You Brought Home a Goldendoodle! Now What?
Welcome to the Morning Glory Doodles family! If you’ve just welcomed one of our adorable goldendoodle (Bernedoodle or Irishdoodle) puppies into your home, congratulations! You are in for an amazing journey that will bring some of the sweetest love and joy in your life!
You’ve likely got the cutest collar picked out, a stack of new toys ready to go, and now you’re asking yourself, “What do I do with a goldendoodle?” Take a deep breath. This chaotic beginning is something just about every new puppy parent goes through.
As part of the Morning Glory Doodles family, and a goldendoodle breeder, I can promise you that Goldendoodles (Bernedoodles and Irishdoodles) are very smart, eager to learn, sweet, and absolutely love people. But as much as we wish they’d arrive knowing all the rules, they don’t. Training isn’t about fancy tricks; it’s just figuring out how to talk to your new furry best friend.
If you’re already home and wondering what to do or just want some advice before chaos hits, let me walk you through some helpful tips with our Goldendoodle Training Guide!
The Great Debate: Should I Crate Train?
Let’s get this question out of the way first. Is crate training really necessary? I know a lot of clients worry about putting their pup in a “cage.” It’s a good question, as many puppy/dog owners have overused and misused the crate.
Overusing the crate deprives a puppy of the training, love, and time that they need! This can be very harmful to a puppy or an older dog. If it is used correctly, it is a great tool for potty training and safety. See my blog about crate training for more details about the early days!
Dogs are den animals at heart. A crate should never be used as a doggy jail—it’s their safe, snug bedroom where they can nap and watch the world. Crate training can work wonders for three main reasons:
- Safety: Keeps your puppy from chewing on cords or getting into mischief while you’re not looking.
- Anxiety Prevention: if and when used responsibly, it can teach them it’s okay to spend a little quiet time alone, without feeling scared.
- Potty Training: Most dogs really, really don’t like to potty where they sleep.
Make the crate a place they love by including their favorite safe toys, surprise treats, and soft bedding. Never use the crate for punishment—think of it like sending a kid to their room with a cookie, not scolding! If you do it right, you’ll soon catch your Doodle curling up inside all on its own for a cozy snooze.
Mastering Potty Training and Housebreaking
Let’s not sugarcoat it—potty training can be a challenge. BUT, it doesn’t have to make you pull your hair out. The golden rule here is routine.
Your pup’s bladder is tiny, and they haven’t figured out how to “hold it” yet. Take them outright after waking up (in the morning or from a nap), about 20 minutes after every meal or drink, and after playtime. Keep a strict routine at first and take them out every hour and 1/2 in addition to these other listed times.
The Strategy
- Pick a Spot: Head to the same patch of grass each time. It’ll help them connect the dots: this is where we go potty!
- The “Potty Party”: When they “go,” immediately give them treats, pets, and belly rubs! Make it a celebration!
- Limit Freedom: Until they’ve earned their stripes, keep them near you with a baby gate or leash. If you need a break, pop them in their crate for a short period of time-think of it like a playpen for toddlers.
Accidents will happen. If you miss one, don’t scold or fuss; unless you catch them in the act, they won’t get what you’re upset about. Just clean up with a good pet-safe cleaner and move along. You’re both learning!
The Phases of Puppy Training
Your pup’s little brain grows and changes so fast! Like teaching kids, it’s all about starting simple and building up.
Phase 1: The Sponge (8-16 Weeks)
This stage is all about soaking up the world. It is so important to take them places and let them meet a variety of people during this phase. Focus on:
- Engagement: Reward them for looking at you—connection means everything.
- Exposure: Let them hear different sounds, walk on different surfaces, and meet gentle hands.
- Name Recognition: Say their name and celebrate when they look your way. Make it a game!
Phase 2: The Testing Phase (4-6 Months)
Be ready—They might ignore things they once knew. Stay consistent, and mean what you say. Don’t keep repeating yourself—help them remember gently, but firmly.
Phase 3: Adolescence (6-18 Months)
They might seem to have forgotten everything. Trust me—they haven’t! Stick to the plan, give them plenty of exercise, and remind yourself it’s just a phase.
General Obedience: The “Big Four”
Don’t worry about teaching a lot of “tricks.” master the basics first! Start with these:
- Sit: The “please” and “thank you.” Ask for a sit before food, walks, or cuddles.
- Down: A calm, relaxed position—handy for settling an excited pup.
- Stay/Wait: Helps build impulse control, useful for everything from car rides to dinnertime.
- Come (Recall): The all-important one! Make coming back to you the best thing ever, with treats and praise. Never scold for coming late—always celebrate the return!
Tackling the Mischief List
Even our sweetest pups get into mischief. Here’s how to handle those classic puppy shenanigans:
Navigating Biting and Nipping
Goldendoodles are naturally curious and loving, and as puppies, they often use their mouths to play and interact. While those tiny teeth can be sharp, biting and nipping are simply ways your puppy learns about the world, not signs of aggression.
- If your pup gives a playful nip, say “Ouch!” to let them know it was too much.
- Pause play for a moment to show that gentle mouths get more attention.
- Always redirect their urge to chew and bite to a favorite toy or chew treat, helping them learn what’s okay to bite and what’s not. Give a sharp “Ouch!” with a yelp if they nip you—just enough to surprise them.
- Stop playing for a second or turn away to show, “No fun when you bite.”
- Provide a chew toy for them to sink their teeth into instead.
Chewing Everything in Sight
If your pup is chewing on your shoes or table legs, they are either teething or bored. Teach the “Leave it” command! This will come in very handy in getting something back from them.
- Tidy Up: Keep shoes, socks, and treasures out of reach—think baby-proofing.
- Mix It Up: Offer a variety of chew toys and textures to keep things interesting.
- Spray Away: A little bitter apple spray on furniture works wonders.
Jumping Up
Goldendoodles LOVE people, but big paws can also cause chaos with the elderly and children.
- Four on the Floor: Only pet when all paws are down.
- Turn Away: Don’t push—just cross your arms, spin around, and wait for calm. Pushing back feels like a game to them!
Barking
Most Goldendoodles aren’t super barky, but sometimes, demand barking (“Fetch it now, please!”) pops up.
- Ignore barking for attention. Don’t even make eye contact, or you’ll teach them it works.
- When there’s a pause, say “Quiet,” and offer a treat for silence.
Aggression vs. Overstimulation
True aggression is rare, but a tired, hungry, or wild puppy might growl, snap, or act bonkers. It usually means they’ve hit their limit—time for a snack or nap, not scolding. It’s so important that they get the rest they need! When puppies first come home at 8 weeks, they need to sleep about 18-19 hours per day!
If you notice any guarding issues or anything that truly worries you, please reach out to a pro for help right away. Better safe than sorry.
Enjoy the Journey
Raising a goldendoodle puppy is messy, loud, and a little bit chaotic—but it’s also one of the most rewarding.
Remember, you’re not just training a goldendoodle puppy—you’re growing a member of your family. Be kind, stick with it, and don’t forget to laugh at the chaos now and then. All the effort you put in today makes for sweet memories (and a well-behaved best friend) tomorrow.
You’ve got this, and just reach out if we can provide any information or support to help you along.
As always feel free to explore our website at morningglorydoodles.com to see more blog posts, pictures of cute puppies, current litters looking for their forever homes and upcoming litters!
