Do you ever know what your dog is saying?

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I know we talk a lot about how we wish we knew what they were thinking and feeling, and I think that is valid, but there are some instances where I know exactly what my Orwell is thinking and feeling. 

For instance, today we were having a training session and I wasn't being as clear as I should have been about what I wanted from him. He was trying so hard and he got frustrated towards the end. He started barking at me as if to tell me I wasn't being clear, but I'm trying, mommy. It wasn't an alarming bark at all. I then told him to wait and calm down before we began again. After that he did what I asked of him the first time and he got his treats. 

Personally, I think it is rather easy to read these guys because they seem to have an attitude... mine does at least. My trainer says it's his dominant poodle side. She's had poodles all throughout her life so she knows. She even guessed that he had more poodle in him than lab. :P There was a time when we were at class and the other dogs were working on not darting out the door. Everyone in the class admitted that their pup did this multiple times but when she asked me and my boyfriend about Orwell, we came up blank. Everyone in the class was like, "We'll trade you!" and I was like, "NO THANK YOU, I'm fine with this guy, thanks." At the end of class we tested it out and had an open door with his leash being completely slacked and he just stood by me and my boyfriend. He looked up at me in the trainer and seemed to say, "Cool story, bro. My mom's right here. I'm not leaving." So then I went through the door and around the corner while my boyfriend was holding his leash and Orwell was not happy about that and tried coming after me (mind you, I didn't tell him to stay). 

I'm still not quite sure why we've never had a problem with him unless I leave, but I'm glad of it. I can take him out to the front yard off lead and he never strays to far away (at least, he doesn't leave the yard). He has to be able to see me. I know this because at the park I tested him out while he was sniffing bushes and I slightly hid. He always looks back to make sure I'm there and when he didn't see me right away, he went looking and when he saw me he bounded after me and was like, "Why'd you move?"

So... does anyone else have stories like these? I'm sure someone out there must have a similar connection with their dog if you try and immerse yourself in how they think. I actually recommend trying to know how your doodle works so you can always have the upper hand with them since they are so smart.

Also, Orwell just turned 8 months on the 11th. Here's a couple of updated pictures of him:

This is actually him in the front yard off lead.

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

 I KNOW when Ned is mad.  It shows all over his face and I am sure what he is saying and it is x-rated!  I can also see Ned 'think' when given a command.  He is thinking about whether it is worth his while to obey or not.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

We have two doodles. Our first doodles Daisy, we purchased her from a breeder and picked her up at 9 weekss
She is very smart just like your Orwell. Then we fostered and ultimately adopted Dexter, he came to us at 5 months, though he is smart he is also smart but he does not have the same need to be right near us. Dexter did not have the benefit of start kindergarten training at 3 months at a Vets office with other dogs of the same age and same level of vaccinations because he wasn't with us.
Since we did know what we were getting we were able to instil good habits right away but Dex seems to have the prey drive that Daisy lacked, in the words of our daughter and son in law, this one is a dog, not a "person daughter with fur". LOL, they get much delight in our dilemma when he does not come immediately when called, counter surfs, uses furniture in his zomie circus act and constantly jumps up to great everyone even though we are working diligently to curb all.
We love them both equally but as it stands right now we would not trust him in the front yard without a leash and he can be seen sometimes, when he has that "I am gonna try to listen but I smelling bunny in the air" look, in a 20 foot training leash in the back yard.
They are all different, and yes pretty much I know what they are thinking when they give you the look. Daisy is thinking, outside, outside, ball ball, ball, play ,play play. Dexter is thinking food, food food, and snuggle, snugglle, snuggle.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

My ALD is a lot like your Orwell.  Since he's been a pup, he's never strayed far from my side.  He's not shy or timid.  Loves meeting new people, but looks to me for direction (yes, you can do that; no you can't). We both have our "looks" and he's learned to read me as well as I read him.  My family is sure that one day he will talk, but for the most part, I think his messages come through loud and clear. We did our first day at the hospital as a therapy team last week. FInn politely greeted patients, put his head on their lap, gave them those adoring doodle eyes, and every so often popped between my legs and peered out at the world for a couple seconds before he resumed his "duties."  He cracked everybody up including our mentor who said "it's like he goes to you to recharge and then he's happily back out in the world connecting."

Last weekend I left Finn with my mom and brother-in-law while my sister and I went shopping.  Finn had been happily playing fetch and watching tv with my brother-in-law but after I said goodbye to him, he laid in the doorway of the family room where I left him for over an hour quietly waiting for me to return, leaving people to step over him or go around him (I'll have to be more careful where I say goodbye to him from now on lol)  Neither treats nor toys would budge him. 

Doodles are so much like small children, (although wiser in some respects and sometimes stubborn:), and I think that an important part of training is developing that invisible nurturing bond that goes both ways -- observing and learning how to communicate with each personality.  No one size fits all.  Of course, I only have one doodle and I'm sure increasing the pack would change the dynamics.  Orwell is adorable --LOVE his coloring and those eyes! Treasure that connection :)

[Kaitee and Orwell]

That is so adorable. Orwell does a similar thing when he meets people. He loves meeting people but after a while, he's done and sits and leans against me. If he could get between my legs, I bet he could... but as it is right now, I'd practically be sitting on him. :P