Best Way To Take Care of a Goldendoodle : A mix of two equally adorable breeds, the poodle and the golden retriever, the goldendoodle is easy to love. Add to that the fact that it is hypoallergenic and non-shedding, and it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular designer breeds today.
Goldendoodles vary in size, but they often take the poodle’s medium build. They also often have curly hair and are extra energetic, making them a bit tricky to care for. You can read more about them on Doodlefurbabies.com, but we’ll give you the basics right here.
How Did the Goldendoodle Come To Be?
Goldendoodles were initially bred as guide dogs back in 1969. The idea was to create a designer breed that has the loving nature of a golden retriever and the non-shedding coat of a poodle.
Inspired by the labradoodle, crossbreeding these two breeds came as a clear choice because golden retrievers are a popular domestic dog in America. This breed’s sweet and patient disposition makes it an ideal family dog. You will also often see it trained to become an agility dog, therapy dog, guide dog, or a search and rescue dog.
How To Take Care of a Goldendoodle?
Thinking of getting a goldendoodle to be part of your family? Even if you already have one, here are some basic care tips you might want to keep in mind:
1. Socialization Is Key
The first few months of a puppy’s life are mainly about developing from total helplessness to learning how to interact with its littermates and mom. Around this time, you can briefly pick it up for it to get familiarized with your scent. However, it should spend most of its time with its pack.
This time is crucial because it is when the puppy learns different lessons from its dog family. Then, around the seventh or eighth week, a goldendoodle puppy is ready to move to its new home and start its new life with its fur-parents.
As the pup adjusts to its new home, it will continue learning lessons that will be with it throughout its life. It is a quick learning time, so it should be full of positive experiences. From week eight to 11, your puppy will undergo its first fear imprint period. Distressing and traumatic experiences during this time can affect your dog all through its life.
2. Practice Regular and Proper Grooming
Many puppies of this breed are called teddy bear goldendoodles because of their round eyes, blocky heads, and curly coats. Although some will have the golden retriever’s straight fur or a mix of curly and straight hair.
Regardless of the coat of your goldendoodle, it will require regular professional grooming throughout its life. Hence, it would be good to have it accustomed to the routine at a very early age.
All the coat varieties of goldendoodles tend to have minimal dandruff and shed less. That said, how you groom your puppy is all dependent on the type of its coat.
You can easily spot puppies with curly coats even at birth by looking at the hair on the back of their ears or forehead. If it happens to have a curly coat, it will require brushing daily. The ones with wavy or straight coats can manage with at least two times of brushing weekly.
Your puppy can do away with bathing only once a month, but only if it is not extra active outdoors. Use shampoos for babies, and remember to wipe the inside of your puppy’s ears. Use a different wipe for each ear.
3. Engage Their Intellect
Goldendoodles are brilliant dogs. After all, both the parent breeds rank highly in dog intelligence. Boredom promotes bad behavior. These intelligent breeds will need attention, interaction, and anything to interest them mentally to fight boredom.
You are in luck, though, as goldendoodles are very easy to train. They also love regular interaction with their family.
Keep your goldendoodle in your room and give them a blanket or a towel with your scent that they can play with. You can also teach them certain tricks, such as ringing a bell to let you know that they need something, like going outside. Put bells at the bottom of your door, preferably at your goldendoodle’s nose level, and aid them in ringing it every time you bring them outside to go pee.
4. Give Them Proper Nutrition and a Balanced Diet
Goldendoodles are extremely active dogs and need a quality diet to ensure they remain strong, energetic, and happy. Food high in protein is ideal for your dog, such as dry kibbles. These also promote dental hygiene as it helps remove plaque.
Avoid or minimize giving your goldendoodle typical dog food allergens, such as dairy, soy, corn, and wheat. This breed is more vulnerable to food allergies than other dogs. A grain-free meal will be perfect, and you can even add whole vegetables. Of course, the main ingredient for your dog’s food must be meat.
Get Your Goldendoodle From a Trusted Breeder!
Goldendoodles are wonderful family companions. They mesh well with kids and with other family dogs and pets. Plus, they are very social and always like to be close to their family.
If you’re planning to get one, be sure never to buy one from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder. This way, you can rest assured you will get a healthy dog you can take care of for years to come.
