Advice for prospective labradoodle owner..

[Holly Doodle]

We have a very close family member who is considering purchasing a labradoodle. I've investigated the breeder they found and they are very reputable so that is not my concern. I'm concerned because they have seen our doodle and how wonderful she is, but never saw all of the hard work we put in or the terrible behaviors we had to deal with. They LOVE our dog and I think they're expecting to get a puppy and have it be a perfect dog. I want to let them know what they're getting themselves into without offending them or making doodles look bad. I've already given them the link to "what to look for in a breeder" because that has some good info on misconceptions of doodles, but any other advice would be great!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Have they ever owned any dog?  If they have then they probably have some idea that they don't come "trained".  If they haven't then I would just tell them about how much work it to you to have your doodle be such a wonderful dog.  If they stay clueless - not to worry - the puppy will set them straight - lol.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This is a good discussion also.  I am not sure how to go about dispersing this info to your friend, but it is really a perfect discussion we had on DK:

 Are You Ready for a Doodle????

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/are-you-ready-for-a-doodle

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's a great article!

The other suggestion I would give them is to read through the Puppy Madness Group discussions.

Have you said the words ":They don't come this way" to your family member when they've commented on how great your doodle is? I don't think it makes doodles look bad or would offend someone to have an honest discussion about how much work you've had to put in, what kind of time you've spent with training or grooming, or relating "horror" stories from the wild and crazy puppy days. It can all be phrased humorously.

"Yes, she's great now, but you should have seen her at 4 months", etc. That kind of thing.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I should add that whenever people ask me about Peri and discuss doodles, I start with saying "they are VERY hard puppies and require a LOT of obedience training", sometimes add "she was a hellian as a puppy" (not totally, but you know what I mean!).  The last thing I want is to brag on my doodle and make people get the impression they come as the "perfect dog".  I don't want the DRC getting a doodle I know if I can avoid it!  No re-homing if I can help someone NOT pick a doodle if they are not ready for one.

 

Quick story that has to do with this topic:  today I was coming back with the doodle and chi from our lunchtime walk.  My neighbor said to me (and I can quote because it made me proud): "wow, Peri is REALLY calming down and becoming a very good girl".  I laughed and said "yes, I know, it took a lot of training and her almost being TWO for this".  I rest my case!  I know you agree - how do you really say that to someone??  I guess like that!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, just like that!

[Melissa & Porter]

This thread reminds me of when I was sitting with Porter in the waiting area of the vet's office.  I could hear the vet in the examining room advising someone on how to discipline calmly, not get frustrated, and how important this was because her dog could really hurt her or her family or strangers...etc.

I got so worried, I moved Porter and myself to the farthest corner of the empty waiting area, fully expecting a vicious, frothing-at-the-mouth beast to come out.

Well, it was a lady with an eight-week-old chocolate labradoodle, you know, THE most adorable thing ever.  But I guess my vet has a good shtick he tells all new dog owners so they don't get lost in the cuteness and forget the work they have ahead of them and why.

Oh, and one of the things I heard him say that I liked a lot was: imagine you are in a burning building and can't find a way out, would you rather follow the person who calmly tells you, "Come with me, we can do this," or the person who is frantic and screaming out of control, trying to get you to follow them.  Make sure your dog sees you as that first person. 

 

[Becky & Sheeba]

Very good topic for discussion. When our 15 yr old husky died in 2008, a few months later we began our search for a new dog. I came across a breed I had never heard of or seen before. A Labradoodle and I fell in love immediately with them. Doing research, there was one thing I wasn't totally aware of. Their coats take a lot of care, I didn't realize how much until we actually had Sheeba. She is a F1B standard with a wool coat, tight dense curls. Not having a new puppy in the house for over 15 yrs was an eye opener. It takes dedication and hard work for your pet to be a new member of the family that you would love to have around. Sheeba wasn't too hard to potty break or train commands. Although, now that I saw she is in her teenage years, there are times she doesn't want to listen to us. We work with her on a continuous basis, I feel if your not dedicated to always work your family pet you will pay for it with a dog that isn't happy and uncontrollable. One issue we have worked hard with Sheeba is her excerbuance when someone comes over for a visit. She would jump on them. We have worked hard trying to make her stop this behavior and after months it is finally starting to pay off.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Yea, that coat surprise is not fun is it?

[Becky & Sheeba]

That is one thing I wasn't prepared for and what a surprise! Even though it takes a lot of work & grooming...I wouldn't have another dog.

[Holly Doodle]

Thanks for all of the advice. You are all totally 100% right, we need to be straight forward with them! I would hate for them to get a doodle and then want to give it up. They are not the type of people who give up on things quickly so I doubt that would happen but hopefully I can at least educate them more so they know what they're getting themselves into. Thanks everyone!

[BG and Gavin]

I always emphasize the amount of exercise that they need.  People really need to commit to walking their dogs alot.  Turning them out in the yard for a run around won't do it!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Great advice; that's one of the differences I notice between doodles (at least standard doodles) and some of the other breeds I've spent time around. There's really a noticable difference in their behavior when they're getting enough exercise VS when they aren't.