How are the puppies socialized? Specifically, are they expoad to people, both adults and children, and other animals? How often are the puppies in social situations?
Are you working on early mental stimulatlon using problem solving toys, activities, or a puppy-sized playground?
What are prominent characteristics of the Goldendoodle temperament? What are the exercise requirements? Is it difficult to care for the Goldendoodle coat?
Ask many specific questions about the Goldendoodle breed, even if you already know the answers. This exercise will indicate how well he/she knows the breed.
Do you have any references?
If the breeder does not encourage or allow you to talk to previous customers, be concerned. Be sure to get several references and call or e-mail all of them.
What do you do if the puppy doesn’t work in the new home? How involved are you in helping owners solve problems? Do you take dogs back with no questions asked? Do you refer to a rescue and rehome organization? Are you involved in GD rescue?
A breeder should be willing to work with a family to rehome a puppy that does not work out for them, particularly if the issue is related to allergies. If the issue is behavioral, the breeder should work with the family to find solutions. A breeder who is being asked to take a puppy back has every right to ask questions. He/she needs to understand the circumstances and how they may impact the next owner. If you are surrendering a puppy back to a breeder for something other than what is covered by your contract, do not have any expectation of a refund.
Breeder Research
There are many ways to check out breeders to ensure he/she is honest and producing quality litters.
You can:
• post an inquiry on one of the Goldendoodle forums listed in the Information section;
• search for Goldendoodle groups on social media, and ask for feedback on your list of potential breeders; check with the Better Business Bureau in the breeder’s location; and/or
• ask one of the Goldendoodle rescue organizations—they know who to avoid and who is a good breeder.
What to Expect from a Breeder
Just as you expect to buy a high-quality puppy from a top-notch breeder, the breeder should expect to sell only to a reliable caretaker who will bring the puppy into a loving home. You should feel like you are being interviewed by the breeder for the privilege of taking this puppy home. The breeder should ask very specific questions to learn how you plan to care for the puppy. These questions are your indication the breeder is sincerely concerned about the puppy’s well-being. If the breeder seems more concerned about how you are going to pay for the puppy, then it is likely he/she is in the business for the wrong reasons.
When visiting, the breeder should require you to remove your shoes and thoroughly wash your hands before seeing and handling the puppies. The breeder should insist the puppy not leave her mother before eight weeks. It is important for the puppy to be close to her mother and littermates from ages four to eight weeks. She is learning how to interact, and if she’s deprived of this essential developmental period, she could develop behavioral problems. Socialization with other people and animals should take place between six and twelve weeks of age.
When touring the breeder’s home, pay attention. The environment should be clean and safe. Ask to see where the puppies sleep and play. Puppies should not be allowed outdoors until they are fully vaccinated.
The puppies should be clean and well fed but not fat, healthy, energetic, and social. If the puppies are dirty and foul smelling or have glassy eyes or runny noses, you should be apprehensive. And don’t forget to check the cleanliness of the ears and the rectal area.
What to Expect on a Puppy Application
Expect to fill out a puppy application before purchasing your Goldendoodle. This form collects information about you and your family’s desire for the puppy. Some potential questions are: Why do you want a Goldendoodle? Have you ever owned or trained a dog before? Where will your puppy sleep? How many hours will she be left alone each day? What will you feed her?
There will also be questions about your family dynamics, as well as questions about allergies within your family. At this point, you are usually required to pay a deposit when you submit an application or have an application interview. Typically, you pay the remainder of the fee when you take possession of the puppy. Again, make certain you have thoroughly read, and are comfortable with, the terms of the breeder’s contract and health guarantee before you send any money.
RESCUED AND REHOMED GOLDENDOODLES
Are you interested in a rescued or a rehomed Goldendoodle? There are a lot of benefits and a few issues when bringing a rescue into your home, but the long-term love and affection is worth surmounting the challenges. You will find several foster-based Doodle rescue organizations, and some Golden Retriever rescue organizations, who also rescue Goldendoodles, listed in the Information section on page 91.
Parvo
When there is a parvo or a distemper outbreak in a region, a breeder may not allow you to visit the puppies. Be wary, though. Saying there is an outbreak in their region is a frequently used trick of puppy mills to keep people from visiting their facility. If you get this response, simply do an in-depth Internet search based on the breeder’s location and the type of outbreak he/she claims is occurring. You can also call a local animal shelter or a local veterinarian. If there is no current record of an outbreak, steer clear of the breeder. That said, parvo is a deadly disease and extreme caution is understandable. If there is an outbreak in the region and the breeder is adamant about no visitors, do some additional research of the breeder’s credentials and the regulatory bodies to which the breeder belongs. Ask for references from people who have been to the breeding facility. Also, in this age of technology, ask the breeder if he/she will provide a live virtual tour of his/her home and breeding facilities via your smartphone once a puppy application has been submitted. Hold the application fee until the virtual tour takes place.
Working with a rescue organization that utilizes foster homes for their rescue dogs brings some wonderful benefits for the adopting family, particularly if this is a first ever dog. A foster family gets to know the dog, both the good and the not so good, and provides a clear picture of what type of family is best for that particular dog: kids/no kids, cats/no cats, other dogs/must be a solo dog, and so on. A foster family also works to train the rescue Doodle or shore up what training she may already have.
Reporting Abuse
If you see evidence of neglect and/or abuse of either the puppies or the parents, do not hesitate to contact the ASPCA at www.aspca.org. Your voice may be the only one for the neglected animals.
Loving foster homes make safe transitional places for dogs needing new homes without the trauma of being in a shelter. Foster homes also help shelter dogs, as well as dogs from hoarders and puppy mills, learn how to function in a home with a variety of social situations—often including children and