Yes, training is definitely the key and I am sure for the first few years of their life they might be energetic and crazy and harder to train but it is possible. And not every one is miserable, some Goldens love "their" babies. Just Google image "Golden retriever baby chicks" and you can see...
Are poodles affectionate? They seem like great dogs and not "froo froo" like most people think but I also really want an affectionate dog that loves/cares about me and/or is in tune to my moods and such and have been considering a Golden or Aussie. It's not a 100% necessity would be nice.
This isn't necessarily true. Yes they are bird dogs and without exercise and training they will go after poultry but that is not a given. They have to be trained. And they have to be sufficiently exercised so they are calmed down. But with training they can be fine and Goldens in particular are...