From a young age, it has been my dream to breed puppies. Ten years ago, my dream became a reality as our first breeding pair, Ruska and Tulo, joined the family. Ruska took a little longer to mature, so I waited until she was three to breed. Since my first litter, I have continued to learn and improve, always with the well-being of our puppies as my top priority. Through reading, courses, and experience, I have strived to reach our goal — ‘To Raise Healthy, Calm, Confident, Well-Adjusted Puppies.’
Over the years, we have had families ask if we offer extra training for their puppies. Until now, this option has not been available. Next year (2025), we have decided to offer families extra training if they choose. This will be offered for one or two puppies per litter if requested.
Presently, our puppies head home at eight weeks of age. This year, we had the opportunity to train two of Echo’s Puppies and two of Willow’s puppies, which gave us insight into the next four to six weeks of puppy training. We currently have Pink and Orange Collar Girls looking for their forever families. In the meantime, we have been caring for and training them. They are a little older and have learned so much over the past few weeks.
Training
During the past weeks, the puppies have been working on learning to go potty outside, crate training for naps and overnight, walking nicely on a leash, and learning basic commands such as sit, down, come, and stay. Each day, Tom works with the puppies for short training sessions. Practice makes perfect.👏👏👏
Commands Used Througout the Day
Throughout the day, as we interact with the puppies, it is essential to use the commands that they learn during their training. This reinforces the commands that they have been learning during their daily training sessions. For example, when the puppy wants attention, they must sit before getting a pat. Another example is during feeding time when they are instructed to sit before they get their food.
Crate Training
The puppies have learned to stay in their crates for an extended period during the day for nap time and Nighttime. They can now sleep in their crates for seven to eight hours without a midnight potty break.
Socialization
Goldendoodles are companion dogs and want to participate in everything you as a family do. Whether going for a walk or joining the family as a soccer or baseball field spectator in the summer. Whatever the family is doing, your puppy will want to join in. This is why training a puppy from a young age is so important.
On Friday, we took the puppies along to watch my grandson’s baseball game. This was an excellent opportunity to socialize the puppies, as they were exposed to a new environment, people, and noise. As you can imagine, baseball can produce lots of different noises, from people cheering to children playing and traffic nearby.
A puppy is always a magnet for people, both young and old. When people wanted to meet the puppies, they were instructed to sit before getting a pat. After much interaction, the puppies lay in the shade for a nap.
