For those who have never used it for their dogs, dogs don’t know how to use a pee pad automatically. Training your dog to use a pee pad successfully takes a little love, encouragement, trickery, and persistence.
If you’re new to teaching dogs, you may not know how to teach this valuable behavior yet. But fear not; I’ve got all the best tips and steps to ensure your dog will happily use their “special pad” to do their business every time. Here’s all you need to know about pee pad training.
What Is a Pee Pad?
As the name suggests, a pee pad is a square or rectangular section of special absorbent woven material with a waterproof backing to provide a safe place where your dog can urinate or poop without staining your floors and carpets or leaving a mess to clean.
A pee pad offers a convenient way to clean up when your dog has been locked at home and you can’t take them for a potty session in the garden or park. However, a pee pad isn’t a substitute for taking your dog to do its business outside.
Pee pads are only for dogs that are learning to potty train in the house (aka puppies), infirm dogs with urinary problems that may prevent them from containing their urine (dogs with urinary incontinence), and for times when you can’t be there to take your dog for a potty break.
When Should Your Dog Use a Pee Pad?
A pee pad is there to help you teach your dog. It’s not the ultimate “potty station” to ensure you never have to take your doggo out again. You can use a pee pad to:
- Train a puppy not to pee in the house
- Help an elderly or sick dog manage their urinary incontinence
- Make long distances in a crate easier when traveling
- Ensure your dog does their business during adverse weather when they can’t go outside for a potty break
Introducing Your Dog to the Pee Pad
Regardless of what type of pee pad your dog uses, it will always be a period of adjustment when your dog uses a pee pad the first few times. Introduce them gradually, reward them for doing the right thing, and encourage them when they doubt.
Step 1: First Impressions
How you first introduce your dog to the pee pad will determine whether they will use it or not. If you try to stick their nose on it and make them pee, you’re in for a bad experience.
Firstly, let your dog get used to the pee pad being near their bed, making sure they are familiar with the smell and shape of it. Your dog needs to be familiar with what it feels like to walk on it. Some pee pads have a plastic backing, which can slip or slide a little or make a crackling noise, putting off your dog.
Step 2: Reward First Attempts
Once they accept the pee pad, walk over it without bother, and even lie on it, you can start teaching them what it is really for. If your dog has a favorite place to pee in the garden, you can place the pee pad there, letting them pee on it as a matter of routine.
A great way to teach them that a pee pad is for peeing is to take a little of their urine and dab it on a clean pee pad, letting them sniff it and “mark” their pee spot on the pee pad. Simply place some of both urine samples on the pee pad. If you have more than one dog, the dominant dog will usually pee on where the submissive one does its business, so this is a great way to teach them.
Step 3: Correction Time
If your dog slips up and pees on the floor or next to the pee pad, your best bet to correct future behavior is to rely on positive reinforcement. Apply pressure the minute they squat to pee in the house, shooing them toward the pee pad.
Once they begin peeing on the pee pad, praise them and reward them with a food treat once they have finished peeing there. Never smack your dog for peeing in the house instead of on the pee pad.
Step 4: Pee Pad Placement
Place the pee pad in places where your dog is more likely to pee. This won’t be next to their crate or doggy bed. Instead, it may be near the door or in the kitchen under a table. Always place the pee pad in the same place.
Step 5: Pee Pad Hygiene
While you want your pee pad to remain hygienic, you may need to splash a little urine from a dirty pad onto a clean one to remind your dog where to potty. If you choose reusable pee pads, ensure you clean these thoroughly and avoid adding artificial deodorizers that may deter your dog from using the pee pad.
The Final Pad
A pee pad is a great invention that can make your life much easier. Pee pad training is an absolute blessing for an infirm dog or during travel as it can hold a large volume of water and will assist in keeping your home or your dog’s crate neat and relatively odor free. Encourage your dog with a positive attitude and loads of patience, as when you lose your cool; they will lose all interest in the task.