I highly recommend this Book The Power of Positive Dog Training ,By Pat Miller
Temperament:
Goldendoodles are an intelligent and obedient family companion. They are everybody's friend and devoted to their family. They are friendly towards children, other dogs and pets, and easy with strangers. They are social dogs, happiest when with people. Goldendoodles are likely to get into mischief and develop behavior problems if they spend most of their lives alone. Their intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of learning make them very easy to train. They are small, medium-to large sized family dogs with easy dispositions.
For daily brushing I recommend the Chris Christensen 27mm T-brush.
Differences Between Boys & Girls?
I am often asked, what's the difference between the little boy and the little girl puppies. The general answer is that each puppy has it's own individual personality and they should be evaluated and matched to families according to their own temperament. Boys are typically a bit more laid back or lazy and girls are a bit more nosy (typical women). I have observed this over the years with many puppies. They are all very loving and sweet , the Goldendoodle breed is a very friendly people loving dog, however. Our goal is match each family with the puppy that is the most suitable. I personally believe that spaying & neutering a puppy as early as possible, 3-6months old, somewhat desexes them and they do not tend to show the male/female tendencies. I have never had a family contact me about a neutered male that was marking the house.
Weight Expectancy?
Typical Growth Chart: 2 x puppy's weight at 16 weeks
Living Conditions & Exercise?
Goldendoodles require a moderate amount of exercise and their coats are generally low maintenance. They can live in the city or on a farm. They are social dogs and they are happiest when they are with people.
Grooming?
As a hybrid cross, Goldendoodles will inherit fur that looks retriever-like, or poodle-like, but usually something in-between. Unclipped Goldendoodles will have hair about 4-7 inches long, shorter on the face and longer on the body, tail and legs. From my observation, they grow about one inch a month. They require combing every few weeks. Depending on how often the dog is groomed, clipped Goldendoodles are groomed several times a year.
For daily brushing I recommend the Chris Christensen 27mm T-brush.
Life Expectancy?
With good care and nutrition, about 15 years.
Crate training is not cruel nor should it be punishment for Puppy. A crate the proper size for Puppy is: a safe place to be while sleeping; safety when you are not around to watch him; a place to eat uninterrupted; a place to go to get away from it all. Dogs are den animals and many like a place they can curl up in and feel secure.
Why Use a Crate?
You can leave Puppy or Doggy home alone with peace of mind. He is comfortable and not forming bad or destructive habits. He also is not going to be confused by your reactions to bad behavior when you return. Remember, dogs do not have the reasoning humans do. When we return and see the garbage rooted through and then punish Puppy, chances are he will not realize what you are punishing him for. He may think you are punishing him for something completely different.
Crates also make house training easier.
Puppies and dogs generally will not soil their sleeping and eating area. Used with a consistent schedule, a crate can be your best ally with house training. Crates offer safety when traveling.
A dog in a crate is far less likely to be injured in an accident. A crate keeps your dog from
bouncing around, getting on your lap, blocking your view or even getting under the driver's feet!
If crating while driving is not possible, at least train Puppy to lie quietly in the back seat or use a doggy seat belt available at many pet supply places.
What a Crate is Not!
A crate is not a substitute for human companionship. Use of a crate should be limited to no more than eight hours, less for a younger animal. If your work schedule is longer than that, consider getting a dog walker to exercise Puppy or Doggy for you midday. There are also Dog Day
Care centers cropping up! Crates are not to be used for punishment. The crate must be viewed by Puppy as a afe place to be. Do not allow your children to torment Puppy while crated. Make sure he has fresh water, a sturdy bed and safe toys (rotate toys daily so he always has different ones and a different combination).
How to Measure a Crate
If buying for an adult dog, get a crate big enough that he can fit in from tip of nose to base of tail (a few inches longer in each direction). He should be able to stand up, sit, turn and lie down on his side stretched out comfortably. If buying for a puppy, get one that will fit him as an adult. Some manufacturers even make crate dividers so you can expand the crate area as Puppy grows. If in doubt of size, I opt for the next size up. A crate slightly too large is better than one too small!
Where to Put the Crate
Put the crate in a people area such as family room, kitchen or even the bedroom. You do not want your dog to feel banished when crated so the cellar or garage is no good.
Where to Get a Crate
Many pet supply and feed stores carry crates or you can mail order them. Do not be put off by the cost - crates are far less expensive than replacing a shredded couch or even carpet cleaning by a professional company. Some crates are quite reasonably priced. You can even find them at yard sales!!! (Make certain all the hardware is there and the door latches correctly and securely).
Introducing the Crate
First remove your dog's collar so he will not get caught. It happens rarely, by why take the risk. NEVER crate a dog with a choke collar on. Choke collars should NEVER be used for everyday use - they are for training and walks only, then should be removed. The same for a pinch collar! Set up the crate in the place you wish to keep it. Encourage your dog or puppy to enter the crate
by enticing him with bits of food. Use something he cannot resist like cooked chicken or hot dog slices. Praise as he enters.
Let him walk in and out a few times. Now start to encourage him to lie down quietly and relax. Give him a couple safe toys and close the door. Sit with him and talk softly. Let him out. Now start to leave for a short time. Even if he cries and whines, do not weaken. He should
adjust to the crate eventually. Just keep making it a positive experience.
How Long to Use the Crate
Some dogs can never be trusted with run of the house unattended. Some dogs are fine. If you think your dog is able to behave un-crated, begin testing by leaving his
loose for five minutes while you walk outside. If that works, increase to ten, fifteen and so on. Should he begin to misbehave, continue using the crate. It is safer for Doggy and saner for you!
Crates as a House Training Aid
Always have a feeding and potty schedule for your puppy or adult dog. This makes house training much easier. If you are not able to be with Puppy, put him in the crate. Take him out on lead and encourage him to go potty. Once he does, praise lavishly and bring back inside.
Should he not go, put him back in the crate and try again in a little bit. Dogs do not like to soil their beds as a rule.
Should he soil the crate, take him out while someone cleans the crate. Do not punish for eliminating in the house unless you catch him in the act. DO NOT rub his nose in it or hit him. Just give a loud, firm, growly "AAAAAH! NO!!!" and get him out immediately. Try to get
him to potty outside and then praise lavishly when he goes.
Remember, the younger the Puppy, the smaller the bladder capacity. It is unreasonable to ask a young puppy to hold an eight-hour day. Consider a dog walker for a midday potty break. Also, sometimes older dogs have bladder control issues. Sudden house soiling in a dog without problems could be a sign of an underlying problem such as a bladder infection. Unaltered or spayed dogs are also more apt to soil in the house. Males if not neutered have a greater chance of wanting
to mark their territory and may do so inside. I also know females who mark.
Do not paper train or use those pads designed for puppy to eliminate on. This only teaches Puppy it is OK to potty in the house. Paper training could actually delay house training.
GANA (Goldendoodle Association of North America)
Grading Scheme
F1 = Golden Retriever x Poodle
F1B = F1 Goldendoodle x Poodle (Goldendoodle to
Golden Retriever not accepted)
F2 = F1 Goldendoodle x F1 Goldendoodle
F2B = F1 Goldendoodle x F1B Goldendoodle
F3 = F1B Goldendoodle x F1B Goldendoodle OR
F3 = F1B Goldendoodle x F2B Goldendoodle OR
F3 = F2 Goldendoodle x F2 Goldendoodle OR
F3 = F2B Goldendoodle x F2B Goldendoodle
Multigen = any pairing of F3 x F3 or above
A new generation is accomplished by increasing by one from the lowest generation in a breeding pair. An F1 crossed with any generation will only produce an F2 (ie: F1xF4 still equals an F2). Any B generation counts as one up for grading purposes
(ie: F1B counts as an F2). A Poodle cannot be added after the F1B generation. A Golden Retriever cannot be added after the F1 gene.
WHAT IS A BREEDER?
A Breeder (with a capital B) is one who thirsts for knowledge and never really knows it all, one who wrestles with decisions of conscience, convenience, and commitment.
A Breeder is one who sacrifices personal interests, finances, time, friendships, fancy furniture, and deep pile carpeting! She gives up the dreams of a long, luxurious cruise in favor of turning that all-important Show into this years 'vacation'. The Breeder goes without sleep (but never without coffee!) in hours spent planning a breeding or watching anxiously over the birth process, and afterwards, over every little sneeze, wiggle or cry. The Breeder skips dinner parties because that litter is due or the babies have to be fed at eight. She disregards birth fluids and puts mouth to mouth to save a gasping newborn, literally blowing life into a tiny, helpless creature that may be the culmination of a lifetime of dreams.
A Breeder's lap is a marvelous place where generations of proud and noble champions once snoozed. A Breeder's hands are strong and firm and often soiled, but ever so gentle and sensitive to the thrusts of a puppy's wet nose. A Breeder's back and knees are usually arthritic from stooping, bending, and sitting in the birthing box, but are strong enough to enable the Breeder to show the next choice pup to a Championship. A Breeder's shoulders are stooped and often heaped with abuse from competitors, but they're wide enough to support the weight of a thousand defeats and frustrations. A Breeder's arms are always able to wield a mop, support an armful of puppies, or lend a helping hand to a newcomer. A Breeder's ears are wondrous things, sometimes red (from being talked about) or strangely shaped (from being pressed against a phone receiver), often deaf to criticism, yet always fine-tuned to the whimper of a sick puppy. A Breeder's eyes are blurred from pedigree research and sometimes blind to her own dog's faults, but they are ever so keen to the competitions faults and are always searching for the perfect specimen.
A Breeder's brain is foggy on faces, but it can recall pedigrees faster than an IBM computer. It's so full of knowledge that sometimes it blows a fuse: it catalogues thousands of good boning, fine ears, and perfect heads... and buries in the soul the failures and the ones that didn't turn out. The Breeders heart is often broken, but it beats strongly with hope everlasting... and it's always in the right place! Oh, yes, there are Breeders, and then, there are BREEDERS!