Taking your Goldendoodle to work

Author: Dee Gerrish

Bink in Holland

As the Goldendoodle dog becomes more popular, many doodle owners are beginning to take their dogs to work. As the doodle rises from its bed underneath their owner's desk, it isn't uncommon for the Goldendoodle to waltz itself from cubicle to cubicle, picking up treats along its way.

Standing and waiting happily with its nose pressed against a filing cabinet, the Goldendoodle is very patiently waiting for a glancing smile or a pat on its head. For many people, taking their family dog with them to work is just a part of their daily routine. June 22nd is "Take your dog to work" day. You should encourage your boss to allow you to bring your Goldendoodle to work if you work in a company small enough to allow this. Created and sponsored by "Pet Sitters International", nearly 500 companies in the beginning participated in permitting their employees to bring their pets to work. That number has jumped well past 5,000 here in 2009. This event draws massive attention to the value of dogs of all breeds, including rescue dogs and shelter dogs. Taking your Goldendoodle to work with you has its advantages. He or she is, after all, a mixed breed dog. By bringing your Goldendoodle to work, you are encouraging someone who may not own a pet, to consider giving one of their own, a good home.

Perhaps they've never considered this type of dog or they've never seen one. Perhaps they were thinking about adopting a shelter dog but were afraid of giving a mixed breed dog a chance. The Goldendoodle dog will surely put all of those fears to rest as soon as your co-workers meet him or her. Even if for one day, the Goldendoodle dog can demonstrate how well behaved they are; how friendly they are; what wonderful companions they can be and how little they shed. Taking your well-behaved Goldendoodle to work with you can show others how this simple gesture can increase company productivity not to mention lower absenteeism! Taking your Goldendoodle to work also helps to encourage interaction and socialization. A pet friendly company gives dog owners a peace of mind. Employees can work late and still be able to feed, walk and care for their Goldendoodle companion. For other employees, this policy can ease stress and anxiety. Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World says, "Many of our customers take their Goldendoodles to work with them. I hear it all the time.

They say it helps them to not worry so much about how they are going to get home in time to take their new puppy out for potty breaks and it definitely helps them become a better dog owner. Their Goldendoodle is a companion dog who needs them just as much as they need the dog. Both the doodle and the owner benefits from a pet friendly work place". Employees who are able to bring their Goldendoodle to work agree that this type of policy is a great perk! Their doodles can accompany them where ever they go because their owner is always around. The Goldendoodle hybrid can become very lonely when left home for hours on end waiting for their owner to come home. Dee says, "Everyone benefits from having a Goldendoodle around! Look at it this way, how many people do you think will be uncooperative at work if a Goldendoodle comes up and licks your hand or gives you a friendly smile?".

"Jack Trout and friend"

GUIDE TO PERFECT PETIQUETTE

*Your boss would probably be more willing to permit you to bring your Goldendoodle to work providing that you:

1. Teach your Goldendoodle basic obedience commands.

2. Socialize your Goldendoodle with other dogs.

3. Don't bring squeeky or noisy toys to work.

4. Be careful to not bring your Goldendoodle around those with allergies unless they specifically ask you to.

5. Make sure your work area is large enough to accomodate your doodle's bed and other daily needs.

6. Make sure your Goldendoodle isn't a noisy barker.

7. Make sure to remove your doodle's collar tags so as not to disrupt co-workers.

8. Only walk your Goldendoodle in designated areas.

9. Always clean up after your Goldendoodle when he or she goes "potty".

10. Ensure you bring enough water and food and treats for your doodle.

*About the author: Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World, has been writing about the doodle dog since 1999. Dee is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog for the entire southern region of the United States. More information can be found on Dee's Goldendoodle World website at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com

About the Author:

Dee Gerrish has been a private, professional breeder for 13 years as of Jan. 2009; She was a respite and foster care provider in Mannheim, Germany and won many community awards for her dedicated service. Dee Gerrish is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog for the entire southern region of the United States. Dee has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Taking your Goldendoodle to work

Love and stardom....the King of hearts

Author: Dee Gerrish

The Goldendoodle dog will steal your heart. As they bounce around waiting for the right stick to be tossed, or the next leaf to blow, the Goldendoodle hybrid always appears to be smiling. Leaning forward, watching with intense curiosity, they may even turn their head from side to side. Just what is going on inside of that intelligent mind?

The Goldendoodle gets great satisfaction out of being your best friend. Nothing makes this dog happier than to be by your side, prancing around, tail swiftly wagging. Don't ever underestimate this Golden Retriever/Poodle mix! The doodle dog is a happy camper as long as he or she can be with you and of course, they'd be even happier, the more toys you can provide them.

Charlie's owners, the Rohlinger family, know just how fun a Goldendoodle can be. Jennifer says that people are always wanting to take a photo of Charlie where ever they go. Charlie is a Goldendoodle World doodle who's breeder, Dee Gerrish, takes great pride in only providing the best family dog possible to those who seek them.

"Charlie is the best dog we've ever had", says Jennifer Rohlinger, "The kids absolutely love him and it doesn't matter where we take him, everyone falls in love with him!". The Goldendoodle dog loves to carry toys in their mouth. Charlie's lineage carries an impressive 400+ champion ancestors who are companion dogs, master hunters, utility dogs as well as champion show dogs. Even if a toy doesn't belong to a Goldendoodle, they love to carry things in their mouth.

The Goldendoodle dog is considered to be a soft mouthed dog. Providing they have a shaggy or smooth coat, this dog tends to a low barker but full of comical antics! The curly coat doodle can tend to bark more. Any time the Rohlinger children pass Charlie by, it's possible for him to have a stuffed toy in his mouth. Even if it doesn't belong to him. The kids laugh and get a big kick out of his antics. One thing Goldendoodles are great at is playing "Keep away". Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World says, "Our Goldendoodles begin to learn this game when they are approximately four weeks of age. I buy them stuffed animals, toys that rattle and toys that all of the puppies can grab onto as a group. Usually two or three will grab the toy and they'll learn to pull each other around with it. It isn't uncommon at all for a puppy to snatch the toy and just taunt the others with it as if saying, "Catch me if you can".

Dee further says, "Goldendoodles enjoy playing with each other as littermates. Sometimes one will become rough with another but the trick is to give the group of puppies a lot of appropriate objects for them to carry in their mouth. If they have plenty of toys to play with and chew on as young puppies, they won't try and "steal" toys away from each other.

Although the Goldendoodle dog is not as bad a chewer as other types of dogs, any dog who becomes bored, can become destructive. Chewing on objects can either relieve stress if the dog is bored or anxious or if your doodle is a young puppy, he or she may be teething and could just be chewing on objects for comfort. Unlike Labs, a Golden Retriever tends to be more on the mellow side. Many of the fine traits of the purebred Golden Retriever are picked up by those doodles with a shaggy or smooth coat. Some Goldendoodles may have indiscriminate culinary tastes! Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle World says, "When our puppies become interested in checking out solid food, I purchase various types of Gerber jarred baby food. Much of it has fruit in it. Our puppies favorite Gerber baby food is Rice cereal and pears!". Dee says, "It's the sweet taste of the pears that they enjoy so much!".

The Rholinger children will all agree that Charlie the doodle is a star in his own right! Jennifer tells Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle World, "Dee, it doesn't matter where I take Charlie! Everyone stops dead in their tracks to pet him! I could be driving down the road and as soon as Charlie puts his head out the window, people will slow down to get a peek at him! Charlie is a celebrity!".

Indeed, the Goldendoodle dog is a celebrity in their own right. Many commercials are featuring this beautiful hybrid dog. Even business owners who have magazine ads are using photos and images of the Goldendoodle. This designer dog has come a long way, baby! 2007 marked ten years that the Goldendoodle hybrid has been leaving other dogs in their dust. Many believed the doodle was nothing more than a fad, but they are here to stay! This breed first reared its beautiful head in the United States around 1997. Dee began her Goldendoodle breeding program in 1999. She became a private, professional hobby breeder in North Carolina the beginning of 1996. Dee first fell in love with the Golden Retriever. Her passion and devotion to her Goldendoodle dog caused her to begin writing about them in 1999.

"You don't have to have a farm or acres of land to own a Goldendoodle", says Dee. "Those who have joined our Goldendoodle World family have come up with quite a few impressive, creative ideas to keep their doodles happy and busy. While I never recommend leaving your Goldendoodle inside of a crate all day long, I do believe crating is appropriate when you are unable to supervise your pet as long as the crate is the proper size and you limit the amount of time your doodle actually spends inside the crate". Dee further says, "Many people believe the tale that your crate should be small and therefore your doodle won't use the bathroom inside of the crate. That's not true at all. What will happen if you do not have the right sized crate, is your doodle will soil itself. Keeping your canine clean on a daily basis will then become problematic. Your Goldendoodle won't have a problem sleeping or hanging out in his or her crate if you provide their favorite toys and a soft cozy blanket for them to lay down on. Crating should always be a pleasant experience for your doodle."

Crating is best when your doodle can not be supervised and when you need to manage a situation. The Goldendoodle dog began to become popular in early 2000. Not much was known about this hybrid when Dee Gerrish began her breeding program and she says that's when she started writing about them. After all of these years, Dee has become a Goldendoodle expert in her own right. Years of writing about this beautiful dog; taking hundreds of photographs and documenting as much as possible, Dee says, "Just when I think I know everything there is to know about the Goldendoodle, something new happens to completely throw a monkey wrench into my wheel of knowledge! This breed is completely contradictory when it comes to applying what I knew as a purebred dog breeder. Everything I know at this present time, I had to learn from scratch! I love this dog! Despite so many naysayers calling this breed a "designer mutt" or other derogatory names, my Goldendoodles have far surpassed my expectations. They continue to impress even me and I'm their breeder! When I began my Goldendoodle program, I was a purebred dog fanatic. Never in my wildest dreams would I have considered mixing a Poodle with a Golden Retriever. But the day my very first litter was born, I was hooked."

The Goldendoodle hybrid is a wonderful dog for children of virtually all ages! Jennifer Rholinger of Matthews, North Carolina says, "Charlie is simply the best! I can't believe how much I love this dog! He's amazing and we love him, love him, love him!". Dee confirms that if you provide what your Goldendoodle needs; If you exercise them; love them; teach them that sometimes they need quiet time, this hybrid is the most wonderful family dog a family could ever ask for. The Goldendoodle comes in various colors. There are no rare colors and there are definitely no rare markings. Goldendoodles can have green eyes, blue eyes, brown eyes or multi colored eyes. Their eye color does not have any impact on how they see and light colored eyes present no problem for this hybrid.

If you have fallen in love with this wonderful canine, make sure you don't fall for the "non or never shedding" sales tactics that many breeders use. Goldendoodle dogs come in a wide range of sizes but because they are hybrids, their sizes are not categorized such as being "Miniatures, Toys, Standards, Giants" like purebred dogs. Many doodle dogs are never the same size as either parent. Their entire lineage plays a role in the size they become as an adult. Make sure you select a knowledgeable, experienced breeder. Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle World began her breeding program in 1999. She's made it her business to know everything possible about this wonderful dog. If your looking for a doodle, check out her Goldendoodle World website.

Dee also has a wide variety of portal sites like http://www.igoldendoodle.com and http://goldendoodlesforsale.blogspot.com

Dee's Goldendoodle articles are very popular and as such, many websites across the net pick them up and run with them. Give her a call if you'd like a doodle!

704-278-DOGS (3647).

*About the author: Dee Gerrish is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog in the southern region of the United States. Dee has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. Dee is prior military and enjoys talking to people about her dogs.

*This article is copyright protected with all rights reserved as of December 24, 2009. The images and content of this article may not be copied, redistributed or used for commercial purposes. The images and content of this article may not be changed or altered in any way. If you would like to share this article, please contact the owner of this article, Dee Gerrish: goldendoodleworld@hotmail.com

About the Author:

Dee Gerrish has been a private, professional breeder for 13 years as of Jan. 2009; She was a respite and foster care provider in Mannheim, Germany and won many community awards for her dedicated service. Dee has written very popular Goldendoodle articles that are listed across the internet.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Love and stardom....the King of hearts

Breast cancer in Goldendoodles

Author: Dee Gerrish

When we think about breast cancer, we usually think about women getting this disease. We seldom stop to think about men having breast cancer, much less a canine having breast cancer. Although the Goldendoodle hybrid is a relatively new hybrid, we must take into consideration that as this hybrid ages, the possibility of breast cancer is there.

The Goldendoodle hybrid became first known as a "labeled" breed in the United States around 1997. I am not sure who the first breeder in the USA began advertising this beautiful dog, but I do know when we began our Goldendoodle breeding program in 1999, we were the only breeder in the entire southern region...at that time...offering them. The dog is relatively young to know much about possible "genetic" issues that may come from the Poodle/Golden Retriever mixture.

Cancer unfortunately kills more dogs than any other disease known. Approx. forty seven percent, according to canine data. Heart disease and kidney disease round out the top three diseases that kill our dogs. Because the Goldendoodle hybrid is still relatively new, there is no existing data at this present writing (December 23, 2009) that can help us know what percentage this hybrid may rank...if at all. According to the Englewood, Colorado based Morris Animal Foundation, skin cancer in dogs accounts for most of the cancer cases.

According to sources, cancer occurs in dogs (or even a person for that matter) when body cells grow uncontrollably and without purpose. Certain types of cancer can spread through out the body via the blood stream which then carries the cancer cells to other parts of the body. Some cancers remain stationary but these types of cancers can grow rapidly and invade tissue in which they are growing. Tumors that are malignant are types of cancers that are stationary. Tumors that don't spread or invade tissue are called "benign" tumors.

Today, veterinarians who specialize in canine cancer are more advanced and detecting cancer in your Goldendoodle at an early stage is now possible. These doctors are called Veterinarian Oncologists. They have three methods that can help save your Goldendoodle, if cancer is detected early enough:

1. Surgery

2. Chemotherapy

3. Radiation

Now that veterinarians have become more advanced and know more about canine cancer, they now have the ability to extend the life of your Goldendoodle including giving him or her a quality of life that wasn't available ten years ago for any canine. Most dogs who were diagnosed with cancer, faced certain death. Now, there is hope.

When your veterinarian suspects your Goldendoodle may have cancer, your hybrid baby will have to undergo a surgical procedure called a "biopsy". This means your veterinarian will remove some tissue from your Goldendoodle that can be examined carefully. A pathologist will examine the tissue or collected cells to determine if it is benign (negative) or malignant (positive) for cancer. If your Goldendoodle has a solid tumor, your vet may insert a needle and take a few samples. This type of procedure is entirely less invasive. If the collected cells suggest they are malignant (positive), your Goldendoodle will then undergo a surgical biopsy.

Unfortunately, these procedures are not cheap and the costs can be quite great. If you suspect your Goldendoodle may have a lump that needs to be further examined and tested for cancer, you will have to weigh the pros and cons regarding whether or not you can afford the required testing, procedures, vet costs and of course, if unfortunately the tests come back and they confirm cancer, long term care and the expenses regarding long term care will have to be carefully weighed.

SPOT THE WARNING SIGNS

* You find an abnormal lump or swelling that continues to become larger over time.

* Sores on your Goldendoodle's skin that don't seem to heal.

* Your Goldendoodle begins to lose weight for no particular reason.

* Loss of appetite.

* Unusual bleeding or discharge from your Goldendoodle's nose, mouth or anal area.

* You notice a foul odor from your Goldendoodle's mouth.

* Your Goldendoodle begins to have difficulty swallowing or eating.

* Your Goldendoodle suddenly doesn't have the ability to exercise and seems to have a loss of strength.

* Your doodle has difficulty breathing.

* You notice that your Goldendoodle has lameness or stiffness.

* Your Goldendoodle has difficulty urinating or defecating.

* You notice a sudden change in behavior with your dog.

Now, if you notice any of the issues above, do not suddenly become frantic that your Goldendoodle has cancer. There are many explainations other than cancer, for the above symptoms. It's very important, however, if you notice any of the above symptoms that you have your veterinarian thoroughly check your Goldendoodle out. Waiting could cause your Goldendoodle's demise.

*About the author: Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World, has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. Dee is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog for the entire southern region of the United States.

*This article is copyright protected December 23, 2009. The content of this article may not be copied, redistributed or used for commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of its author, Dee Gerrish. All rights are reserved.

About the Author:

Dee Gerrish has been a private, professional breeder for 13 years as of Jan. 2009; She was a respite and foster care provider in Mannheim, Germany and won many community awards for her dedicated service. Dee has written very popular Goldendoodle articles that are listed across the internet.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Breast cancer in Goldendoodles

Do Designer dogs actually cost more than other dogs?

All dog lovers will agree that dogs of all types, whether purebred, mixed breed or hybrid, are wonderful to own and love. I will be the first person to admit I've never met an "ugly" dog. The canine has a wonderful ability to love humans no matter how imperfect they are. The humans, that is.

Since I began creating Goldendoodles as a private, professional, hobby breeder, I continually run into articles or blogs or posted comments by the designer naysayers claiming breeders are

charging excessive fees for designer dogs whom in their eyes, are nothing but mutts. Their reasoning seems to be that shelter dogs only cost around $50-$90 to adopt. Let's get real!

First of all, shelter dogs come from off the street and if the truth be told, many shelters are raking in the dough off the backs of breeders. In many instances, the shelters have raided a breeder's kennel and have turned around reaping profits from the confiscated dogs. This isn't an assumption. This is a fact.

Let's do a reality check. This is 2009, not 1997. I find it difficult to understand why some people assume that a mixed breed dog should cost less than that of a purebred if the dog comes from a breeder and not a shelter. How is caring for a purebred dog any cheaper for the breeder if the dog is mixed or a hybrid? The answer? There is no difference. A breeder will have the same expenses and the dogs will need the same amount of care no matter what type of canine it is. In today's economy, everything costs more and yet, in today's world, some people are still living back in yesterday's world.



The prices a breeder charges for one of their Goldendoodle dogs has a lot to do with the area in which they reside and perhaps what the market is calling for. How many of you reading this article assume the breeder gets a paycheck for providing you a loving, healthy, quality, terrific Goldendoodle? If you raised your hand, stay right there so I can come over and slap you in the head. Breeders do not get paid for all their long hours. They do not even get paid over time.

Let me back up a bit. Commercial breeders are making a killing off of selling dogs and so are show breeders. The average private breeder does not ever see a paycheck. Plenty of money leaves the breeder's hands regarding expenses. Every day, veterinarians are increasing their prices; advertising costs have gone up and most definitely food, toys and other amenities have increased over the years. All of these expenses must come out of the price of the dog.

Let's take for example that I advertise my Goldendoodles for $1500. This is an average price for quality dogs. While you may be familiar with adopting a shelter dog from your local humane society for a mere $50-$90 dollars, you have to remember the shelter has provided no shots to the dogs they have taken in. They've not provided anything except basic care for a few days. They haven't spent any money on the dogs they take in accept for the bare minimum. Shelters also obtain thousands of dollars in donations and they are paid by state funds. Every single employee of a shelter gets a paycheck. They more than likely get a pension and a 401K. Breeders do not have that luxury. Even if a breeder needed a band-aide, it would have to come out of the breeder's pocket. Shelters receive donated food. A breeder has to purchase their dog food from the same retail store as anyone else.

My veterinarian isn't cheap. Just the other day I obtained a packet of six pills of "comfortis". This is a once a month flea preventative. I was lucky that the box I obtained would take care of six dogs approx. the same size! For me, the box lasts for one application for six dogs. For someone who owns a single dog, this box would last for six months and I guess at that point, it wouldn't be so bad having to pay nearly $90. For me, using one box for six dogs to prevent flea infestations, it costs me $90 for six dogs. Veterinarian expenses will vary per area. Some people are fortunate enough to get a break from their vet. We are given a tiny discount even though if our available Goldendoodles are old enough, each and every one of them are taken to my vet for spaying or neutering. We literally bring them business all year long. As do many breeders.

Between veterinarian costs, care, upkeep, water bills and electric bills and advertising, not to mention many other essentials necessary for a breeder to do his or her job, the price of $1500 is a great price when it includes over $300 of vet care and all the other necessary costs have been figured in to help the breeder recoup some of their lost expenses.

If you are a potential buyer, you should not be looking solely at the price tag. You should be "checking under the hood" if you know what I mean. If you go pay a breeder $200-400 for a Goldendoodle, what kind of quality are you buying in your dog? What kind of research has the breeder conducted regarding its breeding dogs' pedigrees? My guess is they haven't spent nearly what they should if they are only asking $200-400 each. What kind of breeder are they is they are not asking you to fill out a canine application and requiring you to spay or neuter? A responsible breeder will want to know where their dog will be residing, so they will ask you to complete a canine registration. There is a tremendous reason for obtaining a Goldendoodle that has distant champion ancestors. This means that more than likely those champion dogs have been tested for genetic health issues and are less likely to pass on bad genes to their offspring.


Whether you are looking at designer dogs, mixed breed dogs or purebred dogs, every breeder will vary on price. Do not assume the breeder is sitting back raking in the dollars like a cash cow!

I know from experience that this isn't what good breeders do. It would be nice and I'd love to retire and be able to buy an all expenses paid trip to the Caribbeans simply by selling dogs...but that's never going to happen!




*About the author: Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World, has been writing about the Goldendoodle since 1999. Dee is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog in the southern region of the United States. Dee was the first breeder to register the Goldendoodle dog with a legitimate kennel club. More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.goldendoodleworld.com/

Testing the temperament of a Goldendoodle

Is it true that Goldendoodles can be tested for their temperaments so that you know which puppy would be more suitable for those seeking them?

The answer to that question is yes and no. There are no specific tests available that are one hundred percent accurate. There are tests that are conducted by breeders and trainers every day, but take the results of those tests with a grain of salt. The results are simply the personal opinions of the tester and not to be taken as "gospel".

There are many articles and books that discuss temperament testing for dogs, but I find quite a few of the answers of specific tests absurd. Take for instance pinching the toes of a Goldendoodle's paw!

How many puppies or dogs would calmly pull their paw back if the breeder or person conducting the test was smashing the crap out of it? Even if you are gently squeezing the paws, trying to measure the jerks and yelps from a Goldendoodle, is this an accurate assessment of whether the dog is submissive or aggressive? Even if the tester claims they are only gently squeezing the doodle's paw, who is to say that for the doodle...the squeeze is gentle? If the puppy tries to grab your hand because your hurting it by squeezing too hard, this does not mean the Goldendoodle pup or dog is an aggressive dog. It simply means your hurting the dog's paw. Sometimes when I read an article or book regarding testing the temperament of a dog, I actually laugh aloud at some of the things written and made claim to.

There is no scientific data to support temperament testing. Keep in mind that puppies are like very young children. They haven't been around long enough to be damaged through poor environmental factors. It is my personal opinion that the temperament of a Goldendoodle dog is very dependent upon its ancestral genes. Given a rich history of intelligent, quality ancestors, there is no doubt in my mind these fine traits will be passed on through the gene pool.

Your Goldendoodle's temperament will take shape through its life's experiences, human interactions, how it is cared for and how much attention he or she is permitted to enjoy. If you think about it, the breeder is the very first person responsible for shaping the puppy's temperament. They are, after all, the one who helps breathe life into the puppy's nostrils if they are the one who helps a puppy enter this world. A puppy who is well cared for from birth, will only know one thing: Love.

While puppies will have various traits in their personalities, they will all share the same basic temperament if they come from the same litter. If both parent dogs have a history of well rounded ancestors, you can be pretty sure these same genes will be passed onto the offspring. Personalities will shine through as the puppy begins to explore his or her world. Some may have the same traits and some might be a little different. With Goldendoodles, we know from experience that they can be generalized by coat type, most of the time. As a breeder of Goldendoodles since 1999, we have only seen three distinct coat types occur.

1. Shaggy

2. Curly

3. Smooth

We know from experience that a curly coat Goldendoodle will tend to bark a bit more often than the shaggy or smooth coat. A curly coat Goldendoodle may have a higher drive as well. This is because the curly coat Goldendoodle will pick up more traits of a purebred Poodle. We know from experience that the shaggy coat and the smooth coat Goldendoodle will behave more like the Golden Retriever. They will be more laid back and less exciteable.

Some breeders and trainers claim there are five different temperament tests that can be conducted on puppies and they include 1) dependence versus independence, 2) submissiveness versus dominance, 3) prey drive, 4) retrieval drive, and 5) sensitivity to sound.

Now I am going to disagree with the above tests if these breeders and trainers are talking about an 8-12 week old puppy. I personally provide toys that rattle, jingle and make plenty of noise when our puppies are just 4 weeks of age. When those toys are placed in the center of a litter of puppies, I've literally watched all of the pups grab the toys and begin to play tug of war. One will snatch the toy away, run and growl with it while the others are chasing the ones carrying the toys in their mouths. By no means does this make the puppy who is growling, aggressive or dominent. Just because one puppy will grab a toy first or one puppy will be running with a toy in their mouth while others are chasing it, does not mean the one carrying the toy is more independent than those chasing him or her. Every puppy, if given the opportunity to play with toys at a very young age, will show interest in playing. Our puppies are raised indoors and I usually have the television on the entire time I am working with the dogs. This can be for hours at a time. Young puppies become use to sound and noise if the breeder has music or the television in the background. As the puppies learn to eat, sure some will want to push the others aside so they can eat more. But this issue can be overcome by feeding each puppy seperately. A breeder can teach their young puppies right from the beginning, how to behave during feeding times. This prevents the issue of a puppy growling or having an issue when a child places its hand near a bowl at feeding time or when an adult tries to remove a bowl away from the dog who is eating. If a puppy is taught at a very early age that there is plenty of food around and that there is no need to fight over it, there will never be an issue later on down the road.

The only time I agree that temperament testing is useful is when an adult stray dog is picked up by animal control and they intend to adopt the dog out or if someone rescues an adult dog and perhaps a family with children seek to adopt it. Then conducting some different types of tests to see whether or not the dog is submissive, aggressive, dominent or a biter is very important. It is very annoying to have someone come out and look at a group of puppies and make inappropriate "assessments" of their personalities when they may have only spent the equivalent of 30 minutes watching them. A group of puppies may have been playing for hours before you arrived to view them. Perhaps one or two is more tired because they exhausted themselves during playtime. Just because one might not seem that interested in the individual trying to participate with them, doesn't mean that this is their usual personality. It doesn't mean they don't like the person or don't want anything to do with the person. They might just be checking the person out. Sometimes puppies seem overly eager to play, but it doesn't mean they are "hyper" or "overly outgoing". Puppies will usually go in "spurts" when they are 6-12 weeks of age. They play, play, play and then wear themselves out quickly. Generally a young puppy does more sleeping, eating, pooping and peeing than they do interacting. They are, after all, very much like infants.

Below are just the personal opinions of some breeders and trainers regarding temperament testing:

1. Puppies that readily follow you and come when called have a desire to be with people and are eager to please. This is not always accurate. Even puppies who do not readily follow you, even if you have a treat in your hand, turn out to be very loving adult dogs who enjoy human companionship. I've never met a single dog who wasn't eager to please.

2. Very dependent puppies are more likely than independent puppies to develop behavior problems if left alone all day. This statement is completely absurd. All dogs enjoy human companionship or other canine companionship. If left alone all day, any dog will develop behavioral issues and may become destructive out of bordedom! There is no such thing as an independent puppy. All puppies are dependent on human care; have the need for attention and affection and require supervision through out their day. Goldendoodles are sociable dogs and are considered to be group dogs. They love companionship whether its canine or human. Destructive behaviors occur out of boredom and loneliness.

3. Very independent puppies may be more resistant to learning commands but may still have a strong aptitude for training. Again, this is an absurd statement. I do not believe there is a such thing as a very independent puppy. I believe some puppies may take a bit longer to train simply because the person training them isn't that experienced with training a dog or even owning a dog. Every dog has a strong aptitude for training, given the opportunity to train. Goldendoodles in general are very intelligent dogs and they are quick to pick up on tricks as well as training in the obedience department.

4. Most puppies' behavior falls somewhere between these two extremes. I completely disagree with this statement. Who is this tester anyway?

Here are some common tests that I believe are inaccurate for testing temperaments:

1. Holding a puppy and tipping it on its back to see if it is submissive: It is not common for a puppy to be held up in the air and then flipped on its back. Most puppies will resist this. Many people do not even know how to properly get a puppy on its back, so they will make an inaccurate judgement based on the puppy's response. Now you can sit down on the ground and have the puppy come to you naturally. If the puppy is interested, generally they will come to you and sit near you or even get into your lap. At this point, you can gently push the puppy downward to see if he or she will lay down and then gently roll him or her on its back. If you begin to stroke the belly of the puppy, most will comply. This is not a test to determine whether or not the dog will be dominent or submissive as many breeders or trainers believe. If the puppy decides to begin chewing on your hand or doesn't want to roll over on its back, even if it wiggles a lot, it doesn't mean the puppy is going to grow up to become a dominant dog.

2. Supposed prey drive: Observing a puppy's reaction to a cat. Asking someone to tie a string on a toy and running back and forth to observe the puppy's interest. This test is only accurate on older puppies and I personally do not believe that this tells a buyer whether or not their dog would make a good hunting dog or not. Any puppy who has been taught to play with toys at a very early age, will more than likely chase after a toy. However, again, take into consideration whether or not the puppy is ready to play at the time this "test" begins. Most puppies are interested in cats. Simply because they smell differently and they are unusual creatures to them. Our puppies are raised around cats, so they do not react wildly around them.

3. Determining Prey Drive: Some breeders and trainers believe that they can determine prey drive in puppies if they are easily distracted by sights, sounds or odors. They further believe that if a puppy growls, whines or strains against a leash, that this means the puppy will have a harder time learning to come when called. I completely disagree with this notion. It is my personal opinion that if you register your Goldendoodle in puppy obedience classes right from the start, you will have a very obedient dog when he or she completes all of the training. These opinions are to be taken with a grain of salt and I would surely hope you would not base your decisions to adopt any particular puppy based on the claims made above.

There are quite a few other tests that some breeders and trainers lay claim to but again, their answers to such tests are merely their personal opinions. It is very important to understand that articles about temperament testing are very similar to baby books. Depending upon the authors experiences, personal knowledge, personal opinions, each author will have a different view regarding training, breeding and testing methods. As a breeder for Goldendoodles since 1999, I personally know that many of the articles I come across regarding temperament testing for young puppies is nonsense. All Goldendoodles work out great for families with children of virtually all ages. The Goldendoodle dog is highly intelligent and temperaments for puppies take shape as they age and mature. Make sure to visit our website at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com if you would like to know more about the Goldendoodle dog.

*About the author: Dee Gerrish has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. Dee is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle hybrid for the entire southern region of the United States. Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World, was the first breeder to register the Goldendoodle with a ligitimate kennel club, Universal Kennel.

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Thru the month of December and January, receive a saving of $500 on puppies born in April and May, 2009! This is a great deal! This savings includes spaying or neutering! Health certificate! Rabies vaccine/certificate! Adult parvo booster! Fecal direct! Bordetella vaccine! Post Op care! Trip to/from the vet's office!

Four females and six males are waiting for "forever" homes! They are all very outgoing, playful, partially housebroken, very sweet temperaments! We have smooth coat; curly coat and shaggy coats waiting! These are mid sized dogs.

Check out more info at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com under the link "available doodles".

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It won't be long before Santa takes off from the North Pole! Call one of Santa's helpers today at 704-278-DOGS (3647)

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Stella has her Goldendoodle pups at OneTrueMedia.com

A live birthing process. Welcome baby Goldendoodles! Happy birthday!

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A Christmas Goldendoodle

Are your children wanting a Goldendoodle this christmas? While puppies and dogs want a loving home year round, great consideration must be taken before adding a doodle or any dog during the holidays.

Many times children want a dog for christmas, but when the novelty wears off, who is left to care for the dog but the parents? Who can deny the excitement a child has when coming down to the christmas tree and finding one of their presents is barking? Or a box set to the side is moving about...even wiggling perhaps?

Eyes light up and squeels abound, but the holidays are hectic especially when you've planned for company and parties and school events, oh my!

We recommend obtaining your Goldendoodle before christmas so that the children can become acquainted with their new pet and your new doodle can become acquainted with its new home.

Children around the world will wake up to find a new pet under their christmas tree....but caution is a must. Christmas trees are dangerous and toxic to puppies and kitties. Accidental ingestion of a christmas ornament can cause intestinal blockage...even death. Holiday planets are poisonous as well. Lilies found in flower arrangements can be deadly to cats. Although poinsettias generally have a low toxicity, if ingested, poinsettias can irritate the mouth and stomach of your Goldendoodle, which can cause vomiting or nausea. Ribbons and tinsil look flashy and your doodle or kitty cat may find them enticing to play with or even chew. These items can become a hazard once swollowed.

Don't forget that even Goldendoodles lick their paws! If you live in an area where you must use products that help melt ice and snow, these products are deadly if eaten by a pet. If you notice excessive drooling, lethargy, vomiting in your Goldendoodle or kitty, it is possible he or she has ingested a hazardous item. Glass christmas tree bulbs can cut internal organs the moment they are swollowed...so please by all means...try and keep this holiday a safe one for you and your Goldendoodle and of course, your kitty too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dee Gerrish has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. Dee is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog for the entire southern region of the United States. Visit her website at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com for more details about her Goldendoodles, if you are on a doodle quest!