How to Potty Train a Bernedoodle Puppy
By Zach, Z and Z Doodles · · 5 min read
Housetraining is the part of puppy life people worry about most. The good news is that Bernedoodles are smart and eager to please, and with a clear routine most puppies make real progress within a few weeks. Here is the approach we recommend to every family.
The basic idea
Puppies need to go out often, to the same place, and be rewarded right after they finish. That is nearly the entire method. What makes it hard is consistency, since someone has to watch the puppy, notice the signs and follow through every time. The more reliably you do it, the faster your puppy learns.
Know when puppies need to go
Take your puppy out:
- First thing in the morning
- After every nap
- After eating or drinking, usually within a few minutes
- After play or excitement
- Before bed and before being crated
- Every hour or two during the day while very young
Young puppies cannot hold it for long. A common rule of thumb is that a puppy can wait about one hour for each month of age, plus one, up to a limit, but individuals vary. When in doubt, go out.
Pick a spot
Choose a spot outside and take your puppy there on a leash each time. Stand still, stay boring, and use a cue word like "go potty." When your puppy finishes, praise warmly and give a small treat right away, while they are still outside. The treat must come immediately, since timing is how a puppy connects the reward with the action.
Supervise indoors
Indoors, keep your puppy in sight or confined. Watch for signs such as sniffing, circling, whining or heading to a corner, and take them out at once. When you cannot watch, use the crate or a small, safe pen. Puppies resist soiling where they sleep, which is why crate training helps. See our crate training guide.
Accidents will happen
If you catch your puppy in the act, calmly interrupt with a neutral sound and carry them outside. If you find a mess afterward, simply clean it up. Never punish, scold or rub their nose in it, which only teaches fear. Clean with an enzymatic cleaner designed to remove odor, because lingering smell invites repeats.
A sample day
- 6:30 am: out, then breakfast
- 7:00 am: out again
- Mid-morning: nap, out when awake
- Noon: lunch, then out
- Afternoon: play, out, nap, out
- 5:30 pm: dinner, then out
- Evening: play, out
- Bedtime: out, then crate
Adjust to your schedule, and follow your vet's advice on meal timing.
Nighttime
Young puppies usually need one or two trips overnight. Take them out calmly, with no play or talk, then return them to the crate. As they grow, they will sleep for longer. If your puppy wakes you, treat it as a real request, since accidents in the crate set you back. Read about the early nights in your puppy's first night and week.
Rain, cold and other obstacles
Many puppies hate wet grass or cold. Go out with them, use a dry spot or a covered area if needed, and reward generously. Dress warmly yourself, since you will be out there a lot.
Common setbacks
- Regression at a few months: this is normal, so go back to the basics
- Excitement peeing: usually outgrown, so greet calmly
- Marking: if it starts, consult your vet and a trainer
- Sudden accidents in a trained dog: check with your vet, as it can signal a health problem
How long will it take?
Most puppies show real progress within a few weeks, but fully reliable habits can take a few months. Some take longer, and smaller dogs can be slower. Patience matters more than speed. Keep records of when your puppy goes, since patterns help you plan.
Quick answers
Should I use puppy pads? Some families do, particularly in apartments, but pads can confuse a puppy about where to go. If you use them, plan how to transition outdoors.
Why does my puppy go right after coming back inside? The puppy may have been distracted. Stay out a few minutes longer, keep it boring, and bring the puppy in only once business is done.
How do I know when my puppy is ready for more freedom? Add freedom slowly, one room at a time, after several weeks without accidents. If accidents return, simply go back a step. Progress is rarely a straight line, so stay patient and keep celebrating the successes.
Our head start
We begin gentle routines in our home before puppies leave, and we send home a blanket that smells familiar. You then build on that with a steady schedule.
For more help, see our first week guide, the FAQ, our available puppies or contact us.
Zach and his family raise Bernedoodle puppies at home in Central Illinois. Every puppy is health-tested, raised underfoot, and backed by lifetime breeder support. Meet the family.
