Are Doodle puppies different from other puppies...

[Joann Valerio]

Although I grew up with dogs as pets, my Mom was in charge of caring, feeding, bathing, etc.
I simply do not recall all the puppy madness we experience with Doodle puppies. For those who
have had other breeds of puppies, can you speak to this question. Thanks!

[VScott & Lloyd]

For me, it was the size of the dogs versus the breed. We used to have 2 pugs and raised them from when they were tiny puppies. Nipping was never really an issue with them because they were small and it didn't really hurt. They'd bite my hand and I'd just turn it until it was uncomfortable for them and they learned. Now with my standard doodle, Lloyd, I couldn't do that. He was ripping holes in my clothes that my pugs would have never been able to do. Of course, he's much stronger than they were both put together. I feel that potty training did take a while for my pugs...I could totally trust them around the house at about age 3. If they were sick and had an accident they would at least do it on the tile or hardwood. Lloyd is 10 months now and is not totally reliable yet and is crated when we're not home and at night, but he is free to roam anywhere in the house when we're here. Hopefully we'll be able to totally trust hime at about 1 or 2 :)

[Lois Maturo]

I have had 4 dogs in my adult life.  My first was a beagle mix.  She was very calm as a puppy never chewed anything. Never had to keep her on a leash.  When I got my first doodle( Benny) 2 years ago I wondered what I had gotten myself into.  He was crazy. I learned early on the only thing that worked was exercise and training.  I had to keep his mind and body tired. He is now two and has calmed down soooo much. I got a new labradoodle who is now 7 months old. Buddy is definitely a lot calmer then Ben but he also has two big brothers to keep him occupied and active. I adopted a poodle about 18 months ago he is now 4. I think they are active puppies but so are other breeds. I also think some are more hyper than others. I walk my two older dogs 3 miles at least 4 times a week and have a fenced in yard for them to run around in. I also crate the puppy when I go out and at night. 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I have had no puppies other than doodles, but from my experience raising 2 doodle puppies, I've found that it's more an issue of temperament. One's temperament was/is very spirited, playful, sensitive and smart. She (Lucy, if I have to name names!) was extremely difficult as a puppy. She nipped because she viewed everything as a game, like, wiping her feet after romping in mud. She tore my hands up! That's just one example of dozens of difficulties encountered during puppyhood. I always say it's a good thing she was our first dog ever because we thought every puppy was difficult like her and took it in stride. 3 years later, with the addition of Oscar, we learned the truth. He was super easy to handle as a puppy. NO nipping whatsoever, and he took direction extremely well. He was/is very mellow, cuddly, relaxed, easy going and nowhere near as playful as Lucy. Their temperaments were/are polar opposites. I can't speak to different breeds of puppies and how they differ, but a difference in temperaments in doodle puppies can make a world of difference.

[Joann Valerio]

Thanks for all your feedback. Guess it doesn't make a difference if they're male or female.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I haven't given much thought to male vs. female. I think temperaments vary greatly between the sexes. I wonder if there's been any studies done on the subject?

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

In my life I have had Poodles and Golden Retrievers, a Yorkie and a Keeshond. I also fostered a boxer puppy. Puppy madness is pretty universal but of course the size of the puppy as well as the temperament of the puppy can make a huge difference! I had a Golden Retriever that I picked because she was the calm one of her litter mates. She continued to be a very calm dog throughout her 12 years. She did have moments of crazy as a pup but mostly calm. My daughter now has a Golden Retriever and her temperament is very different. She is full of energy ALL the time! Both of them are females so that does not really have anything to do with it. They are like people really, we all have different personalities and so do they.

[Kathryn digregorio]

YES,  My pup was really a biter of anything, lost lots of clothing. I called her the devil dog.   But believe me it is worth it a thousand times over.  She is such a fabulous dog now.  It will get better, lots of bully sticks and patience.  Would put Breezy in the laundry room for time out many times, but never hit her, however did raise my voice, yip like a puppy, spray with water etc.  Hang in and good luck.

[Diane D]

I've had 4 dogs over my married life.English Springer, Lashapoo, cockapoo, bouvier de flanders. Roxy, our goldendoodle is like no other dog. Her nipping, jumping and crazed behavior keeps us from taking her places and having her out with company over. She is 8 month old and goes in for spaying next week. These dogs must be keep constantly busy. Roxy goes out with hubby to work on yard for 2-3 hours a day, I play fetch with her (or try to as she doesn't like to surrender the object ) twice a day. We are retired and she gets so much attention. I don't know how people manage a dog like this when they work. She must be crated when we go out and at night when we sleep. I have NEVER given up on a dog, and I won't give up Roxy, but I can see why people do. It takes so much out of you!! - 

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Her "nipping, jumping and crazed behavior" won't get any better unless you DO take her places. Sounds like she needs to learn proper behavior but she can't learn it if she is never expected to do it. Have you tried a training class with Roxy? She would also benefit from the socialization she can get in a group class. I have three and take them with me everywhere they are allowed to go. When we got the 2nd and then the 3rd, they just seemed to learn what was expected by following the example of the first. They are not always perfectly behaved but neither were my human children when I took them out...lol.

[Diane D]

Here's our plan: Spaying to take place in one week. Training class as soon as she is physically able. Private training sessions after that. Hopefully the trainer will teach us how to handle her. People have recommended getting a "prong" collar, but they so so cruel. 

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Thats great! Im with you on the prong collar but I know there will be those that disagree.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

None of our puppies over the years were off the charts active.  Our two doodles (Charlie who is now 5 and Beau now 3) were very easy puppies to raise.  Beau was a challenge at first because he did not seem to have much of an attention span, but he leveled out in time.  Throughout my life I have had several breeds - as a child I had a maltese-poo and as an adult (an Old English Sheepdog, a Giant Schnauzer and a Standard Poodle).  The Standard Poodle was off the charts smart and easy to train.  Charlie Brown our first doodle comes very close to having the same smart  - we are very intune to each other.  He can respond to hand signals and seems to just get what I want him to do.  Mr. Beau is just my lover boy and joker.  I have laughed more with this boy than any other dog in my life! I figured him out - he does not respond to one word - he needs a whole sentence! Haha  Frm reading Puppy Madness over the years, I now we have been very lucky in our puppy choices.  The doodles were chosen for us by the ALD breeder.