Okay, so you have this cute fluff ball that you recently adopted and you want to socialize and take them everywhere and wait!  It's summer, right before the 4th of July where there are Fireworks.   What do loud booms to a new puppy mean?  The END of the world.   It is a fact that the day of the year that the most dogs panic and run off (and get hit or hurt) is July 4th.   

If you have a new puppy, please do the right thing and consider that they are still unsure about you and their new home.   Taking them out to meet new people during the day is fine, but taking them during fireworks is not going to build a POSITIVE ASSOCIATION with new people.   Think about it - imagine you are a young child, a toddler perhaps.   Your parents take you out to a really busy place, where there are a ton of people.   You've only met a few dozen people in your life.   You are small - these people are big - you can't see over them.   You are probably in a bag (and hopefully not on the germ filled ground when you have a stressed low immune system).   People are nice but your parents forgot to bring treats to give you when people pet you so you can associate good things when strangers come at you making loud noises and putting their stranger hands on top of your head (and effectively reinforcing dominant behavior).   THEN, the world starts to end.   You hear these loud BOOMS and you are freaked out and shaking - or if you feel the inside of them like some dogs do, you are having a serious panic attack.   You jump out of your bag, you pull so much you slip your collar, and you're off running because your new parents don't seem to understand the world is ending - and WHY doesn't that hurt their ears so much too?!   

Stay HOME!   Turn on a loud fan, turn the TV on....give your pups HIGH VALUE treats (this means meat or dried meat - see Plato Pet Treats small bites) while the fireworks are going off.   

Also, don't forget to do this during thunderstorms.  

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.  

Goldendoodle Puppy tips for newbies:  
1.  Keep the backend area trimmed or you'll end up with a poop dam when they get super fluffy.
2.  Eye boogers should be swiped by your finger or a baby wipe every morning and then they won't build up.  (super pet peeve of mine...dogs with eye boogies - I even by instinct clean the boogies off stranger's dogs that I say hi to - I just can't help myself!)
3.  If you have kids, have THEM feed the puppy....use your hand when they are little....me and the guardians put our hands in the puppies' food just so they know it's ok and keep food aggression at bay.  Sometimes puppies will growl when taking away something very special to them (like a bully stick) - my vet says, "why are you giving them something and then taking it away?" - so be realistic with your expectations.  If you ever try to take my creme brûlée, I'm going to growl at you.  
4.  If you are not comfortable trimming nails (I am not), drop in on your groomer or vet - they will usually do this on a drop in basis for a small fee.
5.  Do not give your puppy the chance to see that you don't mean it when you use the word "come" - don't use the word unless you know they will succeed - set your puppy up for success by keeping him/her on a leash during the first month or so at home (if you want more detail on this, dm or email me).  Dogs that have high prey (squirrel chasers, ahem Benji) instinct will be harder to get to come back to you than those that are loyal.  When in an emergency, run AWAY from your pup...most the time they will freak out that you're leaving them and run to you.  Chasing your puppy teaches them it's a game and they'll never come to you after a good game of chase/keep away.  If you have kids and your kids enjoy chasing the puppy, good luck training "come."
6.  Trust me...even though you may have had dogs before and you might know a lot about dog training, take your pup to puppy school.  It's more for the puppy's growing mind and social development than anything else (although it is good for you - and your kids if you have them - to learn or be refreshed).
7.  Many of you have asked about the balance of keeping the puppy inside while young and not having all shots and getting socialized - the advice is conflicting.  If your puppy does not have all of her/his shots, be careful in public places.  Do not put your puppy on the floor at the vet.  Do not let your puppy go into areas that lots of other dogs pee.  Most will tell you that you should socialize your puppy more than worry about shot coverage - I think you need to socialize but be smart and thoughtful.  Lepto can be found on a drop of rabbit pee on a blade of grass - so be careful.  
8.  If they have runny mushy poo when they go home to you, they might just be nervous...use a scoop of canned pumpkin in their food - they will love it.  
9.  Dogs with floppy ears (goldendoodles) are susceptible to ear infections...clean them weekly with Eptioptic solution.  If you take your dog swimming, definitely clean with the solution after.  
10.  If a puppy is biting....I promise you, it is just a stage.  There is a lot of advice out there how to stop it, but the best is "be patient and persistent."  Say "no biting" and don't engage in rough play.  Try replacing your hands with a toy.  And don't swat at their face, even in play - their mouths are their hands and they love to use their mouths to discover things and for play.
11.  If you want your puppy to pee immediately upon going outside (a handy trick if you live in the city and for during storms), do not play with them or even talk to them...stand with  your arms folded and don't make eye contact.  When they pee, be so super excited...like you won the Powerball.  This is also handy if you are potty training and need to get up at 3 am....do not play or they'll think it's always playtime.
12.  Do not give up on crate training.  Do not. ;-)
13.  Use Nature's Miracle (see the list of what to get your puppy on this site)
14.  If you are in the city and having trouble getting your puppy to go potty outside, find grass.  Puppies naturally like to pee on grass.  This is not scientific information, this is just my observation from taking many pups outside.
15.  If you have bought your pup a big fluffy dog bed, don't use it while they are little.  Many of them love to pee on fluffy things - and to chew the stuffing out.  Get a small, flat one or use towels that are easy to wash and you don't care if they get chewed on.  I use a towel and they are so much easier to throw in the wash than a big dog bed and I don't have to worry about them swallowing stuffing.  When they are somewhat house trained, then try giving them a fluffy dog bed.  I am definitely saving you some money here!  They like to chew - it's fun and makes their teeth feel good.  

The young girl "suffers from tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), lives in Suwanee, Ga., with LilyBelle. TSC is a rare genetic disorder which can cause seizures, developmental delays, and epilepsy."

Huffington Post, August 2013: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/09/goldendoodle-nut-allergy-meghan-weingarth_n_3727032.html


Do you know a Goldendoodle that has a 'helping' story to tell?  Let us know and we would love to do an interview and write up a story.  Email us at RiverValleyDoodles@gmail.com

Ew. Gross. Really?!

Yes.  That's correct.  Your dog is rolling on worms.  And sometimes even eating the tasty earthwormy morsels.  They'll dig holes in the yard while on 'hunting expeditions' for earthworms.  They know the squirmy, lubricated brown beasts are out more often after a good rain.  And, yes, your dog even knows that it bothers you (from all the crazy noises you're making) - and doesn't really care.  

Ever think your dog smells 'earthy'?  Think your dog is just scratching his back on the grass?  Yea right, try, more like, rolling on worms; preferably, dead, squishy, messy worms.  

There are conflicting reports if earthworms are harmful for dogs to eat...so, our philosophy is if we don't know if it harms, the answer is 'no, no'.  Some people report that earthworms digest bacteria that could harm our dogs.  Others report their dogs often eat worms, with no issues.  Here, we don't want to find out.  

How do you get your dog to stop rolling on worms?  While your dog is obviously hunting or trying to roll, clap your hands or make a loud 'psst' noise to distract them from their worm hunting, eating, and or rolling.  Replace the behavior with a toy and try to actively engage the dog in a game of fetch or play to distract them from their earthy desire.  

Besides, we're sure you really don't want to get a face full of 'worm burp' later on, or let your furry kids on the couch if they have smashed earthworm guts on their fur.  

So, one thing we puppies do here at River Valley Goldendoodles is sit around with our feet up, sip a little wine, smoke some Swisher Sweets, and attempt to solve some of the world's problems. (Ok, so no one here will leave us alone long enough to even sneak that stuff, but it's ok to pretend!)

Here is a serious problem that we are working on solving:

For a little while now, our friend, Miz Cheri, has been doing her 'getting on a soap box' thing and complaining about how hard it is to find a good vehicle for her dogs. She started out with a Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2000.  That worked really well, with the seats down, for driving her Mutt, Boxer, and Great Dane around town. Next, she got a Mini Cooper Convertible - she was glad she kept the Jeep because only the Great Dane could ride in the Cooper (with the top down).  After her Great Dane passed, she moved to a few different cars over the years - a VW Jetta, then a Nissan Altima.  And, now, she's auto shopping.  While there are some auto manufacturers putting out vehicles in Europe that are great for dog families, there really aren't any ones in the U.S. worth considering.  In addition to having features that would be good for those with dogs, her other requirement:  an auto that is still for 'her' (so not a van, like the dog pound uses).

She has done a lot of research and the best advice out there only rates current autos with no new 'dog features or technology'.  She wants options that go above and beyond the typical SUV or Crossover.  And we agree - we think the auto industry can do a lot better for us canines!

So, we're not talking about stuff that should be standard - such as, cargo room, windows that roll down, restraint options for safety, and easy in and out hatches. We're talking about things that perhaps they haven't thought of before.

Here is a list of requests that we have for auto makers out there (trust us, Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, BMW, VW, Nissan, etc., you will have plenty of buyers for these specially outfitted vehicles!):

(most of these fit best in an SUV or Crossover)

• special windows, with a film technology that is clear, but deters 'nose prints' from being constantly smeared on them (windex is a staple in the trunks of dog owners)
  
• if an SUV, a back that can be hosed out without getting the rest of the auto wet, and also provides traction for dogs to have their balance (there is an SUV that offers the washable back, but it is very slippery - Nissan Xterra)
  
• passenger seats that fold all the way down flat (many manufacturers are cheaping out and just allowing the top of the backseats to fold down, leaving an incline and not a totally flat back)
• special 'resistant to dog fur' carpet and upholstery, whether it be on the floors or wrapped in the back of an SUV cargo space, that does not hold little dog hairs like velcro (!)
  
• the ability to leave air conditioning on for the times that an errand needs to be done and dogs must be left in the car (this will save doggies' lives too!) - we know you can do this now with most remote keys, but the car has to be running
  
• a special air filter that cleans doggie smell out, especially right after a dog swimming adventure
  
• water and food bowls setup for those tailgating moments
  
• a preinstalled, lightweight ramp for the back of an SUV to accommodate old dogs that can't jump in and out (you can buy these separately, but we think they should be an option already in the vehicle)

So, there are some ideas that go above and beyond the standard offerings of vehicles out there!    What ideas do you have?

We like to share information from experts and expert sources here.

Cesar Milan is THE dog training guy - that is 'hot' right now - his methods make sense and are effective.  His advice is sought after.  He has books, a TV show, and occasionally travels on road shows.  

Here is a link to why he thinks mutts are best:  http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/new-dog/How-to-Pick-a-Healthy-Pup

Answer:  "hybrid vigor" 

The purebreds we have had, well, we got tired of losing them to their breeds' health issues at ages way too young. Our mutts (ask us about our Mr. Mo) lived the longest, and had the least amount of vet trips out of all of our dogs.  But, we love all dogs anyway ;-)

Fun, Unusual, Interesting Facts About Dogs that You Might Not Know
May 11, 2014

• Dogs can remember up to 250 words, count to 5, and do math:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/5994583/Dogs-as-intelligent-as-two-year-old-children.html
  

• Some Russian dogs have figured out how to use the subway system to get to more populated areas with food:  http://englishrussia.com/2009/04/07/smartest-dogs-moscow-stray-dogs/
  

• No idea if this one is true, but apparently there were two locally famous stray dogs in the 1860s in San Fran and the local media obsessed over following their exploits:  Bummer and Lazarus  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bummer_and_Lazarus
  

• This is a favorite because our old mutt used to have the best ‘frito feet’.  Apparently, dogs' feet that smells like corn chips, is really the equivalent of  ‘dog B.O.’ – and to think we liked smelling it! http://www.sentinelsource.com/online_features/pets/the-mystery-behind-frito-feet/article_ba5b880e-f855-11e0-bfd6-001cc4c002e0.html
  

Breeding

• From conception, the mother carries the puppies between 61-65 days – that’s only two months!
• Females can have puppies in the same litter that are from different sires. (WOW!)
• Females' heat cycles can last almost an entire month!  Of that time period, only a few days are prime time for conception.
• Some (perhaps many) full (AKA ‘pure’) breed dogs are experiencing high levels (higher than healthy for the puppies type acceptable) of inbreeding.  For example, some popular poodle sires have been used so much that breeders have had to trace lines carefully to reduce the instance of inbreeding.  All full breed dogs were at some point in their ancestry other types of dogs.
• Hybrids (mixes) are statistically healthier than full breeds – because they are not genetically inclined to have issues that the breed is susceptible too (ie, Great Danes and wobblers, Boxers and bone cancer, Poodles and eye issues, Shepherds and hips, etc.)
• It is better to breed dogs young (between ages of 2 – 6) and back to back – NOT to skip and breed until they are older.  Some breeders who show their dogs, do not start breeding until 4 or 5 years old and skip cycle because sometimes they want to enter a show – this has been shown to not be healthy for a variety of reasons (we do not accept feedback/comments without cited, credible sourcing) http://dachshundaustralia.com/revisiting-back-to-back-breeding/242 - Dr. Kate Schoeffel
  

Anti-Puppy Mill

• 60% of your dog is a product of its environment and training!  Only 40% is genetic!   We do not believe that puppy mills or large kennels are a good environment for puppies.  Besides the fact that we have a our own real nutcase (that we love) that came from a very large kennel/borderline puppy mill without socialization for 6 months, we have studied research that clearly indicates that the long term prospects of a “good” dog are much less likely with a dog that comes from a puppy mill or large kennel.  60% is from environment and training!
• “Nature and nurture both count. Using Dr. Famula's analysis, Mrs. Phillips estimated that 41% of those qualities could be bred for; the remaining 59% come from environment and training. Because Guide Dogs' colony is now more than six decades old, she was able to trace character traits and qualities generations back. "Each individual dog carries the wealth of its ancestral history," she says.  http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052970204846304578090683395043530

Hip Dysplasia

• Hip dysplasia is still not understood.  It takes THREE (yes, 3) vets to VOTE on the results of x-rays submitted for hip and elbow testing.  From there, it is a rating system.  Fair, Good, and Excellent are all considered Normal for hip results.  They say the older a dog is, the more accurate the tests are.  
  
• Just because a dog rates Excellent, does not mean that your pup will not ‘get’ hip dysplasia.   It is still likely.
  
• There are a number of dogs with dysplasia that function fine – run, jump, play, with zero issues.  http://www.offa.org/hd_info.html
• Hip dysplasia is not just genetic.  It can occur to any dog, at any age, through physical activities (usually before 18 months).
• With this kind of accuracy (sarcasm), don’t trust or bother with any dysplasia test results.  It is a biased (you pay the organization that ‘votes’ on the results), inaccurate process.
• Your best dysplasia prevention is to control exercise (especially of the young) and keep your dog from being overweight.

I took a call from someone that had puppy questions that tipped me off that she had a bad puppy experience.  At first, I thought she was worried about the puppy being bad to her kids, then, I realized she was concerned about how her KIDS were going to be with the puppy.  I finally got out of her that they had a puppy this past summer and the kids squished it and it died.  Her kids didn't know any better (very young), and were, unfortunately, unsupervised - it only took a few minutes for the disaster to happen.  Yes.  Wow.  My stomach hurts thinking about it.  

I looked on the internet for stories of kids accidentally killing puppies.  I was shocked how many stories there were.  While I don't have kids, I know a ton of kids and, yes, I know most little kids are not naturally gentle with puppies or cats or little animals.  They need taught to be gentle.  My sweet 3 yr old niece is an example.  She tries to carry mom's huge cat around (much to his dismay), she wants to help feed the fish and will dump the whole container of flakes in the aquarium, and while she was very good with the puppies when they were tiny, as they got bigger she would try to carry them.  She's just a bitty thing, so carrying anything more than a few pounds is way too much for her to do safely.  She just doesn't understand that an accident can happen - it does not mean that she's a mean kid.  She's a sweetie.  So, we don't let her off a chair or the couch when she is puppy playing - and she is NEVER unsupervised.  

You all might be wondering what I said to the woman that called me.  Well, perhaps a surprise due to my love for puppies and dogs, but I was nice to this woman because I felt it was a sad, bad accident and she wanted to make it right.  Of course, I had to lecture her that puppies are babies - they are not resilient and able to handle kids' rough housing.  They haven't seen anything of the world yet.  Everything is brand new.  The first things they learn of humans shouldn't be rough handling.  They are fragile, they have tendons and bones that are growing, and they also need gentle handling so they don't think kids are toys and learn rough habits that are dangerous for all (and not fair for the puppy who is being hurt and defending itself by snapping).  Their mouths are their hands.  They don't know what is toxic and they shouldn't eat.  They don't automatically know to stay off roads away from traffic.  They don't know the kitty is not a toy, or that not all humans are nice (and some are just outright dangerous).  They don't understand why we put a collar on them and why we keep them tied with a leash.  It is our responsibility to introduce them to the world, to show them how to walk and run on a leash without pulling, one step at a time - and give them the same consideration and gentleness and patience that we would our human kids.  Puppies are babies!

So when people call me and ask, "are your puppies good with kids?" - I'm going to ask them, "are your kids good with puppies?".  All of my puppy owners are so good with their puppies - but no matter how good everyone's intentions are - Accidents do happen to good people and good kids (and good puppies)!  

I don't judge good people on accidents (but, that doesn't mean I won't lecture and if you've made a mistake - like I have many times - be big enough to stand for the lecture and learn from it).  When I was in college, my stepdad accidentally ran over a puppy as he was backing out of the driveway.  He's been tortured about that forever.  

Of course, this doesn't mean we're going to allow one of our puppies go to a home that has questionable supervision and consideration.  This woman is going to take awhile to heal and she knows that she's not going to be able to get the dog of her life that she's been waiting forever for until her home and kids and life are 'puppy safe'.  She's taking the right steps and having a dog trainer come over and teach them about animal care BEFORE they ever consider getting another, and she's going to wait until they are older and get an older puppy/dog (probably one over 3 years old).  A very hard lesson to learn, but the horizon is bright for her and her family!