How to Potty Train Poodles

When potty training a poodle, or any domesticated canine, be prepared for the occasional ̶0;accident.̶1; Potty training methods involving soiling pads and litter boxes are options when wishing to potty train your poodle, but those methods do not teach the animal that doing his business in the house is unacceptable. Crate training, involves the gradual containment of your poodle in a wire crate and praising the animal when he does not soil the crate. Wild canines are kept in den-like areas where the mother monitors the area and its cleanliness until the puppies are able to walk and do their business outside the den. The crate training method will challenge your poodle̵7;s canine instincts and commit the poodle to a scheduled bathroom routine.

Things You'll Need

  • Wire dog crate
  • 1 dog blanket
  • Dog Treats
  • Dog chew toy

Instructions

  1. Crate Training

    • 1

      Place the doggy blanket inside the wire crate for additional cushioning. The floors to doggy crates are often stiff and uncomfortable. Your poodle must feel comfortable in this space to accept the crate containment.

    • 2

      Place a doggy treat inside the wire crate and leave the door open. Sit near the crate with your poodle for moral support. Praise your poodle for going inside the crate to obtain the doggy treat and allow your poodle to exit the wire crate when he wants to.

    • 3

      Only praise your poodle when he enters the crate; do not pay any attention when he exits the crate. Your poodle will begin to comprehend that going into the wire crate is acceptable and will be rewarded, as opposed to exiting where he should receive no emotion.

    • 4

      Address the wire crate as ̶0;Den̶1; when your poodle enters. Repetitive wording followed by an action will teach the poodle to link the word ̶0;Den̶1; with the wire crate.

    • 5

      Place a doggy treat inside the wire crate once more. This time, close the door for 30 seconds, then open the door. This opening-closing method will allow the poodle to experience the effects of his wire-crate and become accustomed to the confinement.

    • 6

      Increase the poodle̵7;s crate confinement time by adding one minute daily for one week. When your poodle is able to stay inside the wire crate undisturbed for a period of seven minutes or longer, place the doggy chew toy inside the crate as source of entertainment. Walk away and leave the sight of the crate.

    • 7

      If your poodle begins to whine or show signs he wishes to be released from the wire crate, open the door and allow him to exit. Do not praise your poodle.

    • 8

      After feeding your poodle, place him inside the wire crate for 10 to 15 minutes. You may place the chew toy inside the crate to keep him occupied.

    • 9

      Take your poodle outside to do his business after the 10 minutes has passed. It is important to not show your poodle attention when leading him outside to do his business.

    • 10

      Allow the poodle three to five minutes to do his business. If the poodle has yet to do his business, do not show any emotion. Return him to the wire crate, place him inside for five minutes and repeat the process once more until the poodle has used the restroom. If the poodle has used the bathroom outside, praise your pet and reward him with a doggy treat.

    • 11

      Repeat this process until your poodle is accustomed to using the restroom outside. Once your poodle is housebroken, crate confinement is no longer necessary. Your poodle may want to continue using his crate. If this is the case, simply allow the poodle to do so, but keep the door open.