Do you ever know what your dog is saying?

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I know we talk a lot about how we wish we knew what they were thinking and feeling, and I think that is valid, but there are some instances where I know exactly what my Orwell is thinking and feeling. 

For instance, today we were having a training session and I wasn't being as clear as I should have been about what I wanted from him. He was trying so hard and he got frustrated towards the end. He started barking at me as if to tell me I wasn't being clear, but I'm trying, mommy. It wasn't an alarming bark at all. I then told him to wait and calm down before we began again. After that he did what I asked of him the first time and he got his treats. 

Personally, I think it is rather easy to read these guys because they seem to have an attitude... mine does at least. My trainer says it's his dominant poodle side. She's had poodles all throughout her life so she knows. She even guessed that he had more poodle in him than lab. :P There was a time when we were at class and the other dogs were working on not darting out the door. Everyone in the class admitted that their pup did this multiple times but when she asked me and my boyfriend about Orwell, we came up blank. Everyone in the class was like, "We'll trade you!" and I was like, "NO THANK YOU, I'm fine with this guy, thanks." At the end of class we tested it out and had an open door with his leash being completely slacked and he just stood by me and my boyfriend. He looked up at me in the trainer and seemed to say, "Cool story, bro. My mom's right here. I'm not leaving." So then I went through the door and around the corner while my boyfriend was holding his leash and Orwell was not happy about that and tried coming after me (mind you, I didn't tell him to stay). 

I'm still not quite sure why we've never had a problem with him unless I leave, but I'm glad of it. I can take him out to the front yard off lead and he never strays to far away (at least, he doesn't leave the yard). He has to be able to see me. I know this because at the park I tested him out while he was sniffing bushes and I slightly hid. He always looks back to make sure I'm there and when he didn't see me right away, he went looking and when he saw me he bounded after me and was like, "Why'd you move?"

So... does anyone else have stories like these? I'm sure someone out there must have a similar connection with their dog if you try and immerse yourself in how they think. I actually recommend trying to know how your doodle works so you can always have the upper hand with them since they are so smart.

Also, Orwell just turned 8 months on the 11th. Here's a couple of updated pictures of him:

This is actually him in the front yard off lead.

 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I have two ALDs - they have both received similar obedience training.  Charlie (our first our first one) is similar to your Orwell.  He always looks to me for instruction and never strays far from me.  Two years later, we got a second doodle puppy which was a half brother to Charlie (same dad's different mother's).  Beau is very independent and is often hesitant in taking instruction.  He will test me still and he is 2.  He does have a brain, but it functions totally different than Charlie's.  Charlie is reliable off leash - Beau is not and I am questioning if he ever will be.  I just never know when he is going to hear the command, look at me and then decide he has a better idea!  That being said, for the most part, I can tell what they are thinking and feeling.  I felt a heart connection with Charlie the day he came home and he was 8 weeks old.  He always wanted to be right by my side.  Beau on the other hand, wanted to be right by Charlie's side!  It is interesting - they are so like children and there are no two alike!  Your Orwell is such a cutie!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I get that. Beau was like my yellow lab-- we could never trust her off lead. 

The only reason why I even went labradoodle is because of that heart connection that you have with Charlie. If Orwell wasn't Orwell I would've kept looking at collies, setters, etc.  

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Wow, Orwell's color is really changing. Love his face! I've got hundreds of stories but one in particular is especially interesting. My husband was out if town one time and I was in the kitchen doing dishes. Both doodles started barking frantically in the front hall. I think I yelled, "QUIET" several times, but they continued to bark and even came to me barking and returned to the front hall. I thought, what the heck is going on??? When I went to check it out the front door was wide open! I must not have closed it completely (I always lock the door behind me when I come in) and the wind blew it open. The doodles knew it was wrong and had a LOT to say about it! I praised them up and down for alerting me to the possible danger. I love those guys!!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Actually, his color has remained pretty much like this for a couple of months, but his coat can look different depending on the lighting. Still has blue skin underneath all that hair. :P

That is so adorable. They probably knew they'd get tired from constantly watching it making sure no one unwelcome came in so they made you shut it. "Mom, shut this door so we can go take a nap."

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Ah-ha, I can see the light coloring now in that first picture on my large computer screen. On my ipad mini Orwell's face looked much darker. He's got a very distinctive color pattern.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Cute stories. I, on the other hand, have no idea what they are saying. I just know when they will "speak" and I don't mean barking. They both have a groaning, moaning, whining sound they make at different times. Bella "talks" to us when she is content, being rubbed, anticipating a treat or food, and always most verbal when she sees/hears a leash or car harness come out! I guess I would say she is expressing pleasure and being happy.

 Murph only makes sounds when DH teases him with a ball when they play and he keeps trying to get the ball...I think he sounds frustrated, but DH thinks he is expressing that he wants to ball.  Other than that, they bark at the normal times, stranger danger, birds flying in yard, leaves blow across lawn, a bump in the night, another dog on TV, a car drives too close to the house. I'd take they are expressing " warning....I hear/see danger"  Otherwise, I think I do all the talking to them, not other way around. Maybe Im missing something and will have to pay closer attention. lol

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Orwell makes those noises too. I think you understand them more than you give yourself credit for.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

One time I was sitting at the kitchen table in the morning and all of a sudden Libby comes up to me, goes to a good sit, but looks up at me with an urgency look in her eyes and I knew something was wrong.  I said are you ok baby and her eyes got worse.  I said lets go outside and she ran for the door, I opened it up, she ran about a foot out the door and threw up.  I truly believe she was telling me in her eyes something was wrong and needed to be outside.  She definitely talked to me through her eyes that morning.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Lonnie, I know it would surprise you (not) to know that Libby Louise has a way of telling me when she needs to throw up, very similar to Libby Lu.  Thankfully that doesn't happen much anymore, but it is a totally different communication than when she is hungry or has to go outside.......

[BG and Gavin]

We went to my friend's for movie night last weekend. She just moved to a new town. We let Gavin out back into her fenced in yard. I was watching him explore and he went beside the house, out of sight but never came back. Guess what? Her gate was open. My dh went out the front door and saw Gavin somewhat urgently trotting down the sidewalk, head on a swivel looking like he was trying to figure out what house we were at. DH called Gav's name and he turned on a dead run to him looking so releived. He has been stuck like glue to us ever since.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Oh so glad you noticed quickly that he had wandered away.  Great recall is so important - what a good boy!

[Kris and Sawyer]

Oh my... If I say "walk" and then don't follow through in a timely manner? Yes, I know what he's saying. He gets right in my face and barks, not a loud bark, but one that definitely conveys impatience! Haaa.