New Labradoodle Puppy- Help!

[Heidi Jakubowski]

Our family lost our beloved labradoodle Paolo at the end of March. He was mainly my 16 year old daughter's dog and to help her heal, we decided as a family to get another puppy. Also a labradoodle (we love the doodles :) We also have a goldendoodle and a yoyopoo) 

We brought him home 2 weeks ago (he was 7 weeks old) and immediately started crate training (doing great there) and potty training him (not doing so great there).

Now I've raised many puppies in my life, and NEVER have I had such a rambunctious puppy!  He is super hyper, and therefore, super naughty. From watching the other dogs use the doggy door, he already has that down, which makes it even harder to keep an eye on him. 

He's into everything, chews on everything, digs in the yard, mouthing. It's out of control. Like I've said, I've trained all of our other dogs with great success, but the usual method I use, sharp uh uh and pull the naughty item away and replace with a "good boy toy" isn't working at all. And he uses the doggy door, but now seems to come inside to potty! We stop him when we catch him and immediately bring him outside and then reward him when he goes outside. 

I just don't know what to do with him. Any suggestions, help would be appreciated!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Hi Heidi, I'm real curious how you potty trained puppies before, having a  doggy door. I just can't imagine that working very well. If you want to get a handle on all those naughty puppy behaviors, you need to limit his indoor freedom and easy access to outdoor areas. He's only 9 weeks old and just a baby. He needs constant supervision when he's outside his crate. The easiest way to limit his freedom is to tether him to you. He won't have any opportunity to chew up everything.  Limit his off-leash play times with the other dogs (while closely supervising him) and always take him outside on leash to go potty, so he learns what is expected of him. This will also save your yard, not to mention prevent him from ingesting who-knows-what while he's outside. Only give him limited freedoms when he's solidly potty trained (can go 28 days without an accident). This could take months. Put that crate to use for those times when you can't supervise him closely or tether him to you. You'll find lots of valuable information in the Puppy Madness Group, here on Doodle Kisses. Look through old discussions, as this subject comes up a lot. Good luck!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Potty training with a doggy door is very easy, Debb.  You still take the puppy out just as if you didn't have a doggy door, BUT you send them out the dog door, greeting them on the outside.  You practice going in and out.  If you have other dogs they set a good example by using the door which the puppy can emulate. 

Heidi, at this age, they still shouldn't be going in and out without a human supervisor to make sure they actually go when they are outside (and to give the 'party' when they are successful). It is too bad the pup couldn't have stayed with his mom and littermates at least one more week as this is a major socialization time and they learn a bit more bite inhibition. Biting and nipping and destroying is what puppies do so I would limit access to the house, especially in relation to the dog door. We blocked off our den area so that the dog door was close and so were we so that we could keep an eye on the puppy.

PS Doodles are very smart dogs and tend to be high energy as puppies.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I see. Good to know!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Sounds like a normal puppy to me.  Maybe you just don't remember.  Until my pups are totally house trained, they never have the run of the house.  I can't imagine trying to train a puppy with a doggy door available for him to use.  But it will all work out.  Relax and set some limits for yourself and the puppy (everyone has to buy in).  Before long, he will be a normal member of the family.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I would agree...I just can't see housebreaking and a doggie door working hand in hand. I would think you are going to have one very confused puppy. How is he suppose to differentiate going out the door to potty and going out to play?
I would lock the doggie door for the next 6-8 months...and start leashing him and take him out every 30-45 minutes. Praise like crazy and treat and bring him back in. This way going out means potty time and only potty time.

[Heidi Jakubowski]

Thank you for all of the advice. I never thought that the use of the doggy door would hinder training. I think I will take your advice and lock the doggy door until the puppy is potty trained. No, I didn't have the doggy door installed when I trained the other pups, we used a bell on the door and the dogs would ring when they had to go potty. And yes, my youngest dog is six years old, so maybe I did forget how much work it is!  Again, that you for all the advice!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

We still use potty bells. A great aid in housebreaking!