Are GDs "rude"?

[Ellen]

I attended an agility class last night with my mini goldendoodle Riley, and the instructor made an interesting comment about GDs. But I need to give you some context, so bear with me.

It was a great class, but at the end, one of the dogs suddenly lunged at Riley and another dog with teeth baring and lot of growling/barking. Everybody was startled, including the dog's owners. The instructor explained that dogs that are otherwise fine in a leash-free environment sometimes are leash aggressive, which I've heard before.

I piped up and said that it doesn't help that Riley starts wriggling his butt and jumping up and down eager to play with a leash-aggressive dog that clearly has other plans. At this point, my instructor asked if Riley was a goldendoodle and said "Don't be offended, but I've worked a lot of goldendoodles, and they tend to be rude".....i.e., GDs will make the situation worse by approaching a leash-aggressive dog or directly facing an leash-aggressive dog instead of turning its body or head away to alleviate the situation.

I wasn't offended, but I never thought about it in that way. I always thought Riley was just an uber friendly dog that just didn't catch the signals from aggressive dogs. But then I remembered that at the dog park, Riley goes out of his way to avoid aggressive dogs; as soon as a dog growls at him over a water bowl or tennis ball, Riley is out of there! So, I find it interesting that he doesn't act the same way when we run into a leash-aggressive dog that is lunging and growling at him, clearly ready to tear him apart.

So, I put it out to the DK community.......Are goldendoodles "rude"?

[Terri]

I don't know if I'd call it "rude", but when we walk Cooper and come up to other dogs I always warn that although he's a sweetie pie, he has no manners. Its kind of the same thing....he lunges at dogs to "play" tail wagging, happy as a clam, and doesn't notice signals....

Hmmmm.......I always assumed it was because he's still a silly pup (almost 1 now)....but maybe not.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

'Rude'??? do I understand that the instructor thinks GD's are 'rude' because they don't submit to an aggressive dog? I am not sure 'rude' is the right choice of words, maybe naive is a better one. I am not sure what the answer is.
A leash aggressive dog in not aggressive off leash? I am puzzled by this. To me aggressive is aggressive - whether on leash or off - I would steer clear of that dog.
I would love to hear what others have to say.

[Lynne B]

You have to be really careful with dogs meeting each other on leash, they do react far differently than off lead. Your trainer sounds kind of dumb though..if he/she had any sense- they would have taken that opportunity to teach a technique where dogs 'say hello' to another dog that is on lead, but keep moving to avoid provocation. I'm very surprised that the trainer would attribute what happened to a particular breed- that is just bizarre

[F, Calla & Luca]

Just today the assistant trainer in my class complained that Luca, who is 15 month old labradoodle, doesn't "read" dogs well. She meant that he does not usually understand low key warnings from other dogs because he approaches them wanting to play, introduce himself etc. He thinks all dogs want to meet him and can't understand that some don't. It is a kind of naive behavior and sometimes a bit dangerous for him. i suppose your trainer meant rude in the sense of heeding another dogs warning to keep some distance.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

My goldendoodle is without a doubt uber rude. She loves every living thing to death and sees no harm no foul in any living creature.

[Ellen]

And that's why we love our doodles so much!

[Dawn]

I'd have to say that Molly is the same way. Although at 9 months old she is still a puppy, but I don't see this changing. I never thought of it as "rude" though---just completely unaware that not EVERY living, breathing person or dog wants to play with her right NOW! LOL

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

I would not call it rude but maybe Happy Go Lucky they dont care and they think every thing in the world should be played with and wants to play with them.

[Ellen]

I prefer your characterization -- "Happy Go Lucky"! And you are completely right about the attitude toward play.

[Krista, Angel, and Toby]

Hmm...thinking of it from the dogs' pov -- it seems your trainer believes goldendoodles are like those chipper morning people who always come to work bouncing with energy and enthusiasm...when you are sorely in need of a good strong cup of coffee and a few minutes to wake-up. Of course the dogs would be grouchy that they're being dragged around again by lead...but not our doodles. They're always happy and chipper. Obnoxious to the dog, sweet as pie to people, and normal to doodles. =0)

[Kyoko]

Sounds like a doodle hater to me!

[Janie]

Doodles love to play and assumes all people and dogs loves to play,too.