Top tips for new shoodle

[Tomlettegregg]

We're picking up our puppy this weekend. We've done lots of research but would love existing owners to give any top tips on toilet training and correcting barking.

We're crate training initially for sleep and have been told to let them cry which seems mean but I want to set him up for success as he isn't allowed upstairs.

Because based on what OP has herself said, her comfort may be misplaced.

She has received v poor behavioural advice re: cry it out, and inaccurate information about health in first generation crosses.

That’s absolutely not how you crate train a pup. Holy fuck balls!

I can’t summarise here how you should/could crate train OP but please don’t put food and a puppy pad in there. If this is what the breeder recommended, yikes. What are you basing your approval of them on?

Dogs are sentient, intelligent beings, not fashion accessories or status symbols. Your attitude (and that of the OP) is how we ended up with XL bullies.

A dog is only as healthy as the parents and ancestors. Both these breeds have significant issues unless health tested so unfortunately that’s not true.

I had a proper rescue mongrel. I’ve now got a fully health tested pedigree. First generation crosses are a real gamble both behaviourally and medically for a whole host of reasons so you’ve been given duff advice there. I help run a dog training club so see many.

re crates that’s not how it’s done. If you want to use one then you need to follow some more modern advice regarding building value then time in the crate.

Honestly this is why people probably don't post for advice here. I'm more than happy to be told there's a better way to do things.

So no pad in there. Take them out regularly during the night and sleep nearby. Absolutely fine.

She does recommend treats and toys in there and serving meals to start with. If you disagree please tell me why and what else to try.

Regardless of breed, you want to do everything you can to have a happy confident dog with a great bond between you too.
Mine loved her crate, even now at 1.5 years she still naps in there sometimes.
If you read easy peasy squeezy the advice is to make the crate the best possible place to be. I never fed in the crate as I hand fed and used puzzle feeders/played games with her meals but randomly through the day I'd stick toys in there or a handful of treats. It was cosy and as den like as I could make it. I think it's called being a crate fairy!
I found the puppy stage truly awful and did a lot of faking it until making it - ie being a happy person that's always happy to see the pupster.
If you treat a dog with love and kindness that's all they will ever show you. There's no need at all to let them cry, it's just lazy and will bite you on the bum later.

For me personally, I find it wrong to perpetuate the cross breeding of these dogs by paying extortionate amounts of money to despicable breeders for profit.

if you have Facebook I would go on dog training advice and support Facebook page and have a read of the guides. Lots on there about puppies, how to prevent seperation anxiety, crate training etc all in a force free way that will help build confidence in your pup. You read the guides then if you still need help you can make a post. There’s also a premium group you can join for £20 a month if you need more help

@MariePaperRoses agree.

What is your understanding of crate training OP? And why have you decided to shut your puppy in a crate? Let’s start from there so we can get some understanding of what you want, and hope, from crating your puppy/dog.

Because the general public at large can be very deluded about dog breeding and what is essential to know when looking for a pup. This is an Internet site, so if it helps many people be more clued up, that can only be a good thing and in turn, reduce inadvertent animal cruelty.

Thank you.

OP, first if all this is a very exciting time!!!
and I'm sure your puppy will settle in nicely.
Some harsh comments.

I have zero knowledge (or interest) in crates but please don't leave food with the pup overnight.
Food should only be offered at mealtimes in a designated food/water place. You give the food, to create a connection and routine. Food doesn't just sit around for puppy to find as it wakes up. Also, there is no feeding overnight. The breeder will advise on Current mealtimes and how to adapt these as the puppy gets older.
Good luck and enjoy the process; puppies are the best!!!!

Anyone with a poodle cross needs to be serious about grooming. Start early, have a variety of brushes (a good breeder will be able to recommend which they find best for their coat type). If the breeder doesn’t, that’s a red flag.

I have a huge rescue dood & he takes at least 30-45 mins a day to thoroughly groom to keep his curly coat free of mats, debris, loose hair etc. Poodle crosses not shed? HAHAHAHA!

And I spend at least £75-100 on professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.

The number of cockatoos/labradoodle/golden doodles I see whose owners ask how my dog looks so good & seem surprised when I say, “By spending a lot of money & a lot of time brushing.”! So many of them are knotty or have visible debris in their mats!

And having better health is a myth; our old giant bear dood died last month, he’d had mast cell cancer for 6 years of his 12 year life (and thousands in surgeries & treatment). Also, my 4 year old was diagnosed with hypothyroidism this year, he’s already over his substantial insurance limit, and the excess means it’s cheaper to pay for some routine bloods & medication out of pocket.

I’ve had pedigree setters & labs (and a yorkie that we think had a pinch of lurcher!), health wise the outlay on illness is about the same (taking into account price rises over the years).

I can’t answer about crate training (we’ve never used crates & work from home), although we did have to use a crate for 6 weeks to restrict movement on a yorkie after knee surgery. And as for barking, all barks have meaning. It’s up to us as a good owners to learn their barks, cues & body language to understand why they are barking. Being left to cry as a pup is cruel & can reinforce separation anxiety.

You’ve already bought your new pup, so enjoy it, but please find a reputable group for crate advise if that’s the route you’ll take, and insure & brush, brush, brush!

They should be called cages instead of the disingenuous 'crates.'

The 'breeder' dolling out advice when she's just a moneymaker churning out crossbreed dogs to gullible fools.
Rescues are at breaking point and still we have byb producing ridiculous cross breeds.

What's a shoodle?

Here is my 2 pence worth. Sleep next to the crate or move the crate near to you. I had the crate in the living room to start with and had a play pen attached to it. I slept on the sofa so I could comfort my girl when she needed it.
I fed all meals in her crate until she recognised her crate as a happy den. My 2 dogs now sleep in their crates happily all night long - the crates are in the hallway outside my bedroom door.

I wouldn't recommend letting your pup cry it out and I absolutely wouldn't leave him/her to sleep so far away from you. You are doing the right thing by asking questions, relax and enjoy your gorgeous pup.

For those asking , it's pretty quick & easy to Google 'shoodle'. Very cute

Thanks all. I'm aware of the grooming needs and will be doing what I can myself and sending to a groomer regularly. I've got insurance a good vet and a trainer scheduled to come 1-1 as well as classes. I do want to be a responsible owner.

The crate was because I want the dog to have a space they can retreat to when they want space. I'm told it gives them a lot of security later on. First night is coming up so we've only had pup a few hours. Understandly he's my shadow just now and only wants to be close but realistically we will have to leave him for a few hours at times so need to set him up for that at the beginning.

You’ve got a very young baby animal that’s only just met you - you need to meet his needs now not think about the future. What he needs is for you to be close by at all times especially on his first night.

If you want to be able to leave your dog as it gets older then don’t leave it now. Seems weird but if they feel the need to be close to you then let them. Or you’ll have a very anxious dog with separation anxiety as you go forward.

A shoodle, a crate and a clueless owner....what could go wrong?

Ffs.

Go easy on OP.

She is asking the right questions and trying to do the best for her pup. It isn't easy to come on here and have everyone pile in on her, at least she came back for more advice. A clueless owner would just do what suited them best - she's asking if the advice she was given was correct and that means that it didn't sit well with her. Well done OP for asking.

We all start somewhere. So much advice out there is either vague, outdated or dangerous. They’re asking and taking it in. The pup will be a happier dog for it.