Looking for a Doodle between 6 months - 1 year mild mannered

[Ed]

How do you find a specific pup/dog? It seems each time I do searches only puppies come up, I would like to find a 6 month old -18 month old Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. We have no animals and are looking for a calmer dog if possible and I have no idea where to look for this, we are located in NJ. We would also consider a puppy but would rather get it after 8 weeks do breeders ever consider taking extra payment and releasing the pup around 4 months instead of 2?

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have watched a pup for an extra 6 weeks but they had to pay me board--I am pretty reasonable compared to a lot of people, but I charge $20 a day and it isn't really enough since I am housebreaking--which is a LOT of work. 

Sometimes breeders keep a dog until they compete testing for breeding and if they are not totally happy with the health tests, they will sell it as a pet at an older age. The less than perfect health test results do not mean that you are taking a "sick" dog--the dog will live a perfectly normal happy life--they may just carry a gene that the breeder does not want to continue in the line--but only one gene will not affect the dog itself. it pays to give your name to breeders in case they have a situation like that come up.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

I would recommend selecting a breeder or two in your area. Use the information here on Owner Recommended Breeders and What to Look for in a Breeder to help you identify some reputable, experienced breeders near you.

Then let those breeders know what you are looking for. It may take some time for the right dog to become available, but it is worth being patient!

Our breeder knew we were looking for a calmer, more mellow dog, and she identified two puppies for us that were very laid back. We chose one, and he has grown into exactly the dog we wanted!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

The only thing I would like to add is that puppies/dogs go through many stages as they grow and need training to become the dog you want them to be. A 4 month old puppy is still going to be full of wonderment, exuberance, and orneriness, and if you are trying to avoid puppy behavior by waiting until 4 months, I think you are in for a surprise :)  With every dog there is an adjustment period and every dog comes with their own personality and no two are alike.  Good luck!

[Ed]

Hi Laurie,

where can I find the older ones available on this site?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Hi Ed, I think Adina just answered your question a whole lot better than I could have...LOL! Have you thought about local rescues in your area?

[F, Calla & Luca]

So true. I got Calla at 4 months and for sure it was easier than a two month old puppy but we still had accidents and chewing was definitely a big factor.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Amen, girl.

[Adina P]

Hi Ed,

We don't have puppies available on this site in the sense of DoodleKisses.com doesn't sell any puppies or dogs.  However breeders often list litters available in the Goldendoodles for Sale and Labradoodles for Sale groups.  It's pretty much just breeders listing pups and yes they are usually pups. Occasionally a breeder will have an older pup for sale or a dog that was returned because the family decided they weren't ready for a dog.  And now and then a breeder will be seeking a guardian home for a dog that will be used for breeding.  A guardian home basically cares for the dog as if it is their own, but the dog goes to the breeder's home once or twice a year for breeding and then for birthing the pups and caring for the pups for 4 weeks.  Some people like this arrangement but it does make the responsibility greater because until the breeding dog is retired it belong to someone else.

You might also consider adopting a dog from rescue--often these dogs are given up because their owners didn't realize what they were getting into or had kids and ran out of time or lost a job and had to move somewhere that didn't allow dogs...or any number of reasons.  However, 'calm' is not the typical doodle.  Doodles are from two high energy breeds: labradors or golden retrievers and poodles.  So calm is the exception not the rule. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that it would be super pricey to have a breeder care for your pup for a couple of months.  AND...very important...I would not trust just any breeder to do this.  Starting at 8 weeks pups need a tremendous amount of socialization to the world around them.  So only a breeder who had time and resources to do this would actually benefit you.  Anyone who lived out in the boonies or didn't have time to take your pup places and treat it like a dog in training would do both the dog and you a disservice.  You could end up with a pup that is not comfortable in the real world and shy or fearful.  Plus there's potty training and some manners training--this all quite the job. 

I guess what I'm saying is that you will VERY LIKELY have to put in the same amount of work to get that dog to be 'calm' and obedient whether you get that pup at 8 weeks or 18 months.  Because most of the time dogs who are adopted or sold at that age have NOT had anyone else put in that work into them.  It's rare that someone will work hard in training and then rehome their dog.  Usually they rehome their dog because they didn't/couldn't/wouldn't put in that hard work and now they have this hyper adolescent dog with no manners they don't tolerate anymore. 

Since you have not had a dog before, can you share a bit what attracts you to getting a dog and more specifically why a labradoodle or goldendoodle?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Most private rescue groups will not adopt to first-time owners, or people with young children. :)

[Ginny Nightingale]

This is all so true--the two pups I kept for a time were going to other breeders and I worked my butt off with them to get them trained and ready to go on a plane in one case--and I was grossly underpaid for the work I had to do. That was my own fault as I was naive about it and how much effort it would take--be prepared for tons of work on your part no matter what you decide to do. Rarely do dogs arrive at your doorstep all ready to obey and fit in to the family- it is possible, but not likely. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Perfect.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Some breeders will keep dogs and have trainers work with them for additional money, of course. But you have to look on individual websites to find such breeders. Also, sometimes breeders have older puppies available but again it's by looking at individual websites that you'll find them.