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Pad training an older dog?

2K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  murphymoesmamma 
#1 ·
Does anyone have experience with training their 100% trustworthy housetrained-to-go-only-outside dog to use pads for potty on occasion?

I need to find a solution for times I can't let Tucker out for several hours, either a doggy door or pads. I've got neighbors that have always come in to play with him before, but a time or two this has been difficult to arrange. I'm nervous about putting in a dog door in case someone stole him, (my fence is only 3 feet tall,) and because we do have eagles around seasonally, (Tucker is about 13 pounds.)

My most expensive option is to put a dog door through a wall, and attach a dog-kennel to the outside of the house where he'd be safe. But, I may be selling and moving in the next year, and that could affect the value if I cut a hole in the siding...

I wonder about the pads, but I'd hate to have him think "oh, I guess it's now okay to go potty in the house!" I've also never read of doing this backwards, and teaching him to go potty on a pad...
 
#2 ·
Sheri, are you certain Tucker can not hold it longer than you think? My boys grew up with the option of using their inside potty room with pads...but at a certain point they just decided they would rather hold it. Even if it meant 10 hours. At 2+ and 3+ their room has been closed and one day a week we leave them for 8-10 hours, 2 days a week I have someone walk them and 2 days a week I work from home. I have someone come in those 2 days more for their boredom than their potty training. And neither boys have had an accident.
 
#3 ·
I have a dog litter box for my guys. The box really helps if I get stuck some place. 99% of the time they will hold it till I take them out.
You can't use cat litter that clumps so I use the dog litter ( sorry can't think of the name right now) I also know people that use newspaper in the box
 
#8 ·
The dog litter by Purina is called Second Nature however Purina makes a newspaper litter for cats also, called Yesterday's News. My Murphy is litter trained but I use the cat litter because the newspaper logs are much smaller and murphy doesn't lose his balance in it like he does with the bigger logs in the dog litter.
 
#4 ·
Thanks, Missy, that is good to know! I know Tucker can hold it for 12 hours...Poor guy! The person I had arranged to come that day forgot him!!! (Grrrr...) He held it that day, but I felt SO bad! It is good to know that your dogs prefer to hold it, even if they had the option of using an alternative. I imagine that Tucker would, too. But...

Sally, did your dogs use the litter box from the time they were puppies, or did you train them as adults? I can't even figure out how to begin that...
 
#5 ·
Sally, did your dogs use the litter box from the time they were puppies, or did you train them as adults? I can't even figure out how to begin that...
Oliver used it since he was a puppy. Comet was older when we got him. He wasn't sure at first but all of the sudden he started using it one day. I ran in to take him for a walk but he was in the box :redface: They use it maybe once a month but I'm glad I don't have to worry...........
No they don't eat the litter
 
#6 ·
I do think it would be really hard to train an adult dog that is trained to go out to use an inside area....unless of course you get a new puppy and train them to go inside, then Tucker might follow. How is that for enabling you?
 
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