I have a 2 year old yellow lab. I crate trained hiim to start as well, mostly for house breaking. For puppies in general take them outside right after eating, I promise they will do their business within 5 min. or less, take them outside every two or three hours in general. Once you get them to go #1 and #2 outside a few times they get the picture. When you can not pay close attention to the pup you should keep them in the cage, messing in the house once can destroy a weeks worth of training. Catching the pup one time going in the house, yelling no, picking them up and taking them outside to finish, then petting and praising them is worth two weeks of training. Labs are smarter than you think, don't give them an inch or they will find a way to run all over you! Enjoy.