New puppy, Kinda lost with this one.

[Kpickle]

I will start by saying that I have wanted a labradoodle for about 10 years when my aunt had an amazing one that was the best dog, and my comparison for all dogs.

I have been looking to adopt a dog for a few months but really wanted the right one. My local shelter knew I wanted a labradoodle and called when they had an 8 week old puppy. His name is Lando, has a Lab mom and Poodle dad. He is 4.5lbs at 8 weeks and neutered, not sure what size he will be.

I helped raise my girlfriends yellow lab for 2 years and had a puppy when I was a kid. They were all very active, social and responsive. Lando doesnt really move when called, respond to very much. I dont know how to describe it other than nothing motivates or excites him except being chased really. I have read dog books that said to never chase let him come to you. I can sit around for 30 mins calling him using treats you name it, he just looks at me and does his own thing. He does pretty well with going potty outside, if he does go inside its on a peepad.

He wants you in the room, but doesnt really play with you. If you try to play with a toy with him he just ignores you walks away and plops. When you get up and walk away he plays with the toy. He doesnt like treats, cheese, hotdogs. The vet said he is in perfect health, a bit on the small size but healthy. If you pet him and try to love him he kinda lays there doesnt respond at all really, just looks away rarely makes eye contact.

I mentioned he liked to be chased, he runs into places that are hard for me to get him. When i try to grab him out(usually after 10-20 mins to see if he comes out by himself) he wines and bites, not play bites. He responds a bit better to my gf but not much. Im just lost, the vet thinks he will grow out of it in a couple of months. But I dunno how to train him, and I worry that he will be a boring lethargic older dog.

Any tips

thanks

[jodysh]

Maybe he just needs more time to adjust? Was there any background from the shelter on him? Like what happened to him before he got to the shelter, at the shelter?

It seems like he doesn't quite trust you yet. Have you tried just sitting or lying in the floor quietly to see if he might get curious enough to come over and see what you're doing? That's worked for me before. And don't try to pet or touch him if he comes over just talk to him in a soothing voice and let him sniff you.

I'm no expert, but that's what's worked for me when dogs/cats have been timid or uninterested or whatever.

[M&Tdoodles]

Hi K pickle, I feel bad for you ...YOu have been waiting for so long to get your labradoodle puppy and you end up with a sad one. It sounds like he is depressed.

and it could be from the conditions he was under in his first weeks of life. he may have been taken away from his Mom too young. In our breeding experience with the many pups we have reared to 8 weeks , none of them acted this way.
try cooking up some good steak, and then cut theminto small bite size peices for him. The high nutrition factor may help him, and the bonding he & you share may become stronger.
I would do this every day for a week. I cannot imagine a puppy not getting excited over this super treat...Beef him up a bit , it could be he is lacking nutrients or possibly has worms & feels nausea all the time...not sure just a guess...
Do you try and play ball with him? This is a favorite game with our pups...
I feel bad for you and for him..just trying to give you some things I might try...
Oh and if the steak doesn't work try cooked chicken..

[Daisy'sMom]

I'm certainly no expert, but as someone on the sidelines and reading your post my very first thought was he needs more time to adjust and get to know you. Sounds like he's just a little timid still, I have a feeling in time it will absolutely change. He does sound like a little sweetie! I would just let him come to you and give him more time Like someone else said, you never know what his former life was like.

[lindamarie]

We got Bogart at 9 weeks and he was very motivated.
Since Martha (above) is familiar with pups from birth, I would try what she suggests. It does seem a tad odd to me that he is so lethargic and is biting.....rather than play mouthing?

Those with more experience.....is it normal for a breeder to drop off puppies at a shelter like this? Or was this one found wandering?

Did you pay the shelter for the adoption and get any info on background?

I'm not trying to be negative, but all these questions keep popping into my head in regard to little Lando.

[Kpickle]

His mothers owner fostered the puppies until they were adopted. I went to her house to check them out before I adopted him. As far as I know the only time he was at the shelter was to be neutered. I did pay a fee($70) and the paper work just has checks for things he had or did not have, he was perfectly clean.

Still pretty lazy today, guess time will tell.

[Kpickle]

Originally Posted by jodysh

Maybe he just needs more time to adjust? Was there any background from the shelter on him? Like what happened to him before he got to the shelter, at the shelter?

It seems like he doesn't quite trust you yet. Have you tried just sitting or lying in the floor quietly to see if he might get curious enough to come over and see what you're doing? That's worked for me before. And don't try to pet or touch him if he comes over just talk to him in a soothing voice and let him sniff you.

I'm no expert, but that's what's worked for me when dogs/cats have been timid or uninterested or whatever.

Ive tried this a few times, he just looks at me from a distance. If I get up close to him or bring him to me, he quickly walks about 2 feet away and just looks at me.

[Kpickle]

His latest thing is that in the mornings he likes me, wags his tail some. But by the afternoon he just runs away and acts indifferent. I have got him to eat swiss cheese but not from my hand. He is really good about going outside but getting him back in is a chore. By chore I mean that he runs away, as in the street or any where away from me.

He also has begun to whine whenever I try to pick him up. Usually its to accomplish something such as move him from 1 room to the next. I am so lost its driving me nuts.

[deepnite10]

he s only 8-10wks?..still a pup, there s alot of growing still ahead of him..

from his weight..i d venture to guess he s a mini or medium since Toby was nearly 27 lbs at 14 wks..

the vet is correct IMO..that he ll come around and warm up to everyone and be the dog you ve wanted..

his personality is similar to Toby..his temperment is very mellow, unasuming and reserved..we he came home..i just allow d him to wander the house..it took a while for him to get use to his new surroundings..and in the meantime i put a leash on him to begin connecting with me..

i would nt try to get him to come at such an early age with commands..rather with a few soft words and gentle touching..since he s from a kennel im guessing again thats something he s miss d in his life..

[Kpickle]

Im just gonna take it slow and see what happens. I wish he would put on some weight. The mother was a pretty decent size, hopefully he fills out some. Unlikely

[lindamarie]

He's a little puppy! Perhaps he just needs the time to adjust.
You may wind up with a little mellow fellow.......all sweet, loving, kind and a big part of the family!

[Kpickle]

Its only been about 2 weeks but I think losing it. Now when my gf comes over he acts like a puppy. He is super excited and acts like a puppy. Any interaction with me involves walking 2 feet away and looking at me. Its not just her, its my roommate and friends. If I go to pet him sometimes he just rolls over and whimpers, forgot trying to pick him up its just whining.

He wants nothing to do with me.

[lindamarie]

Hmmm.....I think it's time for him to know that YOU are his BEST friend.

I'd start with the feeding process. Make sure no one feeds him or gives him treats but YOU.
When it's time for food.......make him wait until YOU allow him to eat. Believe it or not, this is important. Get him to sit/stay until he is given permission to eat by you alone. He needs to learn that he is dependent on you in all ways for survival, play etc.

Does this sound harsh? Perhaps. But it's not.
Let him know you will only play with him, you will only walk him....you will only rub his belly and ears.
Start walking him as much as possible too.....alone. Dogs/pups LOVE walks and if he sees you are the one doing it, he will become more dependent on you.

I didn't realize you had roommates. They are going to have to take a step back and ignore him. You must become the center of his life.

[Kpickle]

Originally Posted by lindamarie

Hmmm.....I think it's time for him to know that YOU are his BEST friend.

I'd start with the feeding process. Make sure no one feeds him or gives him treats but YOU.
When it's time for food.......make him wait until YOU allow him to eat. Believe it or not, this is important. Get him to sit/stay until he is given permission to eat by you alone. He needs to learn that he is dependent on you in all ways for survival, play etc.

Does this sound harsh? Perhaps. But it's not.
Let him know you will only play with him, you will only walk him....you will only rub his belly and ears.
Start walking him as much as possible too.....alone. Dogs/pups LOVE walks and if he sees you are the one doing it, he will become more dependent on you.

I didn't realize you had roommates. They are going to have to take a step back and ignore him. You must become the center of his life.

We have been trying this for about 3 days now and its like he is a zombie. Now he just runs to his kennel and if its closed he finds a spot behind a door or something and mopes. Now he doesnt like me, my girlfriend, or my roommate. He wont even play with things alone. He was responding ok to a leash before, but now he wont move and just whines and plops. He used to atleast follow me outside to go potty but now he wont, just goes in his kennel to potty. Dragging him is cruel, a light tug does nothing.

Im about to just give up and talk to the vet about rehoming him, at 10 weeks this little dude should be able to find a good home. This has been the most miserable 2 weeks and progress is going backwards. I just dont see any bright future ahead.

[lindamarie]

Oh krap!! I'm so sorry. I thought it might work, but it didn't.
You may be right.......and actually this poor pup may have been in a shelter for a reason.
Oh! Please try, if you do decide to give him up, to not put him somewhere where his "time is limited".
Is it possible that among your family or friends that this doodle will like someone.....anyone.......who would take him and everyone be happy?

You deserve a doodle since you've wanted one for so long, and this is just completely beyond my understanding as to why he is so unsociable.
Could it be he was a puppy mill doodle at the shelter? Sometimes these puppy mill dogs don't quite fit the real thing at all.

Our goal is to make you & this doodle happy.

You can send me a PM if you'd like and let me know what state you're in etc....maybe I could help???