Your Guide on Efficiently Using Puppy Training Pads

 

Understanding why puppy training pads are good is the point with which is article is going to begin. After that, it will work as a guide on how to use puppy pads efficiently. Bringing a new puppy home can be one of the most exciting moments in someone’s life. You are bringing a new member into your family. Everything is love and cuddles in the beginning, but then you get hit by reality. The puppy needs potty training! You are probably at work all day and don’t have someone who can take the dog outside every time they need to go. So, let’s take a look at this other option.

Understanding Puppy Training Pads

Puppy pads are a safe and clean way to establish an indoor bathroom. While it might seem like a counterintuitive idea, there are situations when this is needed. One situation is if you are at work for most of the hours of the day and have no one to take the puppy out. Your puppy still needs to use the bathroom, even if you are not there to help. This is where puppy pads come in! Maybe you live in an apartment and it takes a lot of time to get outside. Or maybe you live somewhere where the weather doesn’t always allow you to go outside.

Puppy training pads teach the dog that in a specific place, on a specific type of material, he can relieve himself. This also helps with building trust between the owner and the pet. You provide your puppy with a space where he can go without it being a problem. If your puppy is not vaccinated yet, puppy pads can be a safer option. As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why someone might choose this option.

Choose the Right Puppy Pads

Believe it or not, but not all puppy pads are the same. There are two main types available: washable and disposable. The washable pads are cost-effective in the long run, and more eco-friendly. The con is that you do have to wash them. The disposable ones are not eco-friendly, and can cost more over time, but they are more convenient. But, no matter which of the two types you choose, make sure that they have multiple layers. The first layer would be the quick-drying one, then the absorbent one, and lastly the leak-proof one.

The size matters as well. It should be big enough that even a playful puppy couldn’t miss it. Look for the ones with stickers in the corners, so that it doesn’t move around when the puppy is running on it. And last but not least, make a budget for this. Depending on your budget, you will have fewer or more options to choose from. But, before buying an expensive pad, buy a cheaper one, and see how your puppy reacts to it. You might buy a big expensive pack for nothing! Or, you could try and find just a singular pad, big or small. Maybe a friend who has dogs could borrow one to you.

Set Up the Place

Puppy training pads shouldn’t be scattered around the house, but rather always be set in the same specific place. After all, dogs are creatures of habit. Choose a corner of the house that’s not used for anything else. Also, pick the room that’s least circulated. Your puppy needs to feel safe and comfortable. Moreover, you need to ensure that people are not stepping on it. You could use a playpen or a baby gate to confine the indoor bathroom. Think of the dog, of yourself and the other people in the house when choosing the location.

The dog’s food or water should not be stored anywhere near the pad. Dogs tend to avoid peeing where they eat or sleep. When picking the location, think this decision through, as it will stick in the puppy’s mind. If you later move the pad, you might still find your dog peeing in the old spot. Keep the same spot until you want to start training your dog to go outside. Be ready to clean around the pad in the beginning. It might take a little while for your puppy to learn precision. But if you keep the pad in the same place, always clean, precision will come naturally.

Common Problems

No matter how careful you are in your training, you might still bump into a few problems. One of the most common issues is that the puppy misses the pad entirely. This might mean that you need to size up on the pad. Another issue is that the puppy chews or shreds the pad. One of the main reasons why your puppy is doing this is probably because they are bored. Therefore, always ensure that your pet has entertainment available. When you see them shredding the pad, bring some toys and try to distract them.

If your puppy is now mistaking rugs or mats for pads, know that you are not alone. This issue is something that often happens, especially with puppies. One of the methods you could apply is to remove all accessible mats and rugs, and to reward your pet only when they are using the pad. You can keep bringing the rugs back, remove them when he uses them, and reward them when they uses the pad. It might be a long process, but it will be all worth it in the end.

Conclusion

Puppy training pads could be just the solution that you need in your life. By setting one in a specific place, somewhere that’s not close to the food and the bed, you are setting an indoor bathroom. This can be great especially for young puppies, or for owners who don’t have time or ability to take the dog out constantly. If you are thinking of bringing pads into your life, be ready for some work.