Many people like to train a puppy to use indoor potty pads, thinking later they can switch the dog to an outdoor potty area. Sounds like a good plan, but there is one problem: all dogs develop a strong preference to potty on whatever surface they have learned to use as a young puppy. Because of this, it is very difficult to switch your dog later. The best plan is to train your puppy simultaneously on all potential surfaces, such as concrete, pads and grass. It's not impossible to teach your dog to change; it just takes a lot of time and effort.
Things You'll Need
- Leash
- Collar
- Indoor pads
- Training treats
Instructions
Schedule your dog's feeding carefully. If your dog free-feeds, switch to scheduled meals two or three times a day.
Confine the dog in a crate or small room without the potty pads for about an hour after each meal. The length of time will vary depending on the age and size of your dog, but most dogs will be ready to urinate and defecate about a half-hour after eating. Put some training treats in your pocket before going to get your dog from the crate. Training treats should be small, easy to chew and highly valued by the pup.
Put a leash on the dog as you open the crate or room to let your dog out. Don't allow it to roam in the house or get to its pads, go straight outside. If the dog is very small or young, it would be best to carry the dog outside, and put the leash on while it's in your arms, as smaller breeds of dogs and young puppies don't have as much ability to hold it.
Take the dog for a long walk. Be prepared for this walk to be 30 minutes to an hour. The hope is that the long exercise after eating will cause the dog to have no choice but to go potty during the walk. If this works, be prepared to give the treat and quiet praise while your dog is actually in the act -- don't wait until it is finished before praising and giving the treat.
Repeat the confinement and long walks at least twice each day. The praise and treats are crucial to teaching the dog that it is acceptable to go potty while walking on the leash. Most dogs will try hard not to go potty during the walk, because they think it is wrong to go anywhere but on the pads. Don't give up. This will take a lot of time.
Take a potty pad with you during the walks if you haven't been successful in getting your dog to potty during the walk. Put the pad down where you'd like the dog to go and encourage the dog.
Put the potty pads down in the yard once or twice a day, between the long walks. Use the treats and praise in the same way, if your dog goes on the pad while it's in the yard.
Gradually make the pads smaller and smaller once your dog has started to use the pads outside. Decrease their size very slowly until the pad you put down is just a tiny patch.
Continue to allow the dog to use a pad once a day in the house, so that your dog will eventually be trained to go inside and outside. That way you will have use of the indoor pads if your dog is ever sick or injured and cannot go outside. Although some trainers might advise getting rid of the pads immediately and permanently, you will have a harder time training the dog in that way.