Fascination with big dogs

[Puppy Madness]

Noah is fascinated with all big dogs, but especially labs and goldens. I wonder if this is because his breeder had a lab and two golden retrievers and it makes him think of his mother and littermates. When he sees these dogs from a distance, he just stares. At the park, he follows them around like a lost puppy! I have just started bringing him to the small dog park, but he always stands by the gate and wants to get into the big dog park. I brought him in there the other day when there were only 5 big dogs. A standard poodle really wanted to play with him, but then all the other dogs came over and Noah got really freaked out and started screeching and yelping, which of course only attracted more attention. So I guess no more big dog park until Noah is at least 20lbs.

Does anyone else's puppy love big dogs too?

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I think he is definitely thinking of the dogs he first knew. My husky Storm was brought into our house as a puppy and we had a grown golden retriever. Until the day she died Storm was enormously attracted goldens and pretty indifferent to other huskies. We always thought that the golden had been her "mirror" and she thought she was one. My youngest Doodle, Tigger, played in the big dog park from 4 months on with no problems. My older doodle, Roo, at 15 months still needs to play fetch when he first gets to the dog park before he is comfortable enough to interact with the other dogs. Just about the time he gets comfortable in the little dog park, he will get to big and you will need to take him to the big dog park. Can you arrange a play date with a calm larger dog? Or attend at nearby doodle day or romp. I continue to be amazed at how well doodles seem to play with each other, even though they don't really know each other.

[Julie M]

I have a 3 month old Aussiedoodle (Rossi) and a 75 pound 7 yr. old doodle (Tripper). The puppy is all over him and has no fear whatsoever. I liken the attraction to the fact that she he's like a moving toy for her and all her play can't really hurt him. My breeder also had two big dogs too (one was her mom) so she's very comfortable around the big dogs. (doesn't hurt that he's incredibly tolerant of all her 'puppy madness' either!)