Golden Retriever Puppy Potty Training

Health

• Take your golden retriever puppy to the veterinarian to determine that she is healthy and able to be trained. Sometimes puppies can have medical or behavioral problems that will make training difficult. Once your puppy has a clean bill of health, take her home and start the lessons. When puppies are very young, they don't have the ability to hold their urine and bowel movements. PetEducation.com recommends starting potty training at seven weeks old. At this age, the dog is mature enough to start training and is eager to please you.

Location

• Pick a spot for your dog to relieve himself. If you designate a certain area, it will minimize the mess in the yard. Some people start potty training their dogs on puppy pads, which are absorbent pads that can be used indoors. Wherever you train your dog to go to the bathroom, keep it consistent. Golden retrievers are creatures of habit and will be more successful if you keep the routine the same.

Crate Training

• Set up a crate for your puppy. The crate should be just big enough to fit a bed. It may seem mean to keep your dog cooped up like this, but most dogs become attached to their crates and associate them as safe and calm retreats. Golden retrievers generally will not relieve themselves where they sleep, so this is a way to train your pup to wait until you let her outside. You can keep the puppy in the crate when you are not able to actively watch her, such as at night or when you leave the house. Though the crate is a great training tool, don't neglect your puppy and leave her in there for longer than necessary.

Rewards and Punishment

• Take the puppy outside right before he goes into the crate and right after he leaves it. When he eliminates in the yard, praise him immediately with an excited voice and give him treats and affectionate pets. Golden retrievers respond especially well to praise and affection, whereas some other breeds are more motivated by treats. Potty training should be a rewarding and pleasant experience for the dog. This breed is highly intelligent and understands the process quickly.

  Never hit or scream at the dog if he makes a mistake. When a golden retriever puppy has an accident inside the house, simply ignore him and silently clean up the mess. Because golden retrievers crave praise and affection, he will know he did something wrong when he is ignored.

Behavioral Cues

• Watch for signs that your dog needs to relieve herself and take her outside immediately. Common cues are sniffing, walking in circles and pacing. Though golden retrievers grow to be large dogs, as puppies they have small bladders. The puppy will have to go out often. You can prevent accidents by taking the puppy outside right after meals or when they become excited. Golden retriever puppies can be highly excitable, which may cause them to urinate when they are stimulated.