If you need to potty train your dog, you already know the process usually involves several steps. Many people use puppy pads as a way to train their dog, and they work even better than just indoor or outdoor training alone.

The pads help in case the dog has an accident while it’s being trained, which is almost a certainty, but they do more than that. They give the dog some confidence as it’s being potty-trained, so they are a convenience for both the trainer and the dog itself.

Potty-Train Your Dog Both Outdoors and Indoors

There are two types of potty-training for dogs: indoor and outdoor training. The thing to remember is that the indoor training is temporary and requires the use of puppy pee pads.

Eventually, you’ll want your dog to be trained to potty outside, but in the meantime, you can use the pads and both indoor and outdoor potty locations together so that eventually, the potty-training will be complete. The indoor spots are necessary for those times when you’re away for long periods of time and the dog isn’t able to go outside.

The first thing you’ll want to do is make a schedule, then make the decision to stick to that schedule. You should schedule at least an estimated time for meals, play time, and potty breaks. This way, your dog will get used to the schedule and know what is expected of it. It won’t happen overnight, of course, but it will eventually happen if you stick to the schedule and be consistent. You’ll likely be surprised by how fast your dog will learn these things.

The next step is to decide where your indoor potty area is going to be. There is no right or wrong location, but it might be good to choose an area that has easy-to-clean flooring, such as in the bathroom or kitchen. If you choose an area with carpet, for example, accidents might be difficult to clean up thoroughly. That being said, this decision is clearly up to you. In the end, only you can decide what area of your home is most suitable for your dog’s potty breaks.

When you notice that your dog has to potty, immediately take it to the indoor potty area that has the pad on the floor, then use verbal cues that tell the dog that it’s time for it to potty. It’s also a good idea to put it on a leash even though it’s indoors, because this will help associate leash usage with potty time, whether you’re indoors or outdoors. When you are training the dog outside, you’ll always need a leash, so it’s a good idea to use the leash inside as well.

Changing the Pad Frequently

One thing that’s a must is to change the pet pad frequently. Dogs have a strong sense of smell and if they smell even a hint of urine or feces in a certain area, they’ll be tempted to go potty there. This means that if your dog has an accident somewhere besides the designated area, it needs to be cleaned thoroughly so that smell is no longer there. If you change the pet pad on a regular basis, this is less likely to happen because it will get rid of most or all of the smell.

The next thing you’ll need to do is pay close attention to your dog and learn what the signs are when it’s ready to pee. It might walk around in circles, walk in a stiff manner, start sniffing the floor, or even curl its tail in a strange position.

Even if it isn’t your scheduled potty break time, when this happens, go ahead and attach the leash and bring the dog to the designated potty area anyway. At all times, you’ll also want to keep a close eye on it so that it doesn’t start to stray or try to potty in a different location.

When you clean up accidents, never use an ammonia-based cleaner because it can smell like urine and cause your dog to potty somewhere that isn’t in the designated spot. Instead, use a cleaner that is enzyme-based and won’t leave behind a smell that is similar to urine.

Start to Introduce Your Dog to the Outdoors

Once the dog is used to pottying indoors, start moving the pee pad closer and closer to the door. Take your time, and once the pad gets right next to the door, you can place it outside and start the process again. You’ll want to put the leash on your dog every time you go outside, which is one of the reasons the leash needs to be used during potty activities when you’re indoors. Don’t move the pee pad too often – a few feet a day will be enough.

When you get outside, use the pee pad for at least a day or two, making sure it is in the designed location for the dog to pee outdoors.

Once it seems that it is comfortable peeing in the right location, you can remove the pad, but at first you’ll need to keep a close eye on it because it may be tempted to stray into another area and pee there. This can happen with any dog, especially in the beginning, which is why you need to keep the leash on if you’re going outside to potty.

So, while you eventually want your dog to pee outside, training works best when it’s begun indoors because you can keep a closer eye on it. If you’re consistent and use the same tricks both inside and outside, potty-training your dog will be much easier.

Conclusion

There are several different methods to potty-train your dog, but once you learn how to use puppy pads and outdoor potty training together, it’s both easier and faster. Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are all crucial for successful potty-training.

Even better, these tips work for all types of dogs, so regardless of the dog you own, you should be successful.