I am very new to puppies. I have always adopted adult shelter dogs but have a 9 week old Lab now. One of the problems I'm having is that I can take her outside many times and she will even go to the bathroom outside but when I bring her in, within 10 minutes she always pees again. It's 11am and just this morning she's gone 3 times outside and then while playing with her inside, she went on the floor. I'm getting discouraged with her toilet training. We have had her since she was 30 days old. Too young yes but there were circumstances with the owner and we had to take her immediately. She drinks a lot. At least a lot more than I've ever noticed my other dogs drink. When I crate her even after taking her out she also pees in the crate every time even though I don't leave her for long hours except 6 hrs at night and at that time I expect her to need to go. I feed her 3 times daily. Should I also limit her water intake? I don't want her to be thirsty. Is there something I can do to stop the accidents or at least reduce them? Every time she goes outside I give lots of praise. When she goes inside I try to stop her and tell her no and immediately take her out. But it's become quite frustrating to be taking her out so often and still having so many accidents. Am I doing something wrong?
At this age, they need to be taken out every half hour. Treat her everytime she goes for a wee outside and make a big thing of it. If she goes inside, just ignore it and clean with an enzyme cleaner to get rid of the smell. If you tell her off for going inside she may start hiding where she goes in the house. You also need to take her out after a sleep, after food, after play so she gets used to going outside. They have very small bladders and can't hold it. I wouldn't restrict water at this stage as pups can get dehydrated very quickly.
I agree with Naya - don't restrict water at all, young pups can very soon become dehydrated. Here is some excellent advice - http://www.thelabradorsite.com/house-training-your-labrador-puppy/ And welcome to you from Mags, Tatze and Mollie from Manchester UK Tatze is my pet dog, a black Lab and she's four years old. Tatze means 'paw' in German. Mollie is my fourth Guide Dog puppy, a black Lab who is eight months old. .
I`m afraid it is a case of repetition and yet more , plus a very large helping of patience ! At nine weeks , she really hasn't got much bladder control , it will come as she matures . Its frustrating I know only too well , but just stick at it and stick with the praise too x
Thank you Naya, Boogie, and Kate! Great link Boogie posted. I read it last night and am reading it again today. I keep telling myself and my husband she will outgrow this in a year or so
All my pups have been reasonably reliable by four months and completely reliable with no accidents by six months old. Some are really quick at cottonning on and have strong bladders - but I haven't had one of those yet! (I know people who have - unless they were telling porkies!)
MY last pup, and a boy, did only two puddles in the house and no poos. I think it helps if you can leave the door open and they can take themselves out as well as being taken out every half an hour etc.
