Are Goldendoodles Hyper?


Are Goldendoodles Hyper?

No, Goldendoodles are not hyper by nature, and it is one reason that makes them so popular. Vibrant and energetic, Goldendoodles inject life into any domestic setting and are entertainment personified. 

So, if you’re searching for a companion, who’d be up and about for most of the day, this hybrid of the Poodle and the Golden Retriever is a perfect option. 

What renders them truly attractive is that they seldom get restless to the point of aggravating their owners unless there is a very good underlying reason. 

That being said, there have been instances when Goldendoodles have been known to become too energetic or hyper. When this happens, patience is a virtue that the pet owner must hold on to resolve the problem through understanding and therapy. 

Goldendoodles’ Activity Level

One of the reasons Goldendoodles come across as particularly boisterous is their high IQ, which prompts them to always be on the move.

From the Doodle’s perspective, life is all about learning by doing, and the best way to achieve this is by continually playing, exploring, and feeling excited. 

As a pet owner, this translates into owning a fur-ball that is always upbeat and does not believe in resting at all. 

Crazy though it might seem, your Doodle’s behavior conforms to a specific pattern, which serves as the key to decoding its restlessness. 

Goldendoodles go through three main phases during their life-cycle, and these are –

  • Puppy, wherein the energy levels are at their epitome;
  • Adult, wherein the Goldendoodle shows signs of calming down;
  • Senior, wherein maturity is the byword that dictates all activities;

It can take anywhere between 12 and 18 months for a frantic and wound-up pup to realize that it’s okay to rest once in a while. 

Till that time, do be prepared that the Goldendoodle would be overexcited to the point of slipping on its mannerisms at times. The onus is on you to remain calm and exercise patience while training your adorable pet in such a situation.

Signs of Being Hyper

Taking into account the parental mix, it is but natural for Goldendoodles to be high-energy. When you bring home a pup, be prepared for plenty of physical activity, probably more than what you might have imagined.

As long as the activity is limited to zooming around the house and snuggling up to you now and then, there is no cause for worry. 

Only when your Goldendoodle crosses the thin line that separates playfulness from meaningless hyperactivity, you need to look for a solution. 

Signs that are indicative of Goldendoodles being hyper are – 

Straining on their Leash – Usually, this is observed when the Goldendoodle is taken outdoors for rituals, and pulling on the leash implies that it wants to spend more time.

This indicates plenty of pent-up energy within the Goldendoodle, which your pet might be genuinely desperate to expend. 

So when this happens, take it out for a walk or a jog, or play games like run-and-catch or fetch before going back again indoors. 

Being Destructive – All pups have a tendency to chew things up, and this behavior is attributed to teething issues. The point here is that the chewing should be limited to toys and maybe a few other objects which your Goldendoodle likes. 

But when it encompasses furniture, upholstery, shoes, and off-limit items, the indication is that your pet is bored and is using his chewing habits as a means of mental stimulation. 

To get your Goldendoodle of destructive chewing, either expand its toy collection or take it out every day for at least an hour or so. Doing so would break the chewing habit on the one hand, and on the other, you will end up with a Goldendoodle who is content and happy.

Non-stop Barking/Whining – Whatever the Goldendoodle may be known for, non-stop barking or whining is not one of them. So, if your Goldendoodle has been barking non-stop off late or has been continuously whining, it is a sign of something not being as it should. 

This is the time for you to closely observe your pet’s daily routine and figure what must be driving it towards this hyper behavior. 

Reasons could vary from food and water to their bed not being clean or their toy missing. It could also be a lack of sufficient mental and physical stimulation.

Regardless of the reason, having identified it, you must fix it at the earliest and check if it helps to calm down your Goldendoodle. 

Exhaustion/Fatigue – Does your Goldendoodle crash out every now after a phase of intensive physical activity? Hyperactivity in Goldendoodles has been known to cause bursts of high energy alternating with periods of extreme exhaustion. 

When this happens, it is time for you to take corrective action and work out a way to balance out the two phases. 

Dealing With a Hyperactive Goldendoodle

Ways of calming down a hyperactive Goldendoodle varies as per its age, and some of the standard techniques entail – 

During Puppy Stage –

  • Refrain from rewarding hyperactive behavior, even though the Goldendoodle pup might come across as really endearing at the time;
  • React calmly on observing hyperactive behavior and, if possible, identify te trigger and work towards its elimination;
  • Respect your Goldendoodle’s exercise requirements and take it every day for different forms of physical exercise;
  • Provide the Goldendoodle with lots of toys so that it has plenty to be occupied with while at home;

Older Goldendoodles – 

  • Even though the Goldendoodle is relatively calm, there might be spates of hyperactivity and attention to seek attention;
  • If they bark more than what is required, there has to be an underlying reason;
  • Chewing/biting is unnatural for a grown Goldendoodle, so if you notice this habit, it is time to enforce training or seek therapy; 

Final Thoughts

Landing with a hyper Goldendoodle is not exactly a pleasant thought, but one which is somewhat out of your hands. What is in your hands is to prevent the situation from escalating and spiraling out of control, and the first step towards ensuring this entails never reacting or encouraging hyperactivity. 

Also, remember that Goldendoodles are highly trainable, and as long as you use positive reinforcement, any attempt at training would be successful.

Provide your Goldendoodle with lots of toys, regular exercise, and adequate socializing, and you will have effectively curtailed the probability of its becoming hyperactive. 

Diane

Diane is a lifelong owner of Labs, Retrievers, a Poodle, Labradoodle, and, more recently, a Goldendoodle. She loves dogs and enjoy's taking her Goldendoodle Nala for walks in the woods with her daughters.

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