How Do Doodles React When They See Other Dogs on a Walk?

[Dawn Ross]

Hi all. I'm new here. I don't have a Doodle but I have a question about Doodles. Perhaps more specifically, I have a question about LabraDoodles.

I have an Aussie mix (Pierson) and a Labrador (Maya) who are both very leash reactive when they see other dogs on a walk. Their leash reactions are resulted from different extremes. Pierson hates other dogs. When he sees one on a walk, he starts barking and jumping up and down like a rabbit. Maya, on the other hand, loves other dogs. When she sees other dogs, she also barks and lunges. But it is because she is so excited. It's like someone flipped a switch and she turns from the normally calm girl that she is into a 70 pound happy-frenzy. My dog trainer mentor calls it GLS (Goofy Lab Syndrome).

Now that winter is over, I am working on trying to desensitize them to other dogs and using positive reinforcement and the BAT dog training methods to try to readjust their behavior.

So my question is, how do LabraDoodles generally do around other dogs when on a walk? In general, because I know every dog is different. Do they love other dogs like Labradors tend to do? Do they get super-excited, or does the Poodle in them tend to temper that excitement?

I'm curious about the general characteristics of LabraDoodles. Even though it will probably be some time before I get another dog (because I'm going to make sure Maya and Pierson live for many many more years), my husband has already inquired about smart dog breeds that don't shed. ;)

Pierson and I have joined a dog walking group in order to work on his leash reactive behavior. This is as close as we can get so far without him going nuts.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I really don't think you can generalize about this at all. I believe that reactiveness on leash has less to do with the breeds and more to do with the individual dog's temperament, training, and background. My labradoodle, who is much more "Labby" than "Poodle-y" in almost every way, can be very reactive to other dogs on leash, although he is perfectly fine with other dogs off-leash. On the other hand, my last dog was a purebred poodle who was fine with other dogs, on leash or off, and was never reactive. To me, the difference lies not in their breeds but in their backgrounds and early experiences. 

This is also a training issue, like most dog behaviors. Reactiveness to other dogs on-leash doesn't have to be a permanent thing. Many of us have successfully worked through it with training. Ditto, barking, lunging, pulling, etc. :-)

[Dawn Ross]

Thanks, Karen & Jackdoodle. :) Yes, it mostly is a training issue. I started out training Maya the wrong way and have spent the past two years trying to do it the right way. She does catch on quick, but sometimes that goofy Labness kicks in. With Pierson, he was an adult when I got him last year. I was making improvements with his leash reactiveness at the end of summer, but I got lazy over winter and now have to start all over again.

There is something with breed generalizations though. In general, Labs are super friendly dogs. And in general, Aussies tend to be very prey driven. Not always true, just generally.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with you about the Aussies. Also Border Collies. Very prey driven, and often not great with other dogs period. 

[Dawn Ross]

I've got double-trouble then because I think Pierson is both Aussie and Border Collie. Thankfully, he absolutely adores Maya.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

"my husband has already inquired about smart dog breeds that don't shed. ;)

Beware, some doodles DO shed...as far as the reactiveness, Karen summed it up (as she does all the time) perectly

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It depends. Certainly, on leash, and neutral ground, my doodle is too friendly. He seems to get bit a lot. Just yesterday, we met a Goldendoodle and once again, ' this supposed friendly' new friend snapped at Spud's face.
Both of us ( humans) spoke to each other as we approached and confirmed our dogs were friendly,inked other dogs, etc. Spud gave a play bow, then approached with maybe too much zest. Instead of head on, he should have politely sniffed a butt.
I blame the over zealous greeting on lonely Spud.
I'm conscientious of this though, and try to keep him protected by slowing down the greeting.
Once again, he was snapped at :( At least the snapper was a bit mellow. There was also an infant in a stroller. I did not pick up on this. Again, my fault that this other Doodle did not like a slightly fast approach.
But yes, my dog does over greet and sets some dogs off.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Head on is always a disaster with JD if he's on leash. You never saw a dog go from zero to sixty so fast in your life.

Well, maybe you have, lol. 

[Dawn Ross]

Joanne ~ Spud*, Maya's overzealous greetings used to get her in trouble at the dog park. She's learned to approach more slowly. It's on-leash that I have trouble with her. Pierson too. I've had Pierson in off-leash situations and he did mostly fine with other dogs. But I don't entirely trust him yet so he is not allowed to go to the off-leash dog park.

I like your perspective on the other dog's behavior. It can be upsetting when another dog snaps at your dog, but you look at the entire situation. Luckily, most dogs only snap in warning. When they have an overzealous dog that isn't paying attention to such cues as growling or lip-raising, then they might use another form of communication.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned was 'prey' to a border collie at a dog park - smallish, fluffy, running around.  The border collie didn't hurt him, but  came flying out of no where, all the way across the park, and knocked him down as Ned was chasing another dog. Clancy, also in the chase, but much bigger, was ignored by the border collie.

[a.k.a. Rodney]

My trainer really emphasizes getting my pup around dogs so that the natural boundaries that dogs use to manage other dogs are naturally taught to them by their peers...that will help us reinforce in training thru positive correctness

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with "it depends".  I have two Doodles....one walks really well on leash with any distraction, including other dogs.  My other Dood is a different story...he is very reactive on leash, and we've been working with a trainer to address this for almost two years.  He has come a long way and will now pass by most other approaching dogs with no reaction.  However, there are still some dogs (usually high energy and not in the control of their owner) that set him off.  We are now able to avoid the reaction (I can tell by his body language is he is getting stressed) by pulling him off to the side and having him focus on me.  There is a video of this in the comments section of the Training group if you're interested.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

It's definitely and "individual dog" thing and not a "breed" thing.

Luna (a GD) thinks everyone loves her and wants to be friends with her.  When on leash she pulls to try to get to dogs she sees (just to say hi, she is happy) but can be distracted from the dog if I ask her to sit or "watch" (look at me).  When off leash she bounds towards other dogs happily, but she shies away from larger breed dogs, especially boxer/bully-type dogs (she has had a few bad experiences... she's very submissive).