Ask a Trainer - House-training

Top trainers answer your questions

Q: I'm thinking of using those absorptive indoor pee mats. Is this a bad idea? -Hanna, Mesa, AZ

A: Personally, I don't recommend using them, because it may not teach your dog what you wanted. For example, when you put the pee mat down, your intention is that your dog should eliminate on it. But a young puppy could see it as a great chew toy! I've known many pups who loved shredding "wee wee pads" to ribbons.

Also, if you want your dog to learn to only eliminate outside, then it can be confusing to teach him it's okay to sometimes go indoors. When you use absorptive pee mats, you're teaching your dog it's okay to pee and poop in the house. It's clearer and easier for your dog to understand if you teach him you don't want him to eliminate indoors at all, and that you would much prefer he go outside.

Newspapers offer the same dilemma. Plus, dogs don't know the difference between issues you've read and ones you haven't. So if you curl up on the floor with a cup of coffee and the Sunday paper, you can't get mad at Fido if he comes and pees on your sports section! You've taught him that peeing on newspaper is something you like.

Instead, I recommend teaching your dog to only eliminate outside. Set up a realistic feeding and potty schedule, based on your dog's age. Confine your dog when you can't supervise him. Use rewards to train him to eliminate outside. With good management, patience, consistency, and realistic expectations, you can do it! ■

Teoti Anderson, CPDT, owns Pawsitive Results, LLC (getpawsitiveresults.com) and serves as the president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She is the author of Your Outta Control Puppy, Super Simple Guide to Housetraining and the Dog Writers Association of America award-winning Quick and Easy Crate Training.