Do you have a new puppy or a new dog that you have just brought home? Maybe you are asking yourself, “Should you use puppy training pads for your puppy?”
Over the years I have brought home many new puppies and have even brought home rehomed dogs.
With a new puppy, hopefully, the breeder has introduced the puppy to a fake grass pad so that the puppy has learned to use this pad instead of the floor, or goodness me, its bed! Most puppies will not soil in their bed, however, I did have a puppy once who for some reason wanted to pee in her bed and it didn’t seem to worry her. I was amazed as I had always found that my new puppies were very clean in their beds.
I do remember though when I went to see these puppies when they were under 8 weeks old the puppies did for some reason go into their bed to pee and then went outside their bed to play, and at the time I didn’t take much notice of this until I brought this particular puppy home and then I remembered what I had seen as she was growing up, so quite unusual.
A fake grass pad is a great idea for a breeder with learning puppies because at least the puppies are unable to tear the fake grass apart as it is a part of a container, especially for this purpose.
I have used puppy training pads on the floor (in fact I used to sell both of these items when I had my online pet shop).
So, should you use puppy training pads for your puppy?
This is a question you will need to weigh up and ask yourself, “What are you prepared to do?”
Do you prefer to start off in the house first and slowly move the pad near the back door, or would you prefer to take the new dog or puppy outside instead?
I have used the puppy pads on the floor and when I notice that the puppy is turning in circles, or sniffing around, I have picked them up and placed them on the pad. As they get familiar with this routine, they soon learn this is the place to head for and I have gradually moved the puppy pad to the door. The back door being the door I want them to use to alert me they need to go outside, and sometimes you need to be quick once they get the hang of alerting you!
When I have needed to go out for a while, I have used the fake grass pad in one end of a pen so that they use the fake grass rather than just any place of their choice.
The above, puppy training pads or fake grass pads can also be helpful during the night.
I do prefer though, to keep watch over a puppy or a new dog in the home and take them outside on a lead every hour or so to “toilet” as this gets them into the idea that going outside through this same back door is the way to attend to their doggie needs!
I even prefer to get up at night when the dog or puppy disturbs me and take them outside on a lead to create this outside routine in their psyche. I have even awakened the dog or puppy through the night and taken them outside! This is comfortable in the summer but oh so cold in the winter!
If you have an elderly dog, or even a dog that has been sick and is not particularly mobile for a short time, training pads on the floor are really helpful.
The choices are yours, remember, be patient and consistent, either of the above options will work and help you make your decision to your question should you use puppy training pads for your puppy or your new dog?
Until next time…
