Loobani AcademyAre you planning to adopt a puppy or already a proud parent of a newly born pup? Well, whatever the case, you might be struggling with potty training or guiding your little buddy to use indoor dog pee pads. Before you decide to adopt a dog, any dog guardian should be aware of the responsibility of dog ownership.
Each dog has different care requirements depending on their unique situation. It’s important to note that a puppy requires more training than an adult dog. With the finest will in the world, if we do not know the puppy’s needs before training, it is simple to make mistakes. Because of this, you must understand both the right and wrong things to do when training a puppy.
Even if you are giving clear and helpful instructions to your dog to use a patio dog pee pad, some dogs need a little extra guidance when potty training on a pad. It will be easier for you and your four-legged companion to embark on a more fruitful journey towards potty or pad training if you grasp some of the fundamentals from the beginning and know which longer-term mistakes to avoid.
Basic Fundamentals of Pee Pad Training
Before jumping right into the wrongs and rights, let’s learn the basic fundamentals of pee pad training for your four-legged friend:
Remove carpets if possible
Removing as many carpets from your home as possible at first is crucial. Dogs enjoy urinating on absorbent surfaces. Therefore carpets are the ideal prey. It might be challenging for young puppies to learn where they should and shouldn’t relieve themselves because they might mistake the carpet for a dog patio pee pad.
If you can’t get rid of all the carpet, at least take it from where the dog may access it. If that isn’t possible, you can restrict the dog’s access by installing gates or keeping the dog in areas without carpets, such as the kitchen, restroom, laundry, basement, or patio.
Lay more than one pad at the beginning
You may need to realise how intelligent your dog is. Do not open the bag of dog pee and poop pads in front of your dog. It can mistake a dog pee pad box for a toy if it hears and sees the noise as you break it open or even just spread out the pad and put it on the floor, and won’t use it as intended.
Scatter a few pads about where they will be confined. Having more than one pad down first is preferable because the dog wants quick access. Better still, if you have a smaller space, you should restrict their exploration until they are fully potty trained.
Choose right size pee pad for your dog
Do you have a little dog that requires little room for pee or poop? What about a huge dog that hardly fits on a regular pad? Therefore, you should choose a pee pad of the correct size for your pup.
There are many options available in the market to choose from. A. few brands, like Loobani, offer pee pads in various sizes. They provide the greatest dog poop pads sized just for your pet and have all the same trustworthy advantages as our other pads. If you are looking for the largest pee pads for dogs, LOOBANI Reusable Dog Playpen Mat is the right choice.
If you want to buy pee pads as per your dog size, see the pee pad size chart below:
Size | Pad Dimensions | Suitable for Dog Size |
Regular | 41” X 41” | Small Puppies (up to 1 year) |
Medium | 48” X 48” | Dog(1 year to 2 years) |
Large | 65” X 48” | Large Dogs |
Extra-Large | 72” X 72” | Gigantic Dogs (Dog breeds larger in size) |
Dog Potty Training Myths Debunked
Let’s separate the myths from the facts. The Internet is filled with misinformation. When you are a new pet owner struggling to handle a pup, you seek guidance online on how to get your dog to use a pee pad or potty train dogs and come across many myths.
Puppy training has evolved significantly over the years. Pet owners have adopted new approaches from some old ways previously used, such as using commands, pee pads, confining potty areas, etc. We wanted to help new owners distinguish between myths and reality because we have heard a lot of myths about training puppies over the years.
- Some breeds are stubborn and cannot learn how to use a pee pad.
Dogs are not stubborn. They are constantly eager to do what is best for them. Your dog will become more receptive to you as you develop a strong bond and engage in enjoyable activities with them often.
Before accepting that your dog is “stubborn,” check for a few things if it is not listening to you.
- Is something else captivating your dog’s attention?
- Are you in an unfamiliar setting?
- Have you praised the skill you’re requesting in training sessions before?
- Tug games foster anger in dogs.
Because of the rise in growls that can result from overstimulation during play, tug games can drive pups into becoming overconfident, which can occasionally be perceived as hostility.
It’s a proven truth that playing activities like this encourages pups to move, expend surplus energy, and challenge their minds. Even puppy training can be incorporated into the game to teach your dog essential fundamental obedience instructions like Drop-it!
By teaching your puppy that the proper way to play is to bite the toy rather than your hand, you can also use this chance to work on bite inhibition!
- Rub their nose when accidents happen.
This myth aims to teach your dog that using the bathroom inside is bad. Nevertheless, it’s likely been a while since you uncovered its mishap, and your dog has forgotten and gone on to other things. Rubbing their nose in it merely conveys your anger towards them, and they won’t understand the significance. This correction may even encourage your dog to discreetly relieve himself while you aren’t looking, which can unintentionally result in more accidents at home.
- Dogs will only pay attention to your commands if you treat them.
Treats can be a terrific incentive for your dog to practice the desired behavior during training sessions. Treat-based training does not include buying your dog’s cooperation with every instruction. On the contrary, we want to stop needing to give treats to animals at all times. We must endeavor to gradually reduce the treats in order to achieve this. This procedure takes time and varies from person to person. We want to wait until your dog understands the behavior before we start fading the rewards.
Proceed gradually. Your dog will lack motivation and stop seeking the behavior rewarding if you reduce your use of it from 10 to 0. Try delivering treats 9 or 10 times over the course of a few sessions, and then progressively use fewer treats overall. Keep in mind that teaching your dog a new behavior in a new setting is almost like teaching them a new habit altogether. Ensure you have sufficient reinforcement to make up for it.
- It is impossible to teach older dogs.
Whoever says older dog won’t use pee pad doesn’t know how to teach a dog to pee on a pad. Even if your dog is older, it can learn new habits so long as they are something they find motivating. Discover this for your pet and engage in enjoyable training exercises with them!
More training with your dog as they become older helps to keep its brain busy and bright. You may prevent cognitive decline in your older dog by engaging him in these training sessions and exposing him to new things.
- For larger dogs, aversion tools are required.
Another myth that you should not believe is this. No, you don’t need any tools to make your older dog use a pee pad. Force or harsh training methods are unnecessary. Your dog may learn through positive reinforcement and appropriate management, regardless of size, breed, or age. Several zoos employ the same gentle method to train their animals. If they can successfully train a jaguar using these methods, they can train your huge dog.
8 Common Dog Pee Pad Mistakes and Tips to Avoid Them
Teaching your dog to pee on a pad is not a one-day task but a consistent process. You have to be patient and calm with your dog. When it comes to potty training, only some days will be filled with success. But that’s okay! You must put in your best and consistent effort. Additionally, there are some essential things to avoid that might help the toilet training process go more smoothly and successfully.
1. Being inconsistent with potty training.
You need to teach your dog the rules of your house before they can learn what they are. A puppy may find it quite puzzling when the rules alter from one circumstance to the next.
An illustration of this might be when you welcome and pet your puppy as it jumps on you when you get home from work. You attempt to stop the puppy from leaping all over your guests at a different moment.
Your dog needs clarification on this inconsistency, which makes it very challenging for him to figure out what you intend. Likewise, it would help if you were consistent with potty training schedules. Plan to take them on the pee pad at a particular time every day. This will teach them when and how to pee on a pad.
When you consistently take your pup to the pee pad, they will learn how to use it. If any owner is thinking, “how to train my dog to pee on a pad,” they should first take their pet on the pad at regular intervals.
2. Assuming your pup with follow your instructions immediately.
When it comes to potty training puppies, one of the significant sources of frustration is assuming pups know what is correct and what is incorrect before the training even begins.
Like raising children, teaching a puppy requires you to give them clear instructions on what they should and shouldn’t do. This covers when to go potty, where to urinate, and the benefits of using pee pads for small dogs rather than any other location. You can lead your puppy towards toilet training success once you realize you have control throughout your adventure.
Patience is the right word for potty training your little pup. Yes, you have to be patient throughout the whole process. It is not something you can teach your dog in a day or two. Training your dog to pee on a pad can take up to weeks or even more than a month. This is one of the most common mistakes many pet owners make when they assume their dog will learn immediately.
Give your furry friend time to learn, whether you are pee pad training older dogs or a newborn.
3. Not using a particular command or phrase.
Given how adorable puppies are, it makes sense that your “baby voice” will come out when you speak to them. When you connect a phrase with the pee routine, whether “Go potty” or “Go pee,” dogs get housebroken more quickly. Additionally, if you taught your dog a word when they were puppies, most dogs will genuinely “go” on command as they age.
The next time you’re dreading taking your dog for a midnight stroll in the rain or bitter cold, just remember that. Any dog owner’s fantasy comes true when they can step outdoors, say, “Get active” (or whatever your command is), and they promptly respond. Use the same sentence whenever you let your dog out or put them on a pad to keep it consistent.
The command to “Go pee!” can still be given while being the kindest parent possible without misunderstanding your dog. Your dog will depend on this command during the early stages of potty training, so be clear and persistent. Avoid giving different orders so that when they hear “Go pee!” they will know exactly what to do next.
4. Not following a schedule.
Most pet owners stay confused about how they will know when the pup needs to pee or poop. So, when the puppy is young, you have to make a schedule to take him on the pee pad. When you consistently point him toward the pee pad at regular intervals, your pup will learn to use it whenever it urges to pee/poop.
We have seen many dog owners make a mistake at the initial stages of not making a potty training and feeding plan at the beginning. Like humans need to eat at particular intervals during the day, dogs must also be fed and relieved.
Also, you should pay attention to your dog pee/poop urges. Their body language changes when they need to relieve themselves. All new parents should become familiar with their pup’s body language, cries, or other means of communicating their needs. Discovering the indications your dog gives off when it has to go potty will help you potty train them more quickly. You should now either place a pee pad nearby or direct them there.
Potty Training & Feeding Schedule | |||||
7:00 am Take your pet as soon as they wake up outside or on pee pad | 7:10 am Feed them breakfast | 7:30 am Take them outside or on pee pad again | 8:00 am Play time | 9:00 am Give them a chewing toy and place them inside the crate | 12:00 pm Take on pee pad for potty |
12:10 pm Whether they did their business or not, return them to their playpen or crate | 12:40 pm Take them for potty | 1:30 pm Supervise them while they play | 2:30 pm Feed them lunch | 2:50 pm Take them for potty | 4:00 pm Let them play for a while outside |
5:20 pm Take outside for potty | 6:00 pm Offer water to your pup | 6:30 pm Play with them for a while | 7:30 pm Feed them dinner | 7:50 pm Take them for potty
| 9:00 pm Return them to their bed to sleep |
During the night: Take your dog at least 3 to 4 times on a pee pad to teach them to pee/poop only there, even at night. | |||||
5. Not introducing your furry friend to pet pee pads for dogs.
Although only your dog can detect the scent of the pee pad, they continue to require being introduced to it at first. Be patient and encourage them when they use the pad correctly because it will take a few tries to become used to it.
Put your dog on a leash so they won’t wander, and then lead them over to the pad to introduce them. Tell them to “go potty” and keep them there until they do so.
6. Not taking your dog for enough pee breaks.
You may calculate your dog’s hold time by converting your dog’s age in months into the number of hours it can hold. It means a 3-month-old dog can only hold it for three hours when sleeping in a kennel.
In the case of your dog playing, that rule does not apply. An energetic puppy may need to go outside as often as every 20 minutes, depending on age.
Play as much as you can outside if you’ll play with your dog anytime. So your dog can stop if it needs to go to the bathroom roughly every 15-20 minutes. Remember to promptly remove your dog from their food or beverage and place them on a pad or outside.
7. Failing to acknowledge your puppy’s efforts.
Dogs and people are similar. Even when developing a new skill, they desire to have their efforts observed and acknowledged. Going potty is what this signifies for pups.
Praise and reward your puppy each time they behave how you want them to, such as hitting the pee pad in the middle or holding it until they go outside. This indicates that they will receive praise and a snack each time they cooperate.
Your dog will feel more motivated and happy when you reward him for using a pee pad. This will encourage him to use a pee pad whenever required. You can also make your pet realize when mishaps happen. It is a mistake. You can tell them politely without using harsh or loud words.
8. Scolding your dog for any mishaps.
Accidents will undoubtedly occur! And when they do, your dog is not to blame. Accidents commonly occur because your dog is still learning to express their requirements to you. As a result, if you wait too long to start the next potty session, they won’t be able to.
Being angry—whether verbally or physically—only makes your dog uneasy and can erode your relationship of communication and mutual trust. Your dog may become hesitant because it is still learning what it should be doing and are, therefore, unlikely to grasp why it is being punished.
Puppies, in particular, have a difficult time understanding what you want them to accomplish. Instead of going potty, they might soil a pee pad near the edge. They might stray and ruin your wood or carpeted floors. They are free to enter their box. Avoid punishing them. They are putting in extra effort to avoid being caught again since they are unsure of what they did wrong.
Your dog will become confused and scared if you spank or slap them, rub their nose in the mess, reprimand them, or act physically hostile towards them. Because of this, they might become terrified to relieve themselves outside, especially on a leash.
Therefore, if you notice your dog keeps missing the pee pad, don’t shout or punish him. Point towards the pee pad; your dog will learn faster if treated well.
Wrapping up
These are some common myths and mistakes that dog owners believe and then make mistakes. You can avoid these and train your dog to pee on the pad easily. Now you don’t have to worry about “how to train dog on pee pad.” The answer is in front of you. Use pee pads and follow a routine.
Potty pads are intended to be only one stage in the potty training process, but if utilized properly, they can be a very significant step. It is also important to use the right size pad. With LOOBANI Reusable Dog Playpen Mat, you don’t have to worry about replacing and disposing of pads. Just wipe, wash, and clean the pad and it will be as good and fresh as new.
FAQs
1.How to transition dog from pee pad to outside?
If you want to transition your dog from a pee pad to an outdoors, you can move the pee pad outside. Start with moving the pad a few inches from the ideal location. Slowly change the pee pad’s position daily and ensure your dog is peeing on the pad. Eventually, place the pad outside, and when your pup keeps coming outdoors to pee, you can remove the pee pad. Your pup can quickly learn to pee or poop outside the house.
2.How to get your dog to pee on the pad?
You have to train your dog to pee on the pad every day. Buy a pack of pee pads and place them in the corner of your room. Take your dog on the pee pad at regular intervals throughout the day. You can put your dog on a leash or can use a command to point your dog to use the pad. Make sure to place the pad in the same position daily and be consistent and patient with your dog. Pee pad training is not a one-day learning; it takes consistent efforts to teach your dog to pee on a pad.
3.Why is my dog not peeing on pad anymore?
Many dog owners complain that their dog is not peeing on the pad. One of the main causes can be smell. It is possible the pee pad is stinking, and you need to change the pee pad. Another reason can be uncomfortable material. Make sure the pee pad is comfortable for your pup if your dog used it earlier and recently stopped peeing on it. The pungent urine smell can be the reason. Make sure to change the pee pad regularly if you use disposable pee pads. If you are using washable ones, clean them thoroughly.
4.Why does my dog keeps moving pee pad?
Dogs like to chew and play with things around. If your dog lays on the pee pad for a long time without any chew toy, you may notice them chewing the pad or sliding it with their paws. Keep your dog engaged in activities or give them toys to play with. They will keep their paws off the pad. Another reason can be the smell. Urine has a powerful and unsettling smell. If the pee pad stinks, your dog will keep sliding it. You should replace the pee pad often and clean it thoroughly. Use duct tape to stick the pee pad on the floor if none is true.
Many pee pads for dogs come with adhesive bottoms so that you can stick the pad to your floor. It won’t move even an inch.
