New owner needs help!!!

[Janice Felciano]

My 3 dogs all died of old age within 1 year.  I knew I couldn't be "dog-less" for long and that I would rescue. I was looking for a small breed that did not need grooming about 3 or 4 years old. What did I get . . . . Gideon, a standard goldendoodle 18 months old!!  It was love at first sight. He had been locked in a kitchen for most of his life. Former owners had 3 little kids and no time to work with him. He didn't even know his own name. He chews anything wooden or plastic and removes the stuffing from all stuffed toys. I imagine he destroyed all of the children's toys. I am making progress with that. He also steals things and runs away. I got some tips on how to stop this behavior. My big problem is my grand dog, Gandalf, who comes everyday. Gideon just loves him to death and won't leave him alone. I do not think that he ever played with another dog. He play nips at him constantly and jumps all over him. Gandalf is half his sze. Please  . . .  any  and all suggestions are welcomed

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

What is Gandalf's reaction?  Is Gandolf giving Gideon any indication that he isn't interested in playing? or that he is playing too rough?

[Janice Felciano]

Gandalf loves playing for a while but he is 7 years old and needs a break. The Doodle never stops!!  Gandalf gets mad and tries to chase him away. This gets Gideon going even more. Poor Gandalf, I am afraid that he will get hurt

[Linda and Murphy]

Do you have a crate for Gandalf to "get a break"? or for Gideon? (I love the name BTW)

[Melody & Bruin]

Oh you poor thing!  Sorry I have no suggestions...just a comment.  Good luck

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It may be normal play.  To see my two play would horrify those who do not know dogs.   Spud growls, barks, shows his teeth.  Starlit bites his legs, pulls on his tail, bites his ears until it looks as if they would pull off.  They roll, growl then bark some more.  It's rough. It's dog play

Does Gandolf ( one of my favorite names by the way) return play or hide?

[Janice Felciano]

Gandalf returns the play for a while . . .Gideon never seems to tire. I am going to use " leave it "  and then time out for the doodle!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Our puppy Owen is relentless with his 4 y o brother Kona. We have taught Owen the "leave it' command. When he is relentless we tell him to "leave it" and he does. Kona is so mellow and sweet that he rarely corrects his little brother and just takes it while the puppy (10 months now) attacks. They are close to the same size... Kona 85 pounds, Owen 70 pounds. I didn't think we would have to intervene because we have had multiple dogs for years and they have governed themselves, but we do with these two. Also, we let Kona get on the couch since this started. Owen is not allowed on the furniture and will leave Kona alone if he is up there. I think separating them helps a great deal and also reinforces the leave it' command.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Some doodles need LOTS of exercise... can you let him run a bit before Gandolf get's there?  Maybe let them play and then put them in separate areas and give them a marrow bone or antler to chew to settle?  So happy you gave a doodle a home!!  GOOD LUCK:)

[Bonnie and Kona]

I agree, wear him out first, if possible. Separate when needed.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I like the leave it command and use it with Lyric, my doodle who is the mom of Rio, who I also own. Rio wants to tear around the yard with his mom, but at 6 months old he is half the size and could really get hurt. Lyric can really get rough and knocks her son flying if I don't intervene. They both know "leave it" and I use it to tell them to stop getting rough. Of course the puppy is on a leash when outside, so I can control him if he decides not to stop playing!

Some doodles do play too rough and it is necessary to step in --I think that Gideon will benefit from learning self-control.

[Janice Felciano]

That is exactly what happens . . . . Right now Gideon has NO self control!

[Adina P]

My immediate thought is 'what is the harm in gating, crating, or leashing Gideon for a bit now and then when Gandalf comes by?'  If Gideon is not trained to the point where you can just put him in a down stay or tell him to 'leave it' when it seems Gandalf has had a enough, there's NO harm in leashing him up, putting him behind a baby gate, or crating him to give Gandalf a break.