Breeder training a Sarplaninac puppy to stop biting fingers.

Stop Puppy Biting! Because Your Hands Aren’t Chew Toys

When your puppy won’t stop biting, it’s hard to enjoy anything. Those sharp teeth leave marks all over your hands, and there are times when you probably regret bringing a dog home. I’ve been in those exact situations where every…

Training a puppy to walk on a leash - different stages of progress.

Leash Training a Puppy: Pro Tips for Stubborn Breeds

Leash training is a long process of patience and guidance for a puppy. While some dogs accept the collar right away, others will resist with everything they have. Every owner faces this challenge differently, but the goal is always to…

A young Sarplaninac puppy confidently walking up and down stairs on a leash, demonstrating healthy movement and stability to disprove myths about joint problems.

Puppies and Stairs: When is it Safe? (Breeder Advice)

While most puppies are capable of climbing stairs by three months, body weight and bone growth set the actual timing. The real issue is whether those underdeveloped joints can support the extra load without injury. Early stair use is directly…

Sarplaninac puppy barking on a stone wall.

Stop Puppy Barking: Breeder’s Simple Tips

Puppies test your patience in a lot of ways, and barking is usually one of them. When it gets out of hand, you stop being able to think straight. Growing up with Sarplaninacs, I’ve seen simple training techniques bring things…

Sarplaninac breeder checking the skin of a young puppy to ensure it stays healthy.

Puppy Skin Care: From Olive Oil to the First Bath

Healthy skin is more than just a good-looking coat; it is the first line of defense for a puppy. Watching them scratch until the skin bleeds shows how quickly a minor irritation can turn into a serious infection. Dry skin…

Sarplaninac puppies learning behavior from their mother in the kennel.

How We Socialize Puppies From Day One (Breeder Tips)

Raising the dog to be stable and courageous starts with how you introduce new situations. Socialization is not just about play; it is about preventing fear and aggression through positive, real-world encounters. Without this early training, a puppy can easily…

Sarplaninac puppy training collage showing leash work without treats and socialization at our kennel.

Why Reward Training Does Not Work for Every Puppy

Using treats is a great way to start, but food shouldn’t be the only reason the puppy pays attention to you. In our kennel, we use rewards to show the dogs what we want, but we don’t want them to…

Golden Retriever puppy chewing a colorful rubber toy and a Sarplaninac puppy chewing a wooden stick.

Is Your Puppy Chewing Everything But Toys?

Coming home to a chewed-up couch or ruined shoes is exhausting. You buy plenty of toys, yet your puppy ignores them and goes straight for your furniture or your favorite book. This isn’t just a bad habit – it’s usually…