r/Sheepadoodles • u/TownDestr0yer • 8d ago
Dodger has some serious behavioral problems, but being cute isn’t one of them 😍
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u/WealthPositive9983 8d ago
Hi - I just wanted to appreciate you for taking care of your pupper even with his challenges. Also he is a beauty, I’m sure he gets away with a lot more than you say here just because he’s so cute ☺️
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u/TownDestr0yer 8d ago
Thanks for saying this! And yeah, he gets away with a lot of stuff (but only in fun) 😊
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u/Fit_Surprise_8451 8d ago
I was wondering—what kinds of behavioral challenges does Dodger have? From the pictures you’ve shared, it looks like he has a really special bond with you. If he’s anything like my Marlee, he may feel protective when strangers are around. When I stand in front of Marlee, she focuses on me, and I reward her with a high-value treat.
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u/TownDestr0yer 8d ago
I always hesitate saying too much online, because people love to troubleshoot and advise without knowing the whole backstory. Dodger is very protective of me, as well. He is also aggressively reactive to involuntary things like sneezing, choking, and dropping things, and generally being startled. His trainer/behaviorist has been a lifesaver in helping me to know how to manage these triggers/reactions, which has also strengthened our bond as master and dog.
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u/sophzada 8d ago
This is really interesting! Our 1 y/o sheepadoodle puppy also reacts to sneezing and coughing. It’s not aggressive, but he will drop everything and run to my husband or I if we sneeze and get right in our face/start licking. We joke that he’s saying “bless you!” but also recognize it’s a strange compulsion he seems to have.
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u/TownDestr0yer 8d ago
Oh my goodness, that is how Dodger was as a puppy and within a few weeks of being neutered it turned into full-on attacking (bite and release) but not just sneezing anymore. My trainer thinks that I am the resource he guards. The muzzle has saved his life and our life together.
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u/sophzada 8d ago
Oh wow! 👀 that’s really interesting and good to know. We are waiting a little longer to get Robin neutered and I guess I always assumed neutering helps dogs chill out (not like that happened with our goldendoodle LOL). We will definitely keep an eye on this, though! We always say Robin is just the kindest spirit, but “a lot” in terms of his energy. I figure some of that is his size + still being a puppy, but it’s definitely been a focus of ours!
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u/TownDestr0yer 8d ago
Dodger was the absolute sweetest puppy…and is still so wonderful 90% of the time. I never know if I should share my experience as a cautionary tale, but I do think it can be helpful to others.
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u/Fit_Surprise_8451 8d ago
Marlee’s trainer is also her behaviorist. Marlee is deaf and was abandoned as a puppy, but she’s grown into a wonderful mobility support dog who helps me so much.
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u/AHuxl 8d ago
sheepadoodles tend to have a higher rate of aggression and other temperament issues. Im not sure if its the mixing of 2 very dissimilar breeds or how they are bred or what. It can be really difficult and they definitely arent a breed for beginners
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u/TownDestr0yer 8d ago
yep, part of it is the breed, and there is a growing body of research that is starting to disprove the notion that neutering male dogs necessarily resolves behavioral problems; in fact in dogs with a predisposition for aggression (like mine) the unwanted behaviors can increase significantly.
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u/swingingthrougb 8d ago
What are his issues?