Adding a furry companion and expanding your family is always a good idea. If you live alone, you will have a new friend who will eagerly await for you to return home. On the other note, kids love dogs, and they will have so much fun playing and growing up with a puppy.
However, you have to consider multiple things before going through with this. First of all, you have to find a family-friendly dog that will perfectly fit in. Then, maybe you want to get one that doesn’t shed too much. Finally, you also have to consider how difficult it is to train them.
Goldendoodle is one breed that meets all of these requirements. In the following article, we will focus on their training and give you some tips on how to complete it successfully.
Understand the breed
The very first thing you have to do is conduct research and learn as much as possible about goldendoodles. These are a mix of golden retrievers and poodles, and according to We Love Doodles, they get the best qualities of both breeds. They are active and playful, as well as loyal and intelligent.
However, before you begin the training process, you have to understand which techniques work the best. Keep in mind that the same methods won’t be equally successful on a puppy and an adult dog.
Are they easy to train?
Generally speaking, goldendoodles are easy to train. You just have to use the right technique and be persistent. They get their intelligence from the poodle parent and are also very motivated to complete any task you present them with, if there is some sort of reward, naturally.
What’s more, since they are active, they will be happy to spend time with you. You just have to ensure that they are paying enough attention to your instructions. Take some time, be patient, and start the training process. Here are some steps that you will have to take.
Prepare your home
Before we start listing methods you should implement, you have to make sure that your home is ready to welcome a new member. As already mentioned, goldendoodles are playful and, most of all, curious. It means that they will inspect every corner of your property. Due to this reason, the first thing you have to do is make your home safe. Remove all the objects that can pose a danger to them, and make sure to seal off the backyard so they can’t get out. Trust us, they will try.
Form a bond with the puppy
As soon as you take your puppy home, you have to start bonding with them. It is crucial to gain their trust. This way, you can rest assured that they will shower with love, and that you will also pose an authority figure. When you start with the training process, you have to be persistent. Yes, we know who adorable the puppy can be, but you should never cave in. Keep in mind that they are highly intelligent, and they can quickly understand how to act to get what they want.
Start training them immediately
The biggest mistake new owners make is that they decide to give the puppy some time to adjust to a new home. However, if you do this and then start implementing behavior rules, you will only confuse your new pet. As you can imagine, this will only make the training more complicated. To avoid this from happening, you should implement the rules the first time the dog steps into your home. Naturally, you should begin with basic commands and give the puppy enough time to master them. Then you can move on to some that are more complex.
Positive reinforcement is the key
Intimidation tactics may seem more efficient to you, but the truth is that you can never form a loving relationship with your furry friend this way. Sure, you may manage to train them successfully this way in a shorter period of time, but is it worth it?
No, we don’t think so either. Instead, make sure to reward it for positive behavior. A treat will do, and even a heartwarming cuddle can go a long way. Yes, this method will take more time, but at the end of the day, it is more enjoyable for both you and the puppy.
Potty training
Without a doubt, this is the most dreadful part of the process. Still, it has to be done, and most importantly, you need to be patient with the dog. Remember, positive reinforcement is the key. In addition, dogs need a consistent routine to master this task.
So you should take them out to potty at the same time every day and to the same spot. Ideally, you would do this early in the morning and in the evening, as well as after feeding time. Furthermore, make sure always to use the same word as a command. After some time, the puppy will start to associate the command with the task. Make sure to reward them every time they complete it correctly. At the same time, be prepared to face many setbacks that will occur. You shouldn’t punish them because they can get anxious, and this will surely destroy the bond you have worked so hard on establishing.
How long does it take to train a goldendoodle?
Generally speaking, this entire process usually takes around six months. Nevertheless, keep in mind that goldendoodles can be successfully trained in four. Obviously, the two main factors that affect the duration of the process are consistency and the dog’s focus.
It is why we can’t stress enough how important it is to go over the lessons and commands every day. It may be tiring for you, but it is a bullet-proof method. Also, maintaining the dog’s focus can be another challenge, and it is another instance where you should take full advantage of food treats.
Is there a difference between male and female goldendoodles?
Interestingly, some people would argue that male dogs are easier to train. This is because it is believed that female Goldendoodles have a bit of a moody character, so it may be difficult to get them to pay attention.
The truth is that there isn’t any actual difference. Sure, some puppies may be more demanding, but this is related to their temperament instead of sex. What’s more, an adult dog that hasn’t learned how to socialize with people will also be more challenging to train. This is why creating a bond and making sure the puppy feels safe and comfortable in the new environment is crucial.
