Aggressive Goldendoodles??

[Dawn]

My Aunt is a dog trainer and when my mother told her we were getting a Goldendoodle, she told her to tell me not to! That every Goldendoodle that she has had in her puppy classes (I don't know how many that is) has been aggressive towards the other dogs. Has anyone else had issues with that or heard of that before? I'm sure you can understand that as someone who has already chosen my puppy and is going to pick her up on Saturday, this may be disturbing to hear!!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Hi Dawn,
I have NEVER heard or saw such aggression in any Doodle. Samantha is now 9 months old - in her 3rd class at school and there are many other Doodles in different classes in our school - no trainer has ever heard of any aggression. They definitely play differently than other breeds - Samantha loves to play more "physcially" than most other puppies did but NEVER aggressively. She plays with my 2 nephews (5 and 7) like she was brought up with them tho she has only seen them a handful of times. She even obeys their commands like they have taken her to school. I would not hesitate 1 second in getting a doodle!

[Sue Robin F]

I got Moses, a Goldendoodle when he was 16 months old. He spent the first year of his life in a puppy mill that lost its license because it was so terrible'. He is ultra sweet, shares with my other dog and 2 cats. He does not have a mean bone' in him. He is now a Therapy dog and has done demonstrations with as much as 18 other dogs at one time and never an aggressive gesture or sound. So, I cannot agree with your aunt, although in every breed or mix there will be some aggressive dogs.
I have had 6 romps in my yard with doodles .... 10 or more. There has been one incident when a rescued labradoodle acted somewhat dominant/aggressive to a non doodle dog .... but that was it ... and that was not really serious .... more gesturing.
I think they are a wonderful mix. Good luck to you.

[PhIl Lobel]

I only know of the Goldendoodles that have my my Labradoodle and they have been very friendly...

[Adina P]

Any dog can develop aggression...BUT goldendoodles are not likely to any more than golden retrievers or poodles--after all they can't have traits that their parent breeds don't have. Overall I would say your aunt had an unusual experience with the GD's she's met--they do NOT represent the majority.

[23ght0c2zk1tt]

Balderdash! There are two doodles in our puppy training class, and they're the only ones who aren't barking, nipping or anything like that. Chapin doesn't have an ounce of aggression in him - even when we take something out of his mouth (like a sock that he's hidden in there!!) he's extremely docile.

[Dawn]

LOL! Balderdash---I needed a good laugh this morning! Thank you for your reply. :)

[2wpu1zztl11wu]

Hehehehe....me too!!!!

[Tegan]

From the doodles I've met they are all very social and friendly. I've met a few that are a little overenthusiastic which can annoy some dogs, but they certainly aren't aggressive. I'm sure there can be exceptions, but I would imagine that that would be reasonably rare. Kali won't even play with a dog that acts aggressive towards her. It she's playing with a dog and they growl at her she just stops playing and trots over to me.

[ewqry615slcz]

My doodle is aggressive. He came from a wonderful breeder, but his fearful behaviors mixed with other issues, led him to be aggressive towards people. He has always been fine with other dogs. I am the only person that I know of that has an aggressive doodle, as this does not seem to be the norm. I wouldn't let anyone scare you out of getting a Goldendoodle. They are smart, beautiful, loyal, and fun dogs.

There are different reasons for aggression, and I don't think with any breed you can guarantee a behavior. I don't talk about this much b/c I am literally alone in this (which in your case is a good thing).

[5a54ofb5qk1d]

Chi-dog, you're not totally alone. Our family doctor also had an aggressive goldendoodle. (mini, F1b, purchased from a recommended breeder) The got their pup at 3 months old, and the pup was very aggressive with females only. Including the mom of the household, the young daughter, their vet, and their trainer (a VERY experienced, well-respected breeder in our area.) The trainer recommended that they return the pup to the breeder after she witnessed the aggression, and the family hesitated. The pup growled and actually bit the daughter (not a puppy nip, an angry bite) At that time, after having the pup for one month, the family contacted the breeder. Returning the pup was not easy for them emotionally, and the breeder really wasn't very cooperative either. She since rehomed that doodle and claims that the dog has absolutely no aggression toward anyone. Personally I don't buy it.

This family was very experienced with dogs (not a first pet, didn't know what to expect situation.) Anyway, they are now very wary of goldendoodles, or at least wary of some of the big name breeders. Our doctor has asked about Wrigley each visit and he's been so happy to hear of our success story.

So you're not alone. I'm thankful that aggression in our doodles is the exception rather than the norm, but that doesn't help owners like you that are dealing with the aggression.

[Tegan]

I know how you must feel, my last dog had severe fear aggression. She was a rescue dog (a german shepheard lab X) and when we adopted her she wasn't showing any sings of aggressive behavior. She was really a sweet heart, but she was so scared all the time. We had to walk her where we wouldn't pass any people or other dogs. Have you tried any trainers / animal behaviorists? We worked with a behaviorist and she helped us try to manage Mocha's problems. If you can find a good one (and can afford it) you might find it helpful.

[ewqry615slcz]

We have been working with different trainers and have seen some improvement in his overall behavior, but his fearful aggression is getting worse. We are working as hard as possible, b/c we love him too much to just give up. If he was aggressive towards me, or if I had kids, I would have no choice but to re-home him. It is very very hard, and I only wish there was a way to tell him everything is going to be okay.