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How long does it take to Potty train a lab? Our Black Lab...

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Answer by Kaite
Submitted on 10/12/2003
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I understand you are tired of washing and cleaning your dogs droppings. Take him to the training centers and maybe it will help. If not, teach him yourself. Every time he drops or wets, pat him by the head like, 2 or 3 times and say NO. Try to look like you are mad. Puppies don't get it right away, but they will later. If you have a house and not an apartment, that it'll be easier. Next time he does that again either repeat that or put him in a lonely room where there's no toys and no fun stuff ones the puppy goes in he will probably get that his wastes in the wrong place can cause stuff that your pup doesn't'like. When he does that again don't get mad. In some pet shops they sell videos of how to how to house train your dog. It just takes 48 hours (2 days) and is very helpful they say.

Answer by Brookie
Submitted on 12/3/2003
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well first off if your pup came from a petstore that is why he is pottying in his bed.... they dont know anything other than pottying where ever they happen to be... dont hit your dog because that will just cause submissive urination (everytime they get scared they will pee) also get into a set schedule... potty when they wake up, before they eat, after they eat, before they go to bed, make sure they get outside AT LEAST every 4 hours... also every time you catch them inside the house scream NO about a billion times VERY loud and put them outside and when they go outside praise them for it... also you should find that a crate will come in handy while you are not home and it will make potty training easier...

Answer by Kurt from Chicago
Submitted on 1/12/2004
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Brookie has a pretty great answer above accept for yelling NO very loud. They will learn that what they are doing is wrong and getting caught is worse. What you will get is a dog that sneaks off so that they can pee and not get yelled at. Since they have to go minutes if not seconds after they eat or drink you must expect to take them to the door after every eating and drinking. I read that you put the leash around you leg and attach is to your dog and put their dog bed next to my feet. When they pull, (don't want to pee 4 feet from you) you take them out. It worked great for my two labs. Otherwise I'd be watching TV and there would be another puddle or pile. If they start to pee, pick them up, rush them outside and let them finish. Praise them when they get done. Good pottie. Good dog.

Answer by Dom
Submitted on 6/2/2004
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Hi, i have to border collie cross (we dont know what they are crossed with, but one has lots of little black spots and the other has a few brown patches. SO anyway, we got them when they were six weeks old, they are about 18 weeks, probably a bit older. But anyway, we have tried everything, and they still pee all over the place! At the moment, we just take them out to pee whenever we see them. N e ways, i'm 14, its mainly my dad who looks after them, but he just hits them, and they arn't soft hits, its hard enough for the dog to yelp and run away. i tell him not to. but anyways they just pee everywhere. we come down in the morning, and there is ALWAYS at least 2 puddles and usually one or more piles of crap. We take hem out after food, after drink, and after n before sleep. What are we doing wrong?! its really annoying because the whole place stinks of dog pee n crap!! thanks Dom

Answer by chiefrokka
Submitted on 6/9/2004
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I have a yellow lab since 9 weeks old. He is now 5 months old and still not potty trained. We live in a condo and have a deck that we let them go outside and go potty on. To walk them, we have to walk outside the community like 3-5 minute walk. My dog can NEVER last till we get out of the community. He goes on the cement in front of garages everytime. I take him out the second he is done eating. It goes thru him soo quick. They don't mind going potty out on the deck, as we clean it up right after them. I know your not supposed to let them go potty where they play, but we have no choice when it's 3 in the morning in NY. I work from home, so i let them out every few hours. When we do let them inside not in there cage, (we have 2 dogs same age) he goes pee on the floor every time. no poop. We'll let them inside to play after an hour of being out on the deck and after they peed and pooped out on the deck just fine. So we think it's safe. but noooooo. he still goes inside within half an hour. The water is out on the deck and never inside. Any suggestions? It's like his bladder hasn't developed yet. We catch him in the act EVERY time and I yell NO and drag him out on the deck to finish. thanks

Answer by Kay from Florida
Submitted on 9/7/2004
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I have a 7 week old black labrador retriever puppy and he is so easy. I immediately went out to buy a crate with a divider to potty train him at night. The divider kept him from sleeping in one end and doing his "business" in the other, since he is still to small for his crate. We have had him for four days now and he has already started sleeping through the night. His crate is in our bedroom and we put him out just before we put him to bed at about 8:30pm. He is up between 7am and 7:30 in the morning. I also cover the crate with a sheet so that he feels safe and secure which has really made a difference. You must bring them out about every two hours and praise them when they go potty. Only say no and put them out if you catch them in the act, otherwise they do not know what they did wrong if you scold them after the fact. They have a very short attention span. So be patient and persistent. You also have to see what cleaner you are using. If the cleaner contains ammonia, then your pup is going back to his spots for a reason; because the spots actually smell like feces and urine. Use cleaners that do not contain ammonia. We put white vinegar on the spot and he can't smell it. We take our pup out right after play time and fifteen minutes after eating. Practice these good habits and your pup will be reliably house-trained in no time at all! Just give him time; not all puppies progress at the same rate. (If nothing seems to work, then bring your puppy to a behaviorist, who can specifically target your puppy's problem and find a way to fix it successfully!!!)

Answer by Dallas
Submitted on 10/25/2004
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Our "Baby" is housebroken already. She's 3 months old and supposed to be a mix of Mastiff/Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but she looks more like a lab. We got her a week ago and she already is potty trained and knows how to "sit" and halfway through "stay". She's a bright girl so that's how I know she got through all this so quickly. I just went through the "good girl" "bad girl" thing, like usual. She got it down pretty quick. We took her as a family for the first time to a nearby Doggie Park and she went on the obstacles right away like a champion dog...she's so intelligent. She even leaped over a much taller Dalmation...everyone looked at her and were impressed. Of course, she was the youngest one there, showing her moves.

Answer by Karma
Submitted on 11/14/2004
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Rylee said " have a eight week old lab mix and i am having a hard time potty training it. It wakes up at all hours of the night and wines the whole time until i get him out. Also, whenever i leave he cries for a long time too. Any advice on what to do?" I take my pup out every 2 hours, and limit her water intake. Kepe an eye on her every minute, and make sure you say "no" when she makes a mistake. Then take her out thru the same door and wait (rain hail or shine) and say "toilet" or "go pee" or something. When you play with her, take her to the toilet area, and reward her everytime she does it there and repeat the same words above. "Toilet" or "go pee". If you are going to leave her through the day, use a small crate, I mean small enough. THe whinning and crying, you have to use a crate, make her small safe spot to sleep, put a ticking clock in or on top and leave the music on softly, give her warm blankets and throw treats in there often. Take her out to relief ever 2 hours thru the same door, and straight back in the box. If she whines and cries after, IGNORE her until she stops. Mine stopped whinning after 3 days. I tell my pup to shoosh when she cries, and I stay with her. When she keeps quiet, I reward her every 3rd time with a treat, and everytime with "good shoosh". Never ever let her out unless she really needs to go. If you do and she didnt need to go, then its your mistake, not hers. If you miss her call, then its Your mistake and not hers, so get into a routine, every 2 hours and watch her water intake. Hope this has been helpful...

Answer by Lauren
Submitted on 2/22/2005
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We have a 9 week old Chocolate Lab and we've had him for about two weeks. After my dad held his face by his poop inside the first few times, he hasn't pooped in the house and even holds his urge to poop through the night. Our problem is pee. Day in and day out we attempt to train him, but he still doesn't seem to get it. Our Shepherds weren't this hard to train. Whenever he has an accident, we sternly say no, sometimes throw a coke can with pennies in it near him, and then put him outside. He sometimes goes out on his own, but he still doesn't seem to get it. The water is outside, and whenever he gets a drink, we all watch to see if he goes, but instead, the second he comes inside, he pees. After we punish him, we always make up with him and he's not scared of any of us. What are we doing wrong? Is our dog just stupid?

Answer by jess
Submitted on 3/31/2005
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i have a mix breed named jasmine Marie. i have had her since she was 6 weeks old. she is about 15-16 weeks now. she is not quite potty trained yet. we both work a lot!! so we leave her in the bedroom when we are not home. she only wets where we put the papers down for her. When we are home, for the most part, she will scratch at the door to go out. my only concern is, will she ever learn to hold it while we aren't home? I work 10-12 hour shifts at a time? She knows to go outside when she is out of the bed room. but i am afraid that she will always go in the bedroom when she is home alone.....what should i do? i was told to get a crate or cage but i think that is so mean. or isn't it? please help!

Answer by dozer
Submitted on 7/11/2005
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If you put your pup in a smaller kennel (right now we have our 8 week old lab in a kitty carrier) that will keep him from peeing at night. He will then let you know when he wants to go potty and you should bring him out right away. Animals do not like to pee where they sleep but if the kennel is too big they will pee on one end and sleep on the other. You want your kennel to only be big enough only to lay down and besides, smaller kennels are comforting to them especially after being taken away from their mom and siblings. You may also want to try putting a hot water bottle in there for warmth (very inexpensive at walmart or drug store). Do not ever use heating pad.

Answer by freddog
Submitted on 9/8/2005
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The key here seems to be potty training a black lab. They don't seem to potty train the same way an "obedient" dog does. I've had German Shepherds all of my life, and they've been potty trained by the time they're 4 1/2 months old give or take a week. I got my first black lab a year and a half ago. I tried potty training her with the same methods (many of which are described above). Now, at 1 1/2 years old, she still wets and poops in the house -- doesn't get it. I've talked to at least a couple of dozen black lab owners and discovered this is fairly common with these dogs in particular. I have a friend who finally gave up after two and a half years and just made his black lab a total outdoor dog. It never did catch on. I don't know the answer to this question, but if anyone does know how to potty train specifically a black lab, I'd like to hear it! Thanks!

Answer by chrissy
Submitted on 9/26/2005
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I have a 8 week old black lab and rot mix. I've had him for 3 weeks now and he is pretty much potty trained. The only time he ever potties in the house is at night time while my husband and I are asleep. when I'm awake at 4:30 in the morning i take him out right away no matter what, so he can get used to going outside in the morning. The times i take is as soon as he awakes from a nap or eats or goes for a car ride. To help him in his bed, put newspaper around or the puppy pads they have at the store, it helps alot, that actually teaches them to pee and poop only on the paper. then during the day I leave the front door open for at least and hour to two hours so he can go in and out. and it actually works he doesn't go in the house at all. well if my answer helps your welcome if not I'm sorry and good luck with you puppy.

Answer by olayak
Submitted on 12/7/2005
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As for training a puppy- 1) do NOT yell at your dog- this can cause them to do it more often, because they are getting extra attention from you!! 2) puppies have to go A LOT. The number of months they are is the number of hours they can hold it. (2 month old puppy can hold it for only 2 hours!) 3) Take your dog out as often as possible. Esp. 30 minutes after it eats/drinks water. Pick the water up after about 7pm so that its bladder is not full during the night. 4) if you catch your dog peeing somewhere- dont yell at it! just grab it and run outside!! when it pees outside, praise it! 5) the fastest way EVER to encourage your dog is to give him/her treats when they go outside. but it has to be as soon as they finish, or they wont realize that it is for that. 6)if nothing else works, put a wee-wee pad outside (if they are paper trained) so they know where to go, or use a spray from a pet store that encourages puppies to pee where it is sprayed. (outside, i hope!) good luck!

Answer by Shawn
Submitted on 1/19/2006
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I can't believe what I am reading, NO WONDER so many dogs end up in the Humane Society and SPCA's!!!! Why do some of you even GET dogs if you have absolutely NO clue on what you are doing???!!!!! Why not educate yourself FIRST before getting a dog and putting it through the abuse of "hitting, yelling and scolding" after it urinates or defecates - it's not the dogs' fault, it is YOURS. ERIC and TIFFANY had the best answers. Anyone who comes on to this site looking for answers, follow what they did and you're pup/dog will be housetrained in no time. All it takes is patience, love and a lot of consistency. Why would you give your dog anything else? As for KATIE, BROOKIE and KRIP... what are you thinking??!!! Your poor poor dogs :( KIDDBATS - CHANGE VETS!!!!! I can't believe your vet even suggested to you that he/she'd exchange pups!! OMG, like he/she's some inanimate object!!!! It's a PUPPY, not a broken chair! Please, really, change vets! I am a vet technician, I work with a lot of vets and I have never found one that callous, that cold and that uncaring. And DOM, what a good kid you are for trying to figure out what you can do, you'll be a better man than your father one day! Your dad needs a hamster, not dogs!! You tell him that he's doing it wrong, your pups can't speak for themselves, do it for them. I'd respect my boy if he ever stood up for anyone or anything. You can do it, and you're not too young to train these pups yourself... although they are not puppies any longer as this is a new post that I'm writing, but hopefully everything worked out and your dogs didn't end up as backyard dogs and ignored all because your dad didn't have a clue. Please, anyone who wants to house train, it's NOT that hard. Just follow Eric and Tiffany's methods and your pup will be fine, happy and secure - and NOT afraid of you.

Answer by Val
Submitted on 1/22/2006
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Our black lab Charlie is 10 months old now. We got him at 6 weeks old and back then he went potty in his crate every night and had accidents all over the house. It's been several months now and Charlie holds it overnight without a problem and during the day for over 8 hours. However, if we're home he'll stand at the door and whine 5 minutes after we walked him. Also if we don't pay attention to him at every moment it seems like he gets upset with us and pees on the carpet. He knows its wrong since I usually don't catch him in the act of peeing but see him walking towards me with his head hanging down looking guilty. I yell "no", i walk him and put him in his crate for a while, and I've even hit him because I've lost my temper. I don't know what else to do. I know he can hold it for longer than an hour but he acts like a spoiled little kid who wants attention and pees on the floor to punish us. Does anyone have any ideas?

Answer by rahjah
Submitted on 2/22/2006
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I think the first thing everyone needs to do is have more patience. We must remeber that puppies although alot like babies are not HUMAN. Someone mentioned rising to the occasion. Every puppy can be trained with the proper care and attention. I am currently training a 9 week old black lab pup and am loving it. The hitting issue should be totally out of the question! There is a difference between hiitng a dog and tapping it on teh knows so he/she knows when they are miss behaving. There are thousands of studies on kanines that prove hitting during traing is dangerous to the development of the dogs character. My only advice is research research research. Who ever was mentioning about there vet running oout of idead...get a new vet! Good luck dog lovers ...HANG IN THERE!!!!IT will be worht it

Answer by joe
Submitted on 3/14/2006
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chiefrokka I'm not an expert -- but here are my thoughts. I read that apartment owners can train their dogs to go on a newspaper. For instance, you can cover a room (in your case, the deck floor) with newspaper. Then when the dog goes, he will usually pick a spot, and get used to going on the newspaper. Then, over time, you gradually remove sections of the paper until one large section is left where the dog goes. Now, since your dog needs to go right away, take him to the deck and let him go on the newspaper first. Then go for your community walk -- and now he will not need to go in front of that garage. Also, if it is the same garage, you may want to use an enzyme cleaner in front of the garage to remove prior urine smells. Maybe its the odor in front of the garage that is triggering it. Perhaps another idea is to feed him downstairs. Again, I'm not an expert.

Answer by Ryan
Submitted on 11/3/2006
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I was reading all these responses and was kind of surprised by some of these people. I own a Yellow lab he is 14 weeks old. I got him when he was not quite 6 weeks old. The first week was pure hell training him. But the key is being consistent. Although i was mad he was peeing he is still just a puppy. However I was sure to maintain a stern (not yelling) tone with him when i was displeased and praised him twice as passionate when he did something right. I never motivated him with food or treats. A treat is for something extra special. I had him potty trained in a little over a week. He still has accidents maybe once a week but mainly due to me not watching his activities. Usually he wants to go out and i'mbusy and don't notice right away. Now he yelps when he wants to go out. Part of the people's problem in here are they have the wrong dog for there lifestyle. I like to hunt and jog. I want a high energy dog. A lab or lab mix is a high energy dog. You need at least a house with a decent size yard or else your fighting nature. The key to potty training a dog is really simple, monitoring so much that you can see when they have to pee before they even know. especially when they are a puppy. Here a couple tips. 1. Take them out when ever they wake-up. Morning or nap. 2. Play with them outside as much as possible. Then praise them when they pee or poop. 3. Differentiate your "praise voice" and "scold voice" A dog doesn't understand words as much as tones. 4. Reward them with praise, not necessarily with food. 5. Establish discipline, don't let your dog run free when inside. Let them know who is boss. (don't beat on your dog senselessly they just will be scared of you) 6. Feed your dog at regular times and make sure they eat all the food. don't let them eat when they want. This will cause digestively irregularity leading to unpredictable pooping and peeing schedules. 7. And finally understand biology, a dog can generally only hold its bladder for 1hr + 1hr for every month old it is. Up to 8 hrs. So understand when the clock is approaching the time when biology kicks in. 8. Don't give them water after the last time you take them out before bed. They are going to want it but keep them from it. Just put them directly in there crate our house. 9. Size there house so its not too much bigger then them. That way they won't pee in there unless they absolutely have to. They will if you ask a little pup to hold it all night. 10. Don't use the crate as a form of punishment. Leave the door open and when they are in there don't let anyone bother them. Make that there little safe haven. Finally, praise your dog, when he does good. Then he/she will want to do more stuff to get more praise. I love my wife more than anyone in the world, but our dog is just like a child of ours. e-mail me for advice on certain situations if you like. r_marks493@wi.rr.com Ryan (Wisconsin)

Answer by Diana
Submitted on 11/5/2006
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Well I'm only 9, but that doesn't matter. When it comes to dogs I know what to do. Today, November 5, 2006, I bought a dog. They haven't sent the dog over yet, but I've had expericence. My other dog Rica died from Likimia about 2 months ago. Anyway if you have a puppy and it keeps doing its buisness all over the place here's what to do. 1. When the dog pee'sor other, look at him/her into the eye and say No. Dont shout but say it calmly. 2. If a puppy pee'sor poop's somewhere you DO want it, praise it and give it a treat. 3. If a puppy is crated and goes into the correct spot, (Where you want it to)you also praise it. 4. When a puppy is doing well, You can start training with newspapers (or so). 5. When the puppy finishes newspaper training, the puppy is ready to start doing it's buisness outside.

Answer by Michelle
Submitted on 11/6/2006
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We adopted a rot/lab mix from the animal shelter, she was 6 weeks old. She is now almost eight weeks old and just does not seem to be getting the potty training! I take her out and she will poop and pee a couple of times, then I bring her in and give her a treat. Next thing I know, she will sneak off and pee or poop in the house!! (Right after she went outside!!) I have a 6 month old son and she has decided that his room is her toilet! He will be crawling soon and I don't want him on the same floor that she constantly pees and poops on....I don't know what to do. I am trying to crate train her, but don't think that I am doing it correctly. Is she supposed to stay in crate most of the time or just at night and periodically through out the day?? I think she is getting confused. Had a black lab a couple of years ago and he trained in a week!! I didn't train him though, ex husband did.lol HELP PLEASE

Answer by Darsh
Submitted on 11/21/2006
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Hi, I have a black lab that was house broken after 12 weeks. After reading some of the above comments, I was surprised with a few things. First, anyone who gets a labrador before it is 8 weeks old, will definitely have a tough time training it. The breeder you get it from should not give you the the pup before 8 weeks, because in its development stage from birth to 8 weeks the pup has to be with its mother and littermates to learn basic things that only its mother and littermates can teach it. If you take it before eight weeks, it will be frightened and will definitely go bathroom constantly. Second, initially you have to take the pup outside every 2 hours, and before and after it sleeps and eats. The first 2-3 days when it is in IT'S new home, it will whine and be frightened, so you will need to take it to the bathroom middle of the night. Also, the first time you bring it to your house, make sure he uses the bathroom outside first then bring it in the house. This is where the training starts. If some of you didn't follow these steps, your housebreaking training will be set back. Have patience and your dog will let you know when it wants to use the bathroom, OUTSIDE. Remember, it takes 12 weeks to 6 months to housebreak a lab, depending on how consistent and patient you are. I hope this helps.

Answer by kristy
Submitted on 1/29/2007
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i need help my yellow lab is finally one i did everything to train this dog to train to go outside she drops trow when ever she wants and pees on everything i bought cleaning things that removes the smell i washed the bedding she pees on i did the mad look thing i stick her out every hour on the hour hopeing she will go outside and she waits until inside to releave her self and it is normally in my childrens room she poops on the girls toys and i am tired of it i am so fraustarted i am ready to send her to the animal shelter. i am pregnant and i am not allowed to miss with animal droppings but i have no choice to clean this she is a pig and i am not getting throw to her she did the crate things when she was a puppy. she is a sneeky puppy she eats and routes through the trash eats what ever she wants i catch her eating and cleaning and licking underwear and pants that have stool on them or urine . what is that about . she litterly eats holes in the garments i have to stick everything on shelves to get objects away from her she is untrainable and doesn't listen and i am fed up some one help with ideas

Answer by kristy
Submitted on 1/29/2007
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i need help my yellow lab is finally one i did everything to train this dog to train to go outside she drops trow when ever she wants and pees on everything i bought cleaning things that removes the smell i washed the bedding she pees on i did the mad look thing i stick her out every hour on the hour hopeing she will go outside and she waits until inside to releave her self and it is normally in my childrens room she poops on the girls toys and i am tired of it i am so fraustarted i am ready to send her to the animal shelter. i am pregnant and i am not allowed to miss with animal droppings but i have no choice to clean this she is a pig and i am not getting throw to her she did the crate things when she was a puppy. she is a sneeky puppy she eats and routes through the trash eats what ever she wants i catch her eating and cleaning and licking underwear and pants that have stool on them or urine . what is that about . she litterly eats holes in the garments i have to stick everything on shelves to get objects away from her she is untrainable and doesn't listen and i am fed up some one help with ideas

Answer by dia
Submitted on 2/20/2007
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i got my new black lab on valentine's day she is 11 weeks old now. A good system i found to be very effective is that i keep a consant eye on her. i never let her leave my sight for more than 5 seconds. as soon as i seen her sqat i grabbed her by the collar and dragged her out the back door telling her no and then when she's outside i tell her to go potty. and when we got her used to her to go outside to go potty all she does is go to the back door. for incidents inside after you got her used to it and you see a puddle take her to her accident and put her nose in it. not rubbing but keep her nose there while you give her a few hard but not so hard wacks on the bottom its working for me for the dog the goes potty in the crate get a divider and only give enough room to lay in it. it took my dog one night not to go poop in her crate. and for barking ingore at night invest in some ear plugs for bed time for yourself. i turn on music to drown it out and we also put a blanket over the crate. SO FAR IT'S SHOWING SIGNS OF WORKING BE CONSISTANT even when i backfires

Answer by Rportr
Submitted on 6/11/2007
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I have a new 8 week old lab puppy who in just two days is already responding to our potty training. First - you absolutely have to get up during the night with your puppy. It needs to go outside during training every 1-3 hours. Next, take it to the same spot every time. It will associate the smell of previous urine with going to the potty. Also, use a command word like "potty" or "out" or whatever works for you. Use it every single time, multiple times during the process. It works just like a dog learns its name it will learn the word for going potty. Scheduling eatings is very very important. You do not want to let it graze during the day. I feed the puppy once in the morning and once in the early evening. At first he didn't eat all of his food but now that he knows that's his eating time he focuses and eats all of his food. They need to go out 20-30 minutes after eating. Also, don't let them be lazy and decide they want to pee and go back in. Keep them out until they do both after eating. Eventually, he/she will want to get the process over with more quickly and will do their deed right away. Crate training is absolutely a must if you're going to be away from the puppy. Make it a fun/safe place and they will grow to love their crate. Also, if the puppy has a mistake in the same room multiple times, keep them out of that room for a few weeks and make sure you clean that spot vigorously. Remember, smelling old urine makes them think that is the place they should go. Puppies should NEVER be out of your sight when training. They are definitely going to make mistakes and it's our job to help them learn what they are supposed to do. Yelling and hitting are not acceptable. One single time of smacking your hands together and saying No in a loud voice is all it takes to get their attention and associate the fact that you do not want them to do that. Otherwise, as previously stated in earlier responses, you will cause a more serious nervous wetting and make the potty training almost impossible.

Answer by This1Guy
Submitted on 7/3/2007
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Potty training is easy.. its all bout showing your dog whats right and wrong.. negative actions get nagative feedback.. possitve actions get possitve feedback.. easy said than done.. what I did with my 4 Labs is when they went inside I would send that dog to his/her kennel and play with the other dogs.. it sent a message that he/she did wrong.. then after a bit I would let him/her out and bring them back to where they went.. and send bad vibes (your dog can pick up on that) and when that same dog went outside.. they get all kinds of love.. petting, toys, treats, the goodies.. honestly its diffrent with lots of dogs.. what i found for most of my training that a good relationship with your dog will make them eger to make you happy.. like i said they can pick up on that.. happy trails!

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Question by D.K.
Submitted on 10/7/2003
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How long does it take to Potty train a lab? Our Black Lab is 9 weeks old, we've had him for 4 weeks now. He urinates in his bed, and pretty much anywhere he wants to. I thought they weren't supposed to urinate where they slept? I finally got tired of washing his bed and threw it out! Help...

Answer by Layne
Submitted on 10/13/2003
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it took a 3 weeks to train my rotti.... i never hit him or scolded him i just ignored it.... he is a pup and can't hold it for long.. i am a smoker so i take my dogs out with me when i smoke and once he started peeing in one general area he would wait longer and longer just to pee in that one spot. now he easily holds it overnight..

Answer by Brian Miller
Submitted on 1/27/2004
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I think the best way to do it is to show them one door only, and only that one door to let them go out of that way they know that is how they are going to go outside once you let them outside direct them in one area. If you do catch them inside, don't yell pick them up tap there nose and say no, and put them outside and they should after a while get the hint that inside no outside yes.

Answer by Rylee
Submitted on 2/5/2004
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I have a eight week old lab mix and i am having a hard time potty training it. It wakes up at all hours of the night and wines the whole time until i get him out. Also, whenever i leave he cries for a long time too. Any advice on what to do?

Answer by Lindsey
Submitted on 2/5/2004
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I just got a 9 week old lab/rot mix from the humane society too and am also finding it hard to crate her because she is use to pottying where she sleeps. I have noticed though that she needs to be taken out at least every 2hours. If they potty in the house you need to hold their head firmly by the accident and tell them no, But DO NOT rub their nose in it. My pup does very well as long as I take her out every 2 hours, about 10 minutes after she eats or drinks, and also right when she wakes up. We have only had her 3 days and today she has not pottied in the house at all!!!

Answer by Eric
Submitted on 2/13/2004
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My dog was potty train in a week ! You have to take him outside as much as you can. Try to take first thing in the morning and 30 min after he eats. And each times does it outside give him a small treat. Never hit a dog, no matter what! He'll be insecure around you and you really want to avoid that. Don't make him notice the things that he does wrong but the thing he does right. Try that and your dog should be asking for the door in a few days!

Answer by krip
Submitted on 2/16/2004
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carry them to where they went, show it to them, and flick them and tell them no.

Answer by kiddbats
Submitted on 2/17/2004
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My yellow lab is ~16 weeks old now and I can NOT get her housebroken to save my life. I have had her since 6 weeks old. My friend the breeder/trainer I got her from is out of ideas as well as the vet. The breeder offered to exchange her but you know the attachment is there. Please help me!

Answer by wanda
Submitted on 2/28/2004
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shuv a curry down it's neck and that will shut it up

Answer by sweetie
Submitted on 3/22/2004
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Patience you didnt potty train over night,,be consistant.I set a timer and take him outside about every 30 mins using a command word"go pee"whatever word you like give him both loves and lil snack treat(i break mine in small pieces and keep by the door so i can grab them easily.Mine still has accidents inside and one day he will get it right dont forget to set money aside for carpet cleaning when he has finished potty traing,,,lol good luck !!

Answer by Rainey
Submitted on 5/16/2004
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When we were "potty-training" our Gaby Baby, we put him outside right after he ate, drank and even played. On the way to the door I would keep repeating the word out to him and eventually when I said the word out to him, he went right for the door. He will be a year old in August and now barks at the door to go out. Also, in the beginning, we gave him no water after 6 pm and he was able to hold his bladder all night long. At night, we kenneled him and he used to cry alot until we got him a night light and then he was fine. He now sleeps at the end of my daughters bed and does not get up until she does. Whoever gets up first in our house, lets him out for a "pee". Good Luck!

Answer by Tiffany
Submitted on 5/28/2004
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It seems a little ridiculous to punish a dog for wetting if you havent seen them. Dogs do not have a memory like humans. This only makes your dog afraid of you. Instead, you are the one who is responsible for training. If the dog messes, its because you are lapsing on your training and havent taken the dog out soon enough. No one ever said potty training was easy or fun. If you decided you could handle the responsibility of a dog, then you must rise to the occasion and stop whining.

Answer by Jay
Submitted on 8/22/2004
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My chocolate lab just had a litter of pups and we are starting to potty train them... we take them outside to go to the bathroom about a half hour after they eat and or drink..in the morning when i first wake up and before i go to sleep at night... after a while they should be waiting by the door to go out to the bathroom. hope this helps!!!

Answer by Purple
Submitted on 8/28/2004
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My lab mix potty trained in 5 days! I got him at 9wks old on a Sunday by the next Friday he was asking to go out. I took him out every 3-4 hours day and night. When he goes, I made it a big deal with lots of praise. I got tired by it was worth it!

Answer by jessie
Submitted on 10/21/2004
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You could try keeping your dog outside during the day and bring him in at night.

Answer by Taylor
Submitted on 10/22/2004
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hi i have a yellow lab puppy and she is about 4 months old and still isnt potty trained, i take her outside in the morning before i go to school then when i am in school i ask my mom if she went in the house and she tells me ya, i get upset, cuz my mom said that if she don't get pottytrained soon we are going to sell her and i cant do that, she is my baby, well anyways at night i put her in her crat do you thing i should put her in there before i go to school, and just keep her locked up till 3 when i am out of school i feed her in the morning and night? PLEASE HELP ME!

Answer by Suki
Submitted on 11/1/2004
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we have a Lab/Golden mix and we got her yesterday. she's about 12 weeks old and you know what's sad? the people who found her said they found her on the side of a highway!. she has scars on her nuzzle and near her eye,her chin, for head, and ear. they are from someone shoving cigarettes in her face. Laureen(person her brought her over) said he wanted to shove cigarettes in the person's throat!! no dog deserves so much pain!! but I'm glad i am choosing to be a Vet when I'm 20. I'll arrest people her do animal cruelty!!! please tell me how we can stop Sandy(our puppy) from housebreaking!!?? thanks, 16 year old Suki

Answer by Ray
Submitted on 11/7/2004
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Just beat the dog until your hands hurt then lock them in a dark room for a few days. That works every time.

Answer by Jordan
Submitted on 11/13/2004
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I have two black labs both 3-4 months old. I'm having trouble gettting potty trained. My first black lab, i had him trained to bring me his leash when he needed to go outside...pretty sweet right! but then i adotped a blakc lab/bullmassive and since shes been in my house my origanl dog has ignored hes training and agian is pooping in my house and the other black lab isnt trained at all.........HELP ME!!!!

Answer by Donna
Submitted on 11/27/2004
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I have a lab mix about 3 years old. she is sort of house broken. She is wonderful with my kids, and my other animals has a great personality. She is spaded, about 59 pds is in good health. But when I get up in the morning she wets her bed. I take her out just before I go to bed so the most she holds it is 6 hours and I have cut her water down at night. What am I doing wrong. I potty trained kids but I can't potty train my dog.....HELP

Answer by johan
Submitted on 12/5/2004
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i have a 4 month lab about to turn 5 months i take him out to do his business after he eats i take him out for45 minuets he holds until we get back upstairs and then he does his business

Answer by jue
Submitted on 12/19/2004
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I have a ten week old cavalier king charles, and have bought mats where she is suppose to do her business on , she does some times, but most of the time she does it where ever she wants to do it, am constantly running round cleaning up her mess... i shout no when she does it but she still keeps doing it ,,, can you give me any advice .....

Answer by lablover
Submitted on 12/21/2004
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Put a bell on the door way in which u want the dog to use to go out side. Every time u take it outside to do it's buissness ring the bell and when u go back in. Eventually the dog will catch on and will ring the bell evry time it wants to go out or in make sure it is low enough to reach.

Answer by Mookie Wilson
Submitted on 1/17/2005
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I just got my black lab from spca. He is 1 year old. doesh't seem to be trained at all other than the fact he will not jump on anything unless I am on it and then only jumps on me. He doesn't even answer to his name. Has anyone had any experience with a dog this old and how long it will take to potty train him. He is pretty good so far at going outside to pee but I take him out constantly and give him treats every time he goes outside. Caught him only once peeing, right in front of me on my bar in my house. At least he isn't sneaky. Ha , Ha. also will it be hard to change his name, which he only recognizes but doesn't come to

Answer by mellany
Submitted on 2/4/2005
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I have a black lab and I have seen that my dog has to have someone to play with him, when we play with him he obeys us after. You should show your dog respect and kindness.

Answer by sig
Submitted on 2/13/2005
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listen, my black lab is some times a heathen and i do believe it purposely crap's and pea's in my house i can be out side all day long with this animal and it will hold it until it goes inside and she knows she is doing wrong because if you see her doing it or come neer her she begins to yelp and peaing as she is running away from you she is 12 wks. and the little heffer runs out the damn door when you open it and when you call it she yelps and runs around the block back to the front door,after peaing on the carpet she chewed my shoe now how do you explain that one, I tried obedience school and she bit the instructer then pead on her rug too.

Answer by pccruzr
Submitted on 2/24/2005
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we got a 2 month old lab tree walker mix.he came to us via "santa" who said he was potty trained 3 days after x-mas Jack(thats our pup) decided to not be trained anymore i have 3 children , big home & dont work, so theres no reason for him not to go "out" but a few mins after we take him out he sneeks off to do it more. we crate him, we try'd hitting, secluding,yelling ,praises,& ignoring. he will wag his tail by the door sometimes but no noise(unless crated)to ignore messes & then praise outside seems to be working best but hes almost 5 mos hes huge & i cant take him anywares w/ us yet cause he just wont "go" right!! verry frustrated!!!

Answer by JazzMan
Submitted on 2/25/2005
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A Lot of times If you get a dog from a pet store they will pee and poop in their beds. This is because While they were in their crates at the pet store they were forced to go to the bathroom where they slept all the time. That may be the problem

Answer by wowza lang
Submitted on 3/13/2005
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i have this new lab but i also have a mixed dog that's three years old and he is very mean to anyone or anything besides me. alot of people say that an older dog takes care of younger new dogs no matter what because it's their animal instinct. should i take the puppy around my other dog?

Answer by puppy lover_ia
Submitted on 3/15/2005
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Well I have a question, does anyone have any tips on raising a puppy with a baby. How do you make them more protective? My baby is 4months old and we wanted them to bond and be protective any tips? Thanks

Answer by Quarry
Submitted on 4/21/2005
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I have a 9 week old chocolate lab puppy, we have had here since she was 6 weeks old. The only way of potty training that i have found to work is if we take her out every hour, and 15 minutes after she eats. If she pees in the house we show her the spot and say NO BAD DOG. After she has gone to the bathroom outside when she comes inside we give her a treat. We never let her outside alone though just for the fact we want to make sure she actually went to the bathroom and didn't just wonder around.

Answer by Sweet hart
Submitted on 6/3/2005
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You should put him out after every time he eats even if you just let him out. Don't do anything let would hurt him because he would just pee more. So be as nice and as patient as possible. It will take awhile but be nice. Good luck!

Answer by Ane
Submitted on 6/17/2005
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Me and my twin sister has two Yorkies (Yorkshire terriers) and they still don't go outside sometimes maybe because we were still too young when we got them. Anyhow, we didn't supervise them day and night when we got them and so they got into a bad habit-if the door wasn't open, they didn't do it outside. We got a great idea when we were in a petshop and saw a catflap, my dad bought us the catflap and because they're a small tipe of dog we trained them to go in and out. Now we don't need to take them out every few hours. We praise them alot and I love my dog very much! :-)

Answer by Alyssa S
Submitted on 6/19/2005
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We have a 7 week old lab puppy and she keeps us up during the night. Everyone in my family except me has given up hope and I'm trying my best to get her outside to go but she just keeps us up all night. Everyone except me wants to take her back to her breeder and i will be crushed if she goes back because shes like the only friend I've got... please help soon! Alyssa S.

Answer by tamra WV
Submitted on 7/10/2005
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my lab is two months old i just got her i know her parents and her brothers and sisters were in a crate, so crate traing is the best my dog is already using the bathroom outside its only been two weeks praise your dog and by no means dont rub your puppies nose in poop nor show them they dont know what your talking about get them on a schedule and if there an inside dog limit the water