How to Potty Train a Goldendoodle? Our Complete Guide

Last Updated on November, 2024

You love Goldendoodle puppies (SO FLUFFY!), but you also love the new yellow finish on your floor. 

A new puppy is exciting with all the love and energy it brings to your home. But house training can be a task.

But that’s a challenge every dog-lover goes through, and I’m willing to guide you.

Potty training can vary for each dog, depending on their medical state and other behavior, but generally, you will find these potty training tips to be to your advantage.

All this takes is patience, care, and consistency.

So before you start yelling out, “Jasper! What did you do here?” the moment you see yellow streaks on your IKEA shelf, here is an easy guide on potty training a Goldendoodle. 

Quick Summary

Potty training a Goldendoodle can be a challenge, but it’s a necessary task for dog owners.

Consistency is key in potty training, and it can take four to six months for this dog to be fully trained.

It’s important to start potty training a Goldendoodle at around 12 weeks old and to be patient, consistent, and use positive reinforcement during the training process.

When Do I Start to Potty Train a Goldendoodle?

A small golden doodle dog standing in front of the food dish

Twelve weeks is the best time to start potty training your Goldendoodle. 

But before you do so, make sure to to go for a check-up to your local vet before potty training to identify any issues that demand alterations before taking the training since they may suffer from inadequate bladder control or even submissive urination. 

Potty Training Younger Goldendoodle Puppies

Many vets have reported that young puppies do not have sufficient bladder control for the first few weeks. So, keep in mind during the process of puppy training, it is important not to punish your puppy at this stage. 

A Guide to Potty Training Your Goldendoodle

Start a Regular Meal Schedule

Sticking to a regular feeding schedule is best for you and your puppy!

A feeding schedule perfectly coordinates with a potty schedule.

You should accustom yourself to taking your puppy outside five to thirty minutes after each mealtime. 

This will help your Goldendoodle to understand that post-meals are potty times.

Remember, overfeeding your puppy is highly discouraged; your dog is at risk of putting on unhealthy heaps of weight, which would also interrupt your hard-established potty training routine.

A  golden doodle dog licking the coffee

That way, you can also expect a regular potty routine, and your Goldendoodle pet will accustom itself to this regular feeding routine and toilet training schedule. 

Keep Them Around You at All Times

Never leave your new Goldendoodle puppy unsupervised for the first few weeks of potty training. 

It’s best to ensure that your puppy spends his first few weeks in a room where most of the family is. This is to make sure that they don’t sneak off to relieve themselves in another room!

Experts have stated that this builds up your dog’s discipline and is crucial in your dog’s social development!

But the younger the puppy, the less they would be able to convey signals to you, so as we cover in the next tip, you should be ready to take them outside a lot. 

Using baby gates would also help to restrict certain areas you feel are unsafe for your Goldendoodle puppy. Doing this makes you one step closer to a potty-trained dog!

Prepare to Let Them Out a Lot

This one sounds a little annoying.

But it is a crucial step if your young puppy’s age is around six to eight weeks. 

If your family lives in a busy household (practices, school, meetings; you know how it is), it should be vital that at least one person is left around the house to take the puppy out as much as it needs.

You want to make sure your puppy spends his time outside every hour (I can hear you muttering over the screen, “Every hour?” as you read this!).

A brown golden doodle dog sitting in front of the brick wall with its tongue out

Essentially, give them as many opportunities for a potty break as possible. This is to help your puppy understand that they can go out if they need to relieve themselves.

The good news is that once your Goldendoodle puppy is eight months old, they can go up to six hours without an accident. 

Here’s a potty training tip: make sure you take your Goldendoodle puppy outside before bedtime to relieve themselves so they can have a peaceful bedrest through the night.

So this is something to only bear with for a few months for the sake of your adorable furry friend!

Give Them Commands

A small golden doodle dog chasing a ball in the grassy ground

This is another essential part of potty training a Goldendoodle. These dog breeds are fast learners and will pick up on basic obedience commands in a matter of time.

With puppy commands like “go pee!” or “go poo!” (This is the only time you can say things like this without being judged!) Your Goldendoodle puppy would know that it is potty break time! 

Just be sure to use the same commands each time to avoid any possible confusion for your puppy, and you’re another step closer to a potty-trained dog! 

Commands are essential in the potty training process. You can expect an accident-free furry friend in a few months if you continue with it! 

Assign One Spot for Potty Breaks!

This is a worthy potty training tip.

You should preferably take to this when you start potty training. This helps your Goldendoodle puppy learn where to run when nature calls. 

Ensure you maintain the same spot for potty breaks; you want to ensure your furry friend is not confused. As mentioned before, most puppies learn through habit. So your puppy would associate the same spot with his potty break.

That means less accidents for you!

As for the spot, it could be in the corner of your yard, maybe behind some potted plants, as long as it isn’t in your grumpy neighbor’s yard!

Using Positive Reinforcement and Rewards

Potty training doesn’t have to mean military discipline for your Goldendoodle puppy.

Dog owners who reward and provide positive reinforcement are sure to have a special bond with their furry friend.

So when your Goldendoodle puppy does his business outside, make sure to ruffle his head (Again, SO FLUFFY!) and call him a good boy!

Reach in for his favorite doggy treat and make potty training fun!

A women picking up a little golden poodle puppy

You can easily make this a fantastic bonding session with your dog. Think about it; the moment you see them squat out in the yard and you’re clapping for him, your puppy comes running up to you with the most joyous wag of his tail.

See what a beautiful picture that makes?

How Long Does it Take to Potty Train a Goldendoodle?

Each dog takes a different time! But generally, these puppies take anywhere between four to six months.

This may vary if the dog has medical issues; some dogs tend to have smaller bladders. But generally, this could be the estimated time range for most dogs. 

Of course, this depends on the consistency of your training, but it also helps that Goldendoodles are very intelligent dogs.

So, with patience, perseverance, and positivity, you will be able to make these few months a rewarding process for you and your new puppy!

Cleaning Up Any Accidents 

You’ve got to face the facts. 

No potty training routine comes accident-free.

It will happen sometime, whether when the puppy’s younger and lacks adequate bladder control or is left in unsupervised times so that no one can open the door for him.

So, while enroute to prevent any more accidents, it’s best to learn how to clean up any mess your dog makes; another crucial potty training tip.

A Golden doodle sitting and looking at the camera

If not, it would make for a messy carpet, a forever-stained wood-panel floor, and, worst of all, that dreaded lingering smell. 

Baking soda is ideal to clean up any urine-soiled areas. Just follow this easy, step-by-step guide:

  • Get clean white towels, vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap. 
  • Put some dish soap and warm water in the area and use a clean towel to absorb the liquid.
  • Sprinkle the baking soda and leave overnight.
  • Then, in the morning, spray the now-dried area with white vinegar (don’t worry about the bubbling; that’s natural.)
  • Rinse the area with warm water and blot it with clean, dry towels. 

The next method is with an enzyme cleaner

Recommended by vets and other dog owners, this is the more convenient method:

  • Get some clean, colorfast towels and an enzyme-cleaning product.
  • Apply enzyme cleaner to the soiled spot.
  • Let the area dry.
  • Vacuum the dried area.

Don’t worry! As frustrating and dreadful as it seems; All this is a part of potty training your dog! 

Regularly following the tips mentioned above can also avoid future accidents! So consider it best to have these arsenal of skills with you.

What Not to Do During the Potty Training Process?

A Little golden doodle puppy inside the iron grid fence

Potty training can get a little frustrating at times. Everyone who’s had puppies will tell you. 

You must NEVER punish or scold your dog after a potty accident. Your puppy will not understand what it has done wrong. It doesn’t help that you also lose the risk of bonding with your beloved pet.

The best thing to do when you catch your dog in the act is to clap your hands and make a really loud noise so that they understand they have done something wrong. It is also advisable to not rush your puppy during the potty break. 

So even if they sniff around (if they find a particular lamp-post interesting for example), it’s best to let them take their time and comfortably take their potty break. 

If not, this could result in an accident in the household later. It takes a lot of patience and understanding, but these are all essential parts when you potty train your dog. 

Making Potty Training Fun!

It’s time to make some fun out of potty training! You and your puppy can enjoy yourselves during the potty training process. 

Goldendoodles are intelligent dogs; they will begin to associate designated potty time with playing if you do so. How about a game of tug-o-war with your pooch after he has done his business? (it’ll be something worthy of the Olympics!)

Or maybe a game of fetch in the yard? 

If you live in an apartment, you can give a fun dog toy to your Goldendoodle puppy!

Some dog owners even try to play music during the potty training period. Dogs are known to react positively to soothing forms of music, so make the best of this!

Remember, you can make potty training an opportunity to bond with your dog, so make the most of it!

Benefits of a Crate When Potty Training a Goldendoodle

Two golden poodles sitting inside the crate

Ideally, you should purchase a crate with dividers that could open up to bigger spaces as your puppy grows. (Also you can purchase a dog crate specifically made for Goldendoodle dogs.)

This crate is the puppy’s safe space! They’ve got a lovely bed and all their favorite toys; they would be very reluctant to relieve themselves in this space.

So, if you’re at meetings, work a lot or simply aren’t available to supervise them, it would be super handy to crate train your furry friend.

That said, It’s recommended that your crate should only be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around.

If the crate is too large, your dog may simply pee on one end of the bed and sleep on the other. Not only is that gross, but it also defeats the purpose of the crate.

The crate should never be used as a place of punishment. This completely defeats the idea of the crate being your puppy’s safe space when you are not around. 

So, as you see your puppy not relieving himself inside the crate, you can slowly take down the partitions to allow a bigger space for them.

But if an accident happens when you take down the dividers, reduce the size of the crate training area and try again. It is a trial-and-error process, after all. 

Bonus Potty Training Tip: The Pee Pad and Litter Pan

For dog lovers in apartments and other small spaces, pee pads are a great method to potty train. 

Not only do they foster potty training in small spaces, but they also help keep your space clean! Make sure to purchase a pad that would protect your floor from any urine spills and is adhesive so it won’t be moved around. 

The previously mentioned tips can also be applied to puppy pad training; isn’t that great? Litter pans are another great way to potty train your apartment pet!

There are dog litter pans sold separately for affordable prices. Please make sure they are washable so that they can be reused! Pelletized bedding for the pan is also suggested since dogs are accustomed to relieving themselves of these textures.

Most puppies have been shown to naturally take to relieving themselves on litter pans, so you may not have to entirely train them as you would in the previous tips and guides! 

Other guides and tools you might need when training your dog:

FAQs

The most effective way to potty train a Goldendoodle is by being consistent. If you live in an apartment, use crate training. If you live in a suburban home, use the regular training method. Avoid switching between methods to maintain consistency and prevent confusion for your dog.

Goldendoodles usually go poop 1 to 5 times per day, similar to other dogs. Following a regular feeding schedule can help predict when your dog will need to go potty. Mealtime and potty time are often connected.

The reason for this could be your puppy experiencing submissive urination due to nervousness, especially in the first few weeks after arriving at your home. It’s important to be understanding and avoid being stern with your puppy as it may worsen the condition.

Yes, it is straightforward to potty train a Goldendoodle puppy. With consistency in your training routine, you can expect your Goldendoodle to successfully learn within four to six months.

Conclusion

In short, potty training can be a pretty tedious period for a lot of dog owners. Expect a lot of trial and error.

But with these tried and tested guidelines, you can house-train your Goldendoodle in a matter of weeks.

So remember to be patient and persistent, but also try to put some fun into the potty training routine!

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Author
Laura Vinzy
Laura Vinzy is one of our contributors. She is also a certified professional dog trainer & currently lives in San Francisco with her husband and her two rescue dogs.

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