Sheepadoodles are designer dogs that are the adorable cross between the furry Old English Sheepdogs and the hypoallergenic, intelligent Poodles. They are frequently rambunctious and require early training and socialization.
Potty training a puppy takes at least two weeks, but four to eight weeks is more common. Potty training adult dogs is less complicated. This is because they will learn faster and hold their bladders for more extended periods, unlike young puppies with small bladders and cannot physically hold their pee.
A four-week-old puppy needs to go potty every two hours, an eight-week-old puppy will go potty every four hours, and a twelve-week-old puppy will go potty every six hours. Consistency is key here. If you take your furry friend to the same area each time, their scent will trigger memory, and they will use the same spot each time for their potty break.
The Sheepadoodle is easy to train because both Poodles and Old English Sheepdogs are intelligent breeds. Offer lots of praise and treats each time they go potty in the appropriate spot, and soon, they will figure out that it is the right thing to do.
Sheepadoodles rarely need professional help unless a severe behavioral problem is present. They are intelligent, loving, affectionate dogs wired to please humans. Common behavior traits that should be instilled at a young age include:
- Greeting people and other dogs politely
- Walking on a leash
- Reliable recall even with distractions
- Potty training
How Do You Potty Train A Sheepadoodle?
Sheepadoodles, like other breeds of dogs, are creatures of habit and thrive on routine. They rapidly pick up on good behaviors when rewarded.
Be as consistent as you can, and when your Sheepadoodle potties in the right spot, praise him like he has done the best thing in the world. Be lavish and over-the-top in the praise!
Once your pup has gotten into the habit of using a particular area of the yard to go potty, keep bringing him back and encouraging a potty break by a command like “go potty.” Be exceedingly lavish in praise and treats when the desired behavior is executed, and before long, your dog will get the idea and realize that outdoors is his toilet.
When you bring your puppy home, you can begin a simple routine with him. Sheepadoodles are intelligent dogs and pick up quickly on things.
The majority of people receive their pups between the ages of 8 and 10 weeks, and it’s a reasonable rule of thumb that puppies can retain their bladders for as many hours as their months of age.
For example, an 8-10 week old dog can hold its bladder for about 2 hours on average, while a 4-month-old pup might be able to get through the night without having to go potty at 3 a.m. To get your puppy into a decent habit, it’s best if you have a loose timetable for the first few days. A sample routine for a 10-week old puppy can be as follows:
7:00 A.M. – wake up and take the puppy outside to eliminate
7:30 A.M. – breakfast and water
Back out at 7:45 A.M. to eliminate
Play and rest from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Go outside to eliminate every 2 to 4 hours or when your dog looks like he needs to go
Noon – lunch time!
12:30 P.M. outside to eliminate
12:45 – 6:00 P.M. rest, play, fun, and cuddle, taking your dog out every 2 hours or whenever your dog appears in need of elimination
6 P.M. dinner time!
6:30 P.M. outside to eliminate
7:00 p.m. to 9:45 P.M. play and chill time on the couch or bed. You can stop giving water and be prepared for bed.
10 P.M. – last time going out for that one last pee
10:15 P.M – bedtime!
Accidents
If you’ve got a puppy, you’re going to have accidents; there are no two ways about it.
Keep an eagle eye out for when your pup is about to go potty and rush him outside to the appropriate spot, praising and rewarding generously when he does. Don’t get mad, yell, or scold when an accident happens indoors. This is normal and is to be expected.
Keep an eye out for indicators that your puppy has to use the restroom, such as whining and a strong need to smell or scratch.
You need to deliver a correction at the very moment that your dog is peeing. Say “no” calmly and firmly, then bring your dog to the desired spot and have him continue peeing there.
Use odor neutralizers and cleaning solutions to remove any scent of previous accidents indoors. Dogs are creatures of habit and will pee over their existing scent.
Never punish or hit a dog that has an accident indoors, leading to further issues like submissive urination. Correct him with a firm “no,” and then bring him outside where he is supposed to do his business. When he does, behave as if he did the best thing in the world!
Any contaminated area should be thoroughly sanitized and cleaned with powerful cleaning solutions that remove the scent. Even though you can’t smell it, your dog may be able to and may eliminate in that spot again.
Are Sheepadoodles Easy to Train?
Yes, Sheepadoodles are a cross between the highly intelligent Poodles and the herding Old English Sheepdogs. Poodles are the brainiacs of the canine world, originally bred to hunt and retrieve waterfowl in Germany. OId English Sheepdogs were historically bred in English to drive and herd cattle to the market for farmers.
Sheepadoodle puppies do not require extensive training because they are already quite intelligent. Straightforward and highly trainable, they are best socialized and trained from puppyhood.
Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are essential while training your Sheepadoodle puppy. They are sensitive dogs that will not respond well to harsh correction or punishment. With proper positive training, a long, loving relationship with your Sheepadoodle can be enjoyed for many years.
Socialization
The more exposed your dog is, the more adaptable he will become. Bring your Sheepadoodle to numerous locations to increase the number of experiences and maximize exposure. This can assist your dog in learning how to interact with various people and animals and how to behave in different situations.
Due to proper socialization, your Sheepadoodle will become a familiar, friendly, and fearless adult.
Behavior
Sheepadoodles are intelligent dogs that have a history of working with humans. They aim to please and will respond to directions quickly. Lavish love and affection with lots of treats and positive reinforcements, and your Sheepadoodle will respond in kind and do anything you ask within reason.
Biting
Sheepadoodles are not known to show aggression, but they can snap or bite when threatened like all animals. Puppies also teeth and chew, and this behavior, while annoying at the time, will pass once their milk teeth stop itching.
Divert any biting or chewing behavior to their toys or something safe like a dental bone, and before long, your puppy will stop using you as a chew toy!
An aggressive snap or bite is rare among grown dogs. If you feel unable to control your dog’s aggressive behaviors, always go to a professional.
Barking
Sheepadoodles are not known to be excessively barky, but they can alert and warn when they hear something out of the ordinary. Barking is the canine way of vocalization and is entirely normal. However, in the case of excessive barking, correct the behavior with a “thank you, enough” and reward your pooch when he stops going ballistic.
The best way to deal with barking is to ignore it! Any reaction, even scolding or correcting, gives attention to the puppy and might lead to other attention-seeking behaviors.
Allow them to understand that you haven’t rewarded them for barking. Only approach or give attention once they are calmed down.
Leash Training
No dog is born to walk on a leash, so all dogs need to be leash trained. Use a flat buckle or martingale collar for starters, with an ID tag, telephone number, and address for optimal safety.
Start small by allowing your Sheepadoodle to drag a leash around to get a sense of the weight and get used to the idea of wearing a collar and lead. Always praise lavishly when the desired behavior is executed.
Then start with short walks around the yard or a nearby, familiar field, always treating and never tugging or correcting yet. Soon, your Sheepadoodle will clue in on the fact that a leash means a fun walk and tons of attention and treats.
Sheepadoodle Crate Training
Dogs are denning animals that want a safe space for themselves that they can rest in without being disturbed. Crate training, when done right, is precisely that. The crate will be your best friend when potty training!
Not only will puppies be kept safe, crates, while sometimes mistakenly thought of as confinement, are an excellent training tool for puppies and a haven for older dogs.
Crate training should begin as soon as possible while the puppy is still acquiring routines and learning home rules. Crate training can take days or weeks, depending on your dog’s age, temperament, and previous experiences. It’s critical to remember two things with crate training:
Always associate the crate with a pleasant experience.
A sequence of tiny steps should be taken when training. Take your time and don’t rush, both for your own sake and the sake of your Sheepadoodle puppy.
Slowly introduce the crate
First and foremost, ensure that the crate is placed in the heart of the house or in an area where the family spends a significant amount of time, so your Sheepadoodle puppy can remain part of the pack yet enjoy its own private space. Use plenty of toys or a nice blanket in the crate or an old t-shirt with your scent.
In the crate, feed your Sheepadoodle
Place your Sheepadoodle’s food bowl near the crate after he is comfortable with it, giving plenty of opportunities for your Sheepadoodle to associate the crate with food and a positive experience. You can start putting the dish in the crate or scatter some food inside, depending on how quickly your dog enters the kennel at this time.
This stage also teaches animals to hold it because they don’t want to pee where they eat or sleep. If your Shepadoodle still won’t go into the crate, place the food bowl or cup as far as it will go, gradually increasing the depth with each meal.
Increase the duration of crating period
Gradually increase the time that your puppy spends in the crate. The goal is to have him stay in the crate overnight for a long, 8-hour sleep.
Slowly increase the time you are out of the room and out of sight to reduce the risk of separation anxiety. Go extremely slow and don’t push. Any drastic moves to lock your Sheepadoodle up in the crate beyond the limits will result in tons of stress and might lead to future behavioral problems. Only leave your Sheepadoodle alone when it is calm and peaceful.
Be patient! Crate training can take months.
Crate at night
The crate is your Sheepadoodle’s den that it should be sleeping in. You can start leaving your dog crated for brief periods when you leave the house once he can spend around 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious or fearful.
Your departures should be brief and discreet. Praise poochie for entering the crate, reward him, and then calmly depart.
To avoid developing anxiety over your return, don’t respond enthusiastically to your dog when you get home.
It’s a good idea to keep the crate near your bedroom at first. You’ll want to be close enough to hear your puppy whine if he needs to go potty in the middle of the night.
You can progressively transfer your dog’s crate to a more suitable position once he is sleeping soundly through the night with his crate near you.
Final Thoughts
A puppy’s memory is minimal. Sheepadoodles, although intelligent dogs, will benefit significantly from early socialization and basic training.
If in doubt, enroll your Sheepadoodle in an introductory obedience class to deliver more confidence and have better control over potentially harmful behaviors.
Always praise lavishly and treat generously, and you’ll find that your Sheepadoodle will always aim to please! Thanks for reading, and all the best to you and your furry friends!
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