Are Goldendoodles Protective? Myths, Facts, & Training Tips

Are Goldendoodles protective? Are Goldendoodles good guard dogs? These are some of the questions we get asked from people who are interested in adopting one of these precious Doods. Or, who simply want to learn more about their best pals. In this guide, we’re going to explore whether or not Goldendoodles are protective, and how much potential they have for becoming good guard dogs. Let’s get into it! 

Table of Contents

• Are Goldendoodles Protective: Introduction
• What Are Guard Dogs?
• Are Goldendoodles A Protective Breed?
• Are Goldendoodles Good Guard Dogs?
• Signs That Indicate A Goldendoodle Is Protective
• What Do Goldendoodles Tend To Protect The Most?
• How To Train Your Goldendoodle To Be A Good Guard Dog?
• Are Goldendoodles Protective: Frequently Asked Questions
• Are Goldendoodles Protective: Final Thoughts

Are Goldendoodles Protective: Introduction

You probably know all about the Goldendoodle’s amazing personality and temperament. They’re such fun-loving, outgoing dogs that it’s hard to imagine them being anything but those happy-go-lucky pups that we’re so used to seeing. They’re also extremely loyal, gentle, and overall just wonderful pets for both families and singles alike. 

All of us have different goals in mind when adopting a dog. Some people are looking for a lapdog, others are looking for an active pup to join them on long hikes. Additionally, dogs can also be successfully trained to become therapy, emotional support, and service dogs. And, of course, some people would prefer their family pet to also be a protective guard dog.

But are Goldendoodles protective and do they have what it takes to become guard dogs? That’s exactly what we’re going to find out in this guide. 

What Are Guard Dogs?

Guard dogs are those that are specially trained to protect a person, property, or location from theft, trespassers, and intruders. Guard dogs will bark when they sense potential danger and can alert their owners if there’s an intruder or threat. They are also used to detect and defend against various forms of wildlife that could cause harm. Generally, guard dogs are larger in size so that they have enough strength to ward off any potential threats. 

In addition to security, guard dogs provide company and love to their owners, making them invaluable companions as well. If you thought that a guard dog’s only responsibility is to be the threatening hound we’re used to seeing in movies and TV shows, then that’s not the case. First and foremost, guard dogs are still family pets that share a special bond with their family. 

Are Goldendoodles A Protective Breed?

So, are Goldendoodles protective? Although the Goldendoodle might not be your first choice when thinking about protective breeds, they can actually be protective. All thanks to their Golden Retriever and Poodle heritage. 

Both Poodles and Golden Retrievers are known for their alert and watchful nature, traits that are ideal in guard dogs. They also tend to form strong bonds with their owners, which also indicates their readiness for being protective. Just like their Golden Retriever and Poodle parents, Goldendoodles are also loyal, intelligent, and very loving towards others, which is why they make such great family pets. 

On the other hand, Goldendoodles are usually not excessively protective of their owners or homes. That’s because responsible breeders carefully choose their breeding dogs based on various traits, including their temperaments. One of the main temperament traits that Goldendoodle owners are after is the gentle and loving nature of these dogs. Therefore, they aren’t exactly bred to be protective, rather than gentle, loving, and loyal. 

Nonetheless, Goldendoodles can still become protective of their loved ones and homes. This all depends on the situation that arises, as many dogs have a protective bone in them if the situation calls for a reaction. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll express it in an aggressive manner. Even based on our survey results, we see that Goldendoodle owners report their pups being rather friendly towards strangers and other pets, instead of becoming aggressive. 

Are Goldendoodles Good Guard Dogs?

Indeed, Goldendoodles can be trained to become guard dogs. They have an energetic and alert temperament that makes them vigilant in watching for potential dangers. They are also very loyal to their owners and form very strong bonds with them, which means they will be ready to stand up for their family whenever needed. Moreover, Goldendoodles are highly intelligent and can quickly pick up on obedience commands, making it easier to train them how to properly guard a property or person.

But as we said earlier, Goldendoodles generally aren’t bred to become guard dogs. Typically, guard dogs come from long lines of protective breeds that have been specially bred to become guard dogs. Over generations, these traits and characteristics will strengthen. But with Goldendoodles, the goal usually is to breed gentle and loving family companions, therapy dogs, or service dogs. Obviously, this means that they’ll most likely have a different set of traits and characteristics compared to a more traditional guard dog. 

This doesn’t mean that no Goldendoodle will ever become a good guard dog. However, if you’re really keen on adopting a guard dog, there are likely more suitable breeds for this purpose. 

Signs That Indicate A Goldendoodle Is Protective

As we discussed earlier, even the adorable Goldendoodle can become protective if they feel threatened or scared. This is especially common in dogs that have not had the best upbringing and have struggled with traumas earlier in life. 

For this reason, it’s so vital to always choose a responsible breeder if you do decide to adopt your Dood from a breeder and not a shelter. Reputable breeders are extremely educated and well-versed on all things related to whelping, breeding, training, and socialization. However, puppies that have been mistreated and kept in horrible conditions in their early life stages often have serious behavioral and mental health issues that could lead to excessive protectiveness and aggression. 

That being said, there are certain signs that indicate when a Goldendoodle has taken on the role of protector within their family unit. You may notice alert and vigilant behavior, especially when in unfamiliar situations. Some dogs may stand guard near entryways as if preparing for an imminent threat.

They may also growl in response to unfamiliar people or situations, alerting the family of potential danger by barking constantly at an area or object nearby. In case they sense a threat, they may barge in between its owner and a stranger who may be approaching them too quickly. 

If you notice any of these signs in your Goldendoodle, and your pup hasn’t been specially trained to become a guard dog, we do recommend you take preventative and correctional measures. If not dealt with properly, these protective behaviors could become an issue over time. 

What Do Goldendoodles Tend To Protect The Most?

As we discussed, Goldendoodles tend to protect the most important people, possessions, and locations in their lives. For instance, as they tend to form strong bonds with their owners, they will likely stand up for them if threatened. 

In addition, Goldendoodles can be territorial and they can be very protective of their homes or other places to which they are attached to. For instance, if a dog is exhibiting resource guarding, they may even become protective of their favorite spot on the couch. 

With that being said, there’s also the topic of resource guarding, which indicates that a dog is scared of losing something valuable to them. In case of resource guarding, a dog will become territorial and protective of their possessions. Most commonly either toys, food, or even their favorite lounging spot, or closest human. They may growl, snap, or even bite if they become protective of their possessions. 

If there are children or other pets in the household that they’ve bonded with, it’s not uncommon for Goldendoodles to become protective of them as well. In fact, it’s well-known that dogs adore small children, and they can become extremely protective of smaller family members. 

How To Train Your Goldendoodle To Be A Good Guard Dog?

So, you’re keen on training your Goldendoodle guard dog, but not exactly sure where to begin? Here are a few tips and methods that you can implement, so that your new pup will be able to know how to protect and guard you and your family when needed. 

Start With Early Socialization & Obedience Training

To train your Goldendoodle to be a good guard dog, it’s important to start socialization early on in its life. This will help your pup learn how to properly socialize and interact with people and animals in order to learn proper etiquette around others who may enter their space or try to approach their home or family members. This is also an excellent way to build a strong bond with your new pup, and they’ll be much more likely to learn what’s expected of them. Not to mention, to learn your body language, just as you’ll learn your puppy’s behavior and body language. 

Likewise, it’s vital to train your pup basic obedience commands, such as sit, stay, and come. Consistency is key for effective training, so it’s important to practice these commands regularly with your Goldendoodle. The sooner you start, the better. 

Engaging in activities like puppy classes can help introduce your Dood to many different types of people and animals in a safe environment. This will allow them to learn how to act properly around strangers, while still being able to protect their owners if needed. It’s a win-win combination – training and socialization all in one! 

Establishing Rules and Boundaries

Needless to say, you should start establishing rules and boundaries with your Goldendoodle the moment you bring them home. This will help them understand what behavior is acceptable and what is not. The sooner you start introducing your new puppy to rules and boundaries, the easier it will be for them to pick up all those good behaviors and understand what you expect from them. 

Of course, the key is to be patient and consistent, as it’s not going to happen overnight. Additionally, it’s your responsibility to set a good example to your pup and not send them any mixed signals with your own behavior. This can be done through consistency in training, making sure that you reward good behaviors and completed tasks each time they occur. 

Furthermore, create a designated “safe space” that your Goldendoodle can retreat to when feeling anxious or overwhelmed, such as a nice and comfy crate. Crate training is an excellent way to train your new puppy to become more confident, but also help with establishing a good nighttime routine, and even help with potty training. You can place a comfy blanket, a few toys, and even some tasty treats there, so that your pup knows that their crate is their very own safe haven. 

PS! You should never use the crate as a form of punishment and you should never lock your pup inside the crate for extended periods of time. This is their safe space to relax and recharge in – they should enjoy being there! 

Providing Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to train your Goldendoodle to be a good guard dog. To be fair, positive reinforcement is the absolute best training method for any dog. The main idea of positive reinforcement training is to encourage good behavior and teach your pet that when they do something right, they will be rewarded for it.

Give your pup treats or verbal praises every time they display desired behaviors, such as sitting when asked, or remaining calm in strange environments. As we mentioned earlier, it’s vital to be consistent with your training and always reward your pup when they behave the way you expect them to. This way, your pup will soon learn to associate these behaviors with treats and praise. 

What’s more, positive reinforcement training is an excellent way to build a stronger bond with your best pal. Loyalty is one of the key characteristics of a good guard dog, so you want to build a very strong bond with your pooch. 

Implementing Protection Training

The last step in teaching your Goldendoodle how to be a good guard dog is introducing protection training. This type of training consists of teaching specific commands related to protection, such as “guard”, “watch”, “defend”, for example. 

This type of training is rather specific, and we do recommend you hire a professional dog trainer to help you on this journey. Of course, this also requires a lot of patience and consistency, so you have to carefully consider whether or not you’re willing to put in the work. In addition to that, professional training can be rather costly, so that’s another thing you should take into account beforehand. 

Are Goldendoodles Protective: Frequently Asked Questions

Are Goldendoodles Protective: Final Thoughts

Overall, Goldendoodles aren’t exactly known as the protective type. However, they do have a loyal and alert nature, which indicates that there is a potential for them to become good guard dogs. All in all, if your goal is to train your Goldendoodle into a guard dog, it’s vital to start with training from an early age. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that any dog, regardless of breed, can make a good guard dog with the right type of training. We hope this guide answered your question “are Goldendoodles protective?” so that you can know exactly what to expect when adopting one of these precious Doods.