Category: Blog

Seasonal Changes Every Dog Owner Should Be Aware Of

Posted on by Timberidge

By: Samantha Kim

A dog’s usual walk can feel different long before the calendar announces a new season. An earlier sunset, muddy grass, or the first warm afternoon changes the setting around familiar habits, sometimes leaving owners wondering whether their dog’s behavior needs attention.

Seasonal changes and pet care go together, but the connection isn’t always obvious. Coat changes, activity levels, and appetite changes can be harder to interpret than the weather itself. As daylight and temperatures shift, the useful question isn’t simply whether a dog seems different. It’s which changes belong to the season, which call for an adjustment at home, and which deserve a veterinary conversation.

What Each Season Really Changes for Your Dog

Seasonal care follows a recurring pattern: coat changes, parasites and allergens, temperature exposure, and daily routine. Coat cycles reflect daylight as well as temperature, so shedding doesn’t follow the thermometer alone. Thankfully, for our goldendoodles, shedding isn’t an issue, but it is important to consider the future temperature when planning for your dog’s trip to the groomer. For hot weather, a shorter clip is nice, although not to short that your goldendoodle may experience sunburn. For cooler temperatures, a longer coat is helpful for keeping your pup warm during outdoor activities.

For double-coated shedding breeds, shedding can leave loose undercoat trapped beneath the outer coat. Meanwhile, longer days invite more time outside, increasing exposure to pollen, parasites, and hot walking surfaces.

Cooler weather changes those concerns rather than removing them. Winter paw pad care, protection from freezing exposure, and adjustments for existing joint stiffness become part of the routine. Longer coated goldendoodles may find that snow clumps to the hair. The clumps eventually melt on their own, but using a kitchen whisk can aid in removal or a good old fashion blowdryer can hasten the melting. Putting a sweater on your doodle can help prevent as many snow clumps from forming.

Activity levels and appetite changes also deserve attention as daylight and temperatures shift. Darker months can coincide with less enthusiasm for activity, but sudden or pronounced changes in appetite, movement, or behavior shouldn’t be dismissed as “just the season.” Those changes warrant a veterinary conversation rather than waiting for a seasonal appointment.

Fall and Winter: Toxins, Cold Paws and Shorter Days

Cooler afternoons remove some of summer’s constraints on exercise. They also bring different concerns, from unfamiliar objects under fallen leaves to walks that now finish in darkness.

Fall Toxins and Shorter Walking Days

Dogs that scavenge need close supervision around mushrooms appearing after autumn rain. Preventing access to unidentified mushrooms belongs among fall pet safety tips that also address seasonal yard and garage hazards. Suspected ingestion warrants prompt veterinary advice rather than waiting for symptoms.

Where daylight saving time ends, household schedules can shift by an hour overnight. Moving meals and walks gradually over the preceding week keeps the dog’s routine closer to its familiar rhythm.

The lower energy noted earlier doesn’t establish Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which remains poorly understood in dogs. Daylight walks, indoor play, and mental stimulation provide an alternative to simply dropping the missing outdoor time.

Cold Paws, Ice Melt and Stiff Joints

Winter paw pad care starts at the doorway: rinse away deicing residue, dry between the toes, and inspect pads for cracks or soreness. Properly fitted booties provide a barrier; paw balm offers another protective option but doesn’t replace cleaning. Since doodles don’t shed, their hair grows everywhere including the pads of their feet. It may be helpful to have your groomer give your dog “clean feet” to help lessen the snow clumps that gather underfoot.

Shivering, slowing down, or repeatedly lifting paws means the outing should end. Ear tips, tails, and toes also need protection from prolonged freezing exposure.

For households caring for older dogs, shorter, more frequent walks and warm, supportive bedding offer a gentler routine than one long outing followed by hours of inactivity. Persistent limping deserves veterinary assessment, not an assumption that cold weather explains it.

Spring and Summer: Allergies, Ticks and Heat

As outdoor time increases, the exposures described earlier require different responses. Allergens and parasites need ongoing attention, while hot conditions call for changes to walking routines.

Pollen, Shedding and Returning Parasites

Seasonal allergies don’t always look like sneezing. Repeated paw licking, ear scratching, and itchy skin deserve attention, particularly when they recur around pollen seasons.

Ragweed is another seasonal trigger, although it’s generally associated with late summer and fall rather than spring alone. Persistent itching warrants a veterinary check-up rather than an automatic allergy diagnosis.

To manage the loose undercoat for shedding breeds, brushing and grooming several times a week gives owners an opportunity to remove loose hair and notice irritated skin. For our non-shedding doodles, remember that chlorine can mat coats, so a shorter coat length may be helpful if your pup will be swimming frequently.

Flea and tick prevention belongs within routine preventive care, including discussion of year-round protection and tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease. Checking the coat after outdoor time complements prevention; it doesn’t replace it. Tick season in Ohio begins earlier than you’d think. Often ticks can be seen as early as March.

Heatstroke Warning Signs and Cooling Options

Heavy panting, excessive drooling, bright red gums, stumbling, and vomiting are warning signs of possible heatstroke. Brachycephalic breeds require particular caution because of their breathing limitations. The response shouldn’t wait for every sign to appear:

  1. Move the dog out of the heat into shade or an air-conditioned space.
  2. Begin cooling with cool to lukewarm water and airflow while contacting a veterinarian immediately.
  3. Offer small amounts of water if the dog is alert and able to drink; don’t force it.
  4. Follow veterinary instructions for urgent assessment and transport.

Dawn or dusk usually offers a better walking window than midday. Checking pavement with the back of a hand can flag an obviously hot surface, but it isn’t a guarantee that a route is safe. Be sure to bring water and a bowl on walks so you can offer your pup hydration.

Staying One Season Ahead of Your Dog's Needs

Across the year, the same concerns return in different combinations. Small adjustments to grooming, walking times, paw care, and indoor activity make that pattern easier to manage without treating every weather change as an emergency.

A check-up around a seasonal transition offers a useful opportunity to review those adjustments. As noted earlier, sudden or pronounced changes deserve attention rather than waiting for that appointment.

By: Samantha Kim

6 Signs Your Dog is Ready for Professional Training

Posted on by Timberidge

Written by: Adam Nichols

Most dog owners don’t wake up one morning and suddenly realize they need a trainer. The decision usually builds slowly: walks become harder, greetings get chaotic, or a once-manageable puppy behavior stops being cute as the dog grows.

There is no shame in seeking professional training. In fact, dog owners will likely enjoy their pet more if they seek professional training while their dog is still a puppy. Professional training doesn’t have to be a last resort. It can be useful long before a behavior becomes serious. Here are six signs that outside guidance could help, plus what can happen when you keep waiting for a problem to disappear on its own.

1) Your dog knows the rules but follows them only sometimes

A dog that sits perfectly in the kitchen but completely ignores you at the park doesn’t necessarily need to learn “sit” again. The bigger challenge is usually getting the behavior to hold up around distractions.

Dogs don’t automatically understand that a cue learned in one setting applies everywhere. Your living room is predictable. A sidewalk may include other dogs, food smells, bicycles, children, traffic, and squirrels. What looks like stubbornness can simply mean the environment has become harder than the training your dog has practiced.

You may notice this problem with recall, leash walking, waiting at doors, staying in place, or responding to their name. At home, everything looks encouraging. Once you leave the house, it can feel as though the training has disappeared.

A professional can help you identify where the behavior breaks down and build difficulty gradually. Instead of repeatedly giving a cue while your dog is too distracted to respond, you can work through environments where success is still realistic and increase the challenge from there.

What happens if you wait?

Inconsistency can become its own lesson. If your dog hears “come” several times before responding, they may learn that the first cue isn’t particularly important. If pulling gets them to an interesting smell faster, pulling continues to pay off.

That doesn’t mean the behavior is permanent. It does mean you’ll eventually be working against a longer history of your dog successfully practicing the unwanted response.

2) Everyday puppy behavior is becoming difficult to manage

Puppies jump, chew, mouth, grab things, get overexcited, and have limited impulse control. Some messiness comes with raising a young dog. The important question is whether you’re seeing gradual improvement or simply managing the same problems every day.

Consider jumping on visitors. A small puppy launching toward someone’s knees may be easy to redirect. As the puppy becomes larger and stronger, the exact same greeting can knock into a child, scratch a guest, or make visitors uncomfortable.

The same pattern can occur with leash pulling, stealing household objects, rushing through doors, or biting at hands during play. Waiting for maturity alone doesn’t teach an alternative behavior.

This is often a good stage to consider structured instruction such as certified puppy training classes, particularly when you want help building basic communication, household manners, and reliable responses before unwanted habits have months of practice behind them.

Early training also isn’t limited to obedience commands. Socialization matters during puppyhood as well. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s puppy socialization guidance identifies the first three months as an especially important period for appropriate exposure to people, animals, environments, and other experiences.

What happens if you wait?

The puppy gets bigger, but the behavior may stay remarkably similar.

An owner may unknowingly reinforce the problem along the way. A puppy jumps and receives attention. A puppy steals a sock and starts an entertaining chase through the house. A puppy pulls toward another dog and eventually reaches it.

From the dog’s perspective, these behaviors work.

Training later is still possible. The difference is that you’re no longer introducing a new household rule to a young dog. You’re replacing a behavior that may already have a strong reward history.

3) Walks have become something you avoid

A daily walk should not feel like a wrestling match.

If your dog constantly pulls, lunges toward distractions, zigzags across your path, or becomes so excited that you struggle to get their attention, professional training can make walks safer and less frustrating for both of you.

Leash problems are especially easy to underestimate because owners naturally compensate. You shorten the leash. You cross the street when another dog approaches. You walk very early or late to avoid busy periods. You choose increasingly quiet routes.

Those adjustments can be useful management tools, but they don’t necessarily change the underlying behavior.

The distinction between management and training matters. Management prevents your dog from rehearsing a difficult behavior or entering a situation they can’t yet handle. Training teaches the dog what to do instead.

For example, avoiding a crowded sidewalk may be sensible while you’re working on leash skills. But if your only strategy is permanent avoidance, your dog’s ability to walk calmly around ordinary distractions may never improve.

What will happen if you wait?

Your world can gradually become smaller.

Perhaps you stop taking your dog to the park because getting there is exhausting. Then you avoid neighborhood walks when school lets out because there are too many people. Eventually, the dog gets fewer opportunities to practice calm behavior outside the home.

Pulling can also become physically harder to manage as a young dog gains size and strength. Addressing the problem while you can still control the environment generally gives you more room to practice thoughtfully rather than reacting to every difficult moment.

Excitement quickly turns into chaos

Not every training problem comes from fear or aggression. Plenty of friendly dogs struggle because they’re intensely enthusiastic about everything.

A visitor arrives and your dog can’t settle for 20 minutes. Another dog appears and yours desperately wants to reach them. You pick up the leash and your dog starts jumping, barking, spinning, or grabbing at it before you’ve even opened the door.

High excitement isn’t automatically a behavior problem. The concern is whether your dog can recover from it and respond to you.

Think of self-control as a skill rather than a personality trait. Dogs can learn to wait before going through doors, keep four paws on the floor during greetings, settle on a mat while people visit, and check in with their owner when something exciting appears.

A trainer can also help you spot something owners often miss: the moment before the explosion.

There may be a point where your dog can still eat a treat, respond to their name, or turn away from the distraction. Training at that level can be far more productive than trying to teach while the dog is already barking, jumping, and unable to focus.

What happens if you wait?

People often respond to increasing excitement by becoming increasingly restrictive.

The dog gets shut in another room whenever guests arrive. They stop meeting other dogs entirely. Walks become exercises in avoiding anything stimulating.

Sometimes management is necessary, especially for safety. But if the dog’s only experience is either unrestricted excitement or complete avoidance, they don’t get many chances to practice the middle ground: noticing something exciting while remaining able to think and respond.

You're seeing fear, guarding, growling, or reactive behavior

Some behavior deserves earlier attention than ordinary puppy manners.

If your dog regularly freezes, growls, snaps, guards food or objects, reacts intensely to dogs or people, or shows significant fear in common situations, don’t treat those signals as a challenge to your authority. They’re information about how your dog is feeling in that situation.

Growling is particularly important communication. Punishing the warning may suppress the visible signal without addressing what caused the dog to feel threatened or uncomfortable.

This is also an area where simply copying a training technique from a video can create problems. The outward behavior may look similar across dogs while the underlying reasons differ considerably.

One dog might bark because they’re frustrated that they can’t greet another dog. Another might bark because they’re frightened and want the other dog to move away. The training plan shouldn’t automatically be identical.

For sudden or significant behavior changes, especially when discomfort or pain could be involved, starting with your veterinarian is sensible. Depending on the behavior, you may also need a qualified trainer or veterinary behavior professional who can evaluate the dog directly.

What happens if you wait?

Rehearsal can make reactive patterns more established, while owners can become increasingly skilled at avoiding the trigger without changing how the dog responds to it.

There is also a safety issue. A dog that has repeatedly shown discomfort deserves a plan before they’re placed in more difficult situations.

This doesn’t mean every growl predicts a bite or that a nervous dog is dangerous. It means warning signs are worth taking seriously rather than waiting for a dramatic incident to justify getting help.

6) You and your dog are becoming frustrated with each other

Sometimes the clearest sign isn’t a particular dog behavior. It’s the relationship developing around training.

You repeat cues more loudly. Your dog seems to disengage. Training sessions turn into arguments. You feel embarrassed when other people are around. Perhaps different family members have started using different commands and different rules because nobody is sure what works.

When everyone is improvising, dogs receive inconsistent information.

Imagine one person allowing the dog onto the couch, another telling the dog to get down, and a third occasionally allowing it when they’re alone. The dog isn’t deliberately breaking a rule. There isn’t one clear rule to follow.

Professional trainers can observe details that are difficult to notice when you’re participating in the interaction. Your timing may be slightly late. The reward may not be valuable enough for the environment. The cue may have been repeated so often that it has lost meaning. You may be expecting ten seconds of calm from a dog that currently succeeds for two.

Small changes can make the task much clearer.

What happens if you wait?

Frustration tends to change human behavior as much as dog behavior.

Owners may become more reactive, repeat themselves more often, or stop practicing entirely because training feels unsuccessful. The dog then receives fewer clear opportunities to learn.

Getting outside guidance can interrupt that cycle. A good training plan should make expectations more understandable for the dog and the people living with them.

Professional training doesn't mean you've failed at home training

One reason people wait is the belief that hiring a trainer means they couldn’t handle their own dog.

That’s not a particularly useful way to look at it.

You can teach plenty at home. In fact, you need to remain involved because most meaningful training happens during ordinary life, not during an isolated session with a professional.

A trainer’s role is often to teach the human as much as the dog. They can help you understand why a behavior keeps happening, identify what you’re accidentally reinforcing, and show you how to practice without asking too much too quickly.

Professional support can also be valuable before anything is “wrong.” A young puppy learning basic manners, a newly adopted dog adjusting to a household, or an adolescent dog struggling with distractions can all benefit from clearer structure.

The goal isn’t to create a dog that performs commands perfectly. It’s to establish communication that works when everyday life becomes distracting.

How to tell whether training is actually working

Progress doesn’t always look dramatic.

If your dog used to bark continuously when another dog appeared and can now look back at you for two seconds, that’s information. If they can greet one visitor without jumping after previously jumping on everyone, that’s a meaningful change to build on.

Look for improvements in reliability, recovery, and communication.

Can your dog respond in environments that used to be too difficult? Can they calm down faster after becoming excited? Do you need fewer repetitions of a cue? Are you able to prevent a problem instead of reacting after it happens?

Those changes often matter more than collecting additional commands.

Training should also give you a clearer plan. You should understand what behavior you’re reinforcing, what situations are currently too difficult, and what the next achievable step looks like.

If you’re continually practicing without knowing whether to make the task easier or harder, outside feedback can save a lot of trial and error.

Waiting doesn't make training impossible, but it can make the job bigger

Dogs can learn at many ages. Missing the perfect moment doesn’t mean you’ve lost your opportunity to train.

Still, time matters because behavior is shaped by repetition.

Every successful counter surf teaches the dog to check the counter again. Every walk where pulling gets the dog to an interesting smell gives pulling another payoff. Every chaotic greeting rehearses the same greeting pattern.

That’s why the better question often isn’t, “Is this bad enough to need a trainer?”

Ask whether the behavior is improving with what you’re currently doing.

If the answer has been no for several weeks, or the problem involves fear, reactivity, guarding, or safety, waiting for it to resolve on its own may only give the behavior more time to become familiar.

Get help while the problem is still manageable

Professional training doesn’t need to begin after your dog becomes impossible to handle. It can start when you first notice that your current approach isn’t producing the behavior you want.

Pay attention to patterns. Inconsistent responses, increasingly difficult walks, uncontrolled excitement, concerning behavior, persistent puppy habits, and growing frustration are all reasons to reconsider your training plan.

Getting guidance early gives you something valuable: more opportunities to teach the behavior you want before the unwanted behavior becomes the dog’s normal way of handling the situation.

Written by: Adam Nichols

Maple's 2026 Medium English Goldendoodles Puppies

Maple’s 2026 Medium English Goldendoodles Puppies

Posted on by Timberidge

happy birthday

Your puppy’s birthday is Saturday, August 8th (so be sure to plan a fun way to celebrate next August and send us pictures!). Your puppy will be ready to join your family October 3rd-4th.

top goldendoodle breeder in the midwest

These little munchkins are just scrumptious! Look at those adorable wrinkles! Maple’s sweet babies are less than 24 hours old in these pictures. First of all, zoom in on the mouths of the two boys in the center picture. What do you see? Yep, those are milk mustaches! Isn’t that precious?! Maple is an amazing mama, nursing and snuggling the puppies almost constantly (she only has only left them a few to go potty. Otherwise, she’s been by them constantly since birth). The white mustaches are evidence that Mama Maple has some nutritious milk she is sharing with these babies. Secondly, after you finish smiling at the cute little milk mustache, look at those sweet little toenails on her baby boy. The puppies can’t see and they can’t hear and they can’t go to the bathroom without help from Maple and they can’t maintain their own body temperature – they’re completely helpless as newborns. Yet, they have perfect tiny little toenails and the most precious diminutive paws. Thirdly, I took a picture of my eight year old holding a puppy in his hands to give you an idea of the size of these babies. They’re tiny! Think 3/4 of a pound. They’ll grow at an outstanding rate thanks for Maple’s healthy milk, but puppies are itty bitty when they’re born. 

Finally, enjoy those bright pink little noses now! They’ll start darkening up in the next few days.

EEGs have revealed that the brain activity of infant puppies is the same when asleep and awake. But these little pups are busy eating, growing, and developing. It’s amazing how quickly puppies grow! The little munchkins twitch and pop in their sleep, as all healthy newborn puppies should. This activated sleep helps them build muscle tone. They also climb all over each other as they search for the perfect eating nook, and that sibling trek also helps the puppies develop their muscles. They will be strong enough to walk in just a few weeks.

weekly puppy tip #1: nap time is essential

Think about a napping place – The puppies spend most of their lives sleeping now, but did you know that your new furbaby is going to need lots of sleep when you bring her home, too? Puppies, just like small children, require naps throughout the day. When your puppy is sleeping, try to allow her to rest untouched (it’s okay for noisy life to carry on around her while she snoozes, but it’s best not to physically disturb her as much as possible). This may mean that you need to guide her to a different spot than the one she’s initially chosen. Puppy Culture estimates that an 8-10 week old puppy sleeps 3 hours and then is awake for 1 hour before going back down for another nap. Puppies are like little children – sometimes they don’t realize that you’re tired and need you to put them down for a nap. Puppies can get over stimulated and become overly tired just like toddlers. It’s your job to help regulate them. AKC gives some helpful insight into the importance of puppy sleep (You can read the whole of the article here.):

Although puppies may seem like little bundles of energy, in fact, they sleep 15-20 hours a day. One minute your puppy may be a miniature tornado, and the next he’s fallen soundly asleep, almost mid-activity. Sleep is essential to healthy growth: during sleep his central nervous system, brain, immune system, and muscles are developing. All of that sleep also helps him rest up during growth spurts… household members, especially children, should leave your puppy alone while he is sleeping. Plan his day so that active time is followed by quiet time for sleep. He’ll most likely be ready for a nap after playtime or a walk, sleep for a while and then wake up ready for anything. Your puppy may nap every hour or so, sleeping from 30 minutes to as long as two hours. All of this sleep is perfectly normal

Jane Reisen from the American Kennel Club (AKC Tweet

one week new

best goldendoodle breeder in the midwest

Look at these chunky monkeys! It’s obvious from one look at these little sausages that Mama Maple has been gifted with a generous supply of milk! The pups have officially reached (and passed) the one pound mark. I find the little face rolls particularly adorable, so I couldn’t help but feature some pictures that highlight them. Also, look at those tiny little paws. Aren’t they just perfect? Notice how the puppies’ noses have blackened up. The pads of their feet were pink at birth, and they’ve blackened up now, too.  The puppies have had their toenails trimmed for the first time. We don’t want Mama Maple accidentally getting scratched during the frequent nursing sessions.

Look at the sweet pup in the top left of the picture collage. Do you see the adorable waves on her forehead? That sweet curl will have gorgeous ringlets when she grows up. Now compare her forehead to the pups in the picture to right and the one below. Can you see how much smoother the hair on their foreheads is? Those boys will have stunning wavy coats when they grow up. 

Even though the puppies spend most of their lives sleeping, they actually are doing baby workouts as they snooze the day away. These little pups twitch and pop involuntarily during their sleep, developing muscle tone for the near future. This phenomenon is known as “activated sleep.” In a few short weeks, these rolly polly puppies will be bouncing around playfully. Their legs, while still wobbly, have already gotten stronger and the puppies wobble around on them some instead of just army crawling as they did initially.

weekly puppy tip #2: make a puppy experience plan

Make a puppy experience plan – Compile a list of places you want to take your puppy and experiences you want your puppy to encounter. Any day now, these little eyes will be ready to soak up the sites, and we’ll now start introducing the puppies to items that differ in appearance. We have a thought out socialization plan, working hard to expose your puppy to as much as possible during her time with us. When you take your puppy home, that responsibility then shifts to you as you continue the socialization process. Exposing your puppy to new people, situations, sounds, smells, textures, etc. is extremely important. Give your new puppy a few days to adjust to her new home and new routine. Then begin giving her short, positive experiences (yummy treats make everything more positive!). Don’t try to do too much in one day, as you don’t want to overwhelm or stress her. Go ahead: start making a list of ideas for how to want to socialize your new puppy.

Your goal is for your puppy to meet a minimum of 100 different people by the time she’s six months old. Dr. Ian Dunbar, a puppy socialization expert, raises the bar even higher by recommending that puppies meet 100+ people during the first month at home. If you hope to visit a local nursing home or hospital when your puppy gets older, secure some crutches, walkers or wheelchairs to expose your puppy to at home. Meeting people is just one component of socialization. Think about outdoor experiences that you and your puppy can safely enjoy together. Consider what predictable dogs you can introduce your puppy to (dogs who are stable, friendly, healthy, and will model good behavior for your pup). Keep in mind that adult dogs aren’t always fond of puppies so be sure to monitor them together. Do you know anyone with a woods or creek where you can take your puppy for a short romp? Remember, you want every experience to be POSITIVE (i.e. bring yummy treats and hand out the praise). Making a plan now, before you bring your puppy home, will help ensure that you follow through with a variety of positive exposures once you have your new little fluff ball at your side.

Yheck out AviDog’s free e-book for more ideas about what to add to your puppy experience plan. Baxter & Bella also has some great ideas for socializing your puppy.

two weeks new

teddy bear goldendoodles in Ohio

Isn’t it amazing how much puppies grow in just one week? They’re already looking so much more like little dogs. You’ll probably notice how nicely they’re chunking up! But do you also see those tiny little eyes staring back at you?! The puppies started opening their eyes on Thursday. Eye opening is a process that doesn’t happen all in one day. Right now, we keep the puppy room dim as their eyes adjust to seeing the world around them. 

Maple is a great mama. The ever increasing rolls on these babies are strong evidence that she is doing an excellent job nursing her crew! At this point, the sleepy little dumplings still snooze away most of their days and fill any awake time with stuffing their little bellies. We enjoy snuggling them every day, and the puppies have fun snuggling down for a nap on our laps. Our kids are absolutely smitten with these babies!

 

Our kids thoroughly enjoy giving puppies their temporary names, and we’re excited to share their choices for these special pups with you. The four girls are posing for you in the top picture. From left to right we have Belle (purple), Poppy (pink), Autumn (orange), and Summer (yellow). The two boys are smiling at you in the bottom picture. Puddles is the sweet pup with a little bit of bedhead on the left. Ember is the adorable guy on the right.

The puppies have grown enough (they’ve passed 2lbs and are well on their way to 3lbs now!) that they’ve transitioned into wearing their special break-free collars that they’ll wear during the rest of their time in our home. Some how, transitioning from ribbon collars to break-free collars makes the puppies seem so much more grown up!

weekly puppy tip #3: age appropriate exercise

Glance over Puppy Culture’s exercise chart. Familiarize yourself with what sorts of activities are appropriate for your puppy at different stages of development. You want to give your puppy a variety of unique positive experiences, but your puppy is still growing & developing, so you don’t want to push your puppy too far. For instance, climbing up one to two stairs is an appropriate challenge but climbing a flight of stairs is not a good idea for a young puppy (a study done on 500 dogs showed that puppies allowed to climb a flight of stairs regularly before 3 months old were more likely to develop hip dysplasia). Remember, free running and playing is a great option because your puppy can rest whenever she feels inclined to do so. If you’d like to read more about puppy exercise, check out AviDog’s puppy exercise guidelines. This article from AKC also gives some helpful puppy exercise tips.

three weeks new

cutest mini goldendoodles

Aren’t these little sausages really looking like miniature dogs now? These pumpkins are so stinking precious. The puppies sit awkwardly and attempt to walk around now, albeit a bit clumsily. Aren’t they so cute?!

Look at those open eyes! When puppy eyes first open, they’re blue and cloudy but as the eyes change from their cloudy blue appearance, they open more and the puppy’s vision becomes crisper. The pups still spend the majority of their time snoozing… or eating! Pretty much any waking time is spent slurping down Mama Maple’s delicious, nutritious milk. These chunky monkeys continue to grow like crazy. These little munchkins have been busy growing in every way possible!

The puppies have ventured outside a few times while in our arms. We’re looking forward to introducing them to the outdoors increasingly more in the upcoming weeks.

In the lefthand column, we have Ember (green) up top, Puddles (blue), and Belle (purple). In the righthand column, we have Poppy (pink), Autumn (orange) & Summer (yellow)

weekly puppy tip #4: be the leader your puppy wants you to be

It’s essential that you establish yourself as the pack leader. Your puppy doesn’t want to be in charge – that’s a scary place to be! Your puppy wants to look to you as the leader, but you have to show yourself as worth of the role by being the leader (this also helps set your kids apart as ranking higher in the pack than your new pup). Some easy ways to establish your leadership could include:

  • Sit down with your puppy each night before bed and briefly touch your puppy EVERYWHERE. Kneel on the floor with your puppy sitting between your legs. Start by petting your puppy’s head and tell him “head, head.” Then check his mouth, telling him “teeth, teeth,” and look inside his ears telling him “ear, ears.” Briefly go over your puppy from nose to tail in this fashion. This helps establish that you’re allowed to touch your puppy anywhere and everywhere. (see the video below)
  • Set boundaries so there is at least one place in your home that your dog isn’t allowed to go in your home (i.e. not allowed to jump on your bed, not allowed to sit on a particular couch or not allowed into a certain room). 
  • Teach you puppy to sit and wait for you to walk out the front door before her and give her the “okay” before she is permitted to walk through it. If you’ve been consistent, your puppy will offer a sit and wait for a release word (i.e. “okay”) before coming inside by 3 months old. When she’s old enough to start walking freely up and down stairs, teach her to wait for you to finish climbing/descending the stairs before she comes. 
  • Encourage your puppy sit and wait for you to give her the “okay” before she is allowed to approach her food bowl. Periodically pick up your puppy’s food bowl while she’s eating, reward her with a yummy treat, and return the food bowl. (we’ll talk about the Toy Trade Game and other educational games you can play with your puppy next week).
  • Teach your puppy to do a long down during meal times. Buy a soft rug or bed and teach your puppy to go lay on it on command. We have our own adult dogs lay on a rug in a down stay during dinner. Maple was doing a down stay along side them at 6 months old for the entire length of our meal – which means your puppy can do it at a young age, too!

four weeks new

ohio teddy bear goldendoodles

Four weeks is such a fun age! The puppies are enjoying going outside, and they also enjoy snuggling. Their little tails wag, which is absolutely precious! They’re such friendly little pups, and it warms your heart to see how excited they get to see you!

I still can’t believe these adorable babies are already four weeks old! They’re growing up so quickly. The puppies have ridden in the car several times now. They go outside multiple times a day. They’ve started trying out moistened kibble (notice the little bits of kibble stuck on the tops of some of their noses – puppies are messy eaters at first, and it’s not uncommon for a puppy to be entirely in the food bowl! It’s adorable to watch!). They play with each other. They explore our house. They’ve had their toenails trimmed (again). The puppies have done so many “big dog” things! And they’re starting to really look like big dogs, too, aren’t they?

I’ve posted a few little video clips of the puppies in action on my Instagram story, so hopefully you’ve had a chance to enjoy them.

weekly puppy tip #5: Get ready to play educational games with your puppy

Did you know that there are fun games you can play with your puppy that teach him beneficial skills? It’s great to incorporate regular educational games into your puppy’s routine, so read through these suggestions, add any needed supplies to your puppy shopping list, and get ready for puppy playtime

  • Ball On The Wall – Encourages retrieving
    • Supplies: A ball that your puppy can carry in her mouth
    • How to play: Sit on the floor about 1-5’ from a wall. Put your legs in a “V” and sit facing the wall with your puppy between you and the wall. Toss the ball at the wall, encouraging your puppy to go after it. Give your puppy lots of praise when she brings the ball back! 
    • Variation: Once you’ve mastered Ball On The Wall, try playing retrieve in a hallway with all the doors closed (so your puppy can’t run away with the ball).
  • Toy Trade – Prevents resource guarding
    • Supplies: A toy that your puppy likes but doesn’t highly value and a high value treat
    • How to play: Briefly play with your puppy using the toy. Ask your puppy for the toy by offering her a high value treat. Reward & praise her for giving you the toy, and give the toy back to her as soon as she finishes chewing. Gradually work on having her give you objects of higher value (i.e. a bone).
    • Variation: Work on teaching your puppy the command “give” and ask her to drop the toy/bone on command in exchange for the high value treat.
  • Hide & Seek – Encourages recall
    • Supplies: Yummy treats
    • How to play: Run away from your puppy, hide behind a corner, tree, couch or other object, and call your puppy to encourage her to find you. When she does, give her lots of praise and a yummy treat.
    • Variation: Play Ping Pong by having a partner play with you and take turns hiding. While the first person is rewarding the puppy for coming, the second person hides.

fiev weeks new

best midwest doodle breeder

These puppies are cuter and fluffier every day! Their individual personalities are starting to show through. They’ve transformed from little guinea pigs who can’t see or hear to actual miniature dogs who run around and play and give kisses. And they already enjoy belly rubs, which is fun, too. 

The puppies have started eating softened TLC puppy kibble. Soon they’ll be chowing down on dry kibble, but for now while their teeth are coming in, the soften food makes for a perfect meal. Maple continues to nurse them throughout the day. If you have not received an email from TLC, please let me know.

The puppies trot about, exploring the world around them. They enjoy playing with the different toys in their pen, and they enjoy playing with each other, too. The pups don’t sit still for long, except for when they’re on your lap or sleeping, so pictures are challenging 🙂

weekly puppy tip #6: select and register for a puppy class

Participation in a puppy class is essential both for socialization and manners. Look for a class that emphasizes positive reinforcement, as learning & training should be a fun game at this point. Clicker training is a plus. This article from AKC gives some pointers about what to look for in a puppy class. Many dog training facilities will allow your new friend join their puppy class around 12 weeks of age, once she has received her second set of immunizations. Allison Camp from Pups Unleashed offers a local puppy class. She’ll be temperament testing the puppies in about 2 weeks and assisting with matching. Temperament testing always an exciting day!

We prefer in person puppy class over virtual hands down, but having online recourses is incredibly helpful, too. Timberidge Goldendoodles is excited to be partnering with Baxter & Bella. These online resources, virtual classes, and video training tips are an amazing option for every puppy owner – there are even a variety of resources to help you now as you prepare for your new furry family member. Plus membership is for a lifetime, so you can access Baxter & Bella’s tools repeatedly over the years ahead for each and every furry child that joins your family. Use the discount code TIMBERIDGE to save 25% when you join Baxter & Bella!

Here’s a short video from Baxter & Bella’s about how to train your puppy to respond positively the someone ringing your doorbell. You can take this same principle and apply it to a variety of other circumstances, such as teaching your puppy to walk calmly past another dog who is going crazy. Additional free puppy training videos are linked at the bottom of this blog post, so if you haven’t already checked them out, please take the time to watch at least a few of them. Remember, the best thing you can do to prepare for your new puppy is to prepare yourself!

six weeks new

ethical teddy bear goldendoodle breeder

These little babies are just scrumptious! The puppies are so very curious and playful and friendly. We let them run around the main part of our house for small segments now. They have a blast sniffing noses with the older dogs, exploring every nook and cranny, looking for chews that belong to the big dogs, and squishing their little fat bellies under the couches. Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed the Insta videos of the pups in action! We made sure to supervise any interactions the pups have with the big dogs and to provide a safe place where the puppies could hide if they became overwhelmed for any reason. When you introduce your pup to new canine friends, you’ll want to do the same. Always supervise, especially the initial interactions with a new dog. And always provide your puppy with a safe “get away” spot in case she needs a break. For our home, the pups could duck under the coffee table or even squirm under the couch and pop out at will, giving them the freedom to control their interactions with the big dogs. Outdoors, a kiddie picnic table or something similar works well. Additionally, be sure to provide the big dog with a way to get away from your puppy in case he becomes overwhelmed with the puppy energy. Spending time around other safe dogs is great for your puppy! 

The puppies have had their fluffy little bottoms trimmed with the clippers. Non-shedding means that hair grows everywhere, so we like to keep that rear launching pad clean to avoid unwanted cling-ons. The puppies have also had their toenails trimmed again. It’s maybe the fourth time for toenail trims? When you take your puppy home, doing the body handling bonding exercised we talked about a few weeks ago will help your pup become accustomed to being touched all over, which will make home grooming and trips to the groomer more pleasant for everyone, your puppy included.

The puppies continue to go outside. We take them out all throughout the day. Their lives are a little cycle of: wake up, potty outside, play, maybe potty again, take a nap, repeat. When you take your puppy home, you’ll continue that sleep -> potty -> play -> sleep cycle.

The puppies are now sleeping two per crate overnight and doing a great job with that. They go outside first thing in the morning to potty and they usually pee & poop both.

weekly puppy tip #7: get ready to groom!

Your puppy has had her nails clipped and hair trimmed during her time with us, so she has already had her initial introduction to a lifetime of being groomed. You’ll want to schedule her first spa day at the groomer after her 16-week immunizations. At that initial introductory appointment, she’ll receive a puppy clip. The groomer will bathe her, trim the hair out of her eyes, give her a sanitary clip, and trim her nails. Since your pup will need regular grooming throughout her life, both she and the groomer will benefit if she becomes accustomed to being groomed from a young age, even before she’s ready for a full haircut. 

When should she have her first big girl haircut? The wavy adult coat will start replacing the soft, fluffy puppy coat around 5-6 months of age. You’ll notice the new hair coming in is kinkier than the pure fluff on top. Waiting to cut the hair until the adult coat makes its debut beneath the layers of puppy plush helps ensure that the adult coat remains soft. Many poodle groomers and poodle fanciers claim that shaving a poodle or goldendoodle down before her adult coat starts coming in could damage the adult coat, affecting the texture. While there isn’t any substantiated evidence that this is true (at least that I can find), it’s worth avoiding just in case. That doesn’t mean that your puppy might not benefit from a puppy clip in the meantime! Don’t let your puppy’s hair get out of control! Your goldendoodle’s coat is extra prone to matting in the transition time between puppy fluff and adult coat. As aforementioned, take her to the groomer for a puppy clip after her 16-week immunizations. When the time comes, check out the grooming section on our website for a variety of goldendoodle haircut pictures. Learn more about your Goldendoodle puppy’s first trip to the groomer. We have a plethora of haircut resources under the “grooming” tab on the main menu bar.

Waiting until 6 months for the first full big girl clip does NOT mean you’re off the hook for grooming at home! You should regularly groom your puppy: brushing her hair, cleaning her ears, brushing her teeth, clipping her toenails, and checking her for any anomalies (i.e. ticks, cuts, etc.). You want your puppy to become accustomed to being brushed and handled all over from a young age. We HIGHLY recommend doing regular bonding/body handling exercises with your puppy (demonstrated in the video shared on weekly puppy tip #4). Goldendoodles are a breed that appreciates routines (thanks to those poodle ancestors), so it’s nice to do bonding exercises every night just before your put your puppy in her crate for bed. It’s easy to incorporate different parts of grooming into your nightly bonding exercises, just doing a little here and a little there since young puppies don’t have the attention span for lots of grooming at once.

seven weeks new

cincinnati goldendoodle breeder

The puppies are so much fun! They bound around outside, finding things to chew and places to explore. The puppies also thoroughly enjoy going on nature walks with us around our acreage. It’s fun to watch them trot over rocks, scamper around logs, and carry leaves in their mouths. The pups also sneak around the house, trying to investigate new places. We continue to take the puppies on new and different adventures. It’s fun to see their curiosity! The pups enjoy any new toy we throw their way. The puppies have gone on several road trips now, and they absolutely love meeting new people. Aren’t these pups adorable? Now scroll back and look at their newborn pictures. Isn’t it marvelous that in just seven weeks they’ve transformed from little guinea pigs into gorgeous, fluffy puppies?!

Be sure to pick up a special extra yummy chew that your puppy only gets during (daytime) crate time.

weekly puppy tip #8: fostering the child/puppy relationship

Goldendoodles are family dogs by nature, but there are a few steps you can take to help set your puppy and your kids up for a lifetime of friendship:

  1. When your puppy is sleeping, let her sleep – your puppy is growing & developing and she NEEDS that sleep. Teach your children to respect a sleeping puppy by not interrupting her. Your puppy’s crate should be her safe retreat. When she’s in her crate, allow her to enjoy safe, undisturbed quiet time- this doesn’t mean that you all need to tip toe quietly around when the puppies napping! It just means that when the puppy is napping, let her enjoy that peaceful sleep untouched and wake up on her own good time.
  2. Involve your children in daily puppy care – allowing your children to participate in caring for the puppy will help grow the bond between them and their furry friend. It also helps the puppy learn associate good things with little people and helps her see the children as above her in the pack order. Younger children particularly love being helpers. Our kids enjoy (aka fight over) feeding the dogs, letting them out of their crates, opening the back door to let the dogs in/out, etc. We let them help brush the dogs with much supervision (remember, we want all puppy experiences to be POSITIVE!). Our children also love holding leashes on walks (children should only take your dog on a walk with adult supervision). If you don’t trust your puppy to not pull a young child over, you can attach two short leashes to one dog so both you & your child have a leash to hold. Be cognizant of your child’s age and maturity level. Older children can be more actively involved and younger children can be involved in smaller ways.
  3. Encourage your children to play with the puppy – puppy nips and jumps can be intimidating for some children. Teaching children how to act calmly around a puppy and how to play intentional games such as fetch and educational games (see some suggestions under week 3) can help both the children and the puppy learn how to interact with each other. Explain to your children that your puppy isn’t trying to hurt them when she’s nipping – she’s asking them to play with her.
  4. Include your children in puppy training – when you enroll your puppy in a puppy kindergarten class, ask about bringing your child along (assuming he’s old enough and mature enough to participate). Our children enjoy practicing sits and downs with our dogs, dolling out hotdog slivers to the eager participants. Our dogs think it’s great! Be sure to always supervise children/puppy training sessions.
  5. Teach your children to respect the puppy – sometimes it’s challenging for children, especially young ones, to distinguish between their favorite stuffie and a real-life fluffy puppy. Many children need to be patiently taught to be gentle and kind with animals. “No hugging dogs” is a rule in our home because a preschooler bear hug around the neck is too much our small dogs (our dogs don’t mind but we’re afraid they might accidentally get hurt since they’re significantly smaller than the ones dolling out the hugs). If there are times when you aren’t able to supervise your children’s interaction with your puppy, it might be best (and safest) to put your puppy in her crate. Remember, that crate should be your puppy’s safe place. This article by AKC has more helpful tips about teaching children to respect dogs.
  6. Establish a safe place for your dog, usually either a dog bed or crate. Teach your children that when the puppy is in her safe place, they need to let her alone and they may not touch her. Your puppy will learn that she can retreat to her safe place if she becomes overwhelmed with a situation or if she just needs a nap.

Getting ready for your new puppy

As you begin shopping for your new bundle of fluff, be sure to scroll through our puppy shopping list to be sure you get all of the essentials. The shopping list will also answer questions like what size collar your puppy will need and how big of a crate you should purchase.

Goldendoodle as Service Dogs: What to Know Before Training One for Disability Support

Posted on by Timberidge

Written by: Chondamma Uthappa

If you’ve been researching service dogs lately, you may have noticed Goldendoodles popping up everywhere. There’s a reason for that. These dogs are smart, often hypoallergenic, but more importantly, they can flex across psychiatric, medical alert, and mobility roles. 

The catch is that because they are a mixed breed of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, their temperaments can vary wildly. 

But that doesn’t mean you can’t use Goldendoodles as service dogs. The U.S. Government actually protects the rights of persons with disabilities to live and travel with a service animal. And there’s no restriction on the breed of dog you can use.

But training a dog for disability support, even one as friendly as a Goldendoodle, is a massive commitment. You need to know what you are signing up for. That’s what this guide will help you understand.

Medical Conditions That Call for a Service Dog

People need service dogs for many different reasons, all of which are health-related. Some need a dog to detect an oncoming seizure. Others rely on them to alert them to dangerous blood sugar drops if they have diabetes. There’s also a growing demand for psychiatric service dogs trained specifically to disrupt panic attacks, ground someone during a PTSD episode, or provide deep pressure therapy.

But here’s the thing: not everyone is born needing this kind of help. Sometimes, life throws a curveball, and these challenges develop later in adulthood. A clear example of this is happening right now with the widespread Depo-Provera lawsuit. 

Thousands of women took this birth control injection with total confidence, completely unaware that it could significantly increase their risk of developing brain tumors called meningiomas. One nurse from the Scottish Highlands, for instance, claimed it gave her three brain tumors. According to TorHoerman Law, many of these women took these shots for years before developing debilitating symptoms. When your health changes overnight like that, a service animal can become a practical life-saver. 

This need for reliable support is one reason why the broader animal care services market is expanding rapidly. Industry experts project that global demand will likely hit $1.54 billion by 2034.

Key Factors to Know About Using Goldendoodles as Service Dogs

Remember, you need to know exactly what you’re getting into when thinking of using a Goldendoodle as a service dog. Let’s look at some key must-knows.

Coat Maintenance

One of the biggest misconceptions about Goldendoodles is that “hypoallergenic” means easy to maintain. It doesn’t. Maintaining the coat of Goldendoodles can be a real chore if you want to maintain the longer length. That longer coat is absolutely adorable, but requires regular brushing. Skip the brushing, and you may end up having to shave your dog, If you don’t mind a shorter coat length, the brushing time is very minimal. Still, trips to the groomer are not cheap.

They Have Hyper-Social Tendencies

This is the biggest hurdle for many people. Goldendoodles are notoriously friendly. They want to say hello to everyone. This is great for a pet, but terrible for a service dog. 

You have to work heavily on “leave it” and focus commands. Your dog needs to know to ignore kids trying to pet them and squirrels running by. It might take months of practice to break this instinctive behavior, but it’s totally possible.

You Need to Check the Temperament

Not every Goldendoodle will make the cut. You have to evaluate puppies at around seven weeks of age. Is your puppy calm in new environments? Do they startle at loud noises? Temperament evaluation is best done by a professional.

Remember, these dogs are a mix of golden retriever and poodle, so you can expect the genetics of both, but in different doses. While no two Goldendoole are the same, make sure you go for a dog that’s steady, not anxious. A nervous dog will not grow into a very reliable service dog.

ADA Rules

Under the ADA, a service dog is specifically trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. They are very different from an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). ESAs provide comfort by their presence, but they have no public access rights. 

That distinction affects where your dog can legally accompany you. Businesses, restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and other public places generally must allow trained service dogs. ESAs are usually not covered by those same protections.

A Goldendoodle qualifies as a service dog as long as it is trained to do specific tasks for you. You should always check the official ADA page for the exact distinctions because your rights as a handler depend on it.

FAQs

  • Are Goldendoodles good for psychiatric service work? Absolutely. Goldendoodles are actually excellent for psychiatric service work. They are intuitive and thrive on close human contact. They can easily be trained to interrupt panic attacks or provide pressure therapy.
  • How long does Goldendoodle service dog training take?Training duration depends a lot on the connection between the dog and the trainer, but it’s not something that happens overnight. It takes months, so you may want to plan for at least 18 months. It will take that long to get your puppy from basics to reliable public access.
  • Do Goldendoodles qualify as service dogs under the ADA? Yes, they do, because the ADA has no restrictions when it comes to the breeds of dogs that can be used for disability service. However, Goldendoodles don’t automatically qualify. They have to be individually trained to perform specific tasks for a disability.

Final Thoughts

A Goldendoodle service dog can be an amazing partner. But this isn’t something you jump into on a whim. You need to know what you’re signing up for, and hopefully, this article gave you a real look at that.

If after reading this, you feel like a Goldendoodle is the right fit for you, then go all in. When you get it right, the payoff is huge. It can change your life, and your dog’s life, too.

Written by: Chondamma Uthappa

Bringing Home a Goldendoodle Puppy: What to Train First

Bringing Home a Goldendoodle Puppy: What to Train First

Posted on by Timberidge

By Iva Djordjevi

Bringing home a Goldendoodle puppy is a total rollercoaster of pure joy and absolute, face-planting exhaustion. You
probably spent months scrolling through breeder photos, buying cute bowls, and arguing over names. Then the little fluffball actually arrives. Suddenly, you look at this tiny creature and realize you have absolutely no clue what to do first!

Most of us focus entirely on the physical setup. We puppy-proof the living room and buy premium food. Those steps
matter, of course. But the small choices you make during those very first two weeks shape your dog for the next ten years.

Goldendoodles are incredibly smart. They combine the gentle warmth of a Golden Retriever with the sharp brain of a Poodle. They genuinely want to hang out with you and figure out the rules. But that intelligence can backfire. If you do not show them the right things to do, they will happily invent their own mischievous games.

Start training your new puppy right away

A lot of new owners wait until a puppy hits four or five months old to start training. They think the baby is too young.
But by that point, bad habits have already taken root. Your puppy starts learning the exact second they step inside
your house.

Every single interaction is a lesson. If your puppy jumps up to greet you and you bend down to pet them, you just taught them that jumping gets attention.

And if they cry at 2 a.m. in their crate and you pull them into bed, you taught them that crying gets them what they want. An eight-pound puppy doing these things is adorable. But those exact same behaviors may become deeply frustrating when your dog weighs fifty pounds. Consistency is everything. What you allow on day one becomes the standard your dog expects forever.

Core priorities for the first month

You do not need to teach complicated tricks right away. Focus on three foundational areas instead.

1. Crate is a safe haven

Many owners feel guilty using a crate because it feels like a cage. When used correctly, the crate becomes your puppy’s favorite bedroom. It gives them a secure space to sleep and relax when the house gets too chaotic.

  • Feed meals inside the crate with the door wide open so your pup loves going inside.
  • Toss high-value treats inside throughout the day for them to discover on their own.
  • Never use the crate as a punishment when you are angry.

A crate also keeps your puppy safe when you need to shower or cook. It stops them from chewing up your favorite shoes or eating dangerous things such as the cord to a lamp.

2. Name recognition

Your puppy needs to learn that their name means they should look at you immediately. Reliable focus is the foundation for every single command you will ever teach.

Say your puppy’s name clearly, just one time. The exact moment they look at you, give them a piece of kibble or happy praise.

But do not repeat the name over and over if they ignore you. Repeating it actually teaches them that they can ignore
the first three calls before they bother looking up.

3. Doorway patience

This skill is rarely mentioned in beginner puppy guides, but it is incredibly useful. Teaching your puppy to pause before walking through doorways to go outside builds amazing self-control and keeps your puppy safe. Having your puppy wait at the front door helps prevent bolting towards guests in the future. Encouraging your puppy to wait for permission to hop out of the car helps prevent them from rushing into traffic in the future. Teaching your puppy to sit quietly before going out to the back patio helps build calm focus before a walk.

The power of early socialization

Puppy training goes hand in hand with socialization during the first sixteen weeks of life. This window closes quickly,
and it shapes how your dog views the world for the rest of its life.

Socialization does not mean throwing your puppy into terrifying, crowded spaces. It means introducing them to new
sounds, different floor surfaces, and unfamiliar people very gently. You want your puppy to remain relaxed and curious. A puppy who learns to navigate new environments calmly grows into a resilient, confident adult dog.

Keep training sessions short

And you do not need to schedule hour-long training blocks. The best training happens naturally throughout your normal day. You can practice for two minutes before breakfast, or right before you put on the leash for a walk. 

Keep these moments brief. Goldendoodles, like all puppies, have short attention spans when they are young. Always end the game on a positive note while your puppy is still having fun.

Perfection is not the goal for the first month. You are simply showing your puppy that working with you is rewarding
and safe. Once you build that bond, everything else falls into place.

What is specific behavior is your new puppy struggling with the most right?

By Iva Djordjevi

Misty's 2026 Mini Doodle babies!

Misty’s 2026 Mini Doodle babies!

Posted on by Timberidge

happy birthday

Your puppy’s birthday is May 26th

newborn double doodle puppies in Cincinnati

Misty & Franklin are the proud parents of four squishy new babies: two boys and two girls. These little ones are absolutely precious. When first born, puppies depend completely on their mama, so we’re blessed that Misty does such a great job caring for them. Misty nurses them almost constantly and snuggles with them. How sweet are these faces? 

At first puppies can’t yet walk. Their eyes and ears are closed. They can’t go to the bathroom on their own. And they can’t maintain their own body temperature. Fortunately, God gave puppies a natural instinct to pile together for warmth, so they snuggle together in a giant puppy heap. And they also love cuddling around Misty as she snoozes contentedly, surrounded by her new family. Misty seems to love being surrounded by her tiny ones. She only leaves her new crew a few times a day for a quick bathroom.

EEGs have revealed that the brain activity of infant puppies is the same when asleep and awake. But these little pups are busy eating, growing, and developing. It’s amazing how quickly puppies grow! At 24 hours old, Misty’s puppies have already surpassed their birth weight. The little munchkins twitch and pop in their sleep, as all healthy newborn puppies should. This activated sleep helps them build muscle tone. They also climb all over each other as they search for the perfect eating nook, and that sibling trek also helps the puppies develop their muscles. They will be strong enough to walk in just a few weeks.

weekly puppy tip #1: nap time is essential

Think about a napping place – The puppies spend most of their lives sleeping now, but did you know that your new furbaby is going to need lots of sleep when you bring her home, too? Puppies, just like small children, require naps throughout the day. When your puppy is sleeping, try to allow her to rest untouched (it’s okay for noisy life to carry on around her while she snoozes, but it’s best not to physically disturb her as much as possible). This may mean that you need to guide her to a different spot than the one she’s initially chosen. Puppy Culture estimates that an 8-10 week old puppy sleeps 3 hours and then is awake for 1 hour before going back down for another nap. Puppies are like little children – sometimes they don’t realize that you’re tired and need you to put them down for a nap. Puppies can get over stimulated and become overly tired just like toddlers. It’s your job to help regulate them. AKC gives some helpful insight into the importance of puppy sleep (You can read the whole of the article here.):

Although puppies may seem like little bundles of energy, in fact, they sleep 15-20 hours a day. One minute your puppy may be a miniature tornado, and the next he’s fallen soundly asleep, almost mid-activity. Sleep is essential to healthy growth: during sleep his central nervous system, brain, immune system, and muscles are developing. All of that sleep also helps him rest up during growth spurts… household members, especially children, should leave your puppy alone while he is sleeping. Plan his day so that active time is followed by quiet time for sleep. He’ll most likely be ready for a nap after playtime or a walk, sleep for a while and then wake up ready for anything. Your puppy may nap every hour or so, sleeping from 30 minutes to as long as two hours. All of this sleep is perfectly normal

Jane Reisen from the American Kennel Club (AKC)

one week new

Teddy bear goldendoodles in Ohio

It’s hard to believe that these little chunky munchkins are already one week old! They have grown so much! These puppies may still seem incredibly small, but they’ve really packed on the pounds! These sweet little pumpkins continue to dedicate their entire lives to eating and sleeping – and it shows! They are becoming fat little sausages with adorable wrinkles and rolls. They’ve officially reached (and passed) the one pound mark.

Even though the puppies spend most of their lives sleeping, they actually are doing baby workouts as they snooze the day away. These little pups twitch and pop involuntarily during their sleep, developing muscle tone for the near future. This phenomenon is known as “activated sleep.” In a few short weeks, these rolly polly puppies will be bouncing around playfully. Their legs, while still wobbly, have already gotten stronger and the puppies wobble around on them some instead of just army crawling as they did initially.

weekly puppy tip #2: make a puppy experience plan

Make a puppy experience plan – Compile a list of places you want to take your puppy and experiences you want your puppy to encounter. Any day now, these little eyes will be ready to soak up the sites, and we’ll now start introducing the puppies to items that differ in appearance. We have a thought out socialization plan, working hard to expose your puppy to as much as possible during her time with us. When you take your puppy home, that responsibility then shifts to you as you continue the socialization process. Exposing your puppy to new people, situations, sounds, smells, textures, etc. is extremely important. Give your new puppy a few days to adjust to her new home and new routine. Then begin giving her short, positive experiences (yummy treats make everything more positive!). Don’t try to do too much in one day, as you don’t want to overwhelm or stress her. Go ahead: start making a list of ideas for how to want to socialize your new puppy. 

Your goal is for your puppy to meet a minimum of 100 different people by the time she’s six months old. Dr. Ian Dunbar, a puppy socialization expert, raises the bar even higher by recommending that puppies meet 100+ people during the first month at home. If you hope to visit a local nursing home or hospital when your puppy gets older, secure some crutches, walkers or wheelchairs to expose your puppy to at home. Meeting people is just one component of socialization. Think about outdoor experiences that you and your puppy can safely enjoy together. Consider what predictable dogs you can introduce your puppy to (dogs who are stable, friendly, healthy, and will model good behavior for your pup). Keep in mind that adult dogs aren’t always fond of puppies so be sure to monitor them together. Do you know anyone with a woods or creek where you can take your puppy for a short romp? Remember, you want every experience to be POSITIVE (i.e. bring yummy treats and hand out the praise). Making a plan now, before you bring your puppy home, will help ensure that you follow through with a variety of positive exposures once you have your new little fluff ball at your side. 

Check out AviDog’s free e-book for more ideas about what to add to your puppy experience plan. Baxter & Bella also has some great ideas for socializing your puppy.

two weeks new

reputable goldendoodle

Isn’t it amazing how much puppies grow in just one week? They’re already looking so much more like little dogs. 

You’ll probably notice how nicely they’re chunking up! But do you also see those tiny little eyes staring back at you?! The puppies started opening their eyes on Saturday. Eye opening is a process that doesn’t happen all in one day. Right now, we keep the puppy room dim as their eyes adjust to seeing the world around them. 

Misty is a great mama. The ever increasing rolls on these babies are strong evidence that she is doing an excellent job nursing her crew! At this point, the sleepy little dumplings still snooze away most of their days and fill any awake time with stuffing their little bellies. We enjoy snuggling them every day, and the puppies have fun snuggling down for a nap on our laps. Our kids are absolutely smitten with these babies!

Our kids thoroughly enjoy giving puppies their temporary names, and we’re excited to share their choices for these special pups with you: Toast (orange), Betsy (pink), Taz (red), and Waffles (blue). The puppies have grown enough (they’ve reached 2lbs now!) that they’ve transitioned into wearing their special break-free collars that they’ll wear during the rest of their time in our home.

weekly puppy tip #3: age appropriate exercise

Glance over Puppy Culture’s exercise chart. Familiarize yourself with what sorts of activities are appropriate for your puppy at different stages of development. You want to give your puppy a variety of unique positive experiences, but your puppy is still growing & developing, so you don’t want to push your puppy too far. For instance, climbing up one to two stairs is an appropriate challenge but climbing a flight of stairs is not a good idea for a young puppy (a study done on 500 dogs showed that puppies allowed to climb a flight of stairs regularly before 3 months old were more likely to develop hip dysplasia). Remember, free running and playing is a great option because your puppy can rest whenever she feels inclined to do so. If you’d like to read more about puppy exercise, check out AviDog’s puppy exercise guidelines. This article from AKC also gives some helpful puppy exercise tips.

three weeks new

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Aren’t these little sausages really looking like little dogs now? These pumpkins are so stinking precious. The puppies sit awkwardly and attempt to walk around now, albeit a bit clumsily. Aren’t they so cute?!

Look at those open eyes! When puppy eyes first open, they’re blue and cloudy but as the eyes change from their cloudy blue appearance, they open more and the puppy’s vision becomes crisper. The pups still spend the majority of their time snoozing… or eating! Pretty much any waking time is spent slurping down Mama Misty’s delicious, nutritious milk. These chunky monkeys continue to grow like crazy. These little munchkins have been busy growing in every way possible!

The puppies have ventured outside a few times while in our arms. We’re looking forward to introducing them to the outdoors increasingly more in the upcoming weeks.

I have shared a few short videoclips on my Instagram story today, so hopefully you enjoyed watching them. I’ll continue to share more and more video clips that way as the puppies get older.

weekly puppy tip #4: be the leader your puppy wants you to be

It’s essential that you establish yourself as the pack leader. Your puppy doesn’t want to be in charge – that’s a scary place to be! Your puppy wants to look to you as the leader, but you have to show yourself as worth of the role by being the leader (this also helps set your kids apart as ranking higher in the pack than your new pup). Some easy ways to establish your leadership could include:

  • Sit down with your puppy each night before bed and briefly touch your puppy EVERYWHERE. Kneel on the floor with your puppy sitting between your legs. Start by petting your puppy’s head and tell him “head, head.” Then check his mouth, telling him “teeth, teeth,” and look inside his ears telling him “ear, ears.” Briefly go over your puppy from nose to tail in this fashion. This helps establish that you’re allowed to touch your puppy anywhere and everywhere. (see the video below)
  • Set boundaries so there is at least one place in your home that your dog isn’t allowed to go in your home (i.e. not allowed to jump on your bed, not allowed to sit on a particular couch or not allowed into a certain room). 
  • Teach you puppy to sit and wait for you to walk out the front door before her and give her the “okay” before she is permitted to walk through it. If you’ve been consistent, your puppy will offer a sit and wait for a release word (i.e. “okay”) before coming inside by 3 months old. When she’s old enough to start walking freely up and down stairs, teach her to wait for you to finish climbing/descending the stairs before she comes. 
  • Encourage your puppy sit and wait for you to give her the “okay” before she is allowed to approach her food bowl. Periodically pick up your puppy’s food bowl while she’s eating, reward her with a yummy treat, and return the food bowl. (we’ll talk about the Toy Trade Game and other educational games you can play with your puppy next week).
  • Teach your puppy to do a long down during meal times. Buy a soft rug or bed and teach your puppy to go lay on it on command. We have our own adult dogs lay on a rug in a down stay during dinner. Maple was doing a down stay along side them at 6 months old for the entire length of our meal – which means your puppy can do it at a young age, too!

three and a half weeks new

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Sometimes, I just can’t wait an entire week to share pictures of our amazing babies! And this was one of those weeks. These guys are just so stinking cute, and we’re having so much fun with them! We’ve started taking the pups outside each day, and it’s fun to watch them relish the feel of grass squishing under their baby toes. I frequently find one of our older kids with a puppy snuggled on his or her lap. These little chunky monkeys are absolutely the sweetest! They’re looking more and more like little dogs each day, and they are going to be such gorgeous adults. Those wavy, cream coats will be show stoppers and those boxy heads promise will grow into stunning teddy bear faces. Can you tell that I’m smitten with these precious little ones?!

four weeks new

Four weeks is such a fun age! The puppies are enjoying going outside and they also are enjoying snuggling. Their little tails wag, which is absolutely precious! They’re such friendly little pups, and it warms your heart to see how excited they get to see you! 

The puppies have now had their toenails trimmed for the third time. When you take your puppy home, it’s important that you continue to regularly trim her nails. Right now we trim the puppies’ nails with human baby nail clippers. For our adult dogs, we use a dremel to keep their nails short. We like to keep the puppies’ nails short so they don’t accidentally scratch Misty while nursing. Plus nail trimming is going to be a regular activity throughout their lives, so we want to introduce them to it at an early age. We’ll continue to clip little nails frequently over the next four weeks.

The puppies have also had their little bottoms shaved for the first time. Goldendoodles are non-shedding, so hair grows everywhere, which makes for some fluffy little bottoms!

weekly puppy tip #5: Get ready to play educational games with your puppy

Did you know that there are fun games you can play with your puppy that teach him beneficial skills? It’s great to incorporate regular educational games into your puppy’s routine, so read through these suggestions, add any needed supplies to your puppy shopping list, and get ready for puppy playtime!

  • Ball On The Wall – Encourages retrieving
    • Supplies: A ball that your puppy can carry in her mouth
    • How to play: Sit on the floor about 1-5’ from a wall. Put your legs in a “V” and sit facing the wall with your puppy between you and the wall. Toss the ball at the wall, encouraging your puppy to go after it. Give your puppy lots of praise when she brings the ball back! 
    • Variation: Once you’ve mastered Ball On The Wall, try playing retrieve in a hallway with all the doors closed (so your puppy can’t run away with the ball).
  • Toy Trade – Prevents resource guarding
    • Supplies: A toy that your puppy likes but doesn’t highly value and a high value treat
    • How to play: Briefly play with your puppy using the toy. Ask your puppy for the toy by offering her a high value treat. Reward & praise her for giving you the toy, and give the toy back to her as soon as she finishes chewing. Gradually work on having her give you objects of higher value (i.e. a bone).
    • Variation: Work on teaching your puppy the command “give” and ask her to drop the toy/bone on command in exchange for the high value treat.
  • Hide & Seek – Encourages recall
    • Supplies: Yummy treats
    • How to play: Run away from your puppy, hide behind a corner, tree, couch or other object, and call your puppy to encourage her to find you. When she does, give her lots of praise and a yummy treat.
    • Variation: Play Ping Pong by having a partner play with you and take turns hiding. While the first person is rewarding the puppy for coming, the second person hides.

five weeks new

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These puppies are cuter and fluffier every day! Their individual personalities are starting to show through. They’ve transformed from little guinea pigs who can’t see or hear to actual miniature dogs who run around and play and give kisses. And they already enjoy belly rubs, which is fun, too. Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed the short video clips on our Instagram story. I’m trying to share short videos there so you can see what the puppies are up to each day.

The puppies have started eating softened TLC puppy kibble. Soon they’ll be chowing down on dry kibble, but for now while their teeth are coming in, the soften food makes for a perfect meal. Misty continues to nurse them throughout the day. If you have not received an email from TLC, please let me know.

The puppies trot about, exploring the world around them. They enjoy playing with the different toys in their pen, and they enjoy playing with each other, too. The pups don’t sit still for long, except for when they’re on your lap or sleeping, so pictures are challenging 🙂

weekly puppy tip #6: select and register for a puppy class

Participation in a puppy class is essential both for socialization and manners. Look for a class that emphasizes positive reinforcement, as learning & training should be a fun game at this point. Clicker training is a plus. This article from AKC gives some pointers about what to look for in a puppy class. Many dog training facilities will allow your new friend join their puppy class around 12 weeks of age, once she has received her second set of immunizations. Allison Camp from Pups Unleashed offers a local puppy class. She’ll be temperament testing the puppies in about 2 weeks and assisting with matching. Temperament testing always an exciting day!

We prefer in person puppy class over virtual hands down, but having online recourses is incredibly helpful, too. Timberidge Goldendoodles is excited to be partnering with Baxter & Bella. These online resources, virtual classes, and video training tips are an amazing option for every puppy owner – there are even a variety of resources to help you now as you prepare for your new furry family member. Plus membership is for a lifetime, so you can access Baxter & Bella’s tools repeatedly over the years ahead for each and every furry child that joins your family. Use the discount code TIMBERIDGE to save 25% when you join Baxter & Bella!

Here’s a short video from Baxter & Bella’s about how to train your puppy to respond positively the someone ringing your doorbell. You can take this same principle and apply it to a variety of other circumstances, such as teaching your puppy to walk calmly past another dog who is going crazy. Additional free puppy training videos are linked at the bottom of this blog post, so if you haven’t already checked them out, please take the time to watch at least a few of them. Remember, the best thing you can do to prepare for your new puppy is to prepare yourself!

six weeks new

ethical breeder of teddy bear goldendoodles

These little babies are just scrumptious! The puppies are so very curious and playful and friendly. We let them run around the main part of our house for small segments now. They have a blast sniffing noses with the older dogs, exploring every nook and cranny, looking for chews that belong to the big dogs, and squishing their little fat bellies under the couches. Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed the Insta videos of the pups in action! We made sure to supervise any interactions the pups have with the big dogs and to provide a safe place where the puppies could hide if they became overwhelmed for any reason. When you introduce your pup to new canine friends, you’ll want to do the same. Always supervise, especially the initial interactions with a new dog. And always provide your puppy with a safe “get away” spot in case she needs a break. For our home, the pups could duck under the coffee table or even squirm under the couch and pop out at will, giving them the freedom to control their interactions with the big dogs. Outdoors, a kiddie picnic table or something similar works well. Additionally, be sure to provide the big dog with a way to get away from your puppy in case he becomes overwhelmed with the puppy energy. Spending time around other safe dogs is great for your puppy! 

weekly puppy tip #7: get ready to groom!

Your puppy has had her nails clipped and hair trimmed during her time with us, so she has already had her initial introduction to a lifetime of being groomed. You’ll want to schedule her first spa day at the groomer after her 16-week immunizations. At that initial introductory appointment, she’ll receive a puppy clip. The groomer will bathe her, trim the hair out of her eyes, give her a sanitary clip, and trim her nails. Since your pup will need regular grooming throughout her life, both she and the groomer will benefit if she becomes accustomed to being groomed from a young age, even before she’s ready for a full haircut. 

When should she have her first big girl haircut? The wavy adult coat will start replacing the soft, fluffy puppy coat around 5-6 months of age. You’ll notice the new hair coming in is kinkier than the pure fluff on top. Waiting to cut the hair until the adult coat makes its debut beneath the layers of puppy plush helps ensure that the adult coat remains soft. Many poodle groomers and poodle fanciers claim that shaving a poodle or goldendoodle down before her adult coat starts coming in could damage the adult coat, affecting the texture. While there isn’t any substantiated evidence that this is true (at least that I can find), it’s worth avoiding just in case. That doesn’t mean that your puppy might not benefit from a puppy clip in the meantime! Don’t let your puppy’s hair get out of control! Your goldendoodle’s coat is extra prone to matting in the transition time between puppy fluff and adult coat. As aforementioned, take her to the groomer for a puppy clip after her 16-week immunizations. When the time comes, check out the grooming section on our website for a variety of goldendoodle haircut pictures. Learn more about your Goldendoodle puppy’s first trip to the groomer. We have a plethora of haircut resources under the “grooming” tab on the main menu bar.

Waiting until 6 months for the first full big girl clip does NOT mean you’re off the hook for grooming at home! You should regularly groom your puppy: brushing her hair, cleaning her ears, brushing her teeth, clipping her toenails, and checking her for any anomalies (i.e. ticks, cuts, etc.). You want your puppy to become accustomed to being brushed and handled all over from a young age. We HIGHLY recommend doing regular bonding/body handling exercises with your puppy (demonstrated in the video shared on weekly puppy tip #4). Goldendoodles are a breed that appreciates routines (thanks to those poodle ancestors), so it’s nice to do bonding exercises every night just before your put your puppy in her crate for bed. It’s easy to incorporate different parts of grooming into your nightly bonding exercises, just doing a little here and a little there since young puppies don’t have the attention span for lots of grooming at once.

seven weeks new

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The puppies are so much fun! They bound around outside, finding things to chew and places to explore. On these hot July days, they like finding cool shady places to relax. The puppies also thoroughly enjoy going on nature walks with us around our acreage. It’s fun to watch them trot over rocks, scamper around logs, and carry leaves in their mouths. The pups also sneak around the house, trying to investigate new places. We continue to take the puppies on new and different adventures. It’s fun to see their curiosity! The pups enjoy any new toy we throw their way. The puppies have gone on several road trips this past week, and they absolutely love meeting new people. Aren’t these pups adorable? I am in love with their teddy bear faces! Now scroll back and look at their newborn pictures. Isn’t it marvelous that in just seven weeks they’ve transformed from little guinea pigs into gorgeous, fluffy puppies?!

Be sure to pick up a special extra yummy chew that your puppy only gets during (daytime) crate time.

weekly puppy tip #8: fostering the child/puppy relationship

Goldendoodles are family dogs by nature, but there are a few steps you can take to help set your puppy and your kids up for a lifetime of friendship:

  1. When your puppy is sleeping, let her sleep – your puppy is growing & developing and she NEEDS that sleep. Teach your children to respect a sleeping puppy by not interrupting her. Your puppy’s crate should be her safe retreat. When she’s in her crate, allow her to enjoy safe, undisturbed quiet time- this doesn’t mean that you all need to tip toe quietly around when the puppies napping! It just means that when the puppy is napping, let her enjoy that peaceful sleep untouched and wake up on her own good time.
  2. Involve your children in daily puppy care – allowing your children to participate in caring for the puppy will help grow the bond between them and their furry friend. It also helps the puppy learn associate good things with little people and helps her see the children as above her in the pack order. Younger children particularly love being helpers. Our kids enjoy (aka fight over) feeding the dogs, letting them out of their crates, opening the back door to let the dogs in/out, etc. We let them help brush the dogs with much supervision (remember, we want all puppy experiences to be POSITIVE!). Our children also love holding leashes on walks (children should only take your dog on a walk with adult supervision). If you don’t trust your puppy to not pull a young child over, you can attach two short leashes to one dog so both you & your child have a leash to hold. Be cognizant of your child’s age and maturity level. Older children can be more actively involved and younger children can be involved in smaller ways.
  3. Encourage your children to play with the puppy – puppy nips and jumps can be intimidating for some children. Teaching children how to act calmly around a puppy and how to play intentional games such as fetch and educational games (see some suggestions under week 3) can help both the children and the puppy learn how to interact with each other. Explain to your children that your puppy isn’t trying to hurt them when she’s nipping – she’s asking them to play with her.
  4. Include your children in puppy training – when you enroll your puppy in a puppy kindergarten class, ask about bringing your child along (assuming he’s old enough and mature enough to participate). Our children enjoy practicing sits and downs with our dogs, dolling out hotdog slivers to the eager participants. Our dogs think it’s great! Be sure to always supervise children/puppy training sessions.
  5. Teach your children to respect the puppy – sometimes it’s challenging for children, especially young ones, to distinguish between their favorite stuffie and a real-life fluffy puppy. Many children need to be patiently taught to be gentle and kind with animals. “No hugging dogs” is a rule in our home because a preschooler bear hug around the neck is too much our small dogs (our dogs don’t mind but we’re afraid they might accidentally get hurt since they’re significantly smaller than the ones dolling out the hugs). If there are times when you aren’t able to supervise your children’s interaction with your puppy, it might be best (and safest) to put your puppy in her crate. Remember, that crate should be your puppy’s safe place. This article by AKC has more helpful tips about teaching children to respect dogs.
  6. Establish a safe place for your dog, usually either a dog bed or crate. Teach your children that when the puppy is in her safe place, they need to let her alone and they may not touch her. Your puppy will learn that she can retreat to her safe place if she becomes overwhelmed with a situation or if she just needs a nap.

Getting ready for your new puppy

As you begin shopping for your new bundle of fluff, be sure to scroll through our puppy shopping list to be sure you get all of the essentials. The shopping list will also answer questions like what size collar your puppy will need and how big of a crate you should purchase.

7 Preventive Care Tips to Care for Goldendoodles Beyond the Basics

7 Preventive Care Tips to Care for Goldendoodles Beyond the Basics

Posted on by Timberidge

By Nicole McCray

Golden Doodles are easy to love. 

They are playful, smart, social, and usually full of personality. Their fluffy coats and friendly nature make them a favorite in many homes. 

But caring for a Golden Doodle takes more than good food, daily walks, and the occasional bath.

As with any non-shedding, floppy ear breed, Golden Doodles may benefit from a little extra care in a few important health areas that a pet owner should be aware of.

This National Pet Week we share with you simple and useful preventive care tips to help your Golden Doodle stay healthy beyond the basics, because preventive care matters just as much as love and attention. 

The goal is not only to help your dog feel good today, but also to help avoid health issues later.

1. Stay ahead of grooming, not just for looks

A Golden Doodle’s coat is distinctly beautiful, but it needs regular care. 

Depending on whether you prefer for your doodle to have a short, shorn coat or a longer, shaggy look, brushing may need to happen several times a week or even daily. If you wait until the coat looks messy, mats may already be forming close to the skin, leading to trouble in grooming both for the groomer and the pet.

Mats are not just a grooming issue. They can pull on the skin, trap moisture, hide irritation, and make your dog uncomfortable. In some cases, they can even lead to skin infections.

A simple preventive routine helps a lot:

  • First and foremost brush everyday or at least every alternate day.
  • Schedule professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks if your dog’s coat grows quickly or if you prefer a longer coat length.
  • Check the skin while brushing so you can spot redness, bumps, or dry patches early.
  • Brush the coat especially behind the ears, under the legs, around the collar, in areas that might be rubbed by a harness, and near the base of tail.

Good grooming is really part of your dog’s health routine. It is one of the easiest ways to catch small problems before they turn into bigger ones.

2. Pay close attention to ears

Golden Doodles often have floppy, hairy ears, which can trap moisture and reduce airflow.  This creates the perfect environment for ear irritation or infection, especially after swimming, bathing, or playing outside in wet weather.

If your dog scratches their ears often, shakes their head, or has a bad smell coming from the ears, those can be early signs of trouble. Preventive ear care can make a big difference.

Try these habits:

  • Check the ears once a week.
  • Avoid getting water on your dog’s head during bath time and dry the ears gently after baths or swimming.
  • Ask your vet which ear cleaner is safe for regular use.
  • Never insert anything deep into the ear canal

Ear infections can become painful fast, so catching early signs matters. A quick weekly check can save your dog a lot of discomfort.

3. Do not ignore dental care

Many dog owners underestimate dental health, but it plays a big role in overall wellness. 

Bad breath is not just unpleasant. It can be a sign of plaque buildup, gum disease, or bacteria in the mouth. Over time, poor dental health may affect more than just the teeth.

Golden Doodles benefit from a steady dental routine:

  • Brush your doodle’s teeth several times a week using dog-safe toothpaste.
  • Use dental chews approved for dogs.
  • Ask your vet to examine the teeth during routine visits.
  • Watch for signs like red gums, trouble chewing, drooling, or mouth sensitivity.

Dental care is one of those preventive steps that is easy to put off, but a steady dental routine will pay off in the long run. Even a few minutes a few times a week can help keep your dog more comfortable and reduce future treatment needs.

4. Protect joints early, especially during growth and aging

Golden Doodles can be active and athletic, but their joints still need support. 

Depending on their size, they may be at risk for joint issues as they age. Larger Golden Doodles in particular can put more strain on hips, elbows, and knees.

Preventive care for joints starts earlier than many people think. It is not something you should wait until your dog becomes a senior to start thinking about.

Helpful steps include:

  • Keep your dog at a healthy weight.
  • Avoid too much jumping onto hard surfaces or from high surfaces (i.e. avoid allowing a puppy to jump off of the couch), especially in puppies.
  • Use rugs or mats if your floors are slippery.
  • Choose exercise that is regular and balanced rather than extreme.
  • Ask your vet whether joint supplements are appropriate.

Puppies should not be over-exercised just because they have lots of energy. Too much intense activity during growth can place stress on developing joints. 

On the other hand, older dogs still need movement to stay strong. The key is steady, age-appropriate exercise.

While regular wellness visits help prevent many health problems, sudden issues like ear infections, stomach upset, or limping may still need fast attention, remind animal vet care experts from Denver Animal Clinic, a group of animal health professionals with a strong benchmark for modern pet healthcare.

5. Feed for long-term health, not just a full stomach

Some Golden Doodles tend to enjoy food, and that can make weight gain sneak up quickly. Extra weight can increase the risk of joint strain, heart stress, and lower energy. 

Preventive nutrition is about more than choosing a popular dog food. It is about feeding the right amount and adjusting as your dog’s needs change.

Senior vets from Denver Animal Clinic also highlight the growing importance of preventative vet care as an important extension to part of primary care. A few smart eating habits these professionals suggest are:

  • Measure meals instead of guessing.
  • Use treats in moderation.
  • Choose food based on your dog’s age, size, and activity level.
  • Recheck portion sizes if your dog is gaining weight or becoming less active.
  • Keep fresh water available at all times

It also helps to look at your dog, not just the bowl. 

You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing too hard, and your dog should have a visible waist when viewed from above. If you are unsure, your vet can help you judge healthy body condition more accurately than the number on the scale alone.

Also Read: Doodle Puppy Shopping List

6. Make routine vet visits truly routine

Many people wait until something seems wrong before booking a vet visit. But preventive care works best when your vet sees your dog regularly while they are healthy, too. 

Routine exams help catch problems early, sometimes before your dog shows any obvious signs.

Golden Doodles can be prone to issues such as skin sensitivities, allergies, ear problems, and joint concerns. Regular visits help track changes over time and build a clearer picture of your dog’s normal health.

During wellness visits, your vet may check:

  • weight and body condition
  • skin and coat health
  • ears and eyes
  • teeth and gums
  • heart and lungs
  • mobility and joint comfort
  • vaccine and parasite prevention status

Annual exams are important, and some dogs may benefit from more frequent visits depending on age or health history. Senior Golden Doodles especially benefit from closer monitoring because age-related changes can happen gradually.

7. Keep up with parasite prevention all year

Fleas, ticks, heartworms, and intestinal parasites are not just seasonal annoyances. They can cause real health problems and may be harder to spot than people expect. 

Preventive medicine is much easier than treatment after an infestation or infection begins.

Golden Doodles that spend time outdoors, visit parks, hike, or socialize with other dogs may have more exposure. Their coat can also make it harder to notice ticks quickly, for example, but some parasites, such as heart worms, can be caught in your own backyard, which means prevention is essential even if your dog is a homebody.

To stay ahead:

  • Use vet-recommended flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
  • Check the coat and paws after outdoor time.
  • Keep your yard as clean as possible.
  • Bring a stool sample to vet visits when requested.
  • Stay on schedule with preventive medications.

Parasite prevention is one of the simplest ways to protect your dog from avoidable illness. A reminder on your phone or calendar can help keep everything on track.

A little prevention goes a long way

Golden Doodles are loving companions, and they depend on us to notice the little things before they become bigger problems. Preventive care is not about doing something complicated. It is about building small, steady habits that support your dog’s health over time.

Brushing the coat, checking the ears, caring for the teeth, watching weight, protecting joints, keeping vet visits consistent, and staying on top of parasite prevention may seem simple on their own. Together, they create a strong foundation for a healthier and happier life.

National Pet Week is the perfect time to look beyond the basics and refresh your routine. 

Your Golden Doodle does not need perfection. They just need thoughtful care, regular attention, and someone who notices when something is off.

That kind of care makes a real difference. And for a loyal, joyful dog like a Golden Doodle, it is one of the best gifts you can give.

Happy National Pet Week!

types chews for your puppy

types chews for your puppy

Posted on by Timberidge

As you prepare for your new bundle of fluff, you’ll notice that an almost overwhelming amount of chews exist. What are the different types of chews, which ones should you buy for your new puppy, and when do you give her the different ones?Remember, for the safety of your dog, you should always supervise chew sessions.

There are 3 broad categories of chews and there can be some overlap between the categories. Those 3 main groups are: long lasting (high value) chews, medium lasting (medium value) chews, and short lasting (high value) chews. I’ll discuss long lasting and high value chews first and then touch on medium lasting at the end.

1. long lasting, lower value chews

Like toddlers, puppies explore the world with their mouths. Plus, until about 6 months of age when those adult teeth finish coming in, puppies are experiencing teething, which means that their mouths hurt. Chewing comes with the territory. Rather than punishing your puppy for chewing, encourage her to chew on the right things. It’s good to have a variety of chews lying around so your puppy can get that necessary chewing out by chewing things you want her to chew… and instead of chewing on your favorite pair of shoes! 

There are two categories of long lasting chews: natural (aka animal product) chews and synthetic (aka nylon) chews. 

Examples of long lasting natural chews:

We get our split elk antlers from Ridgerunner Antlers. I like that their antlers are collected from the ground when the elk shed them naturally. We purchase water buffalo horns and hooves from a local feed store. All are available on Amazon as well. Natural chews have some nutritional benefit.

Examples of long lasting synthetic chews:

Both Benebone and Nylabone make long lasting dog chews out of nylon. Both companies make their products in the USA. Their bones are made in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors. We find that our dogs usually prefer natural long lasting chew options, but will also gnaw on synthetic ones as they’re relaxing around the house in the evenings. Synthetic chews do not have nutritional benefit.

Some adult dogs love to curl up and relax with a good chew in the evenings. They appreciate having a few long lasting chews lying around, just as you might appreciate having the choice between a few good books before bed. Other adult dogs aren’t huge fans of chews. They’d prefer a good old fashion tennis ball over a chew any day. And that’s okay. We love that each dog is unique and has her own preferences.

2. high value, short lasting dog chews

It’s great to have some high value chews on hand for when your puppy is participating in daytime crate time. Think of these as puppy candy. Your dog will be super excited for a high value chew, will be completely obsessed with the chew until she finishes it, and will not be happy if you take it away from her prematurely. These high value chews won’t last long. She will power through them with determination. Don’t give your puppy a high value chew in a common area where someone (child or animal) might accidentally steal her treasured “lollipop.” Instead, use high value chews to create positive experiences for daytime crating.

Some examples of high value dog chews include: bully sticks, turkey tendons, pig ears, and so forth. Nature Gnaws makes a variety pack where you can try a number of different chews to learn what your best friend likes best and also learn which chews occupy her the longest. You may find that your dog devours certain high value chews in less than 2 minutes flat while others provide her with 20 minutes of chewing delight. None of them will last long, but all of them will be thoroughly enjoyed.

3. medium lasting, medium value dog chews

Some chew options aren’t quite as exciting as the high value options but are still well loved by dogs. Some dogs may finish them in one day while other dogs may chew the intermittently over the course of a week or so. Medium lasting chews a good option for giving to your puppy while you’re making dinner, participating in a video call for work, or providing your puppy with alone time in her play yard (again, always supervise your puppy when she has a chew). Medium lasting chews will keep her busy, but she won’t be quite as obsessed with them as the high value chews. Some examples of medium lasting chews include: yak chews (made from yak cheese) and beef trachea, 

Will my goldendoodle puppy change colors?

Will my goldendoodle puppy change colors?

Posted on by Timberidge

Many people fall in love with a puppy because of it’s appearance. Puppies are adorable looking. How could it not be love at first sight of that precious newborn puppy photo? As you enjoy the pictures and videos of your fluffy family member growing up, remember that appearances change. A lot. Little puppies look very little like how they will as adults. Grooming style impacts much of appearance, but haircut aside, your puppy’s color and hair texture will change. Sometimes change is somewhat subtle, as is the case with lighter colored puppies, and sometimes the color change is drastic. Please, oh please, don’t fall in love with a doodle puppy because of it’s coloring. Here are some pictures goldendoodle puppies next to the same dog at around a year old.