How To Potty Train An English Cream Retriever

If you’re reading this, then chances are you’ve recently welcomed a new furry bundle of joy into your home. There’s nothing quite like the love and joy that a new puppy brings, but we all know that with great cuteness comes great responsibility. And that includes potty training! So, how to potty train an English Cream Retriever?

Admittedly, potty training can be tedious and requires patience and consistency. However, the reward of having a well-trained dog who knows where to do their business is priceless. As a responsible pet owner, you must teach your furry friend how to behave properly inside and outside your home. By teaching your dog how to potty in an appropriate place, you can save yourself from the hassle of cleaning up after them and keep your home clean and healthy.

So, don’t worry if you find it a bit overwhelming to start potty training your English Cream Retriever. We are here to help! In this post, we’ll cover all the essential steps you need to take to potty train your pup successfully. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

When to Start Puppy Potty Training 

Generally, the best time to start puppy potty training is 12-16 weeks. This is when they start to gain control of their bladder and bowel functions, which smoother the whole training process. Plus, puppies at this age are still eager to please and learn new skills. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that every pup is different, and there’s no cookie-cutter approach to potty training.

Another important factor to consider is your puppy’s dog breed. Smaller breeds have smaller bladders, which means they can’t hold their urine for as long as larger breeds. Therefore, they’ll need to be taken out frequently to avoid accidents.

How To Potty Train An English Cream Retriever

When potty training a puppy, one of the most important things to remember is consistency. Establishing a consistent routine for potty breaks will help your pup understand when and where to do their business and make the whole process easier for both you and your pup. The following steps can help you set up successful potty break routines:

Take Them Outside Often

How to potty train an english cream retriever is frequently taking them outside. This teaches your pup to associate the outdoors with the place to go poop. By taking them outside often, you’re giving them ample opportunities to relieve themselves, which decreases the likelihood of accidents inside.

So, how often should you take them outside? As a general rule of thumb, you should take your puppy out every 1-2 hours. However, if you detect signals they need to go outside, such as sniffing or circling, take them out immediately. It’s also important to take them out first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bedtime. 

If you work away from home, try to come back during your lunch break to let them out. It may seem like a lot of work, but the more consistent you are with taking them out, the quicker they’ll learn.

Take Them To The Same Spot

If you want your pup to learn where to go potty, it’s essential that you take them to the same spot every time. This will help teach them that this is the place they should go when they need to relieve themselves. Try to stick with one area and avoid changing it or taking them to multiple spots in a single outing.

To start, choose an area in your yard or outside of your apartment that is easily accessible. This right spot should have a grassy or sandy surface, as dogs prefer relieving themselves on these surfaces. 

Take your pup to this spot every time they need to go outside, using a consistent command such as “go potty” or “do your business” to signal to them that it’s time to do their business.

Praise Them For Going Outside

Once your pup goes potty outside in the designated location, shower them with lots of praise! Use enthusiastic words and positive reinforcement to let them know they did a great job and that you’re proud of them. You can even give them a treat or a small reward to reinforce the good behavior. 

Not only will this help encourage them to go potty outside in the future, but it also helps to strengthen your bond with your pup. Plus, who doesn’t love a little puppy praise?

How To Potty Train An English Cream Retriever: Keep Them Constrained When Unsupervised

Even with a consistent potty routine, accidents can still happen. One way to reduce the chances of this is by keeping your pup confined when you cannot supervise them. This prevents them from wandering off and doing business in other parts of the house or apartment. The best option for confinement is to use a crate.

First, choosing the right crate size for your furry friend is important. Your golden should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably in the crate, but it should not be so big that they have enough space to do their business on one side and sleep on the other. Once you have the right size, place a soft, comfortable bed or blanket inside to make it cozy for your pup.

Now comes the fun part: helping your pup associate the crate with good things, like treats and praise. Start by letting them explore the crate on their own, then gradually introduce them to spending a short time inside. During these periods, watch your pup closely for signs that they need to go potty. When they do, immediately take them outside to their designated potty spot and wait until they finish.

How To Potty Train An English Cream Retriever: Handle Accidents Properly

Don’t punish your pup for having an accident. Dogs don’t fully understand the concept of “wrong” versus “right,” so punishing them for something they don’t fully understand is not productive. Instead, simply clean up the mess and move on.

Furthermore, make sure to clean up the accident thoroughly. The scent of urine or feces can linger, making it more likely that your pup will have another accident in the same spot. Use a pet-specific cleaner to clean the area thoroughly.

How To Potty Train An English Cream Retriever: Never Trust Your Golden Retriever

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “That sounds a little ominous. Why would you not trust your lovable, furry companion?”

The idea behind this is that you should never assume your pup won’t have an accident, even if they’ve been doing well with their potty training. It’s important to always have your pup within eyesight or in a crate when you’re unable to supervise them closely. It only takes one slip for them to forget their training and have an accident inside the house.

While it may seem like a lot of work to constantly monitor your furry friend, this approach can help expedite the potty training process and minimize accidents. Over time, you’ll be able to gradually trust your golden retriever more and more until you can confidently leave them alone without fear of any accidents.

How To Potty Train An English Cream Retriever: Tips To Speed Up House Training

While there is no magic formula for quick house training a puppy, there are several tips you can follow to expedite the process:

Set Up a Regular Feeding Schedule

Feeding your puppy at regular times throughout the day can help establish a routine for their bodily functions, making it easier to predict when they will need to use the bathroom. Typically, puppies need to be eliminated shortly after they eat, so feeding them at the same time every day can make it easier to anticipate when to go outside.

Additionally, following a regular feeding schedule means that you can control your puppy’s access to food. Leaving food out all day can cause them to snack frequently, leading to more potty breaks and accidents. By feeding them at set times, you can take away the food bowl and avoid overfeeding. This will help regulate their eating habits, which improves their overall health. 

Be Mindful of Water Intake

Water is essential for a healthy lifestyle, but too much of it can lead to more frequent potty breaks and accidents. Keeping track of how much water your pup drinks throughout the day can help you adjust their potty schedule and minimize nighttime accidents.

If you need help managing their water intake, try providing them with multiple smaller bowls throughout the day, as opposed to one big bowl. This way, you can monitor how much they are drinking and adjust their water access accordingly.

Ask for Help

Now, you might be thinking, “Who do I ask for help with this?” There are actually a few options. First, consider hiring a professional dog trainer. They can work with you and your puppy to develop a customized training plan that will get your pup on the right track.

If that’s not an option for you, reach out to friends and family with puppies experience. They can offer tips and advice and maybe even let your pup come over for a playdate to learn from their well-trained furry friends.

Finally, don’t hesitate to turn to online resources. There are tons of amazing blogs, videos, and forums out there dedicated to helping dog owners train their pups. Just be sure to stick to reputable sources and do your research before implementing any training techniques.

By asking for help, you’ll be able to get the support and guidance you need to help your English cream retriever puppy become a well-trained and happy member of your family in no time!

Common “Accidents” New Owners Make

While it’s important to train your English cream retriever pup, there are some common rookie mistakes that new owners make when it comes to house training. Here are a few of the most significant ones to be aware of:

Not Supervising Closely Enough

As a new dog owner, it’s natural to make mistakes, but one common mistake that happens all too often is not supervising your puppy close enough.

What does that mean? Well, puppies have tiny little bladders and can’t hold their pee for very long – especially if they’re really young. When you bring your new pup home, they’re probably not used to their new surroundings and may have accidents inside. That’s why it’s important to keep a watchful eye on them at all times, especially during the potty training process.

If you’re not supervising your puppy close enough, you might miss their signals, and they might end up peeing or pooping inside the house. Remember, your pup is still learning, and they need your guidance!

Expecting Too Much From Your Puppy

You may be tempted to think that your puppy will quickly understand what’s expected of them and become fully potty trained in just a few weeks. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Potty training takes time, patience, and plenty of consistency. Your puppy is just like a baby, and it’ll need plenty of guidance to understand the process.

Setting unrealistic expectations can cause unnecessary stress and frustration for both you and your furry friend.

Letting Your Puppy Go in Their Crate

Now, I understand the thought process behind this. Your Golden puppy’s crate is their safe space and comfort zone, so it makes sense to assume they’ll feel comfortable doing their business there, right? Wrong. This is counterproductive to the potty training process. If you allow your pup to relieve themselves in their crate, even if it’s lined with puppy pads, it sends them the message that it’s okay to go wherever they please, which is not what you want!

Using “Puppy Pad”

As cute as they are, let me tell you that using potty pads could be one of the most common mistakes new dog owners make when potty training their furry friend.

You see, potty pads can give your English Golden Retriever pup mixed signals. Think about it: you’re telling them to do their business indoors, in a specific area of the house where the potty pad is placed, but then in a few weeks, you want them to go outside? This could be a bit confusing for them. Plus, some pups might mistake other soft surfaces, like carpets or rugs, for pee pads, which could lead to unpleasant accidents all over your house.

I get it, potty pads might seem like the easiest and most convenient option, but trust me, in the long run, it’s better to go straight to the outdoor potty training method.

Skipping Crate Training

Now, I totally get it. You may think that putting your pup in a crate is cruel or unnecessary. But let me explain why it’s important. See, dogs don’t like to go potty where they sleep. By putting your furry friend in a crate during the potty training process, you’re helping them develop that instinct. They will learn to hold their bladder until you take them outside.

Not only that, but a crate can also be a safe place for your pup. When your furry friend is in the crate, they won’t be able to chew on things they shouldn’t or get into other trouble. It’s a win-win situation! So, don’t skip crate training.

Not Bonding with Your Puppy

So what does “not bonding” mean? It means only focusing on quickly getting your pup trained to avoid accidents without taking time to connect with your new furry family member. This can lead to a lack of trust between you and your pup and may cause them to feel scared or unsure around you.

To avoid this mistake, take time to bond with your English Cream Golden Retriever puppy during potty training. This means spending quality time together, playing with them, and showing them love and affection.

Not Using a Verbal Cue

What do I mean by that? Well, it’s pretty simple, actually. A potty phrase is something you say or a cue you use to indicate to your pup that it’s time to go potty.

Some new owners make the mistake of not using a potty phrase consistently or not using one at all. This can confuse your pup and make potty training more difficult than it needs to be. By using a potty phrase, you’re helping your pup associate that specific phrase or word with the act of going potty. It can be as simple as saying, “go potty” or “do your business.” Be sure to use the same phrase consistently so your pup can associate it with the desired behavior.

Getting Emotional

Potty training can be frustrating, especially if your pup is having accidents all over the house. Feeling upset and disappointed is natural, but getting emotional can hinder the dog training process. Dogs are very perceptive and can pick up on your emotions, making them nervous and anxious. This can lead to even more accidents and setbacks in the puppy training process.

Another issue with getting emotional during potty training is that it can lead to inconsistent training. If you’re feeling frustrated, you might be more likely to scold your pup when they have an accident instead of calmly redirecting them to the proper spot. This inconsistency can confuse your pup and make it harder for them to learn where they’re supposed to go potty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does obedience training help with potty training?

Obedience training can actually be a massive help in this area! By teaching your dog basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” you’re also showing them that you’re the one in charge. With this newfound understanding of who’s boss, your dog will be more likely to follow your lead when it comes to potty training–meaning fewer accidents inside! Additionally, obedience training can help to reinforce your dog’s good behavior with positive reinforcement, such as treats or praise, which will encourage them to continue following your instructions. 

Q: Can an adult dog be potty trained?

Yes, it is possible to potty train an adult dog! However, it may require a little more patience and consistency, but with the right techniques, your furry friend can learn to do their business outside. Remember that every dog is different and may have their own quirks and needs. So, be mindful of their behavior and create a routine that works for them.

Q: Does socialization help with potty training?

Yes, it can! Socialization helps your pup understand that they are part of a larger community and can help them learn more appropriate behaviors. Your pup will become more comfortable with new environments and people through socialization. This can be useful for potty training as it will help them learn that certain places are for going potty and not for playing or exploring. Socialization will also help them learn to respond to commands quicker, making potty training easier.

Q: How can I handle unwanted behaviors with my English Cream Retriever?

Although these dogs are known for their gentle and easy-going temperament, they are still dogs at the end of the day. Firstly, it’s important to identify and understand the root cause of these behaviors. Whether it’s chewing furniture or barking excessively, your Retriever’s unwanted behavior may be a result of boredom, anxiety, or simply a lack of training. If so, it’s time to be consistent with your training and establish boundaries. Start by rewarding them for good behavior and ignoring negative behaviors. Additionally, if you think that the problem may be related to anxiety or boredom, try providing them with toys and mental stimulation and make sure they get plenty of exercises.

Q: Why is my English Cream retriever not responding to potty training?

Potty training can be a tricky task, even for the most intelligent and well-behaved of pups. It’s important to remember that each dog is unique and learns at their own pace. Maybe your English Cream retriever needs a bit more time to fully understand what’s expected of them. Or perhaps they’re getting mixed signals from you or others in the household. Either way, patience, and consistency are key when it comes to potty training. Stick to a routine, offer positive reinforcement, and don’t give up hope. Your furry friend will catch on eventually. They just need a little TLC (tender-loving consistency).

Final Words

Potty training an English Cream Retriever can be a challenging task, but it’s definitely not impossible. There are a lot of things to consider, such as consistency, patience, positive reinforcement, and a lot of love and attention. By following the tips we’ve provided, you’ll be well on your way to potty training success!

Remember that every dog is different and may require different training methods. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see improvements right away. Just keep at it, stay patient, and, most importantly, always show your furry friend love and affection. With a lot of hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, you can have your English Cream Retriever trained in no time!