Stressing a little

[Ruby Goldendoodle]

Ok, I am pretty sure this is just first time puppy owner jitters. We picked up our puppy yesterday and she is SO sweet. I love her and she is precious. I have a 5 year old and this is just the 2nd day. She has had several accidents today even though I have been taking her out every 40 minutes or so. I feel a little bit that I am neglecting my daughter. Again, I know this is just the 2nd day. Just can you guys reassure me that she will get potty trained. That eventually, she will be more like a member of the family that I don't have to watch all the time. I want to do what is right with this puppy, but even after reading etc... I just feel a little clueless. :) 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

You will get thru this! Puppies are babies, are you crate training? Join puppy madness for lots of great tips!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You need to pretend that you just added a human baby to your family.  Yes, your daughter is going to get less attention, especially at first, but she is going to gain so much by having a pet to love.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

When I got my first doodle I took him out every 2 hours regularly, round the clock, for the first three or four days. small     And any time he started going in a circle looking for a spot.  With a small child I don't know if that is realistic for you. Maybe crating her would be the best idea if you can't watch her all the time.  I took a break from him during the day and put him in the crate for a rest for both of us.  If your pup makes a mistake in the house make sure you thoroughly clean the spot with Natures Miracle or some enzyme cleaner so she doesn't go back to that spot...that includes soaking the pad under the carpet.  Be sure to praise her and have a party when she eliminates in the right place.  Pick a "potty spot" outside and always take her to that spot.  It is challenging at first but if you are consistent she will get it.  Hang in there.

[Ruby Goldendoodle]

Thanks. I am using vinegar/water to clean messes. Is that ok? I am crate training, but feel bad to put her in there when I am home. I know we will all get through this. Thanks for your replies.

[Katie & Mr. Bodhi]

I just got an 11 week old goldendoodle and the crate training works really well. It has to be small enough so that she only can lay down and turn around. And you should keep her in the crate during the day as well. It will teach her to hold it longer. Take her out as soon as you let her out of ther crate and Reward her immediately after she goes potty outside. This is what we have been doing so I hope it helps! Don't feel bad for leaving her in the crate either. That is something I am learning myself cause my Bodhi is having separation problems and it's killing me!! Good luck!

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

It's really not good enough! It works in a pinch, but the Nature's Miracle stuff is really what you need! When you get it, go back over all of her previous spots. Linda says she took her first doodle out every two hours, but I think I took mine out every 20 minutes!! It was crazy! I always said the same thing each time, "Go potty, Knox!" and then went crazy afterwards. Take a treat out with you so that you can reward immediately! Remember, it does not happen overnight so don't get discouraged! Good luck!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I totally agree about the Nature's Miracle....it worked wonders for us.  The first couple of months with a new puppy require so much time, but it's worth it in the end. 

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Is she going back to the same spot after you use the vinegar?  If yes, I would get the Natures Miracle.

[Lia & Pippa]

We are getting our 8 week old goldendoodle on Saturday. I am so, so nervous and excited! Thanks for all of the tips guys. I am going to block off our kitchen (only place in the house that doesn't have hard woods) which has the back door in it where she will be going potty. My nature's miracle is in the mail now, so should be here tomorrow. Hopefully Pippa likes her crate and kitchen area and catches onto potty training quickly! 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Keep a very close eye on her if you are gating her into the kitchen.   Puppies can be chewers and kitchen cabinets have lots of little corners and knobs that attract chewing ... and they are expensive to repair or replace.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Excellent advice from Nancy.  Your daughter is a good age for a puppy and can learn to help some.  She will see you care for the puppy with patience and love, it is a wonderful life lesson.  Yes the puppy will get potty trained.  Use the crate when you or your daughter or the puppy needs a break.  Crates are a kindness to everyone, especially exhausted puppies and human moms.

Supervise your daughter very closely when she is with the puppy.  Always have lots of soft toys laying around, so the puppy chews on them and not your hands.  Now is not the time for a perfect house.  Teach your daughter to rub and pet the puppy with "soft hands" on ears and neck and back and belly.  Top of the head petting can easily trigger the "grab" (not bite - just play but puppy teeth are sharp) response.

 

When you catch your puppy in the middle of a pee quickly scoop her up into your arms belly up and run outside with her and hope she finishes outside.  Yes - you may get peed on, its okay, its just puppy pee.  Also keep the puppy on a 6 foot leash when you take her out to pee.  She does not get the freedom to walk wherever she wants until she knows for sure where she is supposed to pee.  Girl dogs will pee pretty consistently in the same area, so pick the area you want.  Once you get one pee there you are half way home as the smell will remind her what she is supposed to do there.

 

Good luck and enjoy the chaos - it is only temporary!

 

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

It takes while to train puppies, they do not have the ability to hold their urine at such a young age, that comes with time.  You are doing fine.  I crate trained all my dogs and blocked them in certain areas as well.  Keep to a feeding and watering schedule and you can have a better handle on when they need to go.  I would pick up the water about a hour and half or so before bed time and I feed them at 6 am and 6pm.  The morning feeding gave them enough time to poop before I left for work and at 6 pm enought time before bed.  Not that my doodles did not have accidents.. they sure as heck did, it just takes time and presistance.  Good luck with your new puppy :)