Having a new pet in your family is a transition period. You’re both getting used to each other, and your new furry friend is probably unsure and trying to figure out their new environment. It’s important to make sure you do not lose your temper and work out a strategy to keep your doodle healthy and happy during this introduction and housebreaking period.
Watch Out for Their Puppy Behavior
Overactive chewing is a key sign that they are acting out. Now, keep in mind, all puppies chew – it’s unavoidable. The difference is, by keeping an eye on your dog, you can easily stop them when they do decide to get into your shoes or take a chomp on a chair leg. By keeping a close eye on your new pup, you can keep them from chewing what they shouldn’t.
Another example is furniture climbing. Puppies are curious, and they want to see what you, their new friend, is doing sitting on the couch. They want to spend time with you. They will find ways to get up onto that couch to curl up with you, so you need to respectfully and assertively set the ground rules early on to establish good behaviors.
Training Your Puppy Properly
However, one of the most important parts about getting your puppy set in a new routine, that can be the messiest if you do not keep up with potty training. Some people prefer the newspaper method. Others like crate training. Frequent trips outside are also popular. We elect to use a different method – potty training bells.
Potty Training Method
To start, you need to hang the potty-training bells on the door that you use to take your dog outside. They will need to be within reach of your pup’s paw, so make sure that they are hung at a puppy-friendly height.
In this next step, your puppy needs to learn to associate the bells with going outside. You will need to use a key phrase of your choosing and then show him or her how to ring the bells with their paw. For this type of conditioning to stick, you need to use the same phrase every time you go outside. It may take a bit for your pup to learn how to tap the bells, so be patient and kind. When starting out, take your dog’s paw and tap it against the bells to teach him or her the action associated with the activity.
After a bit, your dog will learn that tapping the bells means they can go outside for a bathroom break. However, it’s important to respond quickly if you hear the bells. Puppies have tiny bladders, which means they won’t be able to hold it in for periods of time. They must go to the bathroom at that moment.
Make Sure Your Labradoodle Understands Their Place
This can be a tough one, but it’s very important in their training process. At a very young age, puppies try to mark their territory and claim what’s theirs. You can prevent them from walking all over you by making them understand that they are not the boss of the house. For you as the owner, establishing and keeping the alpha position is crucial.
At Jubilee Labradoodles, we provide beautiful Labradoodle puppies to families and individuals. To learn more about house training your doodle or our available labradoodle puppies or goldendoodle pups, give us a call today at 517-902-9808 today or visit us online for more information!