Tami Parrington is the author of five novels along with being a successful SEO and content writer for the past three years. Parrington's journalism experience includes writing medical, health, and home-related articles as well as articles on the types of animals she has raised for years on eHow.
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Dog TrainingSUPPLIES
- Appropriately-sized dog crate
Overview
Potty training is usually the first thing new puppy owners have on their minds when their adorable bundle first arrives in the home. While it has nothing to do with obedience, it is often the first building block of a new relationship and is the beginning of your Labrador's social interaction inside his new family and how he will view his position in his new surroundings. Here is a simple method of potty training for Labs that will work every time and set up the ground rules for a wonderful future for you and your pet.
Perfect Potty Training
Step 1
Buy an appropriately sized crate for your new Lab puppy. With a large breed puppy the tendency is to buy a crate they can "grow into." It appears to make sense since good dog crates are relatively expensive. However, buying a crate that is big enough for a full-grown Labrador Retriever will be too large for a small puppy and defeat all training purposes. Your puppy's crate should be just big enough for him to stand up in, turn around in, lay down in and sleep comfortably in.
Step 2
Do not use your Lab's new crate as a punishment tool. It should be a place she is secure and feels comfortable in. Lay down the ground rules right from the start and let her know that when you are not playing with her, are away from home at work or school, or are sleeping she needs to be in her crate. Always remember that with very young puppies it is important to allow them to come out of their crate and go to the proper area for potty every two to four hours.
Step 3
Take your new Lab puppy to his appropriate potty area the moment you remove him from his crate and allow him to take care of business. Praise him generously every time he does what he is supposed to do.
Step 4
Don't bother yelling over abandoned piles. Punishing a puppy or even a grown dog for accidents is defeating. Dogs will not make the connection between their actions and screaming or worse unless you catch them in the act of defecating or urinating. If you do happen to catch your Lab it is much better to scold her and immediately take her to her proper area praising her if she does manage to relieve herself more at that point.
Step 5
Never hit your Labrador. There is simply no reason to ever use physical violence on your puppy. Hitting will only make them fearful and distrusting. Scold your puppy when appropriate.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- WARNING : Do not purchase a Labrador puppy that is less than 8 weeks of age. Twelve weeks is best for good social development but no good breeder will sell a puppy at less than 8 weeks old.
Up to 12 weeks old, puppies have very weak bladder control and must be allowed to relieve themselves every two to four hours morning or night. If you do not have the time or ability to meet that schedule consider a puppy older than 12 weeks old.
Never force a dog of any age to remain in his crate without the ability to go potty for longer than eight hours. If left unattended and trapped longer than nature will allow them to hold on all training will be defeated. Plus it is cruel.
