Coming home with your first-ever puppy or dog is truly exciting. You just can’t wait to have fun, play, and start to have bonding moments with your newly adopted cutie furry. It’s awesome and all that, however, it would also be good for you to know that there will be some housebreaking that needs to be done as well. This is for the real newbies out there who might be as thrilled as we are, I have two words for you…
Potty training. Yep, you heard it right, it’s all about teaching your dog when and where to poop. Don’t worry, as long as you follow the steps it will still be fun minus the fuss.
What Is a Puppy Pee Pad? And What Does It Do?
For one, they’re not diapers. Although, the disposable types do look like splayed-out diapers in rectangular shapes. They are mainly made out of an absorbent layer of material that can dry out dog pee and keep dog poop in place. You can also safely dispose of them after use. There are also available washable types that are made out of cloth, and or some other type of plastic and wood material that is reused after cleaning.
These pee pads are often used as trainers to catch the pee and poop of your dog, thus preventing “accidents” on your floor or carpet.
Pee pads are used as temporary places for puppies to potty inside the house before being taught to go outside to eliminate. Pee pads teach and familiarize your dog to defecate and urinate in a designated place as chosen by you, the owner.
Are Potty Pads Right for You and Your Dog?
There are two ways you can go about training your dog on how to eliminate, although, not strictly as to when. One, you can start to regularly take your puppy directly outside to potty, or two, use a pee pad as a go-between the inside and the outside of the house.
Subsequently, most owners choose to use pads first. This is because the puppy is so young and so small that it is almost impossible for him to rush to the door (not to mention ask you to open it for him) and be able to make it to the yard before anything leaks.
Here are some additional good reasons why you should use pee pads:
- You live in an apartment complex somewhere on the 56th floor. There is no backyard to run to, being that it’s such a long way down for either you or your dog.
- You might be a senior who can’t go run after your dog to lead him out the door much less take him for a walk outside. On the one hand, you can still do the necessary clean-up. Pee pads in consideration of a senior’s limited mobility, would be a great help in making sure that the house is kept clean. Plus, they get to keep the dog.
- You live in the suburbs in a middle-income house, and you own a Shih Tzu. Or it could be any other small dog of the same category. Be that they are small, they have to make 3 times the effort to run down the stairs and out into the yard. That is if they can even make it.
- You have a small young puppy that sleeps in your room and still doesn’t have significant control of its bladder. He would be very grateful for that 1-foot trip distance to the pee pad that you would have afforded him beside his bed. Dogs don’t like to poop where they sleep so they do it somewhere else. For a puppy, you could imagine its relief that there is somewhere near where he can pee if he needs to go at any time.
Any kind of situation that could make it easier for you to train your puppy you’d probably do. And using a dog pee pad always sounds like a good idea.
How to Train a Puppy to Use Pee Pads
Potty training your dog is one of the necessary basic skills that your dog will have to learn to avoid getting into trouble, primarily with you. No one likes following their dog around cleaning up poop and pee everywhere. You can’t expect your dog to act like a human being and go the john, but you could at least put some order in his potty habits.
Here are a few things that you need to know and remember before you begin training:
- This is a lifelong habit that you are trying to teach your dog as this guide will facilitate how you will go about training your pet from the beginning till the end. It will cover as much ground as it can on the why’s, how, and when’s of potty training. You may also want to be patient with yourself and your dog as this will take some good effort and some time.
- Potty training can be tough, especially if you have a breed that needs more focus and patience. Keep in mind that you are trying to instill a permanent habit whilst making it as painless as possible for you and your pet. Go easy, but firm.
- 2-3 month-old puppies need to pee at least every 2 hours.
- Your puppy can’t control his bladder until he is about 4 months of age. After that, he may be able to control it for about an hour according to his age in months. So, that makes it 5 hours at 5 months of age.
- Don’t leave your dog in his sleeping pen or crate for more than 6 hours at a time, they do not like peeing where they sleep. Also, holding out on their bladders may expose them to urinary tract infections. But they will try, mainly because they are afraid to displease you. If you are out of the house for more than 6-7 hours at a time, you might want to hire someone to take your dog for a walk.
- Every dog is different. Sometimes puppies of the same age and same breed when potty trained at the same time, one ends up acquiring the skill within a few weeks, and the other within a few months. Observe your dog, and carry him along according to his progress.
Equipment Needed:
Pee Pads
You can either go for the disposable type or you may use the washable version to lessen your expenses.
A leash (at least 5 to 6 feet long)
This line will be used to keep a frisky puppy to stay right on top of the pee pad during the training phase. This leash will be mainly used for control and to guide your dog to the designated area.
A collar
A strap with just the right width depending on the size of your dog, and just make sure it is the right snug for your puppy’s neck.
Treats and a Treat bag
You will want your treats to be small, soft, and chewy for your puppy so she will be able to easily eat them and quickly move on to the next exercise. Larger crunchy treats may take longer to eat and digest and could pack on calories more than your puppy needs. Put them in a small pouch or bag that can be tied to the waist for easy reach.
A Playpen Paired with a Crate or Just a Playpen
You can go get a crate that will be put inside a playpen for your dog. The purpose of this duo is to create a confined space for your dog to relax and sleep which is the crate. Surrounding it are the fences of the playpen that cover an area almost 4 times wider than the crate. So then, the crate becomes a confined space within a confined space.
This equipment strategy will limit your puppy inside the playpen which he can choose to eliminate outside of the crate, without leaving the structure. Or you can choose to keep the crate facing the playpen. This way your dog will have to cross about 2 feet across from his crate to potty in the playpen facing it. Later, when the puppy is much older the playpen will be removed leaving just the pee pads left for the dog to eliminate.
Basic Commands
“Go Potty”
During the training phase, this verbal cue “go potty” will be given right at the very moment your dog is doing his thing. Not before, not after. Do not use this cue on demand. Do not force your dog to poop or pee.
“Yes”
This verbal cue is used as a marker to mark the desired behavior such as going to or stepping on the pee pad where the owner will say “yes” followed by a treat.
“Good girl” or “Good boy”
The verbal reward for desired behavior is given together with the treat. Later on, the treats are faded.
Step 1: Introduce Your Puppy to Where You Want to Limit Him in Some Areas in Your House
On your first day at home with your puppy, let him explore areas that you will allow her to be in. If you live alone and you are looking to keep the puppy with you in your bedroom for the night show him the bedroom.
Install baby fences on areas that you don’t want him to go into such as the kitchen or the basement, or maybe some other rooms where you may have some important things lying around. The idea is you will only allow your puppy to get familiar with places that he will be allowed to go to.
The less area he has to be familiar with, the better.
Step 2: Decide Where You Would Like the Designated Area to be and Install the Pee Pads.
I recommend placing the pads right in front of the doggie bed where your puppy will be sleeping. All he has to do is cross 1 or 2 feet of space to be able to go and pee. This is if your dog is slated to sleep in your bedroom beside your bed. You may also put it in other areas like the living room and or preferably over spaces where there are tiles to avoid stains and for easy cleanup.
Some owners would opt for anywhere near the bathroom or right inside the bathroom. Do not place the pee pads anywhere near food and other eating spaces.
How Many Pads Should I Put Down?
For Smaller Dogs and Puppies- Be sure to cover an area of approximately 4 sq. ft. worth of pads placed together.
For Larger Dogs (100lbs. or more) You will need to cover an area of about 10 sq. ft. of pads
You may want to use washable pee pads for larger dogs to reduce costs.
Read also: How to stop my dog from destroying things when I’m out
Step 3: Introduce Your Puppy to the Pee Pads.
Take your puppy by the leash and bring him up to the pads. Praise any kind of attention that is given to the pads (a sniff, a paw) with a “yes!” and reward with treats. Repeat the exercise until he is already used to being on top of the pads.
Note:
Your puppy may have to go pee or potty every 2 or 3 hours. Build the habit of bringing him to the pee pad every few hours or so. You don’t have to expect your puppy to do it immediately but if he does, reward him as he does it. This way he will have a memory of being rewarded when he was using the pads.
At this point anything can happen, so be observant and be sure to be consistent in giving the rewards. Accidents too may happen, but don’t scold your dog. Just go ahead and immediately clean the mess up so he won’t be able to remember the scent and not go back to that wrong place.
Step 4: Anticipate When Your Puppy Will Go Potty
Young puppies usually urinate 15 minutes after they wake up, after drinking some milk or water, and even after eating.
On the 15th minute, immediately pick up your puppy and bring her to the pads. Otherwise, watch for movements when your puppy needs to go potty.
Here are the signs that your puppy is about to go:
- He will start sniffing around on the floor.
- Circling
- Whining
Step 5: Reward Your Puppy with a Small Treat When He Potties Right on the Pads.
When you see the signs, immediately take, or pick up your puppy (for faster transport) to the designated area. Reward him with a treat right as he potties, and keep on supervising him until he is done. Be careful not to make him get used to going potty and eating at the same time.
Repeat the exercise until your puppy or dog gets used to the pads.
Consistently bringing him to the pee pads every 2 -3 hours. And wait if he potties or not. Again, reward him when he does.
Related: How to teach your dog to ask to go outside
Protip: Clap If You Catch Your Dog in an Accident
Make a sudden noise and clap if you catch your dog doing potty somewhere else other than the pee pads. This is so that your dog will be startled to understand that it is wrong. If done correctly, your dog will be startled enough not to do it again.
To be clear, however, we are not out to scare or scold the puppy, but just to startle him. This is why you will need the behavior replaced and show your dog what behavior you want so that he doesn’t get confused. Therefore, take him back to pads and wait a few minutes to show him that that is the place where he should be.
Repeat this exercise whenever necessary.
Step 6: Gradually take the Potty Outside
Once your dog gets a little older you may now begin transitioning her from inside the house to the outside. The newly designated area is usually on the grass in the backyard or lawn.
Transition Days.
1st -3rd day– Incrementally move the pad near the bedroom door and eventually the front door inside a 2-3 day period. Allow your dog to follow the pad.
4th day– When your dog tries to potty on the pee pad near the door, immediately pick him up and bring him outside to his new potty place. That is preferably on the grass. Bring his pee pad along to gradually acclimate him.
The next few days– Progressively cut the pee pad into smaller pieces until it disappears. By this time, your dog may already be used to the outside area.
Continue bringing him outside the house on a leash and wait for him to eliminate. Depending on his behavior, you may no longer need to reward him with treats, just some small, satisfied verbal praise.
The key is to make sure to bring him out regularly at the same time every day. Do it right when it is likely that he will go potty. Be patient, there will be times he won’t, just continue building the habit.
Step 7: Add the Verbal Cue of “Go Potty”
As your dog is now going outside regularly, add the verbal cue right when you are in the designated area. Say “Go potty”, then pick him up or lead him on the leash to go outside. Bring him to the designated area and wait for him to go potty. Most dogs will quickly make the association and understand the command.
Once he is in the area, wait for your dog to go. If he doesn’t, that doesn’t mean the exercise failed. It just means your dog doesn’t need to go potty. Repeat this exercise until your dog recognizes the command and already knows what it means. This will help him remember and know where and where not to defecate.
It may take more than a few weeks for some dogs to truly understand housebreaking, and some of them may even go for months. Be persistent. It will save you a lot of impromptu cleaning up in the future.
See also: How to teach your dog “No!”
Troubleshooting: What Not to Do
- Do not interrupt your dog when he is doing his business. Let them be until they finish. They should be relaxed and loose when they are at it.
- Do not allow your puppy to play, chew, or do anything on the pee pad other than defecating or urinating. They might become confused and start to think that it is a toy.
- Do not punish your dog for having accidents by rubbing the waste on their noses, dogs have feelings too you know. And besides, it doesn’t work. Even if it sometimes does, your dog will have an emotional doggie scar and will end up being constantly afraid of you.
- Do not leave your puppy with a leash unsupervised. He could strangle in it.
- Do not forget to consistently praise your dog for a job well done as they thrive on that too. And if they do, that would be less mess for you to clean up as they will also stick to the designated place.
Additional Things You Can Do to Train Your Puppy
- Install a low-hanging doorbell your dog can nudge and train your dog to make the bell sound to get your attention and go potty outside.
- You may even have a small doggie door installed on your kitchen door for your dog to go through if he wants to potty.
How Do I Train My Male Dog to Use Pee Pads?
All dogs can be trained to use pee pads, whether it is a male or a female. The problem is as male dogs grow older, they begin to discover that they can lift their legs to pee. The result? A targeted sideways stream of pee goes nowhere but the floor outside of the pee pad. Or worse, on table or chair legs.
What You Can Do
For Puppies
Train your male puppy with training steps 3 up to 5 until he finally gets used to the pee pads. If you live in a place where you have a backyard lawn peeing or eliminating your now larger male dog should no longer be a problem. This is as long as he does it within the designated area. If you live in an apartment complex where there is no “outside” then you may choose to get a pop-up indoor potty.
Pop-Up Indoor Potty
This pop-up type is an indoor potty frame fitted with synthetic anti-microbial grass and has a special pop-up target that would somehow resemble the trunk of a small bush or tree. It will give your male dog something instinctively familiar to raise his leg on. Show your dog the pop-up along with the familiar smell of potty in the indoor area, he will then use it as a regular target to pee.
Partially L-shaped wall Around an Indoor Potty
Another option for an owner who doesn’t have an outside area is to go for an indoor potty that is partially corralled or has an L-shaped fence to give it a wall effect where your male dog can raise his leg. The partial wall will also serve as a confining fence to limit the potty space of your dog, thereby avoiding spillage or accidents.
Should I Use Puppy Pads at Night?
Yes, especially for puppies. They will not be able to control their bladder all through the night, so you will have to put a pee pad beside their bed about 1 foot away. This is with the assumption that your dog already knows what pee pads are for, or, he may have already undergone at least a week of pee pad training.
Make sure that the pee pad will be accessible to your dog so that this way you won’t have any accidents while you are sleeping. Don’t forget to immediately clean up when you wake up. Do not put the pee pads on your puppy’s dog bed or crate at night, or he will start peeing on his bed too.
For 1-2 month-old puppies Who Sleep Inside the Crate
Provide them with a separate towel inside the crate where they can pee.
For 3-month-old Puppies in Crates
They can already hold their bladder in the night for at least 4-5 hours. So, all you have to do is take them out of the crate at least once to eliminate or pee during the night.
Adult Dogs in Crates
Have your dog regularly pee or eliminate before bedtime and upon waking up. For a complete guide on how to crate-train a dog or puppy, see this article.