How to Train Your Puppy to Potty on Pee Pads Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Choose the right pee pad for your puppy. 2 Introduce your puppy to the pee pad. 3 Watch your puppy at all times. 4 Teach your puppy the potty command. 5 Reward good behavior. 6 Feed your puppy at the same time each day. 7 Stick to a routine with your puppy. 8 Put your puppy in a room covered with pee pads. 9 Be patient with your puppy. 10 Stay calm if your puppy has an accident. 11 Clean your puppy’s accidents with an enzymatic cleaner. + Show 8 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A Related Articles References Co-authored by Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC and Aly Rusciano
Last Updated: March 31, 2022 References
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This article was co-authored by Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 1,911 times.
There’s nothing more exciting than bringing a new puppy home, but what comes next? When it comes to potty training your puppy, using pee pads indoors may be the first step, especially if you don’t have an outdoor area at your disposal. Follow these simple tips on how to pee pad train your puppy—you’ve got this!
Steps
1
Choose the right pee pad for your puppy.
There are a variety of pee pad types and sizes to choose from. You can go for disposable or reusable pads depending on your preference. The size you choose depends on you and your dog’s needs. If you have a small dog but want to cover a large area, you can go for a bigger sized pad. When shopping for pee pads, keep in mind that your pup may be using them for 6 months or longer depending on how long it takes to potty train them.[1]XResearch source
Disposable pads are the most convenient as you throw away the pad once your dog uses it.
Reusable pads are less wasteful and can last over 100 washes before being replaced.
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2
Introduce your puppy to the pee pad.
Your pup is probably very curious about what you’re unpacking. Open the pee pads with them so they can investigate. Place the pad by the door you will eventually use in the future to let them out. This will help your puppy realize that going to that area of the house means potty time. Let them walk on and sniff the pad so they won’t be scared of it when it comes time to use it.[2]XResearch source
It’s okay if your pup is hesitant at first. You’ve just put this new, big thing on the floor and they don’t know what to expect!
Tap the pad with your fingers or even stand on it yourself to try and coax your puppy to it—show them there’s nothing to be scared of.
3
Watch your puppy at all times.
Supervision is key when potty training a puppy. Limit their access inside the house to one or two rooms that can easily be cleaned. If you see your puppy sniffing, circling, and walking with stiff back legs, bring them to the potty area ASAP because they’re doing the potty dance![3]X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Keep your puppy on a long leash for their first few days in a new place to help them adjust and give you a better feel of where they are at all times.[4]X Trustworthy Source Animal Humane SocietyLeading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners Go to source
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4
Teach your puppy the potty command.
Your pup is one smart cookie, so tell them exactly what they’re doing. Say “potty” when your puppy looks like they need to go to the bathroom, and say “potty" again when they go on the pad. They will soon learn that the word “potty” and the pad go along with them relieving themselves.[5]X Trustworthy Source Animal Humane SocietyLeading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners Go to source
Watch for signs that your puppy has to go to the bathroom: sniffing, circling, and walking with stiff legs.
5
Reward good behavior.
Praise your puppy for all the progress they’re making. Use positive reinforcement when you’re training your pup. Cheer for them when they go on the pad and give them treats. Show them that they are the best![6]X Trustworthy Source Best Friends Animal SocietyNonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving animal lives by operating and supporting no-kill animal shelters Go to source
Reward your puppy immediately when they go on their pad.[7]X Trustworthy Source American Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
Keep treats in your pocket or in a container close to the pee pad.
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6
Feed your puppy at the same time each day.
A consistent feeding schedule can help you predict when your pup needs to go. After they’re done eating, watch for signs that they need to go to the bathroom: sniffing, circling, and stiff back legs.[8]X Expert Source Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBCCanine Behavior ConsultantExpert Interview Bring your puppy to the potty pad the second you think they’re about to go. How often you feed your puppy depends on their age:[9]X Trustworthy Source American Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
6-12 week old puppies should be fed four times a day.
3-6 month old puppies should be fed three times a day.
6-12 month old puppies can start being fed twice a day.
7
Stick to a routine with your puppy.
Take your puppy to the pad like you would take them outside. Getting in the habit of taking your dog “out” is great training for you and your puppy.[10]X Expert Source Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBCCanine Behavior ConsultantExpert Interview They might not be using the bathroom outside now, but train them with the pads as if they were. Right when you wake up, take your puppy to the pad. After they eat or drink, take them to the pad. When they wake up from a nap, take them to—you guessed it—the pad.[11]X Trustworthy Source Best Friends Animal SocietyNonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving animal lives by operating and supporting no-kill animal shelters Go to source
If you can, try and stick to the same schedule each day. Set alarms on your phone to remind you to take your puppy to the bathroom.[12]X Trustworthy Source American Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
Your puppy may not go right away, and that’s okay! Take them off the pad if they don’t go and put them back on in 10-15 minutes.
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8
Put your puppy in a room covered with pee pads.
Teach your puppy that they can relieve themselves on their own. Put some of your pup’s favorite toys and a water dish in a bathroom and cover the floor with pee pads. Leave your puppy in the protected bathroom with their toys 2 to 3 times a day. Each day, take one of the pee pads away. Soon your pup will be able to pee directly on one pad.[13]X Trustworthy Source Animal Humane SocietyLeading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners Go to source
If your puppy pees outside off the pad on the floor, put all the pee pads back and start over.
Your puppy is learning, so there are bound to be accidents. Don’t yell at your pup if they miss the pee pad. Instead, clap or make a loud noise if you catch them in the act.[14]X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
9
Be patient with your puppy.
Your puppy is still learning the ropes. Be kind to them as they try to unpack the wild world around them. There are going to be accidents and times when you are frustrated with your pup, but stick with it![15]X Expert Source Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBCCanine Behavior ConsultantExpert Interview If you believe in them, they’ll believe in you.[16]X Trustworthy Source American Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
Puppies can’t control their bladders until they’re 16 weeks old, so they can’t hold it like we can.
Potty training takes time, so take a deep breath and know that you’re making progress even when it seems like you’re not.
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10
Stay calm if your puppy has an accident.
Ignore mistakes when potty training your puppy. Rubbing your puppy’s nose in their accident or shouting at them is a big no-no. Your puppy can’t control their bladder until they are 16 weeks old, so there are going to be accidents.[17]X Expert Source Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBCCanine Behavior ConsultantExpert Interview Mark their behavior with a quiet clap and a “oh-oh” to tell them that’s not what they're supposed to do.[18]X Trustworthy Source American Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
Keep rewarding good behavior to show your pup that if they keep doing one thing, they’ll get cuddles and yummy treats.
Do nothing if you don’t see the accident happen. Your puppy won’t know what they did wrong if you address the accident minutes or hours after it happened.
11
Clean your puppy’s accidents with an enzymatic cleaner.
Your puppy is going to have accidents, and that’s okay! Make sure to clean the mess immediately with an enzymatic cleaner. This type of cleaner will eliminate odors for you and, most importantly, your pup. Once all is cleaned up, your pup won’t be drawn back to the smell.[19]XResearch source
Brands like Resolve and Bissell have plenty of odor and stain removing options to choose from.
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Question Should I put a pee pad inside the crate? Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC Canine Behavior Consultant Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com. Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC Canine Behavior Consultant Expert Answer Nope! Make sure the pee pad is as far away from their eating and sleep area as possible. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
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Co-authored by: Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC Canine Behavior Consultant This article was co-authored by Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com. This article has been viewed 1,911 times. 11 votes - 91% Co-authors: 4Updated: March 31, 2022 Views: 1,911
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Dec 16, 2023
"It worked so good for my puppy."
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Co-authored by: Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC Canine Behavior Consultant This article was co-authored by Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com. This article has been viewed 1,911 times. 11 votes - 91% Co-authors: 4 Updated: March 31, 2022 Views: 1,911 
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617 
There are a variety of pee pad types and sizes to choose from. You can go for disposable or reusable pads depending on your preference. The size you choose depends on you and your dog’s needs. If you have a small dog but want to cover a large area, you can go for a bigger sized pad. When shopping for pee pads, keep in mind that your pup may be using them for 6 months or longer depending on how long it takes to potty train them.[1] 
Your pup is probably very curious about what you’re unpacking. Open the pee pads with them so they can investigate. Place the pad by the door you will eventually use in the future to let them out. This will help your puppy realize that going to that area of the house means potty time. Let them walk on and sniff the pad so they won’t be scared of it when it comes time to use it.[2] 
Supervision is key when potty training a puppy. Limit their access inside the house to one or two rooms that can easily be cleaned. If you see your puppy sniffing, circling, and walking with stiff back legs, bring them to the potty area ASAP because they’re doing the potty dance![3] 
Your pup is one smart cookie, so tell them exactly what they’re doing. Say “potty” when your puppy looks like they need to go to the bathroom, and say “potty" again when they go on the pad. They will soon learn that the word “potty” and the pad go along with them relieving themselves.[5] 
Praise your puppy for all the progress they’re making. Use positive reinforcement when you’re training your pup. Cheer for them when they go on the pad and give them treats. Show them that they are the best![6] 
A consistent feeding schedule can help you predict when your pup needs to go. After they’re done eating, watch for signs that they need to go to the bathroom: sniffing, circling, and stiff back legs.[8] Bring your puppy to the potty pad the second you think they’re about to go. How often you feed your puppy depends on their age:[9] 
Take your puppy to the pad like you would take them outside. Getting in the habit of taking your dog “out” is great training for you and your puppy.[10] They might not be using the bathroom outside now, but train them with the pads as if they were. Right when you wake up, take your puppy to the pad. After they eat or drink, take them to the pad. When they wake up from a nap, take them to—you guessed it—the pad.[11] 
Teach your puppy that they can relieve themselves on their own. Put some of your pup’s favorite toys and a water dish in a bathroom and cover the floor with pee pads. Leave your puppy in the protected bathroom with their toys 2 to 3 times a day. Each day, take one of the pee pads away. Soon your pup will be able to pee directly on one pad.[13] 
Your puppy is still learning the ropes. Be kind to them as they try to unpack the wild world around them. There are going to be accidents and times when you are frustrated with your pup, but stick with it![15] If you believe in them, they’ll believe in you.[16] 
Ignore mistakes when potty training your puppy. Rubbing your puppy’s nose in their accident or shouting at them is a big no-no. Your puppy can’t control their bladder until they are 16 weeks old, so there are going to be accidents.[17] Mark their behavior with a quiet clap and a “oh-oh” to tell them that’s not what they're supposed to do.[18] 
Your puppy is going to have accidents, and that’s okay! Make sure to clean the mess immediately with an enzymatic cleaner. This type of cleaner will eliminate odors for you and, most importantly, your pup. Once all is cleaned up, your pup won’t be drawn back to the smell.[19] 
Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC Canine Behavior Consultant Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com. 
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