Need reassurance on getting a doodle

[Jess & Stewart]

As many of you know, my wait to get a goldendoodle has been long, I've been on a litter list with my breeder for 2 years now, but I have the perfect apt (hardwoods, deck) 5 minutes from work, a park and will be welcoming my mini F1B GD home mid November.

A friend of mine has a standard F2 GD. I've talked to him, he's given me the good, bad, ugly honestly & said I'm perfectly capable of handling a GD. My family however is dead set on dissuading me from getting this breed of dog. My aunt said my friend told her that needs to do "really run & work the dog before his wife comes home so it's energy level is down" and basically told me to reconsider, ask if I could get my money back & find a nice small dog (chiahuahua). I told my friend this & he said its the furthest from the truth, he's just a big love & is still a puppy. He said his wife isn't crazy about the dog's playful energy so he tires him out before she gets home.

My brothers & sisters (3 total) all have 2 dogs each (they never lived with my stepdad who was "allergic") and told me I should realize I'll need to walk it twice a day, feed it twice a day (DUH!) and they don't know why I have always wanted a dog, but yet they have them. They think I'm afraid of their dogs (lab, boxer & pit mixes) some which are still neutered & not that well behaved. I'm 4'9 & have mild sensory issues (loud unexpected noises & sudden movements make me jump & I'm just jittery) A loud sneeze in a quiet room will make me jump slightly. So imagine a 70 lb unneutered boxer who doesnt get much attention, around me, who gives him love = he's in my face & pawing my legs, lap constantly. It's one of the reasons I'm starting with a puppy, so I'll train & be used to it.

Now I'm second guessing myself since I'm doing it alone & my family who have fenced yards & dogs that I could socialize with arent supportive.. For instance, I got up at 7:30 this morning & realized that's the time I'll need to be AT WORK when I have a pup in order to take a long lunch & come home early. Im a little spoiled living 5 minutes from work! I'm also potty training in winter, possibly snow and it'll be dark by 5. I've read a ton, Ian Dunbar, Cesar Milan & will be crate training, bell training, going outside day 1, introducing to sights sounds, touch, city living, people, men, kids etc. I thought I was ready & really prepared but I'm second guessing how hard it will be.

Reassurance is welcome!

[Jess & Stewart]

Thanks Donna, that's what I try to tell my step siblings...they don't need to live with the puppy so what are they worrying about, lol! I have a conducive lifestyle for a dog, it's basically just me working & not doing too much on weekends. I dont actually see most of my family very frequently, its just me in the city. It'll be nice to have a companion & something to occupy my time! I'm really interesting in doing lots of training with my dog, I tried to do advanced training with my mothers dog, but she wasn't the best student!

A big yes to Pet Insurance, Karen! I'm thinking of Pet Plan or Trupanion. Not sure which one I'll go with but will get it soon after I get the puppy.

[Jess & Stewart]

Karen- Good to know. I wasn't sure if they would be affected by the temperature.

Nothing against rescue dogs, (my mothers dog is basically perfect & a rescue), the reason I choose a breeder was to get a puppy from responsible breeding. I want to know what I'm getting & be able to put in work to ultimately have a great dog. Some of my family's dogs are rescue dogs, others from breeders & they aren't even close to how I want a dog to be raised.

To be honest, I was basically appalled that my step siblings were giving me dog advice! If only it were so easy to just walk a dog twice a day, HA, they need to come on DK! And how something small (energetic dog after work) made my aunt think I need a chiahuahua. I think they're all projecting how they didn't realize what dog ownership was onto me. They definitely don't understand doing research about dogs. It makes me sad after knowing what dog ownership has done for so many in this site, that they didn't put time in to get better experiences.

I've helped to raise my mother & step sister's dog, but haven't been around a puppy in awhile. I don't think it will be a shock, I don't think I'm a complete novice, lol.

[Jennifer and Jack]

You sound so prepared!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Hi Jess, it's too bad they're not more supportive but this is really your decision.  Yes, doodles need exercise.  Yes, they need training and socialization.  Yes, they need a schedule. And grooming, etc. AND yes, puppies are A LOT of work.  The biggest difference I've seen between a doodle and other dogs that I've had though is not their exercise needs, etc. it's that doodles NEED their people and they need to have mental stimulation. That means if you want a doodle, you have to want to have the dog as an active part of your life, even more so than other breeds.  Doodles want to be with you and in the middle of everything you do. If you like that kind of intense bond, it will be a lot of work in the beginning, but it will be a very rewarding and fun experience for both of you. I'd also suggest you be very clear with the breeder about the temperament you want.  Good breeders want to make a good match.  I had second thoughts too... but now I can't imagine life without him.  A little worried about you going out in West Philadelphia at night.  Teach your pup a word or phrase like "let's go potty" or "let's go poo" and it can cut down on your time outside waiting for them to pick the right spot.  

[Jess & Stewart]

I figure that's what I have DK for, right? I dont think any of you would be unsupportive! Yes, walking at night in West Philly isn't ideal, but others in my apt building have dogs & said they walk later at night, I'll need to buddy up with them. Safety in numbers! Also, the breeder does temperment testing & does try to match the best pup to each person, I definitely trust her judgement!

My mom & aunt on her side are immensely supportive. And I'm welcome with a puppy to their homes & to socialize the pup with their dogs. My aunt found "puppy announcements" in Hallmark, she wants to throw a puppy shower LOL. Apparently those are the newest fad!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

A puppy shower! That's great :)  I like the Buddy System idea too.  You've really thought this out.  Good for you!  Sounds like this will be one lucky pup!

[Jess & Stewart]

Lol yes Cheryl, apparently there is a big market for them! The invitations said "We've got something to bark about!" on front & had a little announcement like for a newborn inside. They really were cute!

Also, as a update, my mom was with my 2 step brothers early this morning & she basically told them to shove it when it comes to saying I shouldn't get a dog (she used other choice words, HA!). She said they have no room to talk when their dogs are "good" in a general sense, but are intact at 2 years old, untrained, unbehaved pit mixes. She said since GD's are known to be smart, I'll have the best behaved dog who listens to me & they'll be jealous!

I also woke up at 6 AM & puttered around like I had a dog before I went into work at 7:45. I even walked outside & stood by the grass patch off the porch, lol, as if I had a dog. I'll probably do the same with my lunch break (i have an hour, maybe more depending on how busy we are) the upcoming months, so it won't be too drastic waking up earlier. I actually think living so close to work (4 blocks away) will be beneficial since I won't need to factor in much commute time!

[Enid Ferner]

I just personally hate to see a puppy...especially one of this breed,
being left by itself all day 5 days a week, because they are such a social breed. That's just my opinion though...I feel guilty when I leave my dogs for 4 hours, and they have each other for company as well.

[Jess & Stewart]

I will be taking 2 weeks off (not including weekends) from work after I get the puppy at 8 weeks to jumpstart training. I know others who have taken less off & work full time. Then I'll only have a few weeks until I have another week off for Christmas.

Another in my apt building has a dog & the dog walker they use  I think would give a 'group' discount if she comes at the same time for my dog & the other that uses the service. I believe she would feed, play with them, potty separately, then bring them together for a walk, playtime. That sounds ideal to me, as it gives the puppy interaction, time out of the crate/pen & socialization! It will only be alone 4 hours max in the morning & afternoon, not counting have a dog walker come and/or daycare.

I'm definitely not going to let working impede getting a puppy, since I've wanted one for a very long time & was extremely denied when I was younger.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

You seem to be prepared (as much as you can be).  I work full time and for the first two years, came home during lunch to walk Peri every day - she's been fine. 

Definitely scour the Puppy Madness group too... :)

[Lynda Kamrath]

It's good you have done a lot of thinking about your puppy.  It is definitely a big decision and most doodles are high energy and very social dogs.  It may be a problem having your dog at home all day by him(her)self.  What is your exercise program now?  Doodles are actually very, very good at being exercise partners.  My husband and I are 66 years old and retired so someone is usually at home with our two doodles, but we get them out every day for some exercise.  They look forward to it and so do we.  My husband is a biker and rides his bike three times a week for over an hour (at the old Ft. Ord) and I walk the dogs.  It is a beautiful natural area and we know all the trails.  On the days we are not out there biking and dog walking, we take them out for other activities (usually long walks) but sometimes on the bike tow leashes or swimming.  They just need to hear the word "walk" or "let's go" and they are at the door.  They go everywhere with us and their car is all set up for dogs.  Lots to consider, but what is your exercise routine.  You actually can even improve on that by including a dog.

[Jess & Stewart]

I don't have much of an exercise routine now, meaning I'm not a gym goer, but I do try to always get exercise everyday after work. I usually just walk briskly around Penn's campus, I'm working my way up to jogging & maybe running. I run high on my toes, so I can't really do much running now, I'm working on training to strike more on my mid foot. It's sort of technical (I was a health science major in college). I definitely think including a dog will help me get more exercise, even just games of fetch.

I'm really interested in training--nosework, tracking, all types really, I think it's fascinating what dogs can do! I'm not very active socially outside of work, so I think a dog will only enrich that for me. My breeder knows that I'm not sedentary, but don't want the highest energy dog. I'm hoping she can match me with a dog that will be a middle of the road temperment but also 'active/playful' if that makes any sense!