single people w/o kids rasing a doodle ?

[Tammy and Violet]

I would love to compare and share the good , bad and ugly of what works and does not work with our baby.I could sure use thge support !

[Adina P]

Single with doodle sounds easier than being married with kids and doodle! Just a gal and her dog...nobody else to worry about!

[Tammy and Violet]

:) ......V will be one on Sunday and she is slowly getting better ......just problems with meeting people outside and getting her to settle so they can greet her ...and guest in my home ....jumping crazy all over them ... constant training and trying things are the key

[Adina P]

What about being single makes this feel extra challenging? I'm just curious...tough puppies are tough whether you have a family, live alone or are married. Spouses usually aren't on the same page when it comes to training anyway...they don't make it easier! The training is the same whether single or not.

[Tammy and Violet]

I had mentioned her really bad biting me ....just doing this all on my own I guess ,is hard at times  .. people comment here how they can  cuddle and sleep with their doodles ..Violet does not stop for 1 sec,I think she sat next to me on the couch quiet .. ONCE ..I also sold a home  and moved a couple of months ago and my elder cat has been peeing and pooping on the new carptet .. so a tad stressful .. it will get better... thanks for listening and all your advise

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It sounds like Violet needs structured consistent training on a daily basis, and it sounds like she needs more exercise as well. What kind of training are you doing/have you done with her? How much exercise is she getting? 

[Susan and Pippi]

Pippi is not a cuddly doodle, either. But she's fifteen months now and has just begun (now that she weighs 50 pounds!) to hop up in my lap or my DH's lap first thing in the morning or sometimes late at night. She was a great puppy, but also jumpy with guests and with us, too. She ruined a couple pairs of my pants with her nipping when she was just little. I couldn't even walk in the yard without being attacked. Training is key. Exercise is key. Pip loves to run. If you can teach Violet to sit and wait or stay, you will gain a lot of control. Keep treats in your pocket. When she jumps or nips, show her the treat and tell her to sit. Mostly, though, I think puppies outgrow a lot of puppy behaviors. We can really see big changes in Pippi's impulse control as she gets a little older. (She's never slept with us, by the way. She sleeps in the mudroom with her feet or back against the door. Doesn't like blankets or dogbeds. Cold, bare floor all the way.)

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, I think that you are right, Susan.  Training and exercise are the keys to a happy dog and happy handlers.  Also, the statement that puppies outgrow the puppy behaviors.  My dogs get on the bed in the morning for scratches while we have our morning coffee, but otherwise they sleep wherever they like (usually on the cool tiles).

[Lynda Kamrath]

That really sounds normal for me with a young dog.  I think a lot of people don't realize that doodles are very active dogs and need a lot of exercise and stimulation.  That is great if you have the time and inclination to get out a lot with them, and it even is a good excuse for you to get more exercise.  My ALD was a biter and jumper but he is a lot better now that he is three years old.  That first year!  I am sure glad that he was not my first dog.  I kinda knew what to expect.

[Carol and Banjo]

Tamara, single, kids, no kids, a house full of people......it doesn't matter.....raising a puppy is very time consuming, takes a lot of dedication and work.   But if you bite the bullet and put in the time up front the rewards later on are enormous.    What ever issues you are having at the various puppy stages have all been addressed here in DK.   Wondering what to do about a puppy who cries at night?   Wondering what to do about loose poop?   Wondering what to do about excessive nipping?   Do a search.....every issue (I think!!!) has been addressed here numerous times.  

[Adina P]

I'm with Carol.  I can't think of any dog owning issue that would be handled differently based on single/marital status.  Training is training and I can't tell you how many times I hear complaints from wives that their husbands make training harder because they are too lenient or don't follow the training protocol or let the dog get away with behavior that isn't okay etc.  I'm sure it happens the other way around too, but we just have more women than men on this site.  If we as a family go on vacation, we STILL have to decide what to do with the dogs anyway--I am more likely to leave my dogs behind due to having two kids than someone who is single.  The same process of choosing a dog sitter, boarding facility applies.   I can see how it would seem things would go easier if there was another adult to help, but dogs usually do best when one person goes through the training program with them and friends, aunts, sisters, brothers, moms/dads or spouses usually complicate training, honestly.  If you need time off, crating is okay, so is doggy daycare or boarding.  And it's okay to leave the dog at home for a couple of hours and spend some time getting pampered or taking a mental break from puppy parenting.  Even parents of humans NEED that now and then.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with this also. And kids in the mix really makes things harder, not easier. 

[Adina P]

Oh yeah.  The time I USED to spend one-on-one with my dogs before kids is has taken a major nosedive.  I was all about training and spent a lot of time training...even with one child I still put effort in.  Two kids -- training has gone to pot.