cute doodles draw lots of attention

[Bug]

my puppy is not even ready for a service dog in training vest. i am noticing though that every single time i go out i get a lot of attention because she is such an adorable ball of fluff. it makes me a bit nervous. there are times when i really don't want lots of attention. maybe it is good for me. people always say nice things about her. i had seriously considered getting a black lab since labs are such common service dogs and i have read that darker dogs especially black and dark brown tend to get less attention from people. i chose my puppy because the breeder breeds dogs for service work and therapy work and i knew my puppy would have a good chance of having the right temperament and i told the breeder that i was concerned about temperament and healthiness and everything else came after that no preference for color or gender or coat type and as a result i have the sweetest calmest smartest dog i have ever known but she is so cute! i love that she is cute i love that she is soft i love that she looks like a teddy bear. but there are times i really don't love getting a lot of attention in social situations. i guess i am getting really long winded. just wondering if others have had similar experiences and thoughts on the cute factor.

[Jacque Reynolds]

Well your pup sure IS a cutie!

You might try shaving her coat down (they look quite Labby when shaved).

 

[Kathy]

I have to say that lighter doesn't mean more attention.  I once had to have a grocery worker run interference just so I could leave the store.  My dog is all black.  I plan twice the amount of time at the store or anywhere I want to go, because people have to stop and talk about Tia and how "CUTE" she is!  When I have time I don't mind the attention she gets because I teach things like you should not distract service dogs.  It is tough when I am in a hurry though.  I have noticed that Tia's beard gets people's attention a lot.  I have thought of trimming her face but I like here beard too!  Don't be afraid to ask for help from the store people (if you are in a store) to get past the masses of people wanting to pet your dog.  However don't be surprised if the store people are as much a problem as all of the other people.  When your pup gets big enough for a service vest they have things you can sew on the vest saying please do not pet or distract.  Good luck!

[Carrie B and Maggie Goldendoodle]

I do not have a service dog (am looking into getting one) so I am just offering an opinion. I have thought of this same thing because I would have a poodle / doodle SD due to allergies. I do think a longer coat attracts attention, what can we say doods are crazy cute. I also think a vest with 'in training' helps and they do make them small enough, as well as ajustable. I know it isn't required but to me it seems like a logical way to let people know your dog is working. 

My dood is NO service dog, she is amazing and adorable and will do ANYTHING for attention from anyone. We are doing some socialization training (next week is sitting at a bench outside a Target) and she will wear an 'in training' vest just to fend off atleast some of the attention. 

[Kathy]

How are things going for you?  I hope things have gotten a bit easier for you.

[DonMarie and Picco]

I noticed this discussion started 1-1/2 years ago but I'm new to this site. So first, how is your service dog training going? Anyway I just wanted to say that my doodle gets alot of attention (as do they all) but when I put on his "dog in training" "do not pet" vest, people respect it and leave him alone. They will comment on how cute he is but the don't approach him. It seems like most kids, whether he has vest on or not, are polite and ask if they can pet him.

[Kathy]

For the most part people ask to pet but I have had kids slap Tia's rear and adults pet and then admit they know better.  Her vest says clearly do not disturb and that she is a service dog but maybe I need to put in big letters Do No Pet.  I appreciate those people that are respectful but I watch out for those that are not.

By the way welcome!!