Time to Train:
How to Train Your Goldendoodle Puppy
Goldendoodles are an exceptional breed when it comes time to train! Their eagerness to please and high intelligence make them highly trainable, but it’s essential to start their training early to ensure they grow into well-behaved and confident dogs. This page provides some introductory information and tips to help you successfully train your Goldendoodle puppy.
1. Understanding Goldendoodle Temperament
Before diving into training tips, it’s important to understand the temperament of a Goldendoodle. These dogs are a crossbreed between Golden Retrievers and Poodles, both of which are known for their intelligence and friendly disposition. As a result, Goldendoodles are usually quick learners who respond well to positive reinforcement.
Visit our page on goldendoodle personality here to learn more.
2. Start Early: The Importance of Early Training
Training should begin as soon as you bring your Goldendoodle puppy home. We’ve already begun some initial training like proper potty behavior, and it’s critical that you pick up right where we leave off. Puppies are like sponges, soaking up everything they experience, so it’s vital to start instilling good habits from the beginning. Early training helps prevent bad habits from forming and ensures your puppy understands what is expected of them.
At this stage, focus on basic commands, socialization, and housebreaking. Remember, patience is key. Puppies have short attention spans, so keep training sessions short, fun, and consistent.
3. Housebreaking Your Goldendoodle Puppy
Housebreaking, or potty training, is one of the first and most important tasks when training a new puppy. Goldendoodles, being intelligent and eager to please, typically learn this quickly with consistency and positive reinforcement.
Visit our page on potty training here to learn more.
4. Basic Commands and Obedience Training
Teaching basic commands is essential for your Goldendoodle’s safety and your peace of mind. Commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it” form the foundation of good behavior and help build a strong bond between you and your puppy.
Sit
“Sit” is often the first command puppies learn because it’s straightforward and easy to teach. Hold a treat above your puppy’s nose and slowly move it backward over their head. As their head follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower to the ground. As soon as they sit, say “sit,” and give them the treat along with lots of praise.
Stay
“Stay” is another crucial command that teaches your puppy self-control. Start by asking your puppy to sit. Then, hold your hand out in front of them, palm facing them, and say “stay.” Take a step back, and if they remain in place, reward them with a treat. Gradually increase the distance and duration they stay in place, always rewarding successful attempts.
Come
“Come” is a lifesaving command, especially if your puppy is off-leash. Start by crouching down to your puppy’s level and saying “come” in an excited, encouraging tone. When they come to you, reward them with a treat and lots of praise. Practice this in a safe, enclosed area and gradually introduce more distractions as they become more reliable.
Leave It
“Leave it” is a command that helps prevent your puppy from picking up or eating something they shouldn’t. To teach this, place a treat in your closed hand and let your puppy sniff it. When they stop trying to get the treat and look away, say “leave it” and reward them with a different treat from your other hand. Repeat this exercise, gradually introducing more tempting items.
5. Socialization: Introducing Your Puppy to the World
Socialization is a critical aspect of your Goldendoodle puppy’s training. A well-socialized puppy grows up to be a confident and well-adjusted dog who can handle various situations and environments without fear or aggression.
Introduce New People and Animals
Expose your Goldendoodle puppy to different people, including children, men, women, and other dogs. Avoid dog parks until your pup has all its vaccinations. Instead, invite friends over to visit, and consider enrolling your goldendoodle in a puppy socialization class. Positive experiences with a variety of people and animals will help them develop into a friendly and sociable adult dog.
Different Environments
Expose your puppy to various environments, such as parks, busy streets (on a leash!), and car rides. Gradually introduce them to new sights, sounds, and smells, always ensuring these experiences are positive. This exposure helps prevent fear and anxiety in new situations later in life. We focus on this type of training before they come home to you, but continuing that training is important.
6. Crate Training: Creating a Safe Space
Crate training is an effective way to provide your Goldendoodle puppy with a safe and secure space of their own. When used correctly, a crate can be a valuable tool for housebreaking, preventing destructive behavior, and giving your puppy a place to rest. Again, DoodleBrood starts crate training before your puppy comes home, but continuing training in their new environment is key to their, and your, success.
Choosing the Right Crate
Select a crate that is large enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. It should not be so large that they can potty in one corner and sleep in another. If you have a puppy that will grow into a larger dog, consider getting a crate with a divider that can be adjusted as they grow.
Making the Crate a Positive Place
Introduce the crate gradually, making it a positive and inviting place for your puppy. Place soft bedding inside and encourage them to explore it on their own. Feed them meals inside the crate and give them special toys or treats when they are in the crate. Never use the crate as a punishment.
Crate Training Routine
Begin by having your puppy spend short periods in the crate, gradually increasing the time as they become more comfortable. Always make sure they’ve had a chance to relieve themselves before being crated, and avoid leaving them in the crate for too long.
7. Consistency and Patience: The Keys to Success
Consistency and patience are the cornerstones of successful puppy training. Goldendoodles are eager to learn and respond well to positive reinforcement, but they also need time and repetition to fully grasp new commands and behaviors.
Consistent Commands and Schedules
Use the same words and signals for each command to avoid confusing your puppy. Stick to a consistent schedule for feeding, potty breaks, and training sessions. A routine helps your puppy understand what to expect and what is expected of them.
Positive Reinforcement
Always reward your goldendoodle puppy with praise, treats, or playtime when they follow a command or exhibit good behavior. Positive reinforcement encourages them to repeat the behavior and strengthens the bond between you.
Patience and Persistence
Training a puppy can be challenging, and setbacks are normal. Patience and persistence are crucial. If your puppy doesn’t grasp a command right away, take a break and try again later. Keep training sessions short and fun to prevent frustration for both you and your puppy.