Pee Pads have come in quite handy the past couple of days because it's been raining pretty much nonstop. Yogi will go outside and pee, but of course, he doesn't stay outside for long (who wants to get soaking wet?). We use them as backups when the weather prevents us from taking him on his walks or when he eats something different.

I think its easier for the dog to learn to only go outside. Then, with pads its like u cant go naywhere in the house except this white pad. BUt i think it would be easier fo them to think cant go anywhere in the house at all. I dont know, mayba im just weird lol.

Well I had a discussion about this very same subject yesteday with someone and they were like you should train Lola to go outside and NOT use the pads and pop her when she has an accident and rub her nose in it when she does and on and on and on... I said that I DO NOT "pop" my dog when she has an accident which is very seldom and when she does that I find her accidents AFTERWARDS which she will not understand why she is being spanked after the fact?!?! I believe that whatever method someone else "chooses" do as far as training is their own buisness. I don't have the convinience of working in the same town that I live in or someone to let my dog out when we are not home. I would think trying to train her to go outside also would only confuse her? It would sure confuse the heck outta me...It's not hard to do just consistancy which I KNOW that I cannot have if I work all day and do not have any one to depend on to take her outside! I dont expect my baby to hold it all day until then. Sorry ya'll...I had to vent cause it made me mad :mad:!!!

Wow! I had no idea my question would turn into a 3 (so far) page discussion. But many many of you have helped me to understand why you do what you do. Also, Smokie is a 10 lb Yorkie, and I'm disabled, and we have a fenced yard. So I have some advantages there. And whomever said to swat your Yorkie was nuts. Yorkies are too small to be hit. Just a tone of voice can let them know if we are displeased with them! I have taken a newspaper rolled up and hit my hand with it. The noise alone lets him know to pay attention. Please don't misunderstand me, either. I never thought of any of you as being dirty or even lazy. I was just wanting some education as to Why, and you have given me that, and have truly helped me to better understand. For that I thank you. As for going out in bad weather, Smokie will go out in the rain, but doesn't stay long. I've tried those boots they sell - don't waste your money - I could not get them to stay on Smokie's feet for nothing. So I went to the Goodwill, found the perfect child sized coat for the material, and a canvas bag, and I am making him his coat and shoes. I don't want him out there this winter on freezing ground either, so since he does go outside, it is my responsibility to make it comfortable for him. For his boots, I'm going to cut the material and canvas in an almost circular piece, then run a string through the top so I can tie them on so they won't come off. The furry part will of course go inside - the outside will be waterproof. And I am making his coat so he will be more than warm enough, because I will put the fur inside, and the canvas part on the outside. (I got the perfect pattern off of Ebay for 99 cents!) Kansas can have some horrible winters as well. So, I do intend to make sure he stays warm. Even when it is just cool out - say 50's and windy - we put his fleece outfits on him to keep him warm. But I want to thank you for all the info you have given me. Thanks so much and have a Yorkie wonderful day! Reva ~ Smokie's mama :aimeeyork

I use pee pads exclusively and I'm never going back!!!! My last 2 went outside. Because I had never even known about them, and if I wasn't home soon enough--accident. Old age--accidents. Young puppies that can"t hold it-- accidents. Frankie was pad trained in a few days @ 11 weeks old. He doesn't miss.

I have my pad under a counter in my laundry room so anyone visiting doesn't see it. I change it several times a day. No odor/no mess. I am never interupted, never feel guilty if Im gone too long, never get woken up at night for a potty run. He goes when he has to go.

I know our Yorkies really are animals, even if we think they are human-like, and can be trained to go whenever/wherever; but, if someone told me how many times and when I had to go...I'd have accidents too.

If I didn't have a discrete place for him to go, he'd probably be going outside. I'm grossed out when I see them all over people's houses in public areas.

Definately not offended here...matter of fact I am SOOOO glad you asked this questions cause with the remarks made yesterday I started to think I was wrong and maybe I should train her to go outside but it seems to be that I am NOT the only one who has the same thought. So THANK-YOU :D for asking!!!!

I use wee pads because I am disabled and going up and down stairs is extreamly difficult for me and because she is a puppy I dont want her to be outside alone. I do take her out once a day and I have a neighbor boy (13 who loves dogs) take her for a walk every noon time. I am trying to get her to go outside, she loves it out there and now thats shes old she can be out there on her own, me watching from the window, but as she is totally trained on her wee pads, she plays outside and comes in the house and goes on her wee pad. I've had many dogs, all small breed and they all were trained outside, so I am hoping with time and patience Abby will eventually go outdoors and the wee pads only used when I'm not home and she cant go out.

I wish I could train Buster & Maggie to use the pee pads. I tried when they were younger but they did not go for it. I work and I have a dog door but on days like today where it is a 100% chance of rain (and it has been raining all day) and it is going to rain all day tomorrow, the pee pad would come in real handy. For the most part they go outside to potty but sometimes I get a surprise. When the lawn guy comes to mow I close the dog door and they have to stay in the house until someone comes home (lots of surprises on Fridays!). I put pee pads down on that day but they don't use them. I understand why people use the pee pads, I wish my puppies would use them. I keep a supply of them but have not had to purchase anymore.

I am wondering how I can make Laci use them come full blown winter , its freezing here and often times get snow above a foot!!

LOL, when Uni was a baby, I started potty training her in the bath tub! Then went to the pee pads in the bathrooms. She had a pad in each bathroom. Once we came home she would pee downstairs, then zoom upstairs and poop up there! When we came to MIL's house she would go in the br also! We have sicne moved her pee pad into the back sun room. She got the change within a few days. I think it's more of knowing the command of "go pee" or "go poop" then where the pad is.

She took a while to "go" while on walks. We don't walk that often, but she gets plenty of exercise in the house running around anyway. Now she will go pee on walks, but she is marking and not actually relieving herself.

But to answer the OP, I love pee pads. Uni needs to go at about 5am. No way I would take her outside at that time! Just last night, she wanted to go at 3:30! I just open a few doors for her and that's it. :D

I use pee pads only. When we first got Jada she was already pee pad trained. Then we got Bogie from the same breeder and he was too. I tried training them to go outside too and It just confused them.They started having accidents at least 2-3 times a day. It is really no big deal to let them use pads and it sure is more convenient. I keep two down at all times. I use washable during the day when I am at work and the disposable ones when I am home(they like to shred the disposable ones if I am not here!!!) I think it is just a matter of preference and if you are home and able to take them out during the day.:)

Crosley only goes outside, she is a 17lb Yorkie-Poo! :D

Wrigley we brought home as a 3 month old puppy who was almost completely pee pee pad trained. We bought her in the fall and she was so small going into winter and it was easier. She is much more of an indoor dog and she gets cold so easily! She will go outside, but prefers indoor!

Camden was 2years old when we rescued her and I think she was used to going wherever! She LOVES being outdoors and would prefer it, but she will use pads as well and is actually getting better about it lately!

I would say weather is the big thing for us, when it's raining and cold, we just hate going out and they do too!

We just prefer having the option and I'm glad that the smaller two will use both!

Even if you don't work. It's your home, your dog, your life and your call. We don't owe other people any answer. We don't POP our yorkies, do we? That witch.

I hate wee wee pads!
 

I honestly blame wee wee pads for the accidents that have occurred in my home...Uggh! I've never had a problem with training ANY animal in my life. In fact, I never trained my French Mastiff, my Pekingnese trained her. My Mastiff had one accident from the day I got her home until she passed. My rabbit was easier to train than my two Yorkies and I honestly believe it's because of those stupid wee wee pads that I knew better not to use but one of my dogs was trained to go on them so I foolishly and knowingly kept them around just in case...IMO, Huge mistake!

I have pee pads - just in case. Sometimes it will go unused for weeks. Then, one day I'll find poo or a peepee on there.

I guess it just saves me from being frustrated or my husband being upset over an accident.

I am a stay at home mom, but I'm never home all day every day. Oliver is crated in his palace;) when no one's here. But if I leave to go ride my horse, ect... and my husband is here and forgets to let Olllie out - then it's OK... my older daughter totally forgets to let him out if we are out on a date and we come home 4 hrs later..."has the dog been out? - uh - no....."

just peace of mind for me.... Oh and I have 2 on each floor...he has lots of choices....

I am another exclusive pee pad user. When Sissy first came to us, she was an outside pottier, but would have at least one "accident" a day as she would not give my any signals she needed to go out. She never knew what to do with pee pads.

When Angel came to use a year later, she was pee pad trained as a puppy, but would also go outside. That winter was brutally cold and snowy and both girls began getting up in the middle of the night to potty and I had had enough of being outside in my jammies freezing to death!!!!!!

We transitioned to washable pee pads primarily because of the winter and middle of the night pottying, but have continued as we have very few accidents with the pee pads. It is also so much easier for traveling, cause going out of a hotel to potty isn't fun and it can be difficult to find a good place to let them out. We also had two incidents with giardia and I know it came from our yard. Sissy is under 5 lbs and Angel is just 5 lbs and although I have a fenced yard, they can still squeeze under the smallest space and hawks are regularly seen in the neighborhoods, so they were NEVER out without me anyway.

For those who wonder about washable pee pads, poop gets picked up and flushed immediately, but we use the pads for 2-3 days before washing and there is NO SMELL with quality pads - plus they look much nicer than disposables.

you could do what we do, we put up a very small chicken wire fence area attached to our house for potty breaks, we don't have a fenced in yard either, but i didn't want to always use a leash on her so this was the perfect solution, it's like a tiny fence just big enough for a yorkie. maybe you could try it too???

I didn't know that uncle A's hours got changed! that would be hard to hold it for too long. Sadie's max capacity so far has been tested at approx. 8 hours. i've never had to leave her for longer. we used to have the pads in the x pen just in case, but she can hold it all night long, so we knew she could hold it for the occasional one day every other week that she might have to be home 8 hours alone. we currently do not use any pee pads and she's got free reign of the kitchen all day gated off from the rest of the house. never had any accidents in there at all since letting go of the x pen. she's a good doggie. so for those that worry about being gone all day long, i think most dogs even small bladder dogs can hold it up to about 6-8 hours, i would never recommend going any longer without a back up plan. pee pads make great back up plans, i have nothing against using them when absolutely needed (for the dog's health especially), but i personally wouldn't use them because i didn't feel like taking her outside, but that's a personal choice, i don't like the pee/poop in the house one bit and never will accept it, i'll always make a way to get her outside so there's no animal waste in my home, but that's just me.

someone mentioned those grass pads for the inside back porch...i'm going to have a built in porch now around my walk out basement and i'm really thinking about those green grass pads for that space so it's still outside and on "grass" but i don't have to worry with the snow and mud. do those work well???? how do they work and can anyone explain them to me better??? where would i get one if i want to try it?

thanks so much

Cossettes Closet has it. Cosettes Closet main

Interesting thread to read everyone's points of view.
I never heard of them when I got Buddy. Have had dogs in
the past, all trained to potty outdoors so this was the only way
I knew. I am happy really I did'nt know about them. I may
have become alittle lazy and used them at times. Heavens
knows it would have been easier in the rain, sleet, snow
and ice. Especially getting up at six and staggering outdoors in
the rain dragging Buddy along because he also hates getting wet
and wearing his raincoat :( Going up and down 15 steps 4x
daily is good for my heart anyhow I'm told;)

We use the pee pads because we live on the top floor of an apartment, in a city, where it takes a good 10 minutes to walk to any type of grass--we don't even have a balcony UGHHH (I hate it and can't wait for a house!)

Lillie is 4 months and it took her maybe 1 whole week to learn to use the pee pad (we've had her for about a month and a half). At first, my fiance was against them and kind of got upset that I wanted to use the pee pads until he realized Lillies' schedule of waking up at 5am to go pee! HAHA. It's a lot easier to let her go to her pee pad than to have her hold it for another 15 mins. Basically, we only use these in the morning and before bed. During the day we do take her out frequently, however, she's crate trained when we are at work (I come home everyday on lunch to take her out and for a walk).

So, in all fairness, the pee pads are a great way to not really 'housetrain' your puppy/dog, but to keep them from going on the floor and to a dedicated spot if you live a gazillion miles away from any grass. HAHA!

Even when they have full bladders early in the morning it's only a wee bit of urine.

This will be my first winter with Caoimhe and I am dreading the Ohio snow + we just moved to Cleveland and we are kind of close to the lake on the west side. I hope that she will go out in the snow she has never used pee pads but I might have to get some.

HaHa I don't know about your furbutt , but Colt , my little 5lb chorkie can pee like a horse in the mornings. He keeps going and going and going. It amazes me LoL It reminds me of the part in Austin Powers where he comes out from being frozen and takes the forever long p*ss LoL Little guy must sleep pretty good to sleep through having to go that bad !

Mine use a pee pad when they are inside. They will not always let me know when they have to potty outside. I've tried all sorts of things, but they just havent worked. Only one of my dogs have the "go potty outside" down pat. I live in a large house and my dogs get sneaky too and will disappear to pee too sometimes. Since I have a designated "potty pad" there arent that many accidents.

I wont leave my dogs outside when I'm away from home--ever. I'd much rather have to clean up a pee pad than hunt down a missing dog.

Sydney is the same way. She's like an open faucet in the morning. And yes, she uses wee wee pads because of the Michigan weather.

Mine is getting better at being cross-trained." :D

She will pee on the pad or outside on command. So, if I take her out before she has a chance to use the pad she will go when I say, "Go potty." She will usually poop outside, but never because I tell her, and sometimes she holds it until she gets inside - and never on a pad. oh yeah, and she does whine at night when she needs to go out.

We are cross-training her because we live in perfect weather SoCal. We visit our family in very cold, snowy weather on both winter holidays and do not expect her to understand what this very high, cold wet stuff is after usually being in nice weather - and never snow!

So we are hoping this works when we take her to Grandma's house this Thanksgiving for the first time.

So is Bonnie. She will go all night without peeing, but from 5:30 to 7:30 she will use up a fresh pee pad.

Whatever works!
 

Does it really make a difference which method is used by an owner for whatever reason? If peepads work great...if using the outdoors works great...if a combination of both is best...great. Just seems that too many have an opinion on what works for others. I use pee pads for Bella because it works for me...I do not need to worry should I not get home on time because of traffic, meetings, etc. I once was caught in a snowstorm when I had my Bichon, Emma and was stranded for 48 hours...my poor dog had been crated that entire time and was covered in her own mess as a result and an emotional wreck for weeks from the experience. With Bella she can get up in the middle of the night if she needs too and I don't need to get dressed and walk out with her. I find that it fits my lifestyle and it works for both of us. When I have traveled with her both in hotels and resorts this method has been very adaptable to both with excellent results. So again my feelings are that owners should use whichever method works for them....:)