broken hearted

[mary]

Hi,

I'm deeply torn up over having to get rid of my 16 week mini golden doodle. He was the sweetest, calmest,cutest puppy ever!  We got him at 12 weeks. He was 4 1/2 lbs. of love. 

I am wondering if anyone else has experienced their puppy growling and biting. Our puppy did on 2 incidences. Due to having an 8 and 9 year old, granddaughters and neighborhood kids over, we decided to give him to a single lady that doesn't have kids.

It truly boggles our minds since he was so laid back and loving. We did socialize him with other people from the beginning and an occasional dog at the park. Never a problem. 

We spoke to different behaviorist, each gave us different answers including that he is unpredictable, therefore to keep him away from kids.

I've cried all my tears out.

Mary

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I wrote a blog awhile ago when it seemed like we had lots of dogs being given up on DK. It may or may not help you, but it goes to show that puppies are hard work and Doodles are no different than any other dog. Our Fudge was like a shark with her teeth in the beginning. I thought our Hershey was going to be aggressive since she too bit everything and everyone in sight when we got her as a puppy. She turned out to be the most mellow, loving, and well behaved dog I ever had. They all go through this stage. Some far worse than others. I hope your little puppy has found a great home with someone who knows all about puppy behavior. I hope you seriously reconsider getting another puppy and if you do, please look up "what to look for in a responsible breeder" in the help section before you go any further. No good breeder would leave you hanging when you had questions and they would have required you to give the puppy back if it didn't work out. This ensures that no puppy of theirs ends up in a shelter, etc. If you pursue this, I would also do lots and lots of research with trainers, etc. in your area and interview them ahead of bringing the puppy home so they can help you from day one. Mary, If you have never had a puppy before, it really would be hard for you to be able to know what is normal puppy behavior, etc. This is where reading up on the subject and hiring a great trainer could help. Also know that when you are bringing a puppy home you are making a commitment to him/her just as if you had a child to help it become the best dog it can be, to provide a loving home for the entire life of your dog (and this can be well over 15 years), and to accept and love all of his/her imperfections. Good luck to you and good luck to the pup.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/profiles/blogs/wanted-perfect-doodle

[sandy b]

Laurie, loved your blog. I wish all breeders would make potential puppy owners read this, maybe there wouldn't be so many throw away dogs!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Amen, Laurie.  I'm glad you posted this blog again. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

All puppies growl and nip but some more than others.   You have to establish rules for interactions for both the humans and the dog.  The pup doesn't know that all food isn't for her especially when held by inexperienced dog owners or children. She may be more dominant .  Also puppies are often afraid of children because they move too quickly and are not always gentle and some of  her behaviors might be defensive.  I am sorry this didn't work out for you but it isn't because she was gotten at  12 weeks - that in itself is a plus because she had more time to be taught appropriate behaviors from her doggy pack.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

We brought Pippa home at 15 weeks and I would say she learned a lot with the pack. She was never really much of a biter having learned bite inhibition before we got her. Then again, she also had two other dogs to wrestle and play with and she did bite them while playing. That comes from learning good behavior from the pack since she was with them longer. She also was a bit more timid than my other two. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Agree.  Problems arise with pups being taken away too young --at less than 8 weeks.

[mary]

Ok, thanks.im just reaching for any reason why he bit twice when he was the most laid back puppy I've ever seen. Thanks for imput

[mary]

We did take him to a highly recommended behaviorist. She said no puppy should show their teeth , growl and bite and to return to breeder immediately. We paid $125 for an hour of her recommendations
l started private training with him, went twice. It's so hard due to get to different advice .I would have done anything to keep him. My husband kept reminding me, what if he bites a 3rd time? One of the kids get stitches in the face?. I didn't throw him away by any means. Took him to a farm in Kentucky with a lady who has no kids.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Mary, I don't mean to cause you more worry, but what assurances do you have that he will not be used for breeding? An intact doodle puppy is a valuable commodity for anyone looking to make some easy $. He could also be resold, it's called 'dog flipping" and it happens all the time when people rehome through Craig's List or other on-line sources. The best way to rehome any dog or puppy is through a reputable rescue organization that does thorough background and reference checks and has a signed, enforceable adoption agreement so that there are safeguards in place so that the dog will not be passed from home to home or end up as a stud dog for some backyard breeder. How did you find this lady? 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I don't think you threw him away.  You sound understandably upset and bewildered.  And it sounds like you socialized him etc., but how much consistent and daily training did you do? From what you've said,I'm not convinced he was a mean aggressive dog and I have no idea how a behaviorist could assume that with a 16 week old pup unless they had worked with you on his training over a period of time.  Puppies from 4 to 8 or 9 months will test you.  Solve one thing, another pops up.  You need to be working on a pup's training every day with a plan and if you've never trained a pup, you need to work with an experienced trainer so that they can train you.  From the beginning, you need to pickup his food when he's eating and put it back.  Put your hand in his food dish.  Take toys and even treats away from him as well as anything he should not have.  A pup has to learn that nothing belongs to him.  Teach your pup to "leave it."  You make him sit, put a treat or toy on the ground and give him the command, consistently blocking him with your body.  Eventually the pup learns when you say leave it, it's off limits. This pup simply sounds like he was beginning to make his own decisions about things he wanted and doodles can be determined.   Even mellow laid back doodles.  The feistiest little one will end up being a wonderful adult but it takes time and consistency.  I'm glad you're going to do some research at Doggy Dan's site.  

[mary]

I gave him to my daughter's husbands relatives. They are very decent prople. They sent me a few pictures of him frolicking, he is very loved. It made me sad, told them not to send anymore till I'm ready. Plus, I just had him neutered.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm relieved to hear that.