Instructions
Crate for short periods of time, especially during training. The longer a puppy is in the crate the more likely it will be to have an accident. The crate should be treated as the dog's bed, as puppies by nature will not want to eliminate where they sleep and eat. In the beginning, it will be necessary to take the dog outside to eliminate a few times during the night. Eventually, the puppy will sleep through the night without an accident.
Release the puppy upon arriving home after being away. If it has not eliminated in the crate, the puppy will need to go as soon as you get home. You should stay outside with the puppy for 15 to 20 minutes to see if it needs to go.
Take the puppy outside to eliminate every 45 minutes. Maximum time in between outings should be no more than 1 hour, if you are staying home for the rest of the night. You should stay outside with the pet until it eliminates.
Keep your puppy on a regular feeding schedule. Take notice of when the pet eats and when it eliminates. Once you get an idea of when the pet needs to go, you can accommodate its natural schedule. This sets up the pet for success.
Clean up any accidents without punishing. If you are finding accidents around your house when you get home, you may have given the puppy too much freedom. At this point, start the crate training over again until there are no accidents.
Crate Training an 8 Week Old Lab Puppy
Puppy house training can be frustrating. However, crate training can help make life less stressful for you and your puppy. Though Labrador retrievers have a noticeable stubborn streak, they tend to respond well to training. Labs are also known for their rambunctious personality and have a tendency to chew as puppies. Crate training at an early age can calm them and also keep them from chewing valuable items while you are away from the home.