handshy/skittish goldendoodle puppy - will this get better?

[Anonymous]

We have a 5 month old goldendoodle puppy who we got at 8 weeks. We are first time puppy owners so we admittedly probably made some mistakes in the beginning like chasing after her when she got a small toy in her mouth from the floor, picking her up too much, etc. We've noticed she seems pretty hand shy/skittish (not overly fearful generally, just shy/skittish with people). The best way to describe it is she just seems reluctant or suspicious. She likes affection when she comes to us, but she seems to have mixed feelings. She follows us everywhere, but if you turn around toward her she sort of backs away like she's afraid. When I go to pet her a lot of the time, she'll dodge and run in the other direction. Her ears go back a little and her tail lowers, so she's not playing. She does come when I call her a lot of the time, and I give her a lot of positive praise when she does - which she likes. But I am really disappointed by this lack of affection and trust, and wonder if anyone has this experience with a puppy? She's still very small (12 pounds) and is expected to get to 25-35 pounds. We have two kids, 7 and 9, who are very gentle and loving with her. They used to carry her around a lot, but we've stopped that since it was suggested that this may be part of the problem. We all wanted a puppy but we got the dog primarily for one of our daughters who has a reading disability and loves dogs, we were hoping that she would sit quietly by our daughter so our daughter can practice "reading to" the puppy. She does sit by us sometimes, but if we reach our hand out to pet her, unless she's tired, she jumps off the couch or runs away. We have done a few training classes and are signed up for more with a different trainer that will hopefully help us with this - but I'm just wondering if anyone experienced this with a puppy who grew out of it. I'm hoping this isn't just a temperament/personality thing. I didn't notice this when we first got her, she seemed pretty trusting around people and playful, and the breeder recommended her as far as temperament as a good choice for us. But, at the same time we have much more experience with "dog language" now then we did then.

[Anonymous]

Train with food. Use high value treats. Never chase the puppy. Induce her to come to you with treats and affection. Also, just give her random treats when you see her doing something you want her to do (like sitting down next to a family member). Try to be low key about touching her right now as she obviously doesn't like it. However, anytime she does approach you for affection, give her a treat and a pet. She needs to make the positive connection between you and getting something she likes. Also, when she does take something she shouldn't have, get a treat and say "out." When she drops the object, give her the treat at the same time you're taking the object.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

It could be temperament. However, what the dog really need is to invest in some training.

If you live near Alexandria, I recommend Old Town School for Dogs. Best $500 you'll ever spend.

[Anonymous]

25-35 pounds seems like a really small adult size for a goldendoodle. The ones that I've known have all been big, goofy dufuses - about the size of a golden retriever.

12 pounds is small and she is feeling small. I think just call her, treat her until she is comfortable doing that. Once you've got her a bit enthusiastic (not sheepish) have her sit and treat her. The a little later have her sit, treat her and pat her on the head...

[Anonymous]

We have a year old mini golden doodle that weighs 15-16 lbs. He still runs when you reach out to him unless he's tired. I think he thinks it's a game of catch me if you can especially if he has a ball in his mouth. He's very friendly and warm to everyone but does not always come when you call him because he may think you are going to try to catch him. I put a leash on his harnice when he's outside because he runs if you come towards him and it can take forever to get him back in the house. It becomes a cat and mouse game. I can step on the leash to catch him. I would not worry too much.

[Anonymous]

We have a year old mini golden doodle that weighs 15-16 lbs. He still runs when you reach out to him unless he's tired. I think he thinks it's a game of catch me if you can especially if he has a ball in his mouth. He's very friendly and warm to everyone but does not always come when you call him because he may think you are going to try to catch him. I put a leash on his harnice when he's outside because he runs if you come towards him and it can take forever to get him back in the house. It becomes a cat and mouse game. I can step on the leash to catch him. I would not worry too much.

OP here: ours is also a F1Mini (backbred with a mini poodle) so will be medium sized. This description sounds just like ours. She's pretty friendly but seems to think we are going to catch her if we get too close. She will definitely come for the leash though - I take out the leash and she comes to me because she likes her walks. Also even when we take her to the park and go in the big tennis courts to play off leash, she will come when I call to get back on the leash, which is very surprising given that in the house she will not come to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It could be temperament. However, what the dog really need is to invest in some training.

If you live near Alexandria, I recommend Old Town School for Dogs. Best $500 you'll ever spend.

I agree. You definitely need to socialize her too. Puppy play groups, lots of walks in populated areas. Dog parks.

[Anonymous]

Puppies need socialization of all types - with people, dogs, etc. That will help. Puppies go through a fear imprint stage, where if they aren't socialized and experiencing new things they become fearful.

Don't chase after her, call her to you, give her treats while petting her, etc. Let her learn that you're a good thing.

I have a 3 year old rescue who was soooo skittish when I got her a year ago, and she's come around. I think a puppy would too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a year old mini golden doodle that weighs 15-16 lbs. He still runs when you reach out to him unless he's tired. I think he thinks it's a game of catch me if you can especially if he has a ball in his mouth. He's very friendly and warm to everyone but does not always come when you call him because he may think you are going to try to catch him. I put a leash on his harnice when he's outside because he runs if you come towards him and it can take forever to get him back in the house. It becomes a cat and mouse game. I can step on the leash to catch him. I would not worry too much.

This is an old post but when I read it, I had to laugh because this is identical to my mini golden doodle. I have to enlist a neighbor or visiting service tech to help me grab him when he is not on his leash because it becomes one big game of cat and mouse. Nothing will entice him to come whether it's a treat or squeaky ball. I never worry about him running away. It's just getting him to come in that's the problem. Otherwise, he is the sweetest thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a year old mini golden doodle that weighs 15-16 lbs. He still runs when you reach out to him unless he's tired. I think he thinks it's a game of catch me if you can especially if he has a ball in his mouth. He's very friendly and warm to everyone but does not always come when you call him because he may think you are going to try to catch him. I put a leash on his harnice when he's outside because he runs if you come towards him and it can take forever to get him back in the house. It becomes a cat and mouse game. I can step on the leash to catch him. I would not worry too much.

This is an old post but when I read it, I had to laugh because this is identical to my mini golden doodle. I have to enlist a neighbor or visiting service tech to help me grab him when he is not on his leash because it becomes one big game of cat and mouse. Nothing will entice him to come whether it's a treat or squeaky ball. I never worry about him running away. It's just getting him to come in that's the problem. Otherwise, he is the sweetest thing.

I also realize this is an old post, but it doesn't make me laugh. It's why little dog people make me roll my eyes! We have a 70 lb goldendoodle and we worked on training so much, in so many different scenarios. No one would think it was funny if a big dog had bad manners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a year old mini golden doodle that weighs 15-16 lbs. He still runs when you reach out to him unless he's tired. I think he thinks it's a game of catch me if you can especially if he has a ball in his mouth. He's very friendly and warm to everyone but does not always come when you call him because he may think you are going to try to catch him. I put a leash on his harnice when he's outside because he runs if you come towards him and it can take forever to get him back in the house. It becomes a cat and mouse game. I can step on the leash to catch him. I would not worry too much.

This is an old post but when I read it, I had to laugh because this is identical to my mini golden doodle. I have to enlist a neighbor or visiting service tech to help me grab him when he is not on his leash because it becomes one big game of cat and mouse. Nothing will entice him to come whether it's a treat or squeaky ball. I never worry about him running away. It's just getting him to come in that's the problem. Otherwise, he is the sweetest thing.

I also realize this is an old post, but it doesn't make me laugh. It's why little dog people make me roll my eyes! We have a 70 lb goldendoodle and we worked on training so much, in so many different scenarios. No one would think it was funny if a big dog had bad manners.

Huh? PP was talking about her/his dog and never mentioned training. There was no mention of the dog exhibiting bad manners unless you think a dog refusing to come to you as having bad manners. We re talking about dogs not people. Chill out.