A Beginner’s Guide to Potty Training Your English Cream Golden Retriever Puppy

Potty training an English Cream Golden Retriever is a crucial part of being a responsible pet parent. It is important to start this process as early as possible, as the puppy is still learning and developing its habits. Golden retrievers are intelligent, so they can be easily trained to use the bathroom in the right areas. Potty training your puppy will require consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement.

Your other option is to invest in professional training for your English Cream Golden Retriever puppy – some breeders provide puppy training so be sure to do your research or ask!

What Items to Prepare When Potty Training an English Cream Golden Retriever

Potty training can be difficult, but it can go much smoother with the right items and preparation. Here is a list of items you should have to help potty train your puppy.

1. Dog Treats

Having a supply of treats on hand is essential when potty training your English Cream Golden Retriever. Treats act as positive reinforcement, which helps to reinforce good behavior in your puppy. Make sure you have a variety of treats to choose from, as different treats will be more appealing to your puppy.

Another thing to keep in mind is the size of the treats you’re providing. Training treats are specifically meant to be small, and hopefully, you are choosing a brand with some health benefits. However, your puppy is going to grow significantly in their first year and its metabolism will work in your favor. You shouldn’t need to put your brand-new puppy on a diet!

2. Crate

A crate is an important item when potty training your puppy. Most dogs feel comfortable in a crate, which will help them learn when and where to go to the bathroom. Make sure you get a large crate for your puppy to move around in and put a soft blanket in the bottom for them to sleep on.

Dogs will rarely defecate or urinate where they sleep or live, so with the right type of crate-training, your puppy shouldn’t have accidents in their crates unless they have been left in it for too long. The crate should be a designated safe space for your dog, and when they are let out of their crate and sent directly outside, they will learn to use the outdoors as a place to relieve themselves.

3. Potty Pads

   

Potty pads are a great way to help your puppy learn where to go to the bathroom. Place the potty pads

in the designated area where you want your puppy to go to the bathroom, such as a corner of the room (if its indoors), on a balcony, or an area of the yard if it aids in transitioning them.

4. Leash

A leash will help you take your puppy outside to the bathroom. Make sure to get a leash that is the right size for your pup and comfortable for you and your pup. Over time, your dog can learn to associate the leash with an opportunity to go to the bathroom.

5. Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supplies, such as paper towels, cleaning solutions, and disposal bags, are essential when potty training your puppy. When your puppy has an accident, it is important to clean it up right away to prevent any bad habits from forming. When you’re welcoming a new puppy into your home, regardless of breed, you should expect your puppy to have accidents! It’s going to happen, they simply don’t know any better until you start potty training them!

How to Potty Train an English Cream Golden Retriever

Potty training a puppy can be a daunting task. However, with patience and consistency, it can be achieved. Here are a few steps to help you potty train your new English Cream Golden Retriever puppy:

1. Set up a Routine

Establish a potty training routine for your puppy. Take them outside at the same time every day and be consistent with the schedule. By doing so, you are encouraging them to follow a schedule with you, making it easier for them to know when it is time to do their business.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward your puppy with treats and praise when they go to the proper spot. This reinforces the desired behavior and encourages them to repeat it. You can start by giving them a treat every time and as they get used to it, you can start waning on the treats. This is to ensure that they know that it is only normal behavior and is not necessarily something they should only do for treats. Attaching a word like “potty” to their opportunities to use the bathroom is a good idea.

3. Supervise Closely

Supervise your puppy closely when they are outside and inside! If they begin to go to the bathroom in the wrong spot, quickly take them to the proper area and praise him when they take care of it there. Sometimes catching a puppy just before an accident happens, or during an accident, is the best way to make big strides when potty training.

4. Clean up Accidents

Clean up any accidents promptly. This will help eliminate any odors that may attract your puppy back to the same spot. Make sure to sanitize the area and try to spray it with something that could remove any smells that your dog may have left behind. There are some products that create an odor that dogs actively dislike and can discourage them from using that same spot.

5. Be Patient

Potty training can be a long process, and setbacks are to be expected. Be patient and consistent; your puppy will eventually learn the desired behavior. With consistency and diligence, many dogs can get the hang of it in 2-8 weeks.

What to Avoid When Potty Training Your English Cream Golden Retriever

Just like there are some best practices for you to know, there are also some things you need to avoid. By knowing what these things are, you can ensure that your dog know what is incorrect behavior.

1. Avoid Yelling at Your Dog

While it can be frustrating if your dog goes in the wrong spot, it is important that you do not yell at them. Not only will this scare them and possibly traumatize them, but it can also encourage your dog to eat their waste to hide it from you. Positivity, and encouraging and rewarding the right behaviors, are almost always the way to go when it comes to training your dog.

2. Don’t Walk Your Dog to Force Them to Poop

While this is something that many dog owners practice, it’s actually not healthy. This could encourage your dog to only go when you walk him, and they could end up holding it in until you can go out for your daily walk. Make sure that your dog is aware that they can go whenever they want to or need to, and encourage them to let you know.

3. Not Paying Attention to Signs

More often than not, when your puppy needs to go, there are changes in their behavior. They may start sniffing around or seem distracted. If they start digging or try to go into a squatting position, this is often a big sign that they need to go. Make sure to identify what behavior your dog shows whenever they need to go so that you can always let them out on time.

4. Ignoring Hold Times

Just like humans, dogs can also hold their need to go. However, this changes depending on their age. The younger your puppy is, the more likely it is that it will need to go more often. This can also be affected by a number of factors like activity level, appetite, and more.