Crate & potty Training

ChrissyR

Hello,
My husband and I just got a 10 week old Black Lab puppy last week. She is behaving very well. The question that I have is about her crate. We got a large sized crate because she is going to get bigger, but there is a divider inside that we have used to section off a smaller space for her. The problem that we are running into now is that we are gone to work for 8 hours and she cannot hold it, so she pees in her crate and then lays in it. We have tried to put newspaper in there but she just rips it to shreds....any suggestions as to what we can do to prevent her from laying in it and having to get a bath everyday? I really appropriate your help

Labsnothers

I think you need to find a way to give her a mid day break. In the past we had to regularly leave puppies 4-5 hours from as young as 7 weeks. It worked OK with only occasional accidents. If neither of you can make it back for a break, could a neighbor or professional dog walker?

emily445455

I agree, she can't hold it for 8 hrs at such a young age.

Don't put anything in the crate, except maybe a bone to chew on. They can sometimes figure out a way to go in their crate, cover it with whatever is in there (newspaper, old shirt, blanket) and not be bothered by it anymore.

DogPaw

Why not just take the divider out? That way if she does pee then she doesn't have to lay in it.

Having someone take her out during the day would be the best fix.