Are doodles "insane?"

[Oliver]

After telling a few of my friends that we plan on adopting a goldendoodle, 2 of them completely turned up their nose and told us that goldendoodles were "crazy and insane" dogs. While I've heard that goldendoodles sometimes mouth more than other puppies, I'm under the impression that a large breed puppy...is, well...a puppy!- No matter the breed, they need lots of exercise: a happy puppy is a tired puppy. I'm assuming the crazed-puppy-hyperness will probably last for approximately 2-3 years at which point they will calm down a bit. It's not like we are getting this dog and will not work on training him- in fact, we're planning on training him to become a Delta Society Therapy dog and I've done tons of research over the past 2 months on basic and advanced puppy training.

Anyway, I've always only heard that goldendoodles were extremely intelligent and willing to please. But the way these people talk about goldendoodles....it's horrible! The only thing I can think is that they've come across goldendoodles who had either a) bad owners (i.e. little exercise/no obedience training), and/or b) were not bred well (perhaps inbred, etc). What do you guys think? Has anyone ever told you things like this about doodles? Are there any MAJOR differences between goldendoodle puppies and golden retriever puppies (or other breeds for that matter)? Am I missing something?

[Joannie]

I agree with Adina on this. We had a german shorthair pointer and they're known for being high energy. She would go flying out the door when we opened it and it would take us hours to get her back. We took her to obedience classes, went through 3 levels, and our vet always commented that she was the most calm GSP he had ever seen. It's all in the training.

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

I would say if there are any insane doodles - they don't have very good owners!!!

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

One more thing...there are 1751 members right now on this site and a lot of us have more than one doodle... so that is a lot of doodles!! I think it is safe to say they are a pretty good breed!!! However.... if you are skeptical and looking for a doodle...just take your time and get all the info you need. Get to know your breeder or breeders....I still keep in touch with mine and have a great relationship with her and I went back to her for my second doodle. Just browse around the site and I'm sure you will be convinced!!

[Sandy]

My doodle is currently going through the nippy stage - but mostly with me, and he's also only 9 weeks old! I'm hoping it passes quickly - he never leaves a mark or really clamps down, but still......

He's also quite busy, but I'm hoping that calms down too. We try to exercise him a lot, and we're researching obedience classes. We went on a "hike" today - 20 minutes, and the people we saw loved him!

[20xlhzzaoccks]

I've heard people say this about labradoodles and goldendoodles. What I always tell people when they talk about getting one is that they are a high energy breed but I don't really think of them as hyper or insane. The key like the others have said is training and excercise and then it will be a great dog. Steve was fully potty trained at 12 weeks and had full reign of the house by 6 months and never chewed up or bothered anything beyond his puppy chewing phase. But, he gets a ton of stimulation, training and excercise. Whenever we leave him when we come back he is dead asleep in the middle of the bed. It doesn't matter how long we are gone. I've noticed on the days that he does go to school with me as he is a therapy dog he is absolutely exhausted in a good way. I think it is good for them to have a "job" in some way. The breed was developed originally to be a service dog for people with allergies.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

My doodles are "mouthier" than my huskies were. But my spaniel and golden was about the same. doodles with retreiving type dogs in them are probably "mouthier". But they all outgrow it, unless something goes drastically wrong. Puppies are puppies, they chew, bark, jump, piddle, and are incredibly cute. I think you are making a great choice and have obviously done your homework. Enjoy!

[Stephanie]

First to label any particular breed based on a 'couple' dogs really is quite ignorant. I have only heard things like this from people who are "pure breed fanatics"...and if these two people who said this really did meet a doodle who acted "crazy and insane" thats not the dog's fault, its the owner's fault. Doodles are some the best behaved, easiest dogs to train...as long as an owner *actually* trains the dog.

I have had a Golden Retriever...and now a Goldendoodle. I would say my retriever was more obnoxious as a super young pup than Brody has been. Brody will be 11wks on Monday, and he is one of the most mellow pups you will ever meet.

Doodles are great dogs. GDs are a mix of two great dogs, it would be crazy to think you would get anything besides a great dog!

As others have said, it all depends on the pup, the family, the training provided. Exercise always helps to keep a pup worn out and not so defiant.

[13x08f1q0ejk6]

I have 2 goldendoodles. My female has always been very calm, well-mannered dog. Even as a puppy she was extremely calm and easy to train. She is now 3 years old. However, my male is a little on the hyper side and I believe he has ADD or whatever they are calling it now a days. He is not as easy to train because concentration is not his strong point. He is now 1 years old and we are still working hard on him. He is getting better and I believe as he get's older he will calm down. At home he is easier to work with because there are no distractions. He is very good at home and listens well. Trying to take him to places with lot's of people and dogs he is over stimulated. All he wants to do is get off the leash and go and play. At dog parks he is fine because he can run. He has a lot of energy and just goes and goes and goes until he crashes. I think of it as he is a typical 1 year old little boy.

So I guess to make a long story short, it is not the breed. It has a lot to do with the dogs personality, the owners and how much you will work with the dog to discipline them. I have to say we did not work with my male in the earlier years as much as we should have because of some other things going on in our life. The last couple of months we have stepped it up a notch and we have already seen improvement in his behavior taking him out. I am sure if someone saw him out and about with us they would think he was a little crazy, but that can not be farther from the truth.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

I have heard this remark....Mostly from Poodle owners......It seems that American Lab, Golden and Poodle enthusiasts have a certain bias against Doodles.....You should check out some of the anti-doodle sites, blogs. groups and discussions...On Facebook alone there are at least 6 groups that avidly protest against Doodle breeding.......

I have heard people refer to Doodles as "Goofy"......My vet included.....He actually made comments to me saying that Goldendoodles are more neurotic than Labradoodles...That Doodles in general tend to suffer from digestive problems and stress related anxiety......To which I replied..."Huh!...Well here in the NY Tri State area we ALL suffer from that!...Why should dogs be any different?"....lol

[Adina P]

I wonder if "goofy" is inevitable because of the fluffy-ness of the doodle? They just look cuter and bouncier when they are so furry. The same short haired breed just looks like a dog. Doodles look like Muppet characters =)

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Absolutely!....Fozzie Bear...lol

[Tegan]

We have a lot of doodles in our area and I have to say that most of them are great dogs. They tend to be really loving friendly and outgoing. Based on my experience the only "crazy" doodles I've met have had no training and don't get enough exercise, and even then they are still nice dogs, they just need some direction and an outlet for their energy. Of course any dog would be a little crazy with no training or exercise. I constantly have people amazed that my Goldendoodle is so calm and well behaved. She's only 9 months old and is a lot better behaved than many of the adult dogs we know. We work on training every day and take her out for lots of exercise. A tired dog is a GOOD dog (and a happy dog). If you are concerned you can always try to pick a more laid back puppy. That's actually how we picked Kali. She was very laid back and calm but still affectionate and fun loving. Even at 9 weeks old we could tell that she was quite a bit calmer than her litter mates.