While not yet able to master complex or fancy tricks, between 6-8 weeks of age smart little goldendoodle puppies catch on very quickly to some of the earliest, but most basic, training techniques and pre-training exercises. We start by teaching our young Rainfield goldendoodle pups to sit and pay attention or to “Watch me!” which is one of the very first things every dog has to learn in training . Pups that have mastered this basic skill go on to be much easier to train once they mature and are able to retain more information.
If you’ve ever visited with a litter of puppies, you know that it’s no small feat to get three pups to sit nicely on a dog cot, watching you and waiting at attention. Enter our early Rainfield Puppy Training tips.
We actually teach the whole litter to Mand or “Watch ME” at the same time. We start by using high value soft treats initially. At first the puppies are in their own little puppy world, romping around, tumbling and playing. We stand at the edge of the pen and use a hand motion, waiting for one of the pups to notice. The most attentive pup in the litter will be the first to notice and curiously sit down to see what we’re up. We quickly treat the pup with our high value treat. That pup is now sold on this new trick and goes on to repeat it over and over again as they get more treats. Pretty soon, a second notices that something is up and one of their siblings is getting something special. One by the one, the pups stop playing as they realize what’s going on and join in on the activity. Pretty soon we need 10 hands to quickly treat all the little cuties as they sit and wait *not so patiently* for their treat. Later we add a verbal cue. I use ‘watch me’ and ‘sit’.
Adult goldendoodles sitting at attention.
If you are looking for a goldendoodle puppy to add to your family, click here to find out more about our summer litter of goldendoodle puppies for Sale now.
Are you wondering about therapy dog training for goldendoodles? Anyone with a goldendoodle in their life knows that they have an amazing ability to connect with people. As such, we’ve had quite a few of our sweet Rainfield goldendoodle puppy go on to get their therapy dog training, with some going even further and becoming service dogs. Every time we hear from one of our Rainfield familes that their dog has gotten their therapy dog certification, we like to give them a big old Texas shout out!
Willie Nelson (Left) and brother, Waylan
Today we are here to celebrate Willie Nelson, one of our Rainfield F1 goldendoodle dogs. Willie just passed his Therapy Dog testing and is eager to start visiting longterm care facilities in the fall. He says that it’s going to tough work having to visit all those friendly people who will shower him with love and pats and sometimes treats, but some dog has GOTTA do it, right? Good job, Willie! We are rooting for ya!
Tip – How to Get Your Doodle in Therapy Dog Training
Goldendoodles are smart, eager to please and love to learn, so if you have the time and want to share some of that doodle love with others in need in this way, therapy dog training for goldendoodles can be a perfect solution. We recommend starting early giving your goldendoodle puppy their basic training wit a good trainer (once they have their all their shots). Be sure to thoroughly socialize your puppy by taking them out and exposing them to a variety of real-life situations and a variety of people.
Once you get their basic training finished, if they’ve done well and seem like a good fit and temperment for therapy work, go ahead and keep going on their training. Get them into the intermediate and advanced dog training classes. Some trainers are able to give your goldendoodle the Canine Good Citizen Test, which your doodle will need to qualify for Therapy dog training. If your trainer does not offer this, ask them for recommedations of where you can get this. Once your goldendoodle has their CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certificate, they will need to take a test to qualify as a therapy dog. Some trainers offer Therapy Dog Test prep classes to get your doodle ready for the big day. Once they have their certification, organizations like Paws for Therapy can get your connected to facilities looking for certified Therapy Dogs.
If you have the time (and a doodle), we hope you will consider therapy dog training for goldendoodles.
Some of you know what it’s like to snag the “last pup,” but here is a glimpse into why the last goldendoodle pup can be such exceptional pups.
Why the last goldendoodle pup can be extra special!
Here at Rainfield Goldendoodles we focus on early basic crate, potty and manners training with all our doodle pups. Our goldendoodle puppies then go home between 8 to 12 weeks and we usually get pretty glowing reports about how easy it is to continue on with their crate and potty training. Most of them sleep through the night in their crates (although they may fuss a bit those first few nights at home) etc. However, ocassionally, we have a few that stay with us a little longer after their littermates have gone to their new homes.
Well, guess what? Once they are the only one or two left, they don’t just sit in their playpen or crate all day waiting for their big day. We can then go the extra step with those little ones. They get to trail around after us and get extra one on one training
The last doodle pup gets all the attention!
For instance, here is what Rocco, our last little boy, is up to as he waits for her new home.
— He started ‘off’ leash walking today. We will add the leash before too long.
— ‘Wait’ He is waiting at the gate for me to pass first. Right now that’s only about 50% of the time though as the temptation is great to rush out and see what’s going on.
— He has been doing great on sitting for weeks now, almost passable on ‘stay’ and ‘nicely’ (to get his treats). I am adding hand cues as well.
— Something I added this time around is a training journal. I tend to wander too much in my training and get a little too ‘creative, so the journal keeps me focused and on track.
With this early start on his training, Rocco should rock his puppy classes in his new home (after all puppy shots are done). Socialization with other pups is so important to keep up with, but it is a nice feeling when you start group classes and your pup is the star pupil as he has had a great start.
Contact us To Adopt a Goldendoodle Puppy today!
For more information on adopting Rocco, a cream colored male F1b Goldendoodle, contact us 281-235-3272 or email laurie@gmail.com. You can also message us on our Facebook page. Find out more about Rocco and our process for adopting a goldendoodle puppy by clicking here!
