Help with New Doodle Rescue

[Elaine]

I own a Labradoodle who is amazing, as amazing as everyone says they are and seem to be.  We just rescued a 2 year old Labradoodle who is equally amazing except he growls strangers, children, or people who come into our house, and people he sees on the street, etc.  We have only had Fen for 3 days.  I can't expose him much at this point because the owner can't remember the Vet he took him to or find his shot records......and needless to say I have to be cautious at this point until he's had his shots which won't be until this week.

I really would be so encouraged to hear from people that have rescued "not so perfect" dogs and have stories of encouragement for me as they have turned their dog around.  I do not want to compare my dogs, as Leo was with us since a puppy at 10 weeks.  Fen is a 2 year old, unuetered boy, who is very loving and great with myself, husband and son.  Our initial greet in his home came with growls as well.  The owner handed me a 30 foot cable and said wow he never growls.  He hasn't growled at me since, once with my husband, never with my son.  He now lays under us and rolls over in a totally submissive position.  I am now beginning to think this is possibly the reason they've given him to me, as he is great in every other way, manners, housebroke non food agressive.  He wans't walked much, but in only three days is doing much better than our first day!  I already see progress....just not progress with the growling at people.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Thank you for adopting Fen so many end up in shelters it's heartbreaking. 

Getting him neutered will help some but he probably wasn't socialized much.  I would recommend finding a trainer and start training immediately.  This will start his life with your family knowing what behavior is acceptable.  The best advice I have for the growling is to use a verbal correction and crate him.  Fen needs to know from the beginning this behavior is not acceptable.  He was allowed to do this for a while so it will take time to change.  With not being socialized a lot he probably is scared or had a bad experience with strangers and has learned if he growls it goes away.  Just because he has stopped growling I wouldn't completely trust him to be alone with your son, that is just my opinion. 

I'm currently fostering a labradoodle that has been here less than 48 hours.  She is already starting to relax a little but is so unsure of herself.  She is very head shy and feels more relaxed when alone with my lab and doodle.  If I'm standing up and not kneeling she shy's away from me when I call her.  This morning I bent over a little and she came to me. To me it is like watching a flower open over a period of days.  Providing love, structure and necessities you get this wonderful, lovable, funny, goofy doodle that has just been waiting to come out. 

 

[Elaine]

Thank you for your support.  He actually is pretty good with our home situation and seems extremely comfortable.  My son is 19 and was the first and only new person he did not initially growl at.  I was very surprised.  At this point Fen lays down by one of our feet.  I worry more about the seperation anxiety so we are practicing having him occasionally sit & stay in another room while still being able to see us.  I have also began to take him to the bank, and any minimal car trips everywhere we go.  Seems to be getting better with each trip.  I have worked with our other labradoodle and trained him to be a therapy dog.  Leo is amazing and has brought so much happiness to our family and the patients of many nursing homes and Hospice.  I am hoping to eventually have a dog that is as well adjusted as Leo, but also aware it will take time and patience.  Thank you again for your advice and support.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can't emphasize enough how important it is that you get Fen neutered ASAP. You will notice a change in his behavior within a week, I guarantee it. I'm not saying this will be a cure-all; you definitely need to find a good trainer who has lots of hands-on experience with fearful and undersocialized dogs. Fen needs to feel secure, and that takes time. He needs to be sure of what he can expect from those around him, and he needs to learn what is expected of him. Without these two things, a dog can't relax and live comfortably in the world. He also needs proper socialization, and an experienced trainer will be best equipped to help you do that properly. Some fearful, undersocialized dogs are submissive when they are anxious or uncertain; my Jack was that way. He would just freeze up or cower. Others, like your Fen, react by issuing a warning. The methods I used to work with JD on his issues would not necessarily work well with Fen. This is why you need an experienced trainer; there is no "one size fits all" training method, whether it employs positive methods, clickers, rewards, or corrections. The program has to be tailored to the individual dog.

But the neutering will definitely help.

[Elaine]

Thank you for your advice!  Fen is scheduled for his first Vet visit on Thursday.  We don't think he has been to the vet as the previous owner could not give us any vet information or shot information.....At that time I will be scheduling his appointment for neutering.

We are thrilled with the progress and adjustments he has made in a short 3 days....I can only imagine how he'll be once we get all of his vet visits out of the way.  I cannot wait to begin working with our trainer with Fen, as Martry (the trainer) has already advised & helped me so much!

Thank you for your support and advice.  Elaine

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We adopted Kirby at 13 months (he also was unneutered).  He also had some growling issues at first, but he totally came around.  I definitely think neutering him helped but he also needed time to get comfortable.  Honestly it took a good 2-4 weeks before we felt he was really settled.  After he was settled, we took a training class with him and got him out in public as much as possible.  The growling at people has totally stopped (sometimes he growls at Dexter). 

Until you get to know him better I would be careful in your house.  You want to set him up for success.  I think meeting people on neutral ground (Petsmart, the park, etc) may be a better place to start because it's not "his" house.  We also found taking both of our doodles out together helped.  Kirby started following Dexter's lead and now loves meeting new people.

I also would try to take a training class and consider seeking a professional trainer if you think the growling is not improving.

Good luck - you did a great thing adopting him :)

[Elaine]

Thank you.  I am very encourage by the responses I have received, as we have never been a two dog home.  Thursday he is going to the vet for all his shots, etc.  I will feel much better about going out with him once I know he's had all shots.  Hopefully within 2 more weeks we can schedule Fen for neutering.  Poor guy...so much at once! 

He really is doing great though.  No more growling at the neighbors on our walks.  We have now graduated to going up to 2 of our neighbors and things are fine.  Still a bit cautionous in the house though, as he is still growls at my sons friends....we are taking it slow though, thankfully these guys are helping me and do exactly what I tell them.  They are all older so it is much easier.  They will be such a help for us in training Fen.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Glad that you are updating us. Thrilled that he is feeling a bit more comfortable - he showing you that by no more growling at the neighbors.

Since there is no history as to where he grew up, there may have been kids that didn't treat him with respect. Try having them come in, not look or speak to him and just toss a treat as they walk by. He will see that 'those guys' = treats. I did that with Samantha and it worked like a charm!

Please keep updating us - it is something that all doodle families need to see - that a doodle with issues can overcome them with positive training!

 

[Lorraine Bromley]

He is unfixed. The behaviour of an unfixed male will be different than a fixed male especially outside of the household members. Maybe it is because of these hormones affecting his behaviour?