I had taken off for 2 weeks when we first got him and I laid the puppy pads out. Had to have 2 because he wouldn't pee and poop on the same pad
He did amazing! I would give him a tiny bacon strip everytime he went on his pad and he would get so excited! I would make a HUGE deal about it and made sure I would say "Good Boy! You peepeed on your pad!" So he would know the work pad.
Just with in the past 3 weeks he's been HORRIBLE and he'll pee on the carpet! When I get him out of his playpen in the mornings I'll put him on his pad and say "Go peepee on your pad!" Then I'll walk to my room and start getting ready. He'll come and meet me like he used to, all excited and wanting me to follow him. So I look on his pad and there is nothing there! I look on the floor in front of the TV and there is a tiny spot! I tell him that's bad and he knows where his peepee pads are. And I make him get in his dog bed that's in the corner of the room. He stays there until I tell him he can get out.
But if we go to anyone's house for the day or something, he'll go right on his pad!
I get so frustrated with him!! He knows if he goes on his pad he'll get a treat, but he won't get one if he goes on the floor! He knows the difference too, he's just being stubborn!