How to Use Puppy Potty Training Pads

Potty-training pads have made housebreaking many dogs a simpler, smoother process for owners around the world. Large plastic-backed sheets of cotton or other absorbent material, potty-training pads are made to absorb waste and keep your puppy's living area clean while teaching the pup where to go potty. Training pads are useful for any number of breeds and can help make the difficult task of housebreaking a little easier.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Potty-training pads Crate Exercise pen Toys Treats

How to Use Puppy Potty Training Pads

1. Set your puppy's crate up in a quiet, low-stress area of your home. Your puppy will retreat to his kennel for comfort and security, and giving him a quiet space of his own is important to potty training. Place his bed and a few of his favorite toys in his crate to keep him comfortable and happy.

2. Fence off the area around your puppy's crate with the exercise pen. An exercise pen is a tall, metal pen made of adjustable sections that will help contain your puppy to a small area of your home. Keeping him contained while you are not working with him will keep him from getting in trouble and will make housebreaking him much easier.

3. Feed your puppy on a set schedule. A feeding routine will not only give your puppy stability, but it will also make potty training much easier. Puppies most often need to go after meals and naps, so knowing just when you fed her will make estimating a potty time a simple endeavor.

4. Lay down a puppy pad or two in the exercise pen opposite from your puppy's kennel. Dogs do not like to potty where they sleep, so choosing a space as far from her kennel as possible will encourage her to use the pads. Be sure to lay them flat and spread them out in case your puppy needs a larger potty surface.

5. Watch your puppy for signs that he has to potty. Pacing, whining and sniffing are good indicators that he has to go. Young puppies are growing and their bodies are changing, so they will have to go as often as ten times per day, so stay vigilant while observing him.

6. Place your puppy on the pad and give her the command to potty when you see her looking for a place to go. The command can be as simple as "go potty" as long as it is used every time you set her on the pad. She will associate the command with the urge to go and will eventually go on command with proper training.

7. Leave your puppy alone for a few minutes while she does her business. Your puppy might become distracted and look for toys or attempt to play with you, but just repeat the potty command and ignore her to help encourage her to go.

8. Praise your puppy and offer her a few treats as soon as she goes. Your puppy will be encouraged to go on the pad in exchange for a few pets and a favorite treat, so be sure you reward her immediately after she goes to reinforce the good behavior.

9. Repeat this process as often as necessary until your puppy seeks out and uses the pads without being asked. Your puppy might have an accident or two during the training process, but stay calm and place her on the pads, and quietly clean up the mess to avoid frightening her. She will recognize the pads as a safe place to potty and will gladly use them every time she feels the need to go.

Tips & Warnings

• Always watch your puppy closely during the housebreaking process. Puppies are often very quiet when going potty and can have an accident in no time when not properly observed. Keep your puppy in her crate or exercise pen when you are unable to devote your full attention to her.

• Do not punish your puppy for having an accident. Hitting, shaking or rubbing your puppy's nose in his mess can be very frightening for your dog and can cause huge setbacks in your training.

Resources

• Puppy Pads
• Housebreaking Tips