Why pay a higher price for my Labradoodle?  I’ve seen them advertised for less.

This is where the adage, ‘You get what you pay for’ is completely true.  Breeders that belong to an association are required to provide records of proper health testing.  They also commit to exceptional care and socialization for
adult dogs and puppies; all this takes money, time and effort.  These are necessary and worthwhile expenses for you,
for our dogs, and for their puppies.  You are investing in a family member that will share your home for many years, you want to make sure they’ve been cared for properly and that you receive a sound, healthy, and happy puppy. 
You also want an authentic, registered, pedigreed puppy that is what the breeder claims, also an advantage to purchasing from a member of a Labradoodle association.

Will my puppy chew things up? 

Yes.  Plus they will pee in the house, bark, steal from the garbage, eat gross stuff, race around like crazy and maybe
dig in the yard.  Labradoodle puppies are exceptional young dogs, but they are just that: young dogs.  Any and all behavior is normal as they learn what is and is not acceptable at your house.  Patience and clear, consistent communication from you with lots of praise for good behavior will be absolutely necessary as puppy becomes a
well-behaved adult.  We recommend puppy classes for every family.  A good thing to remember – a bored puppy
is a destructive puppy.  Keep them busy, keep them learning, keep them playing and feeling well-loved.

Why does the breeder ask so many questions about my house and living situation?

A good breeder will; the well being of their puppies is the first and foremost concern. 
If a breeder doesn’t ask you any questions – find another one.

Should I crate train my puppy? 

We crate all our dogs and puppies at night and while we’re out of the house for safety reasons and to preserve our house!  We highly recommend it, crating is not inhumane, dogs are denning animals and feel secure when crated.  But too much of a good thing is bad – make sure young puppies are not in the crate for more than a 4-hour stretch during the day, and adults; limit it to 8 hours.  The rest of the time they should be a part of the family, having plenty of interaction with their people – where Doodles love to be best!

Do Labradoodles need grooming? 

They do – the length should be chosen because of the time you do or do not have to spend combing your Labradoodle, plus the weather conditions in your area.  Coat length can be adjusted accordingly for hot or cold seasons, and for the time you’re able to invest in grooming at home.  Expect matting, especially as puppies change over to their adult coat; that starts around 8 or 9 months of age.  Check the neck under the ears and in the armpits (do dogs have arms?!)  or ‘leg-pits’ as the matts will usually begin in these areas.  If you find them early enough you can stay ahead of them and control matting if you like the longer look of the coat, plus your dog will be much more comfortable.  For less maintenance, have your dog trimmed by a professional groomer to a shorter length.
And keep a close watch on puppy’s hind end – that area should be kept very short to prevent feces from building up.  Scooting or straining while going potty can indicate there are matts in that area.  

I see you give your puppies their first shots, but my vet said I needed more shots, why? 

Younger puppies leave here having their first series of shots, they will then need two more series plus rabies. 
The requirements for shots in each state vary and there are regional differences for prevalent canine diseases. 
You also might be asked by a puppy class or daycare to have additional vaccines to protect your puppy because
of exposure to numerous dogs.

I adopted an older puppy/adult dog, and we’re having housetraining problems.

Even though older puppies and adults are housetrained at their familiar home, they may not be at yours until they transition to their new life and household routine.  Labradoodles do rehome well, but it is still a process that takes time.  Give your new Doodle 4 to 6 weeks to settle in, during this period expect and be patient with housetraining accidents even with an older dog.  In addition, keep a close eye on open doors around your new dog – they might
try to escape outdoors to get back home.  Remember: you know that you are trustworthy and will take good care of your new dog, but at first the dog does not. They have just been given over by their other family and spend time wondering when they’re going back.  They need love, understanding and care from you, which will build the trust
that they need to relax and feel that they are home at your home.