What advice/tips can you give me?

[canis]

We're considering getting a Labradoodle for our apartment. (good idea?)

May you guys please share some good websites/links/books or just tips on how to prepare for this monster? What about Training? Should we do training on our own? Or is it better to take classes?

Anything will help! Thank you!

[daking]

I have seen every type of dog in an apartment. If they are exercised regularily and mentally stimulated then it is up to you. Smaller the better. I had a boston terrier and a white shepherd on the second floor. Twice the shepherd jumped off the balcony to chase a squirell. The first time he went through the glass on the storm door ( it was closed). He never was hurt luckily, now my ex is in a house with a large yard.
I found that living with a dog in an apartment is 600 times more challenging than a house. Again, the smaller the dog the better

[lindamarie]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

I have to agree with daking on all of his points.
IMO, doodles are not hyperactive, but can be if not given the exercise and ability to "cut loose".
We don't live in a very large home, BUT....Bogart has a fenced yard where he can run and he requires that ability to run freely. So, it's not so much the size of the home, but what is available outdoors where they can be off leash and have space to run and play and not get hurt.

[canis]

Yep, we plan on taking trips to the park frequently.


Any good reading material you guys have come across? I want to be fully prepared!

[daking]

only this site and learning through past dog ownership. If its your first dog, try taking a friends dog for the day, the weekend or dog-sit if they go away. You will learn so much through an established animal.

[M&Tdoodles]

Amazon.com: The Perfect Puppy : How to Raise a Well-Behaved Dog (9780895778390): Gwen Bailey: Books

Amazon.com: The Perfect Puppy : How to Raise a Well-Behaved Dog (9780895778390): Gwen Bailey: Books

This is just one I'de recommend, THERE ARE OTHERS...Just remember "Consistency " is key to properly training a puppy. Be on the same page while training if there are 2 of you in the apt.
Wishing you much fun and success with your future puppy.

[lindamarie]

One book that is quite good is called, "The Other End of the Leash".

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND Bogart's Russian Dog trainer. If you search Vladae Roytapel, you will find an amazing number of video's where he has been on David Letterman, CNN and other channels. He also has a talk radio show which is within this link I am about to provide.
Vladae has several dog training DVR's. They are EXCELLENT!!
Bogart had had a few trainers before Vladae and when Vladae fnally came in to our home.........all problems were solved.
Bogart was the last dog Vladae trained in Michigan. He is now in Southern CA.
This link will help you to possibly purchase some of his training tools........or........call him!!
SoCal Dog Training - Training Techniques

EDITING TO ADD ANOTHER SITE THAT MIGHT HELP YOU FIND DVR'S OR PHONE NUMBERS.

http://www.beachdogtraining.com/

[Daisy'sMom]

The only advice and education I ever got was from other people and websites. I think taking your dog to a trainer is a really great thing, we haven't yet but I'd like to. We've done pretty well with training Daisy on our own, we just have a few minor issues to address I found the most valuable info was from our wonderful breeder and from talking online to other dog/doodle owners. A mini labradoodle in your apartment would be wonderful and the easiest to manage, but that's just my opinion. I think you'll be fine having any doodle in an apartment, but just know you'll have to regularly exercise him/her every single day, as the others have said. You won't have the option of not doing so if you don't feel like it. We have a yard and big house and large basement for Daisy to run and play. She's 35 lbs and pretty much full grown. We've had non-stop rain here the past week or so, so I haven't been walking her and exercising her much and it shows!!! She is WILD and a maniac at times during the day because she's so cooped up.

I like the idea of dogsitting for someone for a day, that's the true way to know what it will be like. People can tell you over and over what to expect and what it's like, but you really don't know until you actually live it.

Good luck!!! Happy Doodle hunting

[deepnite10]

Originally Posted by canis

We're considering getting a Labradoodle for our apartment. (good idea?)

im really glad your asking..i would only recommend a smaller dog for apartment living...though a medium or large dog can do well in an apartment, i would nt advise on a larger pet for a first time dog owner..

even though the exercise needs of a smaller dog may be less..they may require more mental stimulation to keep out of trouble..