The mini goldendoodle, a mix between a miniature poodle and a golden retriever, has been captivating the hearts of pup parents for decades. While they may be small, they have a larger-than-life, playful personality and affectionate nature that very few dogs can rival.
The mini goldendoodle makes an adorable and loyal family companion, but just how smart are they? And will first-time pet owners find them easy to train?
Today, we’ll answer these questions to give you a better idea of this mixed breed’s intelligence and what to expect in terms of trainability.
Are Mini Goldendoodles Smart?
Yes, the mini goldendoodle is exceptionally smart! They’re highly adaptable, perceptive, and work-focused — all traits they inherit from their parent breeds — and they’re able to follow directions closely. In fact, they’re so intelligent that they can even master psychiatric service dog training.
The mini goldendoodle is also alert and an excellent problem solver. They can assess a situation and often identify the best course of action on instincts alone. Plus, they can pick up on changes in their owner’s mood and offer comfort and reassurance during difficult times.
To get an idea of how the mini goldendoodle’s intelligence compares to other breeds, we can take a look at how their parent breeds rank in Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs book. Out of over 100 breeds, the poodle is ranked as the second smartest breed, while the golden retriever takes the 4th top spot. So, it’s not a stretch to say the mini goldendoodle is one of the smartest dogs in the world!
Are Mini Goldendoodles Easy to Train?
Mini goldendoodles are easy to train, but not just because of their intelligence! They’re extremely fond of their owners and would do anything to please them, and that includes performing tricks and obedience commands.
Thanks to their eagerness to please, most mini goldendoodles learn tricks exceptionally quickly and no command is ever too much of a challenge for them. They can even be trained to be service dogs and perform complex tasks such as detecting blood sugar drops, administering deep pressure therapy, and finding help in emergencies.
Mini goldendoodles are also work-focused, meaning they can maintain their focus during training for a lot longer than other breeds. They also housebreak quickly.
While mini goldendoodles are easy to train, just be mindful that they need plenty of mental stimulation to thrive. You should teach them new tricks regularly to prevent them from getting bored, and you should also consider competitive dog sports that make full use of their brains, like obedience and agility.
What Tricks Can Mini Goldendoodle Learn?
There is practically no trick that a mini goldendoodle can’t master with the right support and training approach! Most mini goldendoodles can begin training as early as 8 weeks — start with basic obedience commands such as ‘sit,’ ‘lie down,’ ‘stay’ and ‘recall.’
Once your mini goldendoodle becomes confident with the basics, you can move on to more advanced commands. Some fantastic tricks to teach your mini goldendoodle include ‘beg,’ ‘play dead,’ and ‘spin.’
You can also consider teaching them tricks related to their natural instincts. For example, most mini goldendoodles retain the golden retriever’s strong retrieving drive, and thrive at item retrieval.
How to Train a Mini Goldendoodle?
You should always use positive reinforcement measures, also known as reward-based training, with a mini goldendoodle. This will set your pup up for success and allow them to pick up commands quickly while strengthening your shared bond.
Unfortunately, there are many misinformed pet owners and trainers who believe that the best way to train a dog is through punishment measures. Their philosophy is rooted in the idea of dominance theory — something which has been disproven time and time again.
Studies have also shown that using punishments to train a dog isn’t effective in the long term and can exacerbate stress, anxiety, and aggressive behaviors.
Never punish mini goldendoodles or use aversives like shock collars to train them. Mini goldendoodles are loving, devoted companions who trust us with their lives, and they deserve a training approach that allows them to feel safe, secure, and loved.
Is the Mini Goldendoodle Right for Me?
These smarty paws make excellent family pets, but they aren’t for every household and family. You must be able to fulfill all their care needs and provide them with an environment where they can feel comfortable and happy.
You should consider getting a mini goldendoodle if:
- You have a household with a backyard where your pup can play freely
- You want an easy to train, work-driven pup
- You lead an active lifestyle
- You have the time to train a dog regularly and challenge them with new things
However, you may want to consider other breeds if:
- You want a large, muscular dog; most mini goldendoodles are small to medium-sized
- You’re a proud couch potato or lead a busy lifestyle
- You don’t want to deal with mouthiness
