Goldendoodle Potty Training Tips

Need to potty train your Goldendoodle? In the video below, I cover exactly how to make sure your Goldendoodle has zero accidents.

Rule out all medical issues

This seems obvious, but there are so many clients who asked me about potty training issues, when their pup had a UTI, or has a tummy ache.

You must ensure that all medical issues are taken care of FIRST before you can begin any potty training.

Prevent ALL accidents inside

This is the most important step.

In fact, if you ignored ALLLL the other steps and JUST did this one, you’d probably have a fully potty trained pup.

Pups are creatures of habit. Meaning, wherever they pee, they’re going to pee their AGAIN and AGAIN. The best way to potty train is prevent all accidents inside, and make sure they pee outside where you want them to.

Which, you’re probably wondering — how do I prevent all accidents inside?

The first option is to crate train. For potty training, your pup’s crate should be just big enough so they can stand up and fully turn around. This is so they don’t pee on one side of the crate, and sleep on the other.

I have a free crate training protocol you can download and follow along step-by-step with your pup here.

The second option is to attach your puppy to you via a leash and carabiner. This way your puppy doesn’t wander off and pee somewhere when you’re not watching. The key to this is you actually have to pay attention — they can still pee while they’re attached to you if you’re glued to your phone!

Create a consistent potty training schedule

If your pup knows that you regularly take them out, they’re going to have trust that they will have an opportunity to pee outside soon.

This is why with small/young puppies, I encourage you to take them out after they drink water, and after they eat their meals.

In general, a puppy can “hold it” for an hour for every month old they are. That being said, this is the MAXIMUM they can hold it for, so you’ll want to take them out much more often.

That being said, they can hold it for much longer overnight, but a young puppy will probably need to go out once in the middle of the night. Make sure to put up water an hour before bed time.

Reinforce heavily for going outside

Lots and lots of praise and at least 3 high value treats when they DO go outside.

Bonus Tip: IF you catch your pup going inside, do not punish them

The issue with punishing is that it can cause your pup to be scared to pee in front of you. This means they will get creative when they need to go — like pee behind your couch or poop in the closet to ‘hide from you.’

At the end of the day — we’re human. We aren’t perfect, and there may be an accident. If you catch your pup in the act, pick them up and take them outside ASAP. This will help them learn that they should be going outside.

Bonus Tip: If you don’t catch them in the act

Use an enzyme cleaner like Nature’s Miracle that will prevent accidents from happening in the same spot in the future.

Still have questions? Let me know in the comments below.

Originally published at https://lisagallegosonline.com on February 3, 2021.