Puppy Aggressiveness

[Jill Holder]

Hey there!!

We have a 5 mo. old goldendoodle named Max.  I encountered something yesterday that really made me mad and actually cry!   We took Max yesterday to a pool party with a few other goldendoodles.  It was at the house of one of his best doggie pals!!  While we were there, Max became a little agressive towards some of the other doodles - mainly when he wanted a toy that they had.  We have had Max around numerous other dogs, at a dog park, at the Dewey Beach doodle romp and around our two young daughters, age 1 and 3.  We have never seen this behavior before.  Max has mad a few other dogs mad (and I am assuming its because he nipped them or showed some other type of puppy behavior).
Have you ever had your doodle act aggressively towards other dogs???  If so, do you think its just because they are a puppy and need more socialization around other dogs??  We have taken toys away from him and also his food when he is eating and he is fine...never growls, etc.
I have researched the doodles extensively and made sure that this breed is not an aggressive breed.  I realize that any dog can exhibit this sort of behavior.  I am hoping its only a one time, isolated incident but I need to make sure.  We have always had golden retrievers in the past and I never, ever had to deal with this.  I am really sad about the way he acted.
Max is the kindest, calmest puppy and has been that way since we picked him up from the breeder.  He is really good around my children and other dogs in the neighborhood.   I am puzzled by this incident yesterday.  The funniest thing is he jsut graduated from puppy obedience school on Tuesday and did fantastic there.  There were many dogs in his class and he also did well around all of them!
Do you have any advice on how to curb this behavior and work with him.  I will NOT tolerate a dog who is aggressive toward any dog or humans. 
Thanks for any advice you can give!!!!

[Adina P]

Jill, I can tell you're very worried because none of this fits with the sweet wonderful doodle Max is. So what's going on, right?

Well I am not sure I have the answer, but it would help if you clarified this statement: "Max became a little agressive towards some of the other doodles - mainly when he wanted a toy that they had."

Can you detail exactly what Max DID? It's very common for us doodle 'parents' to look at our dogs from a human point of view. For example you mentioned he was at the home of one of his 'best doggie pals' -- while dogs DO form friendships, it's not like OUR friendships so they won't necessarily use the same guidelines for sharing and friendship that we do. All the wonderful things he is and the great dog he is isn't necessarily going to keep him from doing some doggy things....like perhaps guard a toy. It doesn't make him a bad dog or a scary aggressive dog even. Just a dog that under certain circumstances is going to remind us he IS a dog and not a human child.

Please give us the moment by moment details on exactly what DID happen that made him appear aggressive. Perhaps someone can identify with the scenario and offer some insight or share what they did when this happened to them.

[Holly Doodle]

I don't know if this will help, but there have been times when we drop Holly off at daycare and she seems to get aggressive with other dogs. Our daycare provider says that they are just playing and has been teaching us to read her body language better. Although it may have looked like aggression, it's possible they were just rough housing. I hope this is the case!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jill, I have an almost 5 month old Labradoodle named Vern. He too is the sweetest, calmest, little guy ever and has never shown any signs of aggression, etc. with our other dog, Fudge, or any other dog. However, my daughter was home last weekend with her French Bulldog, Bonzai, and I gave them all bones to chew in our back yard. In retrospect, this was a mistake on my part. Well, Bonzai got too close to Vern and Vern went after him. I took the bones away and no more problem, but I was very surprised too. Now, I know no bones in the back yard except with Fudge.

Jane had a good point about hitting the limit on dog play. I watch our other dog, Fudge, at the dog park very closely because when she gets tired, she is less tolerant and starts being bratty. I never stay longer than 30 minutes.

I would also like to hear further what he did with the other doodles, because sometimes my dogs look like they are killing each other and in actuality, they are just playing. One of them will pick up a toy or something just to get the other one to give chase.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jill, I just saw you live in Dover and I live in Seven Valleys. Do you go to the dog park? We go there a lot and Vern would love to meet up with another guy his age. He met a St. Bernard up there that sent him running for the hills :)

[Jill Holder]

Hi Laurie--

Yes...we live in Dover. I believe you have talked to Robin and her dog, Dahali?? I live right around the corner from them!!! I don't get to the dog park alot unless my husband goes with me. I have 2 small children - age 1 and 3 - and they are not allowed in the park. So, we usually wait outside while my husband takes Max in.
I'll let you know when we get there the next time or we can try and meet there sometime or maybe somewhere else.
Thanks for the advice and I am glad to hear that Max wasn't totally out of the ordinary!!!!! :-)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Yes, I know Dalai and Robin, but it has been a long time since I have seen them at the dog park. Just let me know. I think Max sounds adorable. They just all come with their own personality and none are perfect :)