Bringing Home Your Australian Labradoodle Puppy
If you are looking for a constant companion with gorgeous brown eyes, a sweet disposition, and the kind of wholesomeness your mom would approve of, it’s time to consider an Australian Labradoodle from Providence Hill Australian Labradoodles in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
These pedigreed dogs will remind you of a cuddly teddy bear because of their round heads, medium-length coats and soft, fleece-like hair. On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest, doodles score an eleven in terms of cuteness. They are just so incredibly adorable.
A unique breed, the Australian Labradoodle is a fairly young dog breed. The Labradoodle was first bred in the United States by crossing the Labrador retriever with a Poodle. After the first Labradoodles graced families with their energy, Australia began breeding the Australian Labradoodle with the intent to develop specific and consistent characteristics in the breed, ultimately creating a family dog like no other.
Considered a designer dog, these Australian Labradoodle dogs retain the best characteristics of their canine lineage, getting their affinity for people, even temperament and love of the water from Labrador Retrievers.
Their soft, non-shedding coats and high intelligence comes from the Poodle, and the incredible softness of the dog’s fur is from the Cocker Spaniel. Your Australian Labradoodle comes in most of the colors of Poodles and Labradors, including deep chocolates, rich caramel and soft apricot.
Size
Many families find the Australian Labradoodle to be an appealing size because the dog averages 70 pounds in weight and stands two feet tall. Your dog won’t be so large that it’s like having another adult in the family, nor will it be so small and fragile that you can’t roughhouse with it. It’s the perfect kid-sized dog, but you can opt for a miniature Australian Labradoodle, which weighs in at approximately 35 pounds and stands a little shorter.
Disposition
You won’t find a more charismatic and loving dog than the Australian Labradoodle. She’ll also be energetic and enthusiastic, always ready for one more game or belly rub.
This dog is a people pleaser who loves being the gregarious goofball in the house. Her antics will entertain you, and her affinity for you as the pack leader will be a comfort. The Australian Labradoodle will want to be wherever you are, so be prepared to have a constant companion everywhere you go. If you move from your chair to get a glass of water, your dog will be right there with you every step of the way.
You won’t mind, though. Your Australian Labradoodle is just as agreeable to follow you around the house as she is to meet new people, and it’s likely that she’ll be nice to everyone who comes to visit, including friends, delivery people, and unfortunately, even a burglar, unless the dog is trained to react differently.
First time dog owners find themselves highly successful raising an Australian Labradoodle. These amazing dogs are quick learners who have also have been trained as guide dogs.
Grooming
The Australian Labradoodle is a great pet for people who are allergic to pet dander and dog hair. Best of all, you’ll find that unlike other dogs that shed excessively because of their double or triple coats and require intensive grooming, your Australian Labradoodle needs only basic grooming. Infrequent baths and brushing a couple of times a week make up the bulk of grooming requirements.
Your Australian Labradoodle will shed only once as it grows from puppy to adult. You’ll see the transition take place somewhere between nine and fourteen months when your adorable little teddy bear becomes an adult. After that, there won’t be another shed, and you’ll appreciate how dirt never seems to stick to your dog’s fleece or wool coat.
You may wish to have your dog’s coat trimmed, and usually these cuts are never as elaborate as those sported by poodles. Instead, most Australian Labradoodles get a standard clip that gives a close trim at the head and the back end, plus some extra attention to the hair growing around the paws and the eyes. Add regular tail trimming, and that’s it.
Before Your Dog’s Arrival
Decide what your dog’s living arrangements will be before you bring home your bundle of puppy joy.
What’s off-limits? The sofa? The carpet? The antique bedspread your Great Aunt Winifred hand crocheted?
You’ll want to have a place designated just for your dog, and it should be in a spot where he can have some peace and quiet yet still be part of the family. Crating your dog can give both you and him a sense of security. The crate serves as his personal space where he can go when he wants alone time, and it’s a good place for him to stay when you can’t be home to watch him. It’s also where he’ll sleep. As your Australian Labradoodle gets older, he will need a crate big enough to stand up and turn around in. You can provide bedding once your dog can hold his bladder all night long. Remember to take off his collar when he is crated, or the collar could get caught and become a choking hazard. Be sure everyone in the house is consistent in enforcing the crating rules, because your Australian Labradoodle will quickly find the inconsistent person willing to let him get away with anything.
All dogs, including your Australian Labradoodle, are pack animals that will rise to an available opening in the pack hierarchy, so be prepared to take a leadership role in your household, or be led by your new dog. Here’s how to prepare for your new family member.
Feeding Fido
If you can continue feeding what your breeder fed your dog, great. If not, talk to a vet about quality dog foods or do some research on your own.
Avoid kibble made with grain-based foods. To identify the kibble content, look at the first five or six ingredients listed on the bag. Fillers like corn, wheat, oats and soy are not recommended for dogs because they would never eat these foods in the wild.
A diet of these grains eventually can cause allergies, weight issues and other health problems for your dog. Feed your Australian Labradoodle the best food you can afford because the quality of nutrition your dog gets determines the quality of his health and his life for every year he’s with you.
Your Australian Labradoodle should eat two meals a day, usually one to two and a half cups of dry food at each feeding. You can moisten the kibble with a spoonful or two of canned food.
The first home meal, however, should be a light one because of the changes in environment. The stress of moving to a new home can make your dog’s tummy turn flip-flops. A spoonful of plain pumpkin will help with any intestinal distress that loosens up the bowels.
Your dog should always have access to fresh water until two hours before bedtime.
Puppy behavior
Puppies like to explore their world, and everything is new to them. Like children, they do most of their learning by putting everything in their mouths. Australian Labradoodles are no different. Chewing on a new toy is cute, but you’re not going to find chewing on your Italian leather shoe or your phone charger cord as adorable.
Keep an eye on her activities, and have several toys for her to play with.
Toys and supplies to have on hand
Your Australian Labradoodle will appreciate having a couple of chew toys to help her through the teething process and keep her entertained. She may also like a canine-friendly stuff animal and a ball. Most importantly, though she’ll want you to play with her.
Other supplies to have on hand for your new pet are:
- Baby wipes – to wipe around the eyes and ears
- Nail clippers and styptic powder – if you’ll be doing the nail trimming yourself
- A slicker brush – for brushing
- A training clicker – to get your dog’s attention during your daily practice
Exercising your dog
Your apartment may be too confining for the Australian Labradoodle unless you’re willing to provide daily exercise. These dogs respond well to long walks of 30 – 60 minutes every day.
Most trainers recommend that you use a standard leash instead of a retractable one. The retractable leashes are ineffective for walking dogs; in fact, the dog ends up walking you.
If you’ve got a yard, even better. Teach your Australian Labradoodle to retrieve a ball or a Frisbee, and you’ll both have an enjoyable time outdoors.
Dogs that don’t get enough exercise will find mischief as they look for ways to entertain themselves and release some of their pent-up energy.
Training the Australian Labradoodle
Training your dog is a must, whether she is that wiggly puppy ball of fluff or an older dog you have adopted.
You can take your Australian Labradoodle to a professional trainer, or you can train your dog yourself. The basic commands include sit (and the extension, stay), down, no, and leave (or drop).
Once your dog learns these simple commands, your can teach her tricks. You’ll also want to teach her house manners, including not jumping on people, and allowing people to walk through the door before she goes out or comes in. Teaching her to go last teaches your dog her place in the hierarchy of your home.
It’s also a good idea to acclimate her to traveling in a car.
“But we’ll never take her on vacation,” you say.
You will have to take her to the vet and maybe even to the pet store to pick out a new toy, so knowing the expectations for traveling will make the experience more pleasurable and safe for everyone.
The years ahead
You’ve selected an amazing an amazing dog as your choice of canine companion. By planning your Australian Labradoodle’s living quarters, food, training, exercise and health routines, you’ll have a smart and well-behaved dog that is every bit one of your family members.
Take care of that beautiful teddy bear; your Australian Labradoodle will be by your side for 12- 15 years or longer.