy is out, you MUST supervise him at all times. Any time he has an accident in the house, this sets your training back. Some people feel that crate training is cruel. Crates are simply tools. Crate training gives you a break. So go take that bubble bath without fear of an accident! Crate training means no indoor messes to clean up, and no indoor potty smells to trigger repeat performances after being attracted by the scent. When puppies get used to sleeping in their own filth, they lose this natural instinct to keep their crates clean. If crate training is only used to confine your puppy for long periods of time, he may associate it with negative things — such as isolation. Make sure you use the crate in positive ways so your pup associates comfort and good things, such as food, with the crate — not just being left alone. Who Should Use Crate Training? Paper Training Paper training teaches a puppy to go to the bathroom on paper or puppy pads. This allows you to control where your puppy piddles. Begin by putting the puppy in a confined area of the house with tile flooring for easy clean up. Puppies like to eliminate on soft places, so putting paper down gives them this solution. Put paper or puppy pads on all hard surfaces. Your puppy will avoid eliminating on his bed and will use the paper, since it covers all other surfaces. Once he gets the idea, you can slowly begin eliminating the paper, starting with material closest to the bed. Leave a small piece of slightly soiled paper where you want your puppy to continue to eliminate. This utilizes the principle that puppies like to eliminate where they smell their previous offerings. The goal is for your puppy to learn to go only on the paper. If you want to eventually have your puppy eliminate outside, you can then slowly move the paper towards the door, and then put some paper outside. When your puppy goes to the paper inside, you can open the door and let them go on the paper outside. You then slowly take away the inside paper until they are going to the door to use only the outside paper. Cons of Paper Training If your goal is to get your puppy to eliminate outside, paper training can lengthen house training because your dog is taught to go inside the house first and you then have to basically re-train them. You also have a lot of stinky messes to clean up. Who Should Use Paper Training? Paper training gives your puppy room to play, while still allowing him to eliminate without the need for owner intervention. Constant-Supervision Training Constant-supervision training means that you never take your eyes off your puppy. You learn how to identify when you puppy needs to go, and at the first signal of circling or sniffing you scoop up your fur kid and take him to his potty spot in the yard. This training method requires a lot of intense observation and is best suited for only the most vigilant of owners. Pros of Constant-Supervision Training Your pup has a lot more freedom, and you are there for his every action. When you turn your back for a second — and you will — your puppy will sneak off and make a mistake in the house. This method can take longer than crate training. You must have the time to completely devote to your puppy during the housebreaking period, or you will be cleaning up a lot of messes on your carpet. Constant-supervision training may be best if you have plenty of time to devote solely to the new addition. You must also be constantly home during the potty-training period. You still watch your puppy during his every waking moment, but you use a six-foot leash to keep him tethered to you. You then watch for the signals that your puppy needs to go and take him outside. Pros of Umbilical-Cord Training You only need a leash to start the training, and you can also train your puppy to walk on the leash at the same time. Your puppy gets the exposure and socialization that comes with going everywhere with you. Cons of Umbilical-Cord Training You must have your puppy tied to you at all times, which can be difficult. This can be dangerous if they get caught up in something. If you like constant-supervision training, but want the added security of not losing track of your pup, umbilical-cord training may be a better option. Again, you must be able to keep your puppy with you wherever you go during the day. Your puppy is not eliminating in the house to be spiteful. Do NOT personalize this process. At 8 weeks, most puppies cannot last past two hours. At 12 weeks, this time extends to three hours. At 16 weeks, puppies can wait up to four hours between potty breaks. Punishing a puppy when you find the mess is not helpful and damages your relationship. If you find a mess, simply clean it up. Puppies operate on schedules. When you adapt to the same schedule, you can anticipate their needs and set them up for success. Puppies potty after a long nap, after a meal and after a good play session. They will also need to go out first thing in the morning and right before bed. Your puppy will give you signals when they need to go , such as moving away from you, circling, sniffing or squatting. Puppies tend to go back to the same place they have soiled before. If you do have an accident in the house, you must eliminate all traces of the odor to avoid a repeat offender. Reward your puppy for going to the bathroom where you want. If you catch them in the act of making a mess in the wrong place, distract them, and then pick them up to take them to the proper location to finish. With consistency, they begin to make the word association. The best way to house train a puppy for you may be sticking to one plan, or utilizing multiple approaches to achieve a perfectly house-trained pet. With a little guidance and a lot of love, you and your puppy will find the right balance of a well-behaved dog and an unsoiled Persian rug! This series contains everything a Golden owner needs to know on the subject and should have your puppy or dog toilet trained in the fastest, most effective and painless way for all involved. We strongly recommend reading through the whole series before you begin, to give yourself the skills and knowledge for the greatest chance at speedy success.

This article gives guidance on how to crate train an older dog. A List Of Dog Crates Highly Recommended By Labrador Training HQ A high quality, durable crate of the correct size and type is essential to guarantee safety, comfort and to get the best out of the crate training experience. But with so many styles, types and sizes available, selecting a suitable crate is no easy task. So we at Labrador Training HQ have taken the hard work out of the hunt by putting together a hand picked selection of the best crates available that you can see by reading this article. Travel safety — A crate is a very useful tool to confine your dog safely during travel by car or by air and reduces the stress they feel due to being in a comfortable and familiar crate. Security — A dog learns to view their crate as a special place all of their own, where no human ventures and they can get away from it all to be alone when they desire. A crate is the one tool that can be used to dramatically speed up the time needed to train your lab to toilet outside and to improve their bladder and bowel control. Protecting your possessions — A crate is a useful tool in teaching your puppy to be fixated on chew toys and not your furniture and shoes. A quick note about boarding and kennels. When our Linus got sick he had to stay in the kennel at the vets office while he recovered. Thank goodness he was crate trained. When I came in to stay with him he was comfortable in his crate with an IV hanging out of his leg. These are just some of the benefits you and your Labrador can enjoy if you take the time and trouble to crate train your dog. Is Crate Training Always Successful? Sadly not. Dogs are individuals and come with their own likes and dislikes. So although a crate can be used to benefit the vast majority of dogs, there will always be a select few that just will not enjoy or accept being crated. It helped our last 3 puppies Charlie, Doni, and Downey get used to their crate in only a few nights. This is particularly true for the occasional adopted dog for which their background is unknown. Dogs up for adoption may have had bad and traumatic experiences with crates earlier on in their lives, where owners used a crate as a form of punishment or misused a crate amounting to imprisonment. Obviously in these cases, a crate should not be used. These cases though are the exception and not the rule. The vast majority of dogs learn to love and enjoy spending time in their crate. I believe everybody should at least educate themselves on the subject and give it a go. By soaking up the knowledge in this guide and following the steps I outline for crate training, you and your Lab can enjoy the rewards that using a crate provides. Your Lab will be happier, safer, more secure, less likely to engage in destructive behavior and from these facts you can enjoy a greater peace of mind that you are doing the very best for your dog. One of our favorite features is the crate comes with a divider that allows you to adjust the size of your crate as your puppy grows. I will always try my best to respond to every one of them. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Crate of the correct size for your dog Treats Blanket or dog bed According to the American Kennel Club, Labs are one of the most popular breeds in America , and for good reasons. Many love to play fetch, and others are glad to be your running buddy. You have a long fun life ahead of you with your Labrador retriever puppy. Should that life include crate training? Crate training a Lab puppy is actually a good idea. Image used with permission by copyright holder Are Labs easy to crate train? You may have some pet-parent guilt about putting your fur baby in a crate. The good news is that Labs often make crate training easy on their parents. They love making their humans happy, so they take to all kinds of training well, including crates. Every puppy is different, though. Your veterinarian or a trainer can help you through any troubles that may arise. Crate training a Lab puppy is one of the best ways you can help them thrive in their new home. Experts say your new pup will reap many benefits from having a crate, including: Easier potty training. Housebreaking can be one of the tallest tasks new pet parents have to work on with their Lab puppies. Crate training makes it a little easier and less messy. Reduced stress. Labs tend to be adaptable, but a new home can be stressful for anyone. Even social pets need to chill sometimes. Consider it a space for self-care, kind of like your bedroom may be for you. Safer car rides. A crate is one of the safest spots for a pet in the car. Image used with permission by copyright holder How to crate train a Lab puppy Though Labs tend to take to training quickly, they still need some guidance from you. Step 1: Select the correct crate size for your puppy. Labs will generally grow to weigh 55 to 80 pounds. You want a space your pet can move around in comfortably. They should be able to sit , lie down, stand, and turn. The puppy may soil the space if they have enough room. Most crates will have height and weight specifications on them, and once you have that information, you can purchase one. Step 2: Make the crate comfy. You probably made your bedroom into a comfortable spot for you to sleep at night. Make it a cozy hangout spot by putting some blankets or a bed in there. Toys keep it fun. Check out our other picks for best quality and value wire dog crates. Wire dog crates are possibly the most used, the most commonly seen and generally speaking what people think of when you mention a dog crate. They come with a single door as standard, but some models have multiple doors side and roof for greater access. Advantages of Wire Crates: Very easy to keep clean. Allows the greatest airflow of all crate styles which is particularly nice in hotter climates. Many models fold flat for portability. Can come with divider panels for adjusting the crate size to suit a growing puppy. Most models have a slide out tray for ease of cleaning. Disadvantages of Wire Crates For some dogs, instead of comforting them being able to look around and see the family, the visibility can cause whining and stress. Some dogs are best covered over…but you can of course cover a wire crate. Can feel exposed, offering little shelter in colder climates. They may be collapsible for portability, but they can also be quite heavy! The noisiest of crates when dogs move around a lot. The easiest of crates to escape from for determined and intelligent dogs. Plastic Dog Crates Check out our picks of the best plastic travel crates. Plastic dog crates are the most often used for travel, particularly air travel. Advantages of Plastic Crates Lighter and hence more portable than wire, metal ones. Bottom of crate can sometimes be used as an open dog bed if the crate is no longer wanted. More sheltered, offering better insulation in colder climates Better for those that whine and cry if they can see activity and want to be a part of it. Less visibility better for easily distracted dogs and a greater feeling of security for a dog. More difficult than most wire crates for escape artists to get out of. Disadvantages of Plastic Crates Enclosed nature can stress some dogs who prefer visibility of their surroundings cure this with crate training! Harder to clean and therefore harder to keep fresh, and plastic can hold odors over time that become hard to eliminate. Cannot fold flat so need more storage space than wire crates. Reduced ventilation can cause overheating in places with a hot climate. Not very attractive, although people have different tastes. Way more practical for travelling types too, as can be folded flat and and weigh next to nothing, making them a highly portable option. Advantages of Soft-Sided Crates Extremely light and portable, most coming with a carry bag. Extremely easy to store when not being used and folded. Soft and flexible, they are more comfortable for the dog inside compared to most crates Great to use when out camping due to being extremely easy to put up and take down. Disadvantages of Soft-Sided Crates Not the most durable and long-lasting. Destructive dogs can literally claw and chew their way out, destroying the crate in the process. Some dogs can learn how to unzip and open the doors. Stylish Dog Crates Check out our list of of high quality, stylish, wooden furniture style crates. There are many styles of crate to suit those people who simply cannot stand the look of a wire or plastic one in their home, or are looking for something a little more stylish. There are crates made from rattan or a variety of finished wood crates available. Advantages of Wooden Crates Can more easily fit into the look of a home and its decor. Can double up as a shelf or end table to offer a usable surface. Huge number of styles available. Disadvantages of Wooden Crates Not good for destructive dogs who can really damage wooden crates. Not good for the house training process as any accidents will leave stains, possibly hard to remove odors and be hard to clean thoroughly. Expensive when compared to the others! In my opinion, until your dog is house trained and completely over their destructive chewing stage, the most practical crate is without doubt a collapsible wire type dog crate. You can see our pick of the best collapsible wire crates available by clicking here. Compared to other styles, a wire crate is by far the easiest to clean if there are any accidents, are highly durable and is the only one that cannot be damaged by the scratching and chewing of a destructive dog…and many Labradors love to scratch and chew! Recommended Crates By Us! With so many crates available to choose from, making the right choice is no easy task. These are the most popular crates with the highest feedback and most satisfied customers you can find. Quality and value proven by the feedback from many, many previous buyers: My Top Recommendation For US Readers: Midwest Life Stages Dog Crate This is — in my opinion — the best value for money crate available and with extremely good customer feedback to be found all over the web, many would agree. With a divider included free of charge, this single crate bought for a new puppy can be resized to provide increasing room and still fit them as an adult. This is one crate you should definitely shortlist and compare to any others you may be considering. They have a huge amount of extremely good customer feedback and receive high ratings from previous buyers everywhere they are for sale on the web. It would be extremely hard to better value in the UK for the money, so is definitely one to consider! But if you have a puppy, buy a crate for the size of adult dog they will grow to become and use a divider to reduce the size of this larger crate to suit them. For Labrador Retrievers this will be a 36 or inch crate. A stainless steel wire crate is the most practical and best value choice for a number of reasons as detailed above. But for transporting in a car or by air, a plastic crate would be the best choice. If you can afford to, I would suggest a permanent metal wire one for the home and a plastic one for travel. For those that would like to preserve an overall look to their house there are many stylish finished wood crates available and I think these can really look good in some houses. More information: This was part 4 in an 8-part series that details everything you need to know about the use of a crate and crate training your puppy. The information applies equally well to dogs of all breeds and not just Labradors. The Entire series is linked to here:. Measure from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail. From these measurements, you can determine whether your pup will be able to lie down and stretch out fully in his crate. You need to be sure that your pup has enough room to sit and stand comfortably in his crate. Add two to four extra inches to your final figures to find the ideal crate length and height. Instead, buy a kennel that will fit an adult-size Labrador. He will probably make a bed at one end and use the other end as his toilet. An adult purebred Labrador will need a crate that is a maximum of 42 inches long. Most modern dog crates are fitted with two doors. Metal crates tend to be the most popular material. They fold flat for easy transportation and storage. The crate has a single door and comes in inch, inch, inch and inch sizes to accommodate the largest of Labs. The crate comes with a divider included, has a sturdy plastic tray, roller feet to protect wooden floors and also has a carrying handle. The door of the crate has two heavy-duty slide bolt latches to keep the door securely fastened with your dog safe inside. This crate comes in a range of sizes up to 42 inches. It is designed to accommodate dogs up to 70 pounds, making this a perfect dog crate size for a Labrador. This fabric dog crate is perfect for indoor and outdoor use. The collapsible crate can be set up in seconds. The crate is designed for indoor use only and doubles as an end or side table. The crate comes with a plastic tray that slides out for easy cleaning. The crate is suitable for large dogs up to 88 pounds and comes in brown or dark brown. The cover is made from high-quality, durable D mesh fabric, creating a strong, stylish, lightweight crate. The crate can be folded flat for easy transport in the free carrying bag. A convenient handle and hand-carry strap are also included. The crate comes with a cozy fleece lining included. There are three mesh doors for convenience and to allow breathability. Two accessory pockets are incorporated into the design. The whole thing, including the bedding material, is fully washable. If you wanted a Labrador crate to blend with your home, stylish wooden crates that look like smart pieces of furniture are also available. The robust, plastic crate comes in four funky pearlescent colors too. I can personally vouch for the superior quality of this kennel, as I have one myself. The other door is sited at the front of the crate. It fastens with a secure, simple-to-operate, squeeze-together mechanism that can be operated with just one hand. The kennel has ventilation openings on all sides. This US made crate is air travel approved and meets airline cargo specifications. Separate air travel kits are available if required. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own. From potty training to behavioral training , a new dog owner has a ton of responsibilities—sometimes more than they can keep up with. Crate training benefits both you and your dog in significant ways. There are more dog crates for sale than you can count, and they come in all different shapes and sizes. Here are some of the top benefits of crate training your lab: Benefit 1. Dog Crates are Cozy and Relaxing Labs love their crate because they offer a safe place to rest, relax, and sleep. Image Source Some labs feel so attached to their crates, they may choose to eat their food inside or halfway in and out. For you, this can also reduce the stress of dealing with anxious dogs. Benefit 2. So here is one of the best training tips: crate your lab puppies to help them become house trained. A crate can help a puppy remain within a smaller area. Benefit 3. Essentially, having labs feel comfortable in their crate gives you options when it comes to transportation, house training, calming a stressed dog, and so much more. Buy an Adult Crate and Section It Off Crate size is really important because adult labs need to be able to get into the crate and turn around. There should be enough space for them to do this, but no more. This is also why a divider can give labs the right fit and adapt to their growth. Besides these tips, all you need to figure out is the size of your lab. Your lab might be taller when sitting upright than he is standing on all fours, so have your dog sit on its behind and look up towards you. Four Types of the Best Dog Crates In addition to different dog crate sizes, you can choose different builds that might suit your lab depending on their age and rambunctious nature. Image Source Type 1. Wire Crate Wire dog crates are the most popular type of dog crate and their construction makes them quite durable. The wire design allows for air to circulate around your pet, which can help cut down on odors. They also allow for handy slide-bolt latches that let you quickly open and close the crate while keeping it secured. Wire dog crates are best for a puppy that is extremely active. The wire construction allows your dog to look out of the crate and see what is going on around him. This is best for dogs that like to be able to see what is going on. Type 2. Plastic Crate The main advantage of plastic dog crates is the fact that they are lighter than metal wire ones. This makes them very portable and easy to move around. You can move them from one part of the house to another depending on where you want the dog to sleep. Plastic crates are often made of high-quality polyurethane, which makes them easy to clean and sanitize. This usually means buying plastic products with a carry handle. Many plastic dog crates have a divider panel, which can be taken out to enlarge the crate and create more room for a growing pup or adult dog. One of the advantages of using plastic dog crates is that they can be used for several different purposes. For example, the bottom of the crate can be used as an open dog bed if the crate is no longer wanted. Type 3. Type 4. Wooden Dog Crate Wooden crates are a great way to get the functionality of a metal crate, but with the luxury appeal of nice wooden furniture. Of course, this is also a much more eco-friendly material than metal. Wood is porous and absorbs urine which means that if your dog has an accident while in the crate, the pee will soak into the wood and leave a stain. You also need to factor in the amount of space in your home and how well you can travel with your crate. Each type of crate comes with its pros and cons. Buying the right size crate is only one of many steps in responsible labrador ownership , so make sure to check out our other training tips for raising a labrador puppy to give your new best friend a long, healthy, content, and happy life. Share on. You can find a summary of these in my crate training schedule chart below Stage 1 Introduction to crate training for puppies from 8 weeks old This stage covers the first week that you bring your puppy home. Your objective at stage 1 is simply to get the puppy used to being in and around the crate with the door open. Leave the door open Start by placing puppy in his crate frequently and each time you place him in there drop several little edible treats through the roof for him. Just let him come straight out again when he has finished his treats. This introduces the crate as a fun and enjoyable place to be. He will soon come to associate this phrase with going into his crate for a treat Closing the door briefly The next step is to close the crate door momentarily and then open it again. Leave it shut only long enough for the puppy to finish his treat and notice that the door is closed. Then let him out. Do not wait until he gets upset or cries. Repeat many, many times during the course of the next day or two. If he is left alone at night whilst he is still homesick he is likely to howl, and howling in his new crate is not a habit we want to establish. Tending to your puppy during the night If the box is right up against the side of your bed, you can put your hand in and comfort him if he cries. Moving your puppy downstairs at night After the first three or four nights, or by the end of the first week, your puppy can be placed in his crate in the kitchen before you go up to bed at night. So if you put him to bed at midnight, you will probably need to get up around 5am to let him out for a wee to begin with. If a puppy has fallen asleep in his crate and slept for more than a couple of hours then you will need to let him out if he wakes up crying. Getting more sleep! If all goes well, you can stretch this five hours out by 15 minutes or so a night until you are getting seven hours sleep. If he wets the bed you will need to get up earlier the next night. And some puppies will be 12 to 14 weeks before they can cope this long. You can find lot more information on teaching your puppy to be clean and dry in our potty training sections. Crate training during the day There is no immediate need to crate your new puppy during the day for more than a few minutes at a time. The main purpose of crating a puppy during the day is to Help the puppy learn to hold onto the contents of his bladder for a bit longer. To keep him safe when you are busy for short periods, or if you need to leave the house for a while. To give him chance to calm down or a break from small children. However, you do need to get the puppy used to spending longer periods in the crate in preparation for being left alone from time to time when he is older. So gradually, you will accustom the puppy to a few longer spells in his crate. These are tough hollow rubber toys that you fill with mushy food and freeze. You can freeze several Kongs at once by standing them on a baking tray in the freezer. Each time you put the puppy in his crate for more than a couple of minutes, you will leave a frozen food filled Kong in there to keep him company. Puppies love these and will soon grow to associate the crate with the pleasure of the frozen Kong. How to get the puppy used to longer crate times Once you have got to the end of the first week and the puppy has accepted the crate as a nice place to be, the next task is to get the puppy to accept the closed door for longer periods of time. This may take a day or two. Place him in the crate with his frozen kong and close the door for 30 seconds. The idea is to leave the door closed for a few seconds longer each time you crate the puppy. But it is very important only to open the door when the puppy has been silent for several seconds. What to do if the puppy cries in his crate If the puppy starts to whimper or howl you will need to turn away from the crate and ignore him. Wait for the silence as he stops crying and gets to work on his puppy kong. Tell him what a good dog he is. Let him out immediately and go back to much briefer periods of closed door for a while. Try ten seconds or five. Build up again gradually, but do not be tempted to avoid crating him because it upsets him. Once the puppy is happy in his crate, you can use it to help with his potty training. Until then, make sure that you crate him for very short periods when you know his bladder is empty. Otherwise he will wet himself when he gets upset. Puppies that cry need crating more often! If your puppy whines in the crate, you need to crate him more often not less, and for shorter periods. Check out our in-depth article on coping with a crying puppy for more information Just make sure that each time he is crated is very, very brief to begin with. That way he will learn that being crated is not a big deal Warning: if you open the crate door whilst your puppy is howling, he will howl longer and harder next time! Build up slowly to a minute, then two minutes, then three, five, seven, ten, fifteen minutes and so on. How long can a puppy be left in a crate People often ask how long a puppy can be left alone in his crate. For puppies three to six months old I think two hours is a maximum, and for puppies under three months, one hour. If you need to leave your puppy for longer than this, then you need to consider a puppy proof room or pen where water and puppy pads are always available, or even a weatherproof outdoor kennel and run. This involves putting puppy pads down in a large puppy pen or puppy proofed room so that your puppy always has access to a toilet area. You can find out much more about overcoming the problems of being a working puppy parent in this article: combining a puppy with full time work. Stage 3 Training your puppy to go into his crate on command! As your puppy grows bigger, picking him up and putting him in his crate becomes more of a physical event! Provided you are not leaving your puppy alone for too long, he should be happy to go willingly into his crate. This can be achieved through training. This will probably take a couple of weeks. Maybe more if your puppy really does not like his crate at the moment. Have several training sessions each day — at least three. And do 20 or 30 repetitions of the following exercise in each session. This will take you about five minutes. If you are have never used one before, check out this article before you begin: Charging your clicker. Imagine a zone around the crate. It should not be so small that the dog avoids it altogether. A couple of feet in each direction is fine. The object is to get your puppy to choose to enter this zone. You are teaching him to chose to approach the crate. EXERCISE 2 entering the crate doorway In this exercise, you are going to click and treat the dog for putting a nose, or a paw through the opening into a crate. For some dogs this is too big a jump and you will need to work on a smaller crate zone first. We are moving the goalposts and the dog will be surprised when you do not reward him for entering the zone. He will quickly try something different. Have the dog in the room with you Make sure the crate door is wide open Click and treat each time the dog enters the crate zone Repeat five times Throw the treat outside the zone so that he has to re-enter to get the next reward. The next time he enters the zone, wait for him to go closer to the crate and put his nose in the opening What if he fails to do this? Repeat from step 3 until the dog repeatedly puts his nose through the crate door. Now you can stop rewarding him for simply entering the zone. It just takes longer with some dogs than others. Use his entire food ration if necessary. Remember, if you have to go out, scoop him up without a word, and place him in there bodily. Do not use the clicker or any other part of this process, or attempt to lure him in. You going out is a punishment in his mind. Behavior that is punished will diminish. When you click, he will come dashing out again for his treat. Again, we begin the exercise with something we know he can already do Have the dog in the room with you Make sure the crate door is wide open Click and treat each time the dog puts his nose through the crate doorway Repeat five times Throw each treat outside the zone so that he has to re-enter to get the next reward. The next time he puts his nose through the doorway, withold the click. Wait for him to go further in Repeat and gradually raise the criteria you are setting so that more and more of the dog must be through the doorway to get a reward. The exercise is done when the dog repeatedly goes right inside his crate. With a dog that is not crate-shy, you can often work through these three Exercises in a day or two. EXERCISE 4 spending time in the crate Have the dog in the room with you Make sure the crate door is wide open Click and treat each time the dog goes inside the crate Repeat five times The next time he enters the crate withold the click and treat for two seconds If he remains in the crate click and treat If he leaves the crate wait for him to re-enter Repeat from step five until he can wait 2 seconds in the crate and then increase to 3 seconds Work your way up to ten seconds When the dog can cope with ten seconds waiting in the crate, you are ready to close the door. To begin with this will be momentary EXERCISE 5 closing the door Have the dog in the room with you Make sure the crate door is wide open Click and treat after 10 seconds, each time the dog goes inside the crate Repeat five times The next time he enters the crate close the door and immediately open it again Wait a few seconds then If he remains in the crate click and treat If he leaves the crate wait for him to re-enter Repeat from step five until he will go into the crate, watch you open and close the door, and remain in the crate for a few more seconds after you have opened the door. We are nearly there! Use the cue you have chosen. You know the procedure now. We want him to have absorbed the association between this cue and the act of entering the crate. Now it is time to use the cue in advance of the behavior. Once the dog is repeatedly racing into the crate on your cue, we need to make sure he can distinguish this command from other commands. In this case the dog is not discriminating between different cues, but rather making assumptions about what game you are going to play. So the next step in training is to mix in another cue. If he is confused, and he may be, show him what you want, just like before. You now have a dog that actually understands the meaning of In Your Crate and happily complies with your command. It is time for him to adapt to being confined after being told to go in there. Start slowly and build up EXERCISE 9 adding duration Place a Kong with food in it, or some treats on a slow feed bowl into the crate without your dog spotting you Cue the dog into the crate call him into the room first Shut the door and leave it closed for one minute Open the door again and ignore the dog. It is up to him if he stays in the crate or comes out Repeat from step 1 gradually increasing the time you wait before opening the door Vary the length of time you keep the door closed. Sometimes two minutes, sometimes as much as fifteen minutes. Now you can begin to send the dog into his crate for longer periods, such as when you go out for an hour or so. Maintenance tips Send the puppy into his crate often, not just when you need to. Make sure there is always a tasty treat or a Kong in there waiting for him Sometimes when you send him in, close the door If you know you are going to go out shut him in at least ten minutes before you start getting ready to leave If you know you are going to go out always leave him with a Kong full of frozen food When you are not going out, vary the times he is shut in from two to thirty minutes Send him in from time to time without closing the door Provided your dog is not left overly long in a crate on a regular basis, this should overcome any shyness he has about going in there. Dogs of any age can be trained to crate on cue using this system. For more information on using a clicker check out : Ten great reasons to start clicker training Stage 4 Growing up By twelve weeks or three months old, many puppies will be sleeping 7 hours or more at night and going happily into their crates on cue, if they have been taught to do this. When to let your puppy out of the crate at night If all goes well, by about six months of age, your Labrador puppy should be clean and dry in the house, and sleeping soundly through the night in his crate. At this point, many puppy owners breath a big sigh of relief and start to look forward to the prospect of removing this massive and annoying crate from their kitchen for good. So, at what age is it OK to start leaving a puppy loose in the kitchen overnight? And how do you get your dog used to a basket or dog bed, rather than sleeping in his crate? Age related crate training schedules Most people are reluctant to give out information on how long a puppy should be crated, or what to expect at different stages, because puppies are so different from one another. So, I have included a rough guide or puppy crate training chart above. It really is just a rough guide. Your best approach is to simply follow the four stages outlined above, from start to finish, and not worry too much about where your dog is at the moment. Print Crate training your Lab puppy, why you should and a guide on how Labrador puppies are so cute and cuddly, it almost seems wrong to put them in a crate. But crate training is one of the best things you can do for your new puppy and for yourself. There are many benefits to crate training your retriever puppy, but it is a process. Learn how to properly crate train a Labrador puppy and why you should start crate training as soon as possible. Why should I crate train my Labrador? While some people think putting a dog in a crate is cruel, experts disagree. Most veterinarians, trainers, and breeders recommend crate training dogs from a young age. Dogs are den animals and often feel most safe when they are in a tight, confined area. A crate can represent this den-like experience for your puppy and give them a place to retreat when they feel stressed, confused, or just need some time alone. Dogs that are crate trained properly do not fear the crate, in fact, they love it and will often seek it out for a nap. Easy and safe transport Crates are the safest way to transport dogs. A dog contained in a crate cannot move around within your vehicle, get in your way while driving or create distractions. In addition, you can buy crates that are 5-star crash tested , possibly giving your dog superior protection if you are involved in an accident. Crates help with housebreaking As discussed in our post on housebreaking your Labrador puppy , crate training can make housebreaking easier and quicker. Crates allow you, as owner, some off-time — time when you do not have to be constantly watching your puppy for potty accidents. In addition, crates help encourage your puppy to hold it, to wait a little longer before going potty, since most puppies hate to mess their bed. Note: My husband and I are professional retriever trainers, so any products listed here are items we use on an almost daily basis. We only recommend products we know are good quality and will stand the test of time. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission, but all opinions and recommendations are my own. Learn more. Can help hunting dogs with blind manners and patience Hunting dogs often need to sit still and quiet for hours on end. Sometime in dog huts or MoMarsh stands. Crates can help hunting dogs by teaching them there is a place that they should simply lay down, rest and keep quiet. Better dog to family relationships and more control Crate training your puppy can provide many benefits for your entire family. Crate training your puppy at a young age means that when you need to put them in a crate they will go in willingly and without a fight. As professional retriever trainers, we crate train all the puppies we raise as custom trained dogs. We also crate train all our own dogs. We find that it makes for a better adjusted puppy all around. Choosing the right crate for crate training Lab puppy Getting ready to crate train your puppy means you need to buy a crate. And the size and type of crate do matter. Size of crate for crate training retrievers You want the crate to be large enough that your puppy is comfortable laying in the crate, but not so big that your puppy can walk around. The puppy should feel snug and protected, but not uncomfortable. The unfortunate thing about crate training this way, is that it means that as your puppy grows, you will need progressively larger crates. While inconvenient and bit more costly, this really is the best way to crate train your puppy. But if you do not wish to buy multiple crates, there are other methods. Some people buy a large crate, the size their dog will need as an adult and then section off some of the crate. Blocking off a portion of the crate will give the puppy that tighter, den-like, experience and ensure that the puppy cannot walk around inside the crate. While this can work, be careful what you use to section the crate off. You would not want to use a material that can be chewed or ingested by your puppy. Puppies are naturally chewers, so keep this in mind. Type of crate for crate training retriever Technically, any kind of crate will work for crate training. But over the years we have found that some crates just simply work better. Plastic crates seem to be the best option. They can be found easily at a local pet store, superstore, or even bought online. There are some inexpensive options that provide the protection and privacy of a den-like experience for the dogs. In addition, they have a solid bottom so should your dog get sick, or if you are in the process of housebreaking, cleanup is rather easy. Wire crates , the kind that you can see right through do not seem to work as well as plastic crates. Wire crates are wide open, they do not provide dogs the opportunity to get away and relax. The wire offers little protection and privacy, and many dogs do not like them as dens. We discuss crate options in more detail here. How to crate train a Lab puppy? Crate training is easiest when done with young puppies. We recommend starting crate training the day you bring the pup home from the breeder. Often this is at around weeks old. The sooner you start, the easier the process will be. Crate training can be done with older dogs, but it may take more effort and patience on your part. Step 1 — Let puppy explore the crate The first step is to place the crate in an area that is frequented by the puppy. Prop the door open in some way, a small bungee works well and let your puppy explore the crate on his own. Puppies are naturally curious, so often they will walk right into the crate on their own. It is best if you do not move the crate around the house. Instead, find a place for the crate where the dog will spend a majority of their time and leave it there. The crate should not be right next to a bed or a bedroom. Your puppy will be sleeping in their crate and your puppy will make more noise and wake up more if the crate is close to you. Also, your puppy is bound to make some noise the first few nights in the crate. Step 2- Establish a routine Develop a routine of putting your puppy down to nap inside the crate. You can put one or two small toys in the crate if you wish and a small towel that you do not care if it gets ruined. I know this sounds self-explanatory, but I have seen it. Also, do not put a dog bed in the crate. A dog bed is too big and bulky to fit into crates well and your puppy will simply chew it to pieces or accidently have a potty accident on it. Once that happens, the bed will have the scent of potty and will work against your housebreaking efforts. That is natural and nothing to be worried about. Simply walk away from the crate and allow the puppy to settle down. Depending on the nature of your puppy this may take a few minutes to an hour or more. It is vital that you stay away from the crate during this time. If you follow this advice, your puppy will quickly learn to be content in the crate and over time the noise will become less and less until they finally understand they must stay in the crate. Step 3 — Watch the clock While I suggest you do not take your puppy out of the crate while they are making noise, you do need to keep an eye on how long your puppy has been in the crate. You do not want your puppy to have an accident in the crate if you can help it. With week old puppies, I start by leaving the puppy in the crate for 1 hour at a time followed by playtime. As the puppy gets older, they can naturally hold their bladder longer. This should go without saying, but you should never leave your dog in a crate 24 hours a day every day. Socialization of young puppies is vital. Block the crate door open again. The door should be blocked open anytime the puppy has not been placed in the crate for some quiet time. The puppy will see or smell the toys and go inside the crate to get them. Some people play crate games. They will throw a toy inside the crate so that the puppy must go inside the crate to retrieve it. These games can help your dog become extremely comfortable with their crate. Over time you will notice that your puppy is not afraid to go inside their crate while the door is open. Sometimes, they will even go inside the crate and lay down when they are tired. This is the reaction you are seeking. How long does it take to crate train a dog? There is no set amount of time it takes to crate train a dog. Each dog will progress on their own schedule. But if you continue to place your puppy inside the crate on a routine basis and make the crate available to your puppy at all times, you will reap the benefits of having successfully crate trained your puppy. Final thoughts on how to crate train a Labrador puppy Crate training is a greatly beneficial thing for Labrador puppies and other retriever breeds. It can mimic a den for these beautiful animals and give them a safe and secure place where they can rest without stress or fear. This helps them with emotional stability and can curb behavior issues. It also makes for a more enjoyable home life with less dog induced strife. How to crate train a Labrador puppy. News and Articles Daily routine at Labrador Kennel The adoption of a Labrador — Retriever puppy is a truly an important and exciting event in your life. We work very hard to assign the best characteristics and personality traits to our Labradors, which allows them to be good hunters, companion dogs and also members of your family. Buy a Labrador puppy today! Labradors are fun, intelligent, and extremely playful, making them ideal pets for your children and family. If you are truly on the lookout for a furry fellow to always stay by your side, our top-bred Labrador retriever puppies will suit you the best. Raised with love and attention, Kennel Labradors will make the perfect new addition to your home. Truly one of a kind, Labradors are one of the most gentle and loving breeds of dogs. They love snuggling up with their humans and will never leave their side. So what makes our Labradors a highly sought-after breed and why should every pet owner invest in one? For starters, Labradors are excellent family dogs that will fit in with your children and other family members. Moreover, our top-bred Labradors are extremely playful and bursting with energy which makes them the coolest domesticated dogs ever. Here are the pros of owning a Labrador — Retriever : Easy To Train: Labradors are a very obedient breed that along with being intelligent, follow directions to the core. Their eagerness to learn makes them super attentive and willing to learn new tricks. Our Labradors are extremely sweet-natured and relatively easy to train compared to other breeds as we have raised them in contact with children and other people A Companion Forever: Owning a Labrador puppy means you will never be alone. Whether you are single or if your partner is out of town, you will have a furry buddy to keep you company. Having a loyal friend by your side will give you everlasting companionship. A Gentle Breed: We all know how different dog breeds have their own distinct nature and characteristics. Some make excellent guard dogs whereas some make the perfect family pet. Labrafamily Labradors will be the perfect addition to any home, living up to their super intelligent and gentle nature. Also, if you live with someone with special needs or any other medical issue, Labradors are the best breed to choose. Easy To Groom: Do you work a super busy job that hardly gives you any time to groom your dog daily? They will simply need occasional baths and coat brushing sessions about every two weeks. Labs Are Loyal: Even though Labradors are always brimming with energy and excitement, they are also super loyal to their humans. They might get excited to see strangers in the park, but they will always come to snuggle next to their humans at home. Being the proud owner of our Labradors, you will be getting a loyal buddy for your entire life. They Give Your Life Meaning: Many of us lead super busy lives; some have long work schedules whereas others have a large family to manage. On the other hand, some of us are either retired or are single and need something to keep us busy. Your Labrafamily will give you just that. Having a bundle of energy roaming around your house will always keep you on your toes and never bored. Why Us? Let us find out: Registered Breeders: If you want to buy a Labrador puppy in Canada, make sure you choose us. Whether you want the English Labrador or the American, we have everything for you. Top Bloodline: Here at Labrafamily, our goal is to breed puppies that are of top quality. This is exactly why we choose parents that are of a certified and great bloodline. We thoroughly research the parents and only use the best ones for breeding. Safe Environment: We understand how important it is to breed puppies in an environment that will nurture their mental and physical as well as social skills. This is why all our Labrador pups are raised in a safe and soothing environment till they are old enough to go to their forever homes. Healthy Puppies: Thanks to the wonderful genes they get from their parents, our Labrador puppies are healthy and fulfill all health clearances. Our Labradors and pups are completely tested and are free of any genetic diseases. Worldwide Delivery: No matter which part of the world you are in, if you have your heart set on one of our puppies, your wish will be granted. We are proud to be among the very few dog breeders who offer worldwide delivery. Not to forget, you can buy a Labrador in Canada at a super affordable price at Labrafamily. You are bound to fall in love with the newest furry addition to your family. Our Prices: Our base prices are listed below, according to current demand for colors and genders. Note: Sales tax is due on any pups or merchandise sold in California. By request, and for an additional fee, we often transport puppies to Davis. We used to be able to ship puppies via airplane all over the continental United States, but more restrictions apply at this time, due to Covid, extreme heat, or extreme cold. Unfortunately, we no longer ship puppies to Hawaii, due to their quarantine restrictions. Can I pick out my Labrador Retriever puppy before the designated adoption date? Sorry, but no. Most people will not know which puppy they are choosing until puppy adoption day. What supplies do we need for our new puppy? So many people ask us this question, we wrote a blog giving our advice. You can read our blog here. Do you raise American or English Labs? Both, actually, but mainly American. Only a few of our dogs are pure English; some are a blend of American and English. Litters are usually pure American or a blend of American and English. None, so far, are pure English. If you scroll down to the bottom of the videos page you can also view links to past litters of Labrador puppies for your viewing pleasure. We may, however, be able to refer you to hunting dog trainers, so feel free to shoot us an email asking us about that. Marble Mountain Kennels.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We also test for PDE susceptibility. We consider ourselves guardians of the breed and our purpose is to better the breed through selective breeding. However, occasionally we will have puppies available to approved homes. We all are a family of Pug Lovers who have taken time and developed a small breeding program. We do care about pugs of ALL colors as we raise only Pugs. We deal mostly with pugs with common colors you will find around like, fawn, apricot, black, white, and brindle pugs. We specializes in pugs with short faced, Cobby , low to the ground,and wrinkly balls of love. We have been with pugs since , after getting enough knowledge on pugs, I decided to take the breed forward made up my mind as the breed that I would be interested in raising. They are truly Clowns in the Dog World. Its advisable to do your homework properly when looking for a new pet that will be with you for years puppy mills do exist everywhere and you should not be in a haste to make a choice which will obviously be your best friend. It does not actually ends at getting just the papers. It takes much to breed it does not ends at putting two dogs together and getting offspring. Talking and answering questions about this breed makes us more happy,so do not hesitate to face us with questions or visits Home of Quality Fawn and black pugs. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. These puppies are raised in the same environment with our kids and other few pets in the house with lots of socialization. If you have been in search of a Pug Puppies Pet then look no more, your journey ends here. We make sure that they are given proper food nutrition, treatment and care. But if you are a broker or pet store owner or unethical breeder, you are in the wrong place. We only sell to loving homes looking to add a family member to their home. We define our puppies based on the quality as you can see at first sight. It is very simple and easy for you to find with us one of the best family member puppy you can ever ask for. We are so much in love with all of our puppies so we take into serious consideration the kind of home we place them into. We have been breeding one type of puppy for several years and we believe we have great experience with producing this kind of breed with under very healthy conditions. We guarantee that our puppies are healthy, high quality and lovely puppies. We do not just sell puppies to make money so if you are a broker or unethical breeder, you should be in the wrong place. We will always contact you in the future in request of pictures and vet records of your puppy. Our joy is not in the money you give us but i lies on the pictures or videos that we receive from families like you but that adopted a puppy from us in the past. As you adopt a puppy from us, we please ask that you accept us as a friend too. The feeling of knowing that we fulfilled or exceeded our customers satisfaction is a great sensation for us. Pug Puppies have always had a special place in my heart for years and they are just the biggest part of our life. We do not just breed and sell them like they are some merchandises but on the contrary we love and raise them like they are our children. We are a small Family based kennel that breed as part time and to gain some experience in the breed. Quality is our number one target and meeting the breed standards, health, conformation and temperament are what we strive for. For us raising a puppy is not easy but finding the right home for that puppy is a bigger task, we love them and so the homes that they spend the rest of their lives in is a big factor for us. We know that by now you know you are in the right place and you must surely find our next companion here with us. Our main focus is on providing very good quality Pug Puppies so that our customers can be satisfied in the end of the purchase. We do all what is necessary to get your trust and fulfill your expectation because it is the right thing to do. Try to become familiar with our current puppies and you browse through our website. We started this since and we have worked a great deal on this particular breed. It is not our primary job to breed and sell puppies, I work for the civil service and my partner is a soldier but we plan to become full time breeders as soon as we both retire. We always understand and put into consideration all the factors to be put into consideration when making the decision on buying or adding a new bulldog puppy to your family. We will walk you every step of the way because we feel that we understand the bulldog breed better than you do. They have an alert expression, interested and curious. They are always seeking love and attention wherever and whenever they can get it. They are more activate when they are young but will become little bit lazy as they grow to adults. Our intentions for our Pug Puppies are good and we believe in the saying that goes "Quality has no price because its priceless". We breed the best Pug Puppies we can breed and the best pedigrees. The dogs we choose for our breeding program are healthy and have great temperament and conformation. It is beyond every reasonable doubt true that breeding only one specie of Dog allows the breeder to best understand their health and needs so that's exactly what we do here. Quality puppies ready for loving homes. They are all raised with our children and other pets at home with much love and care. They have their own beds and toys but often times they are with us in the living room of our house. When you buy a puppy from us, the puppy comes with current shots, DE-worming and are all inspected by our vet. Pug Puppies are dependable affectionate dogs that are very active, muscular and intelligent. All Rights Reserved. All rights Reserved USA bottom of page. She is potty trained and will also use potty training pads. Is 7m ready for her forever home xxxxxxx xxxxx. They will fill your hearts and homes with love and joy. They will arrive to you up to date on vaccinations, along with full nose to tail vet check. Our puppies promise not to disappoint and are patiently waiting just for you! Don't miss out on calling this cutie yours! We have lovely male and female puppies ready for loving homes. View Detail Cut pug pups text, xxx,xxx xxx5 Males and female cut pug pups available for good homes,text us for more details and pics, thanks. View Detail pug puppies These gorgeous puppies have been born and raised within our own home, not in a kennel. Big boned, extended family can be seen. Real family dogs, looking for loving homes. KC registered. View Detail Gorgeous Pug Babies Gorgeous Pug Babies We are pleased to announce this perfect litter from a carefully selected mating based on looks and temperement!! All pups will be microchipped, flea and wormed and will have 1st injection!! Pups will leave with a puppy pack including 5 kc generation paperwork, food bowl, food, toys and a blanket with mums scent on!! View Detail Registered Pug Puppies They are up-to-date on shots and worming and ready for a new home. I have two available. A boy and a girl. They're all very healthy and doing great. We can discuss all the details to prepare your new puppy for their new life with you and your xxxxxx. He comes with first set of shots, flea prevention, Health certificates, paper potty trained, and endless amounts of love! His fee is .Please text or email to meet you new family member. Will come with vet records. Full bred. Indoor potty training being done. Has been around kids and cats. Very active. They are very special and loving puppys. There both parents are our family pets and can be view with them.Mother have fawn colour and dad have black colour. Both parents have short legs and KC reg.Puppy will be having first vacsination, Microchip, Vet checked, Fleed and wormed and with food. Please contact xxx xxx-xxx6 for further details. More pictures are available if requested. They come with full AKC registration, vet checked, are on a worming schedule, and will have their first vaccine complete. Pictures of females and males will be sent to you if you are interested. Their parents are not available. They are all black and white with beautiful blue eyes. If you have any questions or would like to see some more pictures of present please feel free to text or call at xxx xxx xxx0 View Detail Pug Puppies xxx xxx xxx0 puppies ready one male and two female available 10 weeks old with shots and papers Inbox me for details, pictures and pickup View Detail Locations Where Pug Puppies are Available in Hillsborough County. Why Is My Dog Shaking? Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but when they start shaking, it can be a cause for concern for pet owners. Shaking in dogs can be a sign of various issues, from dog anxiety and dog fear to dog medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the common causes of a dog shaking and what pet owners can do to identify and treat the problem. We will also offer tips for preventing dog shaking and ensuring.By doing regular grooming at home, you can help your dog look its best between visits to the groomer. You also get to bond more closely and build stronger trust with your dog. Routine grooming sessions will keep your dog clean and feeling fresh, but it will also.Their personality is lively, their nature fun-loving, and their disposition affectionate. As even-tempered, sweet, and playful dogs, Pugs make wonderful playmates for kids of all ages and lovely companion pets for couples, singles, and seniors. These little joy bringers love to cuddle and are generous with their Pug love. When it comes to their family, Pugs attach like magnets. They are known to happily shadow their humans in every activity and are just as happy lazing on the couch all day as they are going for a long evening stroll around the neighborhood. The family are members of the Pug Dog Club of America and consider themselves as guardians of the breed. They aim to better the Pug breed through selective breeding and also enjoy showing their dogs from time to time. This family of Pug lovers also runs a small-scale breeding program and, occasionally, puppies are available to be homed in approved homes. Purely Pugs have spent a lifetime learning about pedigrees. Now they raise each of their litters as if they were their very own children. Here at Purely Pugs, the most important thing is finding pups loving, forever homes. Any family who chooses to get a puppy from Purely Pugs will gain tons of support. Each pup is socialized and loved. Purely Pugs is a reputable, not for profit, breeder. Add: Bradenton, Florida Website: purelypugs. They love their dogs and show commitment to the betterment of the breed in everything they do. But how can you spot reputable breeders when you start searching for a Pug puppy? Here are some tips to help you out. A good breeder will… 1. Issue a health guarantee Make sure that your breeder of choice offers a health guarantee. A reputable Pug breeder will write up a binding health guarantee for all of their puppies. The guarantee protects you against any genetic defects or diseases. It shows that the breeder is confident that their puppies are bred according to best practices. This means if you can no longer look after your pup for some reason, you will be expected to return the puppy to the breeder rather than taking them to a shelter. Provide standard health clearances Your breeder should have full health clearances for both parent Pugs. Good breeders often provide some early health-check clearances for their pups too, although some health clearances simply cannot be carried on such young pups. Issue a written bill of sale Reputable breeders offer written bills of sale to all of their new Pug parents. This bill of sale should be signed and will outline all the roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the buyer and seller as part of the transaction. Vaccinate their puppies All puppies should be up to date on their vaccinations before being homed with new families. Your breeder of choice should be able to provide evidence of these vaccinations. Reputable breeders welcome prospective parents into their homes to see the puppies. Follow age guidelines Puppies should never leave the litter before 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering pups for adoption before this time is not following best practices. In fact, this could be quite damaging for the puppy developmentally. A reputable breeder will keep their pups at home until eight to twelve weeks so that they can be properly socialized and spend that crucial time with their mother and litter-mates. Answer your questions Last, but not least, a reputable breeder will be knowledgeable. In most cases, they will also want to ask you plenty of questions to ensure that their precious pups are going to good homes. We have a strict selection process that takes a variety of factors into account. That way we can ensure that only the best breeders end up on our lists. This way we know that our chosen breeders offer genetically sound and healthy puppies. Health testing shows a commitment to the health and wellbeing of each Pug. Contact information Any breeder that does not offer up their contact information is a big red flag. A reputable breeder will make it easy for you to get in contact with them by providing telephone numbers, email addresses, and they will usually have a well-established website as well. It shows a commitment to breeding best practices. Event participation Breeders who also compete in doggie events are often some of the best. Because these people tend to be dog lovers par excellence. They live and breathe for their Pugs and are proud to show them off in public. They are also more likely to have a high level of breed knowledge — an excellent sign for a breeder. Breed club membership There are lots of breed clubs out there that breeders can register with. These clubs have rules, regulations, and membership fees. If your breeder is registered with the Pug Dog Club of America, this is a great sign showing commitment to the Pug breed. Recognition awards Lastly, we look out for awards! Institutions like the AKC recognize the efforts and achievements of top breeders. The very best will be awarded the AKC recognition of merit award. During this time we recommend getting everything ready before your new arrival rattles through the front door. Your puppy will need: a crate for sleeping and training during the early days quality puppy-grade food a leash and harness plenty of toys You may also wish to purchase a puppy gate if there are areas of your home that you want to keep your Pug away from. This is all about making your home as safe as possible for your new arrival. Make sure anything that could potentially cause harm to your pup is removed. Clear your schedule Having a Pug puppy is a bit like having a human baby. So make sure to clear your schedule and get all of those errands done ahead of time! Once they arrive… 4. Avoid crowds Hold your excitement. That means no crowds. Try to keep the home environment as stress-free as possible so that your puppy can settle in and start to feel part of the family. Crate training is the first step. Lay down a regular routine from the get to and your Pug will be good as gold in no time.

How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppy diet: newborn For a German Shepherd puppy to develop and grow properly, it is imperative that they first nurse on their mother's milk. The first milk they receive is a protein and antibody-rich type of milk known as colostrum. This gives the puppy's immune and central nervous systems a boost. They then progress on to regular breast milk. Puppies will nurse for at least 6 to 8 weeks, gradually being weaned on to solid food at about 4 weeks. If, for any reason, the puppy cannot suckle its mother, don't give them cow or goat milk. These milks are very poor quality in comparison to a puppy's mother's milk. If your German shepherd puppy has to be prematurely weaned, a veterinarian will be able to prescribe specific infant formula and establish the appropriate dosage for your puppy. For example, a Chihuahua and a German Shepherd should not be fed the same food. This is because hese breeds have different nutritional needs. Take a look here to find out more about the diet for a prematurely weaned puppy. German Shepherd puppy diet: 1 month old From 3 to 4 weeks old, when it comes to feeding a German Shepherd puppy, we should start by letting them taste new foods and flavors. At this stage, the German Shepherd puppy's diet plan requires them to eat a special wet food for puppies. At around 6 to 8 weeks old, a German Shepherd puppy should be given a little dry dog food with water, or unseasoned chicken stock between nursing sessions. From their eighth week onward, a German Shepherd should be weaned and start feeding on solid food with a special puppy feed. The best dog food for a German Shepherd puppy is breed specific, but this may not be available everywhere. In these cases, your veterinarian can create a proper food plan for your German Shepherd puppy. At this stage, milk must be removed from the puppy's diet as it could cause diarrhea. If by any chance your dog or puppy is suffering from a bad stomach, we recommend taking a look at our article on what to do if yourt dog has diarrhea. In addition, it is vital that puppies have constant access to clean fresh water. German Shepherd puppy diet: 2 months old At two months of age, you can start to slowly decrease the moistening of your German Shepherd's dry food. Eventually, the puppy will be used to eating the food completely dry. Following the German Shepherd puppy food chart, from 2 until 4 months old, a puppy will eat 4 or 5 times a day. This has to be carried out with one very important addition: discipline. A puppy needs to learn that it will not be fed constantly throughout the day, but at specific times. We start of by placing a bowl of food down for 10 minutes, this should give the puppy enough time to finish its meal. After 10 minutes, we suggest taking the bowl of food away, even if your puppy hasn't finished eating. A puppy's food bowl must only be available to the dog for 10 minutes. This 10 minutes should be enough time for the puppy to eat all of its provided food. As already mentioned, after 10 minutes, you should take the food bowl away, even if the puppy hasn't finished eating. This pattern will introduce the puppy's food schedule and allow it an opportunity to become accustomed to particular feeding times. Accepting and adapting to a diet plan is very important for a puppy's intellectual development. It also facilitates more complex and demanding training sessions. Food for German shepherd puppies should be higher in calories, fats, proteins and calcium than adult German Shepherd dog food. This is because puppies are still growing and developing and therefore need better nutrition. German Shepherd puppy diet: food plan after 4 months Between 4 and 6 months of age, the number of meals which we have detailed in our German Shepherd puppy food chart should be reduced to 3 a day. The food quantity should be increased and an extra margin of 2 minutes to eat should be provided. The packaging of quality commercial dog food will detail the appropriate suggested amount of food for the puppy, depending on its age and weight. If you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian. You should eventually start mixing fresh food, such as meat, fish or vegetables, with the commercial dry feed. Beware of forbidden foods for dogs. Some people ask about a raw diet for a German shepherd puppy, but we recommend these such foods should always be cooked and never given to a dog raw. Meanwhile, treats for dogs should only be used as positive reinforcement during their training and learning period, never as a food supplement. Under no circumstances should you give your German Shepherd, or any dog, human food leftovers. Human food contains salt, sugar and seasoning contents which are very harmful to a dog's health. In addition, if you do offer your dog your food, it will pester you during meals [1]. For more, take a look at some of the harmful effects of treating a dog like a human. German Shepherd puppy diet: after 6 months When your German Shepherd puppy reaches 6 months of age, its daily food intake should be reduced to twice a day. When we do this we can increase the food portions and eating time accordingly. Our German Shepherd diet chart below should be taken into account depending on the age, lifestyle and size of your German Shepherd puppy. After 6 months, you should give your German Shepherd puppy shatterproof bones, such as beef, to gnaw on. For more, take a look here for more about; Bones For Puppies. German shepherd puppy: Dog food and water bowl hygiene Your puppy's food and drink containers should always be clean. Hygiene is very important in order to prevent the appearance of insects. If you notice that your puppy has not eaten for three consecutive meals, consult your veterinarian immediately. This lack of appetite in a puppy could be caused by bowel obstruction and stomach pain; due to the ingestion of toxic food etc. Don't forget that puppies are very sensitive and fragile and if you ignoring any symptoms of disease, it can result in severe issues or even puppy fatality. German Shepherd care German Shepherd puppies should be socialized and trained to live with you from day one. These dogs are incredibly capable and have the ability, if trained properly, to learn tricks and perform activities [2]. In addition to the diet of a German Shepherd, don't forget the importance of preventative medicines, following the appropriate vaccination schedules and general German Shepherd dog care. For more information about your German shepherd, take a look at.Growth and weight The German Shepherd puppy is a popular addition to many households. Sometimes called the Alsatian puppy, the German Shepherd was initially developed for herding and now commonly used as a working dog or pet. This is your guide to providing all the nutrients your new puppy needs. When Your Puppy Comes Home Although they look pretty sturdy at eight weeks old, German Shepherd puppies are vulnerable to tummy upsets when they arrive at a new home. To help them settle in stick with the food their breeder was giving them for the first two weeks minimum. You can then gradually swap over by increasing proportions over the course of a couple of days. However, if they are doing well on their original food, considering sticking with it for longer. To begin with follow the guidelines provided by the breeder, the feed manufacturer or by your veterinarian. This will vary depending on how calorie dense the food is and how it is formulated. Your puppy should be fed four times a day up to the age of four months. After this age, two larger meals at regular times will be sufficient. However, the more often you feed your pup the stronger your bond will grow. Simple sits and recalls, puppy tricks, they all make a big difference to how your dog behaves towards you and feels about you as they grow. What to Feed A German Shepherd Puppy You will find there are a lot of different opinions about what kind of food is best. Kibble and wet food are the most popular, but you do also have the option of raw or homemade meals. Puppy Kibble Great quality, high meat content kibble is my go-to for feeding larger puppy breeds. At the beginning of the day I measure out their daily food amount, then separate it into little pots. Some as meals, and the remainder to use throughout the day to reward good behavior or get off on the right foot with positive reinforcement. The FDA recently issued a notice alerting dog owners to a potential increased risk of a serious heart condition. This is called canine dilated cardiomyopathy DCM. The risk is in dogs eating foods that include peas, lentils, or potatoes instead of grains. The underlying cause of these cases is not clear, but the FDA note suggests that caution should be used in selecting foods with these ingredients for German Shepherds and other large dogs. Canned Dog Food For picky eaters canned food can be more appealing. It smells stronger, and debatably tastes nicer. These diets do not include cooked or otherwise processed foods. However, it may be more difficult to regulate a BARF diet to ensure a slow and steady growth rate in young puppies. If you find this option intriguing, you can check out our article on feeding your dog a raw diet. Homemade Diets Research has shown that in the past, poorly balanced homemade diets have been harmful to German Shepherd puppies. There is now abundant information available to anyone who is willing and able to produce a safe and balanced diet. However, modern cases studies have shown that well-meaning owners may still over-feed or create an unbalanced diet. So, this is an area where you really can have too much of a good thing. As with commercial foods, homemade diets must be properly formulated for a large breed dog. Do not deviate from recommended recipes as provided by a veterinarian. If possible, preferably a vet with a board certification in veterinary nutrition. Recipes published in popular magazine and websites may not be nutritionally complete or suitable for a large breed puppy. Is My Puppy the Right Weight? You can also refer to German Shepherd puppy growth charts to see if you puppy is gaining weight and within the normal range. However, keep in mind that some dogs will be unusually small or large but still be perfectly healthy. Do not try to maximize growth rates as this can lead to health problems later. Ensure that you are familiar with how to assess the body condition of your puppy. The ribs and spine should be easy to feel but not simple to see. My Puppy Is Still Hungry If your puppy seems excessively hungry provide more frequent but smaller meals. Young puppies cannot tolerate going without food for extended periods. With older puppies you may wish to experiment with foods that help them feel more full, and provide low calories treats. Keeping a health puppy active and occupied will help prevent them from becoming overly focused on anticipating their next meal. It also tends to be high in protein. Food that is high in protein and calories will provide your puppy with the energy that they need and help them gain the right amount of weight as they grow up. Most puppy food also includes vitamin and mineral supplements, such as calcium and phosphorus, for healthy and strong bones and teeth. You should speak to your vet to ensure that you have the right food and are feeding your puppy the proper amount. We hope that these reviews have helped you decide on the right food for your German Shepherd puppy. Remember to stick with large-breed food because it usually has the correct ratio of vitamins and minerals to give your GSD puppy all the suitable nutrition that they need so they can grow up strong, healthy, and happy. Featured Image Credit: Victoria Antonova, Shutterstock Written by Kathryn Copeland Author Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a writer about all things pets. When she was a child, she hoped to work in zoos or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her all-consuming love for animals. Unfortunately, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but terribly naughty tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future — maybe another cat and a dog.Read more Advertisement.