Mini Bernedoodle Advice Please...

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

This is 10 week old Charlie, my daughter's puppy, who is terribly afraid of full grown dogs at the first meeting.

He was raised in an apartment in Ohio & was not taken outside to our knowledge.  The chance that he encountered an adult dog, other than his mother, is remote.

The first time he met Baker & Oskar, they were outside & exuberant...Charlie panicked, cried, screamed, ran for my daughter, heart practically beating out of his chest.  At the second meeting, which took place in the house when my dogs were rather mellow, went well & they got along great.

Today, he met two different dogs for the first time & there was a repeat of his first encounter with Baker & Oskar.  In fact, he was so scared he went over my daughter's shoulder & peed on her back :P

Does anyone have any idea why he is so afraid...?   All 4 dogs he's met are super friendly.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

He's smack dab in the middle of the first fear period and he hasn't had much exposure to strange dogs. His behavior seems perfectly normal to me. He's afraid until he has a chance to get to know them. I'd sign him up for puppy kindergarten as soon as the vet says it's safe, and in the meantime, keep exposing him to other "safe" dogs from a distance that makes him feel secure and let him get comfortable with them at his own speed. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

That sounds like good advice :)

Luna was a pretty timid puppy (not quite that timid, but shy) and she is still very cautious and insecure around other dogs.  

Puppy kindergarten was really good for her and helped her gain some confidence.  I imagine Charlie will still be cautious as an adult, but you can at least probably blunt the fear reaction to something more like shyness.

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

Thank you, Karen....he will start a puppy class in 3 days for young pups who have not yet completed their vaccine series at a local, respected trainer, with his vet's approval.  This should help :)

[Amy and Annabelle]

He is so freaking adorable. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

6 more weeks and we will be bringing one of these fluffballs home.  This picture is giving me serious, serious puppy fever O_O

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Can't wait for your updates J.

[Amy and Annabelle]

That's so exciting, congratulations.

[Carol and Banjo]

Ridiculously CUTE!!!!!!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

OMD!!!  Love!

[Lynda Kamrath]

First of all, Charlie is absolutely darling.  I am very partial to Bernedoodles, and the smaller ones might be of interest to me.  Is he the offspring of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a miniature poodle?  He may just be needing to establish the dog hierarchy and is not comfortable with doing that.  He most likely will not be the alpha dog and the peeing is a way of showing subservience.  He just needs plenty of opportunities to meet other dogs and probably in the home is easier for him than outside with the wide open spaces.  Of course, you will probably get piddles in the house as he makes this adjustment.  Good luck and it will all work out.  Don't be to  concerned about his behavior at this point, he is just trying to make sense of his new environment.

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

Thank you all for your input & compliments...he really is a darling puppy.  Mom is a bernedoodle & dad is a medium moyen poodle.  From the size of Charlie's feet, there is nothing mini about him :).  I guess time will tell.  His fur is most definitely that of a Bernese with no particular curl.  He'll be starting puppy classes in 3 days & that will, hopefully, help with this fear stage.  Thanks again :)