Puppy pads, a great tool for potty training your pup. They're absorbent, easy to clean, and provide a designated pee pad area for them to relieve themselves. I strongly recommended them.
However, there are also some downsides to using them so in this article I try to give a balanced view on potty pad training!
Puppy pads can be expensive, and if not used correctly, can actually delay the potty-training process. If you are considering using potty pads to help train your new family member, weigh the pros and cons before deciding.
PROS:
- They are absorbent, making them easy to clean up. No fuss. no mess!
- They provide a designated area for your dog to relieve themselves, which can help with potty training.
CONS:
- They can be expensive. Using old newspapers is a lot cheaper, but not as efficient.
- If not used correctly, pads can actually delay the potty-training process.
Here you'll find a longer more in-depth article about potty training puppies, written by a different author with a slightly different view.
How long should you use puppy pads?
So, how long should you use puppy pads? They pads can be a helpful tool during the potty-training process, but ultimately you will want to transition your pup to go to the bathroom outdoors as soon as possible.
The timeframe for making this transition will vary depending on your individual dog, but most dogs will be ready to make the switch no later than 6 months old.
If you start using pads, be sure to slowly phase them out as your dog becomes more reliable with going outside. Puppy pads are not meant to be a lifelong solution - eventually, your goal should be to have a pup that is fully potty trained and does not need the use them anymore.
Read here about the dangers of urine not being cleaned up effectively.
Should I use puppy pads at night?
When they are babies, it is fine to use them all the time, but the best way to start to get them off them as they grow, is to reduce their usage down during the daytime first of all.
Assuming you are home during the day train you can quickly take them outside as soon as they look like they are about to pee. (you’ll soon pick up on the signals)
However, keeping a pad for them to use during the night when you may be asleep and not able to catch them in the act!
I found the pads to be a great tool for potty training my pup, Bean. However, there are also some downsides to using puppy pads.
Puppy pads can be a helpful tool during the potty-training process, but ultimately you will want to transition your pup to using the bathroom outdoors.
Don’t worry so much if your puppy is a slow learner. He/she will get there in the end even if they need some additional training.
When to take puppy pads away?
As you pup grows their bladder size and control of it will naturally get better. You should know yourself when the time is right.
If you are feeling the pinch financially from buying pads you could try using a sheet of newspaper instead of pads. Newspaper isn’t as good absorbency wise but if you can use them only in the kitchen or any other con-carpeted floor its better than nothing.
Cheaper alternative to puppy pads.
My nan told me that “we didn’t have pads in my day” we used newspaper. She said that they used to start off putting loads down (6 or 7 sheets) covering a large floor area, so they couldn’t really miss.
She would then praise them heavily when they used the paper. As time went by she would put less and less down, making the area smaller and smaller, as the pup got used to it.
So eventually just one sheet of paper was enough.
My nan told be a funny story, that one of her dogs (she had loads over the years) when quite grown up was out with my nan for a walk in the park.
My nan was horrified when the dog ran over to a man lay on the grass and peed on his newspaper!
Positive reinforcement
Using potty pads to train a puppy not to make a mess until you take your puppy outside is certainly what I'd recommend. With my puppy Bean I was unable to have easy access to a door to the outside, so I would encourage him to use them.
Just talking to them and giving them encouragement, (and treats) quickly helps and you may want to consider intensive pad training if you are at home with your dog through the day.
I would play with him and try to keep him occupied with his favourite chew toys whenever I could. When you spend quality time with your new pup you can start to pick up on the signs when they are ready to pee. That means you can steer them to the appropriate place.
Summary: Are puppy pads a good idea?
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use them is up to you. If you decide to use them, remember they are only meant to be a temporary solution.
From a financial viewpoint the quicker you stop buying them the better.
Also you really don’t want a full-grown dog doing its business on your kitchen floor day and night!
Read my latest puppy articles here:
- Can Puppies Look Like Their Grandparents? Unravelling the Mystery!
Have you ever noticed a striking resemblance between your new puppy and their grandparents? Perhaps they share the same colouring or have similar facial features? It's not uncommon for puppies to resemble their grandparents, and in this article, I will explore the fascinating topic of whether this is possible and why it happens. We will… Read more: Can Puppies Look Like Their Grandparents? Unravelling the Mystery! - When Do Puppies Require Less Supervision? A Detailed Guide.
As a new puppy owner, it's important to keep a close eye on your furry friend. Puppies are curious and energetic, which means they require constant supervision to stay safe. However, as your puppy grows and develops, they will start to become more independent and require less supervision. But when exactly do puppies require less… Read more: When Do Puppies Require Less Supervision? A Detailed Guide. - Can Puppy Eat Salmon? – A Friendly Guide to Feeding Puppies
Welcome to our friendly guide on whether it is safe for a puppy to eat salmon. As a pet owner, you want to ensure that your furry friend is receiving the best possible nutrition to support their well-being. Salmon is a nutritious fish that provides several health benefits for dogs, but is it safe for… Read more: Can Puppy Eat Salmon? – A Friendly Guide to Feeding Puppies - Carrots for Puppies Teething: A Natural Solution for Pain Relief
When your little furry friend is going through the teething process, it can be a challenging time for both of you. Thankfully, there are natural remedies that can help relieve their pain while promoting overall health. One such remedy is carrots for puppies teething. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that can… Read more: Carrots for Puppies Teething: A Natural Solution for Pain Relief - How long do puppies need milk?
Puppies typically need milk as their primary source of nutrition until they are around 4 to 6 weeks old. After that, they can gradually transition to solid food, but it's essential to consult a vet for guidance on the appropriate time to introduce solids to ensure the puppies' needs are met. Welcoming a litter of… Read more: How long do puppies need milk? - Can ultrasound be wrong about puppies?
Yes, ultrasound can sometimes be wrong about the number of puppies expected. Factors like foetal position, maternal tissue interference, or early gestation can affect the precision of the ultrasound results. Check with a vet for the most accurate assessment. Bringing new puppies into the world is an exciting time for dog owners and breeders. One… Read more: Can ultrasound be wrong about puppies? - Why does a mother dog lay on her puppies?
A mother dog lays on her puppies to provide warmth, comfort, and security. This behaviour is promoted by the release of oxytocin and prolactin, which awaken a mother’s protective instincts. Laying on her puppies helps regulate their body temperature and promotes bonding. When a dog mum gives birth to puppies, it’s a super exciting time,… Read more: Why does a mother dog lay on her puppies? - Do puppies have rabies when they are born?
No, puppies are not born with rabies. Rabies is a viral disease transmitted through the bite of an infected animal or, very rarely, through a mother’s milk if the mother carries the disease. It's crucial to vaccinate puppies to protect them from this potentially deadly disease. In the rest of this piece, we’ll explore if… Read more: Do puppies have rabies when they are born? - Do puppies stop moving before birth?
Yes, absolutely puppies often do stop moving before birth. Later in pregnancy, puppies are likely to move more to get into the proper position for delivery. After that, puppies usually settle and stop moving. Preparing for the birth of new puppies can be as challenging as it is exciting. You know there’ll be cuteness in… Read more: Do puppies stop moving before birth? - What do breeders do with unsold puppies?
When ethical breeders have unsold puppies, they may explore various options such as advertising, reducing prices, or giving them more training. They may also seek reputable homes through adoption, or work with rescue organisations to ensure the puppies find suitable, loving homes. Breeding can be tremendously rewarding. With litters of anywhere from a single pup… Read more: What do breeders do with unsold puppies? - Do puppies bark more when teething?
Yes, puppies do bark more when teething. The discomfort and pain caused by teething can lead to increased restlessness and irritability, making them bark more often. You can use teething toys and soothing remedies to help relieve their discomfort and curb their barking. Puppies are known for their adorable antics and playful nature. You may… Read more: Do puppies bark more when teething? - When do puppies become affectionate?
Puppies start showing affection as early as a few weeks old. However, the timing depends on their personalities, socialisation, and bond with their owners. Most puppies develop increasing affection as they grow and form stronger emotional connections with their owners. Just as with us humans, puppies go through emotional development as they grow. In their… Read more: When do puppies become affectionate? - Is birch tree milk good for puppies?
The benefits of birch tree milk for puppies are not well known, though the answer is yes, in moderation. If in doubt, it’s best to provide them balanced commercial puppy food formulated to meet their specific nutritional needs to keep your pup healthy. Puppies are bundles of joy. I can testify to that fact because… Read more: Is birch tree milk good for puppies? - Can you use puppy pads for babies?
While not toxic to babies, puppy pads are designed for training puppies to do their business indoors and should not generally be used for babies. Instead, use specialised baby changing pads that are safe and hygienic. It may seem an outlandish idea to use puppy pads for babies, because we all know how important it… Read more: Can you use puppy pads for babies? - Do puppies lose weight after birth?
Unravel the mystery: Do puppies lose weight after birth? Learn about newborn puppy care and weight gain essentials. Start your puppy parenting journey here! As a new breeder or a pet owner, you might be wondering, "Do new-born puppies lose weight after birth?" This is a common question, especially for those who are new to… Read more: Do puppies lose weight after birth? - Do puppies joints click?
Do Puppies Joints Click? Exploring the Truth Puppy joint-clicking is a common occurrence in many breeds. But, it could be a sign of underlying health issues. To understand why it happens and how it affects their health, we need to know more. Joint clicking in puppies can have various causes. Stiffness or discomfort with consistent… Read more: Do puppies joints click? - Why is milk coming out of puppies nose?
Explore the reasons why is milk is coming out of your puppies nose, understand its implications on canine health, and learn safe feeding techniques. Imagine cradling your adorable new puppy, feeding it a bottle, and suddenly you see milk trickling out of its nose. Alarming? Yes. Unique? Not quite. It’s a phenomenon that's more common… Read more: Why is milk coming out of puppies nose? - When can you hear puppies heartbeat with a stethoscope?
Introduction to Puppies' Heartbeat Have you ever heard the beat of a pup's heart? It can be detected with a stethoscope by 4-5 weeks into pregnancy! As time passes, the heartbeat becomes louder and more audible. It's essential to have regular vet check-ups during pregnancy, to monitor the heartbeat. Plus, this can also help spot… Read more: When can you hear puppies heartbeat with a stethoscope? - Does birth order matter in puppies?
Explore, does birth order matter in puppies, regards personality, temperament and dominance. See my research, and opinion so you can love 'em, quirks and all! To understand the importance of birth order in puppies, delve into the impact on socialization, the effects on temperament, and the influences on dominance. By examining these sub-sections, you start… Read more: Does birth order matter in puppies? - Puppy Yoga: The latest fitness trend for animal lovers
What is puppy yoga? The latest craze in the pet world is "Puppy yoga", it's a type of yoga that involves practicing yoga poses and exercises with a dog as a partner or prop. It is playful and fun, less "zen" than a normal yoga class but in my opinion far more enjoyable. It is… Read more: Puppy Yoga: The latest fitness trend for animal lovers - Why do Dogs Lick Blankets?
When you bring home your new pup, it’s an absolute joy. You’ll soon find that you both have some challenges ahead of you though, ranging from training your dog to potty train, to helping him get used to sleeping downstairs at night. Here though we discuss something you may not have thought about it until… Read more: Why do Dogs Lick Blankets? - Leaving Your Dog Downstairs at Night
Should you leave your dog downstairs at night? The simple answer is yes, you really should. New puppies are so adorable but remember when fully grown it will not be so convenient to have them sleeping in your room and heaven forbid on your bed. So no matter how heart breaking it might seem to… Read more: Leaving Your Dog Downstairs at Night - Are puppy pads a good idea?
Puppy pads, a great tool for potty training your pup. They're absorbent, easy to clean, and provide a designated pee pad area for them to relieve themselves. I strongly recommended them. However, there are also some downsides to using them so in this article I try to give a balanced view on potty pad training!… Read more: Are puppy pads a good idea? - How to Stop a Puppy From Biting: Tips and Tricks
Puppy biting can be a real problem. It's cute when they are little, but it can become a real issue when they get older. Not only is it annoying, but it can also be dangerous if the puppy starts to nip at people's hands and faces. See tips and tricks and learn how to stop… Read more: How to Stop a Puppy From Biting: Tips and Tricks - Do Puppies Sleep More When Teething?
Puppies love their sleep, with some sleeping for as much as 20 hours a day, only waking to eat and play. But what about when your pup is teething? How can this affect their sleep? Does the discomfort of their adult teeth coming through keep them awake? Puppies tend to sleep a little more when… Read more: Do Puppies Sleep More When Teething?
