Moving to an apartment with no balcony!!!! :(

[chchCharlie]

Hi everyone -- I got Charlie 2 months ago when he was only 4 Months. I love with my parents and brother currently but I'm moving out into an upstairs apartment with no balcony. (Got it for a really good deal in SAN Diego and couldn't pass up the opportunity). My parents currently have a huge backyard and Charlie's learned to go outside and "go potty" but I'm not quite sure what to do at the new place as I'll a) 3 days out of the week be gone to work for 8 hrs and b) he was never potty pad trained How do I go about this??? The stairs are quite lengthy and bringing him down every time he needs to go is unrealistic.

How badly do potty pads smell. Has anyone ever gotten a litter box and trained that way? I feel so bad moving into a place that's not accommodating to him

[Wylie's Mom]

We trained ours to be pad trained and I *totally* regret it and will hopefully never, ever do it again. My kiddos make mistakes and go off the pad bc I do think it can be very confusing for some dogs to be indoor trained, but are expected to *only* go on these little pads/areas that you designate.

But let me add the caveat that there ARE members here at YT whose kiddos are pad trained (or, pad trained and outdoor trained together) and do just beautifully keeping their pee ON the actual pads.

I do not find that the pads really smell at all, so that's a plus. I use washable pads (the laminate pads from EZ Whelp are just AWESOME!) and when a few pees show up on the pads, I put those in the hamper and replace them w/ fresh. I rotate thru a bunch of pads at all times.

[limeoreo]

We have a 'grass' potty pad that lets them go on fake grass and it catches everything which is nice, but they do need to be hosed off. Vinegar helps clean and get rid of the pee smell.

[lilgidget]

Originally Posted by chchCharlie

Hi everyone -- I got Charlie 2 months ago when he was only 4 Months. I love with my parents and brother currently but I'm moving out into an upstairs apartment with no balcony. (Got it for a really good deal in SAN Diego and couldn't pass up the opportunity). My parents currently have a huge backyard and Charlie's learned to go outside and "go potty" but I'm not quite sure what to do at the new place as I'll a) 3 days out of the week be gone to work for 8 hrs and b) he was never potty pad trained How do I go about this??? The stairs are quite lengthy and bringing him down every time he needs to go is unrealistic.

How badly do potty pads smell. Has anyone ever gotten a litter box and trained that way? I feel so bad moving into a place that's not accommodating to him

I understand your dilemma. Gidget does her business outside but I needed to also have her trained to use pee pads when it's snowy, sleeting, raining really hard and extremely cold weather. I bit the bullet and bought the Puppy Training Puppy Apartment. There is a very good video that comes with it with instructions on using the apartment. It has two sections--one for sleeping and one is the bathroom. You can google it and it will give you some insight into the use of it. Gidget uses it when I need to be gone for several hours. I was gone 5 hours this morning for church services and lunch. She had peed several times in the bathroom section. She had already done her poopy in the bathroom section before I left. As soon as I got home, I took her for a walk and she peed and pooped while we were out walking. She gets NO treats for doing this outside but does get lots of praise and treats when she uses her bathroom. The suggestion was that I ignore any business she does outside. Only praise when she uses her puppy apartment. I'm 76 and getting ready to move into a senior apartment where there is a DESIGNATED space for dogs to do their business so I can't just open the patio door and let her out. This is the reason for the puppy apartment. She doesn't seem to be confused by outside and inside. When we're inside, she lets me know when she needs to go and I take her to the puppy apartment. She still doesn't go there on her own but that's okay for now. She's still learning. Hope this helps you decide what is best for your and your baby.

[lilgidget]

Originally Posted by lilgidget

I understand your dilemma. Gidget does her business outside but I needed to also have her trained to use pee pads when it's snowy, sleeting, raining really hard and extremely cold weather. I bit the bullet and bought the Puppy Training Puppy Apartment. There is a very good video that comes with it with instructions on using the apartment. It has two sections--one for sleeping and one is the bathroom. You can google it and it will give you some insight into the use of it. Gidget uses it when I need to be gone for several hours. I was gone 5 hours this morning for church services and lunch. She had peed several times in the bathroom section. She had already done her poopy in the bathroom section before I left. As soon as I got home, I took her for a walk and she peed and pooped while we were out walking. She gets NO treats for doing this outside but does get lots of praise and treats when she uses her bathroom. The suggestion was that I ignore any business she does outside. Only praise when she uses her puppy apartment. I'm 76 and getting ready to move into a senior apartment where there is a DESIGNATED space for dogs to do their business so I can't just open the patio door and let her out. This is the reason for the puppy apartment. She doesn't seem to be confused by outside and inside. When we're inside, she lets me know when she needs to go and I take her to the puppy apartment. She still doesn't go there on her own but that's okay for now. She's still learning. Hope this helps you decide what is best for your and your baby.

I should have said this was a Potty Training Puppy Apartment

[Britster]

How many stairs? I know it's a total PITA... but Jackson can hold it 8 hours during the day. He wouldn't even go on a pad even I left one out for him. 3 days a week isn't totally abnormal or horrible to leave a dog for 8 hours a day or you could maybe hire a dog walker mid-day for a break as I do understand. I prefer not to leave Jackson for more than 6 hours if I can help it but alas, sometimes life/work/school happens. And I mean, really, even if I'm home -- I would say he typically needs to go out 4x a day for potty business. Morning, afternoon, evening and night.

I just... don't like pad training (as much as it would be insanely convenient I must admit!) because I find *most* dogs (not all) do get confused. If you don't mind cleaning up an accident here and there, but I'm not one that enjoys the act of cleaning up poo inside the house. It's one reason I don't have cats, LOL -- I hate litter boxes.

I also think it's hard for some dogs to go from outdoor trained to pad trained. I know Jackson and Lola would look at me like I was crazy if I told them to 'go potty' and pointed to a pad.

The only thing I can think of is to get one of those grass potty patch type things but unsure how easy they are to clean up after.

[Bamboo15]

There are pros and cons to the pads. I use them and I don't regret it but I feel like, at least in my experience, dogs who go outside are less likely to have accidents. Mine don't really ever have accidents on my tile or wood floors but they do on carpets and rugs. The other con is they are expensive. At least the disposable ones, which are what I use. You can get washable but that's extra work. There are definitely pros - if you're running late your dog doesn't have to wait for you to go. If you're going to be gone 8 hours I think pad training is the way to go. It's also nice in bad weather. I take my dogs for walks in nice weather but I like that I don't have to when it's raining or snowing. Also, I don't think the pads smell at all and I have two yorkies using them.

[lilgidget]

Originally Posted by Bamboo15

There are pros and cons to the pads. I use them and I don't regret it but I feel like, at least in my experience, dogs who go outside are less likely to have accidents. Mine don't really ever have accidents on my tile or wood floors but they do on carpets and rugs. The other con is they are expensive. At least the disposable ones, which are what I use. You can get washable but that's extra work. There are definitely pros - if you're running late your dog doesn't have to wait for you to go. If you're going to be gone 8 hours I think pad training is the way to go. It's also nice in bad weather. I take my dogs for walks in nice weather but I like that I don't have to when it's raining or snowing. Also, I don't think the pads smell at all and I have two yorkies using them.

First of all, there is an added expense by using the pee pads but it's worth the extra expense for me. Gidget lets me know when she needs to pee (we're still working on the pooping) and we go to the puppy bathroom. If we're out walking, she does her business while we're outside. It's working beautifully for us and everyone needs to decide what works best for them, their baby and their situation. She doesn't seem to be the least bit confused about doing her business outside one time and doing it in her bathroom the next time.

[aweitzm1]

my dogs are both pee pad trained and go outside. I needed to pee pad train them because I work all day and even though I have a dog walker they still cannot hold it.

They miss the pad a lot only using the edge so its a lot of clean up. I will also admit since I live in an apartment with no washer/dryer getting the disposable ones can be expensive. I wish I can use the reusable ones but having to do laundry at the laundry mat everyday is not fun.

[out2shop]

I have two Yorkies, they are 3 years old bother and sister....I also live in an apartment and was forced to pee pad train them, it can be expensive as they pee a lot. However I buy their pad at discount stores so they are a little cheaper. I read is hard to keep Yorkies fully trained to pee on the pads, and it is true. my Yorkies if I don't constantly praise them they will poop and pee off the pad, so I had vinyl planks installed in my whole apartment and that helps with the clean up. Yorkies can't be left alone for long periods of time, they get anxious and will poop and pee off the pad. Don't punish them but praise them when they do their business where they supposed too.
Yorkies love praise and treats and they like to make their owners happy

Good luck with your move, maybe you can find someone to check on him at least once when you are at work.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by out2shop

I have two Yorkies, they are 3 years old bother and sister....I also live in an apartment and was forced to pee pad train them, it can be expensive as they pee a lot. However I buy their pad at discount stores so they are a little cheaper. I read is hard to keep Yorkies fully trained to pee on the pads, and it is true. my Yorkies if I don't constantly praise them they will poop and pee off the pad, so I had vinyl planks installed in my whole apartment and that helps with the clean up. Yorkies can't be left alone for long periods of time, they get anxious and will poop and pee off the pad. Don't punish them but praise them when they do their business where they supposed too.
Yorkies love praise and treats and they like to make their owners happy

Good luck with your move, maybe you can find someone to check on him at least once when you are at work.

I have nothing against people choosing to do what is best for them and their dog and completely understand the convenience and benefit of pads.... but the statement that all Yorkies can't be left alone etc is untrue. I know Yorkies (and other small dogs) who are perfectly fine at home for 6-8 hours like any other normal dog. They are primarily sleeping when we are not at home, presumably, if they are not young pups of course (but even pups usually sleep when you leave). When the body is asleep, it does not generally have to pee as often as it would when you're up & moving or active. Do I *prefer* to have Jackson let out every 6 hours? Yes. But I do not believe that 8 hours per day for 3 days a week is abnormal or uncommon for a dog to do.

And I am aware that every dog is different of course. You truly just have to do what is best for you. If I worked very long hours on a daily basis or lived in a busy city very high up then yes I probably would consider other potty options. It's too late for Jackson -- he's 8 years old and knows to potty outdoors only. He won't even go in a garage or on a porch when I encourage him to during storms, etc, LOL. So in those cases I DO wish he would just use a pad! haha!

[Jayspee]

Dolly was nearly 3 when she arrived and despite previously only going outside she uses pads successfully. I bought the frame tray thing with the fake grass but dumped the grass and replaced with a vinyl perforated sink mat which is soft and squidgy to stand on and drains immediately. I bought a couple of these mats and put them in the washing machine regularly. Pads bought in bulk are pretty reasonable and this works well for us. No smell as I change the pad daily if she's used it.

We walk 4 times a day but she will often choose to go there in preference to going out - poop is always outside unless it is a surprise

Do what suits you best but it's great to have options sometimes particularly with the weather. Best of luck.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Britster

I have nothing against people choosing to do what is best for them and their dog and completely understand the convenience and benefit of pads.... but the statement that all Yorkies can't be left alone etc is untrue. I know Yorkies (and other small dogs) who are perfectly fine at home for 6-8 hours like any other normal dog. They are primarily sleeping when we are not at home, presumably, if they are not young pups of course (but even pups usually sleep when you leave). When the body is asleep, it does not generally have to pee as often as it would when you're up & moving or active. Do I *prefer* to have Jackson let out every 6 hours? Yes. But I do not believe that 8 hours per day for 3 days a week is abnormal or uncommon for a dog to do.

And I am aware that every dog is different of course. You truly just have to do what is best for you. If I worked very long hours on a daily basis or lived in a busy city very high up then yes I probably would consider other potty options. It's too late for Jackson -- he's 8 years old and knows to potty outdoors only. He won't even go in a garage or on a porch when I encourage him to during storms, etc, LOL. So in those cases I DO wish he would just use a pad! haha!

Yup...totally agree.

[lilgidget]

My Gidget turned 9mos today. I too am getting ready to move into an apartment. I started her on pee pads when I got her and she used them until had shots were completed. I was living in a house at that time so taking her outside was no problem. Last year ( before I got Gidget) we has a bad storm--rain, sleet, snow and then more sleet on top of that. I couldn't even get out of the house because the back deck and front porch were frozen with 2 inches of ice. I started taking Gidget outside and then decided I needed to do something before winter set in again. So, I started her on the pee pads when we were inside. She also went for walks several times a day but but use the pads when we were inside. I tried the crate training and she went ballistic and wouldn't use it. Finally just kept her confined to a kitchen/dining room area but that didn't work either. She used the pad sometimes and other times peed wherever she was standing. Two months ago, I bit the bullet and bought the Potty Training Puppy Apartment. At first, I just left the doors open and let her investigate. Now, she using the apartment when we're in the house. She will let me know when she needs to pee or poop (she stays on her leash all day so I can keep up with her), then she will LEAD me to the PTPA. Only an accident when I ignore her signal that she needs to do something. I'll be moving into an apartment (hopefully by the end of the year) and she'll be used to going in it. She sleeps with me at night but stays in there when I need to leave for several hours and can't take her with me. We still go for walks during the day and she pees and poops outside but she gets no praise or rewards for doing it outside. Only praise and rewards when she uses her PTPA. Has lessened the stress on both of us! I know others on this board don't like the idea, but it works for us and that's the only thing that matters to me. Am looking forward to a long, healthy, stressfree life with my Gidget.

[canana]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

We trained ours to be pad trained and I *totally* regret it and will hopefully never, ever do it again. My kiddos make mistakes and go off the pad bc I do think it can be very confusing for some dogs to be indoor trained, but are expected to *only* go on these little pads/areas that you designate.

But let me add the caveat that there ARE members here at YT whose kiddos are pad trained (or, pad trained and outdoor trained together) and do just beautifully keeping their pee ON the actual pads.

I do not find that the pads really smell at all, so that's a plus. I use washable pads (the laminate pads from EZ Whelp are just AWESOME!) and when a few pees show up on the pads, I put those in the hamper and replace them w/ fresh. I rotate thru a bunch of pads at all times.

This is interesting that you've regretted it! I was torn when I brought Casie home and had to start using pads because she just can't hold her pee as well as Scottie can. Initially she would be really good and got the pads all the time; problem was, she would tear it all up afterwards. Then one day, she decided she'd pee anywhere but the pads, so my situation became more problematic. So now, I've designated an indoor "courtyard" (basically it's a fenced off area the size of the pad) where I put her when I know she has to pee and Scottie doesn't need to go out yet. Otherwise, I take them both out according to our usual potty schedule. It's been working so far for the last while. I've heard from friends they build a wall around the pad too, so they don't miss. But I haven't tried that yet. I was actually more afraid that Scottie would start having accidents because he smelled her urine indoors .

To the OP:
To my pleasant surprise, I also haven't noticed that the pads smell too bad. It's only if I go up to the area that I smell the pee.

I live in a condo where we have a balcony, but I don't use the balcony for potty because there's no drain. I can't hose it down or the urine+water would splash onto all other balconies below mine (it's against our bylaw to do that regardless the pee). I've gotten used to taking my babies down the elevator several times a day. It's SUPER annoying. I can't wait to move to a house...someday