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Iz is now 5 1/2 months (picture is outdated) and boy have we been there too. I agree with everyone. We are working with a trainer one on one. It is not treat training - all based on pack-order (similar with Ceasar Milan and the Dog Whisperer theory). It is working wonderfuly and you can really see that he is beginning to understand his role in the pack.
I travel a lot, so my husband works with Iz a lot more. He works with him every night. It's amazing the progress he is making and also - Iz is more calm and more obediant with my husband - because of their work together. He's pretty good with me too - but there is a subtle difference.
I strongly recommend looking into this type of training. You want your girl to do things because you tell her to - not because you are holding a treat. if she is jumping on people, on your counters etc, or God forbid, running into the street - you want her to respond to YOU and not to a treat. (Treat training I'm sure works for a lot of folks too - but this is really working for us).

As far as potty-training- you will see several of my frantic posts about 6 weeks ago on the same topic. Like everyone has said - be consistent - every time. I would recommend still taking her out on a leash and keep repeating "potty, potty" etc. until she goes. Once she goes, praise her like crazy. It's funny - now - the minute Iz and I go outside and I say "potty" he goes. I found that if I let him out into the yard off-leash, he thought it was play time, would not go, and then we would have issues.
He's still not perfect - and if I'm not careful sometimes foregets the sunroom is not outside - but all in all - he knows what to do and now asks.
When is she going in the crate - at night or during the day? How long after a meal? This may sound crazy - but some foods can also be the culprit - maybe too much gas etc

Finally got around to getting some new photos of Iz! He is now 21 weeks old and weighs in at 52.4 pounds as of today!

Was everything okay? That sounds like normal stool to me. At least that is what I see in my yard too and Iz is 100% healthy!!!

We had this same issue - in fact you will see my former posts on this. Let me share with you what worked and what didin't:
1) We didn't move the crate - mainly because unless we took it apart - it won't fit through the doorway. It is still in our bedroom.
2) we covered the crate on three sides - that made him hot and he barked more.
3) Toys are in there - he never plays with them
4) we yelled at him - did nothing


SOOOO - this has worked well
1) make it fun during the day - a time when you are not leaving and not going to close the door - give a treat or a snack in the crate - let your "kid" enjoy and bring him /her (sorry don't remember) back out.
2) Is it warm - we put a fan blowing right on the crate all night (of course we have a newf- lots of hair).
3) try feeding a meal in the crate one or twice during the day. Our breeder told us the best way to start them in the crate is to feed one or two m,eals and then their fine. We already had Iz for a few weeks when we tried it - but it worked. The more pleasurable experiences they can associate with the crate - the quicker they like it. (also - totally agree with previous post - DO NOT spray him etc in the crate - why make him/her associate anythign else negative with a situation already upsetting / confusing.
4) I leave music on when we leave the house.
5) try to keep a consistent schedule - into the crate the same time each morning and night - Iz just walks right in when we say "go to bed" now.
6) We gave Iz some sort of treat when we left the house - usually a carrot stick. We did the same at night - I don't like a lot of treats (cookies etc) but again - in the begining this worked. We have eliminated the treat at night.
7) Iz gets a bedtime sanack about 30 minutes before bed - canned pumpkin and sliced bananas. It seems to help him sleep longer with something on his tummy. Also - he gets tired after he eats. I was feeding this snack in his crate for one or two weeks - I don't now - no need. But that seemed to really help too.

If it gives you hope - we have had Iz for 9 weeks - he's 19 weeks now. He no longer barks at all when he goes to bed. He still gets up during the night to potty - and is convinced the kitchen opens at 4:30 for breakfast (maybe in another time zone:) - but he no longer barks when put into the crate. He had NEVER been in a cage before we brought him home - and although it felt like an eternity - it's only been two months adn we're good as gold. The only time he does bark now when put in the cage is if he is sick - and we have had our share of that too.... I know it's frustrating - we've all been there....

don't worry about skipping around - at one point we suspected he was allergic to fish! Imagine a Newf who can't eat fish?? My point is - I know how you feel. You wonder EVERYTHING at this point. I don't remember - are you trying a food wtih Venison? Our breeder told us the most hyp-allergenic meat is venison (our breeder is also a vet). I believe there are brands of kibble that use venison - or if you can get some ground venison and mix with the veggie kibble - that may be worth a try.
Good luck and keepus posted how he is doing...

We went to the vet today. They are tesing him for EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency). They had to send the blood screen out and we won't know for 7 days or so. He tested negative for Hooks today - but he would after 12 days on Panacur. This is very concerning to us as he is still such a baby. Anyone else experience EPI before? Anything anyone can share?

My breeder (Top Shelf Newfoundlands in Ohio) recently had a litter with several grays. Mom was a gray. My boy, IZ - his Dad's littermate was also a gray. I believe they are a recognized color and can be shown (just like the brown) - but again, not sure what a judge would do with one.
By the way - anyone see the Brown in the Eukanuba Show a few weeks ago? Rare to see a brown in such a big show!!!