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Fall in love with a Doodle Dog! This guide tells you everything you need to know about this popular cross-breed.
With their cute names and curly coats, Doodles have become popular pets. And why not? They’re more than just cute—they’re generally affectionate, playful, and highly trainable dogs. They also don’t shed much, so they’ll ideal for people with pet allergies. In other words, a perfect family companion!
If you don’t know exactly what a Doodle is, they’re a cross breed of a poodle with another kind of dog; think Labradoodles (Labrador and poodle), Aussiedoodles (Australian shepherd and poodle), Goldendoodles (Golden Retriever and poodle), or Sheepadoodles (English Sheepdog and poodle). You get the idea. The possibilities are endless and no matter the crossbreed, they all live in the cuteness zone.
If you don’t want to resist—and who can?—Doodle Dogs For Dummies is the ultimate guide on all things Doodles. You’ll find helpful information within its pages whether you’re just considering a Doodle, or you’ve already brought one home.
From long walks on sunny days to cuddling on the couch, you have a lot of quality time to look forward to with your furry best friend. And Doodle Dogs For Dummies will ensure that your Doodle is happy and healthy for their lifetime.
Miriam Fields-Babineau has been a professional animal trainer since 1978 and an animal writer since 1986. She has authored 47 books, including Mixed Breeds For Dummies and Training Mixed Breed Dogs. She is Human Mom to 6 animals. Although only one is a dog, the three horses and two cats think they are, too.
Introduction 1
About This Book 2
Foolish Assumptions 2
Icons Used in This Book 3
Beyond the Book 3
Where to Go from Here 4
Part 1: From Poodle to Doodle 5
Chapter 1: Meet the Doodle 7
Doodle Sizes 7
Toy-size Doodles 9
Miniature-size Doodles 10
Standard-size Doodles 11
Doodle Personalities 12
Super-sensitive 12
Very intuitive 14
Hyperactive 15
Doodle Health 15
Life span 15
Potential health issues 16
Doodle Training 17
Puppies: Up to 4 months old 17
Adolescents: 4 to 8 months old 17
Adults: Over 8 months old 18
Chapter 2: The Amazing Poodle 19
Meet the Poodle 20
Big, Small, Poodles Have It All 23
Poodle Personalities 23
Common Health Concerns 24
Chapter 3: Considering Your Doodle Options 25
Considering Your Lifestyle 26
Doodle Commonalities 28
Grooming requirements 28
Early socialization requirements 28
Behavioral quirks 28
Trainability 28
Dietary requirements 29
Exercise requirements 29
Separation anxiety 29
Meet the Doodles 29
Aussiedoodle 30
Bernedoodle 32
Cavadoodle (Cavapoo) 34
Chidoodle (Chipoo) 36
Cockapoo 38
Goldendoodle 40
Havadoodle 42
Jackadoodle (Jackapoo) 44
Labradoodle 46
Maltipoo 48
Pekapoo 50
Pomapoo 52
Pugadoodle (Pugapoo) 54
Pyredoodle 56
Sheepadoodle 58
Shihdoodle (Shihpoo) 60
Sproodle 62
Whoodle (Wheatenpoo) 64
Yorkipoo (Yorkidoodle) 66
Part 2: Your Very Own Doodle 69
Chapter 4: Pick a Doodle 71
Finding Your Doodle 71
Searching the web 71
Doodle owners 72
Groomers 72
Identifying a Reputable Breeder 73
Looking at the different kinds of breeders 73
Asking the right questions 76
Visiting a breeder 77
Getting health clearances 78
Reading the puppy purchase contract 81
Temperament Testing a Doodle 82
Be gentle: Testing for touch sensitivity 82
What’s that? Testing for movement and object sensitivity 84
Who’s the boss? Testing for confidence or passivity 86
I’ll get that! Testing for possessiveness and retrieval ability 89
Follow the leader: Testing for social skills 91
Chapter 5: Doodle on the Way 93
Before Doodle Day: What to Know Before Bringing Your Dog Home 93
Financial considerations 94
Time considerations 95
Space considerations 97
Puppy-Proofing Your Home 97
Removing chewing hazards 98
Protecting your furniture 99
Safety first 101
Setting Up Sleeping and Eating Areas 102
The crate: Your dog’s first place to sleep 103
Thinking outside the box: Letting your dog sleep outside a crate 103
Buying bedding 104
Giving your dog a place to eat 104
Stocking Up on Supplies 105
Collars, harnesses, and leashes 105
Dishes and bowls 105
Toys 106
Chapter 6: It’s Doodle Day: Picking Up Your New Puppy 109
Travel Considerations 110
Flying with your puppy 110
Traveling by car 112
Poop, Pee, Eat, Sleep, Repeat: Setting Up a Feeding and Potty Schedule 113
Giving Your Puppy the Guided Tour 114
Showing your pup around 114
Greeting the family 115
Meeting other pets 116
Taking your Doodle out to do their business 119
Helping Your Doodle through the First-Night Blues 120
Planning Activities to Keep Your Doodle Entertained 121
It Takes a Village: Making Sure the Whole Family is Onboard 122
Feeding times 122
Potty breaks 123
Training and exercise routines 123
Chapter 7: Doodle Care 125
Giving Your Doodle the Nutrition They Need 125
The basics of nutrition 126
Types of dog food 127
Going to the Veterinarian 131
Choosing a veterinarian 131
Spaying or neutering 134
Going for regular checkups and vaccinations 135
Controlling parasites 138
Recognizing and Addressing Health Issues 139
Itches, bumps and spots: Skin disorders 139
Food allergies 140
Finicky or piggy: Eating disorders 140
Born with it or accidental: Skeletal issues 141
Common food sensitivities 142
Itches, bumps and spots: Skin disorders 143
Offering First-Aid to Your Doodle 144
Assembling your canine first-aid kit 145
Knowing what to do in an emergency 146
Nature’s Way: Exploring Natural Foods and Supplements 153
Vitamins 153
Herbs 154
Oils 154
Chapter 8: The Dapper Doodle 157
The Better to Hear You With: Cleaning Your Doodle’s Ears 157
Mani-Pedi Time: Trimming Your Doodle’s Nails 159
Say Cheese!: Keeping Your Doodle’s Teeth Healthy 161
Lookin’ Good: Coat Maintenance 163
Professional Doodle Grooming 165
Doodle cuts 166
Which cut is right for your dog 170
Preparing for grooming 170
Part 3: Doodle Training 173
Chapter 9: Doodle Rules and Regulations 175
Setting the Rules 175
Being Consistent, Praising Frequently, and Exercising Patience 176
Being Observant and Harnessing Good Behavior 177
Facilitating good behavior 178
Capturing behavior 179
Shaping behavior 180
Housetraining Your Puppy 181
Crate training 181
Finding the right outdoor relief area 183
Observing and directing your pup’s behavior 184
Training your Doodle to potty on cue 184
For whom the bell tolls: Training your Doodle to tell you when they have to go 186
Chapter 10: Basic Doodle Lessons 187
Buying and Using the Right Training Equipment 187
Targeting and Marking 192
Teaching Your Doodle the Basic Cues 195
Sit 195
Come 196
Heel 198
Down 202
Stay 204
Finish 208
Stand 214
Chapter 11: Advanced Doodle Lessons 217
Increasing the Duration and Distance of Stays and Recalls 217
Increasing the distance during stays 218
Getting your dog to come from a stay 221
Walking at Heel without a Leash 224
Phase 1: Dragging the leash 224
Phase 2: Using a pull-tab leash 225
Distraction-Proofing Your Doodle 226
Toys 228
Children 229
Dogs 231
Other animals 233
Enhancing Focus by Capturing Offered Behavior 234
Capturing heeling off lead 234
Voluntary stays 235
Putting on the Finishing Touches: AKC Rally 236
Puppy Playground: Doodle Agility Fun 238
Chapter 12: Doodle Don’ts 241
Four on the Floor: Stopping Jumping Up 242
Understanding why dogs jump 243
Keeping your Doodle’s feet on the ground 243
Curing the insistent jumper 244
I’m Not Your Supper: Stopping Mouthing 247
Understanding why dogs nip and mouth 247
Preventing the problem 247
Curing the problem 248
Chew on This, Not That 248
Understanding why dogs chew 249
Solving the problem 250
Oh, the Noise! Getting Your Doodle to Stop Barking 253
Keeping your Doodle occupied while you’re gone 254
Helping your Doodle to be confident on their own 255
Stopping barking on cue 256
All Mine: Teaching Your Doodle to Share 256
Surf’s Up! Stopping Counter-Surfing 257
Part 4: Doodles with a Purpose 259
Chapter 13: Doodles as Assistance Dogs 261
The Better to Hear You With: Hearing Dogs 262
Assistance Doodles 263
Emotional Support Dogs 264
Chapter 14: Doodle Sports 267
Participating in Formal Competitions 267
Looking at the different kinds of competitions 268
Preparing for your event 275
Hunting with Your Doodle 277
Having Down-Home Fun with Your Doodle 278
Part 5: Senior Doodles 281
Chapter 15: Recognizing the Changing Needs of Aging Doodles 283
Physical Changes 285
Worsening allergies 285
Bad breath 285
Lumps and bumps 286
Weight gain 286
Incontinence 286
Aches and pains: Changes in your Doodle’s joints 286
Blindness and deafness 287
Mental Changes 288
Chapter 16: Enhancing the Life of Your Aging Doodle 291
Move It or Lose It: Keeping Your Senior Doodle Active 291
Walking not running 292
Keeping the games light 292
Feeding Your Senior Doodle 293
Understanding how your dog’s needs have changed 293
Feeding more often to aid digestion 294
Old Dog, New Tricks: Training Your Senior Doodle 295
Exercises for the body 295
Exercises for the mind 296
Chapter 17: Double Doodle: Adding a Second Dog to Your Family 299
Looking at Common Reasons to Get a Second Dog 300
To give your current dog a companion 301
To prevent separation anxiety 301
To Doodle or Not to Doodle: That is the Question 302
Knowing What to Look for in a Sibling 303
Helping the New Duo Get Along 304
Setting up a positive initial meeting 304
Acclimating to a new life 305
Preventing resource guarding 307
Working with the dogs in tandem 308
Part 6: The Part of Tens 319
Chapter 18: Ten Reasons to Get Your Doodle from a Reputable Breeder 321
They Know What They’re Producing 322
They Provide Health Certifications 322
They Let You Meet the Parents 322
They Care Who Buys Their Puppies 323
They Offer Health Guarantees 323
They’ll Take Your Dog Back if You Can’t Keep Them 323
They Can Help You Pick the Right Puppy 324
They Provide Proof of Vaccinations 324
They Can Give You All Kinds of Guidance after You’ve Taken Your Pup Home 324
They Care about the Puppies They Produce 324
Chapter 19: Ten Reasons to Share Your Life with a Doodle 325
Doodles Are Adorable 325
Doodles Are Extremely Intelligent 325
Doodles Are Easy to Train 326
Doodles May Not Shed as Much as Some Other Breeds 326
Doodles Love People 326
Doodles Love Other Dogs 327
Doodles Are Very Sensitive 327
Doodles Are Entertaining 327
Doodles Come in All Sizes 327
Doodles Fit in Any Climate 328
Index 329
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