How to Train Your Dog to Stop Using Pee Pads

Hello Christine, I recommend following the Crate Training method to teach this type of potty training, especially with pup's history of using pee pads. Since pup is older, you can adjust those times, adding 1-1.5 hours listed there, so pup is being taken out every 3-4 hours, crated after 2 hours of freedom, and taken back out if pup doesn't go at first every 1-1.5 hour after until they finally go. Crate Training method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside#:~:text=To%20begin%2C%20place%20him%20in,treats%2C%20one%20at%20a%20time. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Dec. 3, 2021

Hello Jill, I find that crate training often works best for previously pee pad trained dogs, since too much freedom inside without a pee pad often leads to accidents during the transition and you want pup to associate your home with cleanliness and not accidents as much as possible. I would go cold turkey, taking away all pee pads, taking pup potty outside and crating whenever pup's bladder isn't empty. If pup is refusing to go potty outside for longer than nine hours, I would also put a pee pad outside to take pup to, then slowly cut away at the pee pads over the course of a month until pup is just going on the grass under where the pee pad used to be eventually. Make sure you take pup to the same spot each time if you go this route, since pup will have to get used to going potty on that one location, similar to pee pad training, before they will be able to generalize it to the entire outside world. Reward pup with several small treats, given one at a time when pup goes potty outside, telling pup to "Go Potty" each time you take them out to do so, to help them learn that command so they can be reminded in the future that that's why they are outside. Check out the Crate Training method from the article linked below. Make sure that the crate doesn't have anything absorbent in it - including a soft bed or towel. Check out www.primopads.com if you need a non-absorbent bed for her. Make sure the crate is only big enough for her to turn around, lie down and stand up, and not so big that she can potty in one end and stand in the opposite end to avoid it. Dogs have a natural desire to keep a confined space clean so it needs to be the right size to encourage that natural desire. Use a cleaner that contains enzymes to clean any previous or current accidents - only enzymes will remove the small and remaining smells encourage the dog to potty in the same location again later. The method I have linked below was written for younger puppies, since your dog is older you can adjust the times and take her potty less frequently. I suggest taking her potty every 3 hours when you are home. After 1.5 hours (or less if she has an accident sooner) or freedom out of the crate, return her to the crate while her bladder is filling back up again until it has been 3 hours since her last potty trip. When you have to go off she should be able to hold her bladder in the crate for 5-7 hours - less at first while she is getting used to it and longer once she is accustomed to the crate. Only have her wait that long when you are not home though, take her out about every 3 hours while home. You want her to get into the habit of holder her bladder between trips and not just eliminating whenever she feels the urge and you want to encourage that desire for cleanliness in your home - which the crate is helpful for. Less freedom now means more freedom later in life. Crate Training method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside If she is not already used to a crate expect crying at first. When she cries and you know she doesn't need to go potty yet, ignore the crying. Most dogs will adjust if you are consistent. You can give her a food stuffed hollow chew toy to help her adjust and sprinkle treats into the crate during times of quietness to further encourage quietness. If she continues protesting for long periods of time past three days, you can use a Pet Convincer. Work on teaching "Quiet" but using the Quiet method from the article linked below. Tell her "Quiet" when she barks and cries. If she gets quiet and stays quiet, you can sprinkle a few pieces of dog food into the crate through the wires calmly, then leave again. If she disobeys your command and keep crying or stops but starts again, spray a small puff of air from the Pet convincer at her side through the crate while saying "Ah Ah" calmly, then leave again. If she stays quiet after you leave you can periodically sprinkle treats into the crate to reward her quietness. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Only use the unscented air from the Pet Convincers - don't use citronella, it's too harsh and lingers for too long so can be confusing. Example of interruptions done with a dog that has separation anxiety and barks in the crate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3j882MAYDU While doing all of this, I would also practice some lure reward training with whatever commands or tricks you find useful with her to help her build her relationship with you on the basis of trust and respect, so she feels secure in her new home. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Oct. 27, 2021