Puppy pads or outside? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

morningsting · 05-11-2008, 02:32 PM

I am the new owner of a Yorkie. He is currently six weeks old. I really want him to be potty trained for outside, but it seems like the majority of the people here use puppy pads. I take my Yorkie outside every single hour to use the bathroom&he almost always goes. I am a stay at home mom so I have the time&patience to do this. Should I be using puppy pads or a litterbox instead? The reason I ask is because I also have a Chihuahua who used to use puppy pads, but ever since we moved into a house with carpet, she doesn't use her pads anymore&instead goes on the carpet! (She's three years old) I really don't want to use puppy pads with my Yorkie because I'm afraid if I do he'll just stop using them like my Chihuahua did&go on the carpet instead. Which method do you guys think is better? Like I said, I'm home all day, every day, so I do have time to take him outside constantly. Thanks so much!

Gracie2006 · 05-11-2008, 02:34 PM

We use pads, I have often thought about training for outside but figure it would be too confusing. Once they know it is OK to go indoors with a pee pad, it may be hard to teach them that it is not OK to go inside without one. I would suggest doing as you have been, and taking that little Chi outside with you and the Yorkie every hour if you are not doing that now.

abbey lee · 05-11-2008, 02:51 PM

I would say outside. Especially if you have the time to do it. IMO, most people use the pads bc they can't take the dog out all the time... It is a good habit to start early. Why would you want to have poop and pee inside even if it IS on a pad, still yucky. I would rather have a dog who uses the bathroom OUTSIDE. And maybe since you are training the yorkie you could take the other dog out with you too all the time and they will both learn to potty outside!

Good luck!! (I'm potty training right now too!)

mspakoulee · 05-12-2008, 11:16 PM

i got my baby two weeks ago and now he's 10 weeks. last week I took him to the vet to get the his shots and de-wormed.... the vet recommended that i let him stay in side and use the pad until he's at least 14 weeks because his immune systems is still not fully develop yet, which me he's very vulnerable to lots of virus and worms....
so for me i've been just letting mocha go on the pads.... oh yeah i've tried lots of different kinds of pads too. there's a sented pad at petsmart that i got and it works like a charm... just introduce it to your puppies he'll go on it.... i almost positive that he will ... but the pads are pricey don't get me wrong... i bought the small pack just to try it out if mocha would go on it because he wouldn't go on all the other pads that i tried and he went on this one.... soo good luck to you...

RebelBelle · 05-13-2008, 05:49 AM

I would definitely say outside. My baby Jamie had some confusion over what was the pad and what was my carpet. It all felt the same to his feet. So I stopped the pads altogether and he goes outside.

BAMA07 · 05-13-2008, 06:02 AM

I use the litter box and my yorkie goes outside. The litter box is better than the pads to me. This is my first dog and she is doing so well with the litter box. I wouldn't trade anything for the litter box. I was concerned when I take her outside how would she do. I guess the dog instinct she also take care of her business outside. Since you are a stay at home mom then going outside may work for you. I work so the litter box is a GREAT thing to have. I just need them to come out with a self cleaning dog litter box

BAMA07 · 05-13-2008, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mspakoulee

i got my baby two weeks ago and now he's 10 weeks. last week I took him to the vet to get the his shots and de-wormed.... the vet recommended that i let him stay in side and use the pad until he's at least 14 weeks because his immune systems is still not fully develop yet, which me he's very vulnerable to lots of virus and worms....
so for me i've been just letting mocha go on the pads.... oh yeah i've tried lots of different kinds of pads too. there's a sented pad at petsmart that i got and it works like a charm... just introduce it to your puppies he'll go on it.... i almost positive that he will ... but the pads are pricey don't get me wrong... i bought the small pack just to try it out if mocha would go on it because he wouldn't go on all the other pads that i tried and he went on this one.... soo good luck to you...

I was told the same thing. Its good the pads are working but if you have any problems try the litter. I think the litter will last longer and cheaper.

autumn star · 05-13-2008, 06:12 AM

I have only trained mine to go outside. When we first got Autumn she was use to pee pads so I let her pee on one inside and then took it outside, held it down w/two rocks and let her smell and sniff it until she got the hint!

Little Bit · 05-13-2008, 06:23 AM

Mine go outside and on pads. That way if I have to be gone for an extended period of time they have a place they know to go to instead of all over. You will just have to decide what is right for you.

Reese1 · 05-13-2008, 08:02 AM

I think this is really up to the individual!
We have a Yorkie Poo who only goes outside, she's 17 lbs!
Wrigley goes on a pad in a litter box almost all the time, but she will go outside when we are in the yard and she's never been confused about it or have any accidents!
Our new little girl will go on a pad first thing in the morning when she gets up and then not again at all, though she's finding the tile and carpet to her liking at the moment.

She's great about outside!

We love the idea of the pads/litterbox, especially in the winter or rainy weather, but everyone is so different!

morningsting · 05-13-2008, 11:34 AM

Thanks so much to everyone who has posted responses! I keep Bear in a play yard when I'm not holding him, at night, or when I'm gone&I keep a puppy pad in there&he has (so far) gone on the pad.

I would love to use a litterbox, but we also have a cat&I'm sure that the cat would start using the litterbox meant for the dog, lol. I think I'm going to stick with the outside thing though, especially since I have the time to do it.

morningsting · 05-13-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mspakoulee

i got my baby two weeks ago and now he's 10 weeks. last week I took him to the vet to get the his shots and de-wormed.... the vet recommended that i let him stay in side and use the pad until he's at least 14 weeks because his immune systems is still not fully develop yet, which me he's very vulnerable to lots of virus and worms....
so for me i've been just letting mocha go on the pads.... oh yeah i've tried lots of different kinds of pads too. there's a sented pad at petsmart that i got and it works like a charm... just introduce it to your puppies he'll go on it.... i almost positive that he will ... but the pads are pricey don't get me wrong... i bought the small pack just to try it out if mocha would go on it because he wouldn't go on all the other pads that i tried and he went on this one.... soo good luck to you...

Do you know if they sell those scented pads anywhere else, like WalMart? There is no PetCo or PetsMart in Hawaii

&I must admit that I miss them a great deal! It's nearly impossible to find cute things for my dogs here, so I have to do all of my shopping for them online.

mingtoy · 05-13-2008, 11:39 AM

Mingtoy goes in a litter box and outside .

Tammyh · 05-13-2008, 11:45 AM

I know everyone's different but I'm all about going outside. I didn't even know people used pads inside the house until I found this site (but then again Bella is my first small dog). If you're already training him for outside I would stick with it. Suddenly allowing him to go inside might confuse him. I didn't have any problem training Bella for outside, we used the crate training method which I highly recommend. She was completely potty trained by 5 months. If you're not familiar with this method look in the training forum on this site and you'll find all sorts of information on it. Congrats on your new baby!

Erin · 05-13-2008, 11:56 AM

6 weeks is really young! Wow! Don't expect much yet!

Mine go outside. They ring a bell. It was a lot of hard work but now it's awesome!

05-11-2008, 02:32 PM	#1
morningsting Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hawaii Posts: 90	Puppy pads or outside? I am the new owner of a Yorkie. He is currently six weeks old. I really want him to be potty trained for outside, but it seems like the majority of the people here use puppy pads. I take my Yorkie outside every single hour to use the bathroom&he almost always goes. I am a stay at home mom so I have the time&patience to do this. Should I be using puppy pads or a litterbox instead? The reason I ask is because I also have a Chihuahua who used to use puppy pads, but ever since we moved into a house with carpet, she doesn't use her pads anymore&instead goes on the carpet! (She's three years old) I really don't want to use puppy pads with my Yorkie because I'm afraid if I do he'll just stop using them like my Chihuahua did&go on the carpet instead. Which method do you guys think is better? Like I said, I'm home all day, every day, so I do have time to take him outside constantly. Thanks so much!

05-11-2008, 02:34 PM	#2
Gracie2006 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 3,276	We use pads, I have often thought about training for outside but figure it would be too confusing. Once they know it is OK to go indoors with a pee pad, it may be hard to teach them that it is not OK to go inside without one. I would suggest doing as you have been, and taking that little Chi outside with you and the Yorkie every hour if you are not doing that now. __________________ I love my precious babies Gracie and Holly! Gracie Wuvs Bailey!

05-11-2008, 02:51 PM	#3
abbey lee YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 314	I would say outside. Especially if you have the time to do it. IMO, most people use the pads bc they can't take the dog out all the time... It is a good habit to start early. Why would you want to have poop and pee inside even if it IS on a pad, still yucky. I would rather have a dog who uses the bathroom OUTSIDE. And maybe since you are training the yorkie you could take the other dog out with you too all the time and they will both learn to potty outside! Good luck!! (I'm potty training right now too!) __________________ Chelsey and Abbey

05-13-2008, 05:49 AM	#5
RebelBelle Donating YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 842	I would definitely say outside. My baby Jamie had some confusion over what was the pad and what was my carpet. It all felt the same to his feet. So I stopped the pads altogether and he goes outside. __________________ Misty & Jamie Proud Member of the Little Gentleman's Club & Spoiled Rotten Club

05-13-2008, 06:02 AM	#6
BAMA07 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 10	puppy pads or outside I use the litter box and my yorkie goes outside. The litter box is better than the pads to me. This is my first dog and she is doing so well with the litter box. I wouldn't trade anything for the litter box. I was concerned when I take her outside how would she do. I guess the dog instinct she also take care of her business outside. Since you are a stay at home mom then going outside may work for you. I work so the litter box is a GREAT thing to have. I just need them to come out with a self cleaning dog litter box

05-12-2008, 11:16 PM	#4
mspakoulee Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: California Posts: 10	i got my baby two weeks ago and now he's 10 weeks. last week I took him to the vet to get the his shots and de-wormed.... the vet recommended that i let him stay in side and use the pad until he's at least 14 weeks because his immune systems is still not fully develop yet, which me he's very vulnerable to lots of virus and worms.... so for me i've been just letting mocha go on the pads.... oh yeah i've tried lots of different kinds of pads too. there's a sented pad at petsmart that i got and it works like a charm... just introduce it to your puppies he'll go on it.... i almost positive that he will ... but the pads are pricey don't get me wrong... i bought the small pack just to try it out if mocha would go on it because he wouldn't go on all the other pads that i tried and he went on this one.... soo good luck to you...

05-13-2008, 06:12 AM	#8
autumn star Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,018	I have only trained mine to go outside. When we first got Autumn she was use to pee pads so I let her pee on one inside and then took it outside, held it down w/two rocks and let her smell and sniff it until she got the hint! __________________ *PROUD MOM OF (SKIN KIDS) LEXI & HUNTER AND (FUR KIDS) AUTUMN & BLAZE*

05-13-2008, 06:23 AM	#9
Little Bit Tiny Dog Big Heart Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 4,179	Mine go outside and on pads. That way if I have to be gone for an extended period of time they have a place they know to go to instead of all over. You will just have to decide what is right for you. __________________ *Blue Sky Yorkies* "Lots of Love in a Little Package" Click Here for Washable Potty Pads and Belly Bands

05-13-2008, 08:02 AM	#10
Reese1 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 848	I think this is really up to the individual! We have a Yorkie Poo who only goes outside, she's 17 lbs! Wrigley goes on a pad in a litter box almost all the time, but she will go outside when we are in the yard and she's never been confused about it or have any accidents! Our new little girl will go on a pad first thing in the morning when she gets up and then not again at all, though she's finding the tile and carpet to her liking at the moment. She's great about outside! We love the idea of the pads/litterbox, especially in the winter or rainy weather, but everyone is so different! __________________ Crosley Wrigley Camden

05-13-2008, 11:34 AM	#11
morningsting Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hawaii Posts: 90	Thanks so much to everyone who has posted responses! I keep Bear in a play yard when I'm not holding him, at night, or when I'm gone&I keep a puppy pad in there&he has (so far) gone on the pad. I would love to use a litterbox, but we also have a cat&I'm sure that the cat would start using the litterbox meant for the dog, lol. I think I'm going to stick with the outside thing though, especially since I have the time to do it.

05-13-2008, 11:39 AM	#13
mingtoy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 174	Mingtoy goes in a litter box and outside .

05-13-2008, 11:45 AM	#14
Tammyh YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 297	I know everyone's different but I'm all about going outside. I didn't even know people used pads inside the house until I found this site (but then again Bella is my first small dog). If you're already training him for outside I would stick with it. Suddenly allowing him to go inside might confuse him. I didn't have any problem training Bella for outside, we used the crate training method which I highly recommend. She was completely potty trained by 5 months. If you're not familiar with this method look in the training forum on this site and you'll find all sorts of information on it. Congrats on your new baby! __________________ Bella & Lucee's Momma

05-13-2008, 11:56 AM	#15
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 2,347	6 weeks is really young! Wow! Don't expect much yet! Mine go outside. They ring a bell. It was a lot of hard work but now it's awesome! __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki www.barkaholics.biz New enhanced website coming soon! Until then: 10% off orders over $20: YTMAY