Bringing home a new Poodle or even a Poodle mix is exciting. You want to play with your new little friend, make them comfortable, and get them all settled in their new home. While this is great, and you should spoil your little friend, it’s crucial not to forget to begin potty training your Poodle puppy immediately.

If you’re a first-time pet parent, establishing a consistent training routine can seem overwhelming, especially because it requires consistency and dedication. However, getting your Poodle potty trained as a puppy is essential, and it’s best to do it in the early days.

We’ll give you our favorite steps for training a Poodle in the guide below.

How to Potty Training a Poodle

When potty training a Poodle, it’s best to start when they are still puppies. You need to be >clear but gentle and consistent yet patient when it comes to getting your Poodle pup on a routine potty schedule.

1. Create a Routine

Poodle puppies are known for responding well to established routines. Establishing a schedule now doesn’t mean you won’t be able to change it as your puppy matures. However, a routine is vital if you want your pup to learn to go potty outside your home.

During the Poodle’s first few weeks in your family, you need a strict schedule for the dog to adhere to. Here are a few things you should create a plan for as soon as you bring your puppy home.

Of course, potty breaks have priority on your list at this time, but routines and schedules for the other things will also help with that.

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2. Purchase a Leash

Before you begin training your Poodle friend, you should purchase a leash and harness that will fit your pet. Using a leash during your puppy training accomplishes two things at once.

Not only does the leash teach your pet where it’s okay to go potty in the yard, but it also allows you to conduct leash training, something you’ll need when the dog goes for walks. If all goes according to plan within about 3 weeks of taking your Poodle to their designated potty spots, you should no longer have a problem.

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3. Set Your Expectations According to Biology

Puppies do not have a developed bladder; it is not until puppies are about 4 to 5 months old that they will start developing bladder control. Their tiny bladders can not retain much volume either. You will need to anticipate their need to go out and bring them outside as often in hours as their age in months. That means that if your puppy is 2 months old, you will need to bring them outside every 2 hours to a maximum of 3 hours. This also means you will have to do at least two breaks in the night as well. If your puppy is 3 months old, then take them out every 3 to 4 hours, and your puppy will need at least one break in the middle of the night.

Your expectations should be realistic to their biological development. You should also be bringing your puppy outside 15 minutes after every meal and every time they wake up from a nap. Make sure you take poop bags! We know that all of this does require dedication, but don’t worry, it won’t last forever.

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4. Learn to Read Body Language

A very important part of successfully potty training your Poodle will depend on you learning to recognize the behavioral cues your puppy is showing when they need to relieve themselves so you can take them out before they have an accident. Dogs usually start moving and sniffing around while they are trying to find the best place to relieve themselves. Puppies will also do a squatting-like movement when they pee. Being observant of your puppy’s behavior will go a long way to support their learning and prevent accidents and frustration.

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5. Reward and Reinforce

No matter which part of the training you’re working on with your Poodle, it’s best to use a positive reinforcement reward system. Whether you’re a first-time pet owner or a seasoned pet parent, it’s crucial that following commands and good behavior is rewarded, and you need to give your Poodle lots of praise as well.

Praise, of course, is easy. A “good boy” or “very good,” is easy to say, and your dog will know from the words and your tone that they did a good job. Treats can be a bit trickier because you first have to figure out what your pet likes best. In most cases, however, your Poodle will be happy with a dog treat or even a dog toy to be given for good behavior.

Never yell at, hit, or otherwise demean your Poodle for having accidents in the house or even for not following commands. Remember, your dog is just a baby, and yelling at it is counterproductive and cruel.

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6. Clean Any Accident Immediately

If your puppy has an accident at home, know that this is normal and you should refrain from yelling or getting angry at them. Instead, focus on immediately cleaning the area very well since pets use the scent of their biological waste to recognize those familiar areas. In other words, we want to avoid them thinking that area is their toilet.

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7. Schedule Adjustments

Once your Poodle learns where their designated areas are and starts to develop bladder control, you can start reducing the frequency of their going-out schedule. However, you should keep in mind that changes should be gradual, and you will still need to be bringing out your Poodle every morning after they wake up and every evening before going to sleep, as well as a couple of times during the day. It’s the life of a pet parent!

What if Your Poodle Isn’t a Puppy?

Sometimes the Poodle you fall in love with and give a forever home isn’t a puppy, so you might wonder how you can train a full-grown dog. You’ll need to learn to read their body language and establish a firm routine for your adult Poodle, just as you would a young puppy.

It’s essential not to free-feed your adult Poodle, as you won’t have any way of knowing when they eat and when they need to go to the potty. Crate training is another technique that works well for older Poodles. When you take the dog outside, but they don’t go potty, simply return, put them in the crate for 10 to 15 minutes, then take them outside to try again. Once your Poodle goes potty, remember to offer tons of praise and treats for a job well done.

Final Thoughts

Caring for a Poodle puppy is a fun time in your family’s life. However, in the excitement of getting the dog settled into their new home, it could be easy to forget to set a routine and start training your new friend to potty outside.

Following the steps above will ensure that your Poodle puppy is properly trained and will continue to relieve themselves when brought outside. As your Poodle develops and learns the rules, your strict routine can be adjusted to something less rigid. Before you know it, your Poodle will be housetrained, and you both will have a well established day-to-day life.

• See also: Why Do Dogs Like to Sleep Curled Up? Here’s the Answer!

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Featured Image Credit: ThamKC, Shutterstock