Are Goldendoodles Good Apartment Dogs?

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The Goldendoodle is a fairly recent breed cross. Result of the cross between the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle. They are also known as Groodles, Doodles, and even Goldenpoo.

Although the most common Goldendoodle is what we know as the Standard Goldendoodle, which can weigh up to 100 pounds, there are three different sizes:

  • The Miniature Goldendoodle which tends to be between 13 and 20 inches tall and 15 to 35 pounds in weight.
  • The Medium Goldendoodle that has an approximate height between 17 and 20 inches and a weight between 40 and 50 pounds.
  •  The Standard Goldendoodle is approximately 20 to 24 inches tall and weighs between 50 and 100 pounds.

Goldendoodles are dogs that have gradually become more popular and are recognized for their friendly and playful personality.

But, are Goldendoodles good apartment dogs?

Goldendoodles are good apartment dogs. They are dogs that adapt easily to different situations and environments. They are great indoor and hypoallergenic dogs with a low to non-shedding coat and with an unmatched friendly, fun and social personality.

But the Goldendoodle has particular characteristics and needs that must be considered beforehand. We must make sure that we can meet their needs and that it is the dog that adapts well to our lifestyle.

Personality Traits and Temperament

The Goldendoodle personality

One of the main characteristics of Goldendoodles is their extremely friendly nature. He enjoys human company very much and is a loving, gentle and patient dog.

It has a playful side and can be mischievous. They are outgoing, social dogs with a great ability to communicate with people.

Due to their good temperament, in addition to being good family dogs, they are good service and therapy dogs.

Are Goldendoodles Good With Kids?

Goldendoodles get along very well with children of all ages. They are very patient and gentle dogs which makes them good family dogs. Most are known to quickly become friends with children.

Because they are dogs that like to play and are very energetic, Goldendoodles are perfect playmates for older children to spend a lot of time playing with.

Can Goldendoodles Be Left Alone?

Goldendoodles are intelligent and very sociable dogs that constantly need the company of people. Because of this, they are not dogs that manage well to be alone for long.

They tend to suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for long periods. This can cause them to manifest destructive behaviors.

For this reason, it’s not a dog breed that is recommended for owners who have to leave their dog home alone for long periods of time.

Are Goldendoodles Easy to Train?

Goldendoodles are very smart and easy to train dogs, even for a first-time dog owner. With proper training, they are very obedient dogs.

They respond very well to positive reinforcement training techniques. Reinforcing the desired behaviors with treats and praise have very good results with them.

On the other hand, using hard corrections to train them can damage their confidence.

Goldendoodles do very well in obedience and agility training classes. Agility courses greatly help Goldendoodles strengthen their bond with their owners, and burn their high energy while allowing them to socialize with other dogs.

Do Goldendoodles Bark a Lot?

Goldendoodles generally don’t bark much. Although, as with any dog, it can vary if a Goldendoodle barks a lot or not.

But for the most part, Goldendoodles only bark when they have something to say.

The main reasons why a Goldendoodle barks are:

  • To alert that there is someone at the door. Although later he will receive the stranger as an old acquaintance.
  • To request attention and time. They are very energetic dogs that like to play with their family and if they do not receive enough attention, they will bark until they get it.
  • Because of the anxiety, they feel when they are left alone for a long time. Separation anxiety can cause excessive barking when left alone.
  • The lack of exercise a Goldendoodle can feel bored and frustrated and can cause them to bark excessively.

Are Goldendoodles Good Guard Dogs?

Goldendoodles are not characterized by being good guard dogs. They are a mix of Golden Retrievers and Standard Poodles, two dog breeds that aren’t known for their guardian and protective instincts.

Although much depends on how a dog is raised, it can be said that most Goldendoodles don’t have aggressive tendencies.

Although a Goldendoodle can bark when a stranger approaches the door of his home, he will greet him friendly and play with him.

The Goldendoodle Exercise Needs

goldendoodle exercise

One of the main reasons Goldendoodles have behavioral issues is lack of exercise.

Goldendoodles are natural athletes, energetic and playful dogs who like to exercise.

But while they also enjoy lazing around and coping with their family, they need a lot of daily exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy.

They need at least 3 daily walks of at least 30 minutes.

They also need to have time to run freely. Living in the city, at least one weekly trip to a dog park helps him socialize with other dogs and exercise. Also, if you have access to a secure, fenced area, you can run and play freely with the kids, helping him get the extra exercise he needs.

Because they are very curious dogs and are always looking for new friends to play with, a Goldendoodle should never be outside on a leash or in areas that are not fenced.

Goldendoodles love water, so taking them swimming regularly provides another opportunity for them to exercise by doing something they love.

The Goldendoodle Grooming Needs

goldendoodle grooming

Although not all Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic, most have a low to non-shedding coat. But although they have less degree of shedding than other dogs, they require quite a lot of grooming to keep their coat healthy and in good shape.

Many owners decide to cut his coat to make it easier to maintain. In case of leaving their natural fur, they should be brushed weekly to avoid tangling of their coats.

It is also recommended that they have professional grooming once a month to trim and shape their coat.

Goldendoodles only need to bathe when is strictly necessary. Bathing them often can cause them to lose necessary oils that keep their coat and skin healthy.

It is also necessary to brush their teeth at least 2 times a week, although the ideal is to brush them daily to prevent some diseases and bad breath.

In case the dog doesn’t wear them down naturally, it is necessary to cut his nails once or twice a month to prevent it from hurting and causing other problems.

Cutting his nails is delicate since we can hurt our dog if it is not done correctly. In these cases, it is advisable to ask a vet or professional groomer to cut them.

Goldendoodle and Socialization 

goldendoodle socialization

For Goldendoodles, like all dogs, they must be socialized from an early age to ensure they are a well behaved and social dog.

This becomes essential if you are going to live in an apartment and a city.

Living in an apartment implies that the Goldendoodle has closer and more frequent contact with the neighbors and other pets in the building, so it is essential that they know how to relate with different people and pets in different social situations.

It’s necessary to ensure that from an early age they interact regularly with different people and that they are exposed to different sights, sounds and experiences.

Taking them to puppy kindergarten classes allows them to socialize with other dogs and allows them to learn and handle inter-dog language and improve their social skills.

Are Goldendoodles Good Apartment Dogs?

Goldendoodle apartment living

Goldendoodles are good apartment dogs. They are dogs that adapt well to living in different environments. They are calm indoor dogs with a very friendly and social temperament.

Although they are not low-maintenance dogs, they are low to non-shedders but one thing to seriously consider is that they are high energy dogs.

That is why the Goldendoodle is a dog that is recommended for active owners and families and who like to have outdoor activities with their pet.

Tips for Raising a Goldendoodle in an Apartment

1. Have a Daily Exercise Routine

Exercise is essential for Goldendoodles to be mentally and physically healthy. They are dogs with high energy levels that, by not having enough daily physical activity, tend to show behavioral problems.

Some of these problems are:

  • Excessive barking.
  • Chewing on furniture and personal belongings.
  • Try to escape from home at the least opportunity.

Due to the lack of a garden and the small space of an apartment, it’s necessary to provide a Goldendoodle with a daily exercise routine.

As mentioned above, a Goldendoodle needs at least 3 daily walks of at least 30 minutes.

Taking them out for a walk at approximately the same time each day helps them better distribute their energy throughout the day. Also, having a daily routine helps give them security and peace of mind knowing what to expect during the day.

It’s recommended to always take him for a walk before he’s left alone. A tired dog tends to rest and sleep when he is alone, instead of looking for ways to entertain himself.

For Goldendoodles, it’s important to provide them time to run and play freely to burn off that extra energy.

Dog parks are a good option for them to run and play with other dogs. Taking him at least once or twice a week will make your dog happy and allow him to have extra time to exercise.

Taking him regularly to a Doggy Daycare is also a good option where he can play and socialize with other dogs.

2. Provide Stimulating Toys and Activities

Goldendoodles, being very intelligent dogs, need to be constantly mentally stimulated or they will get bored quickly. A bored Goldendoodle will always find ways to entertain himself, even if this is with your shoe.

The best way to keep a Goldendoodle stimulated is by playing with him. Being dogs who love to play and love interacting with people, playing and spending time with them helps keep their mind stimulated.

Dog toys are also very helpful in entertaining and stimulating a Goldendoodle. They can mainly be used when your dog is left alone for a while.

Some dog toys that can be used are:

  • Chewing toys
  • Puzzle Toys

Siempre se recomienda estarles rotando los juguetes para que no se aburran de siempre usar los mismos.

3. Stay on Top of What He Does When You’re Not Home

Goldendoodles are dogs that don’t handle well being alone for long periods. But they inevitably have to be left alone from time to time.

It’s necessary to train them from a young age so that they can gradually be left alone for longer periods.

As a general guide, how long a dog can stay alone depends on its age:

  • From 8 to 10 weeks: no more than one hour.
  • From 10 to 12 weeks: two hours.
  • From 3 to 6 months: between three and six hours
  • More than 6 months old: between six and eight hours

My articles on leaving your dog home alone while you’re at work and leaving a puppy home alone for the first time can help you with some tips to handle this situation better.

On the other hand, being able to see how our dog manages the time he spends alone at home, allows us to detect a problem and solve it on time and accurately.

For this, the Pet Cams are of great help. They are cameras that you install in your home and allow you to see what your dog is doing from a computer or your cell phone. There are even some that allow you to talk to them, and even give them treats.

4. A Potty Routine Is Essential

Housebreaking a Goldendoodle is not difficult. They are smart dogs and eager to please which makes potty training in an apartment easier.

The secret is to be consistent and patient, and if you start training them from an early age, faster and better results will be achieved.

Since living in an apartment doesn’t allow a dog to have free access to a yard where he can go to the bathroom, it’s necessary to establish a routine to go out to potty. A strict routine of going to the bathroom trains your dog to do his things every certain time.

The first step is to define a potty area close by and preferably have a grass surface. Dogs get used to doing their things on certain surfaces, so it is important to get them used to doing on grass from the beginning.

Puppies have to go to the toilet more frequently than an adult dog. A puppy tends to go to the toilet every two to four hours while an adult dog can hold his bladder for four to six hours, although others can hold up to eight hours.

When they are puppies, it’s necessary to take them out often, preferably every hour. This allows us to see how often he needs to go out and, at the same time, the puppy is getting to know and getting used to going to the designated area.

Gradually the exits must be lengthened depending on the age of our dog and his needs.

As a general rule, dogs should be taken to the bathroom after each meal and before they are left alone so that they can hold it while you are away.

Another solution when living in an apartment is the use of pee or grass pads. Dog grass pads are useful when for some reason your dog is going to be alone for a longer time than usual and for old dogs or those with incontinence problems.

Are Mini Goldendoodles Good for Apartments?

Yes, Mini Goldendoodles are great apartment dogs. In addition to being smart and very friendly dogs, they are a good pet choice for apartment living due to their small size and tend to be the least shedding and most hypoallergenic Goldendoodle.

However, it does require an owner capable of meeting their exercise and care needs.

Final Thoughts

Goldendoodle can be good for apartment living. But the essential thing is to be able to cover their physical and mental needs.

Having a dog is a long-term commitment. We have to know well the temperament and needs of a dog to be sure that we can offer him a healthy and full life.

If we can meet his needs and he is a dog that adapts well to our lifestyle, the Goldendoodle can be a great companion and friend.

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