Getting my first Doodle in two weeks! Yikes!

[Debbie Frizzell]

I am so excited to be adding a goldendoodle to our family in two weeks! I told my close friend who has labs and she told me that doodles are high strung and crazy and kind of hard to control. This isn't what I've read online. I have always had small dogs.We are getting a standard. This is making me a bit nervous...help!!

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

I think your friend is very misinformed!  I am sitting in my bedroom right now with two - 4 month old doodles laying quietly by my feet.  We just got back from puppy class where they were (as usual) the stars of the class!  The only real problem that we've had so far is that Casey dug up my azalea while I was working with Cody in the backyard. Just like my kids when they were little - hard to keep an eye on both at the same time!  But - they are puppies - so what would you expect. They are smart, loving, love to cuddle and are just so funny. They keep me smiling and laughing all the time. You will be so pleased with your new baby.

[Debbie Frizzell]

Thank you Joyce. That's funny because my other girlfriend keeps and trains labs for Leader Dogs for the Blind and her young one right now keeps pulling plants out of the ground. She and I are both gardeners so she's ready to send this pup back (not really :) ) Thanks for putting my mind at ease!

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

Your friend hasn't met most doodles...they are delightful dogs...happy, loving, both energetic & calm, lovely animals :)  My two are not stubborn, high strung or crazy...they have lots of fun together & we have lots of fun with them...they are perfect pets :)  

My 99# male is gentle with our smaller double doodle...& all other dogs.  Because of our dogs, my son now has a double doodle puppy, my exDIL & my daughter's friend are both getting a doodle puppy this month.  Every dog lover that meets them loves them.  Don't worry...your friend is wrong :)

[Debbie Frizzell]

Yay! Thanks so much! I just love them and they are so beautiful I think! This will be my first large dog and I'm kind of excited about it.

[Heather & Brinkley]

I think people mistake energetic for high strung. My Brinkley is active... And he needs his body and mind exercised (they are smart dogs). But when I do my job he's happy, loving and content. He's a giant cuddle bug that is very loyal. I'm 7 months pregnant and have been down with a bad cold for a week and half. He's been by my side the entire time even though he's gotten less exercise than our normal routine since last Sunday. He's currently snoring beside me. It will just take time to learn your Doodle's needs. I love him to pieces bad wouldn't trade him for the world.

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

They can be, but that doesn't mean that they all are. Mine are very laid back- calm and mellow. That isn't to say that they don't have their wild and crazy playful moments, but they are usually just laying around in the same room I am in. Mine were both very easy pups to raise. I have a friend who currently has a 4 month old Lab puppy who is wild and crazy and full of energy...... so it is really just like how kids can be different in a family- they are all different due in part to genetics and part individual personality. Whatever type your new addition is, there are plenty of groups here to help you through any challenges. 

Congratulations on your new doodle!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

I have a Doodle (not Golden) and she is just about as mellow as they come "now"!  I say now because as a puppy she was "typical"!  She did a lot of chewing, not listening to commands, jumping on people and all the little/big things puppies do and there were times we thought, "what have we done"?  We took advice and listened to everyone here on DK and started training, crated her, changed her food and in no time our little girl was over a year old and all that "puppy challenge" was  gone.  I'm sure there is always and exception to everything, but they grow up fast and you "almost" want them back as a puppy!  Almost is the key word here:)

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

I can so relate Laurie!  Soon it will all be better I'm sure!  Hang in there, Libby is almost two and a half and we still haven't taken a vaca!   LOL  She is really mellow now and we couldn't ask for a better dog.  I think it was eighteen mos. when she actually stopped all the puppy craziness completely. Their sweetness and lovable personalities make up for the year of he$$, oh did I say that?  When you look at Charley's face don't you just melt?

[Debbie Frizzell]

Thanks everyone! Wow! Everyone sure is supportive on this board! This is great!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really think as with most "breeds" they can be a little crazy if they have not been trained.  Training and setting some "rules" is in my opinion the key to a calm, well behaved dog (of any breed).

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

So many great descriptions here. I have owned 3 German Shepherd dogs over the past 25 years and now have Bay, our 1 year old F1 Goldendoodle. My friend just last night summed it up. The GSD, while so loyal and awesome, dont have a sense of humor. Doods are such fun, loving and yes, loyal too, dogs. Bay loves children, adults, other dogs, everything. I will agree,however, and like any dog, enroll in a good training puppy class. I found one who knew the GD breed and knew her personality and she was the star of the class! Best wishes. You will fall in love for sure :)

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Plenty of doodles are very laid back and trainable... Luna is one of them!

She is cautious around small children, doesn't bark except as an alert when someone's at the door (okay, or if she's VERY excited during play) and generally is very mellow.  She has a lot of energy, but as long as she is walked and played with a few times a day she's fine.

She WAS a bit crazy when she was a puppy, but aren't all puppies a bit crazy? :)