“TEN MONTH OLD AUSSIEDOODLE PUPPIES IN TRAINING”

I think I need to post a little sign on my front door. Perhaps it would set the bar low of expectations of dog obedience prior to entering our home. It would also give fair warning to those wearing nice clothing that they are exposing themselves to the risk of a paw print or wet spots from dripping whiskers. Maybe the sign next to it should read “WELCOME” and in smaller letters “ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.”

Koda and Summer are friendly and eager to greet visitors, so I do not believe we need a “BEWARE OF DOG” sign. I simply want to alert friends and remind family that training is in progress and to be ready for the giant jumping up aussiedoodles.  I learned the hard way that locking away or putting outside our Australian Shepherd when visitors arrived never helped her to socialize. She was smart and sensed my nervousness about the interaction between people leaning down and putting their face close to hers, causing her to growl and bark. I never socialized Dot enough with other dogs or people. She was a great family dog, but not great hostess.

Our aussiedoodles excitedly greet anyone that steps through the doors. The fact that they are half Australian Shepherd tells me the importance of socializing in these first two years of life. That being said, I am finding the not jumping up to be the hardest to correct. They sit, stay, come, and walk well on leashes. It is a work in progress so I need to warn people. Teens in drivers education classes navigate the busy streets with a large “STUDENT DRIVER” alerting the surrounding drivers. So if that student drives like a snail or cuts you off, you realize he or she is getting a feel for and learning the rules of the road. 

Therapy dogs and guide dogs wear fabric signs saying things like “IN TRAINING, NO TALK, NO TOUCH” or “IN TRAINING: PLEASE ASK BEFORE PETTING.” These are clear messages. The only message I want to clearly communicate is “BE READY! YOU ARE ABOUT TO ENTER A HOUSE WITH SUPER EXCITED LOVING TEN MONTH OLD AUSSIEDOODLES WHO HAVE BEEN IN AND OUTSIDE ALL DAY AND MAY HAVE A LITTLE RESIDUAL DIRT ON THEIR PAWS, AS WELL AS DRIPPING WET BEARDS FROM LAPPING UP WATER. THEY HAVE A LOT OF ENERGY AND ARE HUGE! WELCOME TO OUR HOME!”

Perhaps a small sign in the window will suffice: “PUPPIES IN TRAINING”