[Flylihop]

Im getting a 7 week old Labrador puppy on Saturday, and I have been reading about house breaking! I read that you need to make sure your Labrador has a place to go pee - in your garden! I have a pretty large garden but there is only a grass section in the middle bit, which you can't see from the house - I am blocking off the pond so it can only get to the first 2 sections. Though I have lots and lots of plants in my garden and tree's, and so there are lots of ways my puppy could disappear behind them! There is a fence right round so she won't be able to escape, though I wanted to make a large play pen on the grass section as she's so small! But then if I need her to go wee, am I going to have to carry her to her pen? Or take her by a lead? Or let her run free :S?
I'm a little confused
Lol
Xxx

[danielnoahsmommy]

I would question the ethics of a breeder who lets a lab puppy go at 7 weeks. Besides the point you should keep a pup of that age inside a little longer. She is still too young at 7 weeks to be exposed to any animal disease as well she will not understand potty concepts at such an age.

[labman]

I think the above post is totally wrong. 7-8 weeks is the ideal time for a puppy to go to its home. They are ready for new experiences and may never be comfortable with things they do not encounter before 12 weeks. They also learn very quickly at that time. It is true they go through a window between when the immunity passed on by the mother and when shots take effect when they are very vulnerable to disease. One sniff where a diseased dog relieved itself in the last 6 months can be fatal. Having your own garden with strays fenced out is much safer for your puppy. At first, getting out quickly when the puppy needs to is more important than restraining it. There will be times, such as when you catch it in the act, when you need to pick her up gently and carry her out and put her down. As I mention in the sticky, being out with it at first is very important. I seldom bother with the leash as long as we are in our fenced yard at home. It is important to introduce the leash at that age. It will be safer walking around you own garden with her on leash that places where there may be sick dogs.

I have many of the details you need in the sticky, see https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251802 The material includes both my training and my extensive, successful experience with 7 week old puppies.