New doodle mommy

[New Member Introductions]

Hello everyone!  We are a new doodle family. Bella is a black Labradoodle & has been with us for 2 days.  Needless to say, we are exhausted, lol.   Her breeder released her to us a week early so we could be home with her a full week before we go back to work.   I am excited to have a forum to get training tips & advice. Yesterday was frustrating for all of us, she would tinkle in the house within 5 minutes of coming in from going potty.  I don't remember my Lab, Bailey, ever doing this & I started worrying that Bella would be difficult to train.  After reading a few articles I feel better today.   We will just remain consistent & march on.  Thanks ahead of time for any advice & tips! 

Bella's family

[Ginny Nightingale]

Getting her a week early--meaning at 7 weeks?---would be a reason why the housebreaking may take a little longer--a week makes a BIG difference in puppy development--patience will pay off--here is a tip--if she tinkles in the house, wipe up the urine with a paper towel and set the towel outside where you want her tinkle area to be--this will help get the message across. When she goes outside, have a BIG celebration--subtle does not work with a young pup-and use the word you plan to use when she goes potty--like "GOOD GO POTTY!! YEAH!! you'll have this accomplished in no time!! (But it will seem like forever...LOL!) 

Good luck and have fun with your new baby! Congrats!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

She looks like a sweetie!  Ginny's advice is spot on-no pun intended.  Have fun and stay patient and before you know it Bella will be on to the next stage of puppy madness!  

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

We got our doodle at just over 7 weeks, she was weaned pretty early because of a large litter (10 pups!).  Knowing what I know now I would have asked the breeder to keep her a little longer for socialization.. she was a timid little thing! 

Just keep at it and like Ginny said it'll take a little longer because she's so young.  I think it took Luna about 2 weeks to be almost completely housetrained.  Big rewards for going potty outside the house and clean up the messes in the house with a deodorizing agent like Nature's Miracle.

[Kim kennedy]

Bella is a cutie!!! Our new puppy Rudi joined our family a week ago and he was 7weeks old and it has been an exhausting and exciting week. For training we took him out every 30 minutes and would praise him and bring him right back in the house after he did his business- no playing outside. He is doing a great job with the potty training!
Yesterday was a warm 50 degrees outside and he loved running and playing in the yard. Last night he finally slept 6 hours straight and it might have something to do with the fresh air!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Welcome to DoodleKisses.  As you will see this is a great website to share information about our great doodles.  I had no problems with training my boys, but we got all of them maybe a little later rather than early.  Also, we had another doodle in the household to help with the training.

My suggestion is to carry her out of the house.  Pick her up from her bed and carry her  out to the place you want her to use for her bathroom.  Praise her when she goes (which she always will) and then carry her back into the house.  I never let my dogs go outside exploring until I am sure they know their potty place.  They are in their bed, with me, or carried outside to go potty.  No exploring on their own in the house or outside until the potty place is well determined.  It worked for us.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

She's adorable Melissa! Congratulations. I second Ginny's good advice.

[Melissa Lowman]

Welcome! I'm new as well. This site is a great resource. Not to mention how encouraging, supportive, and helpful it's members have been.

[Shelly & Lola]

Hi Im new too! And a new Mommy as well! Lola is almost 3 months old and I am in puppy love! Lola has learned to sit for a treat in less than 24 hrs! No kidding! Im amazed! Now to get Potty Outside down! Good luck with your new baby! ♥

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Hi and welcome to DK! No doubt, puppies and their training can be very frustrating...but oh so worth it! Bella looks adorable and I look forward to seeing her grow. If you haven't already, check out and join the "Puppy Madness" group. Lots of tips and advice. Misery loves company ya know! ;)

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Very exciting! 7 weeks just means you will have a little more work cut out for you in the beginning as the others have said. 

We crate trained our puppies. As soon as they come out of the crate, we would carry them outside, once they go potty, big excitement and lots of praise! Inside to play for a little bit, back out to potty and back into the crate. Repeat. 

Like others have said, outside is not a time for playing at this stage. Playing outside comes after potty training is established so that they don't confuse playing with going potty inside! 

Keep up the good work, consistency is the key! 

[Jenny, Aidan & Argo]

Hello Melissa, welcome to Doodle Kisses, I myself am new here. This place is great for information and friends! We will be getting our F1 English Goldendoodle Jan. 19th! Your puppy is gorgeous, can't wait to see more pics :)

[Julie and Max]

Congrats on your lovely new doodle baby! Everyone else has given such good advice, just remember to be patient, and enjoy the puppy days they seem to go by so quickly.