How to train a dog to use a pee pad depends on whether you are training a puppy to potty in an appropriate area or whether you are retraining an adult dog who may have been used to pottying outdoors but has become less predictable with elimination habits.
Dog training pads can be a great help with smaller dogs who are living in high-rises or dogs living with less mobile senior citizens without outdoor fencing. Small dogs have smaller bladders, creating a need to potty more frequently. It’s difficult for many owners to take a dog out to potty every couple of hours, so dog training pads can be a good solution. Senior dogs who are becoming less continent can also make good use of such.
Training a Puppy to Use a Pee Pad
Potty training a puppy to use a dog training pad to pee is incredibly easy. Utilize an ex-pen that is large enough to use one side of the space for such and the other side for relaxation purposes. The puppy will naturally seek an area away from where he relaxes to eliminate. The trick is to actively supervise the puppy so that you can name the act when it happens and immediately reinforce the puppy. Teaching the puppy the phrase that you want to mean said elimination can also help if you want to move forward with outdoor potty training. Consistency is key!
Mistakes Training a Dog to Use a Pee Pad
Never ever reprimand a puppy or an adult dog for making a mistake off the pad. Simply reinforce any attempt that gets near the pad versus in a living area. You can move the pad to where the accident is and verbally reinforce soaking it up. Or if the accident was solid waste, move that to the pad and verbally reinforce. With repetition, they will get it in no time.
The first rule of thumb in this context is to determine where in the home potty accidents take place. Each area of the home that serves as a living area should also have an easy access “bathroom” for the dog in question. Place the pads in areas that may have seen a fair share of accidents. If that area is not where you prefer the pad to be kept, incrementally moving it to a more acceptable spot. However, do this at your dog’s pace, not your own, for best success.
If it’s helpful to keep pads as functional versus playthings, pad holders can be purchased to keep them in place. Use your previously taught potty word or phrase and be enthusiastic when verbally reinforcing a successful potty on the pee pad. Active supervision when transitioning to an indoor bathroom is helpful to preventing accidents.
Utilize the same protocols for outdoor potty training by noticing when your dog starts sniffing and moving out of the area. You can also consider using diapers or belly bands as a transitional tool until the pee pad training has been more successful.
It is also perfectly acceptable to use an ex-pen for containment with an adult dog when active supervision cannot take place. Follow the same guidelines as with a puppy if you opt for this option. With consistency, you should be able to pee pad train your adult dog in no time at all.
