Our 12 week black lab Hector seems to be doing very well on his daytime toilet training, and will already ask to go out (usually...). However, he seems to 'save up' all his efforts for the nights and will often poo 2 or 3 times overnight despite going just before bed. Is this normal and has anyone found a way of persuading him to hold out a bit longer for us to take him out first thing?

It's a bit early to expect him to have control over his system to last all night - where does he sleep?  Any chance of getting up before he's done anything and letting him out - keep it all 'low key' - no playing, no talking, just let him out and reward him when he's been.......

Agree too early to expect him to last all night, so you have a choice, get up a couple of times during the night or clean up in the morning. I use a cage with paper to soak up and if the pup does not make it, I just remove the damp paper in the morning and replace with fresh for the following night.

Nice to know everyone agrees it's too early for him to last, so hopefully it will just come naturally. He sleeps in the kitchen and we do do as you suggest first thing (let him straight out, no fuss, praise when he goes etc.) so generally he's very good. Patience...