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Old October 19th, 2010, 11:17 AM
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Dog Dancer Dog Dancer is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
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Lucky is just too adorable. Yes as the others have said he is very young still and can't hold his bodily functions yet. I agree with Bailey that puppy pads are confusing to a dog. I'd go without. Get a crate and read up on crate training. Always it must be a good place to go, never a punishment. As soon as he wakes up take him outside and stay with him until he goes potty. Then have a party with him. Praise him and give him a tiny high value treat (bit of hotdog or cheese). He will quickly learn that going potty outside is a blast! Do not play with him outside until he does his business or else he'll want to play first always. Do not buy a giant crate unless you are able to block off at least half of it. The dog will not want to do his business in a small area where he has to lay down. If the crate is too large he'll simply go in one corner and sleep in another. Also, when he does his business in your bathroom or house DO NOT PUNISH HIM. Some people rub their noses in their mess or hit them. Neither of these things will teach your puppy anything at all other than to distrust you and to hide when he does something. There are lots of threads on here about crate training and housebreaking. Do some research and find what works for you and Lucky. Stick to it though, perseverance and patience will eventually work. Labs are very quick learners and anxious to please their owners.
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