I have a 7 week out lab puppy. I have followed every rule as far as how to begin my puppy training. The last 3 days when I go home for lunch to let the puppy out of the crate, he has used the restroom. I do not know what to do to stop this. best puppy but Im so stressed about what Im doing wrong.

Clough

(Question moved from Introductions to Dogs.)

OlivesNCream

Hmmm...

...It could be that he's doing it out of nervousness or excitement. Has he done this before you've gotten home or soon after? If he's done it after you got home, it could be that he's just excited to see you and doesn't think about holding his bladder anymore. A lot of puppies go through a phase like that.
Also-- EVEN IF he does go in his crate, put him outside [I don't know if you're doing this or not] --for at least ten minutes. Being that the lab is still only 7 weeks old, he's probably still going through a phase. Most breeders don't sell their puppies until they are 8-12 weeks old because then the pups learn a lot about boundaries and even 'potty training' from their mothers. So his very young age could have a lot to do with it. He should eventually grow out of it- just remember to be certain that you do take him outside, even though he has gone in the crate. He's going to have to know his boundaries of where to go.

Generally, as they grow up, most dogs will not urinate in the place [or in A place] where they might sleep [who would want to do that, anyway? lol]. And watch him, encourage him to 'go potty' or whatever phrase you use to associate with it, and if he does it, try rewarding him. Positive reinforcement [such as a small treat or praise] will also eventually do the trick.

Good luck!

macksmom

7 weeks is a tad bit too early to be away from the mother. There are vital skills puppies learn from their mothers during this critical young age.

So as stated, age may have a bit to do with it.

Puppies are small, as such they have small bladders. Your puppy may not have fully mastered how to control it.

You want to make sure the crate is not too big. If it is too big a puppy will walk to one side of the crate and eliminate, then sleep on the other side. In thier minds, they have separated where they go to the bathroom and sleep.

Plenty of walks, exercise, and plenty and plenty of potty breaks should help. It takes time and patience.

labman

At 7 weeks, you can expect some accidents if you leave a puppy half a day in a crate. They may also need a middle of the night break. Best way to cope with the accidents at first is to put a grid in the crate. All the details on that and much more you need are at http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/in...tml#post251802



Notice the importance of going out with a puppy in the housebreaking section of sticky. With some puppies, it is important to make them walk around to stimulate their body to eliminate.

7-8 weeks is the ideal time to get a puppy. By that time, they have learned much of what dog stuff they need to learn. It is time to start socializing them to people and other things such as vacuum cleaners. All the behaviorists that have studied dogs agree they adjust to new things much better at that age. A good way to screw up a puppy is to keep it in a kennel until 12 weeks. It may never fully adjust to living anywhere else and always be fearful of strangers. The dog guide school I raise puppies for has just a little experience with producing well socialized dogs. They insist the 300-400 puppies a year they breed ar in their foster home by 8 weeks. Any breeder that keeps a puppy longer than that needs to make great efforts to see to it that is gets the socialization it needs.