In the early days of training your dog to use the training pads, it is actually good to leave out a pad that has been urinated on for a second or third use. If the dogs smell their urine somewhere, it means instinctively it's okay to go there and that will reinforce the habit.
Frequency of Changing Pee/Potty Pads
Having a dirty or smelly puppy pad can lead to infection, so you must change your dog's pads as often as necessary. It's a good idea to change the diaper every time he has an accident, and you should also change him at least once a day.
Don't whip the puppy training pads away at the first sign of pee in the garden. These things do take time, and a puppy bladder takes months to grow, so even if they only occasionally use it, leaving out the pads at night will help them feel settled and relieve any anxiety.
In short, there isn't a set time when you should stop using puppy pads. If your pup waits for one to be put down before they go, they could equally have held their bladder until you let them outside.
Some pups can even go up to four times a day! It is normal for a puppy to pee every 15 minutes to 30 minutes as they get older and can move around more freely. And remember puppies don't always have accidents. Sometimes they just prefer to go elsewhere!
While they might seem like a convenient solution, they'll only end up sabotaging your potty-training efforts: They teach your dog to pee in your house. They don't work for long-term use. They're not sanitary.
Once you select the best Wee-Wee Pad for your dog, place it somewhere they can easily access and away from heavy foot traffic. A corner of the room where your pet spends most of their time is often ideal.
When she looks as though she's about to pee or poop, say “potty” (or whatever word you choose) and take her quickly to her pad. Give her lots of praise and a small treat when she “does her business” there. Do not allow her free access to the house yet, as that will only result in making housetraining mistakes.
Puppies 10-12 weeks can hold it for 2 hours, and after 3 months, dogs can usually hold their bladder for an hour for each month they've been alive, but no longer than 6-8 hours once they're adults.
At 8 weeks old, puppies should be able to hold their bladder for about 3-4 hours. However, they may still need to go out more frequently at night as their bodies are adjusting to sleeping through the night.
Watch for signs that your puppy needs to go out. Some signs are obvious, such as barking or scratching at the door, squatting, restlessness, sniffing around or circling. When you see these signs, immediately grab the leash and take them outside to their bathroom spot.
By the time your puppy is about 4 months old, they should be able to start sleeping through the night without needing the toilet. (Although small breeds take longer as their bladders are smaller.) If your puppy wakes up in the night needing the toilet, keep calm and don't give them too much attention.
When your dog goes to the pad to eliminate, quickly pick him up and bring him outside. For some dogs, it is helpful if you bring the pad outside as well so that they can better understand what you are trying to communicate. While your dog is eliminating, pick a phrase like “potty time” or “do your thing” and repeat it.
In the beginning, we suggest covering a wider area with 3-4 potty pads until your puppy learns how to target the pad more precisely. Important note: Although you can leave potty pads in your puppy's playpen to absorb any accidents they may have, this on its own won't potty train your puppy.
Take the puppy out to eliminate first thing in the morning and then once every 30 minutes to an hour. Also, always take them outside after meals or when they wake from a nap. Make sure they goe out last thing at night and before they are left alone. Take the puppy to the same spot each time to do their business.
For most, it will take between four to six months for your puppy to be fully reliable, but it will depend on their size, age and ability to learn. Some puppies can learn how to be toilet trained really quickly in only a few weeks, whereas for some dogs it may take longer and could be up to a year.
What To Put Under Pee Pads? We recommend having them on a hard surface like hardwood that is easy to clean if the pee pads leak. You could also put the pee pad on a small, inexpensive rug that you can wash if need be (which might help the pads from sliding around too).
Pee Pads Are Convenient
One of the primary advantages of puppy pads is convenience. They can be a useful aid for training, especially at the stage in your puppy's life when they need to go frequently. Maintenance and cleanup are as simple as tossing the previous pad and laying down another.
Disposable vs Reusable Puppy Pads
You'll need to wash reusable puppy pads regularly to get rid of the smell of dog urine and need to have a few in rotation so you can allow them time to dry.
But in all honesty, there's no 'right time' for a puppy to go to sleep, as long as it's the same every night. While this may be the case, do note that your puppy will need, on average, around 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
Puppies typically learn to sleep through the night by the time they're about sixteen weeks of age. However, puppy owners can expedite the process by employing some tried-and-true dog training techniques, such as crate training. Don't be alarmed if you bring home a new dog and they struggle to sleep through the night.
Sleep in the same room for the first few nights.
For the first few nights, your puppy will need time to adjust to being without their mum. Wherever you decide to settle them in your house, it's a good idea to spend the first few nights in the same room with them so they don't wake up in a panic because no-one is there.
Optimal Times Vary Widely. Most veterinarians, dog trainers, and behaviorists agree that puppies need to go out “very soon” once they eat a meal or drink water. Generally speaking, the recommended time frame varies from 5 to 15 minutes but sometimes trends upwards to 30 plus minutes.
Depending on their age, most puppies poop between four and five times per day, typically shortly after eating. There is a significant difference in bowel movements between dog breeds, and their bowel habits will change as your dog ages.