Getting a new Goldendoodle, advice??

[Ruby Goldendoodle]

We will be getting a new Goldendoodle puppy in about 5 weeks. This will be our first dog other than dogs when we were kids. What size crate should I get for the first few months or 6 months? She is an Standard F1b. I am so confused with everything to buy and don't know what we really need. I bought a small 14 inch collar it was listed as small and is adjustable. Bought a puppy kong, a rope toy, a puppy nylabone and a stuffed heart toy. I am thinking about feeding Taste of the Wild, it got 5 stars on an independent food analysis website. I am thinking of doing NuVet vitamins, does anyone do this? My Mom has lost so many dogs (Golden Retreivers) to cancer so I want to be sure to feed the best and do the best I can. Thanks for any advice. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You have a good start.  Here is my take on what you have or need.  If you feed a high quality kibble, you do not need vitamins.  We feed TOTW and like it very much for our dogs. Many doodles are strong chewers and the puppy kong and puppy Nylabones can be too soft - just watch and get stronger ones if needed. A small collar might be too small, but that is an easy change once you get her. I would use metal or glass food and water bowls - plastic can be chewed up and can harbor germs. We used a crate for Ned as a puppy and just lucked out on the size but he is a small dood.  If you are getting an F1B you will need a GOOD brush like a LesPouchs slicker and a comb.  If you are unsure which ones to get, you can e-mail Kemp (also a dk member) at doodlecountry.com and he can advise you on what would be the best one to get. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Amen to not needing vitamins, especially Nuvet.

[Willow and J]

I'm a new member here and there's TONS of information on this website! You've found the right place!

In terms of size of crate, collar, toys, water bowl, harness etc., I had to buy bigger ones around 10 months (I had a hand-me-down large size crate that she grew out of). We also bought much thicker leash from Bungee Pupee around that time to save our hands from leash burn. She was already over 55 lb. by then. (She is around 65 lb. at 21 months.)

I wanted to say that stay relaxed, patient, and cherish every moment with Ruby. My Willow is such an angel, but she's my first dog, and now I look back on my first three months with her, I was soooo overwhelmed. My first month with her was dedicated to adjusting myself to having a puppy; no work done, no socializing, and just tied to puppy 24/7. I slept on the kitchen floor in front of her crate for a month; lack of sleep and figuring out how I can be around her was a challenge. Willow probably thought, "What's wrong with you, a newbie mom?" My hubby grew up with dogs and immediately noticed how well behaved Willow was, but he happened to be out of town just a couple of weeks after we adopted her for a month. Willow used to have loose stool when my hubby was out of town too, a sign of stress, I guess. I cried so many times out of frustration, stress, and lack of sleep... :)

In any case, 1.5 year later, I know how spoiled I am by having Willow as my first dog! Now I wish I were more relaxed when she was a baby - Willow grew up so fast, and I miss the time I could lift her up like a teddy bear. I could have enjoyed baby Willow much more had I been more patient! If I adopt a second doodle, which is highly probable, I'd do it for the baby stage (not that doodles are such a joy at any stage!!) 

Congratulations, and I'll look forward to seeing baby pics of Ruby!

 

[Ginny Nightingale]

wow--these DK-ers are so helpful aren't they? What a great source of advice you all are--bravo! Did anyone mention puppy classes? If not, look into it--find a good trainer who is holding beginner's classes near you and enroll when the pups has enough shots--usually 12-14 weeks. Very important for socializing the puppy and getting you started on training.

Have fun--and take lots of pictures--they grow so fast!!!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

There's so much brilliant advice here that I can't think much to add except to say that you have most definitely come to the right place.  One thing I would add is take lots of pictures because your baby will grow up so fast.  I used clicker training which I learnt on youtube and it was brilliant when Riley was very young. Now he is nine months and a teen he needs a little more training but it was great for potty training, crate training, sit, wait and the touch command all of which I taught him before he was 11 weeks old.  I would also say take your puppy everywhere and socialize her as much as possible.  Go to the local school gates to meet and greet children.  Go to where older folks are and let them pet her.  Meet bikes, trucks, fire engines, sirens anything you can think of and expose her each day to new people, places and things.   I found loud sounds on youtube of fireworks and trains and sirens and used to play them and slowly turn up the sound.   If you have to carry her because she hasn't completed all her shots do that and also take her in the car for short trips too.  Cut and paste anything you find here and create a file on your desk top.  If you see tips on cleaning ears or teeth or grooming copy and save because you may not remember where you read or saw them if these issues come up later.  Trawl thorough the groups here, there are lots of them and enjoy the whole experience.  Good luck to you.  We can't wait to see your new puppy.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

You have been getting really good advice. I would like to add that patience is a must. There will be accidents and incidents while your baby learns it's way.

On the accidents my DH was in charge (I let him - haha) and he read in the book The Monks of New Skete never let your dog see you clean up an accident so I would take her out of the area, he would clean it up and then spray it with 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts HOT water, and then cover it with a bowl or a basket until it dried. She was never allowed to sniff the wet spot and I swear it worked, she never wandered over to smell and pee there again.

She was an easy train...she slept through the night in her crate (a large one sectioned off to be small) from the 2nd night on and never had an accident in the crate. In the morning we never let her feet hit the ground, I would scoop her up and run her out to the back yard so she could potty and than do the happy dance. I think after reading all about others and their issues Daisy was A typical so I got lucky.

It is so exciting to get a new puppy, they grow up so fast (just like kids) cherish that little bitty window of little bitty.

Congratulations and Good Luck!

[Carolyn and Ruby]

Welcome! My 6 month F1B Goldendoodle is named Ruby!!!  This site is a great resource for all the information you'll ever need!  Sometimes, I just search forums on keywords and spend hours reading the results. I'm addicted to DoodleKisses (and to Doodles)  :)

[Ruby Goldendoodle]

Wow! Thanks so much for all the help and advice. What do you all think of pets art puppy training classes? Worth it? I tend to be anxious so I am just going to remind myself to relax and enjoy ruby. I will post pictures when I get some. I think I will be spending a lot of time here. :)

Stacy

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Like any kind of educational program, the individual instructor is key.  My daughter and I took our puppies to the same "program", but had different instructors and very different experiences.  Hers was "good", ours was "great".  So my advice would be to go to your local Petsmart, observe a few classes with different instructors to get a feel for class atmosphere, then sign up for what felt best to you.

I haven't read through the rest of the comments yet, so this may already be here someplace, but (although Nancie is right about your little Ruby attracting lots of positive attention), be prepared for the occasional doodle-hater.  I've never experienced it first hand, but several blogs and discussions here on DK have focused on people saying rude things about "designer dogs", "expensive mutts", etc.  You may never need it, but having a response planned out in advance may be a good idea.

Have tons of fun with your new best friend.  Sedona is my first dog EVER.  Never thought I was a dog person, but she totally proved me wrong!!!! 

[Ruby Goldendoodle]

Should say petsmart training.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

There is so much info in the Puppy Madness and Trianing groups. You will get answers to questions you didn't even know you had yet, happy reading!

[Christine & Shelby]

I've done a class (intermediate) at PetSmart after observing one of their instructors and we really enjoyed it.   Not a great option if you want to begin training before your pup is fully vaccinated.   While they will check records one everyone in your class, you never know the status of pets walking in the door (especially  knowing that they run a vet clinic).  Most of your class practice time is done out in the store.  

Lots of great advice.... patience, patience, patience!   Socialization is super important.  I had the goal for Shelby to meet 100 people/dogs(vacinnated in controlled safe environments) within the first month!  It was tough, but we got close.... about 93!