At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we believe in providing our puppy families with the best tools to ensure a smooth transition for their new furry companions. That’s why we’re offering a free, downloadable Potty & Crate Training Guide, specifically designed for Therapy Grade Australian Mountain Doodles, Bernedoodles, and Golden Mountain Doodles. Our training protocol is built on years of expertise, ensuring your puppy is set up for success from day one.

We follow proven methods that encourage positive behavior, minimize accidents, and create a comfortable environment for your dog. This guide will walk you through step-by-step instructions for both potty training and crate training, so you can confidently help your new puppy adapt to their home.

At Stokeshire, we believe in raising the bar in responsible dog ownership and invite you to join us on this journey. Download our free guide today, and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more expert tips and updates!

Understanding Potty Training

The Basics of Potty Training

Potty training is one of the first challenges new puppy owners face. It’s essential to start potty training as soon as your puppy arrives home, typically between 8 and 12 weeks old—a stage when they start gaining control over their bladder and bowel movements. Recognizing signs of readiness, such as sniffing around or circling, is key to establishing effective potty routines early on.

Creating a Consistent Potty Schedule

Consistency is the backbone of successful potty training. Establish a routine that incorporates regular potty breaks, especially after meals, naps, and play sessions. Puppies have small bladders and need frequent opportunities to relieve themselves. Schedule bathroom breaks every two hours initially, gradually extending as your puppy becomes adept at holding it longer.

Choosing the Right Potty Spot

Select a designated potty spot outside where your puppy can relieve themselves. This spot should be easily accessible and safe. Consistency in using the same location helps puppies associate the area with doing their business. Praise and reward your puppy with treats and affection immediately after they successfully potty in the correct spot—positive reinforcement is crucial in encouraging the desired behavior.

Crate Training 101

The Benefits of Crate Training

Crate training offers numerous benefits for both puppies and their owners. A crate provides puppies with a secure space reminiscent of a den—a natural instinct for dogs. It aids in potty training by teaching them to hold their bladder, promotes independence, and offers a safe haven when you’re not around. For pet owners, it provides peace of mind knowing their puppy is secure.

Introducing Your Puppy to the Crate

Introducing your puppy to their crate should be a positive experience. Begin by placing the crate in a familiar living area and leaving the door open. Place soft bedding and some favorite toys inside to make it inviting. Encourage your puppy to explore the crate, rewarding them with treats and praise when they enter it willingly. Gradual exposure helps build trust and comfort.

Making the Crate Comfortable

Ensure the crate is a comfortable and safe space for your puppy by adding cozy bedding and a blanket. Keep the environment calm and quiet, especially during nap times. Avoid using the crate as a form of punishment; it should be a positive retreat. Gradually increase the time your puppy spends in the crate, starting with short intervals and working up to longer periods.

Combining Potty and Crate Training

Using the Crate as a Tool for Potty Training

The crate is an effective tool in potty training, as puppies instinctively avoid soiling their sleeping area. Use the crate to establish a routine by taking your puppy outside immediately after releasing them. This reinforces the association between leaving the crate and going potty, helping to instill good habits.

Schedule and Routine

Develop a structured schedule that integrates crate and potty training. Set regular times for meals, play, and potty breaks, aligning them with crate time. Consistent routines create predictability, making it easier for your puppy to learn when and where to potty. Over time, your puppy will develop a reliable internal schedule.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding Mistakes in Training

It’s common for new puppy owners to make mistakes during potty and crate training. Avoid scolding or punishing your puppy for accidents, as this can create fear and confusion. Instead, calmly clean up accidents and reinforce the correct behavior with positive reinforcement. Avoid allowing your puppy unsupervised access to the house until they are fully trained.

Overcoming Challenges

Challenges in training are normal, but they can be overcome with patience and consistency. If your puppy has frequent accidents, reassess your potty schedule and consider more frequent breaks. Ensure your puppy has ample opportunities to succeed and always praise and reward them for correct behavior.

Troubleshooting Guide

Dealing with Regression

Regression is a common occurrence in training, particularly during development phases or changes in routine. If your puppy regresses, revisit the basics of potty and crate training. Reestablish routines, offer frequent breaks, and reinforce positive behavior. Patience and understanding are key during these times.

Conclusion

Potty and crate training are foundational elements in raising a well-behaved dog. These techniques provide structure and security for your puppy, setting the stage for a harmonious life together. Remember, patience and consistency are your best allies in this process.

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we understand the importance of early training and offer a wealth of resources to support you in your puppy parenting journey. For more expert tips and advice, subscribe to our newsletter and join our community of dog lovers dedicated to raising happy, healthy pets.

Responsible Breeders Are the Unsung Heroes in Reducing Shelter Populations

Each year, millions of dogs end up in shelters, often due to preventable circumstances like inadequate training or care. This tragic cycle leaves countless animals without homes, many of whom face euthanasia. At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we believe there’s a solution, and it starts with education, training, and ethical breeding practices.

Our commitment goes beyond raising puppies—we aim to educate our clients and the wider community on responsible dog ownership, helping to prevent dogs from ever entering the shelter system. No Stokeshire puppy will ever end up in a shelter, thanks to our comprehensive support for both our dogs and their new families.

The Role of Responsible Breeding

At Stokeshire, we do more than just breed Therapy Grade Australian Mountain Doodles, Bernedoodles, and Golden Mountain Doodles—we equip families with the resources they need for successful dog ownership. From the moment our puppies are born, we implement early potty training and socialization protocols, preparing them for a smooth transition into their new homes. This proactive training ensures that our puppies are ready to thrive, not just in their early days, but throughout their lives.

But our work doesn’t stop at the breeding process. We take time to educate prospective owners on the lifelong commitment required for dog ownership. By offering free training resources and continued support, we aim to empower families to raise well-behaved, well-adjusted dogs—ultimately reducing the chances of these dogs being surrendered.

Why Education Matters

One of the leading reasons dogs end up in shelters is a lack of understanding about proper training and care. By providing a strong educational foundation for new puppy owners, we can help eliminate these common pitfalls. Our free downloadable Potty & Crate Training Guide is just one way we contribute to this mission. It’s designed to set up new pet owners for success by offering easy-to-follow steps and expert advice on creating a stable environment for their puppy.

Reducing Shelter Populations

Through careful selection of our puppy parents and providing them with the right tools, we ensure that Stokeshire puppies have a permanent, loving home. Unlike irresponsible breeding practices, which often result in neglected or abandoned dogs, responsible breeders like Stokeshire play a key role in reducing shelter populations. Our dogs are placed with families who are well-prepared to meet their needs, resulting in fewer dogs being abandoned or surrendered.

Research supports this approach: dogs from responsible breeders have significantly lower rates of shelter drop-offs. Early training, socialization, and ongoing support create a foundation for success, reducing behavioral issues that often lead to surrender. By investing in proper education, breeders like Stokeshire help break the cycle of pet abandonment.

Busting Misconceptions

There’s a widespread misconception that all breeders contribute to the shelter crisis. While irresponsible breeders and puppy mills do exacerbate the problem, responsible breeders are part of the solution. At Stokeshire, we prioritize the health, wellbeing, and future of each dog we breed, ensuring they’re placed in caring, committed homes.

The public needs to understand the critical difference between ethical breeders and those who prioritize profit over animal welfare. Responsible breeders don’t just breed dogs—they foster a culture of education and responsible ownership, which has a direct impact on lowering the number of dogs in shelters.

Join the Movement

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we’re committed to raising the bar in dog breeding and ownership, and we invite you to join us. Whether you're looking for expert advice, a well-trained therapy dog, or simply want to learn more about responsible pet ownership, we’re here to help. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more tips, resources, and updates.

By supporting responsible breeders, you’re not just adding a dog to your family—you’re supporting a movement that ensures dogs live happy, healthy lives in homes where they are truly loved and valued.

Let’s work together to create a future where every dog has a forever home and shelters become a place of last resort, not the norm.