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How to crate train a Mini Goldendoodle

Published April 18, 2020 by barthainz

Here is a very good video on how to create train a puppy by Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution, using his ideas and tips should help you create train your Mini Goldendoodle puppy.

Heartland Goldens and Mini Goldendoodles home of extraordinary Goldens and Mini Golddoodles

How to take great pictures of your Mini Goldendoodle.

Published March 29, 2020 by barthainz

Many Mini Goldendoodle owners are so proud of their dogs and they look so forward to sharing pictures of their new puppy or their adult Mini Goldendoolde with all of their friends and family.  Just like taking a large family picture it is not always easy to get that prefect picture.  If your Mini Goldedoodle loves to play fetch with a tennis ball here is a product that will hep you capture some wonderful pictures with your Mini Goldendoodle giving you the full attention, looking at you with eyes wide open, head up, body standing tall and proud (but they must know and love to pay fetch with a tennis ball for it to work).

https://poochselfie.com/

Having fun with your Mini Goldendoodle

Published March 27, 2020 by barthainz

How much fun can you have with your Mini Goldendoodle and what do you need to have fun?

Mini Goldendoodles are by nature a happy, playful breed that loves attention and love being with people.  Playing with your Mini Goldendoodle is something they absolutely love and enjoy some much, plus on the human end it sure makes us feel great being outdoors and seeing the unconditionally happiness from Mini Goldendoodles.

What do we need for all this fun?  I suggest a ball for throwing, which you can keep that super simple using just and old baseball, or an old tennis ball you already may have.  Or you can get really into it with ball launchers, they come in both automatic ball launchers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7AOy1DbvYw

Or there are manual ball launchers (these are what I have and I find they work great for me).  With these they come in a real manual thrower like the Chuckit Ball Launcher
Chuckit! Tennis Ball Launcher
–  Throw faster, farther, and enjoy hands-free fetch with your dog
– 
Durable plastic wand grasps a tennis ball and releases it as you swing
– 
Easily throw the ball 100 to 140 feet
– 
Choose from short, mid to long-range tennis ball launchers

Or the Nerf Tennis Ball Blaster Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster
–  Nerf-Powered Blast: Skyrocket tennis balls 50 feet into the air!
–  Simple Operation: Just pull back on the handle, load ball, and shoot
_  Adjustable Power: Easily change the distance of your shots and adapt to any environment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF28KZejGzo

Enjoy your day with your Mini Goldendoodle

 

How to teach your Mini Goldendoodle to heel.

Published March 10, 2020 by barthainz

Many owners of Mini Goldendoodles enjoy going for walks with them.  Which the more they heel perfectly by your side and the less pulling they do the more enjoyable the walks with your Mini Goldendoodle will be.

Here are two videos I found on line that will help you with that training.
Enjoy your walk Heartland Goldens and Mini Goldendoodles.

 

 

 

 

How often to bathe my Mini Goldendoodle?

Published March 8, 2020 by barthainz

A question we get quite often is how often should I bathe my Mini Goldendoodle.  Here is an article on that from the April 2020 DogWatch New Letter.

“There are very different opinions on how often to bathe a normal dog that isn’t a show dog” says Dr. Miller.  “Clearly a normal dog can be over bathed especially when the humidity is low.  Some sebum is necessary the skin’s health and it can be removed by over bathing, especially with medicated shampoos.

“Dogs that get dirty may need to be bathed more often.  Then there are dogs that do have a noticeable, but not obnoxious, body order.  These dog get bathed regularly.  The shampoo used should be selected carefully so that it isn’t too harsh.  Since body odor and/or greasiness can be impacted by environmental temperature and humidity, the dog should be bathed when it needs it rather than on a set schedule.”

 

 

14 Cute Facts You Didn’t Know About The Mini Goldendoodle

Published March 7, 2020 by barthainz

Here is an article I found on All Things Dogs written by John Woods.

14 Cute Facts You Didn’t Know About The Mini Goldendoodle

Love the temperament and personality of the Goldendoodle, but, unsure if their large size will fit in your family home? You should know about their smaller, more teddy bear-like dog siblings, the Mini Goldendoodle!

Here we have put together 17 incredible facts to help you decide if this miniature teddy pooch is the right dog for you.

1. They Love People… Especially Their Family

Free Download: Grab The Mini Goldendoodle Pet Parent’s Guide To Discover Even More About This Pooch.

Thanks to the their Retriever genes and early socialization, the Mini Goldendoodle is super friendly.

They love everyone and everything; especially their family. They tolerate kids of all ages and are gentle with grandparents. She will even be tolerant of other pets in the home, if raised with them.

Her fun loving personality does have one downside however; her love of people means she will struggle being left alone and this can manifest as separation anxiety. They may cry, whine, pine, dig, chew and generally destroy in periods of absence.

If you do need to leave them, find a doggy daycare or local dog walker to help out.

2. A Mini Goldendoodle Is Highly Super-Duper Trainable!

Mini Goldendoodle Feature

Thanks to their Poodle parent’s intelligence, and the Retriever’s eagerness to please, a Mini Goldendoodle is super trainable.

Like all dogs, they respond best to positive reinforcement and reward-based training.

Dog’s learn through operant conditioning, they are more, or less, likely to repeat a behavior based on the consequences of that behavior.

When your dog is behaving how you want them to, reward and praise them using toys, play and food.

If they are not behaving correctly, ignore and re-direct to encourage the behavior you do want to see.

Repetition is key, give him opportunities to learn and set him up to succeed.

3. They Look Like A Miniature Teddy Bear

Cute Mini Goldendoodle
The Mini Goldendoodle is exactly that, a mini teddy. They stand between 14-17″ in height and can weigh anywhere between 15-30 pounds.

Like their cousin the Mini Labradoodle, they are considered a much better option for smaller homes.

4. There Are Different Mini Goldendoodle Generations

If you are considering a first-generation puppy, you should ensure that the Mother is the Golden Retriever and the Father is the Miniature Poodle – this is due to the health implications when mating dogs of different sizes.

Often, when mating dogs of different sizes, artificial insemination is used.

These health implications reduce as subsequent generations are bred – for example, there is less of a size risk mating two second generations (i.e. F2).

Puppy Parent Parent
First Generation (i.e. F1) Purebred Parent Purebred Parent
Second Generation (i.e. F2) F1 Puppy F1 Puppy

5. Mini Goldendoodles Have A Premium Price Tag

Mini Goldendoodle Temperament
For one of these puppies you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,500 – $3,500 USD.

6. He Makes A Great Running Partner

These little teddy bear dogs are best suited to active homes where there is plenty of fun happening.

They need upwards of 60 minutes exercise per day, with additional time spent training, and working on some brain games (remember the Poodle’s intelligence!).

Being highly super-duper trainable, you may be happier walking your Mini Goldendoodle off leash, they love walks through the city, in fields and hiking through the woods.

Despite their small size, they are certainly a contender for a new running buddy. With both parent’s working background, they generally love retrieving and swimming too.

All this activity means they use quite a lot of energy, so they will eat between 450-900 calories per day (depending on their weight), which works out at 1-2 cups of kibble per day.

You should ensure you are feeding a good quality food that meets his daily nutritional requirements, most importantly his protein and fat needs.

7. They Can Be Hypoallergenic

Hypo what?! Hypoallergenic means that a dog has a known reduced-shedding coat which consequently produces less dander.

Despite some Mini Goldendoodles being hypoallergenic, they still need some regular grooming and their standard coat will generally be soft and wavy.

Most owners tend to keep coats clipped short to reduce time spent grooming. If you keep it on the longer side, you should expect to brush them thoroughly when you return from walks to keep knots and matts at bay.

Commonly these dogs have an 8-12-week schedule with their groomer to keep their coats in tip top condition. Poodles are prone to ear infections, so ensure you clean their ears regularly, along with their teeth.

8. There Are Three Different Types

Mini Goldendoodle Puppies
When searching for a puppy, you may notice that there are three different types:

  • American
  • English
  • Australian

The American is more golden in color, the English is lighter in color and is also bigger boned, and the Australian lines have Labradoodles and Spaniels in earlier generations.

9. They Are A Hybrid Designer Dog

Parents of a Mini Goldendoodle
As this dog is a hybrid, you can never be 100% sure of the temperament or personality of your puppy.

They may be more Golden Retriever than Poodle or vice versa. In search of the perfect family companion, it was hoped that by cross-breeding the Poodle with the Retriever, the result would be a sweet, gentle tempered dog with the intelligence and trainability to adapt to any situation.

Generally, this is true.

These dogs are loved for their friendly nature and their ease to train. Their smaller size just means they are suitable for smaller homes or city dwellers.

But, sometimes things just don’t go to plan.

Some have inherited more Poodle than Retriever meaning their intelligence gets the better of them, leaving them easily bored and frustrated. In some situations, this can result in distress and destruction.

There is also the chance that they maintain a larger size, so they may not be the mini dog that you expected. Again, 2nd generation or subsequent will help you predict with greater accuracy; looking at the parent size and temperament.

10. She Will Live For Between 10 – 15 Years

Thanks to the increased life span of the Miniature Poodle, the Mini Goldendoodle generally has a life span of between 10-15 years.

For some owners with children this is important as, providing they are in good health, they will be around for most of the kid’s life growing up.

The best way to ensure good health is to research a reputable breeder and look at the health of both purebred parent dogs:

  • The recommended health tests for Golden Retrievers are hips, elbows, eyes and heart.
  • The recommended tests for Poodles are patella luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, hip scoring and most recently testing for dwarfism.

11. A Mini Goldendoodle Is Easily Identified

Mini Goldendoodle In The Snow
They’re pretty easy to spot.

Most have a pretty consistent teddy-bear like appearance. As we’ve mentioned, they tend to have a soft, wavy coat.

Most are tan or golden in color, but they can come in a range of other colors including: white, black, silver, red and brown – it all depends on the color of the poodle parent.

12. Their Hybrid Vigor Might Be A Myth

Standard Sized Goldendoodle
Whilst some people think that cross-breeds are generally healthier than pure-breeds, this isn’t always true. Hybrid dogs and designer pooches can still inherit any of the health conditions that their parents suffer.

We know that this designer hybrid can suffer from:

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy – a genetic disease which leads to vision loss and eventually blindness.
  • Von Willebrand’s Disease – a common inherited disorder which affects the blood’s ability to clot in the body.
  • Patella Luxation – this is where the kneecap dislodges.
  • Hypothyroidism – this results in a slowing metabolism and has a range of symptoms including weight gain and inactivity.

13. Their Parents Are Very Intelligent and Popular

Poodles have become popular in hybrid mixes due to their hypoallergenic coat. Their tight curls trap dander which makes them low shedding dogs – they do shed, it just doesn’t fall off them.

According to the American Kennel Club, the Golden Retriever is 3rd out of 193 for popularity. Developed in Scotland as a Gun Dog, the Golden Retriever is a result of cross-breeding yellow Retrievers with tweed water Spaniels.

Retrievers first started appearing in the US around 1908 as they were loved for their sweet, gentle temperament. Popularity soared after President Ford had his very own Golden Retriever.

14. A Mini Goldendoodle Is Friendly and Gentle

Golden Retriever and Miniature Poodle Mix
These tiny dogs are loved for their super friendly and gentle nature.

When socialized from an early age, they are tolerant of all: kids, pets, you name it.

Their intelligence and eagerness to please just means they are more responsive than some breeds.

Despite their easy nature, your dog still needs to know what sort of dog he needs to be, and you need to teach him.

Summary

A sweet natured and even-tempered teddy bear who adores people.

What’s not to love?

The Mini Goldendoodle is a perfect addition to any family home. Super intelligent and eager to please, they are a dream to train – they are also a good choice for smaller homes or if you have smaller kids.

Be mindful of the health implications of the size difference in the parents and ensure you source a reputable breeder. Also remember that as it’s a hybrid, you can never be entirely sure of the dog you will end up with.

The offspring of two incredibly popular breeds, they are best suited to active homes and love being involved in everything the family has to offer.

Heartland Goldens and Mini Goldendoodles Veterinarian Scholarship

Published February 12, 2020 by barthainz

Heartland Goldens and Mini Goldendoodles Veterinarian Scholarship

 At Heartland Goldens and Mini Goldendoodles (HGMG) we strongly believe in giving back to the dog-community.  We proud of our “Heartland Goldens and Mini Goldendoodles Veterinarian Scholarship”.

 

Heartland Goldens and Mini Goldendoodles (HGMG) will award one $500 scholarships.  To be eligible, students must be a graduating high school senior in the class of 2020, who demonstrates excellence in the classroom, positive history in the care of animals, and who are pursuing a four-year degree in animal nutrition, animal science, animal breeding and  genetics, biological sciences or prev-vet sciences, preferences to applicants planning a career in veterinary medicine. 

This scholarship is made available as a result of a gift from Heartland Goldens and Mini Goldendoodles (HGMG).

 

 All Applications are accepted from March 1 until May 30, 2020, midnight, EST.

 

Instructions for applying:

  1. Download this application and type in your responses. Save the file as HGMG.Last Name.First Name.doc.  Email to HGMGScholarship@gmail.com If you have problems please e-mail HGMG.

 Applicants will receive a confirmation email after June 1

about their submission of the application form.

Heartland Goldens and Mini Goldendoodles (HGMG)

4112 S Native Court

Yorktown, IN 47396

Phone:  765-717-4867

Email:  HGMGScholarship@gmail.com

Scholarship Amount:

The scholarship is a one-time $500 award paid directly to the recipients student account at the university of attendance.  Scholarship will be delivered AFTER the recipient successful completion of their first semester of classes at the university or college.

Rules and Regulations:  
The scholarship recipient will be awarded the scholarship approximately 30-60 days after
the conclusion of the first semester of college.  By participating in this scholarship application you are giving Heartland Goldens and Mini Goldendoodles (HGMG) permission to contact you via e-mail or phone to notify you of any errors in your entry or if your being chosen as the recipient of the scholarship.  In addition you are giving us permission to use your name, high school, college and assay on this for for any informational or promotional purposes, with no compensation or payment to you.  The scholarship award winner is solely responsible for any state and/or federal income taxes that arise as a result of the awarding of the scholarship.

Awarding the Scholarship:

The scholarship will be awarded by a panel of judges who will determine the winner based on their discretion

How to teach my Mini Goldendoodle to Sit and Stay

Published February 4, 2020 by barthainz

Here is a good video to teach your puppy to Sit and Say by Zak George’s Dog Training.

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ACYBGNQNBsRZKqb_sjqoUrF8_JKl2-YOUw%3A1580817326368&ei=rls5Xv2GFpeKytMP6ZC3kAY&q=how+to+teach+my+dog+to+sit&oq=How+to+teach+me+dog+to+&gs_l=psy-ab.1.5.0i13l10.2376.15113..20773…1.2..3.156.5162.19j29……0….1..gws-wiz…..10..0i71j35i39j0i22i30j35i362i39j0i67j0j0i131j0i273.JKcTydAdEGI#kpvalbx=_X105Xtu3AaetytMPg6mYsAs39

Can my Mini Goldendoodle catch the flu from me?

Published February 4, 2020 by barthainz

Here is a great articles from Hillspet.com about the flu and dogs.

Can Dogs Catch a Cold or Get the Flu?

Published by Erin Ollila
October 30, 2019
6 min read

It’s that time of the year when sniffles turn into sneezes and a tickle in the throat becomes a persistent cough. You’ll do anything to keep your family healthy, including your pup. So, now maybe you are wondering, “Can a dog get a cold?” If you’re feeling under the weather yourself, the lingering thoughts of “Can dogs get the flu from humans like me?” will stress you out even further. Of course, you love your pet, and you want to keep him healthy, but do you need to keep your dog away from you as you recover? Here’s a quick overview of whether a human cold or the flu can get your pup sick, as well as what you can do to make him feel better.

Can a Dog Get a Cold from a Human?

Achoo! Are you sneezing? Do you have a stuffy nose or a sore throat? In humans, colds appear after a person comes in contact with another human infected with a virus. Other symptoms, besides sneezing, a sore throat, or a stuffy nose, include watery eyes or excess mucus in the nose and throat. So, can a dog get a cold from you?

Here’s some great news: If you’re sick and your pup wants to give you a smooch and cuddle to raise your spirits, you don’t have to turn him away. Some infections, viruses, or even bacteria are species-specific, which is why you don’t need to worry about sharing a common cold. A human cold can only affect humans. It cannot be transmitted to animals, says PetMD.

Can a dog get a cold from another dog? Unfortunately, the answer to that is yes. While you may not be able to pass your cold to your pet, that doesn’t mean another dog’s sneezing can’t get your pup sick. In fact, many of your dog’s symptoms will mimic a human’s. According to PetMD, “While there are differences in the types of viruses that infect humans versus dogs, the symptoms are basically the same: sneezing, coughing, runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes.” There are many types of viruses that dogs can spread to each other. Let’s take a look at one of the most common dog colds:

Kennel Cough

A highly contagious respiratory disease, kennel cough is often contracted when dogs are boarded or spend time in a place with numerous dogs, such as a dog show or training class. The worst part is your dog doesn’t even need to come into direct contact with an infected dog. The virus can live on items, such as on water bowls or on favorite toys the dog may have left some saliva. According to Vetstreet, “A blaring, hacking cough like a goose honk is the most common sign [of kennel cough]. Affected dogs will often retch and gag, as if trying to dislodge something from their throats.” Dogs that come in contact with kennel cough will usually show symptoms within four to ten days. Treatment includes anything from watching and waiting to a prescription of antibiotics.

Black dog sleeps in dog bed and snuggles with yellow stuffed dog.Can Dogs Get the Flu from Humans?

While the human flu shares similar symptoms with the common cold, if your body is feeling achy and you have a fever, there’s a chance you have a more serious condition–influenza. The flu virus is spread from one person to another person, so make sure to cover your coughs and sneezes. Unlike a common cold, which resolves rather quickly, the flu lasts longer and can develop into more serious conditions, such as pneumonia, says the American Lung Association.

You’ll be happy to know that similar to the common cold, your dog won’t get the flu if a human member of his household is sick. However, there is a canine-specific influenza you should be aware of.

Canine Influenza

The dog flu, also known as canine influenza, is a respiratory infection like the human condition. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), “The first strain reported in the United States, beginning in 2004, was an H3N8 influenza A virus … In 2015, an outbreak that started in Chicago was caused by a separate canine influenza virus, H3N2.” Symptoms of the dog flu are similar to the human flu. Your dog may experience a lingering cough that lasts anywhere from ten to thirty days. He may begin sneezing, become feverish, or discharge may appear from your dog’s eyes or nose. Your pet will likely be prescribed an antibiotic or other medicine to treat the canine influenza. Be aware: There are necessary steps to take to ensure other animals in your home do not become ill as well. AVMA says, “Dogs with canine influenza should be isolated to prevent transmission of the virus to other dogs or, in the case of H3N2, cats.”

A Trip to the Vet

You obviously want to protect your dog just like you’d protect your human children. However, if your pup is feeling under the weather, you may not know how to best take care of him. Taking care of a sick dog is similar to taking care of an ill child.

First, if you suspect your dog is sick in any way, contact his veterinarian for advice on how to proceed. Sick animals should always be examined by a vet to determine the cause and begin a treatment. One recommendation your vet will most likely share with you is for your dog to get plenty of rest. Rest is vital to your pup’s recovery. This is something he probably won’t have much issue with as he won’t feel great, but it is something that should be known to the rest of the household, especially children. Until he is feeling better he won’t feel like playing or going on walks. Luckily, since the virus doesn’t pass from dogs to humans you can give him all the love and care he needs to know you’re there for him to help him get better. Though your pet might not feel well, it’s important to keep him hydrated, too. So, keep his water bowl full and encourage him to drink.

If your dog spends time in a doggy day care or will need to be boarded in the near future, work with your vet and the boarder to be sure your pet is healthy enough to be around other animals. You wouldn’t want a sick pet intentionally coming into contact with your healthy dog, so it’s important to help protect other dogs if your pup is ill. This also means no afternoon visits to the dog park.

With a little rest, relaxation, healthy meals, lots of water, and maybe some medicine, your dog will be back to his regular, playful self in no time!

 

 

When will my F1 Mini Goldendoodle stop chewing on stuff?

Published January 20, 2016 by barthainz

The desire to chew on things is a usally a resutl of the Puppy Teething

The desire to investigate interesting objects and the discomfort of teething motivate puppies to chew. Much like human infants, puppies go through a stage when they lose their baby teeth and experience pain as their adult teeth come in. This intensified chewing phase usually ends by six months of age. Some recommend giving puppies ice cubes, special dog toys that can be frozen or frozen wet washcloths to chew, which might help numb teething pain. Although puppies do need to chew on things, gentle guidance can teach your puppy to restrict chewing to appropriate objects, like his own toys. Please see Useful Tips, under Normal Chewing Behavior, to channel your puppy’s urge to chew in the right direction.

Heartland Goldens and Doodles is a breeder of AKC Golden Retrievers , AKC English Golden Retrievers and F1 Mini Goldendoodle puppies located in Yorktown, Indiana.