- Q: What is a Goldendoodle? A: A Goldendoodle is a crossbreed dog, a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. They’re known for their friendly and tolerant attitudes. They are social dogs, extremely friendly, and great companions. They have tons of personality, and in our experience, no one doodle is quite like the other!
- Q: How long does it take for a Goldendoodle to reach full size? A: Our mini Goldendoodles typically reach their full size, up to 30 lbs, between 12 to 18 months. However, as with any crossbreed, there can always be anomalies. Standards can reach anywhere from 40lbs and up, depending on the size of the parents and their genetic markers.
- Q: What should I feed my Goldendoodle puppy? A: We feed our Goldendoodle puppies Taste of the Wild grain-free puppy formula. Each puppy will go home with a sample bag of this food to ensure a smooth transition. However, you are free to change their food to one that you prefer. We just recommend it be high quality and with as little filler ingredients as possible.
- Q: How often should I groom my Goldendoodle? A: Goldendoodles should be groomed every 6-8 weeks to keep their coat healthy and free of mats. If you prefer to keep their hair longer, we recommend asking the groomer to keep the hair shorter under their ears, armpits, and legs to avoid matting. Also, be aware that certain types of collars can cause matting. We like the rope-shaped collars to help avoid this. Be prepared to commit to regular brushing. Some doodles are more curly, some are wavy, and certain hair traits are more prone to matting than others.
- Q: What kind of exercise does a Goldendoodle need? A: Goldendoodles are active and playful dogs. They require regular exercise, including walks, playtime, and mental stimulation.
- Q: How can I socialize my Goldendoodle puppy? A: Socializing a Goldendoodle puppy can involve introducing them to a variety of people, environments, and other animals in a controlled and positive way. Be vigilant in dog parks, as not everyone else will be.
- Q: What health provisions come with a Goldendoodle from The Dood Effect? A: Our puppies come with a health guarantee, initial shots, microchips, a go-home bag with a book on caring for your Goldendoodle, as well as starter health insurance that’s free for the first 30 days. If for any reason you can no longer offer them a safe and loving home, we require they be returned to The Dood Effect to be placed with a new family. Our puppies are like our grandkids, and we do not want them abandoned or placed in shelters. They always have homes with us. We even offer discounted pet-sitting in our home for our local families, time permitting!
- Q: How does The Dood Effect raise their puppies? A: We raise our pups using Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), Early Scent Introduction (ESI), and a comprehensive puppy curriculum. These methods help to ensure that our puppies are well-adjusted, confident, and ready for their new homes.
- Q: What is Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)? A: ENS is a process we use with our puppies from days 3 to 16 to promote their neurological growth. This involves handling the puppies in a specific way that encourages their development.
- Q: What is Early Scent Introduction (ESI)? A: ESI is a technique where we introduce our puppies to different scents from days 3 to 16. This helps to develop their scenting ability and can be particularly beneficial for dogs used in roles that require a keen sense of smell.
- Q: What does the puppy curriculum involve? A: Our puppy curriculum is a structured program that includes socialization, crate training, and an introduction to basic obedience and potty training. This helps ensure our puppies are well-adjusted and ready for their new homes.
- Q: What are examples of Early Socialization? A: Here’s a brief checklist that outlines the steps we take at The Dood Effect to ensure our puppies are well-socialized:
- Human Interaction: Our puppies are handled and cuddled daily to get them used to human touch and presence.
- Exposure to Household Sounds: We expose our puppies to common household sounds like the vacuum cleaner, TV, and kitchen appliances so they can get used to these noises.
- Introduction to Different Surfaces: We let our puppies explore different surfaces like grass, carpet, tile, and gravel to help them adapt to various environments.
- Interaction with Other Animals: If safe and appropriate, we introduce our puppies to other friendly and vaccinated animals to help them learn how to interact.
- Introduction to Car Rides: We take our puppies on short, safe car rides to help them get used to traveling.
- Exposure to Outdoor Environments: We let our puppies explore safe outdoor environments to get them used to the sights, sounds, and smells of the outside world.
- Early Scent Introduction (ESI): We introduce our puppies to different scents from days 3 to 16 to help develop their scenting ability.
- Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): We use ENS techniques from days 3 to 16 to promote their neurological growth.
- Crate Training: We introduce our puppies to crates early on to help them see crates as a safe and comfortable space.
- Basic Command Training: We start teaching basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” to give them a head start on obedience training. Remember, socialization is a lifelong process. Once you bring your puppy home, continue to expose them to new experiences, environments, and people to help them grow into a well-adjusted adult dog.