Choosing puppy

[Erin Hazlett]

We are picking up our puppy this Friday. Yesterday I took my kids to decide between the two puppies I have narrowed it down to. The creme is sweet but dominant over the black. (Pins her down during puppy play repeatedly) The black is smaller and also sweet and more submissive. 3 of my children are leaning towards the black goldendoodle. My 7 year old (and the one that frequently gets left out by her siblings) wants the creme because she feels like the black one would not come to her (true to a degree). She also likes creme better. She left the breeders sobbing. The creme one is not the most dominant in the litter but is more so than the black one. Any comments.

[Ann W]

My girls can never agree! If one wants black the other want cream. This is what I did. I made the choice as I was the person who is home more than the rest of them. They were suprise and very happy when Sadie came home. The whole family was able to help name her. We each submitted names and then over dinner voted on the names. The name that received the highest numberof votes won! This might be an option for your children!

[Tamara & Giada]

Well, I too think it should be up to you............Mom knows best:) Go with your gut/heart. When we picked out our puppy, I was the only one in the family who wanted this "little sweet one", everyone else had another picked out. In the end we picked the one I liked, and she fits into our family beautifully!!! Nothing wrong with the others, this one just felt right to me:) Either way someone is going to be upset, but it will be short lived as soon as they have that sweet puppy in their arms.

Keep us posted!! GL:)

[Belinda Stevens]

Flip a coin! They are doodles...it's hard to go wrong. Either one is going to be the best thing ever when you get him or her home!

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

I would definitely ask the breeder to recommend the best puppy for your family; he/she may have some insights on those particular two pups that may not be apparent from observing them play for a few minutes. Ultimately, it'll be your decision though, and your dog - not the kids.

[Adina P]

I agree that this decision should be made by the adults of the family. YOU will be in charge of all the training, work, etc. I would pick the most mellow and submissive toward HUMANS (without being shy) as you want a pup that is not the most high strung when you have young kids. Ask the breeder ... a good breeder knows their pups MUCH better than any potential buyer can know from a short visit.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Since you already let the kids in on the decision, you are kind of stuck. Color is not important, temperment is, and you need some experience to guess the temperments of young pups accurately on one visit. Here is a suggestion, sort of like cutting the sandwich: one cuts and one picks. In this case whoever does not get their choice of puppy gets to submit three names for the family to choose from. You get veto power at once on any of the names and then the three "mommy approved" names are sumitted to the whole family to decide (by majority). Tip: Puppies can easily learn two (or more) names (don't tell your kids this) Start with THE NAME chosen by the family. If problems remain. The unhappy ones can have the fun of a special "nickname" that they use. So puppy learns "Baby" then BabyThor, then just Thor will work too, then BabyJack and so on. All of my dogs have had nicknames and call names and respond to them all.

[Erin Hazlett]

Thaks everyone for all you suggestions. I decided to get the black one because she was a bit more submissive. My concession to my daughter that wanted the creme one was that she was the only one that got to come with me to pick her up and help me take care of her on the way one. (She also got out of school for a few hours). This was great time for both seh and the puppy. On the way home she said "I can't believe I didn't like her." So it all worked out. They adore her and 3 of them slept on the hardwood floors in the kitchen next to her crate all night. I was up at 11:30, 3:30 and 5:30. Not too bad. Thanks again everyone.

[Louise and Toby]

Sounds like a VERY happy ending! No . . . . . it's just starting! LOL Enjoy your new baby!