[cliffdropper]

Here is the story 4 days ago I bought a yellow lab from a breeder. He is 12 weeks old and has been raised in a barn. My wife and I have a house that is perfect for raising dogs, old wood floors, small living spaces and a large backyard.
We have been using a crate and it has worked for nights, he sleeps about 3-5 hours before we need to take him out to go potty 1 and 2. "Bruno" has been good at night but during the day it has been a a challenge to get him to go potty outside. We wake up taking him out and he does good. Then we feed him and take him out and he does not go. He will walk around for a half hour and sniff at plant or two but not go potty. We then take him back inside and with out warning he goes potty inside. We tried taking him for a walk after he eats and it is like he holds it until we get back because he then goes in the house.
My mom has said to leave him in the crate for an hour after he eats then let him out. My wife thinks that the crate needs to be a positive place as it has been working at nights and putting him in after eating could make it a negative place.
Me, I learn from people with experience and here is where I turn. Let me know your experiences and your results to help Bruno get house trained.

Thank you in advance for your help.
Todd

[DoggyMom]

Yes, the crate should indeed be a "happy" place.

I've found, and been told by others when my dog was just a pup..that when you take the dog out to do his business, use a command. Such as "go potty" or "go pee!" Then when your pup does, make a really big deal out of it, say "good boy!" a few times and give a treat. You want to make it as good of an experience for the pup. If he knows he is doing something that makes you happy, he should do it more often.

From what I am reading, you take him outside, and he goes, then you feed him and take him outside to go again? Puppies don't digest their food that fast! hehe
Let us know how it goes with him.

[cuchera]

Try rubbing the groin area with a paper towel after the pup urinates and the next time you take the pup outside, place the towel down on the area you want him to do his business. They most often will sniff this and then pee on it.This has to be done each time you take them out and you need to be consistent, but it works! You can even train to to only use a certain area in your yard with this method. Let me know if you try it and if it works for you.

[monsters]

My dogs love their crates and go in them just to relax and hang out. When we have to be gone for long periods of time our GSD still stays in his. He is a chewer so it keeps everything safe. The crate should remain a positive thing as long as you are not upset with him when he is put in it.