How Do Puppy Pads Work? How to Train A Puppy to Use It?
Things to know about puppy pads
Smells are a dog's way of sending and receiving messages. In the wild, their instincts guide them to mark their territory with their own excretions. But when they step into our human houses, those instincts can be quite a hassle, especially for households with young or new furry friends and people are not able to let their dog go outdoors to go potty every single time. Until we teach them to eliminate in dedicated areas, we find ourselves cleaning up their little "traces" left around the house almost daily. If you're trapped in this frustrating situation, fear not! The puppy pad might be your lifesaver.
What are puppy pads?
Puppy Pad, also known as a puppy training pad, puppy pee pad, potty pad, or indoor potty training pad, is a specially designed absorbent mat that helps train puppies to eliminate in a dedicated indoor area. These training pads for dogs are generally crafted with highly absorbent materials and feature a non-slip bottom layer to prevent sliding or leakage. Their main purpose is to provide a convenient indoor solution for puppy potty training, reducing the risk of accidents and making clean-up more manageable.
Puppy pads are particularly useful in situations where it is not always possible to take your puppy outside for potty breaks, such as living in a flat without a yard or for individuals who cannot regularly walk their dogs.
Can puppy pads be used on older dogs?
Indeed, beyond its primary purpose of potty training for puppies, the puppy pad can also find its place in the lives of our beloved senior dogs. As our furry friends advance in age, they may encounter health challenges such as incontinence, arthritis, or limited mobility, which can hinder their timely arrival at the outdoor restroom. In such circumstances, dog pads emerge as a beacon of convenience for our senior companions. With grace, it can be placed in a designated indoor realm, where our seniors can approach it with ease and grace.
Can dogs use pee pads forever?
While it is not advisable for dogs to rely solely on pee pads, there are specific situations where they can be a convenient solution. Puppy pads are particularly useful for small dogs, senior dogs, or situations where regular outdoor walks are not feasible. However, prolonged dependence on pee pads may confuse dogs and make them unsure of where to eliminate, as they are trained to do so on a specific pad.
If you wish to encourage your dog to eliminate outdoors, it is best to provide proper training to help them develop the right habits. Through gradual guidance and rewards, dogs can learn that eliminating outdoors is the correct behavior. This approach helps establish proper elimination habits and reduces reliance on pee pads.
In conclusion, pee pads serve as a temporary indoor potty solution, but it is preferable to help dogs develop the habit of eliminating in dedicated outdoor areas whenever possible. This helps them adapt to different environments and reduces the likelihood of accidents occurring elsewhere.
How do puppy pads work?
Puppy pads are mats that feature excellent absorbent capabilities, helping potty train a puppy in specific areas. There are disposable pee pads and reusable pee pads. Puppy pee pads typically consist of multiple layers, including a surface layer that quickly allows liquid to penetrate to the core absorbent layer beneath while keeping the surface dry.
Wegreeco reusable dog pee pads are made up of four layers of high-performance materials. At the top, we have a soft and speedy absorption layer that quickly soaks up liquids while ensuring a dry and cozy surface. The second layer is a core absorption layer crafted from high-density bamboo charcoal material, which efficiently absorbs urine. The third layer is a leak-proof TPU barrier that puts a stop to any pesky leaks. At the bottom, we have a non-slip layer that effectively keeps the pee pad in place, preventing mischievous pups from playing pad shuffle.
When dogs pee on the training pad, the liquid is absorbed by the pad, preventing it from flowing onto the floor or other surfaces. This helps maintain cleanliness and hygiene indoors while providing dogs with an acceptable area for elimination.
Dog pee pads are not meant to be used as a long-term solution. Then, how to use puppy pads? During training with dog pads, the usual practice is to place the dog pad in a dedicated indoor area, such as the laundry room or a specific training zone. Then, through guidance and rewards, dogs are trained to use that dedicated area for elimination. Once dogs learn to urinate on the training pad, the pad can gradually be moved closer to an outdoor location to help them establish the habit of eliminating outdoors.
How to potty train a puppy on pads?
Training dogs to use puppy pads requires patience and consistent training. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to potty train a puppy using pads:
Choose a dedicated spot to place potty pads
Choose an area that is easily accessible for your dog all the time, and away from their sleeping and eating areas since dogs have a natural instinct to eliminate in an area separate from their resting and eating areas. Common choices include laundry rooms, bathrooms, or a designated corner in a room with easy cleanup options, like a hard, washable floor surface, which will make it easier to clean up any surrounding messes or accidents that may occur. Avoid placing the pads on carpeted areas, as it can be more challenging to clean and may retain odors.
To facilitate potty training in the beginning, you can use multiple puppy pads, adjusting the quantity based on the size of your puppy. You can use a playpen or a crate to make the area more designated.
Remember, consistency is key in training your dog to use the pads. Once you choose a suitable location, avoid moving the pads around too often, as it can confuse your dog.
Introduce your puppy to the potty pads
After placing the dog pad, encourage your puppy to smell it and reward them each time they do so. However, do not reward them if your puppy starts playing with the puppy pad or bites it.
PS: What to do if your puppy chews the puppy pads? If your puppy tries to chew on the puppy pad, it's important not to shout at them as it can make the puppy excited and think it's a game. Instead, you can calmly and confidently hold the puppy pad, remaining still. When the puppy releases the pad, provide positive reinforcement by saying "good job" or rewarding them with a treat.
Walk your dog to the pee pad regularly
Puppies need consistent schedules, so establish a regular feeding, drinking, and potty schedule. Walk your puppy to the pee pad after meals, naps, playtime, and every few hours in the beginning.
Monitor the potty signal
Keep a close eye on your puppy to identify potty signs that they need to eliminate, such as sniffing the ground, circling, or squatting. When you notice these signs, quickly and gently guide them to the pee pad.
Encourage and reward
When your puppy uses the pee pad correctly, praise them and reward them with treats or verbal praise as positive reinforcement. This helps them associate using the pad with positive outcomes.
Clean up accidents properly
If your puppy has an accident outside the designated area, do not scold or punish them. Instead, clean up the mess thoroughly using an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate any lingering odor.
Gradually reduce the size of the pads
As your puppy becomes more consistent with using the pee pads, you can gradually reduce the size of the pad or transition to a smaller pad. This encourages them to aim for a specific spot.
Transition to outdoor potty training
Will using potty pads make it impossible for your dog to eventually go potty outside? The answer is no. Once your puppy has mastered using the pads consistently and you are able to let your dog go potty outside, you can gradually transition them to outdoor potty training. Take them outside to a designated potty area and follow the same routine and reward system.
Remember, potty training takes time and patience. Consistency, positive reinforcement, and close supervision are key to successfully potty training your puppy on pads.