Poor temperment and BYB vent

[jenn D]

I think I'm just venting at this point so this post probably has no other purpose except to get things off my chest and maybe warn any potential buyers to please, please research their breeders thoroughly.

As many of you know, we are a mixed doodle house: two doodles from breeder and two rescued. Both rescues have issues I believe stemming from bad breeding. I'm prefacing this by saying we love our doodles and are keeping them all until they go to the rainbow bridge. this post is regarding Jake, the second doodle to come into our home and our first rescue. My husband adores him and has never had his own dog. Jake has bonded with him and my husband loves this dog. Jake has his second birthday yesterday.

I spend a lot of time with the doodles. I'm a stay a home mom so after kids are to school it's doodles and housework for this lady. Many people say our dogs are well behaved and I do work with them as a pack and individually. I groom them all myself. Lots of hands on. But there are some things I cannot trsin out of Jake.

With that being said, Jake is a vet trying dog for me. And I'm a dog person. From his background history he was taken from his litter (sold) at 5 1/2 weeks. He was sold to a gentleman that was not around to take care of him and left him in his crate for 15-20 hours a day until we got him at 8 months. As some of you remember we "got" him via a "hey let's have the doodles get together for a playdate at your place" followed by a text later saying " can you just keep him I'm not coming back".

To be fair Jake has come a long way since the day the playdate turned into a staydate. He can walk on a leash now beautifully, no jump up when he meets people and comes when called. He no longer hoards water and drinks till he throws up. He has learned to be ok with a crate again and not pee in it. He is the best of the 4 dogs to go to the designated potty spot in the yard to pee.

But he plays so rough and has no social skills with the other dogs. Yes the other three are so well mannered they put up with his antics but after awhile they are like "darn this dog is crazy". He humps all of them. He plays very wildly. And when he gets wound up, it's very hard to settle him down. So much so that when the other dogs signal they have had enough we have to get him to sit by us to calm him down. I would never let him go to a doodle romp or take him to play with other dogs except ours. Ours can handle it but his bad social dog manners could cause massive issues. I've tried working on this myself. I've talked to other trainers who have observed him. They've offered suggestions that have helped curb things some but mainly it's me as mama dog intervention. They agree, he lost socialization by being taken too young from his mama and littermates.
In addition, I feel his temperment is just so high strung. Even Pickles who is younger has started to mature more. But he can get all the dogs spun up and when DH takes him on his nightly run and I am with just brisby, Mac and Pickles I admit I breathe a sign of relief. Those three together are so much easier to manage than 1 Jake.
I know he came from a BYB that bred a poodle back to a F1 doodle. I am suspect of their temperaments. I tell myself he needs extra excercise because of the poodle in him (or whatever) and I spend extra time with just him throwing a ball or running the yard. But I can't wear him out.

I continue to work with him but I'm leery of how far I can "change" his personality anymore.
Again, Jake loves to work and he loves training and he loves his people (us) so much. So I keep convincing myself I can do more to help him be more socially aware and to not be so hyperactive.
It's just sad because my other three are so good. They get excited at times and need there exercise too but they can play good together and the settle.
I feel bad for Jake because I don't think he can help it. Please if you are considering getting a dog from a breeder, research well. The man that got Jake from this BYB paid $900 for him. He also made the transaction in a Walmart parking lot and a not even 6 week old Jake was brought home in a cardboard box.
So sad. I'm attaching pictures. The owner had sent me ones of Jake as a pup and one now. I'm on my iPad so if anyone can post them in the thread itself I would appreciate it.
Happy Birthday, Jake. We will do the best we can to help you buddy.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Katie, the mounting was more likely an excitement or power issue and even female dogs sometimes do it. Just correct him.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

This is great. What a relief. I was so happy that everything was going in the right direction... and then this happened. I mean, just the week before he was so gentle with a little baby which made me really proud. But then he did this and I didn't know what to think. The owner of the other dog didn't mind... in fact he said, "Boys will be boys." 

Thanks all for the reassurance. (:

[jenn D]

Orwell is a super cute dog!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Thank you. (: Jake is also adorable... I tend to like the darker colored doodles. 

[Christy&Riley]

We bought Riley from a family that decided to breed their family GD with a poodle...so that the kids could see the miracle of life. I know..bad idea. I didn't find this site until after got her and had no idea what to ask when we got her. We have been soooo blessed that it turned out ok. She has the absolute best temperament and no health issues. She was one of 12 and the second to last to leave Mom which was at 9 weeks. I'm so thankful for what you all have shared on this site so I know what to be aware of in the future.

Hope you had a great birthday Jake!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Orwell was also the second to last to leave his mom because I had to have him stay an extra couple of days after I picked him. (:

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jenn, I commend you for your honesty. For good reason, Jake found his way to you. Talk to your vet about medicine. I know some people strongly disagree with this, but I see it as no different than humans who are hard wired in a different way and need some help. Also, Karen's idea about the agility training is good. Working his mind along with his body may help to tire him out more. I know it can be disappointing to hope for something and the reality is all together different, so I do understand. I hope with time, Jake will mellow, but again, I would not hesitate to talk to my vet. Good luck!!

[jenn D]

Laurie, thanks for the advice. I'll probably start with obedience and agility training first and then see. It's not that I'm opposed to medicine. It's that I juggle a ton of meds as it is and adding to that for dogs may be difficult. our 6 year old son Alex has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and cortical visual imparements. Alex is on a bunch of meds for seizure control, blood pressure issues and due to strokes he had before he was born, his executive functioning is dsmaged. So meds to help with that as well. Add on suppliments our 9 year old daughter has to take daily (leukemia survivor) to protect from late chemo effects and I think it's just a lot for me to manage.
But it's a good alternative if we need to go down that path and I thank you for the suggestion. :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh Jen....you have so much on your plate to deal with!  I give you so much credit....hugs!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jenn, I am amazed that you have time to even write a post. I am tired just reading about all you have to do. I like what Karen said about Jake being here for your husband.  I sure hope you have some help from time to time so you can take care of yourself. I know they say God doesn't give us more than we can handle, but I hope he turns his attention elsewhere for awhile. Good luck. You are amazing!!! Hugs to you!!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Happy Birthday Jake!  I'm glad you got "dumped" on the right humans.

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

What an incredible commitment you have to these precious doodles. God bless you. Jake loves you and I am sure all the best things about him is because of the love and security he has gotten from your home. Hang in there.