Our 3 month old labrador puppy is having a hard time becoming house trained. We take him out very often, especially right whenever he wakes up in the morning or from a nap. If its nice outside we put him on a chain for a little while so he can play outside, but as soon as he gets back in he will potty on the carpet. We also keep a spray bottle of water and spray him whenever we see him getting ready to go to the bathroom on the carpet. It doesn't seem to stimulate him in the way we wanted it too.

Labs love water so the spray bottle may not giving the right message at all. I'd put him on a leash/rope (about 6 feet) tied to your waist while he is in the house. If he tries to sneak off and pee, you'll know and can take him outside then. Do not let him run around the house until he understands that going potty is only done outside.

A crate works well in addition to the leash. He should be in the crate whenever he is not going out to go potty or in the house on the leash. He will get it. Free run of the house doesn't work unless you are constantly watching them, until they learn.

Steam clean your carpet and spray doggy "no" on his spots. Be sure to praise him lavishly whenever you see him potty in an appropriate place. He is not being bad, he just doesn't know any better yet. If he does go on the carpet again, bend over him and say in a low, mean voice, "NO."

Do you have a fenced yard or a way to fence it? I hate to see any dog on a chain especially a puppy. Dragging a chain might distract him from doing his 'business.' It sounds like he is pottying off leash in the house.

Crate training is excellent for potty trainig also. Most dogs won't go where they sleep so the second you get up, go outside with him. When he pottys, and he will after a long night, tell him what a great boy he is! The you can bring him inside knowing he is safe for a little while at least. I watch my dog closely and the second he seems restless, looks fondly at the door or starts to sneak away I take him back outside and repeat the cheerleading routine.

I don't think a spray bottle would work for a lab either. They might think it is a delightful game! As soon as he squats I would come down with a booming No! And escort him to the place you want him to pee. I would not rub his face in it.

Good luck!

You really do need to go outside with him for the first while at least, until he gets his routine down and realises that he should only pee outside. He may see being tied up as a punishment, and then pees when he comes back in because he is excited. You might be sending him the wrong signals. Pee time should also be "funtime" with you so he knows that going outside to pee means he gets to play, and gets plenty of praise for doing his job.

I'm guessing that you don't have a fenced yard if you are tying him up. Personally, I hate to see any dog being tied. But in the meantime, if that is your only option, get something that is lightweight and gives him plenty of room to explore. Don't leave him alone for very long though. He could get tangled, or if there are other animals in the neighborhood, he can't get away if he needs to.

NEVER leave him tied up if you are not there! It might not seem like a big deal for a short period, but I once had the unfortunate experience of having to respond to a call where a neighbors house had caught fire, and the pup was chained. He tried to get away from the smoke and ended up choking himself to death because he was restrained and couldn't breathe. It was very sad, and the dog owners were very distraught for leaving their pup tied up while they were just gone for lunch. :(

Good luck with your housebreaking! ;)