New dog/doodle owner

[Mae]

Hi! Finally got the dog I have wanted my entire life. (We finally own our own home, have a fenced backyard, and I'm a stay at home mom...heck, the previous owners even installed a doggy door...) I adopted a 4 month old (17 week) F1b goldendoodle named Charlie. He came from a trainer who had some major life changes and decided to re-home him. He came with very nice manners and has the sweetest, gentlest disposition.

I overthink everything (severe anxiety, another reason for getting the pup) so despite my best research efforts, I have tons of questions.

First, what type coat does he have? I need to know what is required for his coat type in terms of grooming and clipping. At 17 weeks he doesn't appear to shed at all, despite me spending hours scratching his head and petting him. (I've found maybe 4 hairs in that many days) Will he stay that way when his adult coat comes in? (I'm fine if he sheds while blowing his puppy coat... but the mostly non-shedding is appealing to me...)

Second, he likes to chew stuffed animals and I guess the pet bed I got him was too minky, like a stuffed animal. Any recommendations for good beds? We are keeping him in the kitchen as he learns the rules of our house so he isn't chewing the kids toys, either. (Or eating dangerous foods because they drop grapes, raisins, and M&M's all the time so I'm paranoid) Also, I got a large 42" crate with a divider. Do I get a bed that fits his smaller sized crate and then get a bigger bed later? (I'd rather not)

What are your favorite toys for a puppy with itchy gums and to keep him stimulated? He likes his medium hardness Nylabone, the regular red kong, the Kong Wobbler, and tennis balls. He also loves to find and chew sticks, he tentatively chews on the wooden kids chairs but I can't tell if he likes the wood or the food that is most likely still in the grain. He also likes the little toy plastic construction cars we have but is pretty good at dropping them when I tell him to. He doesn't appear too interested when I throw the tennis ball very far but other times he will chase after it and go chew on it.

And at 17 weeks he weighs 32 pounds. The previous owner said his parents were both "small standard" and if I recall, each about 45 pounds. But at just 4 months, won't they eventually double their size? I actually am hoping for a large dog to provide pressure by leaning on my thigh for anxiety.

Overall he is an excellent puppy. All these walks and playing romps we've been giving him in the last 4 days has actually made my severe anxiety 75% better! (My 4 year old, while ambivalent to the dog, is also better behaved.)

Thanks for bearing with me! I will no doubt have more questions.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Welcome.  I need to see a closer photo to really see his coat.  What is his name? Join the Puppy Madness and the Grooming groups.  The grooming tools you need really depend upon the coat, but I use the LesPoochs slicker brush, the Chris Christensen pin brush and a steel comb.  I use Cowboy Magic on specific mats and spray Horse Mane N' Tail on my matting dog's coat before brushing. If he is not shedding now, that's a good sign, but not a guarantee.  For now, I would nix the grapes and M & Ms in the house.  Once your children are really used to being careful and once the pup is more mature, you could resume them.  Since you are anxious (as I would be), you can control some things.  I would baby gate the kids rooms and if he 'escapes' his limited areas, he still won't be able to access the kids toys and socks, etc. and the kids can be trained that if they care about the item, they need to keep it in their room (what a win this is for moms).

[Mae]

Haha, long time not coming back. Boy was I nervously neurotic last year! Charlie has become an amazing member of our family. He doesn’t mat ever despite me not brushing him much. He is wavy/straight but still so soft. We got him trimmed down to 1/2” for summer since we hike and camp a lot. I didn’t want him to suffer with stickers. We took him to Lowe’s today to work on “heel” with distractions. Shockingly, at 21 months he is super calm and has the gentlest mouth and demeanor. I would like to get him involved with therapy work eventually. This is my sweet boy drinking in the loves from a random 13 month old at the park. I trust him completely. We have been blessed to have this boy in our lives!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Charlie sounds pretty perfect.  Congratulations.

[Mae]

He really is pretty amazing. The only problem I have is with him chewing toys, socks, and plastic things off the counter. It’s upsetting to lose the things but I’m also worried he’s going to get an impacted belly. I know it’s mostly my fault because he probably needs more mental stimulation so I’m working on that. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

He is determined to make you a neat freak!

[Mae]

Haha, I have thought of this perspective more times than I can count! And lately, my counters really are clean! But as we were sitting down to dinner that little stink sneakily, gently, quietly tried to snag the bagged bread loaf off the counter. Mind you, he had been fed. He wasn’t starving. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Sneaky is right! :-}

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Your Charlie has turned into a beautiful black dog.  Just love how he looks and glad to hear his temperment is also excellent.

My 11 year old Tigger still steals bread from the counter.  I have tried everything to stop him.  For him the reward is worth anything!  Murphy is just a little too short to really reach the countertop effectively.

So glad to hear everything is settled down, congratulations on training him so well.  Keep it up.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Maryann, NED is my counter bread stealer and you know how big he is!!! For some bread is it’s own reward. :-)