[Mucky1217]

I'm excited to have found a forum about labradoodles! We got our Jones in November. He is such a goofy looking and acting pup with a truly sweet heart. He just turned 12 months this month 65lbs and is still growing. He was purchased from a breeder and given up to a shelter because he "played too rough with kids." He was only at the shelter for a week before we brought him home. He was underweight because his owners were not giving him enough food. Everyday I can't help but wonder what made his previous owners give him up. The only thing I can think of is that they really didn't know how to take care of and train a dog. He has such a sweet temperament, is very smart, and just wants to please us. Several weeks ago we introduced him to my husband's 2-year old god daughter Anna. He was very gentle with her, follows every command she gives him, and just follows her around. We of course monitor their interaction.

Jones is also the perfect companion for our SATO rescue dog Indy (about 24lbs). When we got Indy she was VERY reactive towards other dogs and would jump at the end of the leash barking at other dogs while on walks. With the help of a special class we have turned her behavior around and she now looks excited to see and greet dogs while on walks. However, just to be safe when we were looking for a companion for her we made sure to look for a dog that did not have any aggressive tendencies and who was submissive. Jones is the perfect companion for her. If Indy escalates things a little to far, he immediately backs down (and I of course correct Indy's behavior, but at least I don't have to worry about pulling 2 dogs off each other). It's funny to see a 65lb dog back off from a 24lb dog. Jones is so submissive that when we got him I had a hard time getting him to eat his food. He would nibble at his own food, and soon as Indy was done with hers, he ran to her dish and finished her bowl, but wouldn't go back to eating his own food. After trying all the tricks I knew to make his food appetizing and growing increasingly frustrated with trying to get my skinny dog to eat enough, the dogs showed me what to do. I hadn't fed Indy that day, so she went to Jones' bowl and ate some of his food, and when she was done, he finished off the entire bowl of food! And so, now my dogs share 1 food bowl, and I just make sure to put out enough food for both of them.