New puppy

It is quite normal for puppies not to know when they have to pee or poop, until it is 'right this second!'. They are still learning about their bodily functions, and cannot hold pee or poop very well.

Also, I take it you have a male puppy, male dogs do not start lifting their legs up right away to pee. I also have a male puppy, 16 weeks old now, and he stands to pee. This is normal.

How often do you take him outside to potty? I would suggest going every hour. In between, if you know that he even poops in his bed, all eyes on the puppy. When he starts sniffing the ground, pick him up and carry him outside. Go to a specific potty place and just stand there. (If he lies down, walk like one or two steps just to get him in standing/walking position again) Do not go on a long walk, it may be too exciting for your dog so he forgets to do his business. Go for the fun walk AFTER the potty. When he potties, praise him and give him a treat!

When he potties inside, try to interrupt him by picking him up or forcing him to move (no hitting, but you can hold him behind the shoulders and gently force him forwards so he has to walk) or by a sound (but there's the danger of starting to yell at him, and thus punishing him which you should not do), then quickly pick him up and bring him outside. If he does his business outside, even if it is just a drop and the rest is in your living room, praise like insane and give him treats.

Inside, do NOT punish the puppy when he does his business. He will learn that you are scary and capable of hurting him, he will not learn not to do his business inside. Also, make sure you thoroughly clean the spots where he relieved himself. Make sure you use an enzymatic cleaner so the scent is gone. Urine/poop smell is like a sign to your dog saying "this is a toilet!".

And of course it is a good thing you're going to the vet, hope nothing is wrong with the little guy!

So the puppy...we have to take him back down Saturday we were having problems to where when he peed he just peed where ever when ever like had no knowledge that he had to go. Same with poop didn't sqaut didn't sniff like he had to go. Nothing. So we took him to the vet he has nerve damage I cried so hard I had to let Tim aka my husband in there and had to go out to the van I couldn't breath they said the best thing is to have him put down there is no correction for it in a dog. The vet said he will never live a normal life and if the nerve damage goes all the way to the bladder there is no telling how far it goes like the dr pinched his anus with with interlocking forceps and Bruno didn't budge an inch squirm nothing his anus was bleeding and he had no feeling at all. It's so sad. The breeder is letting us bring him back Saturday bc of him being so far away and giving us our money back the vet talked to him over the phone and left him know what was going on. And told him that the best thing to do is to have him put down so he is going to take care of all that financial aspects of that part. The kids and us are soooo crushed I'm a mess. He is the perfect puppy. All but that. I just held him and cried the whole way home.