How To Train A Puppy To Use Pee Pads – Your Ultimate Guide
They told me getting a puppy would be enjoyable. They mentioned it would be all fun and excitement. Little did they mention the challenges that come when you need to housebreak them. Fortunately, there’s a solution for dog owners in the form of puppy pee pads which makes the process much easier.
Bear in mind, puppy pee pads are not a Harry Potter wand that will miraculously take care of the messy tasks and train your dog instantly.
But yes, they do come in extremely handy when you are housebreaking your puppy. Especially if going out frequently comes with some sort of restrictions.
If you are one of those confused new dog parents who are about to take on the challenge of housebreaking your pup via a pee pad, you are at the right place.
Knowing how to train a puppy to use pee pads can be extremely helpful especially that there are some protocols that need to be followed. This feature is a complete guide to training a puppy to use pee pads. Paw-yeah!
Importance of Pee Pad Training
Pee pads are no mess, no fuss kind of thing when it comes to your puppy’s potty training. Puppy pee pad training is much more convenient than teaching them to go potty outside only.
This stands true especially when you have a complex schedule or you live in a place where more frequent potty breaks would mean a crazy routine.
A puppy pee pad is a perfect aid to absorb the mess and the odor. Just like diapers, pee pads are disposable and can be thrown in the dog waste station.
They are also a big help if you are crate training your doggo. It is also great for senior dogs with bladder control issues which may not allow them to hold their pee for long periods of time.
Rough weather? No problem. We call them weather-friendly training pads. With these guys to help around, you can stay indoors and get your doggo to eliminate without having to face the harsh weather.
7 Proven Tips for Training Your Puppy to Use Pee Pads
Since we know how revolutionary these pee pads are, it’s time to move one step forward. Here’s to all the quirks of how to train a puppy to use pee pads.
1. Say Hello to Pee Pads
Your doggo needs to be introduced to the pee pads-you know, get familiarized with it. This is where you step in.
You will have to give them a verbal cue to associate the word potty with the pee pad so that your dog knows its sole purpose.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It is going to take a few attempts until your fluffer gets accustomed to pee pads.
Some premium pee pads by default come with a particular fragrance to attract a dog’s attention.
If your pee pad doesn’t have this feature, you can spritz it with puppy potty training aid spray to help get your doggo’s attention to the right place at the right time.
2. Under the Watchful Eye
Your vigilance is a gold mine at this time. This initial time of training is crucial and may require a little extra effort from your side.
By paying attention and keeping them under your watchful eye, you will be able to recognize certain body language when nature calls.
Sniffing around, going in circles, little whining sounds or any kind of apprehensive behavior is a sign. As soon as you detect this unusual behavior, boom!
This is the exact moment to take them to their pee pad. Remember, puppies have a shorter span of bladder control. So it’s best to be alert and do it quickly.
3. Move by the Book
Scheduling resonates with achieving goals. For this, you will first have to schedule the chow time for your pup. Then observe how long your puppy can hold its urine.
There is a general rule that says that the number of hours most puppies can hold their pee inside is equal to their age in months.
That means a 3-month-old puppy will be able to hold its pee for 3-4 hours. There is one damper to this rule.
It holds only for a sleeping puppy. For a puppy that’s awake and fully active, this cycle can occur after a mere half an hour. Better to take them to the pee pad after every 20-30 minutes.
Moving by the book and doing it with consistency will have your pup get trained to pee pads in no time.
4. Patience is a Virtue in Potty Pad Training
There are going to be “dog days” in training. And we know it leads to frustration. But remember, that does not mean you are not going to see the light at the end of this tunnel. Training a puppy to use potty pads is not a one-day kind of process.
There are days when it’s going to be really tough. But there will be easy days too. For successful potty training, your patience and understanding are the keys that will make matters easy and help make your potty training process less demanding.
Every breed is different. Every puppy is different, just like humans.
If one puppy of yours got trained smoothly, that doesn’t mean the other will be the same.
5. Pair Up Puppy Pad Training with Crate Training
The results are whopping when you combine pee pad training with crate training. Skeptical about using two training tools at the same time?
Well, there is a solid reason behind this. Whether it is a small dog or an adult, neither likes to soil the place where they live.
The best way to go about this whole setting is to give them an appropriate-sized crate. To help them associate more with it, add doggie toys.
Whenever it is their time to pee or poop, take them out and straight to their puppy pads. Once done with the pee or poop business, take them back with a reward.
Pro Tip: Use a leash when you have to take them to their potty area. This way you will have the control to direct them to the pee pad and not let them wander off to get down and groove.
6. Progress to the Next Phase
Gradually transition to the next phase which is the real deal–going outdoors when nature calls. Your pup can’t stay on to indoor potty pads forever.
The transition is not going to be bad as long as you follow the same potty schedule to step into the outdoor pee-pee routine.
Move the puppy pads gradually every day towards the front door. And then eventually outside.
This could be a slow process and you don’t want your dog to get confused and go back to where it started.
Once the puppy pad is shifted fully outside, slowly start decreasing its size. Keep doing this till there is nothing left but the ground.
7. Make Peace Not War
If an accident happens, which is bound to happen during the journey, don’t lose it. Stay sane. Don’t, by all means, punish your puppy. There is a reason why we call them potty accidents.
You don’t want your puppy to associate anything bad with you. Punishing behavior may make matters worse and won’t help the puppy learn. A simple “no” or positive reinforcement can also do the job.
A scared puppy may not want to eliminate anywhere near you, making matters worse in the long run. Also, a puppy is like a sponge, watching and absorbing your behavior.
Remember why you got one in the first place. You wanted a snuggly, loveable companion, not an aggressive watchdog.
While we never advocate punishments, we go all out when it comes to rewarding the pup for good behavior. In this case, it’s using the pee pad correctly. A reward can be in any form.
A hug, praise, or a doggie treat. We know you’ve been trying and your dog has also been trying.
So when he gets it right, keep the bounty ready. Instead of negative punishment, provide positive reinforcement and this little act of encouragement may speed up things for you. Think about it.
Mistakes To Avoid When Training a Puppy to Use Pee Pads
Puppy pee pads are a great help to you and your fluffer. Just make sure that you don’t throw yourself aboard when using them. Here are a few blunders to avoid when you are training your puppy to use pee pads.
Not Associating the Word “Potty” With It
If you haven’t associated the word “potty” with a puppy pee pad yet, you have still got time.
You don’t want your doggo to think it’s a mattress sort of thing to get comfortable. Next thing you know, you catch him lazing around in his shitting place.
Not Replacing It Timely
Dogs urinate around three to five times a day. If used in a crate, we recommend changing the pee pad every time your doggo pees on it. Not replacing a puppy pee pad timely can lead to various infections.
If you have a busy schedule and cannot replace it frequently, make sure that you do it by the end of the day.
Not Transitiong at The Right Time
Puppy pee pads are a training aid, not something permanent. Sooner or later you will have to transition to outdoor potty time. The average age for the pup to get fully trained is about when he hits six months.
Of course, every puppy is different and training time can vary for them. As dog parents, it is your responsibility to see to it that they don’t get permanently attached to it.
Frequently Asked Questions On Puppy Pee Pads
Here are the most asked questions answered by our experts on puppy pee pads.
Are pee pads made of toxic material?
No, pee pads are made from nontoxic material keeping the safety of everyone around them in mind. They do indeed have a certain chemical in them for super absorbency. These chemicals are non-toxic and made from acrylic acid and sodium hydroxide. However, indigestion may lead to health risks.
How much liquid can a pee pad hold?
A typical puppy pee pad can hold up to 3-5 cups of dog urine. This amount is much more than what a puppy eliminates in a day. A 10-pound puppy can, at max, urinate equivalent to 1 cup a day. If you get an extra large pee pad, it will hold more than 7 cups of liquid.
How do I stop my dog from chewing its pee pad?
Distraction will be the best way to stop the dog from chewing the pee pads. They can be easily distracted by going out for a walk or playtime. Bringing them home exhausted enough not to tear the newly replaced pee pad will make a difference. You can also give them a puppy toy to divert their attention. Be consistent.
When should I stop using puppy pee pads for my puppy?
Not too soon and not too late. Taking them away too soon will shatter their confidence and your months of hard work. You can say bye-bye to these potty pads when you know for sure your puppy is ready. This means if they can pull an all-nighter without using it, they can hold it in until they are taken out for a potty break.
Conclusion
The invention of moisture-absorbing pads commonly known as pee pads has been a bliss for new dog owners. They are a wonderful tool that aids in housebreaking for a new puppy.
They have proved to be bliss for anyone with constraints to keep a dog. May it be a complex routine or living in an apartment sort of living arrangement where keeping a dog can be a challenge.
But these pads don’t work on auto mode. Making your doggo use a pee pad the right way needs training; something that requires vigilance and patience both.
It’s not just pee pads, Bulldogology has the best resource for every little dog-related stuff you might need. It’s time to dig deeper into our blog for the inner scoop on the doggie world.
Hassle-Free Ways to Achieve a Cleaner Home
Teaching your furry friend to go potty in the right place can be tough, but don’t worry! We made Bulldogology Premium Pet Training Pads just for that. They stop your pet from chewing the pads and they even have sticky tabs to keep them in place. Plus, they turn liquids into gel and stop stinky smells, so your home stays clean and fresh.
Our Bulldogology Premium Pet Training Pads are the best choice for dogs that chew on pads, each pad is locked down with optional adhesive tabs.
Puppy Pads with Bulldogology Bullsorbent Polymer Technology
- Absorbs and turns liquid into gel right away keeping your floors dry all day long.
- With sticky adhesive tapes to keep your pet from making a huge mess.
- With built-in attractant to help potty train your dog when you’re not around.
- Perfect for indoor and outdoor use, use it as food and water mats, for kennels, or even when traveling.
- Instantly eliminates the stinky smell to keep your home fresh and clean.