A Step-by-Step Guide to Potty Training a Goldendoodle Puppy

Goldendoodle puppies are one of the most playful and lovable dog breeds you can find. They usually have a gentle character, are affectionate and cheerful. This is a popular breed that can make an ideal family pet. Before getting any dog, however, most people take a lot into consideration.

If you plan to get a Goldendoodle puppy for the first time you might ask yourself how to house train it efficiently. When it comes to potty training, this process can be time-consuming and frustrating. All new owners of a Goldendoodle have to realize that understanding your puppy is the first step of training. How effective your potty training will be will depend on factors such as living conditions, age, and size. In general, training young puppies requires positive reinforcement for good behavior, consistency, and patience which is all true when training Goldendoodle family members.

Despite the difficulties, this is still something that you will be able to accomplish with your pet in time. Below, we have outlined a step-by-step guide to potty training a Goldendoodle puppy. This guide will help you become confident and ready for the task ahead.

While potty training a puppy is never truly easy, there are many, many steps that can each take away a little bit of the difficulty. Even with all the tips and tricks in the world, you will still have a considerable amount of work and time to get your Goldendoodle fully housebroken. In the end, how well both you and the new puppy do will boil down to patience and consistency on your end. If you are ready to undergo this task, below is a complete list of steps to potty training your new Doodle.

Steps To House Training A Goldendoodle

• Step 1: Feed and water your puppy on a schedule. Go outside immediately after for a potty break.
• Step 2: Restrict your puppy to one or two rooms, preferably where you or the family are. You must not let the puppy learn that sneaking off to another room is the alternative to controlling elimination.
• Step 3: Use a crate or baby gates for your puppy when you aren’t where you can supervise. Never use the crate as punishment for accidents…the crate is meant to be a “safe space”.
• Step 4: You must take the puppy out a LOT in the beginning.
• Step 5: Use “control” words to associate with the elimination. As your puppy is going, repeat your control word like “Go PeePee” or “Go Potty”.
• Step 6: Reward your puppy after the deed, either with treats or joyful praise. In the early stages, be sure to overdo it. Ignore the neighbors…what do they know?
• Step 7: Until the puppy learns to hold it, do not expect signals to go outside. That will come later. Most puppies will not be able to hold their bowels or bladder until they are around four months old.
• Step 8: DO NOT punish or make a fuss when the puppy accidents occur. This will confuse your puppy since it doesn’t know why you are upset. They have long memories regarding scary incidents.

Those are the simple basics. Every puppy or dog is different in learning to understand what is expected of them. Below are some details on these steps.

Feeding Routine and Bowl Monitoring

Feeding and drinking are obviously the culprits behind your puppy’s need to eliminate. Monitoring his or her food and drink consumption will help you get a better idea of when to take them out.

The frequency puppies need to relieve themselves depends largely on their feeding routine. You need, therefore, to plan a meal schedule that matches the puppy’s potty training regimen of your choice. Potty training and feeding schedule should work well together.

Of course, you likely do not want to restrict your puppy from drinking when they need to. Beyond the feeding schedule, you will also need to monitor this throughout the day so that you know if they will need to pee again shortly. Make sure to take your Goldendoodle puppy outside shortly after drinking water.

Post-meals, it is best to take your Goldendoodle outside within 10-20 minutes. You may be able to make it 30 minutes, or even an hour once he or she is older. In the early days, it is better safe than sorry as they may need to go almost immediately after eating.

Constant Monitoring

Keep your puppy where you can see him or her at all times while potty training. Doing this, you can catch early signs that your puppy needs to go potty in order to prevent accidents. Signs that they need to relieve themselves include sniffing, scratching, and circling.

Once they begin to get older, they may also learn that the door is where they need to go. This can happen before they are truly trained, so do not be fooled into allowing them alone.

Pro Tip: If you need to move about, keep them with you on a leash. Keeping your Goldendoodle on a leash, even in the house, can help you to learn their signs and prevent them from having more accidents or learning to hide their need to go from you.

Crate Train for Unsupervised Times

When you can not watch your puppy or you need to leave your home it is necessary to use a crate. The puppy will be reluctant to mess up their crate which they see as their “home” or “safe place”. The crate should not be too large so the puppy will not use one area for sleeping and another as a bathroom.

Take Them Outside Frequently

As annoying as it is to interrupt your cleaning, relaxing, tv show, or dinner – taking your puppy outside as often as every 30 mins (and no more than 1 hour apart at the beginning) will help minimize accidents in the house. This is not a forever thing, but something to do at the beginning to establish in their minds that they will have the opportunity as often as they need to go. Even if no signs are shown of needing to relieve themselves, take them out and allow them a few minutes to do their business.

This is a potty training technique that works well with Goldendoodle puppies. This breed of dog is smaller in size, so they have a smaller bladder and higher metabolism. It is likely they will need to eliminate waste more frequently. Taking them outside often and offering rewards when they respect the potty routine is a great way to train Goldendoodle puppies.

Use a Single Command

Choosing a specific word command can be helpful, especially down the road. Much like teaching your pet his or her name, the puppy will start to recognize the command and learn what to do. To avoid any confusion, use that word command only when you train them to go potty.

Repeat your unique command word in an upbeat voice tone each time your puppy is in the act to go potty. The command could be anything from “potty” to “hurry up”. You will notice after a few weeks of training that when you say the command your pet will start pre-elimination behavior such as circling and sniffing and then relieve shortly afterward. Praise and reward your puppy for its accomplishments. Teaching him or her to eliminate on command will help you avoid spending too much time waiting for your pet to get the job done.

Positive Reinforcement

The best way to train a puppy to do anything is with positive reinforcement. Lucky for you, almost every puppy is food-motivated. Even if they are not motivated by food rewards (or you are avoiding treats too often), positive emotional reinforcement can be just as strong.

Any time your puppy defecates or urinates where they are supposed to, praise them. Act like they just showed up after being missing for weeks. Exclaiming “good boy” or “good girl” and giving them some pats is a great way to show them love. If you are using treats for positive reinforcement, give these to them after they finish doing their business. This will help them associate going to the bathroom outside with treats, petting, love, and happiness.

Expect Some Accidents

Any untrained puppy left on their own is likely to make a mistake. For that reason, a very important part of potty training is close supervision. Unless your Goldendoodle puppy has been successful in his or her potty routine for at least four consecutive weeks (ideally more), you cannot consider the training to be completed.

This period is even longer for older dogs. Be ready for accidents to happen, and know that you will have to respond with patience and understanding if you want to continue to make headway on this task. Take note of what happens, and readjust your training to meet the needs of your furry friend.

Introductions

While being prepared for the problems is the first step, introducing your pet to their new environment is the first physical step in potty training him or her. Your Goldendoodle puppy is just learning his or her new family, new home, and role.

At this stage, it is important to clearly establish your expectations and keep consistent with them. Puppies have short attention spans and are easily distracted, so make sure you keep them focused. Do not let your new puppy explore and roam on their own. Only show them those areas in your home where they are allowed to be, and keep it to a small number of rooms until they are trained.

Understanding Behaviors

Understand your Goldendoodle puppy’s particular needs and behavior. Research the special needs and traits of your dog breed. Be aware of any particular behavior that you need to look out for. Try to understand how your Goldendoodle puppy communicates and pay attention to the clues he or she gives. After a while, learning your puppy’s needs will become second nature.

Most Goldendoodle puppies trained to hold waste will also learn to signal you when they feel the need to relieve themselves. It is important to pay attention to these signals and understand your puppy’s metabolism. They could do something as obvious as going to the door and sitting or whining, or they may just try to find a place that you cannot see them. Either way, learning what your puppy does will be vital in teaching them where it is okay to go potty (and where it is not).

Interrupt Accidents That Are In-Progress

One of the best ways to teach them they cannot go potty inside is to interrupt them during an accident. Say “No” and clap your hands if you catch your puppy defecating or urinating indoors. You do not want to scare your pet, just startle him or her to make them know you disapprove of their behavior. Then lead the puppy quickly outdoors. If necessary, quickly carry your puppy outside if they do not want to follow.

Even if they have finished the accident as you catch them, this will still instill in them that you disapprove of their actions and want them to go outside.

Pro Tip: When a Goldendoodle is Having Accidents Post-Training
If this begins happening, do not panic. It may be time to stop interrupting and start ignoring them. The dog likely learned that by urinating inside, they get your attention. They are likely doing this if they feel ignored by you. For a while, ignore when they go in front of you and clean it up after they leave, this will keep from reinforcing bad habits.

Create a Consistent Potty Spot

A great way to breed consistency is to choose a particular spot outdoors for potty training. Every time your puppy needs to go take him or her at the designated area. You should pick a spot that is easy to clean up and is not visited by other dogs. Keep your puppy on a leash when you take him or her outdoors, so you can easily lead to a specific location. It is helpful for him or her to smell themselves there, This lets them feel that it truly is “their” spot – much like they will not go in their own crate or bed.

You have to direct your puppy to a specific spot every time he or she feels the need to go potty. Sticking to just one potty spot is an effective way to succeed with the training process. Dogs are territorial animals and you can make this work in your favor and improve their potty training. As puppies, if they are to smell other dogs or animals around, they will be nervous to go in that area.

Establish Routines

Establish a potty routine and be consistent with it. Consistency is important in potty training. Many of these instances of routine have been mentioned, but there are also others. It is important that each facet of this training can be incorporated into a routine.

Use the same door when taking your pet outside. Always take the puppy to the same potty spot and use the same word command. Take the puppy out after every meal and first thing in the morning. Also, take the puppy outside anytime you take him or her out of the crate or anytime you come home. Let your puppy out after napping, drinking water, playing, and before bedtime.

Potty training requires strict adherence to a routine that fits your puppy’s age. A new pet in your home will be unsure about their bathroom limits. Directing him or her at the proper time to the proper place is essential in forming good habits.

Other Tips to Note When Potty Training a Goldendoodle Puppy

Never Punish them After-the-Fact
While it can be helpful to stop them when you catch them in the act, you should never punish your puppy after he or she has passed. As frustrated as you may get by stepping in a wet spot or seeing a present they left you, do not take this anger out on them. Dogs are not able to tell what they are being punished for. Doing this will only cause them to fear you most of the time, and will not break the bad habit.

Direct Your Puppy Away from Problem Areas
Fecal and urine odor should be removed in order to keep your Goldendoodle puppy from returning to home areas where he or she made a mess. Use a good commercial product specifically designed for cleaning up doggy odors. Use the cleaning product according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, do not allow your puppy to enter for several months into a room where he or she has had frequent potty accidents, or try to block off the area with other furniture.

*Note that many dogs prefer to do their business on soft surfaces to avoid the feeling of splashing on themselves. If you notice your dog peeing on a certain rug, perhaps roll the rug up after cleaning and keep hidden for a few days.

Avoiding Nervous Wetting
If your Goldendoodle puppy urinates and squats when he or she greets you, they may have an issue called submissive urination. Puppies that tend to urinate during greetings are super sensitive. You should never scold such a puppy when they act this way since scolding or punishment inevitably aggravates the problem. They will associate the scolding with the greeting rather than the nervous wetting behavior.

If you are quiet and calm, most puppies will eventually grow out of this unwanted behavior. Another approach that can help to alleviate this issue is to ask your pet calmly to sit for a treat when someone greets him or her.

Paper or Pee Pad Training
This potty training technique works well if the weather conditions are too bad for your puppy to venture outside or if you are busy with your work and need to always be away from your house. This training method consists of positioning a puppy pad at an ideal place indoors.

By using the paper pad your Goldendoodle puppy will learn to relieve itself in the proper spot when he or she cannot be taken outside. This will help you to maintain a clean home by providing easy removal and clean up as well.

How Long Can Goldendoodles Hold Their Bladder?

Many new owners of a Goldendoodle do not know how long a puppy should be expected to hold his or her bladder. This depends on factors including how long the puppy has been in your house, his or her age, and your training consistency. Puppies have small bladders and, of course, you cannot expect them to be able to hold it for long.

Dog owners have noticed that the puppy’s age in months is equal to the number of hours he or she can hold it at day time. For example, if your puppy is two months old, it should be able to hold it for two hours. When he or she is six months old, your puppy should be able to hold it for six hours. At night, most puppies can hold it for 1.5 times longer.

How Long Does It Take To Potty Train A Goldendoodle Puppy?

More likely than not, a Goldendoodle’s mom is helping them to eliminate until they are four weeks old. By four weeks of age, they are just starting to try to do their business by themselves. You cannot start to potty train a Goldendoodle puppy until he/she is around five weeks old as he or she will not understand the process or have the insight into following your lead.

By five weeks of age, you can start training them by providing a tray or a papered area, but you cannot expect much consistency yet. When they are around 10 to 12 weeks long, puppies start to be able to hold it longer, and you can have a bit more consistency with their potty training. However, your Goldendoodle puppy will need potty training until he or she is six months old. So, you can expect to take around five months to potty train your Goldendoodle puppy if beginning around five weeks of age.

Are Goldendoodles Easy to Train?

When considering purchasing a Goldendoodle puppy, you might wonder if they are easy to potty train. Fortunately, the answer is yes. Being intelligent dogs, Goldendoodles are usually easy to train. Their intelligence combined with their desire to please makes it simple for them to understand your basic commands and quickly grasp what you expect from them.

However, even within a breed, every dog is different. Each puppy will have a different learning curve. Regardless of how much your Goldendoodle wants to please you or how smart he/she is, do not expect them to get potty trained without any effort from your part. Rather, know that, in time, your puppy will learn and the time/effort spent on your end will be well worth the joy of owning a (potty trained) Goldendoodle.

How Do You Prepare For A Goldendoodle Puppy?

Adding a Goldendoodle puppy to the family can bring you great joy. But you have to prepare a few basic things for your new puppy in order to ensure he/she will feel comfortable in your home. With some planning and basic preparations, you can ensure that your pet’s days (as well as yours) will be filled with fun.

Here is a list of essential preparations:

Water and food bowls
You need to prepare adequate water and food bowls before bringing your Goldendoodle puppy home. The dishes you use should be easy to clean, resistant to breaking, and not too big for your puppy. It is recommended to only put the food bowl out during feeding times. This will help with house training and avoiding overeating. However, a fresh bowl of water should always be available for your puppy and should not be restricted for house training purposes.

Quality food specially designed for puppies
It is important to provide good quality puppy food in order to help your puppy to grow strong and healthy. Make sure that the food meets the puppy’s nutritional requirements. You can find many high-quality varieties of puppy food on the market.

It is recommended to choose a brand that does not have corn as its first ingredient and is high in protein. Puppies need high nutritional values in their food, especially during the early puppy months and years. In case you plan to make a change, it is a good idea to feed your puppy the same food from the beginning so that he or she is used to it and only switch over gradually to another brand.

Leash, collar, and ID tag
You will need a leash for walking and a properly fitting collar or harness for your Goldendoodle pet. Make sure you get the right collar size for your puppy’s current life stage so that it is firm enough to stay on their neck but not cause strong discomfort. Place an ID tag on the collar and make sure you provide your contact information. Keep the tag updated with your latest address and phone number.

Crate
A crate will help with behavioral training and housebreaking your puppy. Make sure you choose a crate comfortable for the puppy size. When the crate’s door is closed, he or she should be able to easily turn around and completely stand. However, do not provide too much space at first. The crate will be less effective as a helping tool for your puppy training if it is too large. It is not recommended to use the crate as a place for time-out or as a punishment as this can create negative associations rather than feeling like a comfortable “puppy room”. Place a blanket or a large folded towel on the crate’s floor to provide bedding space.

Toys
Your Goldendoodle puppy will need a variety of toys to snuggle with, chase around, and chew on. Make sure to replace the toys regularly so that your puppy does not get bored. The toys to chew on are particularly important so your puppy will stay away from your sofa cushions, table legs, and shoes. If your puppy begins to play with/chew something you do not want them to, tell them “no” and remove the item if possible. Using consistency and positive reinforcement with the toys they are allowed to play with will help them to quickly gain a favorite and avoid your personal/household items.

Potty training items
You will need paper pellets and a litter pan to use for potty training your Goldendoodle puppy. It’s not recommended to use pine pellets since they contain hay, and many people are allergic to it. You may also choose to purchase a pee pad for their crate area so that they can relieve themselves in case you are unable to bring them outdoors.