Are all these "bad puppy" stories a result of bad breeding or bad training?

[Julie B.]

I am new to doodlekisses and I have really enjoyed it so far but I am concerned about all of the recent postings about puppy biting and bad puppy behaviors. I already have one F1 labradoodle and she has been so great that I am getting another puppy in a couple of weeks. My new puppy will be coming from a different breeder and that is why I ask the question... I happen to believe that most bad puppy behavior is the result of the owners not the breeding but now I am questioning this. I have raised 6 golden retriever pups, 1 labradoodle and 1 goldendoodle pup and I have never had these biting and aggressive behaviors. I must admit that during various training classes (agility, obedience, Therapy Dogs) the trainers have commented that my labradoodle is so much calmer than other labradoodles they have tried to train. Is there something in the Labradoodle breed that can create "a monster"? What's your take on this?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I've trained a Golden Retriever, a Lab, and a Dalmatian over the years, and my Doodle is by far the easiest. Some of this may have to do with the fact that I'm not working and have much more time to spend training him and making sure he gets plenty of exercise and socialization opportunities. Some of it may also have to do with the fact that I now am more experienced. Of course, we have some of the "typical puppy behaviors" that just go with the territory. But what I have noticed is that Guinness is just "smarter" than my other dogs. He is so quick to learn things. He understands that "I'm the boss", and really wants to please me (most of the time). He doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body. I think from what I've seen on Doodle Kisses, my experience with Guinness is far from unique. I think most of us think our Doodles are amazing. Sure there are some puppies who are having problems beyond the normal "growing pains", and this is a great forum to seek advice on how to handle it. So, my opinion for what it's worth is that Doodles are a fantastic breed, and there is nothing that I've seen that would say otherwise. Obviously, I'm a firm believer in really knowing your breeder and the background of the puppy's parents, but that's true of any breed. I do recommend Doodles to anyone who asks, although I'm careful to point our that Guinness is not as "high energy" as many (probably because he is a mini ALD), so they need to be prepared to provide lots of exercise and training. I'm sure I'm rambling, but I really love this breed and wouldn't even consider anything different in the future.

[Julie B.]

I agree that the doodle has been the easiest to train. Sometimes its tough to check out the breeder completely especially when it comes to eventual temperament. I make sure I see all the basics like health guarantees, mom and dad's pedigree, kennel operation, and the parents of the litter but you really have to spend lots of time with the parents to see temperament and that just isn't possible. The breeder I am getting my next dog from has been breeding champion labs for 20 years and started breeding doodles 5 years ago. This particular litter is a new pairing so there aren't any previous litter references to check out. I feel like I am going in a bit blind but hopefully my experience with dog behavior and picking from litters will help. I am going there next week to see the pups at 6 weeks and then I will go back at 7 weeks and pick my little girl. I am hoping to observe realistic puppy personality at 6 weeks and then confirm it at 7. I tend to pick the smaller female in the litters. I have had great success with this so that is my first inclination. I would rather have a somewhat submissive pup that may have "weeney" tendancies than an exuberant, larger dog that may have some aggressive tendancies. I also don't have a problem bringing them home at 7 weeks because my research has indicated that the bullyish or weeny behaviors develop during the 8th week if the pup is with its littermates. Maybe that is why I haven't had the "bad puppy" problems with my dogs??

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think you make some great points. Guinness was actually the smallest pup in his litter. We didn't get him until he was 10 weeks, but I did have a chance to observe him playing with his litter mates, and they were much less "laid back". The breeder actually sent me a tape of him playing with them, and it was clear to see that he was not going to be a dominant puppy from the way he interacted. I know that's no guarantee for the future, but it is one indicator. When I watch him now (at 8 mos) playing with other dogs, he submissive most of the time (except for a recent "mounting" experiment at daycare) LOL.

[Julie B.]

Yup, my dog is very submissive and in fact sometimes it escalates to timid aggression... She has become a bit "snipey" with other dogs when on a leash. No problems with people or loose dogs. Her's is an anxiety reaction where she wants to let them know first to leave her alone. I understand it so I handle it accordingly but I still think this behavior is better than a more confident, assertive dog. That is another reason why I am looking for a small female in the litter so she won't dominate my Luah. It can be difficult to have 2 females in the same household anyway and I want to make sure my older established dog can still "rule the roost" when necessary. Lots to think about but I firmly believe that thinking about it beforehand helps to avoid all those "horrible puppy stories" later on. Your Guinness is adorable and I love the name! Judging from your pics he's not too spoiled lol.

[shelly]

Hi Julie, I was just 'browsing' and saw this post... The vet had said that perhaps Tori has a bit of stranger anxiety at times, or feels we are threatened in some way, and barks sounding very ferocious when certain people come to our house. We tether her to us when someone comes to the door she does not know - but I think that makes her more anxious. After they leave - which at times could only be for a few minutes, she runs around the spot they were in crazily sniffing wildly and barking - even minutes after they have already gone. She even runs to the window baring as if to say "yeah I'm here and don't you come back"! What do you do with your dog to help with this?

[Chelsea and her doodle Piper]

I am wondering the same thing! We paid top dollar for our ALD, and he came home at 8 weeks a terror. I was left wondering why we paid so much! I feel like he is getting better (slightly) with lots of training from us, but we expected a wonderful tempered dog since that is what the breeder states they breed for. But he bites, is crazy crazy around people, doesn't cuddle and is a very difficult puppy in many regards. He is very smart--I will give him that. Everything I read about doodles is that they are so great, but so far I haven't seen the greatness in ours. I just keep hoping that with training he will become a wonderful family dog, but after reading so many posts on people who had to wait a year to enjoy their (still bratty?) dogs, I am wondering how long we can hold out without going crazy. I hope it is just me, and not the dog/breeder, b/c at least I can change my behavior!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned is the smartest dog I have ever had - he is also the smallest at 26 pounds. He still has his moments - still gets into the wastebaskets if he can, gives slobbery, wet-beard kisses, and jumps on you with muddy paws.
My Springer Spaniel - aww the sweetest dog you could ever hope for - was the worst puppy in the world. He destroyed couches, rugs, shoes, ate molding off the walls - all anxiety related and only when we were gone. I look back and wonder how we (or he) survived this and actually am surprised. Since he was our second Springer we were prepared for the high, high energy and extended puppyhood. Even though I dearly love our Springer, he will be our last one.
My daughter has a 1 1/2 year old lab that is sweet but HE is a bull in a china shop - calm for a lab, but certainly a high energy and clumsy dog who is not trustworthy in any situation.
Ned has not been as cuddly as we wished however, now at 1 1/2 he has gotten very cuddly but he is an independent little guy so it is on his timetable.
What you must realize about the posts is that people post when there is a problem or concern. The regular and easy stuff is NOT posted. Therefore what you read is NOT a true sampling of doodle behavior. It is just a sampling of dog problems.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think you are so right, Nancy. We all have a tendency to post about our problems, because we're looking for help. We should probably try to remember to post all the "good stories" as well, just to be sure we're bringing balance to the board. Guinness can go from being a "problem puppy" to an "angel" several times in THE SAME DAY...but that's what puppies are all about. It keeps life interesting.

[Adina P]

Agreed. Just like with everything else, people post to get advice rather than to say "everything is fine."
MOST of the problems I've seen are pretty typical puppy issues and it seems it's just a matter of owner inexperience. I READ tons before I got my pup Rosco....and despite my reading, actually dealing with his nipping was a remarkably different experience than I imagined. I don't think I'd freak out nearly as much if I had to do it again with a similar pup. So I really think first time owner 'inexperience' and 'lack of confidence' is a bigger component than 'bad training' because young pup issues are not really a 'training' issue--they aren't being poorly trained...they aren't BEING trained.

[Julie B.]

Now that I am back in the puppy phase, I remember that puppy raising is constant training. Everything you do and say to the pup has consequences. Experience has definitely helped but if you don't have that yet, the main things I can share are: consistency (its not ok to chew on your pant leg one time and then not another), schedule (meals, naps, play on or around the same time each day), organized playtime (work on learning their name, No bite, fetch or at least follow the toy when thrown), and finally observation... how does your pup react to new situations? how do they learn? are they tenacious or pretty malleable? Do they tend to nip at just your moving hands or does any part of your body attract them? I find watching the puppy helps me to train her. My new pup seems to be much more confident than my other doodle. She needs a firm, consistent approach but she also reacts appropriately when reprimanded which is good. I think she may be more of a challenge than I have had but this website has really helped me to keep focused on the challenge!

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

ROFLMAO sorry Adina, I happen to have been around when you got Rosco and I recall with great memory the pain I felt when I read your posts~ I am sure you recall the moment I commented that you would have been better with a fish than a dog! If you hated the person who made those remarks but forgot who it was, it was me~ : )

I agree that most of what I read is due to OWNER INEXPERIENCE and the expectation that their puppy will be the creation of some fairy-tale lived out happily ever after.

[GBK]

Buddy (standard poodle/cocker spaniel) was my first time raising a puppy, and we were definitely NOT prepared for him..... He also ate molding, stucco, and walls. He also nipped (our hands had scaps for a month) something horrible and did not want to cuddle for anything. We started training immediately and have continued through these four years of his life. By one year he started to calm down, and by two had his therapy dog registration and became the biggest love bug! Kona came into the picture when he was 2yo and we prepared ourselves for another terror :) Same breeder, but labradoodle this time. She was the easiest pup, and I don't know if it was because she had him to take out all that naughtiness or the breed combination. She is smart, a quick learner, and listens better than her brother. You can see the wheels turning in his head sometimes when you ask him to do something, like hmmm should I or shouldn't I. They both are smart, problem solving, loving dogs and I would do it all over again!

My feelings are that so much has to do on the personalities of the parents, and where they are in the litter pack.
The dominant of the litter is going to give you a run for your money, the more submissive will be different. You just have to be careful how fearful the more submissive ones are, could also be a problem in another direction...