Puppy Pad Usage

[andrea mogab]

My pekingese was rescued from a puppy mill, after spending the first 2.5 years of her life in those conditions. She will use puppy pads inside the house, pretty regularly, and sometimes goes outside. Often, though, she will go outside with her rescue brother, will come back inside a few minutes later, and proceed to use the puppy pad! How can I get her to understand that outside is the only way to go? If a puppy pad is not there for her use (inside the house), she will use whatever floor she chooses.

[Wanda P]

I to adopted a dog that was trained to go on a puppy pad, its costing me a fortune.. I can take her for a 2 hour walk and she will not pee even with my other dog peeing all along the way and lelo sniffs her butt and she holds it and comes in and goes on the pad. I have tried putting the pad out side and putting her out right after she eats, but she still comes back in and pees on the pad, if i remove the pad she pees on the carpet.. i have tried sprays to deter her and nothing works. I have also taken the pad right outside and told her to go "outside" to go pee pee and during the summer she goes more often, but she doesn;t like to be watched, so i hide and when i see her go i make a big deal and give her a cookie, but she still pees on the pad!!!!
Help, i love this angel and want her to be a "big girl".. any suggestions would really be appreciated?

[Dawn Schneider]

Have you tried taking the puppy pads outside and having her use them out there?

[Wanda P]

I have and she just looks at me? The people that had her before me, trained her so well that she thinks the pad is the only place to go, when its cold, no problem. She looks so sad when i displine her and i don;t want her peeing everywhere.. she peed on my bed, my new couch, my new carpets, anything thats new she christens! LOL
But no matter what shes a keeper.!

[Kristen Collins, CPDT]

Hi Andrea,

Are you home all the time? If so and you're able to put some major time and effort into the project, you might be able to succeed in transitioning your dog to eliminating outdoors. I've attached a housetraining article, which will provide detailed advice.

You've got a tricky situation, though, considering your dog's history. Most puppy-mill dogs will urinate and defecate in crates and small confinement areas, so you can really use those tools to housetrain. Instead, you'll need to supervise your dog constantly for a while in order to effectively retrain her. Have you considered continuing to let your dog use puppy pads? Many small-dog owners choose to use them throughout their dogs' lives. You'd have to keep pads available for your dog to use and clean them up every day, of course, but that might be less of a hassle than trying to retrain your dog, with her history, to relieve herself outdoors. You could also look into a dog litter box. (Try a Google search or visit a major pet store to find those.)

Good luck and thanks for joining the chat. One last tip: If you'd like in-person help with your dog's problem, consider hiring a qualified professional, such as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB, www.certifiedanimalbehaviorist.com) or a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT, www.ccpdt.org). I've attached a second article, Finding Professional Help, which can aid you in finding and choosing a behavior expert in your area.

Kristen

Kristen Collins, CPDT
Animal Trainer
ASPCA Animal Behavior Center

[andrea mogab]

thanks for your note, Kristen. No, I am not home all the time. I work all day during the week. do you think it is a losing battle? I have had her 1.5 years now, and still the same issues....

[Kristen Collins, CPDT]

You're welcome. :)

Most people aren't home all the time, so I thought that might not be the case. So considering that, the fact that your dog spent so much of her life in a puppy mill, and the fact that she's been using the pads for over a year now, I'd definitely recommend focusing on getting your dog to consistently use the pads and sticking with those.

IMPORTANT:
Oops! In my post above, I was typing speedily and accidentally said that you can use crates and small confinement areas when housetraining puppy mill dogs. I meant to type that you usually CAN'T. Just wanted to make sure I corrected myself!

Again, good luck, Andrea.

Kristen

[andrea mogab]

thanks for your help

[Wanda P]

I am home all day, she has had this behavior for 4 years now, she is pretty good at hitting the pad.. Should i take the pad out side and tell her to go outside to go pee, i have tried but maybe i am not doing long enough.. thanks Kristen..