If you’re about to bring home your precious new Dood or are already lucky enough to dote on one, you’re probably interested in learning all about how to actually raise your Goldendoodle into a well-rounded and well-behaved adult. In this guide, we’ve lined up some of the best books on Goldendoodles. Whether you’re looking for the best Goldendoodle training book or some more general Goldendoodle books with tips and guidelines on how to successfully raise your pup into a well-behaved adult, we’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
- Books On Goldendoodles: Why You Might Need Some Guidance
- What Are Goldendoodle Breed Characteristics?
- What Is The Best Way To Train A Goldendoodle?
- Top 5 Best Goldendoodle Books
- Books On Goldendoodles: FAQs
Books On Goldendoodles: Why You Might Need Some Guidance
Consider yourself lucky if you’re about to become a proud parent of a Goldendoodle. They’re such amazing dogs, it’s difficult to find any trait in them that would not make us happy. And we must say, they’re generally quite easy dogs to care for thanks to their lovely nature and high levels of intelligence. But that’s not to say that your only responsibilities with a Goldendoodle is to take them out for potty and feed them. Quite the contrary!
Like any other dog, you need to purposefully and consistently put in the work to raise your Dood into a well-behaved and well-rounded adult. The great thing about some of the best books on Goldendoodles is that they cover a myriad of topics that are all essential knowledge for any Goldendoodle parent. We’re all for being fully prepared, so if possible, get yourself a book or two even before bringing your new puppy home. But if you’re already raising a little Dood, don’t fret. Those educational books are still super helpful and the information they provide are guaranteed to make the slightly stressful puppyhood stage a bit less worrying for you and your family members.
What Are Goldendoodle Breed Characteristics?
The Goldendoodle is a hybrid cross between the Golden Retriever and Poodle. They’re sweet and affectionate, very social and outgoing, highly intelligent, active and athletic, and overall just amazing dogs. They get along well with pretty much everyone, including children, strangers, as well as other adult dogs. To be fair, they may not always do best around cats, but that’s often due to them not being socialized enough with their feline (future) pals.
Goldendoodles come in three sizes: Standard, Mini/Medium, and Toy Goldendoodle. The largest of the bunch – the Standard Goldendoodle – can weigh anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds once fully grown with an average height of 20 to 26 inches. Smaller Mini/Medium Goldendoodles weigh about 25 to 50 pounds and stand around 15 to 20 inches tall. And the smallest, the Toy Goldendoodle, weighs only about 10 to 25 pounds and has a height that’s up to 15 inches at the withers. Considering their different sizes, there’s a Goldendoodle for almost anyone!
Let’s also not forget that Goldendoodles are one of the best pets for people with dog allergies. Thanks to their Poodle heritage, they often have low-shedding and hypoallergenic coats. However, not all Goldendoodles inherit the same type of hypoallergenic and non-shed coat. Some pups, namely those with straight coats, may still shed some hair and cause some issues for severely allergic people. But remember, all of them require constant grooming to prevent skin and coat problems.
As Goldendoodles are so people-focused, they’re best suited for people who can spend much of their time with their pets. Goldendoodles form strong bonds with their humans and due to their risk of developing separation anxiety, they shouldn’t be left home alone for long periods of time.
What Is The Best Way To Train A Goldendoodle?
Before we jump into our list of the best Goldendoodle books, let’s discuss some of the best training methods to raise a well-mannered Goldendoodle. These include: positive reinforcement, clicker training, mirror training, and operant conditioning. Let’s take a closer look.
Positive Reinforcement Training
By far the best and easiest way to train a Goldendoodle is with positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement training involves rewarding your pup with treats and praise for obeying commands and behaving appropriately. The goal is to teach your Goldendoodle to associate their good behavior with the treats and praise that come afterwards, encouraging them to repeat the desired behaviors in the future.
As fellow Goldendoodle owners, we’re firm believers in positive reinforcement. It’s a great way to teach your Dood the right habits and behaviors, and it also helps you form a stronger bond with your pet. The goal of positive reinforcement is to eliminate all negative forms of punishment, such as yelling, scolding, or physical harm. These are all extremely outdated and cruel ways to train a dog, and they won’t do any good for your pup’s emotional well-being or behavior.
Clicker Training Method
Clicker training is essentially a form of positive reinforcement training. It involves a small hand-held clicker that you click when your dog behaves the way they’re expected to. You’ll also pair this with rewarding your pup with praise and treats. The distinctive sound of the clicker helps teach your Goldendoodle positive associations about the desired behaviors. It’s a helpful audible cue for your pup. In fact, many dog trainers and breeders also prefer the clicker training method.
Mirror Dog Training Method
Mirror training method, sometimes also referred to as model-rival dog training, combines the positive reinforcement and clicker training methods. The key to the mirror training method is to set an example to your dog with your own behavior so that they follow your lead. It’s also helpful in households with multiple dogs. Essentially, they learn the appropriate behaviors and habits by observing the behavior of others and which behaviors are rewarded and which behaviors aren’t. With any training method, the key is to stay consistent with the cues and signals you send. So, don’t confuse your pup by rewarding certain behaviors at some point and not doing it later. Or, an easier way to put it is to not reward unwanted behaviors so that they don’t become regular occurrences.
Operant Conditioning Method
Operant conditioning involves training your Goldendoodle desired behaviors by using rewards and consequences. In a way, it’s similar to positive reinforcement training, as you’re teaching your dog to continue with certain behaviors with the help of positive rewards. However, the operant conditioning also includes consequences whenever your dog does something inappropriate or undesired.
Operant conditioning is based on four quadrants: positive reinforcement, positive punishment, negative reinforcement, and negative punishment. Although we’re against all forms of negative punishment in regards to raising a dog, that’s not what operant conditioning represents exactly. Instead, the negative punishment is something along the lines of removing something positive your dog enjoys to decrease undesired behaviors. This could mean that you’re ignoring bad behaviors when they happen, redirect your dog’s attention to something else, say a firm ‘no’, or remove a favorite toy or treat. By no means should you start yelling at your dog or scold them for not behaving a certain way.
Top 5 Best Goldendoodle Books
If you’ve been browsing through all the books on Goldendoodles and aren’t sure which ones to buy, then we’re sure you’ll find the best options for you and your pooch from the following list. Here we’ve reviewed five highest rated dog training books as well as books on Goldendoodles that will help you get your Dood started off the right foot. Plus, we have a bonus feature here as well, so keep on reading!
Goldendoodles – The Owners Guide from Puppy to Old Age – Choosing, Caring for, Grooming, Health, Training and Understanding Your Goldendoodle Dog
Goldendoodles – The Owners Guide from Puppy to Old Age is a great resource for anyone planning to adopt a Goldendoodle or has just welcomed one of these precious Doods into their family. This book contains practical and concise tips and tricks from 32 expert Goldendoodle breeders and a top dog trainer, providing you the ultimate Goldendoodle training book. It’s available in paperback, Kindle, and also as an audiobook.
This Goldendoodle book also includes two in-depth interviews with two of the founders of the Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA). They help you find the right kind of reputable breeder, walk you through all of your puppy’s life stages so you know how to take good care of your pup at any age, as well as lots of helpful information on how to prevent and tackle bad behaviors. Plus, the author also shares with you some tips on how to keep the vet bills as low as possible. In today’s economy, that’s certainly something to pay attention to!
We also love that this book is so easy to read. It’s just as practical and educational as it is fun and entertaining.
“This was amazing! So grateful I invested in this book. Already I’m a person that enjoys reading and applying the learned knowledge to action. The information that is presented in this book allows you to get a full understanding of your puppy that is on the way. It ensures that the owner of the puppy has more than a decent amount of information on handling the puppy, with adequate resources on ensuring that you can raise your puppy with an ideal model. From grooming, to house breaking, to training, feeding, and most importantly, getting the puppy acclimated to you becoming a loyal companion forever.” – Makai, 5 star review on Amazon
The Goldendoodle Handbook: The Essential Guide For New & Prospective Goldendoodle Owners (Canine Handbooks)
If you’re looking for great books on Goldendoodles specifically, then another one of our top picks is The Goldendoodle Handbook. As its readers say, it’s a must-have for any Goldendoodle owner. It’s packed with detailed advice on how to successfully raise a Goldendoodle and also includes insider tips from 16 top Goldendoodle breeders. You can enjoy it on Kindle or as a paperback or audiobook.
This Goldendoodle book includes over 60 pages of expert advice on training and behavior of your Dood. They cover topics like housetraining and crate training, obedience training, clicker training, collar and leash, recall, speak and shush, and also how to deal with challenging behaviors.
But that’s not all! It also covers topics like how to handle the very first few days and weeks with your new Goldendoodle, including a step-by-step guide for you to follow. You’ll also learn all about socialization and exercise, a variety of health topics like neutering and spaying, vaccinations, wormings, feeding, and caring for elderly Goldendoodles. Plus, the book helps you decide how to choose the right type of Goldendoodle for you and even how to avoid and deal with separation anxiety.
“This is the most complete and well researched book on Goldendoodles that is on the market. Linda does an excellent job organizing the material and making it useful to new owners and also those of us who have known and loved doodles for years. I am a breeder and I will recommend that all of my doodle families, especially the new ones, buy this book and read every page.” – Lynne Whitmire, GANA Vice President
Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love
Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution might be more geared towards training techniques and avoiding and dealing with bad behaviors, but it also contains a ton of helpful information on other topics, such as traveling tips, health care essentials, cool tricks for your Dood to learn, or choosing the right kind of dog food for your Goldendoodle.
As the author says in the introduction of the book, think of it as your trusty go-to guide when raising your Dood. You’ll learn helpful techniques on how to handle biting, leash pulling, barking, aggression, chewing, jumping up, and other behavioral issues. It also covers basic housetraining and obedience training.
If you’ve been browsing around online for dog videos, Zak George is probably no stranger to you. He’s a YouTube start and Animal Planet personality who has experience with training thousands of dogs. His goal is to help you tailor your dog’s training according to your pup’s unique needs and traits to ensure that they learn quickly and also lead a happy life by your side. The book is available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook.
“Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution is a must-read for dog lovers everywhere. It has a wealth of practical tips, tricks, and fun games that will enrich the lives of many dogs and their human companions.” – Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and founder of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Before and After Getting Your Puppy: The Positive Approach to Raising a Happy, Healthy, and Well-Behaved Dog
Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Before and After Getting Your Puppy is an excellent book that teaches you exactly what you need to raise a great dog. This Goldendoodle training book combines two of his popular puppy training manuals into one, easy-to-follow, and humorous training plan. It provides you with clear steps, helpful photos, and puppy training milestones that are easy for you to implement.
The book includes topics like your doggy education, evaluating your Goldendoodle’s progress, tips and tricks on housetraining and chew toy training, socialization, bite inhibition, and much more. Essentially, you have a step-by-step guide to every stage of puppyhood.
Dr. Ian Dunbar is a well-known and established animal behaviorist and veterinarian who has influenced most of today’s dog trainers. He focuses on a dog-friendly philosophy using a positive approach when training a pup, steering away from the outdated practices still present in the 1970s.
The readers of this book note how clear and concise the advice in this book is. It’s available as a hardcover, audio CD, Audiobook, and on KIndle.
The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever: A Step-by-Step Guide to 118 Amazing Tricks and Stunts
If you’re looking for a Goldendoodle book that’s specifically about fun tricks and stunts, then The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever is just the right fit for you. This book contains a whopping 118 tricks and stunts for your puppy or dog to learn using the power of positive reinforcement. Not only will your smart lil’ Dood benefit from all of those tricks, it’s also an excellent way to strengthen the bond you share with your best pal.
With each trick, the book provides a step-by-step guide with photos to show exactly how to teach them to your Dood. The tricks and stunts are organized from beginner level to pro, so you can start with the basics and advance to trickier stunts once your pooch has gotten a hold of the easier ones. The book includes tricks like fetch, ringing the bell, paw shake, and roll over, but also advanced tricks behind filmmaking with dogs. Each step-by-step guide comes with photos, exact instructions, visual and verbal cues, and also tips on troubleshooting.
Now, keep in mind that this book is specifically about tricks and stunts, not basic training techniques you need for everyday training like going to potty. Nonetheless, it’s an invaluable resource to teach your Goldendood those exciting tricks that let them use their brain and prevent boredom.
Best Books On Goldendoodles – Bonus Feature: Coat Care Secrets For Poodle Mixes: Stop the Shavedown Shame & Discover How to Choose the Best Dog Brush, Get Your Dog to Cooperate, and Communicate With Groomers to Get the Exact Dog Haircuts You Want
Our list of the best books on Goldendoodles would not be complete without a comprehensive guide to grooming a Goldendoodle. Our very own book called Coat Care Secrets For Poodle Mixes helps you prevent all that frustration that Goldendoodle owners often experience when dealing with the high-maintenance Doodle coat.
Stop the Shavedown Shame & Discover How to Choose the Best Dog Brush, Get Your Dog to Cooperate, and Communicate With Groomers to Get the Exact Dog Haircuts You Want
In our book we cover topics like how to choose and properly use the best dog grooming brushes for your Goldendoodle, how to get rid of knots and tangles as well as how to safely remove mats from your Goldendoodle’s coat, how to choose the right king of groomer for your Dood, and how to make those grooming sessions more enjoyable for both you and your pooch. Plus, all of our video tutorials are included free with this book!
One of the readers of this book who left us a 5 star review on Amazon said the following: “Easy to read. Lots of information. Very helpful. Every newbie to Doodles should have this book. It would make a great gift.”
Books On Goldendoodles: FAQs
During the adolescence life stage, a.k.a the teenage hellion phase, it’s quite common that Goldendoodles stop listening to their owners, seemingly even forgetting all of their previous training. It could also simply indicate that something’s been lacking in your dog’s training routine and they just need more guidance. Be sure to stay consistent and patient, use positive reinforcement, establish boundaries for your pup to follow, and push through. Over time, they’ll learn what’s expected of them and also calm down as they become a bit older. It’s also important that you intentionally try to form a strong bond with your Goldendoodle. The closer you are with your pet, the higher the likelihood of them actually listening to you and obeying your commands.
While Goldendoodles are certainly smart and eager to please dogs, they do require a fair amount of effort on your part to live a healthy and happy life. For starters, Goldendoodles are energetic and intelligent dogs, meaning that they need plenty of outlets each day for all of that pent up energy. Daily exercise, training sessions, and mental enrichment are all integral parts of any Goldendoodle’s life, regardless of their age or size. In addition to that, Goldendoodles are also relatively high-maintenance dogs when it comes to their coat care and grooming. They need to be brushed often and also have their hair trimmed every few months to prevent matting and a host of other skin and coat health issues.
Some Goldendoodles are more quiet and not too keen on barking excessively, whereas others are more vocal. If you’re worried about your Goldendoodle becoming too vocal, we recommend you start desensitizing them to various triggers early on. In addition to that, our personal experience has shown that Goldendoodles don’t bark as much when they’re tired, as in when they’ve been properly exercised, trained, and entertained throughout the day. Of course, for some Doods, the barking issue may become a real problem. But fortunately, as they are such intelligent dogs, excessive barking can be successfully curbed with the right kind of techniques. You’ll find helpful resources from the books on Goldendoodles we reviewed above.
Books On Goldendoodles: Final Thoughts
We always recommend educating yourself before even bringing home your new puppy. Being fully prepared and knowing what to expect in each life stage is a surefire way to successfully raise your puppy when they’re young and also tackle any issues later down the line. Hopefully some, or why not all, of the books on Goldendoodles from this guide will help you navigate through all of the life stages of your precious pup. Happy reading!
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