Are Goldendoodles Hard To Train? Potty Training to Chewing! (2024)

Are Goldendoodles Hard To Train?

Goldendoodles are a hybrid breed that’s the result of mixing a Golden Retriever with a Poodle. Owners will generally tell you that they have the best traits of both parents.

Poodles are known for their intelligence and loyalty while Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle, loving personality. What exactly does that mean for their trainability, though?

Are Goldendoodles hard to train? No, they are generally quite easy to train because of their intelligence, loyalty, desire to please, and affectionate nature. As with any dog, it’s easiest to train the Goldendoodle when he’s young. For training to be most successful, they should be started early and have a consistent training regiment.

Training shouldn’t be looked at as a daunting task, especially for a Goldendoodle. A well-trained dog is much more enjoyable to be around and much easier for you as the owner.

Our goal here is to arm you with the know-how to get your Goldendoodle off to a great start with potty training, discuss the importance of basic obedience training, and prepare you for the different behavioral phases they’ll go through and how to handle them. 

You, of course, want only the best for your puppy, but with a breed like the Goldendoodle, you’ll soon discover that they are not your average dogs. 

A breed-specific guidebook, like our The Owner’s Guide to the Perfect Goldendoodle, is really a must-have.

Sure, it covers basic topics, such as selecting the perfect puppy and working with a breeder, preparing your home, and basic commands and training.

But you’ll also find plenty of information specific to Goldendoodles, like generations, health issues, coat types, and grooming requirements.

Once you understand why your Doodle does the things he does and how to best care for him, the rest will be easy, and you can work on developing a strong bond and lasting friendship.

Pick up your copy today! You won’t regret it as you watch your Goldendoodle transform into the perfect companion.

How to Potty Train & Housebreak a Goldendoodle

Housebreaking a Goldendoodle is not as difficult as you might think, but don’t expect it to happen overnight.

Despite their high intelligence, they are still animals who have been relieving themselves wherever and whenever they felt the need for several weeks or months.

While they will catch on eventually, it won’t happen in one or two days.

As with any training, the key is consistency. If you were lucky enough to get your Goldendoodle as a young puppy, you have the advantage.

For loads of puppy-raising tips and trouble-shooting advice for both little Doodles and adults, check out the rest of our Goldendoodle articles. See them all here.

In most cases, you can begin the housebreaking at around 8 weeks of age. At this age, they’ll need to relieve themselves at least every hour or two, so diligence is paramount!

Housebreaking is fairly easy if you’re consistent. These are the times you should bring the puppy outdoors.

  • Within a few minutes after they finish eating.
  • As soon as they wake in the morning.
  • As soon as they wake from a nap.
  • Anytime you see them walking around sniffing the floor.
  • Immediately after a session of play.

Take them outside to the spot you want them to use for potty. If they’re still little, you might want to carry them to the spot to prevent them from going on the porch or too close to the house.

Give them a few uninterrupted minutes to do their duty.

Do not interact or play with them. They need to understand that they’re outside for one reason.

As soon as they’re finished, say “potty”, pet them, praise them thoroughly and excitedly, and give them a treat.

Let them know you’re happy with them and bring them back into the house. Don’t let them stay outdoors to play. That can happen later.

In the beginning, they are going to have accidents. When this happens, just take them outside and say “potty.”

They may not go because they just finished, but they will come to understand what “potty” means.

Many owners prefer crate training. Dogs will seldom go where they eat and sleep.

However, don’t expect them to hold it inside for a long time. They are little and have little bladders.

Crate training is good because there is less chance of accidents throughout the house. (We talk a lot more about crate training and picking the best crate in this article.)

Housebreaking your Goldendoodle may take a week or may take two months. Every dog is different, but the key is consistency.

Another tip is to eliminate food and water after a certain time in the evening. It’s unfair to expect a puppy to hold it inside for several hours when they have an open all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet 24/7!

Goldendoodles are very intelligent, and they will catch on to what you want in time.

General Obedience Training

As soon as you get your Goldendoodle home, you should begin basic obedience training.

The training he receives as a puppy will stay with him all of his or her life and could even save his life someday.

Because of the Goldendoodle’s sensitivity, it’s important to use positive reinforcement when the dog does what is expected of him.

While there a lot of things you can teach your Goldendoodle, here are the things that are most important.

  • Come – Put a long leash on your pup. Say “come” and gently pull the leash. When he gets to you, praise him. Continue this several times a day until he comes on command without a leash.
  • Sit – Push gently on his butt as you say “sit”. Only say the command once.
  • Down – This generally comes after the dog has mastered the sit command. Pull his front paws down gently and say “down.”
  • Stay – With the dog in the sit or down position, hold your hand up and say “stay,” and walk a few feet away. If he attempts to move, repeat. Start with only a few seconds. Always praise and give treats BEFORE the puppy moves.
  • Leave it – Put something in front of the dog, and say “leave it” each time he attempts to take it. Say “Okay” when he can have it. Always praise his success.

Common Goldendoodle Puppy Phases & How to Handle Them

The Goldendoodle puppy is going to go through many puppy phases. How you handle them will make a big difference in what type of dog they grow up to be.

  • 6 to 8 weeks – This is a good bonding period for puppies, which is why it’s usually the perfect time for them to go to their forever homes.
  • 8 to 10 weeks – Puppies go through a fearful period. Help the puppy avoid fearful situations that may affect them for many years.
  • 8 to 16 weeks – Puppies are secure in their home, inquisitive, full of energy, and eager to please. It’s also the perfect time to start obedience training and to begin taking them out with you. (See our Complete Socialization Guide and downloadable checklist.)
  • 4 to 6 months – Your puppy should have mastered basic obedience and will be feeling independent and ready for new experiences. Provide him with many socialization sessions away from home.
  • 6 to 12 months – This is the time your puppy will need lots of activity and exercise to prevent him from being bored and getting into mischief. How much exercise? Find the answer here.

Biting

Puppies bite by nature. They start doing it with their siblings as little puppies and continue to do it because it’s all they know how to do.

It’s very common for puppies to nibble on your fingers as you’re petting them. The best way to stop the biting is to stop petting him.

Attempt to pet him again. If he starts biting again, stop petting.

If he doesn’t stop biting, just walk away. Dogs, and particularly Goldendoodles, love attention and will eventually catch on that biting is wrong.

If it does continue as they get older, gently but firmly say “no.” Despite the fact that Goldendoodles are sensitive dogs, they do need to hear “no” occasionally.

Check with our article “How Do I Get My Goldendoodle Puppy to Stop Biting?

You’ll find a more in-depth look at the issue, explore common situations that cause biting and nipping, and examine some alternative approaches, including teaching bite inhibition, to stop the behavior.

Jumping

Jumping is something that all puppies do to show their excitement. It’s also something you want to stop to prevent hurting someone.

When your dog jumps, you can either gently push him down and say “off” or “down,” or you can turn the other way and just ignore him.

In most cases, your dog is jumping to get your attention. By talking to him and giving him attention, even if it’s negative attention, you’re making him want to continue the behavior.

See our Goldendoodle Jumping Prevention Guide for tips on ending this annoying behavior once and for all.

Barking

Unbelievably, the best way to teach your dog to stop barking is to first teach him to bark on command.

If you know something that makes the dog bark (someone knocking), have a friend or family member do this. When the dog barks, say “speak” and praise him.

Continue doing this until he learns to bark on command. Then you can work on “quiet.” Say “quiet” until he stops barking, and then praise him.

Although Goldendoodles aren’t typically nuisance barkers, some may develop a bad barking habit in certain situations.

Head over to this article for pro tips on learning to differentiate between good barking and bad barking and how to minimize the unwanted noise.

Some Doodles just love to dig holes – whenever and wherever they want. We address this issue and offer plenty of solutions in this article.

Chewing on Things

Puppies are going to chew on things, and there is no way to avoid it other than hiding everything from them, and that is not possible.

Chewing is not something they do to be naughty. They do it because they’re bored and/or because they’re teething and it relieves the pain in their gums.

Keeping things out of their reach and providing the puppy with chew toys and treats is the best way to get through this phase.

A few of our favorites:

  • Classic Kong – A favorite of dogs everywhere. It’s great for chewing and training, lasts practically forever, and can be stuffed with treats.
  • Antler chews – All-natural chews won’t stink or leave behind stains and are packed with beneficial minerals. Perfect for aggressive chewers.
  • Wishbone Shaped Chews – Made with real bacon flavor and a curved, pronged design for easy gripping, these tasty chews last for weeks.
  • Chew toy variety pack – For puppies, this pack is perfect. With 12 different toys just the right size for little mouths, you won’t find a better value. The bonus IQ treat ball is always a hit too.

Food Aggression & How to Stop it Early

The earlier you can stop food aggression, the easier it will be to eliminate it altogether.

Many owners just assume that it’s a dog thing and, rather than correct the problem, tell family members and guests to just stay away from the dog when he’s eating because the dog doesn’t like it.

Giving the dog this kind of control can be dangerous. This behavior should be stopped as soon as it starts.

Are Goldendoodles naturally aggressive? You’ll find an in-depth answer here to put your nerves at ease.

For Puppies

As soon as you bring your Goldendoodle puppy home you can start with food aggression prevention.

The easiest thing to do, is while they’re eating, pet them calmly and touch their ears, tail, and legs.

You can also briefly take their food from them while they are eating to get them used to remaining calm while they eat.

Repeating this often early on will help reduce the chance of food aggression as they get older.

This is a MUST for families with younger children as they’re bound to disrupt your pup while she’s eating at some point.

For Older Dogs

When the dog is eating, walk around his dish but not too closely. As soon as he begins growling or showing signs of aggression, walk away.

Each time he eats, continue this until the dog seems to relax a little more. Don’t look at the dog or pay him any attention.

Just act like you’re walking around the room for something unrelated to him. Try tossing him a treat that you know he likes.

Continue doing this each day until he has so much interest in the treat that he leaves the dish to get the treat. Praise the dog repeatedly for this type of appropriate behavior.

Goldendoodles are loving dogs but also very sensitive dogs. They crave positive praise and do not do well with negative interaction.

Related Questions

What Are Some Fun Tricks to Teach Your Dog?

Once the dog has mastered basic obedience, there are several tricks you can teach your Goldendoodle. These include:

  • Rolling over.
  • Shaking hands.
  • Sitting pretty.
  • Dancing.
  • Bowing.
  • Catching a toy.
  • Obstacle courses like agility training.

How Long Can a Dog STAY?

The duration a dog will “STAY” depends on the dog and the training. Service dogs have been known to stay for an hour or longer.

Most well-trained dogs will stay for about 10 minutes before they get bored and eventually forget they were told to stay.

The Final Word….

Goldendoodles are a wonderful breed of dog that can provide years of fun and joy to a child or an entire family.

With proper training, they can get into competitions and obedience trials or just be a source of pride wherever you take them.

Don’t miss the chance to raise your Goldendoodle the right way – they’re only puppies for a brief time.

Grab your copy of our Complete Goldendoodle Guide today to start your journey with your Doodle on the right track and keep it there.

Last update on 2024-03-18 at 21:02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API