Some of you may know already, but I was involved in dog rescue for many years. I saw all sorts of things - abuses, starvation, aggressive, food issues, potty training problems, over energy - and many really good dogs without issues too.
We have chosen to breed for a 'breed' that is naturally a kind, funny, lower than average shedding dog. They are amazingly smart - so smart, they often get into trouble as puppies. You don't often see Goldendoodles in shelters - and if they are, they are scooped up within hours. With that said, any puppy, especially a really smart breed/mix, is a TON of work and will out smart you in a hundred ways.
I was just yesterday talking with one of my friends that is still helping out with rescues, and she said something that was really impactful. She said she never worries about the puppies being adopted. The puppies are always adopted at the shelters. The real issue is that they often come back as adults with behavioral issues because people don't set up training! Some people think they know it all already and others want to save money and do it themselves.
She said people will get a puppy and then days later call the staff at the front desk (who are not dog trainers) and ask them questions - "how do I get puppy to stop nipping the kids?", "how do I potty train?", "I didn't realize they needed this much exercise to be calm", "it's been a week, I want to quit - nevermind that I am disrupting this poop puppy's life by bouncing her around, but I need to bring her back."
But she said they RARELY ever ask for recommendations of a trainer's name/number.
We don't want this to happen to our puppies. We state on our website and within our application and contract agreement, that a trainer is a MUST. Puppy socialization classes AND an in home set of visit sessions. Goldendoodles and doodles in general are very smart - so smart, they know how to get what they want. Even if you grew up with dogs, you still should get a trainer.
We were born with dogs, and we still have a trainer at least once a month work with us. It's worth the money. We use a bunch of different ones - as they all have different philosophies and talents.
Your puppy is a family member. Shouldn't you pay for your puppy's schooling like you would your child's? Shouldn't your children also learn how to work with puppy in the house? Shouldn't you make sure that your puppy can be the best dog he can be?
Have you asked or said any of these things?
"How do I get my puppy to stop nipping?"
"My dog pulls on a leash - how do I get her to stop?"
"Puppy won't calm down."
"Potty training isn't working."
"Crate training isn't working."
"My dog jumps on people - how do I get him to stop?"
"The puppy growls at the kids (never mind that the kids have been too rough or challenging to the puppy)."
It's YOU - not the dog.
99% of the time it is not enough exercise and not enough practice with rules/structure.
Before you get a puppy, think - do you have a bunch of kids that are running around to sports games? Do you really have time to add in puppy training classes? Is everyone in the house on board with meeting with a trainer that comes to house? Do you go out with your friends a lot? Do you travel a lot? Are you not into exercise and walking a lot? If the answer is yes, please do not get a puppy. It's not fair to the puppy who could have a life with someone else that will invest time and money into their long term well being.
The other thing to consider about training is that nowadays it sure is fun. Contemporary times mean that games are now being played (dogs LOVE games), positive reinforcement is the primary reward, and socially, dog people are a lot of fun to meet up with.
We have chosen to breed for a 'breed' that is naturally a kind, funny, lower than average shedding dog. They are amazingly smart - so smart, they often get into trouble as puppies. You don't often see Goldendoodles in shelters - and if they are, they are scooped up within hours. With that said, any puppy, especially a really smart breed/mix, is a TON of work and will out smart you in a hundred ways.
I was just yesterday talking with one of my friends that is still helping out with rescues, and she said something that was really impactful. She said she never worries about the puppies being adopted. The puppies are always adopted at the shelters. The real issue is that they often come back as adults with behavioral issues because people don't set up training! Some people think they know it all already and others want to save money and do it themselves.
She said people will get a puppy and then days later call the staff at the front desk (who are not dog trainers) and ask them questions - "how do I get puppy to stop nipping the kids?", "how do I potty train?", "I didn't realize they needed this much exercise to be calm", "it's been a week, I want to quit - nevermind that I am disrupting this poop puppy's life by bouncing her around, but I need to bring her back."
But she said they RARELY ever ask for recommendations of a trainer's name/number.
We don't want this to happen to our puppies. We state on our website and within our application and contract agreement, that a trainer is a MUST. Puppy socialization classes AND an in home set of visit sessions. Goldendoodles and doodles in general are very smart - so smart, they know how to get what they want. Even if you grew up with dogs, you still should get a trainer.
We were born with dogs, and we still have a trainer at least once a month work with us. It's worth the money. We use a bunch of different ones - as they all have different philosophies and talents.
Your puppy is a family member. Shouldn't you pay for your puppy's schooling like you would your child's? Shouldn't your children also learn how to work with puppy in the house? Shouldn't you make sure that your puppy can be the best dog he can be?
Have you asked or said any of these things?
"How do I get my puppy to stop nipping?"
"My dog pulls on a leash - how do I get her to stop?"
"Puppy won't calm down."
"Potty training isn't working."
"Crate training isn't working."
"My dog jumps on people - how do I get him to stop?"
"The puppy growls at the kids (never mind that the kids have been too rough or challenging to the puppy)."
It's YOU - not the dog.
99% of the time it is not enough exercise and not enough practice with rules/structure.
Before you get a puppy, think - do you have a bunch of kids that are running around to sports games? Do you really have time to add in puppy training classes? Is everyone in the house on board with meeting with a trainer that comes to house? Do you go out with your friends a lot? Do you travel a lot? Are you not into exercise and walking a lot? If the answer is yes, please do not get a puppy. It's not fair to the puppy who could have a life with someone else that will invest time and money into their long term well being.
The other thing to consider about training is that nowadays it sure is fun. Contemporary times mean that games are now being played (dogs LOVE games), positive reinforcement is the primary reward, and socially, dog people are a lot of fun to meet up with.
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