The more questions I get, the less I talk about the positive doodle aspects

[jenn D]

So I don't know if I'm just weird or what (well ok I know I am weird ;) ) but the more people "ooh" and "aaah" around my doodles, the less I talk them up and instead end up pointing out their less desirable traits. Maybe I'm a doodle traitor. I don't know.
Every school day when I pick up the kiddos (I have 2 elementary school kids) I usually take one of my boys. I get to do some socializing and training in a hectic environment and it works well for us. It's kind of my "proofing" time. How well did I train PB&J (Big Mac is still getting acclimated) to do x,y, or z. Can they still listen in chaos. Plus I get a chance to teach the kids how to approach dogs and how they like to be touched.
Anyway, my boys do pretty well in this environment and I get a lot of "wow he is so well behaved! We want a doodle. How do you get one, etc."
While I personally love doodles, I grew up with all different kinds of dogs. I really researched what I wanted for many years before becoming a doodle lady. I don't think everyone should get a doodle. They are high energy dogs. I know I have 4 doodle boys! What people see is many hours of dedicated training and lots (LOTS) of daily exercise to tire these doods out. In addition, people generally do not see the things I still struggle with when I train, like 4 doodles barking at the door bell or Jake trying to sneak socks.
So I try to be honest with people about the work it takes. But they look at me like they don't believe it. I tell them about the cost or time time and frequency of grooming and keeping up a coat whether you go to a groomer or do it yourself.
I try to explain to people if they are interested in a dog to write down their typical family activities, plus things you would and wouldn't like in a dog (cuddly, a hiker, amessy drinker, barking, digging) and then decide first IF any dogs is truly right for them and second what breed matches their lifestyle and desires. I get blank stares.
Like I said I feel like a traitor to the breed. I love doodles, heck I love dogs. But they are a lot of work. At least they are work for me. Fun work, but work none the less.
Ok rant over. Off to take my 2 legged kiddos to school.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you for this perspective, that's such a good point. 

[Melanie, Wookie and Dr. Watson]

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to add another angle to this.  Besides my "hypoallergenic dogs are a myth" speech, I also give one about smart dogs for people that bring it up.  I point out that smart dogs are in some ways the absolute worst - they judge what is fair and unfair, have their own opinions about how they should be treated, and they communicate full sentences with their looks.  If you want a cute dog that will just lay around the house and be there for you when you want to cuddle, but otherwise fade into the background and go with the flow, smart dogs are NOT the dogs for you.  They will make you feel like you are holding a hostage in your house if you try to leave them home alone too long or too often or don't provide enough mental stimulation or exercise - they demand better.  They actually look you in the face and demand it.  It's unnerving how like people they can be.  It leaves you constantly feeling guilty and it really elevates the amount of time and attention you have to give to your dog.  It's not an hour or two a day job.  And how I know I might sound like a nut, but if they are interested in a "smart dog," ask anyone that has one, and they will all say the same thing.  Smart dogs are demanding.  All dogs deserve lots of attention, but some get by better on less than others.  If you want a low maintenance dog, you need a low intelligence and low energy dog - aka, NOT a doodle.

And one final point - I also get a lot of "oh I hear they need exercise and so I want to wait till I have a big house and backyard" and I always say, "having a backyard is just convenient if you need to let your dog out to go potty quickly and don't want to deal with a walk, but it doesn't get you off the hook for exercise.  You still have to find the time to do something with your dog that will wear him out" and that usually gets a stunned expression.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Perfect! 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

That is so true about smart dogs being more, well, challenging. I have one of both (and both doodles, BTW) and while I wouldn't call Oscar dumb, he's just not wired like Lucy. She's high strung, intelligent (we even have to spell out many words that can get her riled up), willful and opinionated and downright demanding on occasion. I always say its a good thing she was our first dog ever, because we didn't have a clue she was more difficult than most pups. It was only when Oscar came along 3 yrs later, did we realize just how easy raising a puppy could be!

[jenn D]

Excellent. I completely agree in regards to both smarts and excercise. My dogs want to excercise "with" me. If I dont, I get the accusatory eyes....

[Wynnie & Jim]

What a great thread. A big thank you to all the posters. The insights are terrific. I adopted my doodle as a puppy a year ago and she has been a joy. She gave me great comfort during the passing of my mother, and she and my wife are my best friends.

I am retired so I have had time to train my puppy: classes in socialization, loose lease training, polite greeting, impulse control and reliable recall. Each class had four sessions each but it was fun for both the puppy and me. She passed her AKC Canine Good Citizen test when she turned on year old. And now is doing Agility for fun. But, as other posters have pointed out, doodles love being with people and the look that you get if you leave them for a little while, sure can make you feel guilty. Exercise is extremely important, so if you cannot give them a good walk twice a day and a good solid game of catch, then you have a restless puppy.

The lesson from the thread is a wise one, if people are interested in a doodle give them the positives but also remind them that they need to train and play with their doodle in order to get get the love that doodles can give.

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Well said!

[jenn D]

RANT TIME:

A case in point: My mom just recently got a doodle pup. She's been around ours a lot and finally decided to get one for herself. She's really struggling with him with potty training and chewing. She really wants me to "fix" him since she's seen how I've dealt with my boys. I didn't have a lot of potty accidents with any of them. Granted 2 of them were 7 months or older when we got them. But we did severly restrict their access in the house until they were reliably trained. They were with us but either teathered to us or in a blocked off portion of our house with us so we had eyes on them at all times. She doesn't do this. Plus she is very busy always doing something in her house, so her pup just goes somewhere and she gets upset he isn't trained. I'm not sure if my potty training methods are antiquated but it's the only way I can reliably train them to not go inside. Yes, I hated arranging my furniture or putting up unsightly gates but for me it's the fastest method. She only has a pen in one part of her kitchen that has an opening through a doggie door. Nothing else is blocked off. Not working too well for her but she won't do what I suggest. She wants me to train him at my house. I told her I could do that and all he will learn is not to pee in our home but her problem will persist. She love him but I think an older dog would have been a better fit, however she wanted a puppy despite my suggestions. I know she can eventually figure things out with him but it's going to be a long road.
I also know another family putting a deposit on a Labradoodle because they love our guys. Between us, I am very concerned this dog will be a rehome because I know the family and I know the needs of high energy, smart dogs. It's not a good match and I've mentioned this to them which falls on deaf ears. They are also getting a puppy because the kids want one. The kids are not a good match. I love my kids but if I made the decision to get a pup based on them ( "yes we will feed it and take care of it mom..." Blah blah blah) the poor doodle would not have lasted long in this household. I've always maintained the pets are the parents responsibility. So if your kids want a pet, you'd better really want the pet yourself because it will end up being yours. That's just kids.
So I'm just gritting my teeth waiting for first the "why is my doodle so crazy and not like your doodles?" call followed by the dog being around 10 months to a year "can u help us find a new home" call.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Welcome to my world, lol. 

Latest new DRC foster is 5 months old. Too much work. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

If you're a traitor, you've got a lot of company :) Doodles are not for the faint of heart.  You have to WANT to train them, socialize them, stimulate their little minds, have fun with them, and be ready for a "velcro" dog :) OH, and roll with the surprises :)

[sandy b]

I saw this posted on FB this morning at 5:06am and had to comment. I'm up early playing inside with Max waiting for it to get light outside so we can go for a walk. The reason we're up soo early is because DH & I were really busy yesterday and left something out of Max's routine - evening ball fetching! We have a fenced in tennis court in our small neighborhood where we take him to play in the evening and he gets to run fast! So he has this excess energy today LOL! And don't get me started on his digestive issues!! But we love him and wouldn't trade him for a million bucks!