Clover has HIGH Drive and we have Yorkie's

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

It's been awhile since I've posted.  Things got a little crazy here.  I posted yesterday in one of the groups and then deleted it.  It just didn't feel right the way I worded it.

Before I continue, I just want to say that Clover is not going anywhere.  When Clover joined our family it was forever.  Sometimes bad things happen, but from experience the good always outways the bad.  We just have a lot of work ahead of us.

Clover joined our family in January at 10 months as a foster.  We fell in love and adopted her in February.  Clover has the sweetest disposition.  Since we are her fourth home I'm pretty sure no one took the time to work with her.  I have experience with rescues so I know there can be issues that show up later. 

Clover has always been very gentle with the Yorkie's.  The first week Clover was here Mae would clean her face through the crate, lick, lick, lick.  After everyone was used to each other Clover had full access to the house.  I even caught Clover, Apollo (lab) and the Yorkies taking a nap on our bed.  I guess I was being to noisy cleaning in the living room.  About 4 weeks ago Clover was trying to play with Mae and got a little rough. Clover was holding her down with her paw, so I redirected Clover.  It just scared Mae no one was hurt.  Things went back to normal, but I paid more attention to everyone's interactions. 

Then about 2 weeks ago when Lexi came home from school she rang the doorbell, which has happened several times before.  But this time Clover got over stimulated, turned around and grabbed Daze by the neck.  Luckily I was just a couple feet away and able to prevent a very horrible outcome.  Daze is fine, she had a small puncture wound on her neck. 

We have a trainer that comes to our house every other week.  So we started including Clover in our training sessions when she first got here.  We have 2 sessions left and have already made great progress.  If anyone's interested I can let you know the steps we are taking.  I have grown up around Labs and Golden's, so I now they can have a high prey drive.  Clover is a goldendoodle and actually the first doodle I had seen.  I just realized how funny that sounded, LOL.

We live on a farm, have a fenced in area for the dogs to play.  Clover and Apollo go out 4-5 times a day, up to an hour at a time playing.  Since the weather is getting nicer we have added off leash walking in the field a couple times a day.  I play fetch with them 10-15 minutes a day.  I thought we were getting enough exercise, but the trainer thinks Clover needs a little more.

Since I am not real familiar with doodles and their development I need some advise.  I read that before the age of two a doodle should not be worked real hard or damage can be done to their bones.  If this is incorrect please let me know.  Our trainer suggested that we started running her 10-15 minutes twice a day.  Before I do this I want to make sure it will not hurt her.  Also, if anyone has any other ideas please let me know.  

[Adina P]

It may take a while to 'break' the habit of starting the play, but if Clover is trained you can just call him out of the play session and have have him down stay for a bit every single time he starts rough housing indoors.  Same with Apollo.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Thought I would give everyone an update.  I've come to the conclusion that Clover was never taught/trained how to interact with small dogs.  Clover has been watching Apollo play with the Yorkies and catching on quickly.  Apollo's playing consists of laying on his back while the little ones come up to give him kisses all over his face.  He even opens his mouth occassionally to get/give kisses to Mae.  The other day while working with Clover and Willie.  Willie walked up to Clover while she was laying on her side, kissed her nose, layed down on is back next to her and she gently laid her nose on his belly.  Too me this is a huge step. 

Training with the doorbell is working with them individually, but together it needs work.  Their excitement level is lower and doesn't last as long.  We've had 7 occassions with deliveries and the drivers ringing the doorbell.  During the last 2 both stayed off the tile together.  Still a little excited until I opened the door then they calmed down and sat.

Thanks for all the ideas.  We started running and everyone got puzzle toys.