Quick Answers
Dog pads or puppy pads are a convenient way to house train dogs, especially for pet owners who live in apartments or don’t have easy access to an outdoor space. Getting your dog attracted to and consistently using the pads takes patience and consistency. Here are some quick tips:
– Use pads with attractant sprays or scents dogs like to encourage them to use the pads
– Place pads in spots your dog already goes, like near doors or in corners
– Reward with treats and praise when they use the pads correctly
– Restrict access to other areas as needed until a habit forms
– Stick to a schedule and take the dog to the pads regularly
– Use verbal cues like “go potty” when on the pads to reinforce training
Why Use Pee Pads for Dogs
Puppy pads, often also called dog pee pads or potty pads, provide an indoor bathroom area for dogs that is easy to maintain. They are typically square or rectangular absorbent pads made out of layers of fabric with a plastic lining. Some have artificial grass on top as well.
Here are some of the benefits to using dog potty pads:
- Ideal for apartment dwellers without access to a yard
- Great for senior dogs or dogs with medical issues making frequent trips outside difficult
- Useful for overnight or when you can’t supervise your dog for long periods
- Prevent damage to floors and carpets from accidents
- Easier to clean up than accidents on bare floors or carpets
- Help establish a routine for puppies as you train them
- Give dogs an approved place to relieve themselves
Dog pads come in a range of sizes from small pads designed for puppies up to large pads for big dogs. You can buy reusable cloth pads or disposable paper pads. Some disposable pads have a plastic lining and absorbent gel interior to absorb more liquid.
Choosing the Right Location
One of the keys to getting your dog to use the pee pads consistently is placing them in an optimal location. Here are some factors to consider when deciding where to put the puppy pads in your home:
- Pick a low-traffic area that’s out of the way but still easily accessed by your dog.
- Make sure the location you choose has an easily cleaned floor surface like tile, wood, or linoleum.
- Place pads near doors that lead outside, as dogs often look to go potty right after entering.
- Pads in corners or along walls are ideal spots dogs tend to sniff out.
- You can use pen or gate enclosures to restrict access until potty pad training is established.
Ideally you want to put pads in spots your dog already tends to choose as bathroom areas. Pay attention over the first few days in a new home to see where your dog heads first to sniff and circle when needing to relieve themselves. Place pads in those natural locations.
If you don’t have obvious spots your new dog heads to, here are some prime locations to try:
– Near outside doors like a side door, back door, or door leading into a garage
– Inside a bathroom or laundry room (places with tile floors ideal)
– Inside an exercise pen, crate, or confined puppy area
– In a corner of the kitchen, mud room, or utility room
– Beside sliding glass doors or back windows
Using Attractants and Textures
Specially designed potty pads and sprays can help attract dogs to the pads and encourage regular use in appropriate areas. Here are some options:
Pheromone sprays – These mimic natural dog pheromones and chemicals they use to identify bathroom areas. Spraying pads and areas around the pads with these scents can signal to your dog that’s the right place to go.
Enzyme cleaners – Enzyme sprays break down the smell of urine and feces. Spraying pads between uses can help attract dogs back to the area.
Pad texturing – Pads with fake grass or turf material on top provide an inviting texture for dogs. The softness and grass-like feel attracts some dogs.
Pad attractants – Many disposable pads are infused with scents pleasing to dogs, like vanilla or catnip. These can interest them in using the pads.
You can also sprinkle brewer’s yeast, crushed parsley, or other aromatic herbs on top of pads to entice your dog to use them. Rotate through different attractants frequently to maintain interest. Keep experimenting to find what attracts your individual dog.
Establishing a Routine
One of the keys to potty pad training is establishing a predictable routine with consistent times you take your dog to pads and plenty of rewards when they go in the right spot. Here are some tips for creating a successful routine:
- Take your dog to the pads first thing in the morning when they wake up and before bedtime.
- Go to the pads 15-30 minutes after mealtimes as digesting often stimulates the need to go.
- For puppies, go every 30-60 minutes initially, then gradually increase time between trips.
- Use verbal cues like “go potty” when going to the pads and waiting for results.
- Reward with praise, pets, and treats as soon as they finish going on the pad.
- Be patient and consistent – accidents will happen at first!
Sticking to a predictable schedule of frequent pad trips and regular rewards is key. Most dogs will adapt to the routine within a few weeks if you stay consistent. Pay close attention and don’t wait for accidents – take them promptly whenever it’s time for a scheduled pad break.
Restricting Access
Limiting where your dog can access inside the home is crucial for potty pad training. Close doors, use baby gates, or set up exercise pens to restrict access. Only allow your dog in areas with pads when unsupervised.
If they have accidents in off-limit spots, don’t discipline or punish them – it can discourage pottying in front of you. Instead, clean up accidents with an enzymatic cleaner and make notes of problem areas to restrict. Limit access further and stick to your routine.
As training improves over one to two months, you can gradually expand their access to more rooms. Keep rewarding consistent pad usage and continue taking them at scheduled times. The goal is building a habit that sticks.
Nighttime Crating
While using pads can help with overnight potty needs, most experts recommend crating puppies at night. The close confinement prevents wandering off and having accidents. Crating helps establish bladder control and teaches them to hold it at night.
Place water bowls away a few hours before bed to help avoid overnight accidents. Take puppies out immediately before locking the crate to give them a last chance to relieve themselves. The crate should be nearby in your bedroom to hear whines or restlessness indicating a need to go out.
Gradually lengthen the overnight crating duration as bladder control develops over time. Older dogs can transition to being loose in dog-proofed rooms or gated areas at night as they learn to hold it and use pads when needed.
Troubleshooting Potty Pad Problems
Despite your best efforts, you may encounter some problems when working on potty pad training. Here are some common challenges and troubleshooting tips:
Chewing or playing with pads – Some dogs, especially teething puppies, want to chew or play with the potty pads. Use bitter tasting sprays on pads or swap to a plastic holder that keeps pads firmly in place. Redirect chewing to appropriate toys.
Missing the pads – Accidents right next to pads are common at first. Confine dogs in smaller areas with pads, clean up accidents promptly, and be vigilant about routine trips until aim improves.
Pad avoidance – Some dogs don’t like the feel or smell of synthetic pads. Try different brands, add turf or soft fabric top layers, or switch to reusable cloth pads and find attractants they respond to.
Marking behavior – Urine marking on walls or furniture can occur from insufficient pad use. Ensure you use enough pads spread around for easy access. Thoroughly clean all old accident spots. Restrict access to problem areas.
Stay patient and persistent while troubleshooting issues. Stick to the routine, consistently reward success, and restrict access until potty habits are well-established. Consult trainers if problems persist beyond a month of diligent training.
Transitioning to Outdoor Potty Training
Once your dog reliably uses the indoor potty pads, it’s time to gradually transition bathroom breaks outside. Here are some tips for making the switch:
- Take your dog out first thing in the morning and right after meals before going to pads.
- Place pads closer to outside doors, then right outside doors, before removing completely.
- Reward immediate pottying outside with high-value treats like chicken.
- Slowly increase time between taking them out as you decrease indoor pad dependence.
- Teach commands like “go potty” or “hurry up” to cue going outside.
- Withhold access back inside until they go in the desired outside spot.
Be sure to give lots of praise and treats every time they potty in the right outdoor location. The transition may take a month or more to fully switch from pads to outdoors depending on your individual dog. Remain patient and consistent throughout the process.
Conclusion
Dog potty pads provide a great option for pet owners without easy yard access to give dogs an approved indoor bathroom area. With strategic setup, attractants, scheduling, and confinement, most dogs can be pad trained successfully within one to two months. Stick to a consistent routine, use rewards to reinforce desired behaviors, and troubleshoot issues that arise promptly. Pad training is an effective way to start house training before transitioning to outdoor potty habits down the road. Consistency and patience leads to long-term success indoors and out!