Are you planning on getting a Goldendoodle in an apartment? In the video below, I cover how to prep your apartment so you’re ready for your new Goldendoodle.
- Plan how your pup will use the bathroom
Your pup can “hold it” about 1 hour or LESS for every month old they are. Meaning, if you have a 12 week old goldendoodle the max they can hold it is for 3 hours.
Remember – this is the MAXIMUM so you will probably need to take them out more. If you’re in a high rise building that means that you will probably want to invest in a grass potty patch so you’re not spending hours going up and down the elevator, or cleaning up accidents.
- Exercise schedule
With younger puppies, you won’t want to exercise as much because their growth plates aren’t set in yet; however, they will eventually get older, and a lot of doodles have a lot of energy. Is there a nearby park you can play fetch at? Do you work full time and need to invest in a dog walker?
Another awesome option for exercising your pup in an apartment is getting a flirt pole – it’s basically a big cat toy you can wave around and have your pup chase it. I always recommend CONTROLLED play, so asking for a sit/stay and then letting them know when to get it. You will also need to teach a solid drop it for controlled play.
- Training
What is your plan for training and socialization, if your pup will be under 16 weeks? Remember, socialization isn’t just about meeting with other dogs and people – it’s about familiarizing them to different textures, sounds, situations…
In my mini-course, the ‘new puppy survival guide’, I have everything you need to help your new family member get started on the right ‘paw.’ It includes socialization checklists, handling exercises, potty training tips, and a private Facebook Group. It’s only $29 and you can find out more information here.
Part of training is making sure you’re setting up your pup for success. Just like a toddler you’ll need to have puppy proofed areas in place. Don’t leave shoes, or things that your pup will want to chew within reach.
In fact, the first step to any training plan is managing the environment – so rather than waiting for your pup to “make a mistake” start with giving your pup less freedom and then slowly expand as they become more trustworthy. .
- Last but not least, MENTAL STIMULATION
Mental stimulation is often forgotten about, but our pups have brains that need to be WORKED.
I like to feed EVERY meal in a mentally stimulating way! Whether it’s a snuffle mat, Kong, or Puzzle toy, allow your pup to use their brain!
If you want to learn more about properly training your new doodle, be sure to sign up for my free, on-demand webinar, “Five Biggest Training Mistakes and How to avoid them” so you can leave a more peaceful life with your pooch. You can sign up here.