how to train my lab pup

I have raised 2 Lab pups and found that crate-training them was the easiest/fastest way to also potty train them. Get a large-size crate (it will grow into it as an adult) and put some kind of divider in it so it's only 1/2 size for the time being. Put old towels, blankets, rugs, anything for the pup to lie on while in there. Encourage your pup to go in with treats. When he goes in, close the door for a few min. then let him out with praise. Keep doing that extending the in-crate time little by little till he gets used to going in. All the time telling him 'crate' or 'kennel' so he connects the word with the crate. Then put him in there with chew toys for couple hours. When you let him out, take him directly outside on a leash to go potty telling him to 'go potty' repeatedly till he goes and immediately praise him verbally and with treats. Labs are fast learners and will catch on in no time to let you know that he has to go outside. All dogs have their own way of telling you they have to go potty. Mine use to stand at the door and whine. The dog I have now will just come to you and whine or start jumping around. All my dogs were/are crate-trained. Comes in handy big time when the pup can't be supervised like if your going to be gone for couple hours or working. Just make sure you always put some chew toys in with the pup if you lock him in his crate so he's not bored.

Limit the area down to a couple rooms the dog has access to that you are always with it in. Put up baby gates to keep the puppy limited to that area. This will help you to catch the puppy or see the sign that the puppy needs to go out. Signs...often times, you will see a puppy sniff the ground and start to walk a circle. This means that the puppy is centering in on the right spot to pee. See this, and quickly get the puppy up off the floor and outside. Take the puppy to the same location in the yard every time. The smell of the urine will encourage the puppy to pee again there. No playing when the puppy is supposed to be doing his or her business. Often, puppies want to play when taken outside and will beg for attention. Just wait and keep encouraging the puppy to go potty with your words. "Go potty." This later will help them to recognize the word "potty" when you ask them is they need to go out when they are finally trained. Praise was mentioned in another response. That is VERY important...as also the negative when an accident occurs. Keep in mind...accidents WILL happen. You can have a good few days or week...and for some reason...have a bad day. It is ok! Just keep doing it and it will get better. OH!!! Be sure to clean the area the puppy urinated at with a carpet cleaner to take the smell out. If not, you will find that the puppy will always go to that area. Just like taking the puppy outside to the same area...that area on the carpet will encourage the puppy to potty too. Hope this helps! I am potty training our third dog. LOL So, know that you are not going through it alone. :)

I have raised 2 Lab pups and found that crate-training them was the easiest/fastest way to also potty train them. Get a large-size crate (it will grow into it as an adult) and put some kind of divider in it so it's only 1/2 size for the time being. Put old towels, blankets, rugs, anything for the pup to lie on while in there. Encourage your pup to go in with treats. When he goes in, close the door for a few min. then let him out with praise. Keep doing that extending the in-crate time little by little till he gets used to going in. All the time telling him 'crate' or 'kennel' so he connects the word with the crate. Then put him in there with chew toys for couple hours. When you let him out, take him directly outside on a leash to go potty telling him to 'go potty' repeatedly till he goes and immediately praise him verbally and with treats. Labs are fast learners and will catch on in no time to let you know that he has to go outside. All dogs have their own way of telling you they have to go potty. Mine use to stand at the door and whine. The dog I have now will just come to you and whine or start jumping around. All my dogs were/are crate-trained. Comes in handy big time when the pup can't be supervised like if your going to be gone for couple hours or working. Just make sure you always put some chew toys in with the pup if you lock him in his crate so he's not bored. Btw...If he goes potty in the house after he already been outside, could be he didn't get a chance to finish pottying outside. Some dogs take a while b4 they will finish going but will learn to hurry up and go instead of taking their time.