First time Goldendoodle Puppy.....A.D.D? Any ways to redirect his focus?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Now I want to start off by saying I don't want anyone to think this is my first puppy I've had puppies before and I understand there maturity level. I just wanted some nice suggestions lol :-)
However this is my first goldendoodle puppy. He was such a calm laid back mellow dude then he got comfortable and he's so silly. I think he might still miss his family because he whines a lot even when he's around me. He is very "A.D.D" when it comes to toys or focusing in general. He will wake up and only sleep in like 10-20 min spurts get up whine flop over do it all over again. With his toys he's the same way he will play for 30 seconds then go to something else. Nothing seems fun enough for him. He wanders a lot too trying to find something. Also outside he only wants to eat snow and bite my pants and feet (I know that's puppy play too). Basically what I'm asking is is there anyways to redirect his focus to actually get him to focus and settle? I tried toys but like I said catches his focus for 30 seconds. Everything I seem to do he doesn't want or like so I feel like he is getting bored with me. I'm not entertaining enough for him other than my feet when I walk. He also growls and barks and bites at them I tell him no and tap his nose since that seems to get his attention the most.
I know all dogs have there own personalities but I never had one so independent yet clingy. He doesn't like lovins he just likes me when I let him out of his cage or feed him. He follows me though but only when I move other than that he could care less what I'm doing. But he will whine when he's around me so I feel like I need suggestions bc I feel like I'm not doing the right thing with my poor baby. :(

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

How old is he now?

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, he sounds pretty normal to me.  I have had lots of doodle puppies and they are all a little different, but he sounds very much like my puppies.  Just hang in there and he will come around with a little age.  Maybe some training classes would be good for both of you.  He just wants to know your expectations and will try his best to please you.  He just is feeling a little independent now.  Reward behaviors you like and ignore the rest.  Really, it does work.  And remember, these are high energy and intelligent dogs.  Don't ever try to trick him because he will remember.  My husband had a problem with our first doodle by trying to manipulate him.  His (the dog's) attitude was definitely, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me."  He remembered everything, so make his memories positive ones.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am wondering how old he was when you brought him home?

[Shoney & Ruby]

He sounds like a baby---babies have short attention spans. Everything is new--a leaf! a toy! a towel!

He is only 8 weeks old....he finds out about the world with his mouth.

Remember it take lots of love to build a bond. It is not a contest about who is in control.

We play with Ruby with several toys [we limited her toys at first, watching to see which ones she favored] and a nyla bone for about 20-30 minutes every morning. When she is tired, we take her and snuggle her close, petting and praising her so she knows she is safe and loved for another 20-30 minutes. A puppy takes time.

I know it is hard, but I hope you won't "tap" his nose--I think that might frighten him, I'm a firm believer [as a Professor of Education] that love works far better than fear. Creating fear could make the behaviors you hate worse.

Biting and growling--those are behaviors puppies do with their litter mates, so they are natural [and can be gently changed so they don't occur with you].

It takes patience. I encourage you to take some puppy classes--they usually offer them at Humane Societies.

Finally, you can find so many ideas and support here.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Your little doodle is a typical young puppy and he has just lost his siblings and all the comfort he has ever known.  He will get over the whiney stage and he is just entering into the biting stage.  As you know, that is how puppies play.  Believe me him following you is a very good thing.  In the next few months he is going to want to play and sleep.   I would get  him a small kong squeaky ball and teach him to retrieve.  Just toss a foot or two until he gets the idea.  Charlie was bringing the ball back to at 9 weeks.  We have spend hours playing ball over the last 4 years.

I would suggest you go to the main page, and open the Preferred Venders and click on the Doggie Dan site and watch the free video.  He is a fantastic POSITIVE trainer from New Zealand.  Check out the video and I would suggest you spend the $1 for the first month and view as many videos as you can.  I wish all new puppy owners would join his site it is so worth it because you learn how to be the pack leader and that is really what it is all about from the very beginning.

Good luck with your cute little puppy. Enjoy puppyhood ~ in a blink of the eye they are adults.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Which Salem area are you located?

I know you posted before your puppy and you received a lot of good advice.

Why the breeder let you take a puppy at 7 weeks is not so good. Not happy about that at all  :(

But, we are beyond that now and not much we can do,

I do think, you have an infant on your hands.  So, for now, please do not hold firm to the " my puppy is stubborn and I will not let him get away with................" , thoughts

For now, answer on demand.  Like crying babies, if they are answered young, they become more confident and secure human adults.  That is the theory anyway and one that I liked. 

This is a BABY.  When it whines, do find a way to comfort him.  Right now, his mom would answer his cries.  You should too.  

When he is older, he wont be whinning so much and that will be a good time  to start training. Not now  :(