How to Train a Puppy to Use a Puppy Pad

Puppy pads can help your dog with housetraining.

Puppy pads can help your dog use the potty until it learns to go outdoors. Puppy pads also offer convenience when you're unable to take time off from work to take your dog outside. Puppy pads contain scents that attract your puppy to the pad. Help your puppy get used to using puppy pads by sitting your dog on a pad and allowing it to smell the pad a few times.

Things You'll Need

• Puppy pads
• Puppy treats

Instructions

1. Select an area in your home that you want your puppy to use for bathroom purposes. Cover a 3- to 4-square-foot area with pads. As your puppy advances with the potty training, you can use fewer puppy pads.

2. Take your puppy to the puppy pad after every meal. If you notice your dog sniffing or pacing, immediately take it to the pad. Your dog will begin to understand that after eating or when it needs to, it should go to the pad.

3. Issue a command to help your puppy know it should do its business. Use a command such as "Potty." After your dog uses the bathroom, offer praise and give it a treat.

4. Move the potty pad near your outside door or outside as your puppy uses the pads with consistency.

5. Supervise your puppy constantly to avoid accidents. If you allow your puppy to freely roam your house without watching it, your puppy can become tempted to go elsewhere.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't become discouraged if your puppy urinates when it's excited to see you. Puppies outgrow this phase at about 7 months of age, according to Pet Education.

References

• Drs. Foster and Smith: Housetraining Indoor City Dogs
• Pet Education: Housetraining; Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

Resources

• Vetinfo: Using Dog House Training Pads