Puppy Training Pad Question

[photonixon]

Well I finally picked up my 8 week old male brindle pup yesterday and I am already in love with the little guy! The entire kitchen was jackhammered to his exact specifications when he came home last night and is settling in nicely. For the remainder of the evening he had about 5 accidents in the house which I was expecting, since I am still not used to his ways of letting me know he needs to go out. After that he was fine and went to the bathroom outside for the first time before coming in and going into his crate for the night. I kept his crate with me on my bed through the night to ensure I could hear when he needed to go outside for a potty break and he was really good! He was actually going about 2.5 hours where he would sleep before whining to be let out, and when we went outside he was done his business and back in his warm comfy crate within a couple of minutes.

Now onto my question! I have heard conflicting opinions regarding the use of puppy training pads, some arguing that the use of them may actually teach him to go in the house, and some people who like them. Now I was really just trying to get specific opinions/ experiences from Boxer owners (as opposed to general dog owners) as to how well their boxer pups took to the training pads, and how well they ended up working in the long run. I try to take the little guy outside about every 30 minutes, as well as 10-15 minutes following any water or food, to try to get him into a rhythm.. but as many of you probably have experienced it sometimes just isn't fast enough and he cant quite hold out!

I would be really interested in hearing some opinions of owners here on the board, and as this is my first puppy and boxer I know there is a plethora of information for me to soak up and who better to get it from than people on here!

Thank you for any information, puppy Layne and I appreciate it!

 

[gmacleod]

I think that in general, a puppy will learn faster if you just go straight to training them to go outdoors. There is nothing to confuse them then, especially if you're good at managing his needs (i.e. learn how often he needs to pee - and get him ourside BEFORE he needs to go. If you wait until he 'asks' then you're likely to have many more accidents (especially if he doesn't yet realise, as he almost certainly doesn't, that outside is the best place).

But this relies a lot on you being able to provide for his needs. If, for example, you're out at work for most of the day, then you may find it's not the best route to take. If you're able to come home often enough to give your pup a potty stop every 2-3 hours, then crating him (disincentive to pee) is probably the best plan - along with those much-needed potty stops. But if you can't come home that often, then puppy pads/newspaper suddenly become your friend Sure, it is probably a bit slower than always being able to take him outside. But it's going to be a lot faster, and a lot tidier, than a pup peeing in a crate or elsewhere in the house because you can't be there to take him out as often as he needs to go.

 

[photonixon]

Thank you for your input! I have decided to hold off on the puppy pads due to the fact that I am generally around the house and always able to take him out at regular intervals. I own my own company so it makes it easier that I can call my own shots and be near him at all times. Last night he was great! Slept like a baby all night and was quick to let me know when he wanted to go out. He has a certain spot he likes to go and has so far been going outside more than inside. I think he is kind of getting the concept, although I know he is NOWHERE near housetrained he has been very good so far. Thanks again!