Aggressive Only at Night

[Audrey Alegre]

Hello All, 

It's been a while since I've asked any questions. My goldendoodle is now 2 years old!

We find at times, he becomes aggressive with strangers at night when we take him out on his last potty break. He recently lunged at a woman who screamed.  I am worried a part of him is aggressive? He's very sweet but at night he seems to be protective. I don't really know what to do. 

Also, anyone have a doodle who's a jumper even with treats and training? 

Any suggestions would be much appreciated as I am worried my doodle will be aggressive with my 1 year old boy?

Thank you!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I do have a reactive Doodle who is very nervous and reacts by lunging and barking when he feels threatened either by another dog or a stranger.  He is a sweetheart with the family, but can look very vicious when he encounters a stranger.  He is also worse in the dark because I think that makes the whole situation more threatening to him.  Murphy never shows teeth...it's all about posturing.  Has your Goldendoodle ever looked like he might be getting ready to bite?  That is a whole different situation IMO and if that were the case I would use a muzzle for that last trip outside.  If it's just the lunging and/or barking I would always try to avoid interactions that might set him off.  When you take him out and see a person that you think he could react with, turn and walk the other way while verbally correcting the negative body language.  Try not to give him an opportunity to "practice" this behavior.  It's also key that you always take a leadership position, especially in these situations so that he understands that you've "got his back".  I would also suggest that you watch the body language closely and the second you see that he is becoming tense try to divert him...this is where I always use treats.  Then if he doesn't calm and change his body language, I quickly turn him away and go in the opposite direction from the trigger.  Based on my experience this doesn't translate to reactiveness with people in the family.

[Audrey Alegre]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I'm worried that this behavior may cost us a law suit.  But will definitely try your suggestions. Thank you again!

[33bn7f8evnuyd]

Goldendoodles are jumpers. One time I was walking Lucky and ran into a huge Goldendoodle and this dog was just very excited that it jumped up at me and did a back flip because the owner pulled him back. I was a bit scared about being kicked in the face by a 90 lb dog. Doodles jump very high. When you say aggressive, does he growl? Or is it simply overexcitement?

[Audrey Alegre]

He does growl but only at night and once in a situation where he was tied to my desk at work. One person came up to him and he growled. I think he was being protective? 

I've tried training with the jumping but he is over excited by anyone and everyone (all during the day). 

[Sam&Bella]

Bella does that too, but I can tell its not aggressive, but more protective. Its like she is saying, "hey who are who!". But then when they come up to her, she is perfectly fine. I think its because its dark, and they are not sure what, or who it is. She is skittish at night when she hears a sound, so she might just be a little nervous too.

[33bn7f8evnuyd]

Aw. Lucky has 0 protective bone in his body. He relies on me to protect him more like heheh. But my pug is like Bella at night. She would bark at strangers, shadows and sticks mostly to well-lit areas. She is partially blind in one eye so she doesn't see well

[Sam&Bella]

Bella was like Lucky when she was little:) I feel bad for little Nibblers:(

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think if a stranger approached you at night, your Goldendoodle is protecting you. I think that is way different than being aggressive. The situations you have described it seems reasonable to me that your Goldendoodle would be wary and feel the need to alert you in some way. Our Vern will growl especially in situations that are different and he is less sure of, but I don't feel he is aggressive at all, just protective. I do however let him know that I am in charge and I do not want the growling when I am handling the situation.  I also think this does not translate into your dog is going to be aggressive with your child. He knows your little boy and like any dog, you will just have to be watchful when they are together. Your son will need to be taught to be loving and gentle with your dog and your dog will have to be taught to be gentle with your son. It can be done and I think your son will be better for it. 

As for his last potty time at night, can you take him to a spot where he won't be encountering strangers? Jane has given you great advice. As for the jumping, I would work on sit with him. Sometimes when we have company, I put the dogs in another room when the guests arrive and have them sit down before I let my dogs greet them. I hope someone else can chime in about this topic. Good luck!