Housebreaking A Labrador Retriever Puppy

They're cute, they love you, but they use your home as a huge toilet. This happens to any puppy owner, and not just the owner of a Labrador Retriever puppy. Housebreaking any puppy takes persistence and patience, which not a lot of people have. Sadly, many a Labrador Retriever puppy (usually from nine months old on) is abandoned or sent to the pound for housebreaking problems that are not really the fault of the pup, but of the selfish and impatient owners. Housetraining an older dog is just the same as housetraining a Labrador Retriever puppy.

When You Get Your Pup Home

As soon as you get your new Labrador Retriever puppy – or rescue dog – home for the first time, take them right to where you would like them to toilet. Pick them up and plop them there, if you have to. A car ride especially seems to make a dog or puppy have to pee. Be patient and wait until your new Labrador puppy (no matter what his age) squats. Praise lavishly with kind words and affection and then take them inside.

When You Gotta Go…

If you take the time to observe and interact with your rescue dog or Labrador Retriever puppy, you will soon be able to tell when Nature is ringing that little doggie bell. A dog or puppy will often walk in circles, sniffing the floor or the walls when they feel the urge. If you see this behavior, rush them outside and then lavishly praise them when they squat.

Because they are so young, most puppies like a Labrador Retriever puppy will often pee out of excitement or out of fear. They just haven't been able to develop the bladder control yet. You do need to expect this and not be too harsh on them when this happens. Perhaps you could have your puppy spend time in a room with easy to clean floors or with older carpet that needs a few stains in order to improve it's looks.

When Should They Get It?

All dogs and puppies learn housebreaking in their own time. So, it's perfectly normal for your Labrador Retriever puppy to still be having accidents at seven months of age while the neighbor's chocolate Lab puppy is perfectly housebroken as a wee six months of age. Sometimes it can take dogs a year to get the hang of it. Once they do, they are really proud of keeping the house clean.

If your Lab is over a year old and still having housebreaking issues, please see a vet to be sure there isn’t a health problem.