Food and water intake matters when it comes to potty training. Feed your puppy in the morning and in the afternoon. After meals, take the food bowl away. This may help provide some regularity to bowel movements and keep them from pooping too often. Water, on the other hand, should be available to your dog at all times. However, if you take it away before bedtime, it reduces the chance of them needing to go during the night.
If they wake you up to be let out during the middle of the night, don’t engage with them. If they think it’s time to be awake or play, they may not sleep through the night. Most dogs will not need to go during the night, unless they are really little. Keep the lights off, keep the interaction and talking to a minimum. Let them do their business, then go back to bed.
Many people choose to crate train their puppy. The thought behind this is that keeping the dog in a confined area when they aren’t being watched will prevent accidents from taking place around the house. The crate shouldn’t be too big, so they can poop in the corner, but not too small so it’s uncomfortable. If you don’t want to use a crate, a small room or area of your house will work, too.
This can be a very stressful time for both you and your puppy. It will take a lot of effort, and can be frustrating because this affects the cleanliness of your home. Do your best to stay patient and always be encouraging. Labradoodles can be sensitive, so if they can tell that you’re upset, it will only upset the dog. It’s extremely important to be positive and reward good behavior. If your pup has an accident, don’t act out in anger.
If you catch your dog having an accident, give them a firm “no” or a loud clap. This will signal to them that they are doing something wrong. Never scream at your dog or swat at them. This will make them afraid of you. If they associate using the bathroom with their fear of you, they will only be afraid to poop and pee in your presence. This could lead to them hiding it from you, which only creates more problems.
Some people believe that you should rub your dog’s nose in their accident and then scold them for it. This is not an effective way to teach your dog. They don’t have the capacity to make the connection between a past event and your present anger. The only time to deter them is when they’re in the process of having the accident. Otherwise, they can get confused. That’s why it’s so important to keep a close eye on them during these weeks.
Of course, it isn’t always possible to keep a close eye on your pup for the weeks until they’re completely trained. If you work regular business hours, make sure there is someone who can let your dog out midday. If you cannot, ask a neighbor or hire a dog walker. Your puppy may try very hard to hold it, but will inevitably have an accident.
When house training your dog, remember to stay positive and create a routine. After time, your dog will begin to associate using their outdoor bathroom with praise and reward. At first, expect many accidents until they understand what you want from them. With proper training, your Labradoodle will be potty trained in no time!
Image sourced from www.bedrocklabradoodles.com.