Calingl all lab puppy experts!

[MightyThor]

Thanks! Did you let him out at night when he was a puppy?

Yes, he was taken out about twice a night for the first couple of weeks, but it wasn't long before he could hold it all night.

[Georgie]

All good advice given above!

What was the small bacon and cheese flavored bone you gave???

[LucyTudeOn4Feet]

Thanks everyone. We do pull her food and water at least 2 hours before she goes to bed (around 10:45ish)..

I would pull up the water sooner. Regarding the food, are you leaving food down for her all day, or do you have her on a rigid 3x a day feeding schedule? The more consistent the feeding times, the more consistent the "output" schedule, especially as she matures.

You're going to want to clean up all her accident spots and the crate floor with a pet-specific urine odor cleanser. If they smell any residue, they continue to go back to the same spot.

[Snowshoe]

As to training, my method of teaching recall depends on puppy being very young and won't work once they get up enough confidence to be without you. COME was the first thing my pups knew and they learned it in about 2 weeks and they were reliable on it.

Just you and puppy in a safe place, off leash. When puppy gets too far away for her own comfort and turns to return to you of her own accord assign your word. It is exactly the same as potty training, you give the word while the action is in action. You don't need a reward because puppy's relief at being back close to you is a powerful reward all by itself. A hug, praise, play and a treat won't hurt though; vary them. You can up the times you get to assign your word by hiding behind a bush or a corner. I went to new places that were safe, 1,000 acres of forest, where we were completely alone. I must emphasize: safe place and just the two of you. In the early stages where we might be outside to potty 20 times a day we did this every time we were out. I hid behind snowbanks, so cute to see him coming to me.

Puppy off lead

[Windyskies]

the breeder actually recommended feeding her twice a day (1 cup in the morning and one at night). Maybe we will start feeding her 3x a day. thanks!

I would pull up the water sooner. Regarding the food, are you leaving food down for her all day, or do you have her on a rigid 3x a day feeding schedule? The more consistent the feeding times, the more consistent the "output" schedule, especially as she matures.

You're going to want to clean up all her accident spots and the crate floor with a pet-specific urine odor cleanser. If they smell any residue, they continue to go back to the same spot.

[Windyskies]

I got it at pet supplies plus. I took it out and will give it to her when shes older. thanks

All good advice given above!

What was the small bacon and cheese flavored bone you gave???

[barry581]

First of all, Nala is a real cutie!!

Two. I've said it before, and I'll day it again. Raising a Lab puppy is a journey, not a destination. I've had Labs for 30 years, but it was over 20 years from my last puppy, until Sophie arrived on Feb 2012, and Bruce in May 2014. In reading all the issues you are having, I can say they are totally normal. House training will take 3-4 weeks minimum. It's truly a matter of being consistent, and don't stress on it when an accident happens. Nature's Miracle (or something similar) is your friend. Clean every accident with it. And take Nala out every single time she does have an accident. I'd take Bruce out and tell him "go pee", "go poo" every time. Now at almost 20 weeks he will pretty much go on command.

Training starts day one. Short 2-3 minutes at first. Sit first. For recall I'd call "Brucie, Brucie, Brucie" in an excited, high pitched voice, and he'd come running, mark the behavior and have a treat party upon his arrival. After a couple weeks, I added in "here" to the Brucie, Brucie, Brucie. I started working in down, stay, leave it, drop it, in 2-3 short training sessions per day. Bruce is competant with all these, plus, shake, high five, roll over, wait, side, loose leash walk, and healing off lead. I work on every one of these, every day. We will finish Petsmart puppy training this Saturday, and start our Canine Good Citizen training class next Monday.

Raising a Lab pup is a lot of work. There will be accomplishments and set backs. But in the long run, it's well worth the effort. Good luck in your journey, and keep us updated on how it's going!