A City of two Tails

[Melanie and Girls]

I was online last night and stumbled upon a support page of people who were having problems with their goldendoodles. Across the board, it seemed like people were experiencing similar "puppy behaviour" problems.

One person posted "my golden retriever NEVER acted like this. What have I gotten myself into with this goldendoodle?!?" This got me thinking about a puppy training class I was in. One particular class we were in was much like a play that would make Dickens proud. There was a wonderful spectrum of players, including two rival boys - one soft and gentle - and one that would make your heart pound, palms get sweaty, and have you running for the hills.

The first boy was Charlie*.(*names have been changed to protect the innocent) His breed was unknown. He entered the room with his back legs quivering. Though his confidence grew through the classes, one thing that never changed was his easy surrender and willingness to obey. I personally had never know this in a dog as all retrievers and labs are a bit too confident for behavior like this. All his owner had to do was look at him, and he would tuck his tail between his legs and obey.

What of the other boy you ask.. His name was Billy*. Oh Billy... There was NOTHING his owner could do to get him to obey. Even the trainer herself would work with him weekly making the rest of us feel like our dogs were perfect. He made MARLEY look like a dream dog. Billy made sure that No one would think they were better than him! The family of Billy took him for two 3 Hour walks every day. Energy was not the issue. He was an Alpha dog plain and simple, and they had their hands full!!

The best part of this is that Billy was a Golden Retriever. Yep. Good old faithful.

I felt like responding to that poster last night. I thought of pointing out that dogs are still dogs. I wondered if he had forgotten what his golden retriever was like as a puppy. I wondered if he knew that his doodle was one of the most intelligent breeds out there. Or that they can have strong personalities. That the ones that make you 'earn your stripes' as an owner end up being the most well-behaved, obedient dogs once they're full grown. I wondered if he knew that just like our best friends in the people world, the things we love the most in our dogs can sometimes drive us crazy.

Did he rise to the challenge? Did he show his beloved Doodle that he was worthy of her respect? Maybe he had a Billy on his hands. Maybe he chose the puppy that called to his heart. Maybe his Billy is representative of something he's looking for in himself. His little boy waiting to get out.

I hope he goes for a hike in the woods with his doodle. I hope they run through the trees. I hope they splash in puddles and that they don't stop playing until they're completely exhausted. I hope his doodle helps him to meet his life head-on with all the exuberance he can muster.

And when they just can't run anymore, they will head for home. It's here I'm sure his golden retriever will be waiting for them lovingly by the fire when they get there.

[Kara & Dexter]

I really appreciated this post since my new puppy, at times, tries to get the upper hand in the matter!  Thank you for sharing

[Bonnie and Kona]

This was so beautifully written, Melanie! Thank you for posting.

[Melanie and Girls]

Thanks for the feedback. It's nice to be able to share experiences that can be of benefit to someone else. It's also nice to hear how many others enjoy the personality of the doodles in their lives as much as I do :)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

This was great! Thanks for the post! So true!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Different personalities (in people and in dogs) is the spice of life.  Imagine how boring life would be if everyone was a "Charlie".  I spent 25 years teaching in a middle school special education classroom - usually filled with kid versions of "Billy".  My job was incredibly challenging - but in the end it was so much more rewarding than if I'd been surrounded by nothing but "Charlies".  

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Very nice post! Thank you!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You have said this so well....great message.  I have a "Billy" of my own, so I'm going to copy this and read it often.  I know that Murph came to me for some reason....still figuring that out.  I especially like the part where you say they become the most well-behaved, obedient dogs once they're full grown.  I'm dreaming of that day, but I know that he and I have to earn that...together.

[BG and Gavin]

Very cool blog.  We had a Billy in our puppy class too.  A black lab puppy that was full of guff, straining at the leash and tough to manage.  His owner and her 9 year old daughter were the most determined and dedicated students in the class.  They walked the legs off that dog and came early because it took ten minutes for them to bring him in the door "properly."  I would love to know how they are doing now, just fine I suppose.  Awesome lesson for that confident little girl.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Very insightful! I too hope that person is open to learning the lessons that his/her Goldendoodle has come to help him/her learn! Their life will be so much fuller!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I love this!!!