goldendoodle

Question
QUESTION: We picked up our 6 month old male, neutered goldendoodle puppy on Thursday night (two days ago). He is almost too good. All he seems to want to do is lie near us and get petted. He does not act like a puppy at all, but an old dog. He doesn't want to play at all. He is totally housebroken and we opened up the whole house to him very soon because he doesn't do anything! He doesn't chew on anything and he sleeps all night in his crate without a peep. He doesn't seem sick at all, just very quiet. He has eaten and drank water and pooped and peed. Walking him will take some practice because he thinks he is the one in charge and if he doesn't want to walk (which he doesn't) he will just plop himself down and won't move. Actually, I am glad that he is a little willful, because at least then i know he has a personality. He is very, very sweet, but can we teach him to play like a puppy? I know he is not a baby, but still 6 months old is not old! Part of the reason we chose him was because my husband was not really a dog person and he fell in love with him because he wasn't licky and bitey and jumpy.
julie

ANSWER: Usually getting out in front of a puppy and coaxing it, slapping your thighs, will get it moving.  If not, dropping behind it and running by in baby steps calling ''Go, go, go!'' in a happy, excited voice will get it moving.  If in a few weeks, it is pulling, get back with me, I have suggestions for that too.  

Being rehomed is traumatic to any dog.  It is possible he will become more playful once he is more comfortable with you.  He may even be sensing any tension your husband feels.  Dogs are quite sensitive to our emotions.  You can work at bonding with him.  ''Elevation for small puppies:  Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up.  He is facing you.  Hold him for 15 seconds.  Repeat until he no longer struggles.  If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.  

Cradling for small puppies:  Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby.  If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds.  With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down:  Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you.  Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position.  When he is quiet, praise him.  Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position.  When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work.  It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual.  I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective.  You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too.  Helps bonding.  There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly.  The latter cements your place as pack leader.  

Give him some interactive toys, balls, ropes, Frisbees, etc.  Nylabone makes a Frisbee that should hold up better than others.  For the better toys, online, such as www.vet.vaxcom may be better than Petsmart, etc.  We just bought $76 worth for our problem chewer.  Actually, some of them may go to our grandson.  We may give him a dog chew, but we are not letting him and the puppy share the same toy.  Our daughter isn't happy with the baby toys she has found.  We had to take the dog's Nylabone ring away from him.  He now has one of his own.  

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages.  If you are not there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs.  Keep a close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in pieces.  Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed. I don't trust any of the consumable chews.  The dogs just gnaw them down to a dangerous size too quickly.  These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive chewers such as Labs.

Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds.   Ones I made lasted much better.   Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the foot.  Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope.   Melt the ends, and tie  knots in it.   Get them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer.  Watch carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.



You may feeding a puppy chow now.  Switching to an adult chow for the larger breeds at 4 months, slows growth and helps develop sturdier joints.  I would do so switching gradually over a week.  

Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them.  Each dog is different.  Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx

I wish I could put some of our Xanthe's playfulness in my answer for you.  She is an 8 Month old Lab with entirely too much playfulness in her.  We paid $8 for a Flexibone Dental Ball, and she destroyed it in 2 weeks.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He had already bonded with us. He wants to be near us at all times and my husband is not timid with him at all. Right now my husband loves him more than me, because I thought I would get a fun, excited puppy, but he isn't that. We have given him several kinds of toys, and he isn't interested in any of them very much. The only one he chewed on a little was a regular tennis ball. My sister dropped by and before I could catch her she gave him one of the chewy toys. He did like that but was docile when I took it away. I gave him a bath, and he was docile during that too. He didn't even run around the house afterwards to get dry. He just lied down. What is the matter with him?? He is just so so so (too) easy.

ANSWER: Ah, tennis balls.  Most dogs love them.  I risk letting my dogs have them, but try to keep a good eye on them.  I do think your boy just needs more time in your home.  He also needs to see the vet.  Take along any medical records you have.  That will prevent duplicate shots neither he nor your wallet needs.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry I'm being such a nuisance, but I never met a puppy like this. Today, he wouldn't even follow me around the house. He just wants to lie down and sleep. He does seem to like to walk, so when i get the leash out he will kind of come to me. Otherwise, if anything he is going in the opposite direction of getting more playful. I wonder why he isn't following me around. I feel like I don't even have a dog. He just sleeps.

Answer
From Thursday to Sunday, is long enough he should be starting to feel at home.  While some dogs are much more active than others, I am beginning to worry about his health.  If you don't start seeing more life, better get him to the vet this week.  

When was he neutered?  The newer anesthetics are safer, but the dogs take longer to recover.