Doodles and small children

[Dayna Chung]

I have been researching English Golden Doodles for a while.  I live in the bay area, so was excited to see so many have been happy with their puppies from Almond Blossom Doodles.  I am wondering if anyone can share their experience relative to small children?  I have a 2 year old and 4 year old.  All that I've read seems to suggest that they are wonderful family dogs.  If anyone can share their personal experience - esp with an Almond Blossom Doodle - that would be great!  

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

It truly takes a year for these doods to show signs of "growing up". We had similar issues but now at 17 months Lucca is the best darn dog and yes, a cutie too. In fact...we just got back from Carmel where most restaurants allow dogs and many commented on how well behaved he was.

[Dayna Chung]

That's good to keep in mind! BTW, I LOVE Carmel! I know some of my neighbors (with dogs) go there frequently as it's not too far from where I live.

Did you train Lucca mostly on your own or did you take lots of classes?

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

We trained for 3 sessions. Then it became redundant and repetitive. I had a Golden Retriever in the past so knew how to deal with him. It takes ALOT of consistency, patience, love and continuity..as with children - Dogs are the same. As they age, they mellow. Lucca is very mellow now and I am so glad and blessed to have him in our lives. As to Carmel...I really can't wait to go back again. What an incredible experience. And we stayed in a house literally 3 blocks from the beach, which was wonderful also.

[Joyce,David"Mochi,Latte,Popcorn"]

Mochi had the same trainer as Lucca, but we attended classes in different times since Mochi is 6 months younger.
Mochi had 2 sessions (8 classes for each session) and one private session (for correcting his bad behaviors). In his last class, Mochi was supposed to walk by bones and toys without picking any of them up, but Mochi couldn't resist and wanted them all, he finally got one big bone and ran away from us.
Carmel beach is beautiful, that's Mochi's favorite place, hopefully we'll do a AB doodle romp there soon.

[Kristi Trimble]

I have a puppy from Almond Blossom Doodles. He will be a year old this month. He is great with kids. Our sons are in their mid to late 20's but we have 2 little boys (4&6) who live next door. He has grown up with them and he is great. The 4 year old is always grapping him around the neck and squeezing. He has never snapped or bit or even growled at them. He seems to love kids and wants to be with them as much as possible. He was the largest of the litter. He is now somewhere between 55 and 60 lbs. We haven't weighed him recently but he was 54 pounds back in November.