Help toilet training 9 month old lab who has regressed?

Question

we thought our new lab, who is now 9 months old, was pretty much housetrained. She sleeps in a crate (and has since we got her) and we initially let her out only to go outside to the bathroom or to play (supervised). After she was about 5 months, she never had an accident inside, and we would let her stay in the kitchen, uncrated and unsupervised. In the past couple of weeks, she has regressed, and has recently gone to the bathroom (#2) in the kitchen when unsupervised, even when (as tonight) she had only recently been let outside for about 5 minutes and didn't do anything.

Any suggestions as to what we can do? Should we go back to what we did when we first got her, and only let her out of the crate when we are in the room paying attention to her or when we take her out to go?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Try giving her more time outside. Sometimes dogs take a little longer to go. Also if you can catch her in the act then she'll know what she did was unacceptable. Being a lab she is a high energy dog and needs tons of exercise or you'll start to see behavioral problems rear their ugly head. Good luck.

Answer 2

Definitely longer time outside would be something to try. From experience, my labs like to "roam" (as I call it) to find the best place to do their business.

Did she go by the door that you usually let her out? Or a change in her diet? Someone secretly sneaking her table food? This may be gross, but is the #2 in a pile or runny? Her stomach might just be upset from something she's been eating.

But also, has she been left alone for longer periods of time that usual? Labs can sometimes be spiteful because they are mad at you for being away for a long time.

Either way, good luck ... you will need patience for the next few years ...

Answer 3

she is still so young so accidents are going to happen. also if you feed her any table scraps accidents are more likely to happen. dog food only, dry preferrably. she still needs to be supervised and still in crate training. crate training is good even when they're adults. it promotes good behavior and keeps them out of trouble. after a steady routine of this they know what to expect and it gives them security. My dog is 2 yrs. old now and goes in the crate every night and when we're not at home. this may not be the answer you want to hear but it really is what is the best for everyone.