Training Guide for Your New Puppy
Australian Labradoodles are intelligent and eager to please, which means they respond beautifully to consistent training. The effort you put in now shapes the dog you'll have for the next decade or more. This page covers what to expect in the first few weeks, how to handle the most common early challenges, and which programs we recommend.
Training for the Dog You Want
When you're training your puppy, it helps to think about the adult dog you hope to have someday.
Every positive experience, every training session,
and every chance to socialize adds up to a dog who is:
Confident
Well-mannered
Adaptable
Trustworthy
Enjoyable to live with
A welcomed part of the family and the community
The work you put in during your puppy's first year can shape the next ten or more.
When to Start Training
Training starts the day your puppy comes home. That doesn't mean formal classes right away. It means consistent habits, clear boundaries, and plenty of positive reinforcement from day one.
Weeks 1 to 4 at home:
Focus on crate training, potty training, leash introduction, and basic socialization. This is also when to enroll in a professional training program. See our recommendations below.
Weeks 5 to 12 at home (puppy around 4 to 5 months):
Begin a more structured obedience curriculum. One-on-one sessions are recommended until puppy is fully vaccinated. Once fully vaccinated and doing well with one-on-one training, group sessions are great for social interactions and distractions.
Ongoing:
Australian Labradoodles do best with continued mental stimulation. Keep reinforcing commands, introduce new skills, and consider advanced training as your dog matures.
You'll want to begin working with a trainer shortly after bringing your puppy home. Formal group obedience classes typically don't start until 16 to 20 weeks of age, and professional guidance during that gap makes a real difference.
Your Two-Week Schedule
You'll receive a personalized two-week schedule at pickup covering wake-up time, meals, crate periods, playtime, potty breaks, and bedtime. Puppies thrive on routine, and a consistent schedule is the fastest way to help your new dog settle in. You can find the full schedule and download on our Go-Home page.
Crate Training
Your puppy is introduced to crate training before going home. Done right, it gives them a safe, calm space, builds independence, and makes potty training significantly easier.
No water bowl inside or in the crate for the first two weeks. Water is offered outside. You'll be taking your puppy out frequently enough that they'll have plenty of opportunity to drink.
For the first 14 days, your puppy should not be allowed to walk freely around the house. Carry them to the potty spot, supervise all time outside the crate.
For specific tips on managing crying, covering the crate, and nighttime setup, see the crate training section of our Go-Home page.
Potty Training
Potty training is one of the first things you'll work through together, and it's completely normal for it to take a few weeks of consistency before it clicks. Crate training, a predictable schedule, and frequent trips outside are the three biggest factors in how quickly your puppy catches on.
Puppy Biting and Mouthing
Biting and mouthing are a normal part of puppy development, especially during teething. Most puppies grow out of it with consistent redirection, patience, and the right chew toys on hand.
Socialization is one of the most important things you can do during your puppy's first few months home. Australian Labradoodles are naturally social, but positive, varied exposure during this early window shapes how your dog responds to the world for the rest of their life.
Focus on gradual, positive exposure to:
New people of different ages, including children and seniors
Other vaccinated dogs and animals
Different sounds, surfaces, and environments
Routine handling, like ear cleaning, nail trims, and teeth brushing
Car rides and leash walking in different settings
Keep early experiences short and positive. The goal is building confidence, not overwhelming your puppy. Always end on a good note.
Socialization
Recommended Training Programs
We recommend two programs that consistently produce strong results for our puppy families.
Baxter & Bella
Baxter & Bella is an online dog training program built for real families, and it's our top recommendation for online training. You get lifetime access from a single membership, plus live one-on-one calls with trainers at no extra cost.
What's included:
Self-paced video courses covering puppyhood through adulthood
Live group classes
One-on-one trainer calls
A private community and Facebook group
Podcasts, guides, and an easy-to-use app
West Haven families get 25% off the lifetime membership with code WESTHAVEN at checkout.
Learn more at baxterandbella.com/learn-more
Consistency: Your Most Powerful Training Tool
The single most valuable thing you can give your puppy isn't a toy, a bed, or a training tool. It's consistency.
Dogs thrive on routine. Puppies who settle in quickly are usually the ones whose families kept their day-to-day predictable from the start. Like a young child, your puppy is learning how the world works, and a predictable routine builds confidence, reduces anxiety, and creates the conditions where real learning can happen.
Every interaction teaches your puppy something. When expectations shift from day to day, that's confusing for them. The more consistent you are, the faster your puppy understands what's expected and the more successful they'll be.
Consistency creates clarity. Clarity builds confidence. The effort you invest in routine today is what builds a well-adjusted companion for years to come.
Questions?
We're here for the life of your dog. Reach out anytime.
westhavendoodles@gmail.com
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