Low of -25 overnight. No school two days this week because of frigid temps. I can't imagine trying to get a dog to potty outside in this weather.

Is it just me, but it seems that people that pad train are on top of picking up poop, but outdoor trainers, not so much so? I know so many people whose backyard I can't stand to be in. People with kids & grandkids, who run and play in yards and there's poop all over. And the ones with swimming pools, and the kids are running around barefoot....ewww! A guy I used to work with that has a big dog, would tell about how many garbage bags of poop he picked up after the spring thaw. Then a few weeks later, he was talking about hoping the weather holds for his daughters birthday party because he was planning on doing a scavenger hunt in the backyard for the kids! ewww!

Teddy is pee pad only trained but knows to go outside when I tell him to with the same command used inside which is, "Go Pee".


I use pee pads in a plastic cat tray so that, when he lifts his leg, nothing can go over the sides.


Because the command, "Go Pee" is used, this doesn't cause problems when we take him out or to others homes when he is expected to go outside instead of use pads.


Does it make the house smell? Yes, sometimes. I have to ensure the box is sanitized at least once a week and wiped down three times a day in between weekly sanitization. I use disposable pads and they are changed twice, daily, at least. Also, he drips (like most men!) when he is done in his box, so I have to ensure my bathroom floor (where his box is kept) is wiped everyday and mopped at least once weekly.


I do not regret pee pad training. Pads are very convenient and have saved my carpet since I don't have to go in and out of very wet weather and track mud in the house!


Also, Teddy uses his pad when and as he wants, so I do not have to wait for him to tell me that he needs to go and he doesn't have to wait for me to acknowledge that he needs to go..


He has never had an accident in the house by mistaking his pad for a rug, carpet, the floor or anything else.

We use pee pads. Before we used pee pads, we used dog litter. My dogs prefer to go outside, but if no one is around to let them, they use the pads. It works for us. Good luck with whatever training method you find will work best for you and your pup!

I use a potty system called "ugodog" and I love it! It's so convenient. It's basically a plastic tray that you put newspaper or potty pads in, then a grate goes on top. The grate prevents them from stepping in the urine. When they poop, you have to pick it up. Other than that it only needs to be cleaned about once per week. Throw away the pads or paper and rinse and wipe down the tray and grate. I actually have 2 pups abd they both use it. Google "ugodog"