I was thinking to only train Buddy to go pee outside to start because I thought it would be too confusing for him to learn to pee on a pad and go outside. Then I thought...maybe I should ask the question...has anyone ever tried to do both? I don't want to confuse the poor guy and I want him to learn to go outside when we are home. If possible, I would love to have the option of leaving a pee pad for him when we have to leave him alone when he gets older. Thoughts?
Im doing both with Whiskey, hes 3 months old. He doesnt seem to be confused about it. The pee pads are really helpful when he cant wait for me or when i dont realize he needs to go out. He doesn't use them every time but pretty often, i just give treats if i see him go on the pad, same thing if he goes outside. I reccomend getting some training spray it makes them want to go where you spray it, i spray the pee pad and dont have quite as many accidents in the house. If you are going to use the pee pads, i got this really good tray thing thats made to hold them, keeps them from chewing them apart, wish i remembered the brand or what its called but i imagine any pet store has them. Good luck with the potty training!
Lena ♥Whiskey's Mom♥
Doing both here but... As long as Joy could go on demand she wasn't getting fully trained. I moved her potty station (I'm using an artificial turf one) to the garage, take her out there on a leash just like going outside, and voila! she really got it, at least for tinkling poop's another issue. She prefers going outdoors but happily uses her potty station too. These little furbies are definitely smart enough to understand that there are two acceptable places to do their business!
- Jackie
Joy's Baby Book
I never used pee pee pads with Zoey, just followed her around. I was a stay at home mommy at the time so it made it really easy. When we went out she went in her kennel. Everyone is different, you will figure out what is best for you.
Pug Mom to Chester
Zoey, Eddie and Roxie have moved on to the bridge
We skipped the pads with our boy and went straight outdoors. However like mentioned above we also used an artificial turf pad. It has a pan underneath to collect the urine. We had a condo at the time and used it as a bathroom station. When he got a bit older and started lifting his leg we got him an adorable doggie hydrant to pee and mark on, which we placed on top of his turf potty area. We've sinced moved to a house and what we do is put the turf/hydrant on our back deck in the winter time which makes things easy in the cold weather and snow. And in the warmer months we put the turf in the garage and put the hydrant out in the corner of the yard, and that becomes his potty space. Here's an article on pee post hydrants with some helpful tips:Dog Fire Hydrant | The Smart Dog Guide
We started with the pee pads only until we got the go ahead from the vet to let them go outside, since we have a private yard and vaccinated dogs around us we were able to let them go outside before completing all their shots. We would still use the pee pads for the first few weeks in the x-pen when they were in there. They did t seem to have a problem going from one to the other.
Nancy
Mom to Lolli and Murphy
Forever in my heart Aggie, Tucker and Frank
Yes you need to figure out what is working for your dog, for some pads work and for some going outside.
I am having issues with my 12 week old puppy. The breeder trained him to go on newspapers in a litter box. He will go outside when I take him but if he is in his little enclosed playpen he still uses box. Not sure how to break the habit, tried taking box out and he went on the floor! any advice appreciated. I think with my other 2 pugs it was easier, they learned outside and never used a box.