Bringing home a puppy can be a fun and rewarding time.
Or, it can be a trying time.
There are tricks in preparing for your dog and also in training him.
By following the advice in this chapter, you can enjoy your Labradoodle more and have less stress on everyone.
So, now you have your Labradoodle, but what you should expect once you bring him home? How do you make your home safe and inviting to your Labradoodle? And how do you make the transition period for your Labradoodle easier on both of you and your dog? WHERE IS YOUR LABRADOODLE GOING TO STAY? The first thing you need to decide is where your Labradoodle is going to stay.
In most every instance, your Labradoodle needs to be an indoor dog.
Labradoodles are sociable dogs and were bred to be family companions.
They are not intended to be relegated to the backyard and occasionally played with.
If you're looking for such a companion, the Labradoodle isn't for you.
So, your Labradoodle needs to be an inside mostly dog, with occasional forays outside.
But that outside must be safe, too.
You can't expect your Labradoodle to know the boundaries of your yard.
Nor can you expect the neighborhood dogs and kids to respect your yard either without a fence.
So, it makes sense to have a fenced-in yard for your Labradoodle.
Where your Labradoodle sleeps is very important, too.
He needs his own bed (sorry kids!) and, for a while, that means a crate so he can learn the rules of the house.
Remember, Labradoodles don't come housetrained, normally, so you're going to have to teach him it's not okay to eliminate on the floor.
However, even though your Labradoodle needs his own bed, he needs to sleep with someone to whom you'd like him to bond, be it you or your kids.
You may wonder why your Labradoodle should not sleep with you.
There are a number of reasons, but one of the most compelling is the occasional accident or sick time.
Waking up covered in vomit or urine is not fun.
The second reason is up to debate with a dog as amiable as the Labradoodle, but I think the argument has merit.
Dogs are pack animals, and some dogs can take the sleeping arrangements a little too seriously.
When you sleep with a dog, you're more or less saying you're on an equal level.
That's fine-if you don't mind getting bullied by your own dog.
If you want to maintain a leader status, it's best to have your Labradoodle sleep in his own bed-and you in yours.
The basement, utility room, garage, and backyard are definitely off-limits as sleeping places for your Labradoodle.
Remember, these are sociable dogs, and they need attention.
You're giving him a clear signal that you don't want him around when you make him sleep in a less than ideal place.
How do you keep him from tearing things up and having accident on the floor? You crate train your Labradoodle and put his crate in his designated room.