red Australian labradoodle puppy with head tilted left

red Australian labradoodle puppy looking straight ahead

Click each page above to see a larger image in a readable size.

Big Dog Mom Socialization Info

To learn more about appropriate socialization strategies, fear periods, common mistakes to avoid and much more, click below. There are many pure, solid educational links within this tutorial, however, some will request info and place you on mailing lists. Legendary Labradoodles is only recommending that you read the Puppy Socialization content on this blog. It is excellent.

Dog Socialization

COMMON PUPPY BEHAVIORS

The following links and attachments include general information on caring for your puppy. This will help you prepare for your puppy's arrival and get you started on the right foot.

Please be sure you, your children and all family members understand the signals your puppy is giving you.
The puppy is not a toy and not meant to be held at will. Set limits on how many times a day (no more than 4) that your child can hold the puppy. Children should only be allowed to hold the puppy if they are seated. Too much handling can physically hurt the puppy as well as begin the process of the puppy not tolerating your child. No walking around carrying the puppy. This is true for all children under 8.
Puppies will chew on and sometimes ingest toys. (and other things) Be sure toys are put away. If ingested, the pieces can lodge and cause your puppy to have to undergo surgery that is not always successful.
Puppies generally do NOT like to be hugged.
Puppies will jump up on people. There are two primary responses that most dogs will respond to. The first is to cross your arms, hiding your hands, and turn around showing the dog your backside and being very still. If your dog continues to jump on you they are not responding to this method and you should not continue trying it. Instead, step right into the space where there front paws are on the ground, being careful not to step on their feet. Repeat this behavior each time your dog jumps and instruct all people who your dog interacts with to do this same thing.
Puppies and dogs in general will feed off of the people around them. Those who are very exciteable and talk in high pitched tones will create a dog who responds to seeing people by becoming super amped up and difficult to follow simple commands. Try to limit this. It's not in the puppies best interest to repeatedly be encouraged to escalate the excitement level to this high level. This is when the dog will become less focused and less able to follow your guidance. Keep in mind that your dog will feed off of you, your tone and your energy level.

Canine Behavior

Great books to help you prepare for raising a puppy

Families with children mandatory read: Raising Puppies and Kids Together

Jan Fennell: The Dog Listener
Pia Silvani: Raising Puppies and Kids Together: A Guide for Parents
Jennifer Arnold:Love Is All You Need The Revolutionary Bond Based Approach
Victoria Stilwell: The Secret Language of Dogs: Unlocking the Canine Mind for a Happier Pet

Click the Dog Socialization link below to learn

Puppy Development Stages

Click the link below for a great resource to learn about your puppies development. Once you get to this site, click on Puppies, then development stages. Use your back button to return to this page.

Puppy Development Stages

Stay Connected

If you have not joined us on Facebook or Instagram, you may want to. This is usually the first place pictures and video show up. We also have a private Facebook page for owners of our puppies. At this time, you can join this group by answering a few short questions. It is titled Legendary Labradoodles Owners Group. There is info about grooming, vet care, training and all sorts of topics. There are links in the footer of this page to our main Facebook page, not the owners group and our instagram account. If you click on the icon it will take you to our pages.