I agree that taking her out would be best, although you said you live in an apartment, but I still think it would help. See, the floor, carpet, etc. aren't that much different than the pad to her. Grass feels, looks and most importantly SMELLS much, much different. There is also the inside/outside distinction. Just the act of putting a leash on, opening a door, etc. is a routine that will help her learn the proper place to go. MOST IMPORTANTLY you are probably not reinforcing her when she does go in the right spot. If she's not getting praised and she's not getting rewarded with a treat then why on earth would she keep peeing on the pad? Some people (not saying you... just some people) think that dogs are like cats and they automatically will take to a pad or a box and train themselves. Pretty much the only thing you can count on is that if you put them in a TINY crate they won't pee ON themselves unless you make them hold it too long. Then you can graduate to a larger crate and eventually the whole house. It also helps to teach them to ring a bell to ask to go out, so that they are rewarded for ASKING to go outside.
My dogs go outside and every time they go out I'm standing there yelling "good dog!" and then sometimes when we come back in they get a cookie! This whole process makes pottying outside FUN! You have to find a way to make it worthwhile for her to use the pad, if that is what you decide, rather than just assuming she will use it by default. |