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Are Labradoodles Aggressive? Everything You Should Know!

Labradoodles are one of the most tolerant breeds of dogs. Friendly and adaptable, they tend to stay happy with other pets and family members.

Labradoodles are generally not known to be aggressive as they are usually one of the most gentle breeds. But if not raised properly, there are several things that can make a Labradoodle aggressive including neglect or abuse. Inadequate socialization can also create an aggressive Labradoodle.

Read on to learn more about Labradoodle aggression.

What Causes Aggression In Dogs?

There isn’t an absolute answer to what causes aggression in dogs, and why some dogs display it more than others. In a recent research study by Liching Sun and Yuying Hsu in Taiwan, they found that some of the key factors associated with aggression included:

  • Living in rural areas
  • Physical reprimands throughout training
  • Lack of time together with their owners
  • Whether or not the dog was acquired as a puppy
  • If the dogs are on “guarding” responsibility and training

Basically, Labradoodles’ are typically not aggressive, but a poor background can lead to unwanted dog-behavior.

What Are Some Causes of Labradoodle Aggression?

When we talk about dogs in general, there are some things that we definitely can say causes aggression.

While there obviously may be some variation in the individual cases, typically we can point to specific experiences or situations that are more likely to bring out aggressive tendencies in even mild-mannered dogs like a Labradoodle.

Should i get a labradoodle are  labradoodles aggressive

I like to consider that Labradoodle puppies are really a blank page where you get to imprint on them the kind of personality you want them to have as they get older.

I’ve made a list of things you should watch out for that might cause aggression in any dog.

Physical Abuse

Some dog trainers still believe in the term tough love, but more often than not, that will only lead to an unreliable dog.

Physical abuse will usually just teach dogs how people typically treat them, and if you expected to get hurt by everybody, you would probably strike back at some point.

If you ever find yourself around any dog that has been physically hurt in any way, you have to be very careful with how you talk to them.

Even your body language and posture must be thought about from the dog’s perspective.

New and Frightening Experiences

One of the many challenges that come with owning a dog is that we don’t know how they process new experiences.

Most professional dog-trainers believe that dogs do not transfer past experiences to new situations as fast as people do–if they even do it at all.

A new situation can very likely create anxiety for a dog that has fear of the unknown.

Neglect (Especially Lack of Feeding)

Neglecting a dog will ensure that it has a higher difficulty trusting people in general.

Always make sure that you feed your dog a balanced and rich diet from the best possible manufacturers.

A malnourished dog that suddenly gets access to food will be very protective of it.

This is often a problem for dogs from a shelter.

When they finally get into a home where the food is abundant, they are still likely to protect their food from any potential threat. This also includes small children.

This is, in my experience, the most common reason for small children or other animals getting hurt by a Labradoodle.

Pain

Just like when a dog is sick, when they are hurt they will also be overly protective of themselves.

The sense of self-preservation can get them to snap and snarl, and while it isn’t pleasant to be around a dog that is growling at us, it isn’t exactly something that’s extremely unusual.

Have you ever snapped at someone when you were in pain?

Lack of Physical Exercise

A dog that has a lot of energy built up will often turn destructive.

At first, this can just lead to a cry for attention, but if you don’t address the root problem, the behavior can quickly become a habit.

Illness

Most illnesses come with a sense of discomfort and uncertainty.

If you try to play with or move a dog that is sick, you will only increase that discomfort, and in that situation, it is not uncommon for dogs to lash out.

And while I don’t consider this as being aggressive, some people could interpret it as such.

So, I’ve included it here just to show some of the situations where you might see a Labradoodle react badly.

Sense of Imminent Danger

Just as a Doodle might get aggressive if they feel the need to protect themselves, they will also do the same if they feel the need to defend someone they love.

So, you shouldn’t be surprised when your Labradoodle starts growling at strange sounds at night.

You might notice him engage with another dog that he thought to be a threat to someone in his family.

Guide to Help Your Labradoodle Act Appropriately

So, now that you have seen some of the things that can cause a Labradoodle to become aggressive, let’s see what you can do to avoid it.

As with most behavioral issues, this is easiest to do when your dog is a puppy. This is the period where you can direct his behavior rather than having to re-direct it.

As with humans, the same thing applies to dogs: habits are easier to create than to break.

Do Labradoodles Bark Excessively

Prevent Labradoodle Aggression

Here are some things that you can do up front to help your Labradoodle puppy not be aggressive as he gets older.

Socialization

While it might be something you dont think about, socialization is typically one of the most underrated parts of raising a puppy.

It is crucial that you start the socialization process as soon as possible when you get your puppy home.

Socializing your Doodle puppy is basically just getting him used to as much of the huge world as possible while they are still young.

You should try to socialize your dog to numerous different things like:

  • Animals
  • People
  • Places
  • Sights
  • Sounds
  • Smells

Socialization is great in many ways.

Not only does it help your dog know about the world outside, but it is also a great way to train your companion.

Try taking him on a lot of walks to nearby dog parks, down the street across your apartment, or near playgrounds.

This way he will meet various people and objects and slowly learn to understand their behavior.

It will also teach him about different animals, sounds, noises from vehicles, and human interaction.

Your dog’s observation will help him improve his understanding and form his response and can eventually rule out any chance of Labradoodle aggression.

When you take your Labradoodle for a walk, make him sit, stay, and heel and help him through all these things.

Go through these basic commands regularly until your Doodle has them completely memorized.

This is also one of the best ways to establish leadership.

If you are looking to adopt an older dog, you must make sure his behavior is stable as you have no idea what that dog might have been through in its’ life.

He may have been abused or had other bad experiences. And these experiences can affect his current behavior.

For example, some rescue dogs are terrified of people – sometimes a specific kind of person in particular.

However, the good news is that by giving the dog a happy, safe, and loving home you can help a dog get over their problems.

Reliable Schedule

Schedules are also something that is underrated and over-looked by first-time dog owners.

Having a reliable schedule will help your dog feel a lot more confident regarding his expectations for the day.

Any dog that knows he is going to be properly fed later that day is much less likely to protect the food he gets.

This can also be said about a dog that has a certain schedule each day, that allows them to get out and exercise.

Routines are good for your Labradoodles mood and their look on life.

Tons of Love and Playtime

As said earlier, I really think that every Labradoodle puppy is a blank slate.

The way your dog ends up when it is fully grown is typically a reflection of your qualities as a dog owner.

Dogs that are loving, happy and confident won’t have to rely on aggression to overcompensate for its’ lack of confidence.

Spending enough time with your dog in a loving and productive way pays back in colossal amounts in the many years to come.

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Aggressive behavior can usually often be changed

How To Deal With An Aggressive Labradoodle

Having to deal with an aggressive Labradoodle doodle may seem like an unachievable task as Labradoodles are normally so loving and well-mannered, but their mild-mannered personality will often make it easier.

Socialization and training at an early age will make a huge difference. This is something that can’t be overemphasized.

Having a puppy spend time with a well-behaved dog will help it pick up on that behavior.

A dog will rarely turn out aggressive if it is with a well-mannered dog that’s just minding his own business.

Do remember that Labradoodles are highly sensitive dogs.

Yelling and screaming at them and punishing them won’t give the dog better manners, but will only increase the probability of the aggression happening again and again.

Labradoodles respond much better when using lots of praise and positive reinforcement training.

If you are in a situation where the dog hasn’t had the proper socialization when it was a puppy, don’t worry, it’s still not too late to do something.

It will probably take quite a bit longer, but with proper training and patience, the dog will eventually understand what the correct and incorrect behavior is.

Labradoodles love praise and will respond to that.

As long as you remember that it may take a little longer to properly socialize an older Labradoodle to not be aggressive, it is still highly possible, and the reward, in the end, will make the work and effort worth it all.

Conclusion

Labradoodles are caring, loyal and amazing dogs that make wonderful companions and family pets.

Given proper socialization and consistent training, this dog won’t show any inappropriate aggression and will grow up and be the kind of dog that has made this hybrid dog so popular around the world.

Sources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159110000365 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233995885_Breed_differences_in_canine_aggression

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