I’m just going to come right out and say it, I hate wee-wee pads! As a dog trainer I’ve seen so many potty-training programs derailed by the use of wee-wee pads. In some cases, people just don’t know any better. But other people are looking for a short cut. There is no shortcut to potty training, its hard work, and 24/7 until your dog gets it.
Another thing people don’t realize about wee-wee pads is that you still have to teach your dog to use the pad and not go anywhere else. Wee-wee pads don’t potty train your dog for you. So, if you’re going to go through all the trouble to teach your puppy to go potty in one particular area, and nowhere else, why not just teach him to potty outdoors?
O.k., for the sake of argument, let’s just say you own a Yorkie and you live on the 22nd floor of an apartment building in Chicago, and it’s the middle of January. You, my friend, have my blessing and are more than entitled to use wee-wee pads for potty training. If it were me, I would too! But here is sunny So. Cal. there’s just no reason for wee-wee pads.
I’ve also seen people place wee-wee pads all over the house like throw rugs, which only serves to confuse the puppy – “where exactly is it o.k. for me to potty”?? “Looks like everywhere.”
What happens when you finally decide to get rid of the wee-wee pads because you’re tired of them?? That’s right, the puppy goes potty where the wee-wee pads used to be, or on just any old rug or bath mat on the floor.
Then there’s the fact that most puppies will simply chew up the wee-wee pads out of boredom, and potty on the floor anyway.
So, forget about wee-wee pads, forget about making things easier for yourself, forget about short cuts. Get your puppy on a potty-training program that is consistent and easy for your puppy to understand. Supervise your puppy, confine your puppy, and teach your puppy where you want him to go potty and your puppy will reward you with a reliably house-trained dog.