Pre-Training, Crating, and the Necessity of Post-Adoption Training

Your puppy will have some basic training under their tail by the time you pick them up. They will be used to car rides,  many unusual sounds, being held, litter trained, crate trained, stay close and come to ‘puppy, puppy’.

Don’t have the time or energy to train your puppy beyond puppy 101? We can discuss what you would like us to train your puppy to do. They are smart enough to do just about anything. You just have to have the time, patience and know how to do it.

Training your Australian Labradoodle after adoption

The Australian Labradoodles we offer are loving, intuitive, very social and easily trained.  They are also exceptionally intelligent.  Because they are so smart, they need to have their intelligence channeled at an early age (refer back to the story on the home page). It is important to train them early and let them know their place in the pack and that you are the leader of that pack.  If trained early on, your dog will become a beloved family member.  If you are not able to spend a good bit of time with your puppy, you should think about getting a less intelligent breed. Your Labradoodle’s active mind needs stimulation.

Should we Crate our Australian Labradoodle puppy?

According to the Humane Society, crate training utilizes a dog's natural instincts as a den animal. A wild dog's den is his home, a place to sleep, raise a family and is their safe place.  The primary use for a crate is housetraining. Dogs don't like to soil their dens. In the wild, the scent of the soiling would give away their hiding or safe place. We take advantage of that knowledge when trying to house train your puppy. The crate needs to be appropriately sized for your pup - not cramped, but they shouldn’t be able to roam in it either.

The crate can also limit access to the rest of the house while they learn other rules, like not to chew on furniture.  They are also a safe way to transport your dog in the car.

Crating Caution!

If not used correctly, a dog can feel trapped and frustrated.  Never use the crate as a punishment. Your dog will come to fear it and refuse to enter it.  Don't leave your dog in the crate too long.  A dog that’s crated day and night doesn't get enough exercise or human interaction and can become depressed or anxious. Puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time. They can't control their bladders and bowels for that long.  The same goes for adult dogs that are being housetrained.

Physically, they can hold it, but they don’t know they’re supposed to.  Crate your dog only until you can trust him not to destroy the house. After that, it should be a place he goes voluntarily. Have your puppy ‘expect’ a treat each time you say ‘crate’ or ‘kennel’. The positive reinforcement of the successful completion of the task will make your puppy happy to crate whenever you want them to. Once engrained, gradually reduce the treats over time.

If full adoption isn't your choice, we also provide guardianship for puppies as an option.

Contact the Wisconsin Australian Labradoodle breeders for information on proper puppy training.