[Pulse]

Originally Posted by Footbag

...try to identify the signals he gives off when he has to go. When you see the signals, that's when to bring him out.
If you catch him in the act, yell, and make a big deal about it and then bring him outside immediately.
Before long, he'll make the association and know where it's OK to go...

I agree with this part of Footbags guidance mostly (no "need" to yell at the dog though to effectively train him on this). Learn to identify the signals (they do give them) and get him outside as quickly as possible. Yelling at the dog isn't necessary, just get them outside. The dog is smart enough to figure it out soon enough with repetition and praise for going outside...

As a part 2 to this you may want to consider training him to "give" you the signals you need in order to let him out when he has to go (bell training or door relational positioning are some examples)

Originally Posted by replicant_argent

David, crate training is also a godsend with pups, especially labs.
You want to play with them and cuddle them constantly, but some time in the crate will do more good for the dog than many things. Crate at night, not too much room for him to move around. Dogs won't soil their crate, 99% of the time.
First thing in the morning, out the door. Serious good dogs and praise, maybe cookies if that is your style.
Play with pup a little bit...
Back in the crate. You want him in the crate when the urge starts to overtake him. 45 minutes later, or whatever interval he seems to dig, out of the crate and out the door.
Repeat as necessary.
It works for me, and not only do labs seem to "get" crate training, but they (hopefully) start treating the crate or travel kennel as a sanctuary, or Asylum, if you will. That is a good thing.

This is great advice. Crate training will save you and the dog a LOAD of confusion and frustration. The key to crate training (as put in bold) is to limit the puppy/dog to the amount of space you give him in his crate. As said above they will not soil the place they sleep in so make sure he only has enough room to turn around and lay down in, that's it. Put a piece of cardboard or other solid material in the crate to fill up the space you want him to not use while training him. As he grows you can adjust it if necessary but again, the dog WILL learn quickly if guided consistently.