I need to find (or be) a great home for my Doodle :(

[Tori]

His name is Chewy. He is only a year and a half old. We got him at 8 weeks. I'm so sad writing this, we just can't keep up with him. He needs constant attention, someone with whom he will be their everything. He is absolutely adorable. He is also very quick to learn, but he is very much like his poodle side which comes out in his stubborness and his clever ways of getting our attention :)
We just had a baby 2 mos. ago and the demands of the the baby with the demands of sweet Chewy........well, it's just overwhelming and not fair to him.

As far as his pedigree... He is the offspring of a Yellow lab and a first generation Labradoodle....so I guess he would be called a doodle-lab :) He is curly haired, not lab-ish at all....he is really really cute and fluffy. As far as his temperment, he is incredibly sweet, loves to cuddle--(with me), fetch, and swim. I don't know what to do other than find him a new forever home . Please respond if interested. I live in Phoenix, AZ [e-mail]
--- Tori

[Adina P]

Tori if you are open to keeping him...I think it is totally doable. All you would need is to find an excellent trainer...because I think ALL of this is fixable. But it does take time and potentially some money (for training).

I'm sure you can get lots of advice on individual issues...but full on obedience training (where the dog gets trained completely...or at least working toward COMPLETE obedience control) is really ideal because then your bond with Chewy will be eons better, his respect for you will be eons better and he'll obey his commands excellently. I could look it up but don't have time...How far are you from Tucson? I know of a trainer who could help you do this there and does not charge an arm and leg. If not I can get references for someone closer and we do have quite a few AZ folks on this site who could also direct you in case they have worked with a trainer they trust and who gets results.

[Tori]

I am open to keeping him, I promised my husband I would make an attempt at finding him a new home, just an attempt :) This is really hard because it's an everyday frustration, not him....but his behavior. I was thinking of the "Don Sullivan Perfect Dog training system" on the commercial he makes it look so easy.... But I wouldn't mind spending $100 to get started with a real live trainer, not one on TV. I'm open for suggestion.

[Jeannine]

And please, please have him neuter as soon as possible. 75% of his behavior will be 200% more easy to be train as if is not.

Male are more territorial and he is defending 'his female' who is you presently (!) and he is trying to take away anything, anybody between him and you. Being neuter will stop that need of protect you just for himself.
I'm sure you can find good training class in your area and you will see a huge difference in him only after a few session.

[Tori]

Neutering will happen asap. I actually have a voucher from the county for a free (or low cost one).

[Jeannine]

Great Tori! This is the first step to calm down that sweet devil of yours!

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I am afraid for Chewy. If your husband is at the end of his rope and wants him out - you may be beter off rehoming Chewy to a person with the patience. In the mean time just tell DH to "chill". No disrespect intended but DH's sometimes need to be told to pull their knockers out of a knot and a"get a grip"

[Jeannine]

Agree on that one 200%!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

In addition to Adina's advice, does Chewy have his own things to chew on? Bones, chew toys, etc.? Does he have a consistent routine where he gets playtime in the yard every day, a walk after dinner, that kind of thing? Dogs need to have something to do, they don't do very well just left to their own devices. All of that helps.
It is a sad old truth that you can never expect children of any age to assume responsibility for any of the care of a family pet. I agree that Chewy can certainly be trained to be a happy, well-behaved, well-adjusted dog, but everyone in the family is going to have to be on board with the program, and an adult is going to have to be the primary handler. Every well-trained, well-behaved dog has one thing in common...a single adult individual with whom the dog is bonded, and to whom the dog looks for guidance. The first step, even before finding a good trainer, is going to be committing to dedicating a part of each and every day to Chewy. The children can be involved, but it is still going to fall to you to do that.
I was not being facetious when I asked about the eye problem above. if there is a vision problem, that can contribute to some of Chewy's behavioral issues. Every good canine behaviorist begins with a full physical history & exam to determine that there is no medical issue involved. (thyroid problems are notorious for causing behavioral issues, for example.) And he is absolutely going to have to be neutered ASAP.
Tori, I don't think anyone wants to be judgmental, we are all just concerned, for both your family and Chewy. Please search your soul before making a decision.

[Tori]

Thanks :) Well, he does have toys and we try to give him enough to chew. But routine is not in place, my husband was talking about taking him hiking each morning.... I would LOVE fir him to do that. I can definitely get the boys involved. I'm just trying to adjust to having a new baby. All in all I think I just need encouragement that I can handle this. Maybe I should be on this site more asking for advice and sharing the Doodle love.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good idea! There is a wealth of info and people here who want to help!
And the eye problem? :-)

[Tori]

:( I didn't go and get it checked. His eye looks fine, and has never actually bothered him.
I tend to jump the gun alot.......

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The thing is, after you had posted about the eye, I could see that in his photo, one eye does look blacker than the other, even in that small photograph. Maybe you could just ask the vet about it when he is next there.