Are Goldendoodles Loyal? The Facts Explored

‘Man’s Best Friend’ is an expression we often hear on the TV, in books, and penned in articles like these. Where does this expression come from though? Most dogs are extremely loyal to their owners and their families, and it’s not very common to own a disloyal dog. What creates loyalty in dogs? Are some breeds more loyal than others, and how does a Goldendoodle compare? What factors can cause disloyal behavior by dogs and how can this be solved?

Goldendoodles are often described as loyal and trusting, and it’s no surprise when looking at their parentage. However, this loyalty stems from trust, and that trust must be first built. Loyalty ultimately comes from how you choose to act around your dog.

Let’s look into the topic of loyalty and what it means to have a loyal or disloyal dog. Goldendoodles are known for their affectionate and loving nature but what happens when they are distrusting of their owners? We’ll begin by looking at the two breeds that produce the Goldendoodle.

Golden Retriever

One of the words frequently associated with the Golden Retriever is devoted. Bred originally to retrieve waterfowl means this breed has a strong connection to their owner, showing a solid bond built on trust. Golden Retriever popularity gained momentum in the US from the 1970s. The very fact that they are used as service dogs today should go some way to portray their loyalty to humans. They are used as therapy dogs, game hunters, and sniffer dogs for US enforcement, to name just a few. They excel when around their human friends – happiest at your feet and by your side.

Poodle

Read an article on Poodles and 99% of them will include the word loyal. They are loving, friendly and outgoing making them perfect pet material. Poodles have been around since the 15th Century, originally bred as water hunters like the Retriever. So many Poodle owners and breeders comment on how in tune their Poodles are with human emotions. They are eager to please and can become very attached to their owners.

So Just How Loyal Are Goldendoodles?

With parents both showing extreme loyalties to their families, it surely follows that Goldendoodles will display such loyalties too? In theory yes, Goldendoodles are affectionate and loyal but this loyalty will need nurturing. Dogs need love, kindness and to have their basic needs met to display their loyalty towards you.

Goldendoodles are quite protective of their families and this is often viewed as loyal behavior. A badly treated dog will not show the same trust in their human family as one who is happy and healthy. Let’s take a look at some of the factors which help to nurture a dog’s loyalty:

Be Leader of the Pack

Once your Goldendoodle becomes aware that you are the pack leader they will begin respecting you and wanting to please you. If you do not show this leadership right from the start, then your dog has no one to try and please because they already see themselves as “top dog”.

Being the leader means using a firm approach in raising your pooch (but remaining calm and kind) and setting those boundaries earlier on. Feeding your dog at set times, keeping them off certain pieces of furniture, and teaching them to walk to heel are all ways of showing you are the leader.

Instilling Trust in Your Dog

Put simply, a dog that is distrusting of its owner will not be the loyal dog you had aspirations of owning. Refraining from yelling at your dog, treat them with the respect they deserve and they will reward you with loyalty.

This is especially important if you have a rescue Goldendoodle who may have been abused by its previous owners. You won’t ever know the full story of a rescue dog and will never understand all the sad things it may have seen or heard. Patience, time and endless love will be key here.

Positive Reinforcement Training

There are a multitude of training methods out there today but one of the most popular and widely used is positive reinforcement training. Good behavior is noticed and rewarded, and bad behavior is largely ignored and not rewarded.

It’s easy to understand why negative training methods such as scaring your dog into sumbission will not make them immediately loyal to your needs. A fearful dog will not aim to please as they will have no desire to make you happy.

Meeting Your Dog’s Physical and Emotional Needs

A dog who gets regular walks, regular food, and regular love will be a much happier pooch. A dog that is cooped up indoors on their own all day every day, who has to wait long periods between meals and who is largely ignored will not aspire to be loyal.

Be happy when you see your dog, make a fuss of them, make them feel important. Doggy feelings can be very similar to those of humans and should not be dismissed. Even simply talking to your dog can help. This makes us happy as we’re always talking to ours!

A Bit of Trivia: It was around the time that dogs split from wolves that the term loyal dogs became widely used. They started interacting and evolving with humans, learning to put their trust in them by accepting food scraps and being given shelter.

What Happens when a Dog isn’t Loyal?

You can expect to have quite significant behavioral issues from a dog who is not loyal to its owner. Walking and socializing can be tricky, even dangerous, especially if you let your dog off its leash at this stage. This is not recommended and can be reckless.

A dog that doesn’t trust could even demonstrate aggression when it feels threatened and this will need addressing. The owner / dog bond won’t be there or will be weak, which will make both you and your pooch sad. If your dog is anxious, doesn’t want petting and dislikes human contact you may need to seek advice from a professional.

If you have rehomed a dog, then you will need the patience to bring this loyalty out. Give your dog time and space to trust you, and don’t try too hard. A dog that has had a rough upbringing can take a long time to put its trust in you, but we promise it will be worth the perseverance when you gain that trust. Once you gain your dog’s trust you have the start of an amazing bond. Consistency, a calm environment, positive reinforcement, and lots of routine are all fundamental.

Disloyal dogs may show signs of aggression towards other dogs and/or humans. They may bark excessively when left alone and when out walking. They may show signs of resource guarding which can become a huge problem if not addressed.

Disloyal dogs can be harder to train and may even show fear of you. They may be destructive in your absence and may have toilet accidents around the home. All this can be addressed by seeking help or reading up on training specific to your dog’s issues.

What is the Advantage of a Loyal Dog?

Having a loyal dog is hugely beneficial to your home life and should never be taken for granted. But can this loyalty be used in other ways? Of course, it can, and is. Goldendoodles are used in the US as service and therapy dogs.

Their calm manner and being able to tune in to human emotions make a service role a perfect job for them. Goldendoodles are also used as assistant dogs for people suffering from seizures. It’s been proven that they instinctively recognize when a seizure is about to happen and are able to alert their owner. They are also used for diabetic patients and children and adults who are autistic – it’s quite amazing.

To Summarize

Goldendoodles can indeed be very loyal dogs and many people believe this is an inherent trait in all dogs. When a dog becomes part of a family, they naturally learn to trust and demonstrate loyalty in the vast majority of cases.

Some dogs, however, may need more coaxing to become trusting and loyal, particularly those who have been rehomed. A happy, healthy, trusting dog will show you endless loyalty but you must earn this loyalty and shouldn’t just expect it.

Related Questions

Are Goldendoodles Cuddly?

Goldendoodles love cuddles and are affectionate and happy to laze around with their human family. However, to make your Goldendoodle relaxed enough to cuddle they need regular exercise to burn off some energy first. Once walked or played with, they will happily oblige to cuddles.

Are Boy or Girl Goldendoodles Better?

This has no definitive answer and very much depends on finding the dog that just feels the right fit for your home. Female dogs can mature more quickly than males, but on the flip side, males can show more affection. It’s best to look at the whole picture when buying a new dog, not just considering which sex to go for.