Dog Blog

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about housebreaking your puppy, from understanding the unique characteristics of popular crosses like Goldendoodles and Maltipoos to implementing effective training schedules that work with your lifestyle.

Understanding Breeds and Their Housebreaking Challenges

Designer breeds, also known as hybrid dogs, are the result of deliberately crossing two purebred dogs to create offspring that combine desirable traits from both parent breeds. Popular designer breeds include Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Maltipoos, Cockapoos, Cavapoos, and Bernedoodles, among many others.

When it comes to housebreaking, designer breeds present some unique considerations:

• Varied inheritances: Your puppy may inherit bathroom habits and learning tendencies from either parent, making training less predictable than with purebreds.
• Size differences: Many breeds come in multiple size varieties (toy, mini, standard), each with different bladder capacities and control development timelines.
• Intelligence levels: Most breeds, particularly poodle mixes, are highly intelligent, which can be both an advantage (quick learning) and a challenge (stubbornness).
• Sensitivity: Many breeds are emotionally sensitive and respond poorly to harsh training methods.

Understanding these factors will help you tailor your approach to your specific puppy's needs and temperament. Choosing a healthy puppy and providing proper care is critical. Read our blog post on this subject for more! 

When to Start Housebreaking Your Puppy

The ideal time to begin housebreaking is immediately upon bringing your puppy home. Most puppies come home between 8-12 weeks of age, which is perfect for starting training.

However, it's important to have realistic expectations based on your puppy's age:

• 8-10 weeks: At this age, puppies have minimal bladder control. Expect frequent accidents and focus on establishing a routine.
• 10-12 weeks: Puppies begin developing better awareness and control, though still need frequent opportunities to eliminate.
• 3-4 months: Most puppies can start holding their bladder for slightly longer periods but still need consistent scheduling.
• 4-6 months: Substantial progress should be evident, with fewer accidents and clearer signaling.
• 6+ months: Most breeds should be reliably housebroken by this age, though smaller varieties may take longer.

Remember that smaller dogs (under 20 pounds) often take longer to housebreak due to their smaller bladder capacity and higher metabolism.

Essential Supplies for Successful Housebreaking

Before beginning the housebreaking process, gather these essential supplies:

• Appropriately sized crate: Should be large enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not so large that they can eliminate in one corner and sleep in another.
• Baby gates or exercise pen: To restrict access to areas of your home during training.
• Enzymatic cleaner: Regular household cleaners won't completely eliminate urine odors that encourage puppies to soil the same spot repeatedly.
• Potty pads: Useful for indoor training options, particularly for tiny breeds or in extreme weather conditions.
• Treats: Small, easily consumed rewards for positive reinforcement.
• Leash and collar/harness: For taking your puppy to their designated outdoor elimination area.
• Timer or alarm: To maintain consistent scheduling for potty breaks.
• Potty bells (optional): Can be hung on doors to teach your puppy to signal when they need to go out.

Read more about housetraining puppies here!

Choosing Your Housebreaking Method

There are several approaches to housebreaking, and the best one depends on your lifestyle, living situation, and your puppy’s specific characteristics:

1. Crate Training Method

Crate training leverages a dog's natural instinct not to soil their sleeping area. This method is particularly effective for puppies with strong den instincts.

Steps for crate training:

1. Introduce your puppy to the crate positively, making it a comfortable, safe haven.
2. Use the crate for short periods initially, gradually increasing duration.
3. Take your puppy directly from crate to potty area when letting them out.
4. Never use the crate as punishment.
5. Adjust crate size as your puppy grows.

Best for: Working pet parents, puppies that need help with impulse control, and breeds that respond well to den-like environments.

2. Constant Supervision Method

This approach involves keeping your puppy within your sight at all times when they're not crated.

Steps for supervision method:

1. Tether your puppy to you with a leash when indoors.
2. Watch for pre-elimination signals (circling, sniffing, whining).
3. Quickly move your puppy to the appropriate elimination area when signals appear.
4. Gradually increase freedom as reliability improves.

Best for: Those who work from home or have flexible schedules, and highly active puppies who need monitoring.

3. Paper/Pad Training Method

This method involves teaching your puppy to eliminate on designated pads indoors.

Steps for pad training:

1. Create a confined area with pads covering the floor.
2. Gradually reduce the covered area, leaving pads only in designated spots.
3. Praise elimination on the pads.
4. Optionally transition to outdoor elimination later.

Best for: Very small designer breeds, high-rise apartment dwellers, areas with extreme weather, and those with limited mobility.

4. Hybrid Methods

Many successful puppy parents combine these approaches, using crates at night and when away, supervision when home, and pads for backup or during bad weather.

Creating an Effective Housebreaking Schedule

Consistency is crucial for successful dog potty training. Here's a sample schedule that works well for most puppies:

Sample Puppy Potty Schedule (Adjust Based on Age)

• Morning (6-7am): Potty break immediately upon waking
• Breakfast (7-8am): Feed, then potty break 15-30 minutes after eating
• Mid-morning (9-10am): Potty break and short play session
• Midday (12pm): Potty break, short training or play session
• Afternoon (2-3pm): Potty break after nap
• Dinner (5-6pm): Feed, then potty break 15-30 minutes after eating
• Evening (7-8pm): Final play session and potty break
• Before bed (10-11pm): Last potty break of the day
• Overnight: Younger puppies (under 3-4 months) may need a middle-of-the-night break

For working pet parents, consider:

• Arranging for a midday break from a dog walker, neighbor, or family member
• Setting up a confined area with pads if longer absences are unavoidable
• Using a puppy daycare service during the crucial housebreaking period

Breed-Specific Housebreaking Tips for Popular Dogs

While each puppy is an individual, certain breeds tend to share characteristics that affect housebreaking:

Poodle Mixes (Doodles, Poos)

Common traits: High intelligence, sometimes stubborn, often people-pleasing.

Tips for training:

• Use mental stimulation alongside physical exercise
• Keep training sessions engaging to prevent boredom
• Be consistent with commands and routines
• May respond well to potty bells due to their intelligence

Bichon Mixes

Common traits: Small bladders, sometimes stubborn about going outdoors in bad weather.

Tips for training:

• May benefit from indoor options during extreme weather
• Require more frequent potty breaks due to size
• Positive reinforcement works well with these sensitive dogs
• Consistency is especially important

Yorkie/Maltese Mixes

Common traits: Very small bladders, can be challenging to housebreak.

Tips for training:

• Indoor training methods often work best initially
• May take longer to develop reliable bladder control
• Extremely frequent breaks needed (every 1-2 hours when awake)
• Consider litter box training as an alternative

Retriever Mixes (Goldendoodles, etc.)

Common traits: Eager to please, high energy, generally quick learners.

Tips for training:

• Combine potty breaks with short exercise sessions
• Use enthusiastic praise as these dogs are typically reward-motivated
• May need to work on excitement urination
• Generally housebreak more quickly than smaller dogs

Check out our blog post about which puppies have the best personalities here!

The Role of Positive Reinforcement in Housebreaking

Positive reinforcement is particularly effective with designer breeds, which often inherit sensitivity from one or both parents. Here's how to implement it effectively:

1. Timing is everything: Reward immediately after your puppy eliminates in the appropriate place—not when they return inside.
2. Choose effective rewards: Find what motivates your specific puppy. This might be:
   • Small training treats
   • Verbal praise and excitement
   • Brief play sessions
   • Gentle physical affection
3. Be consistent with praise: Use the same enthusiastic tone and phrases each time.
4. Avoid punishment: Never punish accidents, especially after the fact. Your puppy won't connect the punishment with the accident and may learn to fear you.
5. Handle accidents properly: If you catch your puppy in the act, interrupt with a neutral sound (not scary), then immediately take them to the appropriate spot.

Frequently Asked Questions About Housebreaking Designer Breed Puppies

1. How long does it typically take to fully housebreak a designer breed puppy?

The timeline varies significantly based on breed, size, and individual temperament. Generally, larger designer breeds may show reliable housebreaking around 4-6 months of age, while smaller breeds often take longer, sometimes up to 8-12 months for complete reliability. Consistency in your training approach is the most significant factor affecting training duration.

2. Should I use puppy pads?

Puppy pads can be useful tools, especially for very small puppies in high-rise apartments, or in areas with extreme weather. However, they can sometimes confuse puppies about appropriate elimination surfaces. If you plan to eventually have your puppy eliminate exclusively outdoors, consider whether pad training aligns with your long-term goals.

3. My puppy was doing well with housebreaking but suddenly started having accidents again. What happened?

Regression is common and can be caused by growth spurts (which affect bladder control), changes in routine, household stress, or medical issues. Return to more frequent potty breaks and stricter supervision temporarily. If the problem persists, consult your veterinarian to rule out urinary tract infections or other medical causes.

4. Do male and female puppies differ in how easily they housebreak?

While individual personality differences are more significant than gender differences, some trainers report that female puppies sometimes develop bladder control slightly earlier than males. Additionally, males may be more likely to mark territory after sexual maturity if not neutered. However, proper training techniques work equally well for both genders.

5. How do I handle housebreaking in bad weather, especially with small puppies that dislike rain or cold?

Many small designer breeds are sensitive to weather conditions. Consider creating a sheltered outdoor potty area, using an umbrella during rain, or clearing a snow-free path in winter. For extremely adverse conditions, having a backup indoor option (like pads or indoor grass patches) can be helpful. Some owners find that doggy raincoats or sweaters make puppies more willing to go outside in challenging weather.

6. Should I wake my puppy up at night for potty breaks?

For young puppies (under 3-4 months), nighttime breaks are often necessary. As a general guideline, puppies can hold their bladder for approximately one hour per month of age during the night (slightly longer than during active daytime hours). Set an alarm rather than waiting for your puppy to cry, which teaches them that crying isn't necessary for bathroom breaks.

7. My puppy seems to have frequent accidents when excited. Is this normal?

Excitement urination is common in puppies and typically diminishes with maturity. Avoid overly enthusiastic greetings, have guests ignore your puppy until they calm down, and ensure frequent potty breaks during exciting situations. If the problem persists beyond one year of age, consult your veterinarian to rule out medical causes.

8. Is it harder to housebreak designer breeds than purebred dogs?

Not necessarily harder, but sometimes less predictable. Because designer breeds inherit traits from two different breeds, their development and temperament can be more variable. Understanding both parent breeds' characteristics helps tailor your approach effectively.

9. Can older dogs be housebroken if they never learned properly as puppies?

Yes, adult dogs can absolutely learn proper elimination habits, though it may require more time and consistency. The same principles apply—regular schedule, positive reinforcement, proper supervision—but expect the process to take longer, especially if you're correcting long-established habits.

Conclusion

Housebreaking your puppy requires patience, consistency, and an understanding of your specific puppy's needs and characteristics. By establishing a reliable schedule, using positive reinforcement, and choosing the right method for your lifestyle and your puppy's temperament, you'll set the foundation for a lifetime of good bathroom habits.

With time and consistent training, your puppy will master this essential skill, making your life together more enjoyable and stress-free. The investment you make in proper housebreaking now will pay dividends throughout your puppy's life. Ready to find your perfect puppy companion? Contact us today and let us help find the perfect match.