An important step in training your new goldendoodle is housebreaking. Many folks are intimidated by housebreaking and make it harder than it really is. According to Julie Jackson, canine behavior coordinator for the Dane County Humane Society in Madison, Wisconsin, the more vigilant a family is about rewarding successes and removing opportunities for accidents, the quicker your goldendoodle will be trained. Here are some recommended steps for housebreaking, an important part of raising your goldendoodle.
Jackson says that housebreaking pads are an unnecessary step, as your puppy will be capable of learning where he needs to do his business from the very beginning. That being said, be prepared to keep very close tabs on your goldendoodle for the first few weeks. First, understand that young puppies will need to go to the bathroom after activities such as eating, drinking, chewing or sleeping. When your puppy finishes one of these activities, put him on a leash and take him outside, along with a small treat. One he starts to do his business, you can gently praise him, but if your praise interrupts him, you may opt to say nothing at all. When he’s finished, be sure to praise him and reward him with a treat.
In order to increase your chances of success, don’t rush back inside after your puppy has eliminated. At this young age, they may need to eliminate more often, so make sure to give him ample opportunity to relieve himself again. You can make your puppy’s schedule more regular by always offering the same amounts of food at the same times of day. You can also help him by bringing him to the same area of the yard to relieve himself, as the smell will help remind him why he’s there.
Sometimes, indoor accidents are unpreventable, but how you react to them will make a huge difference in your goldendoodle’s training. If you catch him in the act, clap your hands loudly to interrupt him and carry him outside. Reward him with a treat for finishing outside. If you find an accident after the fact, simply clean it up and say nothing. Never yell or rub his nose in it. You can make cleaning up easier by keeping him in a tiled area when he needs to spend time alone.
Your goldendoodle should get the hang of going outside to do his business within a few weeks, but don’t let the reigns loose too soon, as Jackson says that it can take upwards of nine months for your puppy to be fully trained.
