I believe you may have to use a potty pad in the beginning, but can eventually transition to outside. My cousin's Shorkie was blocked off in the bathroom with a potty pad when she first got her during the day, as she worked full time. She placed food/toys on one side, the pad on the other and her dog instinctively used the pad from the get go. When she got home with her, she watched her and took her outside to potty every hour on the dot, or sooner if she had just ate or drank a lot of water obviously. Eventually, she started coming home and noticed the potty pad wasn't used, so she knew she was holding it. She continued to use the pen, but removed the potty pad after a week of Bella not using it during the day and Bella continued to hold it all day with no accidents. Now, Bella has free roam of the house while she is gone all day and goes to the door when her owner is home & she needs to go to the bathroom. She is 7LBS full grown and can hold it for 8 hours at a time. |