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Originally Posted by skingstone quick question....I had a trainer tell me that pee pads don't work well because dogs never go in the same spot and thats why outdoors is best. With that said, I'm still using the Pee Pad. We have about 70% success. But why did she say that they don't go in the same spot. When snickers does not use the pee pad....he seem to run into the living room....that's kinda the same spot. |
I agree with the trainer to some extent. I believe that it's more natural for a dog to go in different areas or spots. But it is possible to train a dog (against this natural behavior) to pee in one spot. But success in doing this will depend largely on the character of the dog. In my personal opinon, I think the problem with allowing a dog to go in the house is partly due to 2 reasons:
1. You are training the dog it's ok to go "in the house" or in a dog's view point, in it's den. (Which is contrary to it's nature) While you think you are training your dog to go on a pee pad, and in your mind that's the only acceptable place in the house to go, your dog does not see it that way. He/she sees that you are allowing it to void in the house and it will find similiar objects in the house to go on, like the small rugs, other papers lying around the house, etc. I think we expect to much when we expect the dog to discern the difference.
2. Dogs don't like to go in living areas or where it sleeps. So if you are allowing it to go in the house, it will more likely try to find a private out of the way place to go, (not to hide it from you) but to keep the voiding out of living areas. (this is in it's nature too). So a small dog might pee in a corner and feel proud of himself. In his mind, he's gone as far away from his bed or living area as he can indoors. (and then he gets punished or disciplined for doing what is natural and good in his mind)
So trying to housebreak in a house training a dog to use peepads, will be more difficult (not necessarily impossible but require much more dilgence and patience) and may never be 100% accident free, since the dog is getting mixed messages by going against it's nature.