Everything You Need to Know Before You Get a Labradoodle
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Everything
You Need to Know
Before You Get a
Labradoodle
Copyright © 2009 by WebMarketingPartners, LLC 1
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the prior written consent of The WebMarketingPartners, LLC, is strictly prohibited.TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
Chapter 1: Breed History 3
Chapter 2: Temperament 6
Chapter 3: Grooming 8
Tips for Groomers 10
Tips for DIY's 11
Ear Cleaning Instructional 12
Chapter 4: Known Health Problems 13
For Poodles 16
For Labrador Retrievers 19
For Kennel Dogs 21
Chapter 5: Where to Find Good Breeders 23
Guide/Questions to Ask Labradoodle Breeders 26
Chapter 6: Care and Feeding 28
Care Tips 30
Questions to Ask Yourself 32
Training 33
Crate 33
Room 34
Wee Pads 35
Feeding 36
Recommended Food 38
Chapter 7: Interaction with Other Dogs 39
Chapter 8: Interaction with Children 42
Chapter 9: Equipment You Should Have 44
(Grooming, Play/Walk, Eating, Sleeping, Safety)
Chapter 10: Exercise and Play 47
Sources 49
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the prior written consent of The WebMarketingPartners, LLC, is strictly prohibited.The Labradoodle story begins in the late 1980’s. There is some
controversy on the exact date, but most people will agree to
somewhere between 1988 and 1989.
It all began as a blind woman’s quest to find a guide dog that would not
cause her husband’s allergies to flare up. She placed an inquiry with
Wally Conran of The Royal Guide Dogs of Victoria, Australia.
The reason the woman in Hawaii chose Australia to find a guide dog is
due to Australia’s very strict quarantine laws. Because Hawaii’s
quarantine laws are also very stringent, it was important for the woman
to find a guide dog from someplace with equal or more restrictive
quarantine laws.
She wanted to avoid having to place the dog in quarantine for a period
of time. Because Australia’s quarantine laws are much more severe
than Hawaiian quarantine laws, the dog would be able to come directly
home to her without being quarantined.
Now, this didn’t all magically happen in an instant. It took two years of
sending saliva and hair samples from 33 Poodles back and forth
between Australia and Hawaii – to no avail. The husband was allergic
to all of them.
Finally, Wally Conran approached the manager of The Royal Guide
Dogs about possibly cross-breeding one of their Labrador Retriever
guide dogs with a Standard Poodle. He agreed.
Breeding began.
The first litter consisted of only 3 puppies. Hair and saliva samples
were obtained from the pups and sent to Hawaii. Only one, Sultan, did
not trigger an allergic reaction from the husband.
Success at last!
But what happened to the other two puppies? Despite the long waiting
list for guide dogs, no one was really willing to “try out” the new cross-
breed.
It was imperative for these puppies to get the right socialization from the
right family, so Conran put his thinking cap on and once more came up
with an ingenious solution.
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breed (Labradoodle), and asked the television station to feature a story
about the puppies.
The phones did not stop ringing, and Wally found a new career as the
first Australian Labradoodle breeder. The rest, they say, is history.
When Wally retired, Kate Schoeffel, a veterinarian who kept in contact
with Wally, started her own breeding program. She crossed Miniature
Poodles with Labrador Retrievers. This mix resulted in a smaller
Labradoodle.
Many others have followed in Wally’s wake, but only a few are
reputable breeders.
There are a lot of questions you need to ask (don’t worry, we have a list
for you) and a lot of answers to be heard before you go out and get
yourself a Labradoodle – or any dog, for that matter.
As with relationships with people, a relationship with a dog needs to
involve a lot of mutual love, caring and maintenance for it to thrive.
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Temperament
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collected, and fun!
However, like humans, the Labradoodle’s personality and temperament can vary from
dog to dog. Think about it – do you know any two people with the same exact
personality? Why would dogs be any different?
Labradoodles are generally friendly, affectionate, playful, intuitive and clever dogs. If
they were aggressive, noisy and tend to bite, they would not be very well-suited to be
service dogs for the Blind, Hearing-Impaired, or Disabled.
Again, these are generalities. I’m sure if you try hard enough, you would find a story
about a Labradoodle biting a person. But what you need to ask in this case is – what
did the person do to the dog?
Because really, if you think about it, you could probably teach the most lovable dog in
the world to bite if you work on it hard enough. Just like you can probably destroy a
person’s psyche if you abuse him/her constantly.
For the most part, though, Labradoodles have the perfect temperament for people
who are looking for a service dog or for families with children.
They make good watchdogs but are not aggressive or over-protective. They love to
be petted and loved.
There is a difference in temperament between the Toy, Miniature, and
Standard sized Poodles. Because of inbreeding in the Toy and
Miniature Poodle lines, temperament can be unpredictable for these
dogs.
Miniature and Toy Poodle breeders tend to breed based on size instead
of health and temperament. Again, there are exceptions to this rule.
There are some breeders out there who are more concerned about the
health and welfare of their dogs and are not out just to make a buck.
The caveat is that it is up to you to find them. Don’t worry, we’re here to
help. We’ll show you how to find a reputable breeder.
Your best bet in finding a Labradoodle with a temperament that
matches yours is to talk to the breeder directly.
This eBook will supply you with a list of questions to ask the breeder to
help you find the right dog for you.
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Grooming
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So if you’re looking for a dog that you don’t have to brush, bathe or trim,
I’m guessing that a Labradoodle is not the breed for you.
Because whether you are considering an Australian or American
Labradoodle, they all need grooming throughout their lives - and they
tend to live a long time (14-16 years on average). Regular grooming
keeps their hair from matting and tangling and keeps their skin and coat
in the best possible condition.
Basically, you have two options when it comes to the grooming of your
Labradoodle:
1. Do it yourself
2. Hire a professional
When you hire a pro, make sure that s/he has experience in grooming
Labradoodles. If not, and you are still willing to give the groomer a try
because of personality, price and availability, make sure you are
specific about how you want your Labradoodle to look.
If you decide to have a go at it yourself, please read the tips provided
and make sure you understand your responsibility to your lovable pet to
keep him/her not only looking good, but feeling good as well.
Please keep in mind that a Labradoodle will get his/her adult coat at
around 7-8 months old. It is important to start the grooming process no
later than this age.
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For Groomers:
Use a combination of clippers and shears.
Need to use a natural soft bristle brush that won’t damage the hair
cuticle and a mat comb.
Eyes: Short trim
Hindquarters: use short blade shaver to taper hair
Outer Ears: shave or thin out on outside so hair lies flat and does not
look too shaggy
Inner Ears: trim inside and shave under the ears
Muzzle: equal length trim all the way around
Feet: rounded cut around pads, trim between pads and trim nails
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For Do-It-Yourselfers:
Brushing:
Use a soft brush that won’t damage the hair cuticle to brush your
Labradoodle. Just like you would not like to have your hair brushed
with a sharp wire brush, don’t expect to do it to your pet. If it scratches
your head, chances are, it’ll scratch your dog’s skin too. It’s really
common sense.
How to Brush:
There is a proper method of brushing your Labradoodle’s hair to
minimize matting and tangles. Kind of like you need to have your hair
brushed a certain way so you don’t end up with funky tangles
everywhere (although for some of us, this is considered stylish).
So, regardless of your Labradoodle’s hair type, you need to make sure
that when you brush your pet, you are not just going over the top layer
of hair. To do this effectively, brush the hair in sections.
First move your dog’s hair forward until you can see the skin. Then
take the soft brush and brush the hair back from the section you are
holding.
So for instance, if you’re brushing a section on the dog’s shoulder, use
your hand to move some hair toward the head until you see some skin.
Hold the hair that you just pushed toward the head and brush bits of it
down toward the tail.
You can also use a natural soft bristle brush and mat comb combination
instead of your hand and a brush.
It’s important to be thorough. Don’t rush through this. Labradoodle
grooming is a process, not an event. And it’s definitely not for people
who don’t want to brush their dog.
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Labradoodles with wool coats or curly hair like the Poodle, are more
prone to matting. They should be brushed at least once a week with a
natural bristle brush. Regular brushing also helps reduce shedding.
It is common for wool coated Labradoodle owners to have their dogs
clipped short to reduce the possibility of matting.
Fleece Coated or Wavy-Haired Labradoodles
Fleece coats are typically found in multi-generational Labradoodles.
The hair is usually wavy and requires less care than the wool coated or
curly-haired Labradoodles.
Generally, wavy-haired Labradoodles don’t shed.
It is, however, recommended that fleece coated Labradoodle puppies
be clipped short at around 7-8 months old to prevent matting and make
room for the adult coat.
Regular brushing once a week is also recommended to prevent matting
and to keep the coat shiny and healthy. Also, your dog might just enjoy
the relaxing luxury of being groomed by you.
It’s a bonding experience to savor.
YouTube Instructional – Cleaning Ears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb61WRn5scg
Watch this great instructional video by Heidi, a breeder at Pine Lodge
Labradoodles at www.pinelodgelabradoodles.com!
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Known
Health
Problems
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intermingled, the resulting offspring inherits the “best” of both breeds.
This simply is not only untrue, but impossible.
I mean, think about it. Did you inherit only the “good” genes from your
parents? Depends what you think is “good”, right? Did you inherit any
propensity toward an illness or disease? Chances are you inherited
something from one or both of your parents that isn’t so positive.
The same goes for any living creature, including Labradoodles.
So if the breeder you are speaking with tells you that their dogs
inherited only the “good” stuff from their parents, find another breeder
because this one’s taking you for a ride.
In the following pages, I have organized two lists for you.
1. Known health problems for Poodles
2. Known health problems for Labrador Retrievers
Because your Labradoodle is a hybrid of the two breeds, it not only
inherits the intelligence and temperament of the Poodle and Labrador
Retriever, but unfortunately, your pup is also likely to inherit some of the
health problems associated with the breeds in his/her background.
Each one is a pretty hefty list of possible diseases and ailments that
could possibly affect your Labradoodle. Make sure that you ask the
breeder what precautions they are actively taking to avoid the
inheritance of these health problems in their puppies.
Reputable breeders of dogs work hard, study well, and keep meticulous
notes on their dogs in an effort to breed the healthiest possible dogs.
When you ask about possible health problems, they should be open
with you and comfortable speaking about it.
It is wise to keep in mind a very important aspect of Labradoodle (or
any dog breed) breeding: Health issues are usually undetected in the
first generation of mixed breeding.
It’s the second generation that gets it.
A conscientious breeder who breeds for the betterment of the dog
breed will know this fact. The breeder who is concerned about
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carefully plan the breeding of future litters to avoid the undesired traits
and encourage the inheritance of the desired traits. And they will have
the paperwork to prove it.
Always ask for your Labradoodle’s paperwork.
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Problems
For
Standard Poodles
(with some notes addressing Miniature and Toy classes as
well)
Please note that this lists the most common health problems found in
Poodles. It does not list all possible problems that may affect your
particular dog. It is best to get paperwork from the breeder and get
regular checkups for your pet to avoid these ailments and for early
detection in the event of a problem.
Epilepsy (also affects Miniature and Toy) – seizures.
Hypothyroidism (also affects Miniature and Toy) – easily
treatable disease that causes obesity, lethargy, hair loss,
slow heart rate, cold intolerance, hyperpigmentation,
anemia, and high blood cholesterol. Affects mostly
spayed females.
Corneal Dystrophy (also affects Miniature and Toy) –
this irreversible, progressive and inherited disorder
involves a change in eye color to a milky blue-white
caused by the water retention (edema) in the cornea.
Addison’s Disease – affects young to middle-aged dogs.
A treatable disorder caused by a deficiency in
adrenocortical hormones. Symptoms include vomiting,
diarrhea, lethargy, pain in hindquarters, depression, lack
of appetite, tremors, and muscle weakness.
Cushing’s Disease – a treatable disease that can be
mistaken for “plain old age”. Dog will have urination
“accidents”, gain weight and lose hair.
Von Willebrand’s Disease - a disorder that involves a
tendency to bleed easily. This disease is caused by a
deficiency in a protein found in the blood plasma. As with
PRA and hip dysplasia, VWD testing is recommended.
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treatable with therapeutic baths and antibiotics (for
secondary infections). Caused by abnormal, inflamed, or
lack of sebaceous glands. Symptoms include silver-gray
scales on skin, hair loss, and secondary skin infections
that have an offensive odor.
Bloat or Gastric Torsion – this is a life-threatening and
painful condition for your pup. Basically, the stomach
swells with gas and twists, cutting off blood supply to the
organ. Immediate veterinary attention is imperative.
Liver Shunts – painful disease that causes seizures in
dogs. Caused by abnormal (very little or nonexistent)
blood flow between liver and body. This can be treated
through surgery.
Juvenile Renal Disease (JRD) – a treatable disease that
affects the kidneys of puppies. Symptoms include
excessive drinking, uncontrollable urination, very pale and
odorless urine, vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, anorexia,
muscle weakness, and lethargy. If you are having a
difficult time housebreaking your dog, you may want a
veterinarian to take a look.
Mitral Valve Disease – causes a backflow of blood back
into the heart due to a leaky valve, making the heart less
efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Results in
heart failure and death.
Entropion or Canine Eyelid Disease – eyelids grow
inward, causing the hair on the surface of the eyelid to rub
up against the eyeball, resulting in a lot of pain, scarring,
and corneal ulcers and erosions. Treatable by surgery.
Autoimmune Disease including Hemolytic Anemia –
happens when the dog’s immune system attacks itself.
Symptoms include pale gums, weakness, lethargy,
increased heart rate and breathing.
Elbow Displasia or Osteochondrosis (OCD) – a painful
but treatable arthritis of the elbow joint. Usually affects all
elbows. Happens when a piece of cartilage becomes
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lameness and abnormal gait.
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Problems
For
Labrador Retrievers
Please note that this lists the most common health problems found in
Labrador Retrievers. It does not list all possible problems that may
affect your particular dog. It is best to get paperwork from the breeder
and get regular checkups for your pet to avoid these ailments and for
early detection in the event of a problem.
Hypothyroidism – easily treatable disease that causes
obesity, lethargy, hair loss, slow heart rate, cold
intolerance, hyperpigmentation, anemia, and high blood
cholesterol. Affects mostly spayed females.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – will result in blindness.
Affects Labradors around 4-6 years old. The best course
of action is to get regular eye checkups from the
veterinarian for early detection.
Dwarfism – usually due to inbreeding of Labradors.
Linked to retinal dysplasia. Signs include shorter legs,
bowed legs (like bulldog), and lethargy. There is no such
thing as a miniature Lab. Dwarf Labs suffer from more
health problems than standard Labradors.
Muscle Myopathy or Hereditary Myopathy of Labrador
Retrievers (HMLR) – hereditary muscle disorder that
usually results from inbreeding of Labradors. Symptoms
include muscle weakness, abnormal gait and posture, and
a reluctance to exercise. Symptoms become noticeable
between 6 weeks to 7 months.
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) - inherited condition
resulting in arthritic hips. Generally noticeable before
dog’s first birthday. Symptoms include lameness/limping
and abnormal gait and posture. Regular veterinary
checkups are recommended for early detection of signs.
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but treatable arthritis of the elbow joint. Usually affects all
elbows. Happens when a piece of cartilage becomes
detached from the joint. Symptoms include (intermittent)
lameness and abnormal gait.
Megaesophagus - symptoms include regurgitation (from
once every few days to several times a day).
Regurgitation is when the dog throws up food that has not
been digested because it hasn’t gotten to the stomach
yet. Vomiting involves partial digestion of food. Disease
is treatable.
Skin Allergies – many times skin irritation can result from
flea bites – not from the fleas themselves, but from the
flea saliva. Dogs, like people, can also suffer from food
allergies, drug allergies, and airborne (pollen, dust, mold,
etc) allergies. Discuss itchy, runny eyes, sneezing and
other allergy symptoms with your vet.
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Problems
Found in Kennel Dogs
Please note that this lists the most common infectious diseases found
in dogs who are bred by breeders who don’t care as much about the
dogs’ health and well being as they do the profit margin. It does not list
all possible problems that may affect your particular dog. It is best to
get paperwork from the breeder and get regular checkups for your pet
to avoid these ailments and for early detection in the event of a
problem.
Kennel Cough – This is one of the most common and
contagious diseases in dogs. Most dogs “get over” the cough
in 1-2 weeks, but some dogs develop complications that
could threaten their lives. Take proper precautions to prevent
your dog from Kennel Cough by visiting your vet on a regular
basis and by taking your pet to the vet as soon as possible if
s/he starts coughing.
Parvo – highly contagious viral disease. Symptoms include
bloody diarrhea. Virus is contracted through ingestion of
infected feces. Dogs should be vaccinated against
Parvovirus. Even so, some still contract and die from this
disease.
Canine Distemper – affects the respiratory, cardiovascular
and central nervous systems. It is an airborne virus that is
transmitted through coughs and sneezes. Some dogs may
not show signs early in the disease phase, but some
symptoms include fever, runny discharge in nose, diarrhea,
vomiting, blood in stool, and eye discharge. Common in non-
vaccinated puppies and in older dogs.
Leptospirosis – bacterial disease characterized by fever,
vomiting and lack of appetite. If not treated immediately, it
can kill your dog.
Rabies – viral disease (so antibiotics – medicine that kills
bacteria - won’t help) that is transmitted through the saliva. If
you are bitten by a dog with rabies, you might contract the
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vaccinated.
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Reputable
Breeders
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so many breeds out there that are cute, cuddly, fun and…well, you get
the idea.
So you finally decided that given all the information you have gathered
from all your research that you want a Labradoodle. No “ifs”, “ands” or
“buts” about it.
Now, what?
You need to find a breeder. Not just any backyard breeder, but a
reputable one. You don’t want to buy a dog only to have the poor thing
be ravaged by some disease that could have been avoided in the first
place.
Advice number one – and this is a very important piece of advice – so if
you get anything out of this book, this is probably it…
DO NOT BUY YOUR LABRADOODLE FROM A PET STORE!
That’s such a great piece of advice, it warrants repeating…
DO NOT BUY YOUR LABRADOODLE FROM A PET STORE!
Anyone can breed dogs. Anyone. You don’t need a special license or
take any classes. Sad to say, but true.
When you buy a Labradoodle (or any pet) from a pet store, chances are
greater that the dog comes from a breeder who is more concerned
about their bottom line than they are about the health and well-being of
the dogs.
What this means to you is that you could get a cute and cuddly looking
puppy who is going to end up very ill from a condition that comes as a
direct result from inbreeding, careless breeding, or neglect.
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heartbroken and devastated. Watching your loving pet suffer and die is
not exactly something I would wish on even my worst enemy.
On the other hand, not all private breeders are conscientious and
humane to their dogs either. If you feel any sort of “weirdness” from a
breeder, walk away.
Trust your instincts – don’t double guess yourself.
To help you find a reputable Labradoodle breeder, refer to our Guide to
Finding the Right Labradoodle Breeder, included in this ebook.
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Questions to Ask
1. Why are you selling the puppies?
a. Proper answer should be somewhere along the lines of
improving the breed – not “well, I just love them” or
something trite and contrived.
2. What type of health testing has the pup and the parents been
through?
a. Breeder should know right away – no stuttering or
showing signs of discomfort.
b. Breeder should not be defensive and be ready and willing
to show you paperwork if asked.
3. Ask questions about the breed – even if you already know the
answer. If you were buying a state-of-the-art television set,
would you buy it from someone who knew less about it than you,
or would you buy from an expert?
4. Can you contact the breeder during the life of the Labradoodle
regarding any health or behavioral concerns?
a. Any reputable breeder will not even wait for you to ask
this question, but offer their expertise for the lifetime of
your pet.
5. Will the breeder give you a written copy of the puppy’s health
guarantee?
a. Answer should be a resounding “yes”.
b. Read the guarantee and make sure you are clear of any
“legalese” written in it.
6. What kind of socialization has the puppy received?
a. How many people, children, other animals has the pup
been exposed to and what was the reaction to each?
b. How often is the puppy put in a social situation?
7. What has the puppy’s diet been so far?
a. Reputable breeders should know exactly what the pups
have been eating – maybe even offer you a small bag of
food to “hold you over”.
8. Is the puppy or are the parents registered?
a. Will you be able to register your puppy?
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Goldendoodle association?
a. Some examples are: ILA, LLA, ALCA
10. Do you have any references?
a. Any reputable breeder will be more than happy to give
you a list of prior clients to contact.
b. They may even want your contact information as well.
11. If for any reason the Labradoodle you just purchased from the
breeder “doesn’t work out”, will you be able to return the dog to
the breeder?
a. Reputable breeders will tell you this before you even ask.
They want to make sure that their dogs do not end up in a
rescue center. They will want the dog back in their care
so they can find a proper home for the Labradoodle.
12. Observe the living conditions of the dogs. The most ethical and
conscientious breeders have a special place for the dogs. A lot
of times, the dogs are part of their family and are welcome in the
house. They are not left outside in kennels.
a. Observe the yard as well. Do the dogs have enough
room to play, romp, and run? Does the play area look
and smell clean?
13. A reputable Labradoodle breeder will not only be willing to
answer any questions you have, offer any additional information
about them and the dogs that you haven’t asked, have the
proper documentation ready for you to view, and invite you to
look at the Labradoodle puppy’s living area, s/he will also ask
you questions about yourself and your living conditions before
letting you walk away with the puppy. You should be asked:
a. What your experience is with doodles and dogs in general
b. Your lifestyle – do you travel a lot, stay at home, etc.
c. If you have children
d. Why are you interested in Labradoodles in particular
e. What your intentions are for the dog (pet, show dog, etc)
14. A reputable breeder will not only supply you with information
about Labradoodles and their Labradoodles in particular, but
also give you a list of additional sources you can question and
research to help you find out all you can about your dog.
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Care
&
Feeding
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questions (we have a list to help you out) - and be very honest with the
answers.
The more honest you are to yourself, the greater the chances that you
will find the best dog breed or best pet to get. It doesn’t have to be a
Labradoodle.
If you want a Labradoodle because your favorite celebrity has one and
you’ve heard that they are the “in” pet to be seen with, you’re probably
better off without a pet at all.
If you travel often or are not home a lot, or if you have a child or
children that are nervous around dogs, think about getting a hamster
or a fish instead.
If you are ready to lose sleep and get up twice a night to let the puppy
out while you’re housebreaking…
If you want to spend days teaching, training and repeating the same
tasks without showing frustration or losing your temper at the puppy…
If you are prepared to visit the vet and dog dentist twice a year for
checkups…
If you are ready to have a(nother) young child in the house, then you
might be ready for a Labradoodle.
Because that’s what it takes to have one.
Yes, it’s a lot of work, but if you love your pet and treat him/her as a
genuine part of the family (not just something you neglect and leave
out in the dirty yard for the flies to land on), all this “work” won’t seem
like work. You’ll be more than happy to do all sorts of things for your
“child”.
And the love and affection you get in return is priceless.
It’s like that bumper sticker says, “I want to be the kind of person
my dog thinks I am.”
Here are some tips for caring and feeding your Labradoodle…
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1. If the breeder has not spayed or neutered your Labradoodle prior
to sending him/her home with you, make sure it is done.
Spaying and neutering helps prevent a lot of health problems
and will keep your dog happier and healthier.
a. Spaying your female before the first heat period will
prevent breast cancer and help eliminate the risk of
uterine infections.
b. Neutering your male before age 4 will prevent testicular
cancer, reduce the risk of prostate problems and curb
aggression.
2. Make sure your Labradoodle has all the proper vaccinations.
a. Acquire all the current vet paperwork from the breeder
3. Take your Labradoodle to the dentist every six months (just like
you) for regular teeth cleaning and checkups.
a. You might also want to brush daily with special canine
toothbrush and toothpaste (Don’t use your stuff!)
4. Regular veterinary checkups are also highly recommended for
your Labradoodle.
a. You can also perform regular (monthly) home checkups
on hair, skin, eyes, nose, teeth and gums. This does NOT
replace the regular veterinary visits! The home exams are
in addition to the vet visits!
5. Feed your Labradoodle a quality dog food with meat listed as the
first ingredient and the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates,
fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
a. Another option is to feed your Labradoodle a healthy
homemade diet.
6. Your Labradoodle needs a lot of exercise. They are a cross
between two very active breeds of dogs. They will not be couch
potatoes or lap dogs. If you are looking for a dog to share the
couch with you all day, get a pet rock instead.
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Poodles and Labrador Retrievers, Labradoodles need hip
and elbow strengthening exercises like walking, running
and swimming to lower the risk of these painful ailments.
i. Don’t ever push your Labradoodle to run more or
walk more or swim more when s/he is showing
signs of fatigue. Instead, stop and take a rest, then
take him/her to the vet for a checkup.
ii. Recommended daily exercise: two 20-minute walks
per day to strengthen hip muscles.
7. Make sure your Labradoodle is groomed regularly.
a. Hair and nails need trimming
b. Different haircuts are needed for winter and summer
months
c. Dew claws do NOT need to be amputated. Just get them
trimmed with the other nails. How would you like your
pinky to be taken off just because you don’t use it much?
8. Bathing is always a good thing. Except for Labradoodles. Do
not bathe your Labradoodle more than every couple of months.
Bathing too often will strip the protective oils from their coat.
Since Labrador Retrievers are prone to skin infections, you may
want to heed this warning.
9. Make sure ears are clean. Prevent ear infections by keeping
hair out of the ears and cleaning with a cotton ball (Don’t stick a
Q-tip in a dog’s ear!) Use baby oil or a special ear solution for
dogs and wipe gently.
10. Do NOT let your Labradoodle puppy go up and down stairs until
after 1 year old.
11. Do NOT let the pup jump from high places – accidents happen,
you don’t want him hurt. Jumping can cause fractures on their
growth plates and may lead to other problems like arthritis later
on. This includes in and out of tall vehicles like SUVs, jumping
up to catch Frisbees or balls, etc.
12. Avoid letting the puppy run on slippery floors as well.
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1. Why do you want a Labradoodle?
a. Are you absolutely in love with them?
b. Do you want one because having one is a status symbol?
c. Do you want a dog and are allergic?
d. Do you need a guide dog?
e. Are your children bugging you for a dog?
f. Do you want a Labradoodle for a show dog?
2. Do you have the time to spend potty training, behavior training,
and playing with a Labradoodle puppy?
a. If you don’t have time for a puppy, look into adopting a
Labradoodle from a shelter.
3. Do you have the means and the area for a Labradoodle to run
and jump?
a. If you have a small patio, work all day, and cannot hire
someone to walk the dog at least twice a day for 20
minutes, don’t get a Labradoodle. They need to run.
4. Are you home a lot, or do you travel, spend a lot of time going
out (to non-dog-friendly places) with friends, or have an
unpredictable schedule?
a. If you do, please don’t get a Labradoodle (or any dog).
They need time, attention and affection.
5. Are you willing to pick up dog poo or hire someone who will?
a. Dogs poop. Labradoodles are big dogs. They will have
big poo. It’s a fact of life.
6. Are you ready for a young child in the house? Having a dog is
like having a small child. You need a schedule, you need a
routine, you need discipline without hitting or using fear, you
need special food, you need to be prepared for anything to
happen, you need a dogsitter in the event that you are gone
overnight or all day…
…are you ready for this kind of responsibility?
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Your breeder should have started the training and socializing
process before you go and pick up your Labradoodle puppy, but
here are some additional tips and advice…
The more you train your puppy, the more s/he will exhibit the kind of
behavior you want. Professional trainers are also available for hire.
Make sure you interview the trainer thoroughly before trusting
him/her with your Labradoodle. Your breeder may be able to
recommend a few professional trainers in your area.
If you experience any problem behaviors with your puppy, call your
breeder and ask for advice and recommended resources. Problem
behaviors are best left to the experts and the breeder will either be
an expert or know an expert in the field for you to ask.
Crate Training
The “crate” is really a cage. Now, before you freak out and think this
is inhumane and cruel, the cage is not for punishment or for torture.
On the contrary, you are setting up the crate/cage as a sanctuary for
the puppy.
This is a comfortable place the puppy can go to when s/he’s had
enough people stimulation and wants to just “get away from it all”.
It is best to get an adjustable cage because your puppy is going to
grow. The crate needs to accommodate the puppy, but not be too
roomy. Remember, it’s a haven, a sanctuary – a small cave, really.
It should be big enough for the dog to walk into, turn around, and lie
down.
The crate should have some favorite toys in it. Try not to put
bedding in until after s/he is housebroken, otherwise, the pup’s
going to use the bedding to do his business.
The crate should be in a room that will be the place where your
Labradoodle is expected to sit in when you have visitors who are
frightened of dogs – a spare bedroom, the office, etc.
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you have the puppy. They like to be near people, and this will
decrease any anxiety and crying at night.
Have patience. Puppies are little babies – they will pee in the crate
the first few nights. Human babies pee and poo in their diapers all
the time – your puppy doesn’t have a diaper – give him/her a
chance. Don’t get upset or mash his/her face in the waste. That’s
just cruel. You wouldn’t mash a baby’s face in his waste matter –
don’t do it to a puppy.
The point of the crate is to discourage peeing and pooping for a
period of time. First crate the puppy for an hour, then take him out
to do his business.
Gradually increase the amount of time the puppy spends in the
crate, but NEVER more than 4 hours at a time. At night, get up and
let the pup out to relieve himself and gradually increase the time
between peeing until the pup can hold it in overnight.
Again, it takes time and patience. It takes a couple of months to
toilet train a Labradoodle. This is remarkably fast, given that it takes
some children 2—3 years (some even longer) to become potty-
trained.
After a few months of crate training, the puppy will be ready to room
train.
A word of advice – NEVER LEAVE A COLLAR ON IN A CRATE!
Room Training
After crate training, your Labradoodle puppy should be ready for
room training. The same principles follow as crate training. The
room should be an extra room that your pet can use as a sanctuary
and feel comfortable being put into when non-dog-friendly guests
are in the house.
The room should be equipped with your pet’s favorite toys, a wee
pad, and some bedding (if puppy is already house-trained).
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and take him/her out to pee/poo after each session. Gradually
increase the time s/he spends in the room.
Also like crate training, don’t leave your pet in the room for more
than 4 hours – even overnight. Take him/her out at least once
during the night to relieve him/herself.
Wee Pads
Put wee pads in one area of the room so the puppy can use it for
emergency situations. Like children, it’s sometimes hard for puppies
to tell when they have to go until it’s absolutely time to go.
The wee pad has a chemical that attracts the puppy and “tells” him
to pee on it instead of the floor.
Just because you have a wee pad in the room does not warrant you
leaving the puppy in there for more than the allotted time.
Remember, only one hour at first, then move up gradually, and
NEVER longer than 4 hours at a time – even overnight.
Do NOT punish the puppy for using the wee pad. No need to
congratulate them either. Instead, congratulate and reward for
going outside.
They will eventually grow away from using the wee pad. When it
stays dry for a few days, take it away. Pup is finished and
housetrained.
Congratulate yourself. Now you can sleep through the night.
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Basically, when you take your puppy home, your breeder will tell you
what s/he has been eating and how much. Go with the breeder’s
recommendation.
If you don’t have that information for some reason, here is a basic
guideline…
4 months and under 3 times per day
4-6 months old 2 times daily
6-12 months old 2 times daily
Over 12 months Once daily (or you can split the
meal in half portions)
Recommended amount of food: 1 – 2 ½ cups of high quality dry food
per day, divided into two meals. Gauge how much your Labradoodle
eats by observation.
If s/he gobbles down 1 cup of food and is searching for more, add
another half cup at the next meal, and so on.
If s/he leaves food in the dish, put a little less food in for the next meal.
If you feed both raw food and kibble, feed one in the morning and the
other in the evening. Combining the two might cause an upset
stomach.
Other foods that you can include in your Labradoodle’s diet include
yogurt, scrambled or hard boiled eggs, cheese, blueberries, apples, and
carrots.
NOTE: How much your dog eats depends on a few governing
factors: size, age, build, metabolism and activity level. Like
people, each dog is an individual, and some can get by with less
food than others. The quality of food also plays a big part. The
better the food, the less you will need because the nutrients in the
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your Labradoodle.
Please freshen up your Labradoodle’s water dish at least twice a
day with clean water. Rinse out the water dish with a clean
sponge before filling it up with water.
Doing this will help prevent any illnesses related to drinking dirty
water – plus, wouldn’t you rather drink fresh water than water
that’s been sitting for a day?
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Bench & Field Holistic Natural * 800-525-4802 Uses organic
chicken
Blue Buffalo * 800-919-2833 Human grade ingredients
California Natural * 1-800-532-7261 Human grade, hormone
and antibiotic free ingredients. Often recommended for dogs with
allergies, has the fewest ingredients.
Canidae * 800-398-1600 Human grade, hormone and antibiotic
free ingredients
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul * 800-442-0402
Innovative Veterinary Diets * 800-359-4483 or 800-466-0912
Special diets for specific conditions, including allergies, IBD,
kidney disease, etc. as well as a standard line of pet foods.
Available from veterinarians, also available at
http://www.waggintails.com/
Natural Balance Ultra Premium * 800-829-4493
Newman's Own Organics * 800-865-2866 Human grade,
hormone and antibiotic free ingredients
Solid Gold * 800-364-4863 Specific products mentioned are
Hund-N-Flocken and Mmellennia, but all are considered good
Timberwolf Organics (Yukon Nutritional Company) * 863-439-
0049
Wellness from Old Mother Hubbard * (800) 225-0904 Human
grade ingredients
Wysong * 800-748-0233 or 800-748-0188 Human grade
ingredients
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Interaction
with Other
Dogs
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familiarization.
When you introduce your Labradoodle to your home and you have
existing pets, it is best to get the existing pets acclimated to the scent
and presence of the new dog before letting everyone just roam freely
around the house.
Labradoodles in general are very friendly with other dogs and other
types of animals. But you never know… the existing pet may view the
Labradoodle as an intruder and try to attack. The Labradoodle could
feel threatened by the other pets and resort to biting them.
The point is, when the change is still novel, it is best to take things a
little easy and get everyone involved used to the fact that there is a new
pet in the house. Everyone needs to establish their new “pecking
order” – who gets the couch, who sits on the floor, etc.
Here are a few tips:
1. To get your existing pets acclimated to the scent of your
Labradoodle, rub the dog with a towel or an old shirt. Place this
piece of “scented” fabric in your existing pet’s favorite area(s).
Doing so will “force” the existing pet to smell the newcomer’s
scent and not feel threatened by it.
2. Do the same for the Labradoodle – rub your existing pet with a
cloth and place in Labradoodle’s crate, or put one of your pet’s
favorite toys in the crate.
3. After a few hours of this, you can graduate to room separation.
Keep the Labradoodle in an area where the other pet(s) cannot
access. A spare room, office, etc is good. They can sniff each
other under the door.
4. A few days of this and you’re ready for a formal introduction.
There’s going to be growling, hissing, paw-raising, and normal
defensive moves. Let this happen without punishing anyone. It
is normal in the animal kingdom’s process of establishing
hierarchy. Stop the process only when you think that one of the
pets is in danger. Only do this for a few minutes at a time, every
few hours or so.
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get used to the fact that neither one is going away, and the
hierarchy is established.
6. NEVER leave either pet together unattended.
7. ALWAYS give the existing pet lots of love and attention. They’re
like children – if you give one sibling more attention than the
other, the one getting less attention will rebel and do something
to catch your attention. And usually, it’s not a positive thing. To
top it off, resentment towards the “favored” sibling results in
worse behavior. Avoid all this by ensuring your existing pet that
s/he is loved – even with the newcomer around.
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Interaction
with
Children
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They are affectionate, playful and gentle. And they have so much love
to give, it’s hard to imagine anyone, dog or human, with that much love
inside of them.
Despite their child-friendly temperament, never, never, NEVER leave a
child alone with a dog no matter how friendly and docile the dog may
seem. You just never know what could happen, and bad things happen
when you least expect it. Don’t let it happen to you. Always supervise
your child when s/he is around any animal.
As with any animal, it is highly recommended to teach your children
how to approach and touch dogs. Teach your children not to ride the
dog because riding it will hurt the dog’s back.
Don’t let your child pull any part of the dog – ears, tail, hair, foot… How
would you like it if your limbs and hair were pulled? It just doesn’t feel
good, and it’s annoying at the very least.
Teach your children not to approach the dog while s/he is eating or
sleeping. Tell them it’s not playtime for the dog right now. The dog
needs time to rest and time to eat.
Tell your children that when the Labradoodle is in his or her sanctuary
(crate, room, bed, etc), that the dog needs time off. Make it clear that
the dog’s special area is his alone and not for the children to play in.
Everyone needs their special place.
Teach your children not to bite the dog – because it hurts. Also, if the
child bites the dog, the dog might just bite back, and that will not feel
very good at all.
It all boils down to respect. When children respect other beings – be it
dog, cat, fish, people, whatever – they grow up to be kind, thoughtful
and empathetic adults.
Train your Labradoodle not to jump on children. This may be cute for a
puppy to do, but the dog will grow bigger, and children may become
frightened of a big dog coming at them and jumping on them. Minimize
the licking of children too – especially outside the family.
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Equipment
You
Should
Have
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