Found a doodle that I want!

[trueblue]

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I don't have a labradoodle yet, but I found one that I really want. He's a black miniature (I didn't even know they had miniature ones.) Problem is, I already have 4 dogs, and three of them refuse to be housetrained! I've crated them just like I've done with other dogs, but for some reason, they just don't get it. I think it's probably a small dog issue...which brings me to a very important question. I had a golden retriever...he was the best dog ever, but he died 3 years ago at the age of 11. I want another dog with that temperament, but without the shedding. Our three small dogs (2 shih tzus and a havanese) just don't have the big dog personality that I love. So here's the question...with a miniature labradoodle, would I still be getting that big dog love?

I'd love to hear what you guys thing since I have zero experience with the doodles.

Thanks!

[SykoSofie]

Is he a first generation? If so, don't expect him not to shed at all... being half Labrador, he has a good chance of shedding, at least some. Aside from that, I think you would be happy with the temperament of a miniature, and compared to your Shih Tzus and Havanese, he would probably seem like a large dog. My Linus, a miniature, is 7 months old and is just under 30 pounds and about 18" at the shoulder. I think he's a good size right now and hope he doesn't get much bigger... He's very smart and overall was pretty easy to crate train and housebreak (and that's coming from someone who has never trained a dog before). I don't care for little yippy dogs, and he's not that at all. He's puppy playful and friendly, but also protective. No yippy noises from this guy, he has a very big boy bark! I think he has more Lab traits - he loves the water, the snow, and has very good retriever instincts. Yes, I think you would get the big dog love, and also the Labrador devotion.

[trueblue]

Thanks, Theresa. Actually, the one I'm looking at is an Australian labradoodle...not sure what generation that is...and I'm not too familiar with the letter/number system (f1, etc.). Both of his parents are labradoodles rather than a cross between a lab and poodle.

[mtd885]

Sounds like you are looking for more trouble than you already have. You'll soon have 5 untrained poop dispensers to clean up after if you don't get hold of the indoor potty routine. Do you really want to go there just for 'cute'? I would suggest checking out some training sites to get hold of your potty problem before bringing another dog into that environment. For more insightful suggestions check out Victoria Stilwell,Paul Owens,Karen Pryor all good references on coming to grips with situations like yours. You'll also find lots of stuff on bringing new puppies into the home. With regard to temperment it's just like people, you have to meet the pup and evaluate it's personality. I bred Goldens in the 80's and each pup had it's own distinctive personality. Some of the breeders on this website breed specifically for temperment. I hope they will chime in here Best of luck and Welcome! Oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[Jac]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
I have to agree with Michael (MTD885)...sometimes it is hard to give/get blunt answers to your situation but I would not expect that the dogs are the problem with housetraining. All dogs are capable of learning, but you need to know how to communicate with them and each are different.
As far as the Australian Multigen miniture Labradoodle is concerned, there are at least 6 known breeds infused into the mix so I doubt that you will find any "Golden" traits...or "Lab" traits, for that matter. What you will find is that this mix is a unique blend of personalities and Doodles are very smart, social and eager to please.
I would not suggest getting a Doodle if there is any chance that you will end up crating it full time. Crate training is fine, but confinement for bad behavior (ongoing) is not.
Doodles, more than any other dog I know, would quite literally go mad crated all the time. They must have exercise, soical interaction and lots of love to thrive.
I suggest that you take a look at what the dogs need and try to meet their needs before you move on to add another pet to your household.
If you do select a Doodle as your next pet, it is important, as has been mentioned, to find one that was carefully bred to have the traits that are important to you. Your breeder would be the best one to discuss this with and once you are comfortable with your breeder, you can trust that he/she will help you find the right dog for your situation.
I don't want to be so blunt and I know that we appear to be judging you...that is not the case...we are only trying to help you and to preserve your well being if you select another dog.

[cocoandjane]

Trueblue,

You mentioned that you have 4 dogs....2 Shih Tzus and 1 Havanese....
what is the fourth dog that, it sounds like, is housetrained?

I think I have to agree with the others that you really need to get a handle on the housetraining issue
before you bring another pup into the mix. It could really become stressful if you have four to housebreak.
Crate training to help with potty training is valuable....are you crating your dogs for long stretches of time?
...or for just short amounts?
Labradoodles who were crated all day, would really be unhappy and I think it would be hard on them.
Some folks come home from work in the middle of the day to play with their doodles, giving needed exercise and attention....
Doodles really do love their people and NEED their interaction often. they aren't the type to leave outside all day either....

I love the nonshedding quality of many labradoodles/goldendoodle coats...
but they can be a big job while grooming....they do matt some, especially if
too many days go by without brushing....
so for grooming, be prepared for high maintenance with most multigens....
usually less with an F1B....but not always.
( F1B: meaning, for instance a mom who is a first cross~ Lab and Poodle (an F1)
....and then is bred back to the Poodle produces an F1B. You will likely have a low to non-shedding coat
that is a little less trouble to maintain...usually.

Anyway, things to think about. I have had my two doodles here, plus my sons two dogs over the holidays...
The youngest of his, a lab and a golden mix named, Olive, is quite busy and definitely affects the atmosphere between them all....so I can see how temperment really can throw a wrench in an otherwise calm and yet, playful relationship...meaning.... It quickly becomes quite rowdy and hyper with the little "Olive" here ! When it is Coco, Abby and Lila, just the three older ones.....the mood is toned way down comparatively.

I can't tell you if a minature doodle is like a big dog, or not....with minature poodle in there....I would think
you'd have some small dog traits???

Good luck with your decisions! You have a lot on your plate just considering all this....let alone when
a new puppy joins your crowd!! It is definitely do-able....but, truly do get the others housebroken first.
Then they can help teach the little one.

[Napathedoodle]

I agree with what everyone is saying about the housetraining issues. You'll have a really hard time attempting to housetrain the pup if there are other dogs in the house that aren't house trained.

But, I'm sorry Jac, I'm gonna have to disagree with your statement that because there's a possibility of up to six different breeds in the Australian labradoodle that you doubt any "Golden" or "Lab" traits could be found. There are some breeders that are breeding for the lab traits, and not all Australians have that six breed mix in them- yes they have some (Napa's got Lab, Poodle, and Irish Water Spaniel- and that is going back eight generations).

So, in answer to your question. I have a small medium Australian Labradoodle. He has that big dog temperament but in a smaller size. I can clearly identify his "Lab" traits- he's never met a person he doesn't like (my most important want)- but I can also identify those traits that aren't typically "Lab". He does things for a different reason. My parents' retriever does things to please them, Napa needs to know why he's got to do it. He'll rejoice when you praise him, but he's EXCEPTIONALLY smart! He's also about 30 lbs, and I'm not sure how tall he is. But he's a perfect size (in my opinion)

So, I hope I answered your question- but I would really consider waiting to bring a fifth dog into your pack.... Napa HATES being away from us, so they are very much people dog, and hate being lonely!

[trueblue]

Thanks for the input, guys. To answer some of the questions, no...the dogs aren't crated all day. But crate training is how I've housetrained every dog that I've ever owned. I'm not into pee pads and that kind of stuff...I prefer having them go outside to do their business. Our 4th dog is an English Springer Spaniel...and he was housetrained in no time.

Anyway, you are all right...no way should I be bringing another dog into the mix right now. I'll just read your posts and live vicariously thru you doodle owners. They do seem like such friendly and loveable beasts.

Meanwhile, here's my pack:
Cricket


Sushi:


Sake:


Bentley:[attachment=0:17fyoy1b]bentley running.jpg[/attachment:17fyoy1b]




Happy New Year!

[blueteal]

Your pack is very good looking!!!!!!!!!
You must have a lot of fun with that group...cheers!!!!!!!

[Jac]

Cricket, your dogs are gorgeous!
I misunderstood your comment about crating them....I am sorry, I thought that you had sort of given up on the training and were just crating the dogs until you could go out with them.
I do think that when you get the potty training in control with your other dogs you would be a great Doodle parent...I can see that your dogs are very well cared for and loved.

Kristen, it's okay that we disagree! LOL I will have to research the matter. I know that many breeders are breeding American F1Bs and higher generations with their Australian Labradoodles, but I thought that the "true" Australian Labradooldes were ONLY AM to AM crosses, I mean, that is one of the arguments they make about why their dogs are more desireable, because they breed "true" ...but then I always get confused when it comes to all of the breeds and when/why they were introduced...I don't think, however, that an Australian Multigen owner would breed a full Lab or Golden, or even a first generation Doodle back into the mix...of course, I could be wrong.

I was just trying to point that out...not to be negative about AM dogs, they are great, but it just stands to reason that the other breeds infused into the mix for coats would also bring their personalities and temperaments...not that it is bad, just different.

UPDATE: Not to hijack this thead, but to clarify my point about AM dogs. I went to the Rutland Manor site http://www.rutlandmanor.com/ASD_MORE.htm and feel that their offical statements regarding the differences between the Australian Multigen (originals) and those bred in the US, with infusions (including the parent breed infusions) are NOT Australian Multigens. Rutland Manor prides itself on being the only true AM breeder. Now, I don't agree with their distain for the practices in the US, but I merely point out their claim that their dogs are "different" than ANY that you find in the US. So, what I believe is happening is that the US breeders are using AM stock and "breeding down" to the Poodle/Lab mix...and I think it is a good idea (because I believe that the first generation dogs are wonderful) but that means that they are not true AM dogs, according to the AM founder.

Okay, back to the topic at hand. Kristen, maybe we should start a topic discussing this...it IS interesting and, I think ,valuable information.

[tuffystar]

I applaud your choice! You are welcome to view our posts any time you want to. When you are ready let us know! Keep us up on how your housebreaking is going. I for one am rooting for you! Good luck!

[Jac]

Cricket,
I hope that you will continue to post here...our forum is not just for Doodle owners but Doodle "wannabes" too! And, your comments and questions are valued.

[lindamarie]

Yes! Please continue to post! You are very welcome here!
I can't really speak to the issue of AM dogs. But, I can on housebreaking.
You have to really concentrate on getting those gorgeous little doggies housebroke!
Set aside some time to just do it.
Whenever I have got a new pup, I start out by keeping it in one room where I watch it constantly.
Whenever there's a little squat indicated, I either pick the dog up and rush outside and PRAISE the heck out of it.........or make a loud growling sound, pick the dog up and rush outside......and PRAISE,PRAISE, PRAISE!
Now, you have 4.....might be a tad difficult. But, somehow you have to do it. As has been said, another dog....any dog.......will not be trainable when the others are not trained.
I soooo hope you can work this out and get a doodle!!

[Jac]

Good advice Linda...and another trick that I have told my puppy families to use (which would be great with your tiny dogs) is to tie the leash to you...your waist or wrist ... then when the dog starts to move about, you know it and can take it outside to potty. Stay outside until they do potty...don't move around, just stay put. When you see potty, then praise like crazy...treat if you have them available!

[trueblue]

Just out of curiosity, have you guys heard of this breeder? southern cross labradoodles? This is where I found the puppy that I'm in love with. She only lives a couple of hours from me. Please PM me with any informaton about this breeder.

Oh, and thanks for the warm welcome! I'm definitely not going anywhere. I want to learn as much as I can from you guys, and I love reading your stories and seeing pics of your babies.