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Originally Posted by canana  Thank you so much for sharing your blog! I trained Scottie to strictly potty outdoors because my home is quite small. But he's getting a baby sister in three weeks and I've been reconsidering your suggestion to do both outdoors and indoor pee pads. I do feel the same that it's probably healthier to allow them potty access when they need to go, while I'm away from home. Would you happen to know if there's a higher risk of kidney disease in their senior years if I continue with just outdoor potty and they have to hold it in all day? I just have fear of it being more difficult... Or that it might confuse Scottie who is used to knowing that any potty indoors is no good. In addition, Scottie has been used to 10-15 minute potty walks. He needs to walk the distance before going. I'm not sure he'll be able to keep spinning around on a small pad to pee or poop at this point lol.. Not to mention he's a big marker... 
Will be reading more of your articles  |
I haven't seen any studies to say there is an increased risk. There is quite a bit of medical evidence relative to humans though about kidney problems and not drinking enough, not eliminating enough. That is why I assume that there would be similar impact on dogs, whose kidneys seem more prone to problems.
Canine kidney function decline in old age is something I would like to learn a lot more about.
Since Scottie is reliably outdoor trained, it is a big decision to introduce pads. I opted to do it with Teddy because his older brother was already pad trained, and our yard/neighborhood isn't conducive to safely going after dark, and lastly, it's easier on my senior citizen dad who lives with us, helps take care of the doggies.
My boys are big time markers outdoors, but not indoors. Marking indoors probably wouldn't happen for you if you introduced pads. Spinning around on a little pad -- LOL! yes, believe it or not, most dogs figure out how to hit the target. My boys walk a path in the house before doing tight spins on the pad. I have a larger rubber mat under the pad and the boys still hit the pad itself.