Puppy Pads - the good and the bad

Puppy Pads can be of great benefit - both for travelling, older dogs, dogs with kidney problems, and for toilet training your pup if your not around to supervise. Do have a look at what we have available on our website, and at the same time, have a look at our large selection of top quality toys, and all the other 'goodies', we have for your dogs, cats, and little critters. www.mcmac.co.za

Puppy Pads - The Good and The Bad

www.petswelcome.com - really great information about travelling with dogs, destinations, hotels, articles, etc - do visit if your considering a holiday

Puppy training pads are great for owners who are trying to get their young dog to learn not to go in the house everywhere. Owners of small dogs who live in big apartment complexes and senior dogs who can’t hold it for a full day anymore often also have wee wee pads placed in the house to save the floors.

These pads are easier to clean up and often a lifesaver for those urbanites who have wacky schedules or the elderly couple who can’t walk the dog in all sorts of weather.

The pros to using puppy pads are:

1: Often are cleaner than using litter boxes or puppy boxes

2: They soak up urine quickly and can thrown in the trash without a mess.

3: They contain an odor eliminator that helps trap the smell of urine.

4: A package of puppy pads are cheap and can last a long time.

However, there are few cons to having puppy pads down in the house all the time:

1 : Your dog may never become fully house-trained

2: If it’s a training tool to learn to be housebroken, wean as soon as possible. Don’t let the pads become a crutch.

3: It can make you a lazier owner

4: Your pup might think any square on the floor is an acceptable place to “go” like the bathroom rug, your yoga mat, or your kids’ board game.

The pros are that as your dog is learning to be housebroken, you won’t end up with floors that are urine stained and avoid accidentally stepping in something unpleasant.

Fully house-training your dog is the best option and it can take time. Try to set a schedule and keep to it so you and your dog know when it is time to go outside and “do your business.” Be patient and aware that the process won’t happen overnight and you may want to move the puppy pads closer to the front door to help your dog understand what you’re trying to do.

You may even have to take a puppy pad with you on a walk and place it down on the sidewalk (near the curb please!) to reinforce the idea that going outside for a walk also equals going to the bathroom. Either way, having a dog who is house-broken is always better than having a dog who might think the world is his potty!