Help with aggressive, unaffectionate puppy?

[Joanna & Maya]

Hi everyone :)

I have a 5 month old miniature goldendoodle puppy. She is nothing like what we were expecting. She hates being touched, will back away if we try to pet her, doesn't cuddle...if we try to put her on the sofa with us she jumps to the floor. she's really aggressive...bites us like mad and only bites harder when we yell NO or hit her snout/spray water. we've had her since she was 8 weeks old and have been consistently training her EVERY DAY, but NOTHING. she still jumps on furniture, attacks our socks, steals stuff from the coffee table etc. 

when we bought her we thought she'd be an affectionate, cuddly, friendly girl...but she's the complete opposite. it's making us sad, and we're starting to lose hope. have any of you had this problem? do you think she'll change or is this just her personality? i don't understand why she's like this. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Just as long as you realize, that losing those puppy teeth alone, will not remedy the nipping .

[Joanna & Maya]

She lost all 4 canines last week and has not bitten me or anyone in the house since. I am overjoyed :') You're right though, I was training her consistently at the same time so I'd like to think it's partly because of that as well. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Awesome news!  I am sure it was a combo of both.  Consistent training.....can't beat that!  :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

DoodleMom, I so disagree. Respectfully.  This sounds like every 5 month old puppy I have ever known.

Doodles are dogs. Not some special and perfect dog breed exempt from ... whatever.  There is no special science here.

This has nothing to do, for the most part, from where she is from and all to do with the age of the dog and the inexperience of a new owner.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree, Joanne. If I had a 5 month old sporting breed puppy who was not constantly moving and jumping, or who sat around calmly waiting for someone to hug him, I'd assume he was terribly sick. Doodle puppies are not teddy bears, regardless of what some breeders would like people to believe. 

[Wendy and Myla]

I agree!  I think we all for forget how awful the first five to six months are as our doodles get older (sort of like childbirth)- we just remember how cute they were and that awesome puppy smell but they bite and those teeth are sharp - I agree that you have to pick a breeder for temperament but they all go through this stage and you just have to keep training them that biting and nipping is unacceptable!  This stage will pass and for some it is a very hard stage to get through! 

[Veronica Z.]

I couldn't agree more. This sounds like a puppy. Period. My miniature goldendoodle went through her doodle monster phase as well, getting her crazy doodle eyes in the evening and shredding our hands and arms to bits with her shark-like puppy teeth. We were simply consistent with training and very very very (seriously, I cannot emphasize this enough) very patient with her. We started puppy kindergarten as soon as possible and it really helped to get that advice from a trainer but I also think it helped immensely to be able to swap stories with all of the other puppy parents. Not everyone has the exact same experience because each dog is going to have its own unique personality but you will inevitably find that most if not all the behavior you are seeing is perfectly normal puppy behavior. Now that she is a year old we can see how all of the patience and training has paid off (and we do not have any lingering scars from the doodle monster attacks). Best of luck to you and I definitely suggest lots of time in the Puppy Madness group. You will no doubt find lots of similar stories circulating there. :)

[Cathy, Zoe, and Tucker]

We nicknamed Zoe "Pirana Puppy" and felt the same frustrations. Our trainer suggested hand feeding all meals --open palm. After a few days we were hand feeding and petting. It just kept getting better. Add lots of exercise and clicker training for mental stimulation and hopefully she will grow out of this stage soon.

[Jacqueline Winch]

When Soleil (Goldendoodle) was a puppy that age, our vet told us to lay her on her back on our lap and to look into her eyes and rub her belly very softly.  She also had a bad habit of nipping with those razor teeth and I yelped like it hurt in a high pitch (actually it did hurt).  That got her attention.  I was getting frustrated and sad.  

Something about laying them on their backs in your lap makes you the alpha but the rubbing and eye contact gets her to trust you since you've put her in a vulnerable position.  Now Soleil loves to have her belly rubbed and even sleeps on her back sometimes.  

I'm so sorry you're having problems but try the belly rubbing/eye contact/sweet talk and see if that helps over time.  Jacqueline

P.S. After those razor teeth come out she seemed to calm down too!

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Wow...such awesome advice and support!  What a super terrific bunch of doodle lovers!  I cannot add much besides my little darlin' was like a small alligator with the razor slashing sharp teeth, waiting to pounce on me and tear me to bits!  Of course I got help to train her immediately... enrolled her in many many classes.  Then," wonder of wonders miracle miracle "...like someone threw her switch and she finally calmed down and decided she would "stay" and become one of the pack!  Well worth the suffering, dedication, time, money, pain, (somebody stop me) yada yada yada!  

It's funny tho...I was among the ignorant also that was waiting for this snuggly, cuddly, loving little ball of fur!  What a surprise!  Fortunately, like many have told you, tenacity, perseverance, patience, love, kindness do have their rewards.

Today Skadi is one of the biggest loves I could ever have imagined.  Hang in there!

[Rosella T]

Oh wow, that is a CUTE dog! :)

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Thank-you for the compliment.  She gets cuter and cuter every year...and sweeter and sweeter.