Meet Navy

[Kevin]

Picked her up this weekend and we love her already. To us, she is the cutest thing in the world. F1a goldendoodle. First dog I have ever had so saying I'm excited is an understatement. So fun, good temperment (fingers crossed) and sleeps non-stop. Pretty good on going "potty" with just a couple accidents but we think she knows to hold it until she's outside, just sometimes our fault that we're not taking her out at the right time.

Only negatives that we're working on and are more than open for advice from you all is...first, she wont stop following us which I guess is normal from what I've been reading. I tried to shower this morning and she was just howling because she couldn't see me. She has to be near us and can not be alone (it has only been two days), but don't want her to become too attached to us and get depressed when we leave, if you know what I mean.

Second is that she barks here and there (nothing horrible but we have very, let's say "not nice" neighbors that we are worried that they are trying to get us booted). She yips and whines a little when we put her in her crate to sleep, which is right next to our bed so she can see both of us and she barks when we're not paying attention to her like when I was making breakfast this morning. We have been just grabbing her snout and saying "no" very firm but I'm reading that maybe that's not the best idea. Please give us any advice you can about the barking because we are honestly worried about our neighbors (we live in an apartment for another month). What worked in your experience?

Trying our best to introduce her to people and meet other dogs and follow advice from this website.

P.S. the links are them same pictures

[Adrienne]

She is absolutely adorable.  As she matures, she will start to become a little more independent.  Dougie was pretty attached when we first brought him home but now that he has adjusted to his new environment, he has no problem doing his own thing.  As for the barking, you should do a search in the training group or puppy madness group because there are plenty of discussions regarding barking.  I recall not too long ago reading about ways to teach your pup to "speak" (bark) quietly or to speak on demand--very interesting stuff:)  Good luck to you and Ms. Navy.  I love her name too :))

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

OMD she is just precious!  Great name too:)  When we brought Libby home she did a lot of following us around too, but when we were going away or I was getting a shower I crated her.  I told her everything was ok, I was only going to be gone for a few mins. and gave her a favorite toy and lots of hugs.  It took a few times and then she totally was ok in the crate.  Congratulations and she is as cute as they get!  Welcome to puppyhood and the world of "Doodles"!  They are amazing dogs!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Crating sounds like good advice. Get her used to it right away.

[Ginny Nightingale]

How sweet! If you click on the photo icon in the toolbar at the top of the comment box (second from left) you can put photos in to the comment directly.

PLEASE do not use negative training with Navy (the NO and snout holding) --she will adjust and just needs love and attention right now. I know you are worried about the neighbors and you need to keep her quiet, but you could create anxiety in a pup at this infant stage if you are using punitive measures--most doodles are very attached to their people and need to be GRADUALLY taught to be alone and to be quiet--each time she is being good, even if for just a few seconds, reward her with a small treat or piece of kibble (have that in your pocket ready to go) and say good girl or whatever you want to use as praise--be happy and upbeat. If she sits near you when you are doing some kitchen work and is not whimpering--praise her! etc! She needs to learn that being quiet and content when you are otherwise occupied will get her POSITIVE attention and food....training takes a very long time and needs to be done carefully--again, as Adrienne said, join the puppy madness group, do some reading and be patient--sounds like she is going to be a great puppy.

[Kevin]

That makes sense. I have just been told by some friends the "old school" methods of training dogs and not until I found this site did I realize that that may not be the best route...We'll just keep positive and praise her when she does well. She seems smart so hopefully she will pick up on this.

[Gail and Bailey]

Navy is a real cutie!  Join the Puppy Madness group for support while she is a pup.  You will meet others who are dealing with all the puppy issues and get great ideas to help you through the puppy stage.  Above all...please remember that your little Navy is just a baby and is dealing with the huge adjustment of being away from her mom and liter mates.  You guys are her family now and she is bonding to you.  Love her and enjoy every moment of her puppyness ....time flies!   

[Ginny Nightingale]

Yes, old school is exactly what I would call it--doodles are so sensitive to people's needs and are good at picking up your signals--they want to please so they usually respond quickly to positive training methods--in a few months you can join a puppy class and I have no doubt Navy will be at the top of her class--doodles usually are!

The biggest trick when they are this little is "redirection"--if she nips, grab a toy and put it in her mouth. If she is barking, throw a ball and she will chase it, if she chews on the furniture, get her a chew toy instead--just keep getting her to do the appropriate thing and it will quickly become habit.

She is not too young to learn to sit for a treat (just hold it up over her nose close to her and bring it back toward her tail until she sits down then say "good sit" and give her the treat) and lie down--(put the treat on the floor in your hand between her front paws and hold it tight until she is lying down to get it-say "good down!" and let her have it) You can practice those with her when she is doing something you don't want her to do and it will distract her from whatever trouble she was getting into.

BUT, you probably know all that already!!

[Kevin]

I didn't know those tricks so that is great advice, thank you. I was wondering when to start training her.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I raise pups for a breeder and they go home at 8 weeks already knowing the word sit! So it is easy to teach them--one more word of advice--when you are housebreaking--use the same phrase for going potty--like "go pee"--then when she goes, say "Good go pee!!!" with joy and celebration galore!! She will learn the words and go on command--very handy 6 months from now in the winter on a late night walk....ha!

I had two pups here from my last litter a few days ago (i posted a blog about it but it has not been approved yet so it is not yet posted). The pups are 5 months old and they were having a playdate. Before we brought them inside, I said "go pee" and one did immediately--the other had no clue. The owner of that second dog had not kept up with the command that I had taught them at 6 weeks of age (I said "good go pee"every time I saw them go pee, so with a litter of 7 pups, that was hundreds of times a day --ha! ) and the pup no longer knew the words. She's sorry now as it is so much easier when they know that. 

[alice henley]

Hello navy you are a sweetie, congulations!!!

[Pat and Traveler]

Hi, Navy!   Welcome to all of you.  Hope your neighbors will be more understanding...

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Welcome cutie pie Navy!  

My doodle used to start crying the minute the steam from the shower covered the doors!  Eventually, all that gradually goes away and you will miss it!  He still follows us everywhere and if I am upstairs and my husband down, he runs back and forth, sometimes!

Do go with all positives reinforcement!  It is so much more effective for doodles.  She wants to please you, that is her goal, and as Ginny an others said, she is just a baby trying to figure out her new home and family.

Keep us posted and love her to pieces!