How to Use Puppy Pads on a Partially Housebroken Dog

Having a dog which is only partially housetrained can be stressful. You want to be able to trust your dog and sometimes you can, but more often then not you come home to find a mess, or your dog doesn't let you know when he needs to go out. In these situations, puppy pads may be a good option for you. It gives you peace of mind and keeps your dog from having to spend large amounts of time in a crate or outside in the yard.

Things You'll Need

  • Puppy pads
  • crate (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep the puppy pads in an area separate from the dog's play area. This is especially applicable if the dog is confined to a small space during the day. The dog should be able to differentiate between areas where he is allowed to play and areas where he is allowed to use the bathroom.

    • 2

      Watch your dog. When he is about to go to the bathroom (circling an area, sniffing around, or, since he's partially housebroken, going to the door), pick him up and take him to the puppy pad. If you have a command to encourage the dog to go, say it now. Give your dog a treat or praise when he does what you want him to do.

    • 3

      Always place the pads in the same spot. If your dog has a particular area indoors where he likes to eliminate, then place the pads there.

    • 4

      If your dog doesn't "get it" that he's supposed to use the pads, arrange things so that he has little choice for a while.For instance, set up a small, enclosed area around your dog's crate and place the pad down there. Don't close the dog's crate when you put him in. This way, when he wants to go, he'll have to go on the puppy pad (dogs will not voluntarily go to the bathroom inside their sleeping crate). Note that you should never try to place the pads inside the crate, as this will be counterproductive to both puppy pad and crate training.