Goldendoodles are playful and affectionate dogs that love to be around their human family. This lovable hybrid of the golden retriever and the poodle is also highly intelligent and responds well to reward-based obedience training.

Like all dogs, they need regular exercise and a healthy diet. Watch for signs of health problems, such as weight gain or changes in appetite and bowel movements.

Pre-Puppy Preparation

Getting a new dog is a big responsibility, and it’s important that you’re prepared to give your Goldendoodle everything they need. Start with basic obedience training, which will set a strong owner-dog relationship and help you control their behavior.

These intelligent, playful pups need lots of exercise. Try to allot 30 minutes per day for walks, runs, games of fetch or swimming. Having a high-quality diet will also prevent them from developing obesity-related health issues.

Puppy proofing your home will also be a must, as this breed is curious and will want to explore their environment. Remove any choking hazards like small toys or electrical cords from their reach and put away things they may want to chew, like shoes, pens, bags, or purses.

A responsible owner will groom their Goldendoodle regularly, which will include brushing, nail clipping, and teeth cleaning, either at home or at a professional salon. This breed typically sheds little to no hair, which makes them a great choice for allergy-sensitive pet parents.

Training

Like most dogs, Goldendoodles are easily trainable and thrive when they have a daily routine. Having your puppy on a schedule for walks, potty breaks, food and playtime helps them learn to understand expectations and limits.

Training your puppy will help you set rules and boundaries, improve communication, and enhance safety for the whole family. Having a well-trained dog also makes them more enjoyable to spend time with!

Since they are a hybrid breed of two high-intelligence dogs, Goldendoodles respond well to training and work best when rewarded with treats. Using food as motivation for training will help them to remember commands quickly. Be careful to not overfeed your pup, however, as overfeeding can lead to weight gain and other health issues. This is especially important during the early stages of their development. Puppy crate training is another key component to having a well-trained Goldendoodle. This will help them feel secure and establish a sleeping schedule.

Socialization

Goldendoodles are born people-pleasers, and they love to build strong bonds with their families. Their friendly nature makes them easy to get along with kids, other dogs, cats and any other critters in the house. They also require daily exercise and play whether that’s a morning walk, a backyard fetch session or a trip to the dog park.

Training is crucial for your goldendoodle puppy and should start as early as possible. Using positive reinforcement and clicker training is the best way to teach your pup, as this approach is more enjoyable for both you and your furry friend.

Puppies need to be crate trained in order to learn that the crate is their place of rest, safety and comfort. They should only be allowed to sleep in the crate for about 18 hours a day and should spend their non-crate time playing, eating, walking, going outside for bathroom breaks, and learning basic commands.

Health Care

Goldendoodles have a lot of energy and are curious, so they can get into things they shouldn’t. They also don’t understand danger, much like a toddler, so they can ingest items and hurt themselves. If a Goldendoodle eats something they shouldn’t and it gets lodged in the throat or stomach, they’ll need veterinary care to remove it. Those ER visits can quickly add up.

Because of their poodle parentage, Goldendoodles can inherit hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and cataracts. Fortunately, these can often be prevented by following a tailored wellness plan with regular exercise and diet.

Because your Goldendoodle is a bundle of adorableness, you want them to live a long, happy, and healthy life. Lemonade’s pet health insurance can help you afford that and save money on vet bills along the way! Click here to get a quote in just minutes.