We have just bought a choc Lab. We had her from a proper breeder, and she's a pedigree, and now 9wks old.

The first two nights we left her downstairs in a "pen". Both nights she cried and yelped all night. She also fouled in there.

The 3rd night we had a crate for her. We did as the book told us and let her play in there, let her sleep in there and just shut her in for 5 odd minutes and slowly left her in there a bit longer each time. But the book didn't mention night time. We locked her in and left her downstairs but she immediately started yelping etc. So we put her in our room, in the crate, with the view 'give her a couple nights to get used to the crate, then move her down stairs'.

She was quiet, but Weed for england in it, and pooped as well. We think this could be our fault because we put newspaper in there and she is used to going toilet on paper. But, she has also weed on the bedding that goes in the crate more than once. We thought it would be inevitable shed mess on the bedding through the night, and it would be in the wash the best part of the day so she'd never get used to the bedding.

Tonight were thinking of giving her the run of a room, with the crate open in the room.

We just don't know though.

As a young couple, this is our first dog. We both had dogs as children and whilst growing up but its not the same.

My partner is at home with her all day, and takes her out after feeds, play time, and naps. And if she's seen sniffing about she gets taken outside. She is getting better in the daytime, but is still not house trained properly.

Please help us, we are at a loss with the night time crate training. Should we be locking her in the crate, and getting up in night to take her out, and just ignoring her moans for the rest of night?

Also, any other advice on general house training would be very welcomed, or if a good, comprehensive book or website could be recommended, or if a different style of training should be used.

She wants to chew everything as well, particularly the kids toys. How do we stop her doing that?

And in the day we have newspaper by the back door, which she uses to eliminate on. Should we keep putting it down or not?

Go to the sticky starting at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251802
Read through it, and post back with details you need more help on. I may have more experience and training that those that have written much of what you read elsewhere.

Accidents and damaged possessions are the fault of whoever was watching the puppy. When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys. Give it a sharp ''Ah, ah, ah!''. Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of her toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it. When you are around you need to keep a close eye on the dog. Use closed doors or gates to keep it in the same room as you are, and perhaps as I do, a short chain fastened to the computer desk. When you can't watch it, crate it.