Pee Pad Training: Is It a Good Idea?

Question

Congratulations on your new puppy! Puppyhood is a fun stage of your dog’s life, where you’ll get lots of licks and laughs, but there’s also lots of work to do to set your puppy up for success.


You want to make sure you show your pup how to be a well-behaved member of the family, and, if you value your floors and your sanity, it starts with potty training.


You might be considering using puppy pee pads to help housebreak your pup. In my professional opinion, I prefer to set a puppy up for success from the beginning and teach them to only go potty outside.


However, if it’s difficult to provide frequent potty breaks for your puppy due to your schedule, personal circumstances, or living situation (especially if you're an apartment-dweller), pee pads or a dog porch potty can be a useful tool. Pee pad training can also be used for young, unvaccinated litters of puppies, or for older pets who are sick or might otherwise have trouble getting outside (e.g., arthritis, neurologic problems).