Labradoodles are frequently the choice of puppy for families as a first family dog. Many families have an allergy sufferer so they always assumed that they would be unable to have a puppy and then they learn about the allergy friendliness of labradoodles.
My concern is that many of these families have never had a puppy. Puppy hood is very different than a Hallmark commercial of a puppy coming out of a box with a big bow tied jauntily around puppy’s neck. The commercial cuts away as everyone is hugging the puppy and the music plays. What we do not see is that as soon as the director yells, “CUT!” , a dog handler comes and takes away the puppy as the puppy will start nipping at the young children, chew up the mom’s new heels, and soil Dad’s suitcoat that accidentally fell off the chair. Yes, all of these things have happened to me!
The reality is that a puppy is a lot of work. I do not want to mislead families. It is the most wonderful and rewarding experience and I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I housebreak a puppy or teach it a new trick or training excercise.
Puppies jump, puppies chew, nip, and bark. I cannot encourage families enough to go into puppyhood with realistic expectations. These behaviors only last a few months in light of the puppy’s whole life. Go into puppyhood with your eyes wide open to the realities and you will have the most wonderful and rewarding experience.