If I use a potty pad, will my puppy think it's okay to pee inside?

Question

I have a very young miniature schnauzer puppy, and she knows she's supposed to pee and poop outside, but she doesn't know she has to hold it until then. And obviously she can't hold it for very long anyways. I take her out every single time she wakes up from a nap or if she hasn't taken one, then at least every 2 hours, if not sooner. And she's actually not had too many accidents. But I want to give her an option for inside the house to make it easier on both her and me, especially for when I catch her in the act and run her outside. Will using puppy pads teach her it's okay to pee in the house?? I would eventually wean her off of them when she can hold in her pee and poop longer, and I would still be taking her outside at the same time. And also, how can I teach her to tell me when she has to go? I know about the string with a bell on it, but is there another way? Her mom barks when she has to pee but I know not all dogs naturally learn that. And 1 more question, if I do use puppy pads, will my chihuahua start thinking its okay to pee in the house again? Thanks

Lizzie · Answer

I use puppy pads AND take my dog out. If I get sick or really busy or something like that, I know my pup will use the pads. And when I take her out, I praise her warmly and pet her for using the grass (and scoop up the poop, too). A dog can easily learn to use both. I think she prefers The Great Outdoors but it's nice to have the pads as an option. And, if I ever move to the 185th floor of a gigantic apartment building (and you know the puppy would never make it to the ground floor without peeing), I know I can place out the pads and not have to worry.

Place out more pads than you think you'll need. Some dogs tend to pee one little spot on a pad and then not use it again. Some dogs have trouble hitting the pads at first so put out plenty in the hope that the hind end will be centered over a pad at the right moment.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that if you put the pads here and the dog pees somewhere else, then you need to move the pads to where the dog likes to go.

Patricia · Answer

You have to train him to use that. I think it is always better to take your dog outside for this purpose in the morning as well in evening if possible and that is much better than a potty bag

GllntKnight · Answer

Yes. & Yes.  Train them both properly:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e224/GLLNTKNIGHT/pottyjpg1_zps0bd4f0ba.jpg

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If I use a potty pad, will my puppy think it's okay to pee inside?

3 Answers