As a new golden retriever puppy owner, you’re likely excited to start training your pup in all areas, including potty training. Potty training can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a smooth and successful process.
Golden retrievers are intelligent and eager to please, making them great candidates for house training. However, like all puppies, they require patience and consistency.
In this article, you’ll learn how to set up successful potty breaks and receive tips on how to speed up the house training process. With dedication and a positive attitude, your golden retriever puppy will be a potty-trained pro in no time!
Supplies You Will Need
Here is a small list of supplies that you should have when preparing to potty train your golden retriever puppy:
- Collar or harness
- Hands-free 3-4 foot non-retractable leash
- 15-foot non-retractable leash
- Two dog litter boxes
- Puppy pads
- Tasty small-sized treats
- Carpet cleaner for pet stains
- Mops and floor cleaner
- Love and patience!
How to Potty Train a Golden Retriever Puppy
There are several strategies that you can use to potty train your golden retriever puppy. Some include:
Tethered
Keep your furry friend leashed to you to ensure they learn to follow you around and get used to being by your side.
Tethering your golden retriever puppy to you is an effective way of potty training them. It also helps to build a strong bond between you and your furry friend.
Here are some things to keep in mind when tethering your golden retriever puppy:
- Make sure the leash isn’t too long, so you can keep an eye on them at all times.
- Take your puppy outside every 30 minutes to an hour, or after they’ve eaten, played, or woken up from a nap.
Use a specific command, such as “go potty,” so your puppy learns to associate it with going outside to do their business.
Praise and reward your puppy with treats or verbal praise when they go potty outside. If your puppy doesn’t go potty after 10-15 minutes, bring them back inside and try again later.
Tethering your golden retriever puppy to you is just one method of potty training. Remember to always be patient with your furry friend and celebrate every small success along the way.
Confined
Oh great, now we get to lock up our little golden retriever puppy with the hope that they’ll learn to hold their bladder until we let them out.
Confined training is another way to teach your pup when they should go potty. By keeping them in a designated area, such as a crate or a small room, you can monitor their behavior and set a routine for them.
This will also help them develop bladder control and avoid accidents around the house.
When setting up a confined space, make sure it’s comfortable for your pup with a bed, toys, and water. You can also use puppy pads in case they can’t hold it for too long.
Remember to keep an eye on them and take them out frequently to reinforce positive behavior. As they progress, you can slowly increase the time they spend in the confined space until they’re fully crate trained.
Crated
You may feel guilty about crating your furry friend, but remember that it’s a necessary step in their development and will lead to a happier, healthier dog in the long run.
When it comes to potty training your golden retriever puppy, crate time plays an important role. Here’s why:
- Crating your puppy for short periods during the day will help them learn to hold their bladder and bowels, leading to fewer accidents in the house.
- A crate can provide a safe and comfortable space for your puppy to rest and relax, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Crate training also helps establish a routine and schedule for your puppy, making it easier to predict when they need to go outside for potty breaks.
When introducing your puppy to the crate, make sure it’s large enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Start with short periods of crate time, gradually increasing the duration as your puppy becomes more comfortable.
Remember to always praise and reward your puppy for good behavior, and never use the crate as a punishment.
See Also: How to Crate Train a Golden Retriever Puppy
Outdoors
Now that you’re spending more time outdoors with your furry friend, it’s important to establish a routine for potty breaks to ensure they stay healthy and happy.
When it comes to potty training a golden retriever puppy, consistency is key. Take your puppy out frequently throughout the day, especially after meals, naps, and playtime.
To help you keep track of your puppy’s potty breaks, consider creating a schedule using a table like the one below:
| Time | Activity | Potty Break? |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00am | Wake up | Yes |
| 7:15am | Breakfast | Yes |
| 8:00am | Playtime | Yes |
| 9:00am | Nap Time | Yes |
| 10:00am | Playtime | Yes |
This table can help you establish a routine and ensure that your puppy is given regular opportunities to go potty outdoors. If your puppy does have an accident indoors, do not punish them.
Instead, calmly take them outside and praise them when they go potty in the appropriate area. With patience and consistency, your golden retriever puppy will soon be fully potty trained and ready to enjoy the great outdoors.
Supervision
It’s important to keep a close eye on your furry friend when spending time outdoors, especially during potty training. Golden retriever puppies can get easily distracted by their surroundings, and may forget to do their business.
To avoid accidents, always supervise your puppy when they’re outside. Allow them to explore and play, but keep a watchful eye on them at all times.
If your golden retriever puppy still hasn’t mastered potty training, consider using puppy pads as a backup plan. Place them in a designated area inside your home, and encourage your puppy to use them when you’re unable to take them outside for a potty break.
However, don’t rely on puppy pads too much, as they may confuse your puppy and prolong the potty training process. Instead, use them only when necessary, and continue to take your puppy outside for regular potty breaks.
With proper supervision and consistency, your golden retriever puppy will soon become a potty training pro.
Setting Up Successful Potty Breaks
Here are a few ways to help make potty training a success for your golden retriever:
Take Your Puppy Outside Every 30 Minutes
Make sure you’re keeping a close eye on your little golden retriever puppy and bringing them outside frequently to help them develop good habits.
Taking your puppy outside every 30 minutes is a good rule of thumb to follow as they’re still learning how to control their bladder and bowel movements.
Here are some tips to help make this process easier for both you and your furry friend:
- Set a timer on your phone or watch to remind you to take your puppy outside every half hour.
- If your puppy starts to show signs of needing to go potty (sniffing around, circling, whining), take them outside immediately.
- Use a designated potty spot in your yard to help your puppy understand where they should go.
- Don’t forget to praise and reward your puppy when they go potty outside to reinforce positive behavior.
Remember that accidents will happen during the house training process. If your puppy does have an accident inside, clean it up thoroughly and avoid scolding them as this can cause confusion and fear.
Puppy pads can also be used as a backup option for when you can’t take your puppy outside.
Wait 5 Minutes While Watching Your Puppy
After taking your golden retriever puppy outside, it’s important to wait for five minutes while watching them closely for any signs of needing to go. Keep an eye out for behaviors like sniffing or circling, which studies show happen about once every hour.
If your puppy does not go within the five-minute window, bring them back inside and keep a close eye on them. If you notice any signs of needing to go, immediately take them outside again.
While you’re waiting, it’s a good idea to keep your puppy on a leash or in a confined area so they don’t wander off.
Remember, the more consistent you are with taking your puppy outside and waiting for them to go, the quicker they’ll learn to associate outside with potty time.
Stick to a regular schedule, taking your puppy outside every 30 minutes or so, and gradually increasing the time between bathroom breaks as they become more reliable.
Praise or Offer a Treat If Your Puppy Uses the Bathroom
It’s important to praise or offer a treat when your golden retriever puppy successfully goes to the bathroom outside, as this positive reinforcement will help them learn to associate the behavior with a reward.
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this training technique:
- Use verbal praise in addition to treats. Your pup needs to hear you say ‘good girl/boy’ in an excited, happy tone. This will help them understand that they’re doing something right.
- Make sure you offer the treat or praise immediately after your pup goes to the bathroom outside. This will help them see the connection between the behavior and the reward.
- Be consistent with your rewards. If you only offer a treat sometimes, your pup will be confused and may not be motivated to continue going to the bathroom outside.
- Gradually decrease the treats as your pup becomes more reliable. You don’t want your pup to only go to the bathroom outside because they know they’ll get a treat. The ultimate goal is for them to understand that going to the bathroom outside is the right thing to do.
When using verbal praise and treats, you can help your golden retriever puppy learn to go to the bathroom outside. Be consistent and patient, and remember that positive reinforcement is key to successful potty training.
Reward With Off-Leash Time
When your furry friend relieves themselves outside, do you reward them with off-leash time? This is a great way to reinforce positive behaviors and encourage your golden retriever puppy to continue using the bathroom outside.
After your puppy has successfully gone potty, take them off the leash and let them explore the backyard or play a game of fetch with them. This will not only be a reward for your puppy but also a chance for them to burn off some energy and have some fun.
Make sure to keep a close eye on your puppy during their off-leash time and praise them for any positive behaviors they exhibit. If they start to sniff around in one spot, take them back to that spot to see if they need to go potty again.
If they come back to you when you call their name or follow basic commands, praise them for their good behavior. This positive reinforcement will help your puppy understand that going potty outside and listening to your commands are desirable behaviors.
Tips To Speed Up House Training Your Golden Retriever
Here are some tips to accelerate your potty training efforts:
Keep Track of Your Puppies Potty Habits
You’ll want to make sure you’re keeping an eye on your little furry friend’s bathroom habits, as this will help you to anticipate when they may need to go next.
When you first start potty training your Golden Retriever puppy, it’s important to keep track of their potty habits so you can develop a routine that works for both you and your pup.
Here are some tips to help you keep track of your puppy’s potty habits:
- Keep a record: Write down every time your puppy goes potty, including the time of day, location, and whether they went pee or poop. This will help you identify patterns and anticipate when your puppy may need to go next.
- Use puppy pads: Puppy pads can be a helpful tool when potty training your Golden Retriever puppy. Place them in a designated area and encourage your puppy to use them. This will help prevent accidents and make it easier to clean up.
- Watch for signs: Keep an eye out for signs that your puppy needs to go, such as sniffing around, circling, or whining. When you see these signs, take your puppy outside or to their designated potty area.
- Be consistent: Establish a routine and stick to it. Take your puppy out at the same times every day and use the same commands. Consistency is key to successful potty training.
Take Them Potty During the Habitual Times As Well
As your furry friend gets into the groove of their potty routine, don’t forget to take advantage of habitual times to prevent any accidents. Golden retriever puppies need a consistent routine to help them learn where and when to go potty.
It’s essential to take them out first thing in the morning, after meals, after playtime, and before bedtime. As you continue with the potty training process, your puppy will begin to associate these times with going outside to do their business.
It’s also important to pay attention to your puppy’s body language and behavior. If they start sniffing around, circling, or whining, it’s a sign that they need to go.
When taking them outside during these moments, you will reinforce the habit of going potty outside and avoid any accidents inside the house.
Remember to praise and reward your puppy for going potty outside, which will encourage them to continue this behavior.
Get Your Puppy on a Feeding Schedule
Feeding your furry friend on a schedule can help establish a routine that makes potty training easier. As a golden retriever owner, it’s important to understand that puppies need to eat frequently throughout the day.
However, by providing them with a consistent feeding schedule, you can predict when they will need to go potty and take them outside accordingly.
Here’s how to get your puppy on a feeding schedule:
- Consult with your veterinarian to determine how much food your puppy should be eating each day.
- Divide the daily amount into three or four meals that are spaced evenly throughout the day.
- Feed your puppy at the same time each day to help establish a routine.
- Be sure to remove the food bowl after a set amount of time to avoid overfeeding and to encourage your puppy to eat their meals in a timely manner.
Clean Up Accidents Thoroughly
Cleaning up accidents properly is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy home for your new Golden Retriever puppy. Accidents happen, especially during the potty training process.
However, it’s important to clean them up thoroughly to prevent any lingering smells or stains that may encourage your pup to continue using that spot as their personal potty.
One effective way to clean up potty accidents is by using an enzymatic cleaner. This type of cleaner is specially formulated to break down the organic matter in your puppy’s urine or feces and eliminate the odor.
To use, simply blot up any excess liquid with a paper towel or cloth, then apply the enzymatic cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Allow the cleaner to sit for the recommended amount of time before blotting it up with a clean, dry cloth. Repeat the process if necessary.
| PRO TIP |
|---|
| Use a black light to detect any hidden urine stains. These stains are often invisible to the naked eye and can continue to attract your puppy to that spot. A black light will make these stains glow, allowing you to clean them up properly. |
Remember to always clean up accidents promptly to prevent any unwanted smells or stains in your home.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you’ve successfully completed the process of potty training your Golden Retriever puppy! It wasn’t easy, but your hard work and dedication have paid off.
Now, you can enjoy the company of your furry friend without worrying about accidents in the house. But wait, there’s more!
This is just the beginning of your journey with your Golden Retriever. There are many more adventures and challenges ahead, from teaching basic commands to dealing with behavioral issues.
Stay tuned and keep learning, and you’ll have a happy and healthy companion for years to come. So, keep up the good work and enjoy the journey!