Are Goldendoodles Easy to Train?

By Jeffrey Cheek
November 30, 2022

exercising with a goldendoodle

Goldendoodles are all fun and games until they start misbehaving. It's easy to be taken in by their puppy-dog eyes, but if you don't train them properly, they may become unmanageable.

Fortunately, Goldendoodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there, making them relatively easy to train.

With consistency and patience (and lots of dog treats!), your Goldendoodle will become the well-behaved pup you've always dreamed of.

Let's take a look at the keys to training your Goldendoodle in no time.

Are Goldendoodles Smart?

Yes, Goldendoodles are very smart. Both parent breeds, the Golden Retrievers and the Poodles are brilliant dog breeds, so it's no surprise that their mix is a smart one and inherits their intelligence.

They are often used as service dogs, therapy assistants and even as search-and-rescue dogs.

Studies say that Golden Retrievers have more cortical neurons than most animals, making them very smart.

Goldendoodles can easily pick up new commands and tricks, which means that they're very trainable and quick to learn!

How long does it take to train a Goldendoodle?

Goldendoodles are pretty smart, so training them can take less time than other breeds.

However, how quickly your Goldendoodle learns depends on the consistency of their training, so be sure to be consistent in your commands and reward system.

Housetraining your goldendoodle should take between 4-6 months.

Basic commands such as “sit”, “stay”, and “come” should take no more than a few weeks to learn.

Obedience training will take a little longer, most dog trainers say that this training should never stop. Goldendoodles, just like other dogs live the best when they are in the right position in the pack and there is a structure in their lives.

Importance of Training Your Goldendoodle as a Puppy

a goldendoodle puppy in grass

Training your goldendoodle as a puppy is really important. This is a stage when they can absorb information quickly and establish a bond with their owners. It is also when you can set up rules and boundaries, which your puppy will test of course.

If you don't train your Goldendoodle as a puppy, you may end up facing issues like bad behaviors such as chewing and barking.

Goldendoodle puppies also need to learn to stay alone and not become too attached to their owners, which can cause seperation anxiety and behavioural issues when left alone.

One week after you got your goldendoodle puppy, you should start leaving iit alone at home for short periods of time so he can get used to being left alone.

Basic Commands Your Goldendoodle Should Learn

a boy training a goldendoodle at the park

It's important to teach your Goldendoodle basic commands such as sit, stay, come, lay down and heel. Consistency is key; it's important that your pup understands each command and knows what to do when you give them a command.

These commands are:

Sit: This is a great command to start with and good for teaching your pup basic obedience.

Stay: Teach your pup to stay in one place, no matter what the distraction.

Come: Teach your pup to come when you call them, even if there are other distractions around.

Lay down: Teach your pup to lay down on command.

• Heel: Teach your pup to walk beside you without pulling or being distracted.

One of the most important ones is to come since it will help you keep your pup safe and under control. You can practice this with a long leash, in a dog park or in a safe place.

Just let your Goldendoodle run off and whenever it is distracting (while the super long leash is on for safety), kneel down and say "Come"!, when it comes to your reward with a high-value treat. You should do this as much as possible!

How often should Training Sessions Be Held?

Training sessions should be held every day, even if it's a short session.

Consistent and frequent training will help your Goldendoodle understand the commands better and faster, as well as reinforce good behaviours.

With Bailey, I like to do it two times per day. One session in the morning and one in the evening, with additional training on his walks.

It’s important to keep in mind that every dog is different, so some may need more or less training than others.

How Long Should Each Training Session Be?

If your goldendoodle is still a puppy, then their training session should be no longer than 3-5 minutes.

If your goldendoodle has reached adulthood, training sessions can last up to 45 minutes.

After that, your dog will most likely become unfocused, so make sure you don't actually overdo it.

Best Training Methods for a Goldendoodle

The training method you use completely depends on you and your dogs' personality. However, I don't recommend old and outdated training methods where you punish your dog for not doing the right thing.

Don't yell, don’t use physical punishment, and don't give them verbal punishments.

I strongly encourage positive reinforcement training, where your pup is rewarded for good behavior and for obeying commands. This technique strengthens the bond between you and your pup and will result in a well-behaved pup.

I also recommend using a clicker, which helps you to instantly reward and mark the behaviors you want your pup to continue.

How to stop a Goldendoodle from Barking?

Barking is a natural response for dogs, and it's important to let your pup bark in certain situations. However, if your goldendoodle tends to bark excessively or out of frustration when left alone, you will need to intervene.

The best way to stop the barking is to ignore it. When they're barking, turn around and walk away. Don't give them attention or reward the barking in any way.

You can also try redirecting your pup’s focus with a toy or treat, and teaching them to bark less when they're rewarded for being quiet.

With consistency, your Goldendoodle will learn that barking excessively won't get them the attention they want.

You should also use a stop word , like "No" or "Quiet." Whenever your pup starts barking, say the word and give them a treat when they stop.

How Long Does It Take to Housetrain a Goldendoodle Puppy?

goldendoodle puppies sitting in a basket

It can take up to 6 months for your Goldendoodle puppy to be fully house-trained.

Start by establishing a potty training routine and designating an area outside for your pup to go potty. If you catch them in the act of doing their business, say the word "outside."

This will help your goldendoodle puppy to understand where they should go.

Remember to reward them with a treat when they go outside. Also, give your pup enough opportunities each day to eliminate and lots of positive reinforcement whenever they do it in the right spot!

Why are some Goldendoodles lazier than others?

a goldendoodle puppy laying on the carpet

Some goldendoodle can be lazy! Just like humans, individual pups can have different personalities.

If you want to encourage your pup to be more active, provide them with plenty of physical and mental stimulation during the day. This can include playing fetch, going on long walks, or teaching them new tricks and commands.

Are Goldendoodles Easy to Crate Train?

Yes, Goldendoodles are generally easy to crate train. Before introducing the crate, make sure you give your pup a chance to explore it on their own and get used to it.

Once your pup is comfortable with their crate, use treats and positive reinforcement to teach them that going into their crate is a good thing.

Try to avoid punishing your pup if they don't go into the crate when they are asked.

Instead, use positive reinforcement and reward them with treats and lots of praise whenever they do it correctly.

This way, crate training will be easy as a breeze!

Are Miniature Goldendoodles Easy To Train?

Miniature Goldendoodles can be just as easy to train as a standard size Goldendoodle.

For this breed, positive reinforcement is key! Just like the larger version of the breed, you should use treats, verbal praise and physical affection when your pup does something correctly.

Be sure to keep training sessions short and fun, and don’t forget to give your pup plenty of breaks. Also, be patient with them as they learn new commands - Rome wasn't built in a day!

When To Hire a Dog Trainer?

There are a lot of professional dog trainers that are ready to help you if you feel you are stuck with training your goldendoodle.

It is a good idea to start with basic obedience commands and then move on to more complex ones. If you find yourself struggling, it may be time to call in a professional.

A dog trainer can help you identify any areas where your pup may need more work or guidance and teach them (and you) how to respond correctly in different situations.

Just make sure you find a trainer that uses positive reinforcement and rewards-based methods!

Are Male or Female Goldendoodles Easier to Train?

There is no definitive answer to this question - it largely depends on the individual pup.

Some male goldendoodles may be easier to train than females, and vice versa.

Generally speaking, all Goldendoodles need consistency, patience, positive reinforcement and lots of love when they are being trained. Ultimately, as long as you are consistent in your training methods, you should be able to get good results!

Conclusion

Managing a hyper Goldendoodle can be challenging, but it is possible with the right combination of exercise, mental stimulation, routine, and training.

It’s important to remember that all dogs are different and have individual needs, so what works for one may not work for another.

With patience and consistency, your pup will learn to be calmer, and soon enough you’ll have a peaceful pup to snuggle with.

Good luck!

Jeffrey Cheek


Jeffrey Cheek is the proud owner of a funny goldendoodle named Bailey. Jeffrey loves spending time with his family and friends, and he enjoys being active outdoors. He is a successful business owner, and he takes great pride in providing for his loved ones. Bailey is always by Jeffrey's side, and the two of them make everyone around them laugh with their silly antics.

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