Basic Obedience Training for Your Goldendoodle Puppy: A Complete Guide

Are you the proud parent of a fluffy new Goldendoodle puppy? First off, congratulations! You’ve just welcomed one of the most trainable, loving, and intelligent dog breeds into your home. As a Texas-based dog trainer, I’ve worked with hundreds of Goldendoodles over the years, and I’m always impressed by how quickly these pups pick up new skills. Did you know that according to the American Kennel Club, a whopping 92% of Goldendoodle owners consider their dogs highly trainable. 

That’s no accident! With their Golden Retriever friendliness and Poodle smarts, your new furry family member is primed for success.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about basic obedience training for your Goldendoodle puppy, from essential commands to potty training tips. With consistency, patience, and the right techniques, you’ll be amazed at what your fluffy companion can learn!

Why Early Training Matters for Goldendoodles

Starting training early is crucial for Goldendoodle puppies. These intelligent dogs thrive when given clear boundaries and mental stimulation from a young age. Early socialization and training help prevent behavioral issues down the road while strengthening the bond between you and your pup.

Goldendoodles are particularly receptive to training due to their hybrid vigor. Both parent breeds, Golden Retrievers and Poodles, are known for their intelligence and working capabilities, making Goldendoodles natural learners with a strong desire to please their owners.

This combination creates a dog that’s not only smart but also eager to work with you.

The most effective approach for training Goldendoodles is positive reinforcement. By rewarding good behavior with treats, praise, or playtime, you encourage your pup to repeat those behaviors in the future. This method builds trust and keeps training sessions fun for both of you. Remember, a happy dog learns faster!

Setting Up for Success: Training Basics

Before diving into specific commands, let’s talk about creating the optimal learning environment for your Goldendoodle puppy. Training should begin when your puppy is at least 8 weeks old, in a space they know with minimal distractions.

This helps your pup focus entirely on you and the new skills they’re learning.

Keep training sessions short and sweet, puppies have limited attention spans. Aim for 10-15 minute sessions several times throughout the day rather than one long session.

Always make sure your Goldendoodle is rested and alert before beginning, as tired puppies make frustrated learners.

Have plenty of small, tasty treats on hand, along with lots of verbal praise. Your enthusiasm is contagious to your Goldendoodle! They feed off your energy, so keep the tone upbeat, even when progress seems slow.

Introducing Basic Commands

Goldendoodles thrive on structured learning, and mastering foundational commands creates a common language between you and your pup. While essentials like “sit” and “stay” form the backbone of obedience, adding playful tricks like shaking hands and high-fiving strengthens your bond while keeping training sessions engaging. Let’s explore these crowd-pleasing commands alongside practical daily skills.

Sit

The “sit” command is the foundation of all dog training. To teach your Goldendoodle to sit, hold a treat about five inches above their head and slightly behind. As they look up for the treat, their bottom will naturally lower to the ground. As soon as they sit, say “Sit!” clearly, give them the treat, and offer abundant praise.

Practice this several times daily until your pup sits reliably when prompted.

Come

The “come” command could potentially save your Goldendoodle’s life one day. Start practicing indoors where there are fewer distractions. With your puppy wearing their collar and leash, gently encourage them to come toward you by kneeling down and using an excited voice. When they reach you, reward them generously and back up a few steps to continue practicing.

As they master this indoors, gradually move to practicing outside with increasing distractions.

Stay

For “stay,” start with your dog in a sitting position. Hold your palm toward their face and say “Stay” firmly. Take one step back, then immediately return and reward them if they remain seated. Gradually increase the time and distance as your Goldendoodle masters this skill. Remember, puppies find staying in place challenging, so patience is key!

Down

With your pup in a sitting position, hold a treat near their nose, then slowly move it straight down to the floor and slightly outward. As they follow the treat, their body should naturally move into a down position. Say “Down” clearly as soon as they’re in position, then reward and praise.

Place

The “place” command teaches your Goldendoodle to go to a designated spot and stay there until released. This is particularly useful when guests arrive or during mealtime. Use a specific mat or bed, guide your pup there with a treat, and say “Place” when they step onto it. Reward them for staying in their spot, gradually increasing duration.

Shake Hands

Teaching your Goldendoodle to offer their paw isn’t just adorable’s a gateway to cooperative grooming and nail trims. Start with your pup in a “sit” position, holding a treat in a closed fist at chest height. As they sniff and nudge your hand, wait for that inevitable paw lift (Goldendoodles often “talk” with their paws naturally!). The moment their paw touches your palm, say “Shake!” with enthusiasm, open your hand to release the treat, and shower them with praise

If your pup seems stuck, gently tap the back of their leg to trigger the pawing reflex-but never force their paw upward. Within 3-5 short sessions, most Goldendoodles connect the dots. Gradually phase out treats by alternating between reward-filled handshakes and empty-handed ones, always celebrating with verbal praise. Pro tip: Practice after walks when their energy is mellow, and pair the command with a gentle handhold to desensitize them to paw handling

High Five

Take paw work to new heights by transforming shakes into high fives! With your Goldendoodle sitting, hold a treat in a closed fist slightly above their nose level. As they reach up curiously, say “High Five!” the instant their paw makes contact. Reward from your opposite hand to keep their focus on the upward motion

Once they’re consistently tapping your fist, transition to an open palm facing them like a true high-five. If they hesitate, return to the first gesture briefly before trying again. Goldendoodles catch on quickly many master this within a day! For showstopping flair, build duration by delaying the treat for 1-2 seconds after contact, encouraging them to hold their paw up longer.

Leash Training Your Goldendoodle

Leash training is essential for Goldendoodles, both for their safety and yours. Start by building positive associations, let your puppy wear their collar and leash for short periods during playtime and meals so they associate these items with good things.

Next, practice indoor recall while your pup is wearing the leash. Call them to you using an enthusiastic voice, reward them when they come, then back up and repeat. This teaches them to walk with you rather than pulling ahead.

For outdoor training, bring high-value treats and keep sessions positive. If your Goldendoodle pulls, stop walking immediately. Only resume when there’s slack in the leash. This teaches them that pulling gets them nowhere, while walking nicely keeps the journey moving forward.

Mastering Potty Training

Potty training a Goldendoodle puppy requires consistency and patience. Follow these four essential steps for success:

1. Set boundaries: Use a properly sized crate or pen when you can’t directly supervise your puppy. Goldendoodles typically won’t soil their sleeping area if the space is appropriately sized.
   
2. Create comfort: Make their designated sleep area secure and inviting. This reinforces their natural instinct not to eliminate where they rest.
   
3. Use smells strategically: Take your puppy to the same outdoor spot each time. Their sensitive nose will recognize this as their “bathroom” area.
   
4. Establish a routine: Take your Goldendoodle outside first thing in the morning, after meals, after playtime, before bedtime, and at least every 2-3 hours in between. Consistency is key!

Remember that crate training can be helpful for potty training, but limit crate time to 3-4 hours maximum for puppies under six months old.

Tips for Goldendoodle Training Success

Goldendoodles need about 30 minutes of daily play and exercise to stay fit and mentally satisfied.

A tired puppy is generally a well-behaved puppy!

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for intelligent Goldendoodles. Puzzle toys, training sessions, and new experiences all help prevent boredom and the destructive behaviors that can follow.

Early socialization is absolutely crucial. Introduce your Goldendoodle puppy to different people, animals, and environments to develop a well-rounded, confident personality.

Well-socialized Goldendoodles are typically more adaptable and less anxious in new situations.

Conclusion

Training your goldendoodle puppy requires consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, but the results are absolutely worth the effort. These intelligent, eager-to-please dogs truly shine when given proper guidance and mental stimulation. Remember that training isn’t just about commands; it’s about building communication and trust between you and your furry family member.

By focusing on basic obedience commands, leash skills, and potty training from an early age, you’re setting your Goldendoodle up for a lifetime of good behavior and harmonious living with your family. Their natural intelligence, inherited from both the Golden Retriever and Poodle parents, makes them wonderful students who genuinely want to make you happy.

Enjoy the journey-you’re raising not just a well-behaved pet, but a devoted companion for years to come.