If you’re thinking of welcoming a Mini Goldendoodle puppy into your life, then you need to know what kind of personality he will have when he’s full-grown.
Well, the good news is that the Goldendoodle personality is generally friendly, outgoing, and fun-loving, which makes them great for families.
Read this guide to learn more about the Goldendoodle temperament and the characteristics of this universally popular breed.
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Typical Goldendoodle Temperament
Goldendoodles are ideal dogs if you’re looking for a family pet. These pups get along with everyone, even strangers and the family cat! You can expect your Goldendoodle to be fine with other dogs and with cats, too, provided that your Doodle is well-socialized as a puppy.
Doodles were originally created to be used as service dogs, largely because of their excellent temperament and intelligence. So, Goldendoodles can make good companions for those with disabilities.
In a nutshell, Goldendoodles are generally:
- Playful
- Loving
- Friendly
- Smart
- Loyal
On the downside, Goldendoodles are highly social dogs that love to be around their human owners. That can cause problems if you leave your dog alone for long periods, as separation anxiety is often an issue with these pups. If your Doodle is stressed, he may develop issues, including jumping, barking, and destructive behavior.
Linking Exercise With Behavior
Behavioral issues in Goldendoodles can also be caused by insufficient exercise.
Goldendoodles are created by crossing a Poodle with a Golden Retriever, both of which were originally bred to be used as working dogs. Not surprisingly, therefore, most Goldendoodles are lively dogs that need a reasonable amount of exercise.
These dogs love long walks, swimming, playing with other dogs at the dog park, and enjoying games of frisbee and fetch with you in your backyard if you have one. Outdoor canine sports are also something that Goldendoodles excel in.
Active Dogs Are Happy Dogs!
Your Goldendoodle will be mentally healthy, as well as physically fit if you give him plenty of exercise every day. In return, your pet will be relaxed, affectionate, and chilled out.
For that reason, Goldendoodles are best-suited to a family that enjoys an active, outdoorsy lifestyle.
Are Goldendoodles Easy To Train?
Goldendoodles are generally very trainable, thanks to their intelligence and willingness to please their owners.
When training a Goldendoodle, for the best results, always use positive reinforcement and be patient and gentle. Never resort to shouting at your dog or punishing him physically. That will simply make your dog resentful of his training, and he might even become frightened of you and of people in general.
It’s essential that you take your dog to socialization classes when he’s a puppy. That will give your Goldendoodle a sound foundation for the training that should continue throughout his life. Well-trained, sociable dogs are a pleasure to have around, and you’ll never need to be concerned about taking your Goldendoodle out and about or introducing him to new people and other dogs.
Crate training is also very important for puppies. The crate is a place of safety for the dog, not a punishment. It’s somewhere comfortable and secure that the dog can retire to when he feels tired or anxious or just wants some time to himself away from the hustle and bustle of busy family life. You can also use a crate to teach your dog to spend time alone, so that he doesn’t suffer from separation anxiety and the behavioral issues that can cause.
Are Goldendoodles Friendly?
According to other Goldendoodle owners, these dogs are generally very friendly pups.
Some dog breeds can be standoffish and aloof, even if they’re well socialized as puppies. However, that doesn’t generally apply to Goldendoodles! These guys are universally friendly with their family and with total strangers, too.
If you want a dog that’s going to be your close friend and companion, a Goldendoodle is perfect! These dogs form a very close bond with their human family, even if that family consists of only one person.
Goldendoodles love kids too, so if your kids are desperate for a puppy, a Doodle can be the perfect choice. Whereas F1 Goldendoodles can be large and sturdy dogs, you can choose a smaller variety if you have small kids that could be knocked over accidentally. Of course, whatever size of Goldendoodle you settle on, be sure to take time to train the dog so that playtime with the kids is safe for all concerned.
Goldendoodles And Other Animals
Some dog breeds have a very strong prey drive, which can make them unpredictable or even dangerous around smaller dogs and pets such as cats, rabbits, etc. However, Goldendoodles are generally not chasers, as long as you take the time to train and socialize your dog properly when he’s a puppy.
Goldendoodles are not snappy or aggressive with other dogs, which makes it a pleasure to visit the dog park or the beach where your pet can safely enjoy some off-leash fun and a game with other canines.
All that being said, every dog is an individual, and you do sometimes get Doodles that aren’t 100% reliable with other dogs or that will chase cats. However, that generally applies to dogs that haven’t been properly socialized and can sometimes be the case with Doodles that have come from shelters or rescues and whose past is unknown.
Are Goldendoodles Aggressive?
As previously mentioned, although Goldendoodles are typically friendly, loving dogs that need to be around people to be happy, occasionally, they can exhibit aggressive behavior toward strangers and other dogs.
Often, dogs with behavioral issues like that have had a bad start in life, perhaps being mistreated by a previous owner or being used as breeding dogs on a puppy farm. In these cases, patience and persistence can usually win the day, and an intensive, sympathetic retraining program can help to solve those problems.
Sometimes, a dog that acts aggressively toward other dogs does so because he has been attacked and possibly injured in the past. A good way to calm an anxious dog like that is to arrange playdates with a friend’s dog that is small, docile, and friendly. Your Goldendoodle will then come to realize that not all dogs are bad-tempered, and he will gradually relax. Of course, you must supervise your Doodle when he’s with other dogs, just in case of trouble.
As with all training, positive reinforcement is the way to go with Goldendoodles, and plenty of treats and petting can work wonders as a reward for good behavior.
Barking
Unfortunately, Goldendoodles can be prone to barking, a habit that seems to primarily affect the smaller breeds.
Generally, dogs bark when placed in certain situations. For example, a dog might bark a lot when riding in your car. That could be because he’s excited at the prospect of a trip to the dog park, or it could be that the dog is anxious or frightened, and barking is his way of expressing that.
Once you’ve worked out why your dog barks excessively, you can start to work with a professional dog behaviorist to formulate a training program to cure the habit.
Do Goldendoodles Like Other Dogs?
Although there are exceptions to every rule, most Goldendoodles get along great with other dogs. These pups are playful and active and typically enjoy nothing more than a good romp and a game with a canine chum.
That character trait is inherited from both the parent breeds, as both the Poodle and the Golden Retriever are well-known for being friendly and non-aggressive types where other dogs are concerned. Also, if puppies are kept with their siblings until at least eight weeks of age, they are generally well-socialized and comfortable in the company of other dogs.
Socialization For Goldendoodles
To ensure that your puppy grows into a well-behaved and friendly adult, it’s essential that you socialize your pet from the get-go. Training puppies is always much easier than trying to retrain an adult dog.
For one thing, it’s easier to physically manage an exuberant puppy than it is to handle a 40-pound adult Goldendoodle! Also, puppies, like children, tend to be like sponges, soaking up new experiences and learning very quickly.
There are a few good ways of socializing your puppy:
Walkies!
Once your puppy’s course of vaccinations is complete, you can start taking him out and about to begin the socialization process. Taking your puppy for walks every day is an excellent way of showing him new sights and sounds. You can go for walks in your local park, at the beach if you live on the coast, or simply around your neighborhood.
That way, your pet will get to meet lots of new people, as everyone stops to pet a cute, fluffy puppy! You’re certain to meet dogs of all shapes and sizes, too. Add to that experience the traffic, wildlife, other domestic pets, and even different weather conditions, and you can ensure that your little furry friend will quickly learn a lot!
Playdates
Young puppies benefit from one-to-one playdates, either with other puppies of a similar age or with older, placid dogs. You can have a playdate at the park or in your home, as long as the environment is controlled and the dogs are supervised.
For safety’s sake, you should keep the dogs leashed, to begin with, and then let them play off-leash once you’re confident that there are no signs of aggression or bad behavior.
Puppy Training Classes
Many vet clinics run supervised puppy training classes where the pups can play together and socialize in a controlled environment. You might also find training groups in your local area that are run by professional dog behaviorists. These groups are often open to dogs of all ages, so if you have an older Goldendoodle from a rescue or shelter, you might want to consider that option.
Natural Instincts
Goldendoodles are a relatively new breed, so it’s difficult to fully characterize their natural instincts and behavioral traits.
However, like most active dogs that crave human company, Goldendoodles can become bored if left alone, which can lead to undesirable behaviors such as chewing or barking.
On the plus side, since Goldendoodles were never bred to be hunters or fiercely independent creatures, they tend to be friendly, loving animals by nature.
That said, you should be aware that a Goldendoodle puppy that comes from a backyard breeder or puppy mill might not be in the best health and could come with serious behavioral problems or a slightly unreliable temperament. Common problems with these dogs include fear-biting, barking, destroying furniture, digging, and aggression.
A Good Start In Life
You can avoid many health and temperament problems by buying your puppy from a reputable breeder. Although you’ll undoubtedly pay more for a well-bred puppy, that’s because the pup’s parents will be health-screened for genetic health defects, so you know you’re getting a healthy dog. Also, puppies from good breeders are usually socialized and may even be potty trained, too, before they’re handed over to their new forever homes.
Are Goldendoodles Good Family Pets?
Yes! Generally, Goldendoodles make excellent family pets, especially if you’re an energetic person who enjoys spending time in the Great Outdoors.
If you’re looking for a guard dog, a Goldendoodle is not the best choice. Although your dog will undoubtedly bark if a stranger comes to your door, that’s about all you can expect from these friendly, happy-go-lucky pups.
In Conclusion
When it comes to temperament and personality, Goldendoodles are friendly, funny, lively, intelligent, and easy to train. These pups make excellent family pets that get along with kids, strangers, other dogs, and even the family cat.
Buy your puppy from a reputable breeder, socialize your dog properly, and you will be the proud owner of a happy, healthy, well-adjusted dog that will bring joy to your life for many years to come.
If you have any questions or you’d like to tell us about your Doodle, please do so in the comments box below, and don’t forget to share this guide if you enjoyed it.
