best way to train a goldendoodle - TheDoodleGuide.com

The Best Way To Train A Goldendoodle [Ultimate Guide]

Want to know the best way to train a Goldendoodle? Then, you’re in the right place.

In this guide, we’ll show you everything including tips and methods in training a Goldendoodle, essential products you can use, and more.

Best Way To Train Your Goldendoodle

best way to train a goldendoodle

The best way to train your Goldendoodle actually depends on them. Get to know your pet, and figure out their likes and dislikes to decide on which way to train them!

There are a handful of routes you can take. You can opt to hire a private trainer if you are not confident enough to train your dog by yourself.

However, hiring a trainer can be expensive as they are usually paid by the hour. If you want to go for a more pocket-friendly training for your pup, there are many resources available for you online.

Here are a few steps that will help you on your Goldendoodly’s training journey.

Do Your Research

While it may seem like such a chore, research is crucial to training success. Not only does it demonstrate your commitment to training your pet, but it also arms you with the necessary information to care for your fur baby.

Conducting ample research ahead of time is an important step that helps you and your family to be ready. You need to prepare yourself to avoid any difficulties or problems during the training process.

You can read up on the experiences of other Goldendoodle owners in forums and discussion posts. Learning from a community of Goldendoodle lovers is a surefire way to help you train your pet.

You can also look up Goldendoodle training videos on YouTube. There are lots of people who share their experiences on this platform.

It doesn’t hurt to be prepared. In fact, you will thank yourself for devoting time to acquiring the appropriate knowledge for this.

Building a strong bond with your dog based on mutual trust is the key to successfully training them. 

You can bond with your dog in a handful of ways. Since Goldendoodles are social dogs, spending time with them is sure to get you in their good graces.

Playing with your dog is also helpful in establishing a connection between you and your pet. 

This is a bit of a no-brainer, but making sure your dog’s needs are met is something that you need to do. Providing food, water, shelter, and plenty of love for your Goldendoodle is your responsibility as a pet owner.

You can also build trust by cuddling with your dog! Feeding them from your hand is also a great way to establish a strong bond with them.

Lastly, you can also connect with your dog better by giving them a safe, comfortable space in your home that they can call their own. A nice crate or playpen is something they will appreciate!

Set A Routine

It is important to begin training your dog as soon as possible to avoid confusion. Experts recommend that training sessions are kept short because younger dogs have shorter attention spans. However, sessions should be frequent to compensate for their briefness.

Establishing a routine and sticking to it has been proven to be effective in training your dog. Creating a schedule for mealtimes, playtimes and even bathroom times are critical to training.

Getting your dog used to a routine helps them adjust well to them. Eventually, it also helps them retain your desired behavior better.

Giving your dog structure will help them be trained more easily. You just have to stick to the routines you will set.

Along with patience, consistency is the key to successfully training your Goldendoodle!

Be Gentle

No matter what happens, do not scare your pet! Do not use force or violence during training since this is not an effective nor ethical method of motivating them.

Not only does this destroy your loving bond with your dog, but it also makes them less likely to learn anything.

Think of this sort of violence as a cardinal sin. Also, scaring your pet with force or words could count as pet abuse, which is a criminal offense.

It is more effective to use positive reinforcement – encouraging words, affectionate rubs, or even treats could be a big help in training your pooch. While it is admittedly a more difficult route, it is definitely more rewarding. 

Positive reinforcement is a science-backed method of training your pet. Aside from being helpful in the training process, you will also build a stronger, more affectionate, and loving bond with them.

This type of method is done by giving rewards whenever your pup displays desirable behavior. Rewarding them makes them more likely to repeat a certain behavior because it is associated with their favorite treat, or perhaps a bout of affection.

Many experts agree that this is one of the most effective means to change your dog’s behavior.

Goldendoodle Training Tips And Methods

There’s a wide variety of tried and tested tips and methods available for training your beloved Goldendoodle. Among them are: giving food rewards, clicker training, scented item training, praise reward training, and crate training.

These methods might not work for your dog, since all dogs have different personalities. Get to know your fur baby, so you can figure out which method works for them!

Food And Praise Rewards

Food and praise rewards training utilizes different “prizes,” but are essentially based on a reward system for good or pleasing behavior. They work on the assumption that rewarding your dog for doing something correctly allows them to create a positive association with the designated task.

Alternatively, you can redirect improper behavior in your Goldendoodle by asking for a behavior that you can reward in the instance of misbehavior.

Proper caution and moderation should be observed in conducting food reward training because this can lead to dependency.

You should also research the kind of treat you will be giving your fur baby to make sure that it is safe and does not have any harmful effects on their health.

Praises are often used in conjunction with food as a reward for desirable behavior. Something as simple as saying “Good boy” when a command is executed properly will work wonders for your Goldendoodle.

When they’re learning something new, your pet should be rewarded every time they display good behavior. Eventually, you will have to ease up on food treats and move onto verbal praises to avoid the risk of dependency.

Rewarding your pet with food and praise is a highly effective means of training your pet.

Bonus – Want to know the best treats for your Goldendoodle? Learn more here.

Clicker Training

Clicker training works a little differently as it relies on a clicker device to signal to a dog what behavior is desirable. It is also called the mark and reward method. 

A clicker is a small, mechanical noisemaker that aids in the training process.

The clicker is used to “mark” the behavior that you desire as the pet owner. It allows your Goldendoodle to identify their good behavior exactly, rather than to leave them guessing.

It is a relatively simple process: you simply click the clicker when your pet can accomplish the task, and then give them a treat directly after. Timing is extremely crucial to ensure success.

Your pet will be able to associate the action with a treat, further reinforcing the behavior.

However, you should be careful to never let your dog hear the click outside of training. This will confuse them and could undo your progress.

You do not necessarily have to use a clicker if you are in a bit of a monetary bind. You can always just snap your fingers, or cluck your tongue, or even blow a whistle as long as the sound you make is unique.

Scented Item Training

Dogs have powerful noses. Their sense of smell is about fifty times more powerful than ours!

Training them using scents is something you might want to consider. Since their sense of smell is very strong, the way they see the world is also shaped by their noses.

Scent training your dog can open up a whole new world of interaction and play that is enriching for the both of you.

A simple way to do this method is by playing Find the Treats. Simply place the treat somewhere out of sight, like under a sheet of paper or in a pot, and let your pet find them.

Increase the difficulty over time, but do not put treats under your furniture unless you want them crawling around those areas.

You can also use this technique to play Hide and Seek with your dog. Have someone restrain your dog while you hide, and when you’re ready, you can let them find you!

Start in obvious places, and gradually hide somewhere more difficult to find. You can always use food to aid your dog by making a trail that leads to you.

Crate Training

Crate training is a method that allows your dog to have its own space in the household. It also helps in deterring chewing behaviors and is an easy way to transport your pet.

While some people may raise their eyebrows at this method because it may seem like you’re “caging” your furry companion, it is actually quite the opposite. Dogs naturally seek out a safe and quiet space of their own, which a crate could provide if done correctly.

Your dog’s crate should be spacious and comfortable enough for them. Think of it as their room: it should be something they want to go back to.

Primarily, this method can be used to housetrain or potty train your dogs. They do not like to soil their dens so it is perfect for potty training.

However, there are some cautions for you to remember as a fur parent. You should not leave your dog in their crate for too long, because this could cause depression or anxiety in your pet.

Additionally, the crate should never be used as a punishment. This makes your pet associate the crate with fear and could deter them from using it again.

Get to know the best crates you can use while training your Goldendoodle. Learn more here!

Other Tips and Methods

Socialization is very important for Goldendoodles. It is in their nature to be friendly and approachable so they will crave companionship, whether from their humans or other dogs.

One way to provide this to them is by taking them for a walk – preferably somewhere that is frequented by other dogs. This will allow them to mix and mingle with other pets.

It is also important to never leave your Goldendoodle alone. If this really can’t be avoided, try leaving a radio on for them to listen to so they do not feel too lonely.

Despite being a sociable breed, Goldendoodles can still be overwhelmed by small children. It is important to make sure your dog is trained not to jump on people, as this could cause potential injury.

As for children, they should be taught to be gentle with dogs and not to treat them like toys. By making sure that both dogs and children are trained to be careful with each other, potential injuries and traumas can be avoided.

Overall, the best training method for your Goldendoodle really depends on what works for them and you. Try to figure out what method works the best and stick to it.

FYI – Are you also considering potty training your Goldendoodle puppy? Check our guide here.

Essential Products For Goldendoodle Training

Aside from arming yourself with a lot of love and patience, it is important to have the proper tools at your disposal while training your pet. Here are some items that you might find useful.

OYEFLY Dog Training Clicker

best way to train a goldendoodle

This clicker is a cheap and effective tool that you can utilize. It is relatively simple to use: just click the button and give your Goldendoodle a treat!

The clicker comes in either blue or white. It is light and handy too, weighing only 0.52 ounces.

Check Out On Amazon

Zampa Portable Foldable Pet Playpen

best way to train a goldendoodle

Another thing you might find useful in the process of training your beloved fur baby is this dog crate.

The crate features an 8-panel design with a spacious interior. It also has a compartment for your Goldendoodle’s bottle and other personal items.

It measures 36 inches in diameter and 24 inches in height. 

What’s really amazing about this crate is that it is foldable! You do not have to worry about it being too bulky for storage or travel.

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Treats

Good’N’Fun Triple Flavored Rawhide Kabobs

best way to train a goldendoodle

Lastly, dog treats are essential in the training process. These delicious and healthy treats made from rawhide and pork hide, then wrapped in chicken, duck, and chicken liver, are sure to please your Goldendoodle.

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Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Treats

best way to train a goldendoodle

There are other treats that you might want to try, such as Dentastix. These treats come in different flavors, so you do not have to worry about your dog not liking them. 

Additionally, they can also freshen breath, clean teeth, and reduce any plaque or tartar buildup. It’s a steal!

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Frequently Asked Questions

This section will tackle some frequently asked questions from other Goldendoodle parents. Keep your eyes peeled, because you might be wondering these too!

Are Goldendoodles Easy to Train?

The short answer is yes

As mentioned previously in this article, Goldendoodles are smart biscuits. On top of this, they are very endearing and friendly, making them a great choice for people who are looking for an easy-to-train dog.

Goldendoodles are the hybrid of golden retrievers, a breed known for their fierce loyalty and their desire to please their owners, and poodles, who possess superior intellect and lots of energy. They are practically built for training!

However, it is immensely important to remember that your Goldendoodle is a living, breathing creature. Like you, it has emotions and feelings as well, which means it might not always take kindly to training.

It is important to figure out what kind of training your pet prefers  early on. This is to make sure that you can teach them accordingly and avoid any resentment. 

Additionally, Goldendoodles are not known to be aggressive dogs, but they are highly sociable. They will want to spend a lot of time around you or other dogs, so you have to make sure you have the time and resources to ensure your dog has access to socialization. 

As long as you provide a routine for them to follow, training these fluffy pups should be a breeze!

When Should I Start Training My Goldendoodle?

Puppies are known to have rather short attention spans. Any efforts to teach them at a young age may only lead to frustration and anger, so it is best to wait a few weeks until they reach the right age for training.

Goldendoodles become ready for training earlier than other dog breeds. This can be credited to their above-average canine intelligence and their general adaptability.

Basic commands such as “sit” or “down” can be understood and executed as early as 6 to 8 weeks old. However, formal training should begin at six months of age, as recommended by the Veterinary Centers of America.

Ultimately, a good time to begin would be whenever you feel like your dog is ready to be trained. Just make sure you have the proper tools and knowledge to carry it out because training is no small feat.

If you are still unsure, you can always consult a veterinarian or a dog expert. It is always best to seek professional advice when it comes to your Goldendoodle.


Hope you enjoyed this post about the best way to train a Goldendoodle.

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Thanks for reading! You can get many more tips and tricks for your Goldendoodle here.