Hello from Cedar Rapids, IA

[RodneyPierce]

Hello all! My name is Rodney Pierce, and my wife, Amanda Pierce. We are about to pick up our first labradoodle puppy. This will be our second family dog. We currently have an English Springer Spaniel, that I love to pieces. But we have a new born baby on the way, and he has some aggression issues over food, and at random times, so we have to get rid of him . We have tried everything we know how, from personal training by us (he has had the issue since he was a pup) to professional in house training, to perscription medication to try and help it, to no availe. He is a great dog (other then the random times, which me and my wife can deal with, but with a new born around, I cant be sure I can protect her all the time) so we are searching for a home for him right at the moment. I refuse to put him down, as he is a wonderful dog, for the right people! Anyhow enough on that subject.

Tonight we are going to look at a black labradoodle puppy, by the name of Bailey. She is a F1 doodle. We are going to go check out the parents temperment, etc and hope to bring this little girl home as soon as we can find Maverick a home!!!

Thank you all for this great forum!!

[lindamarie]

WELCOME RODNEY AND AMANDA!!!

Boy, do I ever have tons to say about your issue with the Springer.
We had one, Casey. I absolutely LOVED this dog to pieces. When he developed Lymphoma at 11 1/2 yrs. (We got him at 7 weeks)....and we had to put him down.....I was a basket case. The vet told my husband that he had never seen anyone so upset over euthanasia. I find that hard to believe, but yes, I really was that upset. The vet also told my husband he suspected I wouldn't have another dog for a long time. Wrong. I couldn't stand not having Casey and got Bogart 6 days after Casey died.

BUT! Let me tell ya something! I have PTSD and this wonderful Casey only contributed to 11 years of my anxiety! I was always afraid with him around kids and other dogs. I wasn't sure if he'd bite or not! I was terrified he'd run away because he was sooooo hyper!! Yet, he slept with me every night and was soooo loving! I think he had some mental issues and wondered at one point if he had Springer rage!!

There is a guy in our neighborhood that has 2 Springers. He walks them both at the same time and they just bark and pull and act nuts!!! This has been going on for 3-4 years!
Then, I know of people with absolutely loving and sweet Springers. It's a toss up! But wow! I too, loved that dog to pieces.
I fully understand how you might not want him around a newborn.
Aren't there some Springer rescues? I mean, this guy might be great for a couple without kids!!

Congrats on your decision to get a doodle. They will forever be my first choice, and as Bogart ages...........he's almost 4, and I'm already sad he's older......I will have another BLACK ONE......who might just learn a little from Bogart. Bogart is so special that I want to freeze him in time.....like right now.....today!

Keep us posted....and if you love Maverick.......someone else will too. No doubt!

[RodneyPierce]

Linda, We have contacted all of the springer rescue's within a 200 mile radius, as I would rather drive him there, then put him down. None of them will take him, because of his food aggression. The more and more I researched it, the more I found it was a pretty common thing in English Springer Spaniels. After talking to some people locally, they often have said the same thing. I should have done more research on the breed, before buying him. But as a child growing up, we had one that wouldnt hurt a fly. Hence, why I jumped in and got us one. Regardless, Im searching like crazy to find him a home, as he WOULD be a perfect pet for a couple without kids. Or even a retired couple, that had all day to spend with him. Heck, even a family with other dogs, so he has someone to go run around and play with. He just has so much energy. He gets along great with dogs in the medium size range, but doesnt seem to like dogs that yip alot, like Chihuahua's. Regardless, I have been doing nightly research on the doodle, and cant find much if anything negative about them. Hence, why we have made the decision that it is our next dog.

[RodneyPierce]

Well, we went and seen Bailey last night. She is an amazing dog! So full of energy, an VERY smart. She is 3 months old, and still sometimes her feet get moving faster then her body when she tried to run. I was laughing at her so hard last night. Awesome dog. We were there for about an hour and a half. In that short period of time, I almost had her trained not to jump up on me. She would run over, and just stand at my feet looking up at me. Which, when we got there, she was jumping on everything! So, if I could almost train her that in an hour and a half, I cant imagine what I could train this dog to do!

Here is a picture of her. She is an F1 doodle:


On a plus side, we also have almost found a home for our ESS. A buddy that lives in our same city, has been looking for one. He has to talk it over with his wife. But its just him and her, and I know Mav would have a great time with them. They are very loving people! So hoping that pans out, and we can go pick Bailey up shortly after!!

[Riverkatie]

I hope it pans out for both the springer and bailey.

Doodles are very smart, but they do need training! Ruff is 4 months and is still having jumping problems. We have taught him not to jump on us, but he is still silly with other people, but we are working on it! He is gentle and loving and very easy to train. We taught him to put a toy away in a basket this week!

Bailey looks lovely, let us know how it goes.

[Brenna's Mom]

Brenna is a black doodle, 4 months old, and such fun.
She has my 11 year old part lab, terrier and who knows what else, playing 3 times a day and they play hard. They share the water bowl and have shared licking a plate. Kali didn't want Brenna near her dinner bowl, but now Brenna just stays out of the way, but I don't think it's a problem now. I have made an egg and made them share.
Some of you may remember, I lost my dear husband in March and Brenna has been such a joy and such a friend to DH's princess Kali. I think he sent her to help us both.
You will love your new doodle, they can be a pain at times, but so cute and so smart.
She does love paper towels......

Geri

[lindamarie]

Rodney and Amanda! This is tooooo awesome! A home for Mav and that adorable doodle!! LIFE IS GOOD!

At 3 months, it doesn't surprise me that you have already begun training in such a short time. This is the intelligence of the doodle and the willingness to please.
OH PLEASE let this couple take Mav!!
You posted this a few days ago....have they made a decision?

Sorry, but I have to linger a moment on the ESS. Good Lord! I LOVED my Casey! Springers can be like little clowns and forever puppies!
I have a friend who is single and he has always owned Springers. These are the dogs of his choice. He also has a unique ability to train them. Yet, I could see that goofy side of them that he would never admit to.
He is also a part of a Springer rescue. So, one day, he rescued a Springer. He also had 2 at the time and introduced the rescue into his home.
His Springers were his bed buddies.
I guess one morning, he simply rolled over and the rescue Springer bit his face to the point of him needing plastic surgery! I asked why and he had no idea! The rescue had been a part of his fam for about 3 months.....and then one morning..BAM!
He cried when he had to put her down, but what the heck else can you do?

As much as I loved Casey, there were things I just didn't trust in him. I could go on with the BAD and give special/weird stories like his dislike of garbage bags??? He growled whenever we went near a garbage bag to put something in it or to take it out...even to the point of nipping at us. WT?

Anyway, I am sooooooo relaxed with my Bogart. He is the best thing that happened to me in a loooong time. I look forward to you being HAPPY too!!

[RodneyPierce]

Linda, we actually had to put Maverick down last night. He randomly attacked Amanda twice this last week, without warning and drew blood both times. One on her hand, then the other night on her face. She got out of the way fast enough that he just gave her a bloody nose. But that was the end of it. We had to do it, I couldnt chance that with another owner. He gave no warning or anything. No growl, no posture change, nothing. Just lunged and bit. Sad day at our household, and hardest thing I have ever had to do. First pet I have ever had to put down, but he will be in a better place now. The lord will fix him up and take away his problems.

We will be getting Bailey soon here. Might even get her this weekend. Depending on how Amanda feels. She was a wreck last night, but seems abit better this morning. She knew it had to be done. Sounds mean of me, but it always used to happen to me. I think she kind of wrote it off yah know? But when he did it to her, she looked at me and said "Yes, I know he has to go" So all in all I think that may make it a little easier for her. If that makes sense.

[lindamarie]

I had to sit here awhile and just think before responding. My first reaction is toward Amanda. I hope she is well both mentally and physically.
The comes you. You were a brave man to do what had to be done. You loved Maverick but, in your heart you just sensed the possibility of this happening and whether consciously or subconsciously, knew the dog enough to know something was just not right.
I believe he had Springer rage.
You did the right thing. Like the friend I told you about before in my prior post, some Springers just lose it for no reason.
I think we were just lucky that Casey never bit anyone because believe me, I knew a few times, that he could have for no reason.

Because I share your emotions after having had a Springer, please don't mind me if I babble on. If you care to read what I have to say, perhaps it might ease your pain a bit.
If I take this a bit deeper, Maverick probably and more than likely, went after Amanda because she is pregnant. Dogs have a sense about them where they know and can tell these things. A good dog will possibly become more protective and nurturing to an expectant mother.
Since we know they can detect an oncoming seizure, diabetes, anxiety attacks and even cancer.....I am sure they can detect pregnancy.
Maverick was most likely jealous of what was to come.
That right there is a sign that your baby was more than likely going to be in danger.

Next, we have a local vet who breeds Champion Springer Spaniels. About a decade ago, somehow, Springer rage got into their litters.
They had to put many, MANY of these dogs down. I am talking about Springers across the USA. They were that popular and their Springers that good, winning in many dog shows.
Of course, their reputation went down the drain, but they have since recovered.

I know that at one point, I researched Springer rage, but have forgotten the why's and wherefores of this mental illness. It upset me because we had Casey at the time and I suspected he was borderline. That is why I kept him away from all young kids and other dogs. He even had a strange look in his eyes that frightened me.
Bottom line, I repeat.......you did the right thing.

Grieve......but let go as fast as possible knowing you had no choice. Give Amanda her time to heal and let you know when it's time to pick up the new puppy.
From experience, I can tell you that as hard as I cried and missed Casey, 6 days later I had Bogart. I would hold him and cry and he'd lick my tears away....this little 9 week old pup.
Rodney, little did I know how much Casey made my PTSD worse. That's really another long, hard, sad story.
But, when Bogart came into my life, my tensions an anxieties eased. And, to this day, he is not a cause of any anxiety, but a relief to it.

Throw the guilt out the door and get that pup sooner than later if Amanda agrees.
I don't recall you saying when she is due, but it will give you & the pup time to adjust and be ready for the baby.

God Bless and keep us posted

[RodneyPierce]

Well, just got done emailing with her at work, and she said she would like to go get Bailey tonight. So tonight it is. Bailey will help her out. Im very excited to get her. She will be a great addition to our family.

Its easier for me to deal with it then it is for Amanda. I deal with it at that moment. Cried last night when we were at the vet's office. Cried when it happened, then I went outside, cried a little more, then shut it out. Thats my way of dealing with things. I gave him my love and last hugs and kisses, grieved over it, and now let it go. I will always remember him, but its over and out of my mind. Guess its just my way of dealing with it. Not so easy for her, as she doesnt have that capability in her body. But Bailey will help!

[lindamarie]

TONIGHT!!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAY!!!!

[RodneyPierce]

I will post a couple pictures tonight on here of our new friend!!

[lindamarie]

Great! A PUPPY FIX!!
Looking forward to it!

BTW......do you think Amanda needs to be looked at by a doctor?

[RodneyPierce]

No. She is OK. If she thought she needed to be, she would. She isnt stubborn like me. I would have trouble going to the doctor, even if a bone was hanging out of my arm. It would take some serious thought on my part to go

[lindamarie]

Are you admitting to being a typical male?