Are you considering getting a dog, especially a Goldendoodle? You are in for the best times of your life. Goldendoodles are incredibly adorable crossbreeds. Having them in your life can be fun, a bit challenging, but very fulfilling. These cute puppies make amazing pets for families.
They are incredibly loyal and friendly and possess a loving and gentle nature. This dog is a cross-breed of Golden Retriever and Poodle. Their coats come in a variety of colors, and sizes. A Goldendoodle looks like a life-size teddy bear.
As a future dog parent, it is necessary to know about their personality so that you can be prepared and give your Goldendoodle the best care. This article will discuss everything you need to know about this breed before bringing one home.
It’s Going to Take a Lot of Work
You will be venturing into a new area if you have never been a dog owner before. So, before bringing this new furry member into the family, you must learn about dogs. If you already have dogs, you know what you are getting into. As a new dog parent, you should remember that it is not easy to take care of a Goldendoodle or any other dog.
It is very rewarding to be a dog parent, but it is no walk in the park. It will require a lot of commitment and work, especially at the beginning. You need to keep an eye on your dog constantly. Your furry companion will take some time to get familiar with the new surroundings. Below is a list of steps you need to follow when getting a Goldendoodle:
- You need to ensure their basic needs are met.
- You need to make sure that they do not defecate in the house.
- You need to keep your dog clean and well-groomed.
- You need to keep their ears cleaned and free from infections.
- Their teeth need to be regularly brushed and well maintained.
- They need regular training like socialization, potty training, etc.
- They require regular exercise every day.
The list is never-ending but, these are the main criteria you need to take care of. You should consider your Goldendoodle as if raising your child. Dogs are often referred to as fur babies since you must be fully committed and responsible when taking care of them.
If you simply plan to get a Goldendoodle just because they are cute and treat them like a new toy, then you are not ready to get a dog. These puppies need unconditional love and attention. They will be growing up under your care, and need the best nurturing they deserve. Despite lots of dedication, patience, and hard work, raising a Goldendoodle is very fulfilling and worth it.
Raising a Goldendoodle Will Be Expensive
Just like raising a child, you also need plenty of financial resources and stability to raise a Goldendoodle. From their food to regular vet checkups, dogs need to be properly taken care of. These necessities can be quite expensive and so make sure you have sufficient funds to take care of all their needs.
The cost of having a dog and taking care of it can cost over $1000, excluding the purchasing price of the dog. It will be quite heartbreaking for both you and your Goldendoodle if you can not afford to keep him, and ultimately give up your dog to the local shelter, where the end is never a pleasant one.
Nobody wants to go through this gut-wrenching calamity, therefore, it is best to ensure that you have all the means to take great care of your Doodle. To help you get an idea about the expenditures here is a list you can take a look at:
- Food
- Beds, crates, etc
- Vet bills, vaccines, medications, and surgeries
- Toys
- Pet insurance
- Daycare
- Dog leash and collars
You Need to Be More Active
Goldendoodles are very active, and you need to keep up with their energy levels. For both physical well-being and training purposes, they need to be walked regularly. If they are kept inside the house all day, it might make them bored, aggressive, depressed, weak, and sick.
All the energy will be expressed into bad behaviors like shredding the furniture or defecating inside the house. Their energy needs to be utilized in regular exercise like walking and playing in the park for their overall well-being. If you are not active, you either need to change your lifestyle or hire a dog walker.
Here are some of the activities you can do with your Goldendoodle to properly utilize their energy:
- Take your Doodle on a walk every day.
- Take your pooch to the dog park and let them play and run with other furry friends.
- Play fetch or frisbee with your dog in the yard.
- You can introduce a dog-friendly treadmill to your Goldendoodle.
- Take them along on your daily morning jogs.
- You can also skate or bike with your furry companion.
Exercising with them will not only keep both of you physically fit, but it will also strengthen the bond and dynamics between you two.
You may also want to consider feeding a low fat dog food formulated as a high protein, low-fat option. The additional carnitine supports energy metabolism and Omega 3 Fatty Acids improve cognitive function.
Messy House Will Be the New Normal
Dogs love playing with toys, and their human parents also enjoy watching their pooch having a great time playing with their favorite toys. Both Goldendoodle puppies and adults love playing around. Pampering your Goldendoodle with a lot of toys is very normal.
They will be leaving behind toys all over the place. You need to accept and anticipate that your house will be messy with the toys scattered all over the house. It is also a clear sign that you are a proud dog parent.
Goldendoodles Need Regular Grooming
Goldendoodles have long fur that continues to grow. Their hair also does not shed like other dogs. Hence, they need to be regularly groomed. You can seek out a groomer and make regular trips to the dog salon. Sometimes it can get too cumbersome and expensive when you have to meet the groomer frequently. Hence, you can learn to groom your dog by yourself.
This skill set could be quite handy if you have a dog. You can groom your dog once in a while and take them to the groomer less frequently. Grooming includes bathing and cleaning your pet, followed by brushing the teeth and trimming the nails, ending with trimming the fur.
To groom your pet properly, you will need certain grooming tools like dog shampoo, canine toothbrush, canine toothpaste, dog nail trimmers, clippers, slicker brush, and scissors.
Numerous Health Issues of Goldendoodles
The health issues of the parent breeds can be inherited by the Goldendoodle offspring. This hybrid breed has increased health risk for various hereditary health issues such as eye disorders, elbow and hip dysplasia, and a wide range of other conditions. It is best to know about your dog’s health conditions before deciding to take one home. It will help you assess whether you have the necessary means to take good care of your pet.
After getting a Goldendoodle, it is wise to take him to the nearest vet as soon as possible. The vet will run some tests to check whether any issues need to be taken care of immediately. The health expert will also provide you with useful tips and recommendations for your dog.
Some Goldendoodles Have Separation Anxiety
Goldendoodles are very devoted and affectionate towards their caretakers. Some pooches are prone to getting separation anxiety as they love constantly being with their owners. Proper crate training can resolve this issue. It is best to carry out crate training, in the beginning, to avoid facing such issues.
Besides crate training, you can also try soft plush cushions or pillows. The warmth and softness will soothe and relax your dog. You can also get them soft customized toys that they will cherish. You can also get specialized anxiety jackets to comfort your dog.
Goldendoodles Are Very Smart
Since both the parent breeds of the Goldendoodle are intelligent, inevitably, the Doodle is also immensely smart. Goldendoodles can easily understand and learn new lessons. They can understand a wide range of commands, perform numerous tasks, develop many skills, and so on.
They are also easy to train. Their willingness to please paired with their intelligence make them amazing pets. Some of them are also employed as assistance dogs due to their intelligence levels.
Final Words
There are numerous life-changing benefits of having a dog. Raising a Goldendoodle can be quite challenging, but it is a fulfilling and exhilarating experience. They will shower you with love, and are incredibly loyal. You need to ensure you have all the necessities like proper financing to give them the best care they deserve.
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