What to do
Bringing home a new puppy can be an overwhelming experience. I have created this section in hopes to help guide you in the right direction with training. The first year will require work and time as the first year is most important for the training process. Research shows that people who take the time to train their dogs lead more fulfilling lives with their canine companions. A healthy balance of learning manners, encouraging sociability and providing your dog with the right kind of outlets will ensure her success. The learning process does not have to be costly or intense, and I am here if you have any questions along the way.
Crate training is imperative for your sanity and the puppies security as well. Crate training is beneficial for the following reasons:
Helps your puppy learn where you expect him to pee/poop (and where you don't!)
Keeps him safe, and protects your furniture and possessions when you're not around to supervise him
Keeps him safe when traveling in the car or by air
Helps prevent separation anxiety issues
Gives him a safe place where he can get some 'alone time' and just rest and relax.(resource: fidosavvy.com)
To learn how to appropriately crate train your new puppy, I strongly recommend reading this crate training article here.
Your new puppy will need your help with potty training as well. We have worked hard at litter box training your puppy but now it's time for him to graduate to the outdoor grass. This transition will go much more smoothly since we have taught your puppy to use a designated space when going potty, but accidents are to be expected. It is very important that your appropriately redirect your puppy when he has an accident. Luckily, Aussiedoodles are one of the smartest dog breeds on the planet and they love to learn! Read this article to find out how to potty train your new puppy.
In addition to your training tasks at home, I strongly recommend partaking in outside training courses. Based on my experience, this regiment below will be more then worth your time and money if you want to have a healthy, happy, and well-behaved dog. This regiment is offered by Petsmart, Petco and most local Dog Training facilities:
Puppy training course (begin at 10-12 weeks old)
Beginner course and/or the AKC S.T.A.R puppy course (begin at 4 months old)
Intermediate course (begin at 6 months old) or a “Manners Matter” course
Advanced course (begin at 8 months old)
AKC Canine Good Citizen training course (begin at 10 months old)
AKC Canine Good Citizen (Advanced and/or Urban for additional training)
This is the regiment I would highly recommend for any new puppy owner. If you plan on utilizing your dog for service work, you can begin that at 8 weeks old. The sooner you begin, the better your results will be. Google “Service training for dogs in my area” to find which facilities offer service training near you.
For those interested in getting their dog therapy certified, you can add a therapy dog prep course if your facility offers it otherwise the CGC courses usually prepare dogs adequately to be therapy dogs. There are many different therapy dog organizations out there, see which one your local facility works with if that is the route you decide to go.
Once you have completed the first 5-6 training courses, additional dog training can be continued in any way you would like. There are tuns of courses, including trick courses and agility courses which your Aussiedoodle (AKA “Canine Einstein”) will LOVE. My biggest piece of advice is to relax and have fun! Training classes are a great way to meet new people and gain personal pride in knowing you are doing what is best for your dog. There is nothing better then walking around with a well-behaved dog and knowing it is because of your hard work and dedication. The more enjoyable it is for the both of you, the better the results will be.