Introduction
There may be many reasons a dog needs to be trained to pee on a pee pad. Dog owners who are immobile may not be able to take their dog outside often enough for the dog to eliminate. Some owners train puppies on pee pads before training the dog to go outside. City dwellers without yards might decide to use a pee pad for their dog inside the apartment. Moreover, older dogs who might not make it outside may find their last years easier using a pee pad. Small breed dogs are often taught to use pee pads because the outdoor elements may be difficult for them to handle as the seasons change. Teaching your dog to use a pee pad could eliminate stress for you as well as your dog. He will not be left fearing punishment after having an accident, and you will not have to worry about messes to clean from carpets and floors.
Defining Tasks
Using a verbal command such as “potty” will help teach your dog where to go. Pee pad training your dog is not difficult, but it does require patience. To be successful, someone will have to be with your dog for long periods of time over the first few days to show him your expectations for using the pee pads. Puppies will be easier to train to use pee pads, however, adults can be trained as well. It just may take more time and patience, as you are not only teaching him a new skill but potentially changing previous habits. If you want your dog to eliminate on a pee pad always, be prepared for the materials you need and have a space partitioned off within your home to do the training. Keep the pads in the same place, because moving them may require retraining for your dog.
Getting Started
You will need a few items on hand before you begin to train your dog to pee on pee pads. • Pee pads • Treats for rewards • Patience • Time with the dog to encourage eliminating every hour or two
The Room of Pee Pads Method
STEP 1 Set up Place pee pads across the entire floor of a small room. When possible, use a hard surface floor instead of carpet.
STEP 2 Introduce command As your dog is learning to use the pee pads, place him in the room with a “potty” command or another verbal cue.
STEP 3 Get acquainted Each time you visit the room with your pup, let him sniff around without allowing him to play.
STEP 4 Reward Once the dog eliminates, use the command word again and offer your dog a treat.
STEP 5 Timing While training, be sure to visit the room often. About ten minutes after eating, visit the pee pad room with your dog, repeating the steps above.
STEP 6 Monitor and reinforce Keep a close eye on your dog as he trains to use the pee pads. Reward for positive behaviors and redirect if he has an accident elsewhere.
STEP 7 Keep it up Keep actively training your dog until he can go into the room by himself to eliminate.
STEP 8 Reduce pee pads As he learns what the pads are for, you can remove some pads and keep only what you need in that room instead of covering the entire floor.
The Keeping a Pee Pad Method
STEP 1 Location Keep your puppy partitioned off and confined to a small area, either a room or a crate large enough for your dog to have a sleeping area separate from her potty area.
STEP 2 Set up Cover the entire potty area with pee pads and leave your dog.
STEP 3 Introduce command Take your dog to the potty pad often and use the “potty” command.
STEP 4 Reward Reward good behaviors while on the pad.
STEP 5 Redirect If your puppy begins to play or does not eliminate after a few minutes, remove him from the pad and place him back in his sleeping or playing area.
STEP 6 Repeat Repeat these steps often, keeping in mind a puppy can typically hold his bladder one hour for every month he is old.
STEP 7 Redirect If your dog has an accident, blot the urine onto a paper towel and place the paper towel on the pee pad to attract your dog’s sense of smell.
STEP 8 Reduce pads Over time, as your dog learns to use the pee pad, you can decrease the number of pee pads in your dog’s space and open his space to include more of the house.
The Keeping Your Dog Away from Pee Pads Method
STEP 1 Monitor Keep a close eye on your dog as you bond and play together.
STEP 2 Go to pee pad Every few minutes, leash walk your dog to a pee pad you have in a separate place within your home.
STEP 3 Introduce command Place your dog on the pee pad and say a command such as “potty,” so he can associate the word with the action of eliminating.
STEP 4 Redirect Only keep your dog on the pee pad for a few minutes. If he does not eliminate, do not allow him to play.
STEP 5 Leave potty area Leash walk him back to the area where you two play and bond.
STEP 6 Repeat Continue this process with the understanding that once he goes, he should be able to hold his bladder one hour for every month he is old.
STEP 7 Reward Once he is successful, use the command and treat reward for praise.
STEP 8 Continue Repeat this process until your dog begins to lead you on his leash to the puppy pad himself. Remember to reward your dog each time he uses the potty on the pee pad.
STEP 9 Train with accidents Try to catch him in an accident and take him to the pee pad with command words and a treat if he is successful.
This article was first published on: https://wagwalking.com/training/use-a-pee-pad
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