Pads are a lifesaver when you first bring your puppy home. Though you should immediately get started on a potty training program and establish a regular routine, having puppy pads set out helps significantly reduce the amount of mess and cleanup you need to do each day. After a few weeks of getting into your new routine, though, it is time to wean your puppy off of the pads – especially if they seem to be over-reliant on them or if they have started tearing them up as opposed to using them correctly. Here’s how to wean your dog off the puppy pads and fully into an outdoor potty lifestyle.
- First and foremost, you will want to avoid just taking the pads away cold turkey. This will likely do more harm than good, confusing your dog and forcing them to seek out “new” pads in your house–be it a carpeted corner, a pile of clothes, or some other area. You should aim to phase out the pads over at least a couple weeks (though it may be longer depending on your puppy).
- If you have had multiple pads throughout your home, scooch the pads over time until they are all in the same room as the door you plan to use to let your dog out. By doing it bit by bit each day, your puppy will learn to stop seeking out areas in the other rooms to go to the bathroom. Once all the pads are in the same room, you can reduce them to a single pad.
- Each day, scooch the pad’s location closer to the door. This way, your puppy will learn to associate the door with going to the bathroom.
- Once your pup seems used to using the pad right next to the door, you will need to move the pad outside of the door. This works best for glass doors, like sliding or French back doors. However, it can still work for an opaque door since most puppy pads have an attractant that your dog will be able to smell. Pay close attention to your pup, and immediately open the door for them when you see them approach it. Let them use the pad, then come back inside.
- Getting them used to waiting to be let outside is a big step, but now you need to wean them off the pad completely. You may find it helpful to get a spray that attracts dogs to go to the bathroom and spray it on the grass or other area where you want them to go to the bathroom. Because your puppy is used to the scent of the pads alerting them as to where they should use the bathroom, many will take more easily to the grass if it also smells similar.
- Throughout this entire process, you can speed your pup’s progress along by keeping a close eye on them and bringing them outside before they are even able to use the pad. The earlier they start making the association of going outside to go potty, the easier it will be to transition them away from pads.
- Reward them heavily every time they go outside! It’s an accomplishment every time they avoid making a mess in the house. The more positive encouragement they receive for going outside, the more likely they will do it.
If you would like to sign your puppy up for professional training, call Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training of Bradenton.
