Labrador Retriever Breed Information Labrador Retriever Breed Group:Sporting Weight: Male: 65-80; Female: 55-70 lbs Height:

Male: 22.5-24.5; Female: 21.5-23.5 inches Color(s): solid black, yellow, or chocolate

Labrador Retriever Overview Originating in Newfoundland during the 1700s, the Labrador Retriever was imported to England in the early 1800s. This breed is among the oldest of the modern recognized breeds. Their versatility and endless positive attributes have made the Labrador Retriever a popular family pet.

Labrador Retriever Character The Labrador Retriever is medium in size, strong, athletic, and well balanced. They are friendly, outgoing, and possess an extremely sweet personality. There are two types of Labrador: The American, which is tall and lanky, and the English, which is more thick and heavy. This sporting breed is adept at hunting and retrieving. Labrador Retrievers are revered as companions and highly respected for their loving nature.

Labrador Retriever Temperament This breed is highly intelligent, loyal, and deeply devoted. The Labrador Retriever is reliable, affectionate, and thrive on human companionship and attention. They are absolutely wonderful with children and get along exceedingly well with other dogs. They may be reserved with strangers and make good watchdogs. If this breed is left alone for extended periods of time without attention or stimulation they will become lonely, bored, and destructive.

Labrador Retriever Care The Labrador Retriever requires regular grooming with a firm bristle brush. Special care should be given to the under coat to prevent mats and tangles. Bathing or dry shampooing should only be done when absolutely necessary. Labrador Retrievers are prone to elbow and

hip dysplasia, eye disorders, and PRA.

Labrador Retriever Coat The Labrador Retriever is a double coat breed. The outer coat is straight, short, very dense, and hard in texture. The under coat is soft, weather-resistant, and protects this breed from cold, all types of ground cover, and water. The color of the coat comes in chocolate, black, and yellow. This breed is an average shedder.

Labrador Retriever Training This breed is easily trained. Early socialization and basic obedience are recommended. The Labrador Retriever is very strong and must be taught not to pull on their leash. They do not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. The Labrador Retriever needs fairness, firmness, consistency, reward, and respect. They excel in tracking, police work, search and rescue, agility, competitive obedience, guide for the blind, and as service dogs for the disabled.

Labrador Retriever Activity Delightful, high-spirited, and energetic, the Labrador Retriever requires a great deal of exercise. They enjoy family play sessions, securely leashed walks, swimming, and a safely fenced yard to run and romp freely. This breed will do okay in an apartment dwelling provided they are given sufficient exercise, attention, and stimulation.

Ask a Question Labrador Retriever Questions & Answers QUESTION: I have a young black lab female (approx 9 months). She is already very heavy (roughly 60 lbs.). I don't think she is quite finished growing. My question is do labs have loose skin? What I mean is around her neck I can get both of my hands full of skin and it's still not all the skin she has on her neck. I know she is not a full lab, I adopted her and do not know her breeding. She's a great dog and smart, so I have no problem with her personality and mentality. I am just trying to figure out what else she could be. She is a very thick dog bodywise. We have had a lab before but she was not this big by no means. I know I haven't put her picture up but am unable to post pics at this moment. I don't know what kind of help I may be able to get, if any, but any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank You. Anonymous - 3/8/2011 3:52:50 PM

Respond to Question I also have a 11 month old chocolate lab, who is 85 lbs, also is very thick throughout her body and has the "neck rolls". She is full bred lab though. She seems to have slowed down growing within the past 2 months so hopefully so won't get too much bigger. We also have a 2 1/2 year old black lab, he has always been very slim and only weighs 70 lbs now, he stopped growing when he turned 1. Best part is our chocolate was the runt, who was force fed for the first couple days and is bigger now than all her siblings!!! I think as far as the sizeits a difference between the american and english bloodlines..... Anonymous - 3/10/2011 12:49:52 PM QUESTION: I got my beautiful brown baby lab on tuesday and I agree she is sooo smart. She was born jan 14th so she is about 1 month and a half. I have another dog, a shih tzu, and she's 7 years old.. So I'd like some help with my new pup, since she has other needs I have to meet. When should I start training her (sit, stay, etc)??? She's already learning potty training on paper, later I'd like to teach her to go to the yard. How many times should I feed her each day, and how much? Also, which food brand is better?? I bought her a baby formula for puppies (since she is so young), is this ok?? TIPS TIPS TIPS PLEASEEEEE!! Anonymous - 3/5/2011 6:20:09 PM Respond to Question A puppy must be fed daily 4 times a day. Dogs who are older than 20 weeks must be fed 3 times a day. So you should feed your dog in the morning, afternoon and then at night. You should feed her as much as you think that is good for her, but not much. Or else she will become overweight and will die from heart troubles.I'm sure you don't want that. I don't think any food brand is good.I mean I don't want to take any risk. After all, every animal should deserve healthy and fresh food. Like fresh vegetables, yogurt, eggs, real meat like chicken, turkey, beef, bison etc. Hope this helps. Happy to help :) Anonymous - 3/8/2011 10:56:20 AM QUESTION: Are the silver labs good with kids? I have grand children and also have a female dog who is about 8 years old. Our female dog likes puppies and other dogs but is a little protective over the kids. Anonymous - 3/5/2011 2:22:17 AM Respond to Question The AKC only recognizes 3 colors of labs - yellow, black and chocolate. I would ask the breeder of the silver lab if the parents are registered with the AKC and ask to see their papers and health clearances. Do some research and make sure you get a healthy pup with

a good background. Good luck! jmakarick - 3/8/2011 1:22:01 PM Obviously.....mothers always protect their children...no mother wants to bring any harm to her kids... labs are always awesome dogs so obviously the silver ones are also very good...I only have a silver lab named mickey and he is such a sweetheart...I think you should go ahead and buy one :) hope this helps :) Anonymous - 3/8/2011 10:47:10 AM QUESTION: Do labs have black or blue patches on there tongues? Anonymous - 3/2/2011 8:47:02 PM Respond to Question Labs shouldn't have any patches on their tongues. They should have black "lipstick" on the rims of their lips. Should be noticable on the yellow labs. jo_anna - 3/7/2011 3:59:32 PM It is possible for labs to have black spots on their tongue, but not blue. Anonymous - 3/3/2011 10:50:06 PM QUESTION: HOW OLD IS A LAB PUPPY WHEN SHE GOES INTO HEAT? Anonymous - 2/28/2011 9:42:55 AM Respond to Question Females can go into heat at 6 months old, so it is important to talk with your vet about spaying your lab if she is not a show prospect. Otherwise, watch her carefully so you don't have an unintentional breeding. jmakarick - 3/8/2011 1:24:52 PM QUESTION: I have a 10 week old yellow lab female. She has black spots on her belly that don't look right. They are not red or irritated or bothering her. Could this be just the way she is? I have never seen anything like it before. Anonymous - 2/25/2011 9:43:55 PM Respond to Question

You should definitely take your lab to the veterinarian for a check up...maybe it can be very harmful Anonymous - 3/8/2011 10:48:36 AM QUESTION: How long do labador retrievers live? Anonymous - 2/25/2011 7:01:34 PM Respond to Question If you take good enough care of your labador retriever dog, then he or she is expected to have a life span of 9-12 years. Anonymous - 3/3/2011 4:46:12 AM Labs live up to around 15 years Anonymous - 3/2/2011 8:50:01 PM QUESTION: How much heat can a laborador take? Anonymous - 2/24/2011 5:32:29 PM Respond to Question QUESTION: Why do some labs end up silver? Anonymous - 2/22/2011 9:04:10 PM Respond to Question Good question - some labs end up silver because they are bred with weimaraners but they can be aggressive but not so if trained proplerly they can be aggressive because they are bred with weimaraners and they can be over protective Anonymous - 2/23/2011 9:13:21 PM QUESTION: I have a chocolate lab puppy. How much should she weight at 11 weeks old and what is the BEST food to be big and strong ? Cheynne - 2/21/2011 6:19:09 PM Respond to Question The weight of a particular puppy would be hard to say. Check with your vet about that. Your

lab can eat kibble at her age, and I would recommend a premium quality pet food that has only healthy ingredients, no corn, wheat, soy or any kind of gluten. Those are not the best ingredients and your puppy will not be getting the nutrition she needs. Some people recommend a raw diet, but that has it's problems too, such as contamination with samonella and e.coli, and improper balance of nutrients. We feed all of our labs (5 of them right now), a premium food that is formulated by a holistic vet. jmakarick - 3/8/2011 1:31:57 PM At 11 weeks I would be feeding your lab purina puppy chow and she should weigh about 15 to 20 pounds Anonymous - 2/23/2011 9:14:50 PM QUESTION: Do labs live in small places ? Anonymous - 2/21/2011 9:54:55 AM Respond to Question Labs need exercise every day, at least 2 good long walks or an hour of playtime. Otherwise they can develop bad habits like chewing, digging or anxiety. Look for a dog park in your area where your dog can play off-leash. jmakarick - 3/8/2011 1:33:45 PM Well yes labs can but during their puppy chewing stage I would put them in a crate while you are away because they will rip your home apart and make sure they get enough exercise. Anonymous - 2/23/2011 9:16:23 PM As long as the lab has enough exercise, yes Anonymous - 2/22/2011 8:54:37 PM QUESTION: I currently had a male yellow lab who just recently passed away, his temperment was amazing I am looking into getting another lab puppy because our female lab who is a year old is now very lonely. My question is do black and yellow labs share the same temperment and energy level because I'm torn between another yellow lab or getting a black lab. Anonymous - 2/18/2011 1:14:45 PM Respond to Question Sorry to hear about the loss of your lab. There is no difference in temperment due to the

color. Look for a reputable breeder in your area who can give you some advice. You can do a search at www.akc.org for a breeder in your area. Your 1-year old is still a puppy with lots of energy and would probably enjoy having another puppy around to play with. Just get them both spayed/neutered asap. Good luck! jmakarick - 3/8/2011 1:37:35 PM I have both a yellow and black lab, the black is a female and the yellow a male. Both have completely different personalities, but both very sweet temperament. I find more differences between boys and girls than I do between their colors. Anonymous - 2/28/2011 9:54:46 PM I had a beautiful black lab female recently she passed due to cancer but she was wonderful...very smart well mannered full of energy. Just a true loyal friend. She was very protective of myself and any children around her. She was excellent with children. Anonymous - 2/24/2011 11:12:42 AM Yes labs do. Anonymous - 2/22/2011 11:10:25 AM I have a 3 year old black lab who is full of energy and very smart. He listens to my commands and is very loyal Anonymous - 2/21/2011 4:20:25 PM The color is not a determining factor for temperment. You can have an easy going calm temperment in a black or a yellow lab. I hope that helps!! limericklabs - 2/21/2011 9:08:08 AM Well black labs are great. They have an amazing temperment and with some training they will amaze neighbors or anyone who sees them. Anonymous - 2/18/2011 9:19:14 PM Show All Answers (3 more) QUESTION: I have done many dog breed tests to see which dog is right for me and I keep getting labrador retriever and golden retriever. Does anyone know which is a better and easier pet to train? Anonymous - 2/15/2011 8:34:28 PM

Respond to Question They are both good choices and smart, loving breeds. Goldens are more high maintenance with their long coat. They also have a higher incidence of hip dysplaysia. Check for reputable breeders of both in your area and see which is right for you. jmakarick - 3/8/2011 1:39:53 PM Both are easy to train, but Labs are easier. I have two labs now, both were potty trained in a little under a week. Sitting and staying around 3 months old, after maybe a few treat sessions. Anonymous - 2/28/2011 9:56:50 PM Labrador Anonymous - 2/20/2011 8:33:07 PM You could also get a lab golden retriver mix. Anonymous - 2/18/2011 9:21:47 PM Labs are easier to train because they are so much more intelligent and it only took my lab a week at 4 months to learn how to sit, lay, stay, give her paw and speak. Anonymous - 2/18/2011 9:20:55 PM golden labrador Anonymous - 2/16/2011 10:50:20 AM i think that labrador is better Anonymous - 2/16/2011 10:09:50 AM Show All Answers (3 more) QUESTION: I purchased a yellow Labrador Retriever female at 6 weeks, (younger than I would have thought was best but they were selling them and I wanted to give her a great home). My question is this; she is now 7 weeks old and I am wondering if she is too young to be left alone in a small area to help with the potty trainning? I put her in our small bathroom for the night and she did not stop crying, yelping and scratching for more than 40 min. I also have a 1 year old pug and did the same thing and she did not carry on nearly as long. ( I am not an owner that can't handle crying and such) I am just worried she is too young. Help!

Anonymous - 2/12/2011 1:12:05 AM Respond to Question I have fostered half a dozen puppies and I do know they prefer a crate with just a little room to turn around. It makes them feel safe and helps with potty training. Dogs don't like to mess where they sleep. Let her cry, she will learn to go to sleep on her own. Be patient,Labrador Retrievers are very intelligent dogs. Anonymous - 2/26/2011 7:53:34 PM You have to let your Labrador Retriever cry with out going to her when its bed time. Make sure it has what it needs, food and water and is not hurt. Then let her cry without responding to her. Each time she cries and you respond she knows that the crying is getting you to come to her or getting her. The more she understands this is how to get you the more shes going to do it. You have to break that by not going to her when she cries even if she does it for hours. As long as you know she is ok. She'll know the crying is not working in 3-5 days Anonymous - 2/21/2011 4:34:47 PM Absolutely, do not worry about them crying. I've had a pitbull pup at 8 weeks and he cried all night long. They're just trying to survive without their mom. Anonymous - 2/21/2011 2:37:30 PM I think it would be better to start when your lab is 3 months or such. And its normal for a puppy to cry, so dont worry, just wait for a while Anonymous - 2/17/2011 6:09:47 AM QUESTION: I just purchased a 7 wk old female yellow lab...I am using the potty trainning pads. She uses them about 50% of the time. Is this a good method? Any other suggestions? Anonymous - 2/11/2011 8:54:33 PM Respond to Question I used pee-pee pads for my maltipoos and now they think scatter rugs are the same as pee pee pads. Avoid the use of training pads, go directly to the outdoors. Good Luck Anonymous - 3/7/2011 2:25:46 PM I agree that you should take the time to train outside. Take her out every hr when you are home and it won't take but a few weeks and she will get it. Give her lots of praise when she goes, labs love to please. Good luck, be patient.

Anonymous - 2/26/2011 7:56:45 PM I've never used puppy pads or diapers. I usually spend just a little more time and patience and do the crate training. My Labs stay in the crate just big enough for them, so they won't go in it. Then every hour or so, take them outside. If you keep this consistent for about 2 months, they'll know that outside is where they go. But don't get angry if they go in the house a few times. It's part of the learning process. Anonymous - 2/21/2011 2:41:16 PM The best method would be outdoor training. Soon the puppy will be too big and will "miss " the pad. Plus, labradors love to destroy things...one day you may see the pads shredded and the mess will be everywhere. Anonymous - 2/17/2011 5:50:28 PM Well here is another one.............I would put her in a small or meduim sized room with a doggy gate and get puppy pads and fill the whole room with them and every day take one away and that will let her know that is where to go to the bathroom - it works every time Anonymous - 2/15/2011 1:00:33 PM Show All Answers (1 more) QUESTION: What are the sicknesses for Labrador Retrievers? Anonymous - 2/9/2011 5:22:01 PM Respond to Question The normal health clearances for labs are for hip/elbow dysplaysia, eyes and heart problems. Any dog can develop other medical problems such as cancer, diabetes etc depending on the environment and if not given the proper diet and exercise. If you are looking for a puppy, make sure the breeder has the health certificates from the OFA and CERF. jmakarick - 3/8/2011 1:44:59 PM I had a black lab for 14 years. love of my life. Very sweet, high energy. Was about 100 lbs, not over weight, very tall. Didnt even have arthritis problems until he was 12 1/2, and didnt become a true problem until around his 14th birthday. Exercise is key to the health of these dogs!!! Anonymous - 2/14/2011 11:31:44 AM Since labs are a biger breed they are more prone to bone problems like hip displacia but a sickness could just be if they are allergic to something and they could even catch a cold from

you just dont let them eat chocolate well they can have 1 piece Anonymous - 2/11/2011 10:05:32 AM QUESTION: My Chocolate lab had 14 puppies yesterday(2-6-11) So far she seems to be caring for them. Should I help her by purchasing the puppy formula and feeding them as well? Anonymous - 2/7/2011 10:27:08 AM Respond to Question Thank you so much for the info. I purchased formula and yes, have noticed that she is eating a lot more. Any particular supplements that you recommend? Anonymous - 2/8/2011 9:11:46 AM That is alot. I have only seen one other litter that large. I would recommend keeping some formula on hand and be careful. Its alot for the mother to take care of. Alot for her to walk around, easy for them to get sat on. And failure to thrive is a possibility. The labrador mother will also need quite a bit of calories and or supplements. 77484 - 2/7/2011 11:06:23 AM QUESTION: When is a good time to give a labrador puppy a bath? Anonymous - 2/6/2011 5:03:54 PM Respond to Question Only give your labrador's a bath when they get dirty or have bugs or fleas Anonymous - 2/11/2011 10:10:08 AM As often as you would like . Just be careful not to strip the natural oils from your labs skin. I recommend an oatmeal based shampoo. 77484 - 2/7/2011 11:08:20 AM QUESTION: I have a female black lab and she is very small for a lab. She also has black spots on her tonge, and she is a great hunting dog. Is she an odd type of labrador? Anonymous - 2/4/2011 2:06:11 PM Respond to Question

Labradors are allowed to have spots on the tounge, but not ideal. Small is ok and normal for females. I have seen them 35lbs. 77484 - 2/7/2011 11:07:41 AM No, from my research, I found out that many Breeds/ dogs have black spots on their tongue. Anonymous - 2/5/2011 11:33:40 PM QUESTION: My lab is black and her coat is longer than what I see in the pictures and she has black spots on her tongue. All of the other characteristics listed describes my dog... Is she a lab or a mix? Anonymous - 2/4/2011 10:29:39 AM Respond to Question Well,l it really depends on the dogs characteristics compared to the Labrador Retrievers characteristics. Anonymous - 2/4/2011 5:01:50 PM

Top 20 Names Top 20 "Male" Dog Names: Max Buddy Jake Bailey Rocky Charlie JACK Toby CODY Buster DUKE COOPER HARLEY RILEY BEAR MURPHY LUCKY TUCKER

SAM Oliver Top 20 "Female" Dog Names: MOLLY Bella Lucy MAGGIE Daisy SADIE Chloe SOPHIE BAILEY ZOE LOLA ABBY Ginger ROXY Gracie COCO SASHA ANGEL LILY PRINCESS Can you tell me what to look for in a Lab puppy? Is there anything DIFFERENT that we can look for?

Answer I am afraid not. I am not even sure DNA testing would do that. I see many carefully bred Labs and Lab crosses. Depending what the Labs are bred with, some of the crosses look more like Labs that many pure Labs do. Not all Labs are bred for show and have the solid color, big square heads, tapering tails, etc. I have seen some Lab mixes that obviously were mixes, otherwise a Lab but with Border Collie markings, or a Lab with the short crooked legs of a Basset. Your terrier may have been a good example of my frequent advice to follow your heart. Thank you for choosing adoption and being part of the solution. It upsets me how many questions I find here from clueless people adding to the problem by breeding.

What does a puppy need? A crate. It is only natural that a puppy resists its crate at first. What the puppy wants more than anything else is to be others, you, anyone else in the household, and any other pets. In our modern society, even if we are home, other things distract us from the attention an uncrated puppy must have. The only real solution is to crate the dog when you aren't around. The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open. Skip the bedding. At first it gets wet, and later it can be chewed into choking hazards. A wire rack in the bottom will help keep the puppy up out of accidents at first. They are available with the crates, but a piece of closely spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper. I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in. At bed time, with a new puppy, I have found lying down in front of the crate like you were going to sleep and speaking softly to it, or singing, until it settles down and goes to sleep works very well. Follow the pattern, a period of active play, outside to eliminate, and then into the crate. Chew toys. The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages. If you are not there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs. Keep a close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in pieces. Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed. These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive chewers such as Labs. Food. Find out what the breeder is feeding. If it is dry chow you can buy readily, I would stick with it until the dog is 4 months old, at that time switching to a dry adult chow. If not, try to have the breeder give you a few days supply to use making a gradual change to a dry puppy chow. Dishes. Empty plastic food containers are good enough. If you want something nicer, buy the spill proof? ones. See A collar and leash. You should stay with a flat fabric or leather collar until your puppy is 5 months old. Then you can go with the metal slip collar with the rings on each end. Otherwise you could damage its windpipe. Put it on like this for the usual dog on the left position. Pull the chain through the one ring forming a"P". Facing the dog, slip it over its head. The free end comes over the neck allowing the other end to release pressure when the leash is slack. A five month old's head will still grow some. If you buy one that easily goes over

the head, it still should come off leaving the ears when the dog finishes growing. I start the puppy out with a metal leash and switch to a leather one after the worst of the chewing is over and I need more control.

A brush. Start the puppy with a bristle brush. They don't shed much at first, and the bristle brush will remove dirt and help control odor. When shedding becomes a problem later, switch to a slicker brush with the wire teeth. The number of a vet. It is very hard to evaluate them. Dogs need more medical care than in the past. Many new problems are wide spread. A book. Any book is better than none at all. I like the Monks of New Skete and their The Art of Raising a Puppy, ISBN 0-316-57839-8. Obedience training. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start obedience training the day you get the dog. Build on the foundation of housebreaking. The younger the puppy, the shorter you must keep sessions, only a few repetitions at a time. A few minutes here and there, and by the time the puppy is 4 months old, people will be impressed with what a nice dog it is. An All Experts bookmark so you can come back for help as needed. I didn't forget treats, shampoo, and bedding. I seldom use them. Much of housebreaking is not training the puppy, but making it easier for your puppy, you, and your carpet while its body to catches up to its instincts. At around 8 weeks when the puppy goes to its new home, the time from when it realizes it has to go, and when it can't wait any longer is a matter of seconds. Only time will fix that. You can hardly be expected to be attentive enough to avoid all accidents. There is no sense punishing the puppy for your inattention. It is not fair to punish you either, but you still have to clean it up if you didn't have the puppy outside in time. Housebreaking starts before you get home with the new puppy. If you don't have a crate, buy one. I prefer the more enclosed, den like plastic ones. Skip the bedding. At first it gets wet, and later it can be chewed into choking hazards. A wire grid in the bottom will help keep the puppy up out of accidents at first. They are available with the crates, but expensive and hard to find. A piece of closely spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper. I am now using a plastic vegetable bin with plenty of holes drilled in the bottom. It helps block off part of the crate for the smaller puppy. If you already have a metal crate, covering it may help. Just make sure you use something the puppy can't pull in and chew. Dogs that start out in crates as little puppies, accept them very well. Never leave an unattended puppy loose in the house. If nobody can watch it, put it in the crate. I suggest letting the dog have its crate all its

life. A crate needs to be just big enough for a dog to stretch out in. Choose a command and spot you want it to use. The less accessible to strays, the less chance of serious disease. If it is a female, choosing a non grassy spot will avoid brown spots later. When you bring it home, take it to the spot and give it the command in a firm, but friendly voice. Keep repeating the command and let the puppy sniff around. If it does anything, praise it. Really let it know what a good dog it is and how much you love it, and maybe a treat. Note, being out there not only means you can praise it, but it also keeps it from being snatched by a hawk. If it doesn't go, take it inside and give it a drink and any meals scheduled. A young puppy will need to go out immediately afterward. Go to the spot and follow the above routine. Praising it if it goes is extremely important. If it doesn't go, take it back inside and put it in its crate and try again soon. Do not let it loose in the house until it does go. At first it is your responsibility to know and take the puppy out when it needs to go. It needs to go out the first thing in the morning, after eating, drinking, and sleeping. If it quits playing, and starts running around sniffing, it is looking for a place to go. Take it out quickly. You will just have to be what I call puppy broke until it is a little older. How successful you are depends on how attentive you are. By the time most dogs are about 3 months old, they have figured out that if they go to the door and stand, you will let them out. The praise slowly shifts to going to the door. Some people hang a bell there for the dog to paw. If your dog doesn't figure this out, try praising it and putting it out if it even gets near the door. A stern "Bad dog!" is all the punishment that is effective, and only when you catch it in the act and are sure you didn't miss it going to the door. Clean up accidents promptly. I mostly keep the little puppies out of the carpeted rooms. Still I need the can of carpet foam sometimes. First blot up all the urine you can with a dry towel. Keep moving it and stepping on it until a fresh area stays dry. A couple big putty knives work well on bowel movements. Just slide one under it while holding it with the other. This gets it up with a minimum of pushing it down into the carpet. This works with even relatively soft ones, vomit, dirt from over turned house plants, or anything else from solids to thick liquids. Finish up with a good shot of carpet foam. Note, do not let the puppy lick up the carpet foam. Once the dog is reliably housebroken, your carpet may need a good steam cleaning. Many people strongly strongly push cleaning up all evidence of past accidents. I am slower to suggest that. Dogs will return to the same spot if they can find it. When you see one sniffing the spot, that is your clue to run it out