Cavoodle Toilet Training: Complete Guide (How Long It Really Takes)

“How long does it take to toilet train a Cavoodle?” It’s one of the most common questions we hear from new puppy owners. The honest answer: longer than you probably expect, but it does get easier.

Small breeds like Cavoodles can take longer to toilet train than larger dogs. Their tiny bladders fill quickly, and they need to go more frequently. But with the right approach, cavoodle toilet training doesn’t have to be a battle.

This guide covers everything you need to know: realistic timelines, proven methods, sample schedules, and solutions to common problems.

How Long Does Cavoodle Toilet Training Take?

Let’s set realistic expectations:

Milestone	Typical Timeline
First signs of understanding	1-2 weeks
Fewer accidents (with supervision)	2-4 weeks
Mostly reliable during the day	2-3 months
Fully reliable (day and night)	4-6 months
Can hold it for longer periods	6-12 months

Important: These are averages. Some Cavoodles get it faster, others take longer. Factors that affect timing include:

• Age: Older puppies (12+ weeks) often learn faster than 8-week-olds
• Consistency: The more consistent you are, the faster they learn
• Previous experiences: Puppies from breeders who started toilet training have a head start
• Individual personality: Some puppies are more motivated by treats and praise

Bladder Control by Age

Young puppies physically cannot hold their bladder for long. As a rough guide, a puppy can hold it for about one hour per month of age, plus one:

• 8 weeks (2 months): Maximum 2-3 hours
• 12 weeks (3 months): Maximum 3-4 hours
• 16 weeks (4 months): Maximum 4-5 hours
• 6 months: Maximum 6-7 hours
• Adult: 8+ hours (but shouldn’t have to regularly)

These are maximums, not targets. During active toilet training, you’ll take them out much more frequently.

The Step-by-Step Method

Successful cavoodle toilet training comes down to three principles: frequency, consistency, and positive reinforcement.

Step 1: Choose Your Toilet Spot

Pick one specific area where you want your Cavoodle to toilet. This could be:

• A corner of your backyard
• A specific patch of grass
• A designated puppy pad area (if training for indoor toileting)

Always take them to the same spot. The scent from previous visits helps trigger the behaviour.

Step 2: Take Them Out Frequently

The golden rule: take them out more often than you think necessary. For a young puppy, this means:

• First thing in the morning (immediately – carry them if needed)
• After every meal
• After every nap
• After play sessions
• Every 30-60 minutes during awake time
• Last thing before bed
• During the night if needed (young puppies)

Yes, this is a lot. But taking them out frequently prevents accidents, which prevents bad habits from forming.

Step 3: Use a Cue Word

Choose a phrase like “go toilet,” “do your business,” or “be quick.” Use it every time you take them to the spot.

Say it calmly while they’re sniffing around. Eventually, they’ll associate the phrase with the action, and you can use it to prompt them to go.

Step 4: Reward Immediately

The moment they finish (not during – that can interrupt them), praise enthusiastically and give a small treat.

Timing is critical. The reward must happen within 1-2 seconds of them finishing. If you wait until you’re back inside, they won’t connect the reward with the toileting.

Keep treats in your pocket or by the door so you always have them ready.

Step 5: Supervise or Confine

When your puppy is inside and not in their crate, they need active supervision. This means eyes on them at all times.

Watch for signs they need to go:

• Sniffing the ground
• Circling
• Squatting
• Moving toward the door
• Becoming restless
• Stopping play suddenly

If you can’t supervise, they should be in their crate or confined to their puppy zone. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, which helps with training.

Step 6: Handle Accidents Correctly

When you catch them in the act:

• Say “outside!” in a firm (not angry) voice
• Pick them up and take them to the toilet spot
• Wait for them to finish there, then praise

When you find an accident after the fact:

• Clean it up calmly
• Do NOT punish, yell, or rub their nose in it
• They cannot connect punishment with something they did minutes ago
• Punishment only teaches them to fear you or hide when they toilet

Cleaning accidents: Use an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for pet urine. Regular cleaners don’t fully remove the scent, and your puppy will be drawn back to that spot.

Sample Toilet Training Schedule

Here’s what a typical day looks like during active cavoodle toilet training:

Time	Activity	Toilet Break
6:30am	Wake up	✓ Immediately outside
6:45am	Breakfast
7:00am	After eating	✓ Outside
7:15am	Play time
7:30am	After play	✓ Outside
7:45am	Nap in crate
9:30am	Wake from nap	✓ Immediately outside
10:00am	Play/training
10:30am	After activity	✓ Outside
10:45am	Nap in crate
12:30pm	Wake, lunch	✓ Before and after eating
1:00pm	Play time
1:30pm	After play	✓ Outside
1:45pm	Nap
4:00pm	Wake from nap	✓ Immediately outside
4:30pm	Play
5:00pm	After play	✓ Outside
5:30pm	Dinner
5:45pm	After dinner	✓ Outside
6:30pm	Family time	✓ Every 30-45 mins
8:00pm	Wind down	✓ Final toilet break
8:30pm	Bed

That’s approximately 12-15 toilet breaks per day for a young puppy. As they get older and more reliable, you can reduce this.

Night Time Toilet Training

Young Cavoodle puppies usually can’t make it through the night without a toilet break. Here’s how to handle nights:

For Puppies Under 12 Weeks

• Set an alarm for halfway through the night (e.g., 2-3am)
• Take them out quietly – no playing, minimal interaction
• Let them toilet, brief praise, back to crate
• Keep lights dim and voices low

For Puppies 12-16 Weeks

• They may start sleeping through, or need one break
• If they wake and cry, take them out (they probably need to go)
• Start extending the time before the night break

For Puppies 4+ Months

• Most can sleep 6-8 hours without a break
• Ensure last toilet break is right before bed
• Remove water 1-2 hours before bedtime (but ensure they’re hydrated during the day)

Tips for Dry Nights

• Keep the crate appropriately sized – big enough to turn around, not big enough to toilet in one corner
• Feed dinner early enough that they can toilet before bed
• Make the last toilet break as late as possible
• First morning break should be immediate – carry them outside if needed

Common Toilet Training Problems

“They go outside, then come in and have an accident”

This is frustrating but common. Solutions:

• Stay outside longer – give them 5-10 minutes to fully empty
• Wait for both wee and poo before coming in
• If they don’t go after 5-10 minutes, come inside but supervise closely or crate them, then try again in 15 minutes
• Make outside boring (no play until after toileting) and inside exciting only after they’ve gone

“They only go on puppy pads, not outside”

If you’ve been using puppy pads and want to transition outside:

• Gradually move the pad closer to the door over several days
• Then move it just outside the door
• Then onto the grass near the door
• Finally, remove the pad and use the grass directly
• Bring a used pad outside initially so the scent is there

“They have accidents in their crate”

Dogs usually avoid soiling their sleeping area. If this is happening:

• Check the crate isn’t too big – use a divider if needed
• Ensure you’re not leaving them too long
• Rule out medical issues (UTI can cause frequent urination)
• Consider whether they came from a situation where they had no choice but to soil their space (puppy mills)

“They were doing well, then started having accidents again”

Regression is normal. Common causes:

• Change in routine: New home, new family members, schedule changes
• Excitement or stress: Visitors, new experiences
• Medical issues: Always rule out UTIs or digestive problems
• Adolescence: Some puppies regress around 6-8 months

Go back to basics: increase supervision, more frequent toilet breaks, and reward successes.

“They only toilet on walks, not in the backyard”

Some puppies learn to associate walks with toileting:

• Take them to the backyard first, wait 5-10 minutes
• Only go for the walk after they’ve toileted in the yard
• Bring some of their waste to the backyard spot to mark it with scent
• Be patient – this can take time to retrain

Puppy Pads: Yes or No?

Puppy pads are controversial. Here’s our take:

Use puppy pads if:

• You live in an apartment without quick outdoor access
• You work long hours and puppy will need to toilet while you’re away
• Your puppy isn’t fully vaccinated and you don’t have a safe outdoor space
• Extreme weather makes outdoor toileting impractical

Avoid puppy pads if:

• You have easy access to outdoors
• Your long-term goal is outdoor-only toileting
• Your puppy is already going outside reliably

The issue with pads is they can teach puppies that toileting inside is acceptable, which you then have to untrain. If possible, go straight to outdoor training.

Essential Supplies for Toilet Training

• Enzymatic cleaner: Essential for properly cleaning accidents
• Puppy pads: If using the indoor method or for emergencies
• Small training treats: Keep in your pocket for immediate rewards
• Treat pouch: Makes carrying treats convenient
• Appropriately sized crate: For confinement when you can’t supervise
• Baby gates: To confine puppy to easy-clean areas

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to toilet train a Cavoodle?

Most Cavoodles show significant improvement within 2-4 weeks of consistent training. Full reliability typically takes 4-6 months. Some puppies take longer, especially if training is inconsistent.

Are Cavoodles hard to toilet train?

Small breeds like Cavoodles can be more challenging than larger dogs because of their small bladders. However, with consistency and patience, they absolutely can be toilet trained. The key is taking them out frequently and rewarding successes.

Should I use puppy pads?

Only if necessary (apartment living, long work hours, unvaccinated puppy without safe outdoor space). If you have easy outdoor access, skip the pads and train directly to outside.

Why does my Cavoodle have accidents even though they know better?

They probably don’t “know better” yet. Full toilet training takes months. Accidents usually mean they’re not being taken out frequently enough or supervised closely enough. Go back to basics and increase toilet breaks.

When can I stop taking them out so often?

Gradually extend the time between breaks as they prove reliable. If they go a week without accidents at the current frequency, try extending by 15-30 minutes. If accidents happen, go back to the previous schedule.

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The Bottom Line

Cavoodle toilet training requires patience, consistency, and realistic expectations. Take them out frequently, reward immediately when they go in the right spot, supervise when they’re loose in the house, and never punish accidents.

The effort you put in during these early months pays off for years. A reliably toilet-trained Cavoodle means freedom – no more constant supervision, no more cleaning up accidents, no more stress about leaving them inside.

Stick with it. It gets easier.

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Related Guides

• First Week with Your Cavoodle Puppy
• Cavoodle Care Guide
• How to Prepare for a Cavoodle Puppy