Replies to This Discussion

AdminPermalink Reply by Lynne Fowler - Admin on January 31, 2012 at 7:40pm

Dusty, you would have to keep an eye on the CA Listings page and apply through the rescues and shelters, there. Our rescue, itself is in NJ, so a little too far to be adopting dogs.  

Doodles are very active and playful dogs and if you adopted one as an older dog, it might be more difficult than if you adopted a puppy who was trained from very young. I don't have much more advice than that but Good Luck in your search.

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Permalink Reply by Dustynbob on January 31, 2012 at 8:05pm

thank you, i need to hear from folks who have successfully adopted one.

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AdminPermalink Reply by Lynne Fowler - Admin on January 31, 2012 at 8:15pm

Well, I have 5 doodles of my own, in various sizes from 28# to 105# and have been rescuing and rehoming them for 3 years now. I think that's pretty successful. Many of our rehomes are because they are such active and needy dogs. They crave and demand attention, will crack you up with their antics and don't like being alone. Good Luck.

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Permalink Reply by Dustynbob on February 1, 2012 at 8:25am

Well active and needy doesn't sound good; although the dog will have a job. I don't want to get a dog that will be unhappy. Retreivers seem to be ok with laying around all day?

 

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Site AdminPermalink Reply by Susan D. on February 1, 2012 at 10:17am

Retrievers need exercise as much as any dog when they are young. I have also rescued two doodles, one big and one small. I love them to pieces, but they do need exercise! And they are not all non shedding.....even poodle mixes require a lot of grooming and do shed some. My big goldendoodle's temperament is quiet compared to the smaller labradoodle I have, and if your daughter or someone can show them attention like petting or brushing (which is good therapy for human and animal) a dog like this may work well if you get one that is older. I adopted Marlow at two and he was a ball of energy, now at 5 he is much calmer.

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Permalink Reply by Dustynbob on February 1, 2012 at 10:35am

Yes, she grooms daily, the dog must lie quiet for that and gets a treat after. she plays ball and we go for a walk on days sh eis up to it. she has a blood cancer disease; and needs a dog during therapies. I take to the dog wash whenever possible, but she must be clean at all times.

 

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Site AdminPermalink Reply by Susan D. on February 2, 2012 at 1:46pm

Dusty, I am so sorry for daughter's illness! How hard to go through that. A dog like my large goldendoodle would be nice for your daughters since he loves grooming and will lay still for brushing. He doesn't chase balls though...lol. I think something in the 3-5 year old age range might actually work better for you and your family. And just because of the age they can still learn easily since they are so intelligent. Keep your eyes on the listings and apply to the different rescue groups who have the dogs. Good luck on finding the perfect doodle!

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Permalink Reply by Dustynbob on February 2, 2012 at 2:14pm

thank you, yes a 3 year old would be perfect!

what do you think about guardian dogs? I mean it seems the breeder pages i was on all had these "guardian dogs" which you keep and they breed? is that reasonable?

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Site AdminPermalink Reply by Susan D. on February 4, 2012 at 11:58am

The breeders are very particular about how they are raised and what food they are feed and how they are groomed, etc. They are wonderful dogs, but you have to be willing to give the dog up to the breeder when they want to use it for breeding purposes. You are basically the caretaker for the dog. Plus you would have an dog who is a breeder and therefore not neutered or spayed. The females will go thru heat cycles, etc.

Permalink Reply by Mary KMK on March 12, 2012 at 9:59pm

In addition to Susan's comments, I'll add a few more. I am also looking for a service dog candidate for myself. I spoke with a breeder about getting one of her pups, and she suggested one of her studs. The catch is you have to be ready to relinquish the dog- sometimes on short notice- for a period of several days a few times per year.  I can't see how that would work well as a service dog since if you need to have the dog, wouldn't you need it all the time. Also, IAADP guidelines lean heavily toward spay/neuter since the dogs will be out in public so much.

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Dustynbob on March 12, 2012 at 11:09pm

I decided against it since a service dog must be spayed or neutered in our county. Plus, it would not give me the time to train without disruptions. I called all over the country to humane societies looking for crosses, and they all had problems that were not surmountable.