Potty Training Tips for Lab Puppies

Lab puppies are highly intelligent. Combine that with their natural desire to please and you have a recipe for house training success. Add rewards, patience and praise and you will be enjoying the benefits of a fully house trained dog in no time.

  1. Dog Crates

    • Confining your dog in a crate at night or while you are away, helps to prevent accidents in your home. He will view the crate as his special haven. Your lab will not want to soil his sleeping area. Do not use the crate as a place of punishment or for extended periods.

    Dog Food

    • A good quality dog food can help to regulate your lab puppy's digestive system. The food should have meat listed in the top ingredients and corn and grains either low on the list or excluded entirely from the ingredients. Grains cause waste to pass faster through his system. He will need to go to the bathroom more often.

    Water

    • Lab puppies need a steady supply of fresh water, but the water dish should be taken up several hours before bedtime. Puppies have small bladders that fill up easily. Limiting his water access at night will help to increase his chance of making it through the night accident-free.

    Potty Breaks

    • The dog needs to be let outside first thing in the morning, last thing at night and at regular intervals throughout the day. He will also need to go out within 15 minutes of eating. Puppies usually need to go out about every two hours during the day.

    Special Potty Area

    • Designate a special place for your puppy to take his bathroom breaks. The smell of "his area" will help to encourage him to use the same area each time.

    Cues and Commands

    • Use special phrases, such as "go potty" or "go pee pee" each time you take the dog out for his breaks. He will come to associate the cues with the action desired.

    Puppy Signs

    • Your lab puppy will exhibit distinct signs when he needs to go out. These signs include sniffing, turning in circles and whimpering. Take him immediately to his outside spot the moment you notice one of these signs.

    Limited Inside Access

    • Keeping the dog confined to one room or a section of the room will help you to keep closer watch on him. This makes it easier to notice any signs that he wants to go out.

    Enzyme Based Cleaner

    • Using an enzyme based cleaner to clean up any accidents in the house, will help to remove all traces of the smell. If the smell is not entirely removed, the dog will naturally be encouraged to repeat the accident in the same area.

    Praise and Rewards

    • Dogs thrive on the approval of their owners. Enthusiastic praise and treats, given each time the dog goes outside to the bathroom successfully, will encourage him to repeat the action.