I adopted a 2 year old male last year and at first he had a few accidents. At the time I didn't know about puddle pads. I had a tarp down in the hallway that he was gated in when I'm at work and he would pee on that. I would clean it every nite. He would hold it all nite but as soon as his feet hit the floor in the morning he would race to the tarp. I soon started just getting up and going straight out the back door. He now races me for it every morning. Same thing at nite when I get home from work.The race to the back door as soon as I open his gate. I do have pads down now so that if he can't wait he uses that. But I still take him straight outside. We also walk every morning and evening. That seemed to be his elimination walk. I always carried a plastic bag and as soon as he went he got a treat and lots of praise. No more treats now but still the same routine otherwise. It's very hard to catch his signal for the door. He kinda just makes a quick circle in the general direction of the door. If I see him... out we go. Otherwise he uses the pads. I guess it really comes down to routine and being consistent. I know every dog is different but they all can learn. We just need to be good teachers. |