Potty pads can be a great tool while potty training your dog when done correctly. Learn the pros, cons, how to use them, and more

Today we’re going to talk about everyone’s favorite part of being a dog parent: potty training! 

...what? You don’t find potty training to be the most fun activity you and your dog could ever possibly do together?

Yeah, neither do we. The truth is that potty training your dog can be challenging and even frustrating. That’s why there are a number of tools out there that were created specifically for making potty training a little easier.

One of the most popular potty training tools is the potty pad. While it’s not particularly fancy or glamorous, they’re a heck of a lot more enjoyable than your dog having free range to go potty anywhere they want.

But there’s much debate over the dog potty pad -- is it good? Is it bad? Is there a best way to utilize them? Today we’re going to cover all of that and more.

There’s a reason why dog potty pads are a common potty training tool -- there are a lot of benefits of using them. The pros for potty pads:

They’re welcoming for your dog - Since they are relatively comfortable, soft, and simple, potty pads are enticing for your dog to use as a potty spot.

They’re hygienic - Being able to dispose of each potty pad makes cleanup easy, and avoids having messes and stains in your house. Even reusable ones, like faux grass potty pads, are designed to be easy to clean.

They’re convenient - In your dog’s early days, they will need many, MANY potty breaks. Potty pads help pup parents manage LOTS of accidents.

They’re helpful - Whether you have a smaller dog, a dog with a health condition, or live in an apartment, potty pads can provide an alternative.

Nothing’s perfect, so there are some cons that come along with using potty pads:

They can form dependencies - The most common downside to potty pads is that dogs get used to them and learn to go potty inside the house rather than transitioning to outside.

They can confuse your dog - Without progressing to further training, your dog might now think that any soft square on the floor is the right place to go potty, making them more likely to go on bath mats, area rugs, and other similar spots.

They can form habits - The longer your dog relies on potty pads, the longer it may take to get your dog used to going outside.

The good news is that when used properly and with the right additional tools, potty pads will bring more pros than cons to your training. 

With a few simple tips, you can use potty pads to help your pup transition to being fully outdoor potty trained.

But first, here is a clip from our 30 Day Perfect Pup Course with Zak George on using potty pads during training.

There typically aren’t major disparities between the different types of potty pads on the market, but you’ll want to make sure to to choose one that has a high level of absorbency, neutralizes odors, and has a bottom layer that won’t leak. Check out some potty pads here.  

Accidents are going to happen. We’ll say it again: accidents ARE going to happen! It’s a natural part of potty training. Some tools to help you be prepared for messes:

An enzymatic cleaner to remove odors and stains without harsh chemicals

3. TEACH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FLOOR AND THE PAD

A key to success here is to teach your dog that the potty pad is something different than the floor, so they know exactly where they should be doing their business. Here’s how:

Contain your puppy to a small, easy to clean area like a bathroom, part of a kitchen, or laundry room

Cover the entire floor area with potty pads

Slowly over time remove potty pads one by one until there’s only one left

4. FOLLOW A POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT PROGRESSION

If you’ve been here a while, you know that we’re fans of positive reinforcement training. Using that framework for a progression can help wean your dog off the potty pad and into full potty training. Here’s how to do that:

Bring your dog over to the potty pad frequently, especially after eating or drinking

Use high-value training treats to reward every time your dog goes potty on the pad

Over time, move the potty pad closer and closer to the door

Remove the potty pad and reward your dog for going potty outside

When using a progression like this, it’s important to have extra patience and move slowly. Give your dog opportunities for frequent wins by not moving to the next step too soon! 

If you need a little extra help, more tips and tricks, or videos and resources related to potty training, check out our Potty Training Course. It will cover why dogs have potty training issues, how to overcome them, how to handle accidents, and so much more. It’s led by certified dog trainer Traci Madson who has more than 20 years of experience helping dogs like yours! 

Nobody’s perfect (your dog probably is though), and that’s okay! Not every day will be full of only wins when it comes to potty training, and that’s okay too! What’s important is that you are consistent and try your best. 

There are also a few key things to try to avoid that can make the potty training process smoother and more successful:

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: accidents are going to happen! And when they do, they are not your dog’s fault. Most often accidents happen because your dog is still learning to communicate their needs with you, so if too much time passes before you initiate the next potty session, they can’t tell you.

Getting mad, either through body language or a raised voice, only makes your dog unsettled and can damage the communication and trust you share. Since they are still learning what they’re supposed to be doing, they likely wouldn’t understand what they are being punished for anyway, so it may cause them to be timid.

Instead, take a deep breath (unless you’re in a stinky situation), clean up the mess, and try next time to take your dog to the potty area a little sooner. Eventually accidents will become fewer and farther between, so hang in there! 

2. RELYING ON POTTY PADS TOO MUCH OR FOR TOO LONG

Potty pads should be a stop along the potty training journey, not the destination. If you rely on them for too long, your dog will come to understand the potty pad as their primary potty destination, and may be less responsive to outdoor potty training at first.

Similarly, if you rely on them for when your dog is home alone, it will be more difficult to wean your dog off of them without them having an accident when they are home alone.

Making a schedule is the #1 rule of potty training! Especially when dealing with a young puppy, dogs need frequent bathroom trips -- scheduling them to happen at the same time each day will help your dog learn the routine and rules.

Of course, you can adjust the schedule to work best for you and your dog, as long as it’s consistent!

Potty pads are meant to just be a step in the potty training journey, but they can definitely be an important step if used correctly. 

Check out our extra thick and absorbant potty pads here.  

How are you and your pup working through potty training? Are potty pads a part of your journey? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

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Guide to Puppy Potty Pads: Pros, Cons, and How to Use | Pupford