Puppy Phase/freedom

[Erin]

Hello all. My pup is currently 18/19 weeks. He's been through 6 weeks of obedience. However, we are still dealing with chewing/teething, counter surfing, etc. he loves to steal shoes and run out to the yard with them. We are crating/watching him as much as possible. Now he is generally crated or sectioned off to our kitchen area. He comes out to the living room during supervised visits but his crate is not in there and he just seems to get into everything and we have a large house. I know he is still learning and he needs supervision. I was just wondering when he will likely settle down and be able to join us more? He is a standard goldendoodle. Thanks! I have attached a photo to show you the area he is generally in.

[Jessica & Lexi]

From my experience they want to be with you whenever possible, even if it's having you chase them in the back yard. It's attention seeking and play behaviour. Maybe keep him on a leash in the house and have him follow you, don't leave him in the kitchen by himself when you are home. Ours was crated only when we absolutely could not watch her, at night, and trips out. Lots of play time, chew toys/ropes to trade out for the shoes he is taking. Our girl had (and still has) lots of energy and loves being in the same room at all times. Play, play, play until he is tired or has expended most of this energy. All sounds like normal puppy stuff. Ours wasn't left out of her crate on her own until almost a year. Even at that I'd find the occasional shoe chewed. I just started putting everything away. Hopefully he outgrows it. If not perhaps a visit back to the trainer? Ours was great about answering our specific questions. Doodles seems to be "puppy like" for a while from what I've read and have experienced with ours. It's a learning curve for sure. We will be going through it all again this week... After reading all these posts I hope I have the energy again! Haha good luck to you!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Sounds like a puppy to me :-)
He will need lots of exercise to stay out of trouble right now. Lots of energy to burn off.
I agree with Jessica, I would not give him crate time unless you need him to be in there
while making dinner or at nighttime. That kind of thing.
Counter surfing already? How big is he? I've never had that problem with my two, but
I've seen where some suggest putting a cookie sheet right on the edge that might get knocked
down and make a huge racket if he tries to surf. Probably scare him off good.
Good luck!

[Amy and Annabelle]

For the most part Annabelle has always been able to join us on the couch to watch tv. I gave her a bully stick to chew on and she was content until bedtime when she was younger. At some point after her first birthday, she didn't need the bully stick and was content without chewing on anything. She is just happy to be with her people.

[Cathy Murphy]

Just a suggestion- he may benefit from a half day of daycare 1-2 times per week or just an hour or so of play with another dog.  Finn loves daycare (1-2 times per week) and not only does it tire him out, but he has learned how to play well with a variety of other dogs.  A tired puppy is a good puppy!!  Finn is a year and still in the crate at night and when we are not home ( the trial failed- tore up a paper gift bag and grabbed the treat bag off the counter and ate the contents!)  Hang in there - he sure is cute!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yep.  This is a puppy for sure.  We learned with our puppies that it is a place for everything and everything in it's place.  You just cannot leave clothing and other items around for them to play with for a game of chase with you.  My flips have been on the window sill in the bathroom ever since we had puppies.  Now they all have the run of the house and don't bother things with chasing and chewing, but they did have their day.  Baby gates worked well for us in closing off areas you want to protect but you have to remember to close gates (and doors).  We had to replace door knobs (we had the lever kind) when Harpo discovered how to open doors in the shop, laundry room, and garage.  He chewed everything and we learned that he did not like tabasco so large containers with a dauber worked on the deck and other things he chewed on.  A big basket of toys is great for them also, and other visiting dogs head right for it when they come to our house.  Harpo also will pick up the toys and put them in the basket (for treats).  They do improve with age and they are very smart and energetic dogs.  Hang in there, sounds like you have a wonderful dog.

[Erin]

Thanks all. I definitely think Otto is showing typical puppy behaviors. I will try tethering him more. I think that's a great idea! Hubby just got back from walking him in the rain. We have an acre sized yard all fenced in but we know it's no replacement for a good walk. He is somewhere between 20-25 lbs at 19 weeks. He is not big enough to counter surf on all 4s so I guess I should just call it like it is....jumping up and stealing things off counters/tables. There is a place near us starting up a puppy hotel/day care. My neighbor has a purebred golden pup. I hope to get the boys together for a play date soon!

[Diane D]

Sounds like you're talking about our Roxy! It's very typical doodle behavior.

The chewing, counter surfing, mouthing of hands, biting of clothing, taking things and playing "catch me, catch me", and exuberant (jumping, excited)  behavior when they greet people. They need ALOT of human interaction (playing, walking, fetching, etc) Unless you're able to afford a playmate, you will have to spend more time being a playmate to a doodle.

Roxy calmed down a little after she was spayed at 9 months. She had her first heat and was spayed. About a month after she appeared to us a little more calmer. We also noticed a weekly 4 hour stay at the doggy day care helped her, too. We give her beef bones (femur and knuckle) that we buy, not cook, at Tractor Supply. They are the only  bones that hold up to her chewing, do not splinter and they last a long time. It seemed to help. Our vet recommend we purchase a Halti (head collar) and it works very will on her so that we can now take her out to Pet Smart, Tractor Supply, Concerts, kids ballgames, etc. 

We are a retired couple and have had dogs all our life, English springier, lashapoo, cockapoo, bouvier de flanders. I have never experienced a breed that needs SO MUCH ATTENTION.Recently, my friend said she was a Velcro dog. I think that's a good description.  I don't know what we would do with her if we weren't home all the time. We do crate Roxy when we go out, but be careful of over-crating.That could cause more behavior problems. 

All that being said, I will say that we love Roxy's happy-go-lucky, loving and non-aggressive personality. Doodle owners say the first 3-4 years are demanding with doodles and I groan when I hear it but they say they mellow out to be wonderful dogs. 

[Barbie]

Ha-ha, "Velcro dog"! Did that name come from Velcro the Sloth? I loved that documentary on Netflix.

[Barbie]

I agree with Cathy on the daycare and that a "tired puppy is a good puppy!" I used to take Zeus to Doggie Day Camp for full-day and half-day visits and it made a huge difference in his typical puppy behavior - not only in socializing him with other dogs and people, but also in helping him release his puppy energy. He was always a tired pup when I brought him home.

At about 28 weeks of age, Zeus went from puppy crazy to puppy perfect, like overnight - no more rolling the bathroom in toilet paper, tearing up dog beds, pillows, or cushions, or rearranging my living room (he's definitely a designer dog, lol). It was amazing. Maybe I just got lucky, but I feel it was a wonderful blessing. Hang in there. It'll get better.