What are (or have been) your main training goals with your doodles?

[Adina P]

Because my husband's border collie was trained to be off-leash reliable in virtually all situations, my goal (even if I never reach it) in training Rosco has been to reach off-leash reliability. I'm not satisfied with knowing he knows "sit" or "stay" ... I want to know he WILL sit and stay and come, etc, no matter what/no matter where, regardless of whether there is a leash on him or not.

I realize this is not necessarily within MY skill level, but it's the goal in the back of my mind every time we go out to work (train) at PetCo, at Kennel Club handling practice (where we do no handling since Rosco's a designer mutt), etc. Perhaps I am too much of a control freak, but I have to set high standards in training or else I can easily slack off!

But that's just me

[z7nf6mq00mzr]

Snickers is 3 and Mocha is just over 2. My goal for Snickers is not to jump all over anyone who comes into our home! She is the social dog of our family and while she never has eaten or chewed on a shoe, she has to grab something in her mouth to carry around and show off to us when she greets us.
The jumping drives me crazy, and we have tried lots of things, read all the books, watched Caesar, talked with other doodle owners...

[Karen & Lucy]

I am new here, but love to talk about my Lucy. She is a real people lover and wants to just love all over them when they enter our yard, house or anywhere. My goal to to have her just sit pretty when anyone comes near her and wait for me or them to invite her to love on them. Ya, right!!!!!!!! Please let me know how to accomplish this. LOL LOL, I have tried everything as well.

[2sforeqbpo84w]

We're working with Cayenne towards her CGC testing. She's pretty good for the most part but has a long ways to go to.

[Marie Shelto]

Took beginner and intermediate class with Bocker. He works a bit with his trainer who handles him on commercial and photo shoots. He just knows when he is working. He passed his certification for Therapy Dogs Int'l two years ago and besides his visits to hospital, nursing homes, he works as a Wagging Tail Tutor. He learns really fast and really pays attention. He does turn a deaf ear now and then to keep ME on my toes.

[z7nf6mq00mzr]

Marie, it is so nice to read your post! My kids have been sining Bocker's theme song for years!

[24y3827zdpeec]

When we got our doodle at 10 weeks from the breeder, we had one goal in mind. We wanted to train her to be a visiting therapy dog. She went everywhere with us. Basically, we gave her exposure to all kinds of people from an early age. She is an awesome therapy dog and she cannot get enough of people. Of course, it did take lots of work, too, but doodles are well suited for this pursuit.

[24y3827zdpeec]

I wanted to add that Maggie has accomplished both CGC as well as TDI certification!!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

The goal in the back of my head is to have two reliable off leash dogs, too. Probably not within my abilities either, but it's good to have a goal. Both of my doodles are very enthusiastic door greeters also. So that's my short term goal that they are "four on the floor" and polite when someone comes in the door. This seems from the comments on this site to be a common doodle problem. They just love everyone sooooooo enthusiastically. I am having some moderate success with "sit" and "wait" with leash and remote (on the older dog) reinforcement. Also Roo, my 10 month old has learned to get his big rubber bone and having it in his mouth seems to calm his enthusiasm some. Better enthusiastic than fearful or territorial, though.

[1gvtghuvzpkfx]

We think our Cinder would be a good therapy dog - can you offer any incite as to how you found a place to take yours for the training? She is relatively small and absolutely loves people and we also had this in mind when we first got her although have not pursued it yet at this time. She is 2 1/2 - is that too old? Thanks.

[Adina P]

Hi Valorie,

Therapy Dogs International (TDI), Delta Society, and Therapy Dogs Incorporated are the THREE major therapy dog registration organizations.

Rosco and I are registered "Pet Partners" via Delta Society. See http://deltasociety.org/VolunteerAboutAbout.htm -- Delta Society (and I imagine the others) offer training workshops. I have heard the workshops are helpful. Not being close to a training area, we trained on our own and just used their required training manual as a guide (though it doesn't help you train as much as teach you what you need to train FOR).

Essentially your dog needs to know BASIC obedience (sit, down, stay, come), your dog needs to be approachable and friendly but reasonably controlled AND you need to work together well as a team. Most good natured dogs should be able to pass if you work hard. Our main therapy visits right now are our local Juvenile Detention center which is kinda neat. I hope to start a R.E.A.D. program locally, maybe this summer.

[RIDOODLES]

We also have this same friendly greeting problem. It is fun tp have such friendly dogs but the jumping can be aproblem especially if any one is elderly or maybe not a dog person.
I would try getting s spray bottle filled with water and keep near entrance way. Simply spray on the dogs when they jump up on your visitors & say "down". This may work if consistent with approach.

[Tamara & Giada]

Does the spray bottle make them afraid of water? I know I used it for my cat, but I didn't care if she didn't like water.