That's too bad... good reason to back the track and do lots of desensitisation training in the vicinity of the car. Then in the vicinity of the car with the car doors open... before even thinking of venturing inside the car. It's all about positive association, so remember his/her favourite treats (perhaps practicing some basic commands like sit, shake hands, etc), lots of praise, lots of good association with each baby step. Don't progress until he/she's comfortable. Be patient, because it may take a long time with each baby step, but that's still better than baseline. All the best xx

I'm sure they will be OK together. Especially as it's a grown dog, I highly advise the 'meeting' to be a step by step process. For the cats' sake so they don't feel their home has been invaded... and for the dog. As a rescue, you don't know the his/her previous experiences or traumas, so it's good not to crowd them with too many new experiences all at once - new home, new family, new smells, new everything (she/he may not be used to cats). So for the first few days at least, use door screens and baby gates, introducing them at a distance (sight only). Let their natural curiosity (especially the cats') bring them closer (perhaps sniffing each other through the safety a screen). Once they're visibly relaxed, you can eliminate the screens/gates. Even if it takes a few weeks this way, be patient, and respect each animal's need for safety. A bad early experience can greatly lengthen the whole integration process. Eventually (in whatever time it takes) you will probably see them all cozying up and snoozing together. All the best x

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary Great advice - Thank you so much. We will take the plunge!

I'm really happy for you - what joy to adopt a new family member!

Glad it helped. All the best x

You're welcome Patricia - glad it is helpful to you xx

Hi Gayle, thanks so much for your comment. Very timely, because I just clipped Sophie this morning and thought to myself how far I've come with my clipping skills. It really is empowering. If I'd have given up after the first couple of go's, I'd have never known what I'm capable of. BTW it now takes me far less time to do it, too. All the best xx

Of course, Gary! I showed photos of Sophie who I deliberately got clipped super-short because it was just before her operation. Just to show how big the contrast can be for one dog. If you have your dog clipped often, there is still a difference (before/after), but much less pronounced. All the best :)

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary There is a massive price difference in going to a breeder versus a legit pet shelter. $300-$500 When you look for a Goldendoodle puppy from a shelter or rescue, the costs will be significantly lower than those of a breeder. Unlike most breeders, shelters usually include spaying/neutering, deworming, vaccines, microchipping, and more in the cost of adoption. Adoption centers usually have volunteers and experts who look after the animals and do everything they can to ensure their health.

It's true that they cost less coming from a pet shelter. The real expense, though, is keeping/feeding/maintaining the dog over a lifetime. They are not cheap. There is also the time you need to spend exercising them each day. It's why they not only feel like a family member, but cost like one too! Totally worth it, of course. All the best to you and your furry family :)

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary The cost from a breeder is way over the top, over $3,000. Keeping, feeding, maintaining would never be a worry, I'd be getting pet insurance, twice a month regular vet checkups, good quality food. exercising, going for a walk twice a day is normal and a joy. I am retired. I would be spending all my time with the dog.

Hi Tania, thanks for reaching out. Lovely to hear from you. Sophie's doing really well. Thanks for the prompt... I've been meaning to put out another video, hopefully soon. Joanna xx

Hi Steven, thanks for sharing. So sorry you lost your bestest boy in the world. Their character and capacity for love is off the charts and unforgettable. When your heart mends just a little, I hope you will find the space in your life for another one. Not to replace, but another one whose unique self you will to get to know and love as well. They certainly do teach us about love and joy - the loss and sorrow goes hand in hand with the depth of connection. All the best x

@@MyGoldendoodleDiaryThankyou so much. Lovely reply.

Thank you Mary - I really appreciate your feedback. Bonnie is a beautiful name - I am sure she was incredibly loved by you. x

Thank you lovely! How exciting to watch all the changes in him. Ollie's such a good little boy - I was very impressed with his behaviour in Bunnings. I'm really glad you're watching him closely in the dog park, allowing him rest time when needed from the rougher-playing dogs. Lots of positive experiences as you say! I do go in to dog parks occasionally with Sophie when there are just a few dogs around. Her current obsession is running after the frisbee - by some miracle, she retrieves it back to me to throw again (I wish it translated to retrieving back tennis balls - it simply doesn't!). Wishing you a speedy recovery to good health 🙏🌞💛

Hi Zoe, it was really good to meet you too (and I could hardly tear myself away from your adorable Ollie)!! All the best, beautiful 🙏💞🌟

​@@MyGoldendoodleDiary Hi Joanna, thanks so much for your kind words, as well as the previous ones about my channel, I appreciated them! 😊 I have Long Covid, and so can be slowed down with replies but have been meaning to tell you about my experience with my puppy Ollie in a dog park last week. He was only on his third day out amongst other dogs, having just had his 3rd injection the previous week. He was making friends and then this little poodle ended up being quite aggressive, growling at him and jumping onto his back and snapping at him. Ollie was petrified and hid under a bench. I had to ask the guy to call his dog, because it hadn't occurred to him. It was very stressful, (perhaps even more for me than for Ollie!), as I'd told you, this was what I was most afraid of! While a part of me wanted to run out of the park with him and never go back, I decided to quickly give Ollie a good experience so that he would remember that, and get straight back on the horse again. When he came out from under the bench, we found dogs he'd already played with and he cautiously sniffed with them for a bit. Before long, he was his confident self again, running about with them. Since then, we've been back to dog parks. One time, it went smoothly, and then today, a young and very boisterous ridgeback was playing too rough with him, pushing him to the ground and play biting his neck/mouthing and Ollie whimpered and lay on his back with his tail was between his legs and against his tummy...this happened two or three times. Each time Ollie would get up and try to run away but the dog would chase him. I asked that guy to call off his dog too. He didn't get it til I explained Ollie's age. He asked his dog to be more gentle, (which didn't work!) but then they played a bit more, and Ollie gradually got used to the rougher play. At one point we took a break, because it was getting scary for Ollie again. But then he ended up running back to the dog and playing more with her. After that, he spent a long time running around with loads of different dogs, and was racing all over the park with them. So I thought it was worth adding this experience to the conversation: the idea of not letting a bad experience cause them to change their behaviour in the long term, by giving them the opportunity to have a tonne of good experiences. We'll see what happens, but I'm thinking, as he gets older, he will then have had however many hundred great times with other dogs, and just a small number of bad experiences, and it should help keep the negative times in perspective. With humans, this way of dealing with something traumatic, ('exposure'), if you act soon enough, can prevent PTSD. I'm hoping this might be useful for someone who's scared of their puppy getting scarred for life by a bad experience in a dog park, (as I was). 🐾🐶

Thanks for stopping by and your lovely comments. Enjoy your wonderful shaggy dog and by all means try out the poodle shoe on him - nothing is permanent with these ever-growing coats and if it suits your lifestyle, power to you. 💞

Oh, it's for people just like you that I have made this video. At 6 months, you are in the middle of the chaotic 'teenager phase'. Big breath in and out. All the best xxx

That is a great idea! Thanks for sharing x

Hi Chris, I agree, they are the most lovable, adorable thing. Separation anxiety can be overcome with training, patience and love. Thanks for stopping by, have a beautiful day! x

I'm glad Karl. Thanks for the feedback :)

No problem Karl. Sophie’s coat is a light apricot, medium dense and wavy. If you’d like more info about her coat in particular (doodle coats do differ), check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnO1c6ybZ9l6nrs All the best, Joanna x

Thank you 💞

Thank you for sharing. They are off-the-charts lovable, but the truth is they are sometimes off-the-charts frustrating as well as pups. He's lucky to have you. Hang in there, and like us, you will recount the stories of how it all began so dramatically. All the best and keep us posted in another half year or so. By 3yo you are likely to see a marked difference. All the best xx

Thank you... you're so welcome here! xx

Thanks for commenting, Amy. A couple of suggestions about wriggly-puppy-bodies. You can slowly condition your golden to having his/her nails clipped by just getting her used to handling her paws (no grinder, no clippers) until she gets used to it. Also, you can sneak in and do one nail at a time - stealth like - when she is sleeping. Always associate it with a positive experience (praise, even a treat). Don't be in too much hurry to get all nails cut right away during the habituation/training process. All the best, let me know how you go xx

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary I was thinking I will take her to the groomer every couple of weeks for her to get use to it then try....?

Thanks for reaching out. They do of course vary in energy levels, but if I were to say for the majority of the time, goldendoodles are quite high energy, particularly in the first 3 years of life (in my experience and in the experience of other owners). I suggest taking a look at two of my other videos for more detail about the breed kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYSsq5-rf5uci7s and kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGWmgZtjod2Hb80 That said, if you are looking for a pup, I suggest speaking with the breeder and letting them know that you would like the (relatively) calmest pup in the litter. They bring up the pups for the first 8 weeks so a good, observant breeder would know who's who in the zoo. I don't think there's such thing as a calm goldendoodle pup though - just high energy and relatively less high energy. It's more about the nature of the dog once it's grown. It's great you're asking this important question though and not diving in too quickly without being prepared. All the best, and let me know how you go xx

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary Thank you so much for such a detailed response! based on this and my research I think a larger cockapoo would suit us brilliantly! Haven't known a breed to be sooooo happy to lie down all day on some days!

It sounds like the cockapoo is the right thing for you. What I said about requesting a relatively calm pup from the breeder still stands for cockapoos - remember that spaniels (one half of the cockapoo equation) in particular can be a very energetic breed, so if you'd love a chill dog, let the nature of the puppy be the deciding factor. Goldendoodles, cockapoos (called spoodles, here in Australia), labradoodles... really all doodles are my favourite breed. All the best xx

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary yeah yeah thanks so much! If we get a chance to view / have first dibs we will pick the calmest one! And agreed, we will make sure the parent is a show cocker spaniel not a working one! My brother has a working one and he doesn’t really stop poor thing lol ! Thanks for all the help :)

Thank you! It's because her ear hair is so long, way past her ear leather that I can indulge in a little human-i-fying little-girl looks on her ha ha. Thanks so much for your positivity and reaching out, my love xx

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary yes, super cute girl to do braids on :-) I bet she’s so well-behaved. Have a good night.

@@Goldendoodlewinnie Thank you! She can be a cute little rascal sometimes, but when it comes to her hair, she loves being primped and primed. Have a wonderful week 💖

Hi Blayne, I have a feeling you did not listen to my story until the end. I encourage you to listen to my learning journey in full (you may be surprised). x

Awww, thank you Anny! 🌟Seeing as I was keeping her very well brushed and combed (to the skin), I was told by an older, wise groomer to wait until she was 1 year old to give her coat a full clip, when there was a good layer of about 2 inches of adult coat coming through before having her clipped all over for the first time. The groomer said that way, the coat grows out evenly from that time on throughout the dog's life. It's true that Sophie's coat is a dream, but I will never know if it would've been any different if I didn't follow my groomer's suggestion (groomer was very seasoned, groomed dogs for 20+ years). It was difficult to keep Sophie's coat groomed towards the end of the 12 month mark, because the puppy coat is so fine and prone to tangles, but I managed to stay on top of it with a daily routine (she only ever got very small mats that I was able to brush and comb through - I cut out any occasional larger mats). For a while after she started having full body clips, I kept her in a longish coat, but in the past couple of years have clipped her myself with a shorter body cut (keeping the head and tail fluffy and the legs slightly longer than than the body clip so she doesn't look like she has chicken legs and looks more balanced!). I clip in both directions as doodle hair doesn't really have a direction - tends to grow perpendicular to the body. Sophie's signature is the hair over her ears being uncut - I never cut it at the bottom to give the illusion of long ears. You can hone in on a 'look'that you like so you can instruct the groomer once she is due for her first full clip (do give her little hygiene clips in the meanwhile though - and of course clip hair from her eyes so she can see). All the best with your youngster.💞

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION!! It’s really helpful as I will be doing my own grooming. Best wishes ❤️

You're welcome, Anny. Be brave with the grooming. As with any skill, you get better with time. All the best xx

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary Thank you ❤️ i hope he doesn’t look in the mirror after his first DIY clip!!! 😂

You'll do just fine! BTW (true story) after keeping Sophie in a long coat for ages and clipping her body short for the first time, she barked at her reflection in the mirror until she realised it's her! hee hee

I'm sure I would, Luke. They are such clever dogs with such distinct personalities. It's like meeting different types of very sweet, very funny, very kind people!

Yes they sure are. That doggie goodness and cheekiness is off the charts. That look in their eyes tells me they know a great deal more than we think they do. Enjoy your gorgeous Winnie and thank you for all YOUR sweetness in your kind comments. So lovely to have you here xx

Thank you. Sophie and Winnie look incredibly alike - endless sweetness!

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary They do look alike for sure! Yes 100 percent sweetness in them! They bring the joy! 🐾🐾😎

They're special little creatures, for sure. So tuned in to us, it's uncanny sometimes. xx

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary that is my experience too! 🐾🐾☮️

Hi Tonyia, Find it here: amzn.to/3NSHmaz (Amazon) - equivalent to what I use. I hope it helps xx

You're very welcome. Sending you smiles and sunshine from Australia xx

Received w great alacrity and gratitude. You are calming and disarming and I enjoy your content. ❤️🌎❤️

Luna Bella is adorable! - gorgeous quirkydoodle😍

Lucky there are so many different types of dogs to choose from that we can pick the one that appeals to us the most - big, small, long, short, squishy, or otherwise. All the best xx

It's great that you ended up with your Border Terrier. My channel is about Goldendoodles, but more so it is about dogs in general. Mine has a tendency to bark too. I guess some were born that way, others weren't. Thank you for stopping by... xx

Hmmm, are you sure you actually watched the video to the end, Pamela?

You can try it for short periods to see how he reacts. If he is comfortable, and maybe accompanied by a favourite toy, then perhaps you can extend the periods he spends in the kennel/crate. Just observe his reaction. I tried it with Sophie over a short period of time and she simply hated it, so I didn't push. Go with what works x

Thank you for stopping by and the kind feedback. There are so many aspects to both their looks and characters - they really are just like people. Sounds like you still have a youngster. They really do mellow gradually over time. I'm not sure if the velcro thing gets less or if you get so used to it, it just becomes a part of life! All the best x

Hi Sandra, thank you for the lovely feedback and the teeth cleaning and worming treat tips. Your labradoodle is definitely in loving, caring hands with you! Joanna xx

It's interesting to observe the unique blend of qualities each Goldendoodle has inherited from each side of its lineage. He is unique and uniquely yours to love.

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary Oh yeah, he's such a sweet pupper. When I put his food down our old one eyed cat is always there to taste his food. Casey sits patiently. That cat only there for about 15 seconds to check it out.

@@rodelliott3683 that is such a sweet scene you've described. You are lucky your pup is so good with cats. Mine is fine with most animals, but barks profusely at cats unfortunately... it's as though she's calling their bluff saying I KNOW you're not really a dog, you're pretending. No cat for us, unfortunately (we used to have one some time before we got her). Growing up I always loved to observe the interaction between our house animals. You're lucky you get to do this.

@@MyGoldendoodleDiary Casey is our first dog. When we got him at 8 weeks, 4 years ago, we had 4 cats so he's grown up with them. Thankfully we have a king bed because with 4 cats and a 90 pound doodle it gets a little crowded. lol

@@rodelliott3683 😍🐱🐱🐶🐱🐱😍

He sounds like an amazing dog with a particularly good nature. They are all beautiful and special but not all suitable as therapy dogs (many are a tad too anxious, and others, a tad too rambunctious). It's great he has you out and about each week - exercise is key (for them as well as us). I call my dog my 'personal trainer' as she gets me out walking way more than I ever walked before. All the best x

Karate kicks. - that is super-cute. Mine does horizontal kicks after a bath, moving herself all around the rug while lying down. I call it breakdancing. There;s never a dull moment with these muppet dogs!

They do vary so much that it's nice to find one that's identical-looking. I hope you enjoyed the video and I gather that you relate! All the best x

That is interesting. My family had rottweilers growing up - they were much loved. It's important to nip the resource guarding in the bud while your pup's still young. An adult resource guarder rottweiler could become a serious problem as they are powerful dogs. I'd really encourage you to work with a professional trainer on this particular issue. All the best x

I'm glad to hear it Elaine. All the best x

I try to do it as often as I can, but it ends up not being daily. I believe it's best to do it daily. All the other teeth cleaning methods should act like toothbrushing, so if your pup has something something to chew on, that should act as a toothbrushing session.