Should You Put Pee Pads in a Dog's Crate?

Although dog crates are popular housebreaking tools, placing a pee pad in your dog's crate doesn't count as housebreaking. Sure, the crate might look like a miniature jail cell to you, but to your furry friend, it's everything but that. Dogs perceive their crate as a den where they can go to safely lounge and play. Putting a pee pad in your dog's crate sends the wrong message and teaches him to go potty in his crate.

  1. Pee Pads

    • Pee pads are absorbent, plastic-lined pads that come in a variety of sizes and often contain an attractant that motivates dogs to go potty. The pads are convenient to use if you don't have access to a yard, or if you have to leave your dog home alone for a lengthy period. If your dog came from a pet store of kennel, he might have gotten used to doing his business in his crate. Instead of lining his crate with a pad and encouraging the behavior, teach him right from wrong.

    Pee Pad Placement

    • Dogs generally dislike peeing and pooping in areas where they sleep, play and eat. If you want to use a pee pad when you're not home to supervise your dog, confine him to a small area of the house with easy-to-clean flooring. Place a pee pad on one side of the room and your dog's crate on the other side so it's there for him to hang out in. With enough space between both areas, your dog will feel comfortable to do his business on the pad.

    Training

    • Teaching your furry friend to use pee pads is done in a similar way to standard potty training. Observe your dog closely, and when he starts to circle, whine, or sniff, bring him to the pad, because this might indicate that he needs to go potty. When he uses the pad, lavish him with praise and treats. Over time and with consistency, he'll grow accustomed to using pee pads and seek them out in anticipation of the pleasant consequences.

    Weaning off Pee Pad

    • If you want to wean your pet companion off of using pee pads, gradually move them closer toward the front door. As long as he continues to do his business on them as you move them, you're in good shape. Eventually move the pads to a designated outdoor potty area and take your dog there each time he has to go. Then get rid of the pee pads and just take your dog to the outdoor area. Before you know it, your dog will be fully potty trained.