Many people teach their dog how to fetch.  Many people do not teach their dog everything that goes along with fetch.  It is important that you have control over your Goldendoodle while playing fetch.  Dogs can get tunnel vision, only focusing on the object they are fetching.   There are several things you can teach your dog to make sure you remain in control of the situation.

Things you can do to stay in control while playing fetch -

1. Sitting –  Have your Goldendoodle sit when he returns the ball to you.

2. Waiting for the “OK” – Give the “stay” command before throwing the ball.  Wait several seconds after throwing the ball before you give the “OK” command, allowing the dog to retrieve the ball.   This takes time and practice.  Slowly increase the time you have the dog wait to retrieve the ball.

3.  Stopping the Action – When your Goldendoodle is chasing the ball give the “stop / heal”  command.  Your Goldendoodle should stop chasing the ball and come and sit at your feet.

All three steps take time and practice.  Remember to practice in a controlled environment, ensuring you are not setting your pet up for failure.  Slowly introduce more challenges and distractions.   These simple steps can save your pets life one day.  It is important to have control of every situation.

The weather is quickly changing and that means less play time for Rusty.  This past weekend it rained the entire two days making it very hard for us to find time to take Rusty outside to play.  By the end of the weekend it was obvious he had had very little play time.   Rusty can become restless if he can not work off all his energy.  Below are some tips that we have found work very well to keep a well mannered dog in the cold and rainy months.

Winter Goldendoodle Tips -

1. Doggy Time Out – If your Goldendoodle is misbehaving separate yourself from the dog for a short period of time (30 seconds).  We simply lock him out the room we are in, and when he is calm we let him back in.

2. Inside Games – It is important to remember to give your Goldendoodle one on one time inside. Examples –  Tug of war, teaching them new tricks, hide and seek.

3. Play with them in the rain.  When the weather is bad for a long period, sometimes you just have to tough it out and go play in the rain, they will love you for it.

Goldendoodle (Rusty) following basic commands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV4yT7lEOpU

We took Rusty camping this past weekend and he did great.  It can be a lot of work taking a pet camping.  Rusty was off leash most of the time just hanging around the camp.  It is important to make sure your dog will listen to you off leash.  Camping in not the place to test your dog off leash, a lot can go wrong.  We have a small two person tent that my wife and myself along with the dog all slept in.  Rusty was so tired that he plopped down between us and was out like a light.

Barking while unattended is one habit we are trying to brake Rusty of.  Several times while camping we leashed Rusty to a tree and he barked and barked.  I think the reason being we rarly leash him unattended and he is not use to it.  He is showing signs of being a spoiled dog

Goldendoodle Camping Tips -

- Bring enough dog food and water.

-Check regularly for ticks.

-Plan ahead (bring toys, dog bed, leash, whatever is needed)

- Dog shoes – we bring dog shoes in case Rusty gets a cut on his paws while camping.

How can you train your dog to catch the ball while playing fetch?  I have been trying to answer this question and I have a couple suggestions that I have found works best for Rusty.  Rusty often lets the ball hit the ground before trying to catch it.  I have been training Rusty to catch the ball in his mouth.  Below is a list of tips to help train your Goldendoodle to catch while playing fetch.

Goldendoodle learning to Catch

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It is important to socialize your Goldendoodle starting when they are puppies.  Goldendoodles are very social dogs and enjoy being around other dogs and people.  It is important that your Goldendoodle feels comfortable around other dogs and pets along with humans.

Rusty (Goldendoodle Left) playing with neighbors dog.

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German Sheppard, Lab, Goldendoodle, Rottweiler, Dalmation…..

Thinking about getting a dog? Consider the following…  dogs take time, patience and money. Many people over look the responsibilities of owning a dog. Dogs are members of the family and should be treated like one.

Goldendoodle Playing Fetch (Rusty)

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