Pros and Cons of Puppy Pads
Puppy pads, also known as potty pads, are an increasingly popular option for housetraining puppies. Its use over the years has been proven by pet owners and trusted pet breeders from Australia and all around the world. They can provide a convenient and sanitary way to teach your puppy proper bathroom habits without having to constantly take them outside. However, there is some debate over the use of puppy pads, as there are concerns that it may be detrimental to puppy training. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of using puppy pads to help you decide if this method is right for you and your dog.
Pros of Puppy Pads
Consistency
One of the biggest advantages of using puppy pads is that they provide a consistent indoor bathroom spot for your dog to go to when they need to relieve themselves. This is especially useful when you have limited access to outdoor areas or bad weather prevents frequent trips outside. Puppy pads can also be used in apartments or other small living spaces where frequent trips outside may not be feasible. Additionally, puppy pads make it easier for owners who are away from home during the day and cannot take their pet out on regular walks or potty breaks every few hours.
Simpler Cleanup
Another benefit of using puppy pads is that it makes cleaning up after accidents much simpler than with traditional housebreaking methods. Most puppies tend to prefer relieving themselves on soft surfaces – carpets and furniture in particular take a lot of abuse. Puppy pads provide a soft surface for them to do their business without damaging any flooring or furniture in the process. Using puppy pads eliminates the need to mop up messes from hardwood or carpets, saving time and effort. It’s much easier to clean up after your dog if all you have to do is toss away the soiled pad.
Emergency Uses
Another benefit of puppy pads is that they can be used in areas where it might not otherwise be possible for your pup to go outside and relieve themselves – such as during extreme weather conditions or in apartments without access to a yard. This means that you don’t have to worry about taking them out multiple times a day during inclement weather – which may be dangerous for your puppy.
Cons of Puppy Pads
Potential for Confusion
One potential downside to using puppy pads is that it can lead to confusion about where your pup should go when they need to relieve themselves. If you’re trying to train your pup not to go inside the house but continue providing them with indoor bathroom spots, they may become confused and forget their outdoor training altogether. Additionally, once they get used to going on the pad indoors they may start associating other soft surfaces inside your home with bathroom spots as well – leading to more accidents and messes around the house.
Laziness
Puppy pad training can sometimes lead to lazy habits forming in older dogs who have been trained this way since they were puppies – meaning that even after being taken outside regularly for potty breaks, they still come back inside looking for a pad instead of making it all the way outdoors.
Increased Costs
Many owners find that purchasing enough puppy pads (and disposing of them properly) adds up over time – making this an expensive option compared with traditional methods like crate-training which require less upkeep and cost less in terms of supplies and cleanup costs.
In conclusion, there are both pros and cons associated with using puppy pads during housebreaking – but ultimately it comes down to personal preference as well as what works best for both you and your dog. Puppy pads can be a great solution in certain circumstances – such as when living in an apartment without easy access outdoors or during extreme weather – but should always be used in conjunction with traditional potty training methods. Understanding both the pros and cons of using puppy pads can help ensure successful housebreaking while avoiding any potential pitfalls along the way.
