Does your Doodle puppy ever surprise you with unexpected good behavior?

[Bev and WILLY]

With Easter fast approaching, and a list of over 40 guests I was apprehensive of what to do with Willy. Although he is mostly well mannered, I wasn't looking forward to spending the day saying "off!" and explaining that he was still a puppy, and I knew he would bark his head off if he thought he was missing out on the celebration while in his crate.
BUT, and this was a big but, to my great surprise, Willy behaved like he was the Dood of the Manor, greeting people with a wagging tail, and only two instances of jumping on people. He walked carefully around toddlers, and only stole two bagels from the table. (As far as I know) He was completely laid back all afternoon, and watched the swimmers with interest, but made no attempt to go in the pool himself. (There normally is a kid and dog safe fence around the pool) The only time he was upset was when my two granddaughters, who often take him on walks, were in the pool. He barked at them as though he thought they were in danger, and once he was satisfied they were out, he walked away, as though to say, "Those darn kids don't know how dangerous that pool is". LOL
What a good boy he was. My DH and I are so proud of him.

[Bev and WILLY]

Yep, Willy is a good boy, most of the time. He did just steal his training treats off the table, but I wasn't there to catch him. Just saw the empty plate. Smaxi is so cute, so how can you ever say no? LOL

[Tammy & Gracie]

That is major! Gracie (also known as Taz or Godzilla) is very well mannered at obedience classes, ONLY! The instructors always ask me why I speak so badly of her daily manners. LOL

[Bev and WILLY]

Did you ask the instructor why Gracie is well behaved in class, but not at home? It doesn't matter, as I think the majority eventually grow out of their mischievious behavior! Even Marley by the time he was old. LOL

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Lucca was a surprisingly good boy yesterday too!! I don't know if taking him on a long hike to the river to swim for his first time mellowed him, but there was no begging and he was polite!!!

[Bev and WILLY]

How was Lucca at the river? Did he go in by himself or need coaxing?
I'm not too sure if Willy will take to the water or not. One day I will take him to the dog beach and see if he likes the ocean.

[elyse]

I wish I could say the same. Although our Harley was pretty good, she was just spayed this week and had to wear a collar. We were calling it her own special Easter Bonnet. We tried taking it off, but she started licking her stiches, so back on it went. The problem was she keep bumping into everyone. It was actually a little funny. And she couldn't get around the table with her "Easter Bonnet" on so she found a spot in the middle of the floor and we all walked around her. Easter came one day to early for us, because the collar came off today. :0)

[Bev and WILLY]

Did you get pictures of Harley in her Easter Bonnet? Willy will be neutured soon and will get his own bonnet. LOL

[nonnie browne]

Hey Bev,

I had nearly the same surprisingly wonderful experience. Took Buddy to my daughters where 25 were gathered ages 10 months on up for easter and a third birthday party for my grandson. Bud was "four on the floor" the entire time, walked nicely on a lead that an autistic neighbor toddler wanted to hold all the time, slept under my chair during opening presents and acted like "stepford" doodle boy. He was off lead in the yard playing ball with the kids. Everyone kept asking me how old he was (five months!) and what I was doing!! I was shocked and completely thrilled. Hooray for the good guys, portugese water dogs aren't the first dogs!

[Bev and WILLY]

DOODLES RULE!
Surprises are wonderful. I had actually considered sending him to my dog sitter as I know he can jump and mouth people if he is in the mood. I wonder if he was just overwhelmed by the large amount of people.Whatever the reason, it made my day so much nicer. It was also my birthday, so it was a special gift from him to me.
I love the phrase "Stepford Doodle boy." Willy is five months old too.

[Cindy and Mandy]

Yesterday Mandy was so good all day, I was able to get the taxes finished (last minute, LOL). She laid nicely under my chair and was only restless when she had to go outside. My DH went to his mother's and I stayed home working on the taxes, so the house was quieter, and the day was very rainy-am not sure if all this had something to do with it, but I was very greatful!!

[Bev and WILLY]

I wonder if weather makes a difference in a dogs behavior? It certainly does in humans. Look at the results of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder - winter blues)
Of course they can get hyper if there is a lot going on, but it was the reverse of this for Willy on Easter Sunday.
It seems we never know from one day to the next what our doodle puppies will be up to.
Willy is usually at his wildest around 7:pm. That's the hour when he and Lili start rambunctious wrestling and are at their loudest.

[nonnie browne]

You know, Bud is also wild around 7pm and will beg for play time, wrestling, or training. I think its his last burst of energy before he crashes around 830 and we go to bed at 10 - but he has usually been asleep for an hour by then. There are days when he seems to be a total "idiot puppy" and I call those his dog days - like he is only a dog and not plugged-in, but thankfully they are few and far between for such a young dog. I raised retrievers over the years with my kids, and none of them could be this well behaved at this age. We have miles to go I know, but I am thankful I made the right breed choice this time around - as of course - I had said no more dogs. That lasted six months LOL.