Goldendoodle | Is It Right For You?

[@StonnieDennis]

Are you a fan of my training style, but can’t travel to Kentucky to see me in person? No worries! I offer an awesome online dog training course, which includes access to an array of exclusive videos and content, personalized coaching, journaling, and in-depth mentoring and evaluation by yours truly! If you just need some an advice or have a couple questions you need answered, I also offer professional consulting by the hour. Both of these great services can be found here: www.kentuckycanine.com Thank you all for your remarkable support over the years! I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your appreciation and patronage of this channel, my training style, and my kennel. Always remember, it’s a great day for a puppy-sized adventure!

[@tritchie6272]

Let me be the big meanie that says what Stonnie is to PC to say. Whether you buy your dog from a breeder or a shelter,if money changes hands for it,your still buying it. An adoption fee is still a fee. Your still paying for the dog. And that makes you no better or no worse than people who buy from breeders,or gets a dog from the side of the road. Snobs are disgusting. And while most of my dogs have been given to me,(the only dog I can think of that wasn't was a trained Rabbit dog I traded Dads shotgun for when I was a teenager) if I ever get the type of place I want, I may try to get a Purpose bred dog.

[@paulokrausche7284]

You should speak about all the puppy mills created by this horrible breed

[@richardhunt4514]

@@paulokrausche7284 There are puppy mills for every breed

[@guy8646]

This is such a good, reasonable take on the issue of poodle mixes. I’m not even a doodle owner, but I’m so sick of the random anti-doodle rhetoric out there that ignores all of these good points!

[@AmericasAlgebraTeacher]

A Doodle is a fantastic dog - smart, easy to train, athletic and friendly. But, like all dogs, their behaviors are a reflection of their owners and the work put in to realize their potential. My Goldendoodle is the “popular kid” at the park - she is well behaved, playful and gets along with all dogs. So when people ask me whereI got her (what breeder) and find out I got her from a shelter they always say “you got lucky.” What they don’t see is all the work I put in to make her the joyful pup she is.

[@dogtrainerHillary]

As a trainer of hundreds of doodles & small dogs - I can’t agree more! They can be amazing family pets… but they’re still dogs first - and must have the leadership & foundational training that every dog needs. I specialize in small fluffy dogs & doodles, and the biggest problem all these breeds have is being “desirable” to folks who aren’t prepared for the day to day work of raising a good dog. Thanks for including more of these type of dogs lately Stonnie. I often feature pics from your videos on my Instagram advice feed. 👏👏👏👏 Your channel is the best dog training channel on KZbin (imo) - Hillary Ratcliff (Good Wellesley Dogs Training) up in Boston

[@halpen]

As a doodle owner (sheepadoodle, adopted out of a bad situation) I'll be the first to tell you that as amazing as our dog is, if I put her in a crate 9 hours a day she'd be 75 pounds of psychotic disaster on a leash. These are highly intelligent, highly interactive dogs. If you aren't exercising both their bodies and their brains, then yes, you are going to have a problem. Personally, I think this is what is happening to a lot of suburban doodles, and it has very little to do with the dogs themselves. It's the wrong dog for the family or situation, and there are consequences for that.

[@RealDallasFed]

That's happening to just about every dog if the owner isn't going out of their way to do something about it. There's situations where things work out just right and a dog ends up in an awesome spot, but there's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more dogs ending up in absolutely horrible positions for every lucky one. Everyone is stressed out, overworked, underpaid, and it just keeps getting worse. We're more atomized as a people than we've ever been and there's no hope for people coming together over something worth while. They've changed us to our very core and ripped the soul right out of us. Dogs reflect the energy of their owners, right?! I hear people talking left and right about how terrible dogs are nowadays as far as behavior goes, that's just a symptom of an extremely bigger problem.

[@DanSmith-qx4nl]

@@RealDallasFed That's why I waited to retire before I got my dog. They need your time. I fully agree with your assessment.

[@RealDallasFed]

@@DanSmith-qx4nl I'm glad you got a chance at retirement, but for my generation, that just simply won't be an option. Even if we could retire one day, we wouldn't be retiring in a European built society and I honestly won't cope or settle with anything else. To each their own, but I want my own too goddamnit. If I can't have it because we've been deemed "evil" or whatever kinda idiotic buzz words they use nowadays, then I guess that time is fast approaching. Hell, most of the dog breeds that everyone loves came from some of the greatest blood/nation humanity has to offer, and they wanna rid the world entirely of that blood/nation. They wanna replace it with desert people so that great nation never fights back again. That's why they HATE white america, even after we helped them take over the world and smash anything that might threaten their empire. There's a lot of that blood over here, still in our people. Not even mentioning all the Germans that migrated here, this country was founded on predominately Anglo-Saxon, I myself am predominately Anglo-Saxon. I know where the "Saxon" part comes from...Saxony, Germany. This feud goes back at least 2000 years, right when we destroyed the second temple, left no one alive unless they were sold into slavery, created their "Diaspora" which riddled them with genetic diseases, and that's also when the land took on the name "Syria-Palaestina." Ahhhh, good ole Hadrian, those were the good days 🥹.

[@jfrankcarr]

Our vet's staff and our groomer mention that many people fail to train and socialize their doodles well. I guess all that affable cuteness lets them get away with more mischief. And, people don't realize that thanks to a mixed fur texture, they're more challenging to groom, so training grooming tolerance is essential.

[@jesslovely5365]

How about golden retrievers then?

[@dottyk1637]

I just watched a NCMG groomer fully groom a large doodle, very responsible pet parents that maintain his coat and taught him excellent grooming table manners, still it took 3 hrs plus. Most owners haven't a clue and don't start 'oh, the breeder said it doesn't need grooming till 1yr'🤦‍♀️

[@taylormorris9692]

As a dog groomer, I can say its definitely the people that cause the majority of the problems with this breed. I cant deal with the ridiculous expectations of delusional lazy people who want thier dog to look like 'BRODIE'.

[@debbieshriner1308]

I have a Labradoodle a f1 he is the best dog I have ever had, he is so very smart it takes about 10 minutes to teach him something. we take him everywhere he loves to swim, he goes off leach in the woods comes when called 100%. He is so much fun to be with and also he loves to find mud puddles to set in to cool off. The very best dog..

[@debbieshriner1308]

And I like all your videos you have some great videos

[@beetlefang]

I have a service dog. She gets many compliments. Nearly everyday that we're out and about, people ask me about her trainer. I always recommend our local trainer and this channel.

[@MacawAviculture]

I have had Standard Poodles for the past 20 years and these amazing dogs are my favorite. They do not shed, are very playful, extremely intelligent, emotionally stimulating, protective, and have never been aggressive with my Macaw parrot family. I would never be interested in a hybrid dog mixed with a Poodle. For me, Standard Poodles are the perfect canine companion.

[@StonnieDennis]

How many types of dogs have you owned?

[@juliebrown8375]

@@StonnieDennis I agree with her. I grew up with an Irish setter, then I had GSPs and fostered for GSP rescue. I've had one collie and one aussie and there are Irish setters and Golden Retrievers in my extended family. My last four dogs have been standard poodles. The herding breeds were smart but barked a lot. The Aussie was a rescue and difficult. The sporting breeds are much more laid back (yes, the GSPs have a lot of energy, but they aren’t crazy, just busy) and the poodles resemble sporting breeds. They aren’t noisy, they’re super easy to train, social, have good energy with a good off switch and are just easy dogs to live with. If you keep the coat short, it requires very little care and there's no loose dog hair - none - in my house. I did work with him a lot as a baby to accustom him to grooming.

[@ogadlogadl490]

Can you recommend a good breeder? Have an adopted standard and never knew how great they were until now. Looking to add to the family but want a reputable source. TY in advance.

[@jaclynelise2966]

That poodle is so well behaved. When he was able to break he just went and laid in the grass. Such a good baby.

[@davidlanning2]

Most honest talk on the internet about modern life's dog requirements. They should be taken into account by breeders when shaping new dog's breeds.

[@justdawndb]

This was a great presentation! I just happen to be a Standard Poodle person since 95. I like doodles very much. For myself I would never want "field lab or golden" mixed with poodle because that wouldn't fit my needs. If parents have tested good I think the offspring warrant the higher price of the 'designer pups. I've seen A LOT of dogs recently in shelters that are testing out as full standard poodles when assumed doodles...this is a really sad part of any breed becoming popular. I feel like shelters as a group have gotten ridiculous with some of the requirements they set forth for adopters - I've heard of very capable & responsible people actually being turned away from shelters. Thank you for all you do Stonie!

[@tritchie6272]

I had a coworker tell me of a relative that was turned away from adopting a Bloodhound if memory serves. The reason? The person wanting to adopt lives in Kentucky and the out of state shelter was afraid they wouldn't be able to come take the dog back if they decided they didn't like something. I also had somebody tell me they thought about getting a cat from a shelter and letting it take care of a mole problem he had. But the shelter wanted lots of money,demanded it be declawed and never allowed outside. I stopped getting from shelters when they decided they could demand you spay or neuter your pet. Now I'm not completely against spaying or neutering after its growth plates are closed,but I am against somebody else deciding for me and my family about OUR animals.

[@sarahwoodring5587]

In my limited experience with doodles, they've been pretty affable and easygoing. I agree that some owners understimate doodles' needs when it comes to training and exercise...but that could apply to most breeds!

[@DanSmith-qx4nl]

I have a golden doodle and I have this comment to make. A golden doodle is not a good pet but is an outstanding family member. They have little tolerance for not being included in everything you do.

[@RobPell-x6v]

sounds about rite.

[@RealDallasFed]

My Corso is the same way.

[@rhodawillard5062]

I have a goldendoodle. He is such a sweet loving boy. He is the perfect companion. He is not excitable or crazy. He is now 5 years old, and I just adore him.

[@ellenyoung9223]

I think they’re very sweet. One thing people who’ve had maybe a golden retriever but never had a doodle might need to know is the doodle has a need for significant grooming.

[@akeamee]

Not my type of dog personally mate but can appreciate a well made video like this

[@tritchie6272]

And that's fair. Not every breed is for everybody. As an example, a Maliniose ain't for me. I don't have enough time,energy or the right type of place for a Mal. So if I got one I would be doing it a disservice.Currently I don't even have a dog cause I don't seem to have the time and energy to exercise one correctly. Now if that changes,then I'll start looking for a dog. Or if I get a house where I can let them out daily for a run and or a game of fetch or something to where it would be acceptable to all,then maybe I'll start looking. But I will try to find something compatible with what I'm able to provide and close enough to what I want from a dog. Which I would;d like something with some mild Protective instincts.

[@carlareilly6594]

Thank you! We have a four month golden doodle F1B to which we are training and socializing and he is one of the best dogs I’ve ever ever had.

[@lorrainescandia6267]

I found this video to be very informative. Thank you. I'm going to send this to a friend of mine because she has a two year old golden doodle she needs all the help she can get 👍👏👏. Stonnie Dennis

[@StonnieDennis]

I’m glad you liked it!

[@marrrrrrrrrrrrry279]

Good video! I’m not a fan of doodles but I like how you hit all of the points of them. I also like how you emphasized that people should look for a healthy dog. If someone wants a doodle it is important that they find parents that have proper genetic testing. Also there are a lot of rescue doodles and I see people getting hate for owning them even though they rescued the dog. Not every situation is black and white and us on the internet shouldn’t pass judgement without all of the facts. However from a a black lab owner, everyone looking to get a doodle should just get a black lab!

[@StonnieDennis]

100%

[@belindariedl4360]

Well said! ❤

[@terrystarr2617]

I have only known one Golden Doodle, and Sam was a true gentleman. He guarded, herded and was best friend to three athletic children. The breed hadn't been around long at that time, and apparently he was a plain 50/50 split. Excellent temperament, very obedient and passed on from old age. My friends got lucky with a good breeder, and they couldn't lowball the price of the puppy, but they agreed in the end that Sam was worth his weight in gold.

[@richardhunt4514]

Our F1 white goldendoodle is almost 4 years old now and is the sweetest dog. I groom her myself. Being retired gives us the time she needs as she is really attached to her humans. Smart is an understatement as far as her intelligence goes. She definitely got her "sniffer" from the golden retriever. We walk on a river dike and toss a tennis ball out into the tall grass and you can hear her breathing change as she snuffs out the old scent and gets another sniff. Every day we hear that Emmy is so beautiful and also hear how sweet she is. Grooming is a chore but then so is hair all over your house and car.

[@RobPell-x6v]

As usual, Stonnie tapping into the not so common sense of the universe hits the nail on the head. As with nearly all breeds, you train the dog thats in front of you. Our 2 Labradoodles from the same breeder have many similarities. They both both LOVE all dogs and all people. They are both a little too excitable when meeting new or old friends. They are pretty significantly different in their energy levels and need/desire for intense play. One will retrieve until my arm falls off (using a chuck it), on land or water.I have significant experience training large, high drive, powerful dogs for Schutzhund. With that said, the only dog I ever needed to use a prong collar on was (incredibly) our more intense Labradoodle when he was 12 weeks old. He has an intense awareness of who (and which cars) belong on or cul de sac or near our house .barking when someone comes on our property. He's 50 lbs and sounds like a police dog to let us know when someone encroached. I walk my dogs on leash thru the neighborhood from an early age. They are immune to motorcycles, garbage trucks, sirens, kids on skateboards etc. After working with ecollars for a few months they are totally reliable in big area off leash situations. The more intense boy REQUIRED much more oversight and input from me than most dog owners imagine a labradoodle will need. He was puppy-like until he was over 4 years old. In, the wrong hands he would not be a balanced good boy today. Meet the parents. I didnt. That boy is A LOT like his mom. Their mutual groomer told me that. And then I met the mom. They give the mom sedatives before being groomed. I would never let a dog get to that point.

[@johnnacrist8715]

Great video! I got a mini golden doodle November 2023. I had been watching A lot of Stonie Dennis’s videos. He gives a lot of great commonsense advice. I love my mini golden doodle. She is wonderful. But you have to give them attention. They like to work and please you!

[@Mellyouttaphase]

The Labradoodle I recently adopted wants to be besties with every dog she meets. She’s so happy and playful and makes friends SO easily! Timid with people but we’re working on her confidence. I love this channel, I’ve gotten a lot of helpful info, thanks, Stonnie!

[@StonnieDennis]

Thanks for watching!

[@handlesarestupid1234]

A wise man once said “all dogs want to be labs, and all labs want to be black”. I remember collies and Irish setters being very popular when I was a kid. I think doodles are just the new trend and will be a memory too.

[@avwillis5269]

And I believe another wise man said, "that once you go black you won't go back."

[@TheKanglor]

I run into quite a lot of them when walking my dog at the various parks here, and out of over 20 I've seen, maybe 1 was not really 'friendly'. Think only downside I've noticed with at least 4-5 owners I've talked with, is older folks(70+) getting a young doodle and being unprepared for the amount of energy they can have. Of course that's not a negative of the breed, just I think as you mentioned, people see/hear how great the dogs are and just rush out to get one. A funny thing is, for a long time I thought they only came in the golden color, didn't realize you can find them in white and black(rarely) coats!

[@cassandraharada3331]

When I answered your question on Instagram I suppose I was answering from a very idealistic space. I’m a card carrying member of our working dog and police dog associations so I’m still interested in dog breeds that serve a purpose. I can see what you mean by the doodle also having a meaningful purpose. I’m a traditionalist in most aspects of my life and you’ve made me realize It’s also carried over to my canine procurement experience. I certainly don’t throw people under the bus for profit seeking, I simply want to see people take responsibility for the life they create. Thanks for always making me think, Stonnie!

[@sandraharvey7042]

well said. perfect and educational i had seen some of the previous comments to the question posted. and I was shocked that so many answered in such a snarky style. Uncle Stonnie we love watching you and yes wish we could be there.

[@SomeMinorDogTraining]

For anyone reading this: I know that dog training can be difficult sometimes, but you're doing great. Keep up the good work, and your dog (and your own sanity) will thank you for it! ❤️💕

[@newlifecalling2233]

I appreciate the broad range of information you present regarding the different dog breeds. Your videos are helping me tremendously as I research the breeds - to determine if there is, or is not, a dog that would enjoy, and thrive, in a very tiny efficiency apartment. I have more than enough love, time and energy for a dog - not sure I have the sq footage.🙃

[@lorrainewilson4002]

Outstanding as usual stoney... fair, and right on point ... i have two small cross terriers who are well trained & behaved..however the terrier in them naturally causes me to be very aware if they are around ' small prey " ... they will hunt them if i dont stay on my game. ... & boy they like to roll in anything stinky ;)

[@kevinshaner3783]

Ok so I'm a tinkerer lol I bred golden retriever to great pyrenees and I lucked out and got the intelligence of the Pyr and obedience of the golden. In my opinion it is a fantastic dog. Some have more prominent traits of either breed, but I really love them lol

[@debbiesmith2207]

Please think about doing a video on how to select a USED DOG. the pros and cons of adopting, selecting an agency, selecting the dog.... I like the idea of rescuing a dog vs buying a puppy. The reality is many dogs up for adoption have been ruined , have behavior problems some are even dangerous.... not all rescue agencies are altruistic. The last time I got a rescue they knowingly sold me a dangerous do that was up for euthanization for handler aggression! (I found out later) its a long story. The short version is she had a lot of triggers and did not hesitate to bite if triggered. ,For the safety of myself and others I had to put her down after 14.5 months of dedicated training and exercise. My current dog is a pure Golden Retriever. I got a puppy of an agreeable breed so I could give him plenty of socializing and early training to minimize problem behaviors in the future. True to his breed he is the best boy ever! also he hardly sheds at all. I attribute this to the BARF diet. Im not someone who cares what a dog looks like. I just want an athletic dog who is friendly, healthy, smart and outgoing.

[@organictroll]

Both were originally bred as Retrievers. I don’t have a doodle but I don’t have a problem with good breeders! There are mostly 2 breeds/mixes in the shelter anymore and you just about have to be rich to qualify for a rescue. I got a wonderful BC mix 14 years ago (laying beside me right now) but bought a mini-Aussie a couple of years ago. My need is for dogs that enjoy agility.

[@Mitch_Ryder]

It’s always entertaining to read the comments of the “experts” who come out of the woodwork for every breed specific video.

[@DanSmith-qx4nl]

@@Mitch_Ryder If you spend 14 or 15 years with a specific breed of dog you can become an expert of sorts. That is without credentials. Would you prefer people just shut their mouth? That is telling.

[@Mitch_Ryder]

@@DanSmith-qx4nl 15 years….impressive 😉. Did you work with 2 dogs or 200 in all that time? Unless you’re at the high end of that scale, you’re no expert….just someone who may know a lot about a few individuals dogs of a certain breed. And I’d wager that most of the people bashing doodles definitely have not worked a representative sample.

[@ShamanicSavant]

@@Mitch_Ryder So you're an expert on experts coming out of the woodwork just to be a hypocrite? Kind of moves you to the bottom of your own trash heap :)

[@DanSmith-qx4nl]

@@Mitch_Ryder I have a golden doodle he is 3. Correct me don't "insult" me. I have had him since he has been a puppy. I know many people with doodles. They have many common characteristics and some individual idiosyncrasies just like humans. They can be unstable just like humans.

[@DanSmith-qx4nl]

Doodles are very intelligent, human like beings which presents it's own problems. I wouldn't have any other dog.

[@JudyEskridge]

Thank you for this. Such a reasonable take on the Doodles and all mixed breeds. I needed to hear this. I have been a bit judgmental.

[@ZoroastrianCowboy]

My golden doodle is my baby boy if you give a doodle love and attention you will be the apple of his eye

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

I see goldendoodles with elderly folk who seem barely able to keep them under control in public. I am sure the dogs are fine in the home without the stimuli. I think the owners imagine that the curls make them friendlier and more gentle, but the wiry athleticism is there and I do wonder what will happen when the goldendoodles overpower their owners.

[@ZoroastrianCowboy]

The day when doodles overpower there owners will begin a new era of peace and happiness... planet of the doodles.

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

@@ZoroastrianCowboy Oh, to imagine the utopia their day would usher in. May that day come soon! May they reign forever!

[@leahwheeldon3389]

Great video. I hope that people purchasing a Goldendoodle, or other Doodle, are educated before their purchase that they will be getting a dog that both sheds and has to be clipped. The shedding is likely less than a Golden Retriever, but there will be shedding and also the need for significant grooming and clipping. My friends who have a Doodle thought they were getting a dog that did not shed at all and needed minimal coat care. Their Doodle does shed, and they also have to take her to a groomer for professional clipping.

[@belindariedl4360]

I wouldn’t want to get a doodle, because I don’t like Poodles. But I resonate with your opinion 100 %. I love labs and my actual female lab is 14 y 8 m old. Beside her I had my late female pug. One year ago life gifted me with a then 3 y o beautiful Cocker-Lagotto Romagnolo mix. She has the size of a Lagotto, silky and wavy hair (which has to bevgrimmed), Lagotto exterior and Cocker interior. She does the Cocker zickzacks and the joyful runs. In the beginning of our journey together we had a lot of struggles, now we have a joyful life together. I can read her and she reads me. Maybe one day in the (near) future we will have a new chubby Lab or a Cocker to accompany us on our daily walks and adventures (woods, fields, river, ponds). Thank you for your insights, tips, advice. Although I have had dogs for 41 years (Beagles, Labs, Pugs, Cocker mix)I have learned a lot from your videos. Thx and love from Austria 🇦🇹

[@MarnaGrusheck]

Hi Stonnie, I especially like your more recent videos , thought you might be intrigued by my little dog which I have inferred, from her adoption paperwork, that she was a result of "tinkering". Her original owner was a place called "Furbabies" , which a google search only revealed to be a defunct pet store. A vet had made a note that the owner had just picked up Koda from "the breeder", at a considerable distance. She is half French Bulldog and half Australian Shepard and as my friend put it, she's a pip! So, she looks exactly like a miniature Rottweiler, about 27 lb. She is assertive (we are working on that) like a Frenchie, and follows me around like a Shepard . I have a video of her blowing bubbles underwater trying to find the frog that got away. She is so much fun but very challenging.

[@AnicieGarcia]

So true! I love my Golden doodle, he's perfect; overabundance/live loyalty, he'll react to an aggressive malamute and to high shrieking small barkers

[@treasuretrovel3816]

It is my thought that a number of doodles that are snappy with the groomer (or vet) are in pain because their coat can be more matting than that or a poodle. This is because the cross can result in a coat that has shedding follicles and hair follicles (non-shedding). This is a mix for high maintenance and disaster if the owner is not willing to care for the coat several times a week. Many of these dogs have painful matts and lots of hair in the ears and very painful ear infections. Anyway, the neglected coat can set the dog on a bad path. What started out as a wonderfully temperament pup can grow up to be anxious and reactive. Just sayin'

[@Gzluweez]

A sport clip solves these issues. Summer clip grow out to about 2”. Easier for everyone esp the dog. Brush quickly and often. Clean the ears. Clips the hair out of the eyes and under ears if necessary to prevent infections. Pretty dogs don’t need a matted mess.

[@treasuretrovel3816]

@@Gzluweez Exactly. A clean, unmated coat that is neat and short is much cuter than a matted mess. Most doodle owners realize this and ditch the moppy clip.

[@michaelkeselman]

Seems like 90% of the dogs in my city are golden poodle mixes. Great dogs. I don't like the common nickname though, it's too silly.

[@jfkst1]

I call them Doofus dogs.

[@Mitch_Ryder]

90% ??!!

[@michaelkeselman]

That's an exaggeration... Half are lab poodle mixes hehe

[@avwillis5269]

3:41 if we really want to be technical, then both dogs were originally meant to be retrievers...

[@Retrieverman1]

Look up English rough water dog. It looks exactly like a doodle. It is the original British water dog. They just reinvented with the doodles.

[@C.Pachovsky]

Great video Stonnie! Enjoy your weekend

[@StuWNZ]

Brilliant video. Very well narrated. Let's hope people listen😊

[@melissalo3549]

My golden doodle got his personality from his poodle mother- he’s very smart but he’s very self serving. He understands EVERYTHING that is happening which means managing his separation anxiety was a bit difficult because you couldn’t trick him. Training his is very different than training a shepherding or working breed cause he’s not driven to work so he could care less what you think, he has his own mind of his own. But he is the best dog ever, it’s a unique experience (we joke he’s like a human trapped in a dog suit). He’s so smart he potty trained himself and figure out how to use his paws like hands. I think people have to appreciate when mixing two different dog personalities, you don’t know what you get.

[@melissalo3549]

His best friend is a golden lab who LOVES everyone and not too smart- so it’s funny to see two very distinct personalities

[@MrStringpicker]

I rescued from private owner (not a shelter or a rescue) who had no time for a 3 yr old mini 25lb goldendoodle. She is sweet but was under socialized and has fear based issues. I can get her to walk but only for short distances. She sits down and refuses to leash walk. I just bought a slip lead that fits just under jaw line, and will apply lead pressure and releases, but she will just sit there. Time and patience and building trust and taking baby steps, how many times/day to work on this is the question

[@OffGridDogs]

Excellent summary at the end Stonnue!

[@StonnieDennis]

Thank you!

[@christophertoland1938]

NY Times Interview - Wally Conron the Labradoodle Creator Says the Breed Is His Life’s Regret. “I opened a Pandora box and released a Frankenstein monster,” said Wally Conron, who developed the mopheaded dog. “Why people are breeding them today, I haven’t got a clue,” he added. For some breeders - and Instagrammers posting photos of their beloved “doodles” in little rainboots and sunglasses - Mr. Conron’s comments rankled. But perhaps the line that cut the most was this: “I find that the biggest majority are either crazy or have a hereditary problem,” he said. “People ask me, ‘Aren’t you proud of yourself?’ I tell them: ‘No! Not in the slightest.’ I’ve done so much harm to pure breeding and made many charlatans quite rich,” he said. “I wonder, in my retirement, whether we bred a designer dog - or a disaster!”

[@StonnieDennis]

Why do people quote that guy so much?

[@christophertoland1938]

@@StonnieDennis Probably because the New York Times is one of the last bastions of actual Journalism that survives on this planet. On top of that a breeds Progenitor and his/her opinion of the breed should carry some weight considering they brought the breed into existence. If you could get Edison's opinion of the lightbulb, I'm sure you would give it more weight then some random anonymous person on a social media platform.

[@marieannehendrie7423]

My neighborhood has been taken over by doodles, and by and large they seem like pretty nice dogs(with the odd neurotic one thrown in) But I’ll stick to my (yes perfect) black lab.

[@StonnieDennis]

100%! No comparison…

[@boxerdally7457]

As a dog groomer I'm not a fan, of their coats and temperment but my clients love their dogs and that is all that matters. Beside's who am I to say what is or isn't a good dog, I own Dalmatians, Boxers and a Beagle (through default). Believe me the combination raised alot of eyebrows 🤔

[@torreyls2408]

Personally, I will never understand the passion for any doodles at all. When you just see a real Poodle, they are just stunning and confident seems to be something they're almost born with, I've never found doodles appearance Tobe appealing. I definitely do not think they're cute at all. Especially when they leave the muzzle fluffy. Doodles eyes say I'm Confused and have NO skills, Poodle eyes say I Can do Anything. I'm sure that says a LOT more about both the owners as well as the breeding. I am 54 and have never met a balanced doodle, and have never met an unbalanced standard Poodle. In fact, my dog doesn't like doodles and will actively avoid them, and the Poodles she meets she loves to play chase with. My dogs a heeler who hunts instead of herding.

[@guy8646]

I don’t own a doodle but I used to live in a part of town with tons of purebred standard poodles, and they were always aloof and “stuck up” with other people and dogs. I think people like doodles because the other breeds (goldens, labs) add a lot of affability, which I find to be true.

[@halpen]

I think this highlights what Stonnie said about personal experience coloring our perceptions more than we realize. Poodles were extremely popular when I was a kid, and I have never met one that wasn't an anxious, nervous wreck. And that goes for any size of poodle. I did recently meet one standard poodle that was well mannered, but she is absolutely the exception in my experience. The thing is, almost all of it - the good and the bad - goes on the owners, not the dogs. We adopted a sheepadoodle, not because she was a sheepadoodle, but because she was an awesome dog that needed a good home. She's now my daughter's service dog, and she's amazing. Edit: fixed typos

[@D_in_MN]

I'd rather spend 5 min a day brushing for hair control with a golden...than having to do a "haircut" every 2 mos..😉 Not to mention the beauty! 😎

[@krisdiperna3929]

My thoughts exactly! My beautiful golden loved to be brushed but I began brushing him when he was very young. It did take me longer than five minutes a day though to do a nose to tail, paw to paw complete brushing. I miss him so much.

[@DanSmith-qx4nl]

Excellent video.

[@StonnieDennis]

Thank you!

[@Retrieverman1]

Golden retrievers and poodles had the same original purpose lol

[@lookouthill11]

I worked as a dog walker/sitter for years and based on that experience I wish they didn’t exist to the extent that they do now. Or at all frankly. I’ve found your average owner is someone who was sold on the marketing and look of these dogs and not the reality of them which means they’re not capable dog owners and expect them to have the same needs as a pug. The only well adjusted poodle mixes I’ve met were rescues, adopted by experienced poodle owners or dog trainers. As a trainer I appreciate that you see the intelligence and drive of a working breed mix but I’ll never support it’s intentional creation.

[@StonnieDennis]

Very reasonable perspective; Good comment.

[@AnitaNC]

My biggest issue is that people pay crazy amounts of money for a doodle, more than it would cost to buy a well-bred example of the parent breeds.

[@StonnieDennis]

Why do you get mad about how other people spend their money?

[@connielakedogtrainer]

Stonnie, I admire and respect you more than just about any other trainer out there. I was wondering if you could clarify something you said about genetics at the start of this video. Is it true that when you cross two purebred breeds, the puppies will be 50% one and 50% the other? My experience as a trainer of lots of doodle puppies is that the litters genetic mix is more random. I’ve seen puppies that are 60%/40% or 30%/ 70% etc. Is that just my particular experience with the kind of doodle people are purchasing in my area?

[@StonnieDennis]

This is a great comment and one I’m not really well educated enough to answer with any authority. I know someone who is an expert on genetics, maybe I can get them to contribute to some videos. The answer is roughly yes, but you have to keep in mind that the expression of, or your perception of, genetic qualities varies due to a lot of factors: environment, nutrition, activity levels, and the metrics use to define and catalog observed traits and tendencies.

[@ShamanicSavant]

"Purebred" is a bit of a misnomer as there's no such thing. They're "line bred" over many successive generations into a breed with established characteristics. All dog breeds began as mixed breeds. An F1 cross such as you're referring to can result in any characteristics between the 2 dogs being crossed. Think of the parents as the opposite ends of a scale, the offspring can land on either end of the scale or anywhere between in the traits they express. A 50/50 cross doesn't mean they'll all land in the exact middle of the scale on every trait. It's possible, but they're more likely to exhibit wildly varying traits across the entire scale on an F1 cross. To get the exact traits you're looking for, you need to selectively breed and back breed until you get a stable line that has the most desirable traits you're looking for with the least amount of undesirable traits. All this while maintaining genetic diversity and a large enough gene pool to keep from inbreeding the line out of existence. I don't really have a horse in the race when it comes to doodles in any form, just some interesting observations. I stick with Labs because I've had a love affair with the breed ever since my first one almost 40 years ago. I started out with a fashionable breed that was a medical and behavioral nightmare. A Chinese Shar Pei if you're familiar with them. They're cute AF as puppies and backyard breeders popped up everywhere to take advantage of the flavor of the month fashion trend. It's not something I'd normally fall for, but I let my GF at the time pick out the breed and breeder. That cute little puppy grew up to be a costly cornucopia of temperament and health issues. One day I let both him and her go, and a week later went down to the humane society where I met a 6 week old chocolate Lab that became the love of my life and best friend for the next 13 years. She defined "user friendly" in a dog breed. The rest is history. The main problem I see with people getting doodles and the reason I wouldn't get one, is you never really know what you're going to get. I've had friends wanting a dog with the personality of a Lab or Golden retriever that doesn't shed, only to end up with a high strung poodle that sheds like crazy. Breeders that are just cashing in on a current trend generally don't have the knowledge, experience, patience, or resources to properly line breed a stabilized line with dependable characteristics, so it ends up being a crap shoot as to what you'll actually get. It could be a great dog, or it could be a F'g nightmare... or anything in between. It takes decades to establish a breed with well bred lines, not to mention a ton of coordination between many experienced ethical breeders. It's a long haul based on a true passion and vision for the breed they're trying to create. They may well get there someday, but they're not there yet :)

[@connielakedogtrainer]

@@StonnieDennis Thank you for your frank and honest reply. That’s one of the things I respect about you as a trainer.

[@connielakedogtrainer]

@@ShamanicSavant Wow, thats so interesting. Thanks for all the great information.

[@Smitch2909]

Can attest my gsp is a part time job but luckily a part time job I love far more than my full time job :-)

[@lebryant-4u]

I have an Aussiedoodle and I love my dog more than I love breathing, he is my heart. That being said, his mix is huge energy that isn't for everyone. The herding side runs strong so do your research before getting one.

[@RoseSuire]

Stonie, Any specific guidance for Aussiedootles would be appreciated. I have two littermates- they are great dogs and are learning basic obedience, they are 11 months old and are still very reactive to other people and dogs. I’ve done a lot of socializing but they seem to be worse. Thanks for your excellent videos and guidance.

[@carolynmikell7799]

Is there a reason why the poodle wasn’t included in the group activity? I guess we all want to defend our own dogs. I have a male standard poodle who has the absolute best temperament, but can still go full speed head to head with his wild child sister who is a rescued boxer/Weimaraner mix. Interestingly, my poodle was one of the calmest puppies in his litter. He was an old soul at 8 weeks. He’s 3 1/2 now.

[@UtahRoadbase]

Great video! I'd love your opinion on bully breeds. From staffies to our bulldog pitbull cross. They seem like the right kind of dogs for us but we're likely in an echo chamber.

[@jfkst1]

I like Poodles so I would just get a Poodle instead of a Poodle mix.

[@StonnieDennis]

What if one likes some things about Poodles but not everything?

[@halpen]

​@StonnieDennis Bingo. And why all the reflexive pearl-clutching at the larger poodle crosses, but the cockapoos, yorkiepoos, etc that have been around for decades get a pass?

[@jfkst1]

@@StonnieDennis I'd say the majority of the variation between the poodle mixes and the poodles is physical. What dog breed is more versatile than Poodles?

[@jaclynelise2966]

@@halpenI think the issue is specific to golden doodles because most of the owners seem to think that because they are part golden they are going to have the golden personality. And that’s not always the case. Then they do not feel like they need to train, socialize or exercise them. Yorkie personality isn’t that different from a poodle’s. And people who prefer little dogs/terriers know what they are getting themselves into.

[@OtterBlotters]

All the trainers I've known unanimously agree that their bread and butter is some form or fashion of doodle. These dogs are typically bred for profit, by back yard breeders, with inadequate health and temperament testing (and they need to be tested for diseases that both parent breeds are prone to, not just one set of breed tests). Grooming can be a nightmare, with a combined coat of poodle hair and lab or golden undercoat fur, which tends to mat and require shaving, so all that teddy bear cuteness goes out the window. Very few if any reputable breeders will sell a doodle breeder (greeder) their quality animals that they've put a lifetime of work into developing. So the doodle is bred from whatever subpar poodle or golden that they can find. Doodles can't be shown in conformation to an objective judge to assess their breeding quality, there is no standard for them. They are random mutts with unpredictable genetics, temperaments and features. You do not combine 2 dogs with completely different sets of genes and get 50% of the desirable traits from each. That's not how genetics works, and it's the reason for purebred dogs, that you will be reasonably assured of a predictable set of traits in the breed. Yes, trainers love these dogs. They have to, otherwise they end up dumped in shelters. Unlike reputable breeders, doodle greeders don't take their dogs back if they don't work out.

[@StonnieDennis]

Do you keep a lot of Poodle crosses, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles? I would be interested in seeing you explain your position while working with and managing all three types of dogs.

[@suebadger92]

I think this is the best , balanced video on the pros and cons of the Golden doodles. So much info about dogs in general and their needs. Thank you !

[@jonathanarnold1844]

I recommend getting from a breeder registered with the goldendoodle association of North America.

[@margaretfleming3554]

My friend has one who is a great dog with children and other dogs but doesn’t do well when left home alone.

[@yogiyoda]

I volunteer at my local pound in Central Texas. We have hundreds of "designer" dogs that are super unique mixes. Many with great temperaments just waiting for a good home. Don't rule out rescuing a dog until you've met some. On average, mutts are healthier with better temperaments than the fragile inbred dogs people are paying thousands of dollars for. And these dogs know when they get rescued and love their new family more than anything!

[@mimsdv6329]

common myth that mutts are automatically healthier than a pure bred

[@yogiyoda]

@@mimsdv6329 I didn't say "automatically". I said "on average"

[@wmickinley]

mine was too rambunctious and required too much grooming, never again. he looked like that one, but with a bit more culture. a real Montessori cultivation in banjo town

[@wmickinley]

profit seeking is the end of us, Adam smith was a philosopher not a scientist

[@StonnieDennis]

Minus profit incentive, people like you hardly even get out of bed; you wouldn’t even exercise and brush your dog…

[@jerryparisi6803]

these are great segments . may cut down on dogs in shelters becuase people pick the dog for the look .

[@sharonuluh2496]

The issue isn’t that crosses are being made. I love purpose bred mixes (even if the purpose is companionship) if done mindfully and ethically. In my line of work we see poor physical/temperament quality purebreds being used to make these crosses and either being sold to low information owners or bred without ensuring there are enough homes for the pups. So unfortunately the well adjusted doodles are severely outnumbered by the not so great ones, hence the seeming “doodle hate”. But this applies to other “purebred” dogs as well.

[@StonnieDennis]

100%

[@suehatcher1209]

Nope, it's not right for me. Goldens are perfect; why mess with perfection? LOL

[@OneCanisLupus]

I would love to have a Belgian Malinois or Shepherd for a sevice dog. Maybe then I could go from place to place or eat a meal uninterrupted. 😟

[@jfkst1]

GSD are much more common for service work. Most Mals are terrible candidates for that job.

[@pamanderson1417]

I bet the mal would be good at the service of keeping others from starting unwanted interactions with you😉

[@OneCanisLupus]

@@jfkst1 Ex K9 guy here. Yeah, you'd have to find a more mellow Maligator for service dog work. I retired a big female Maligator and she would have been perfect. She liked people and would do any command like a trooper. Well, any command unless it involved giving up the sleeve.

[@RatdogDRB]

Concerning these dogs, I'll admit that my attitude towards them is prejudicial. I'm also the tail end of the Boomers, so my perspective is very different than folks much younger. Additionally, I live in an urban setting, meaning I'm surrounded by a mindset which my values are NOT aligned. Human nature is such that we're conditioned from a young age to avoid peer pressure and to align with the collective mentality. For example, when I was in school, you had to wear a heavy weight white T-shirt, Levi 501 (well broken in) button fly jeans, and Nike Cortez shoes in order to "fit in". M'be mom/dad couldn't afford the Levis/Nikes. The crowd didn't care, you weren't one of the "it" crowd. Some people never recognize this for what it is and never out-grow it. When I was a kid, if your family had money, you had a dog with a pedigree. If not, you hoped a pedigree looking breed was at the shelter, if not you picked out the best mutt you could find. Fastforward a few decades. These same (shallow) hive-minded people who live for the next "trend" got pitched the benefits of a mutt that doesn't shed. And, in order to justify that, also pitch that mutt as the new "Nike/Levi" so your friends PERCEIVED that you were part of the "it" crowd. All that matters is having the right label. So these "designer breeds" become all the rage in the urban setting, paying top dollar for a mutt. For me, that's the rub "against" these dogs. Now, all of that aside, I agree 100% that GOOD genetics from the sire/dam nets the continuation of GOOD genetics. And that makes sense. And, breeding great traits of two dogs isn't a bad thing either. Additionally, paying for GOOD breeding makes sense, and folks need to make a living. No argument from me. Bottom line (for this ol' war horse), I'm NOT paying high dollars for a mutt to seatbelt into a Prius, and head for Starbucks' drive-thru sporting bright blue hair, a face full of tattoos and 50 pounds of piercings metal hanging off my face. If that's "them" I'm going the opposite direction in all facets of it. And if I was in love with that variety of mutt, I'm going to try and educate myself on recognizing good confirmation and behavior I like in an animal and wander on down to the pound and get someone's $2,500.00 mutt for the cost of adoption. But then I also hope I'm not getting some poor animal who's been destroyed mentally/hormonally by some clown that's tried to diagnose/treat (with drugs) some perceived disorder that's the designer dog issue of the month. And I know I'm going to have to listen to some know-it-all pound volunteer explain all the disorders I need to pamper and treat in order to provide a safe feeling for a fur-baby that should never be corrected/disciplined and taught boundaries and expectations... then take rover home and teach him how to follow my lead on a leash, and go experience as many things life has to offer. Teach him there's time to work and time to play, time to eat and time to sleep. Show him what a buddy is and let him learn how to trust and settle in. But, knowing me, I'd pass on the designer mutt and go find some gnarly looking Pittie that just wants to be a happy dog, slap a spiked collar on him and name him "Kitty" and take him about in my V8 powered SUV, and watch everyone have coronaries at the sight of him and his MAGA bandana around his neck. LOL

[@samuelphillian1286]

I was with you up to the very end, you lost me at pittbull 😂

[@GoldenWolf248]

Basically people wanted a retriever that doesn't shed. Why not a Labradoodle then? I thought labs were the best! (I'm joking btw, Goldens are good too.)

[@ChampTheBeagle]

My neighbor had a golden doodle.

[@mankowskidawid]

Stonnie, what about little Basset hound? XD

[@StonnieDennis]

I have a great Bassett Hound video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpDHc5-uiLWXbKMsi=57Yf1aWly_wr3fQa

[@randywilliams4325]

People buy these dogs thinking they are smart and they won’t have to train them . Wrong answer . A puppy is like a blank canvas . You only get back the work you put in . There is no reason a golden doodle can’t be used for water work like duck hunting if the dog has the will . Only problem is their coat isn’t a fast clean up .

[@pibly7784]

Great comment. 👍

[@melissaheaton1789]

I love this video. I hate when people say doodles are just a mutt when all dogs were a mix of something somewhere… I have a goldendoodle puppy.

[@ianhall702]

Thinking of a doodle? Get a lab, a black lab! If your lazy get a show black lab, if your busy get a working black lab! Just remember the lore, all dogs want to be black and all labs want to be black!

[@sophiaspong2835]

I think this take ignores the truly nightmarish treatment of these dogs coats by typical owners. Groomers do not want to take them on because so often they’re being mistreated. The actual history of labradoodles is for a service dog, but the man who did it says he regrets doing it. It’s not what’s wrong with the dogs (though their confirmation and temperaments are truly unpredictable if you’ve worked with 50+ in daycare settings) I have loved many doodles I have known. It’s the way breeders market them as an easy dog when really their grooming needs are in some ways higher than a poodles that bothers me the most. And the second most is the sudden increase in poodles used for breeding living in shelters today.

[@rebeccabastien6593]

With all of the doodles I've worked(likely a hundred or two at this point), I have yet to meet one with a stable temperament. Plenty have been sweet and smart but not stable. I'm a little surprised you would support a byb breed.

[@StonnieDennis]

Did you get watch the whole video? Does this doodle strike you as having an unstable temperament? If so, provide the timestamps that prove your point. Maybe the problem lies with your training style?

[@Mitch_Ryder]

Please define what you mean by “doodles I’ve worked” and “stable”…..because I’m not believing you.

[@guy8646]

Worked with in what capacity? What’s your training and background?

[@RatdogDRB]

A neighbor had one. Lovable as they come and was 75 lbs. of Zoomie Linebacker as soon as he exited the front door. I didn't mind "Barney". He was so lovable and friendly that his spastic behavior didn't bother me. I have a family member who has one. They live rurally, she's got about 5 acres to romp in, stays on the property without a fence, she's great with their kids, barks at everything that enters her domain, and is a four-legged chicken that I just can't win over as a friend. On rare occasions she'll accidently get close enough to receive petting and will lap it up until she realizes her mistake of getting next to "that guy" and tightens up a little but will sit and soak in the attention anyhow. Odd animal, I'm a dog lover, almost never have troubles making friends with a dog, but not this one. She will NOT come to me or be friendly of her own accord. Her people always greet me with a big hug and affectionate greeting, so that's not a factor either. She's not a bad dog in any sense of the imagination, just a four-legged chicken with some people. Go figure.

[@tritchie6272]

byb? That seems like an arrogant/snobbish mindset.

[@myhounddog]

Sadly due to unlicensed over-breeding and uneducated breeders.. and buyers who think they don't have to train these dogs because they look like a soft teddy bear.😢 They have ruined these dogs. Doodles are the most unpredictable dogs in my city😢. People need to remember a Dog needs consistent attention, training and a job. Not a crate and Sunday dog walker.

[@StonnieDennis]

I’m afraid that the point of licensure is much more about protecting revenue than it is about maintaining high standards.

[@mytige20V]

Stormmy we bought a Silver Lab pup 4 weeks ago. I am not a fan of Golden Doodles.

[@philliphinkle2812]

I can answer this. NO

[@StonnieDennis]

Why not?

[@philliphinkle2812]

@@StonnieDennis just an opinion. Seems like there are too many and the demand has made them stupid expensive. I know a few of these dogs and I’m not a fan. But overall I’m sure they fit some folks lifestyle. I’m a lab purist.

[@h2oratt2000]

They are not right for anyone

[@nessafry]

Make sure you never buy any of these doodles from a breeder and only from rescues, if you want a doodle or some sort of 'poo' from a breeder only; just buy a standard mini or toy poodle thats ethically bred!

[@jesslovely5365]

This is where I disagree with Stonnie. I don't think any breeder is good. We have so many dogs in the shelters and a lot from breeders. I don't care if a specific line interests you or you're a "good" breeder - stop breeding dogs. If you've worked/volunteered a shelter, you would be disgusted with how many puppies and dogs are euthenized daily because there is just no space! We treat animals like tools for our amusement - distopic bs. Stop fooling yourself about getting a "good" breeder and adopt from a shelter.

[@Trapphausmusic]

Would be more room in shelters for normal dogs if people stopped getting pitbulls which take up 99% of shelters.

[@tritchie6272]

Are you some kind of animal rights loon? Theirs nothing wrong with people getting a dog that's bred to suit their needs and lifestyle. No need to be a tyrant because you've seen something you don't like. Personally I don't like seeing pictures of fat,clean healthy looking puppies with a sob story of "we rescued these poor neglected puppies"then everybody laps up the sob story assuming its gospel truth.

[@MrStringpicker]

Even worse are the shelters that keep dogs for years and think that is humane

[@jesslovely5365]

​@MrStringpicker typical fallacy comment... having dogs bred constantly and left in crates is inhumane. I can imagine you're a really intolerable person to be around and I bet most of your family members (if they're even around) can't stand you.

[@jesslovely5365]

​@@Trapphausmusicaround 25% are bullies in shelters but regardless of the breakdown there should be stringent breeding laws with cats and dogs.

[@suebadger92]

I think this is the best , balanced video on the pros and cons of the Golden doodles. So much info about dogs in general and their needs. Thank you !