Feeling a little bit better about my Salvador!

[Sarah Bennett]

I won't lie, though I have felt like I've gained a TON of information from this website, sometimes with so many great and experience dog/doodle owners, I have felt, well, less than a great doodle owner.  I am a first time dog owner (well, we had dogs when I was a child, but well, I was a child)... 

Salvador is almost 23 weeks and sometimes I feel like he's crazy!  He does well on the leash when it's just me (most of the time), but goes crazy and pulls when others are around; he does the doggy dashes around the house, is nippy (like while playing-plays with his mouth alot-not snappy or mean/aggressive) and hyper as all get out. 

He does sit (well, most of the time), handles "leave it" ok (though when he doesn't really want to leave it, he just lets it dangle from his mouth...), will usually come when I call him, loves other dogs (but doesn't get a huge amount of playtime with them because my friends dogs are not interested in playing-none of them were really socialized with other dogs), and loves to follow me around the house. 

Sometimes when I read everyone's thoughts on other discussions I think to myself, "They must have the perfect dog...they must be the perfect owner" (now I realize I have not seen all of your background and history with your pups, but I can't ever imagine being the super owner like I feel some of you are). 

But, I have been told by multiple people, that for Salvador's age, he's a really good dog.  Once he's acclimated to a situation, he calms down, he comes when called, when people see me walking him, they've commented on how good he walks on a leash, and I do have a friend who is a dog person (her dog is Salvador's BFF) and she says that he is a good dog and that he is very eager to please and that he wants to listen to me. 

So, I guess I feel a little better about this.  And I know that not everyone started out as perfect dog owners, and not everyone is currently living with a 23 week old puppy that is completely too big for his age (think gawky teenager with feet too big for them) and doesn't know how to handle his body and energy (we do go for 2-3 walks most days between 0.5 and 1.25 miles at a time, lots of play and try to schedule play dates with his BFF 1-2 times per week).  I'm just feeling better about him (and me!)!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Salvador does sound good for a young doodle. I think you are doing fine. But read more and see how some of us have survived that very difficult adolescent period : )

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Beer, lots of beer.

[Sarah Bennett]

LOL!  If I drank beer that may be the answer...

Could wine be an acceptable substitute?

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

You can even whine on wine!

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

YAY YOU!!!!  I am FAR FAR FAR from being the perfect doodle owner.  My dog (over a year old now) is still a spaz, still a bit mouthy, sometimes can't contain his excitement AND just started the meet and pee thing.  (Joy....) but I wouldn't change a thing about him.  I know I could and should spend more time training him but I kinda like having the spazy, gangly, goofy dog I do. 

And between the two of us?  Black doods R-O-C-K!

[Sarah Bennett]

I do like my black dood, Salvador :)

I don't mind a little spaz, but he seems too have a lot of spaz!  I just spent the last two hours trying to tire him out, and he's just laid down...  And he doesn't do a good job at entertaining himself... Sometimes I just want to sit on my couch without throwing a ball or something... :)

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

uh yea, let me know how that works out for you.  I have a very long hallway and have on many occations sat on the floor of my bedroom (which is at one end of the hall) turned on the TV, and played fetch with Stanlee for an hour or so to wear him out withourt wearing me out.  Long hallways are a lifesaver if you have one.  If not, there is a toy that others have recommended that works on the chase instinct.  Here is an example of what may work so that you can sit on the couch and still exercise and play with your dog. 

 

http://www.chewy.com/dog/kong-chase-it-wand-squeaking-dog-toy/dp/47...

 

This one is the KONG Chase-It Wand

[Christine & Camus]

Puppies take time, patience, and lots of training.  I don't think anyone would say they had a perfect dog at 23 weeks. 

[Sarah Bennett]

yeah, I know...

But sometimes you take peoples best and apply it to your everyday.  :)

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

One of my Doodles is over five years old, a TDI Certified Therapy Dog and was in formal obedience for over a year.  He is still a spas when someone comes over to the house.  The other Doodle is over 3 years old and she came calm, pays attention and follows commands, if you don't count the times she doesn't want to come when I call her.  I think you are doing JUST fine.  It takes maturity, consistent training and reinforcement to get a well trained dog.  Sounds like you are well on your way.

[Sarah Bennett]

Thank you!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

It sounds like you guys are coming right along.  I had Doodle liter mates 5 years ago.  We lost one of them in March so we now have a 5 year old doodle and a 16 week old doodle puppy.  I learned so much from this site when we got the girls 5 years ago.  I'm not sure I would have survived without it.  The other place that I learned so much was in actual obedience training classes.  I would highly recommend that you sign up for some of those as well.  You will both enjoy them.  It is a great way to get rid of some of that puppy energy as well.