I went to the pet shop yesterday to look around (as I am still waiting for my puppy) and I came across two items which are supposed to help with housetraining, I just wondered if anyone has used them and what their thoughts are on them? The first thing I saw was pads that you put on the floor where you want the puppy to relieve himself, and the other item is a spray that you also use where you want the puppy to go. They seem a good idea, but do they work?

I saw them too when I went the other day:p
I did laugh:d
They remind me of a packet of nappies!! I have only just got my youngest out of pampers!!!
I have not used or brought them yet but will read with interest what the other guys think.
The pads are quite expensive too, About £10 0r so for a pack.
Good Luck
Ali

I know what you mean they are puppy pads
Can i say I personally think they are worth every penny.
I can house train a pup,let him go on the pad then get it up after he has had his fuss,the water proof backing is brill,they do use them
I always send 1 or 2 home with puppies as they are great for the car trip home and for the 1st night.
Newspaper is okay cause its free but i found you had to get it up straghtaway otherwise the wee went straight through.
Buy a smaller pack at £5.99 for 14 or
30 for £9.99.

I think that Pampers Care Mats are cheaper. I don't use them so I can't be sure, but they are a lot easier to get hold of. Most of the major supermarkets sell them.

Fiona
x x x

Hello Debbie,

If you are meaning something for overnight use, for the puppy to 'go on' during the night, then ok. However, NOTHING is better than physically taking the puppy outside on a regular basis, in order to encourage pup to relieve itself, giving lovely praise as he does so, plus a link word or phrase, i.e. "do business" "be clean" etc.

Technically, you do not want to encourage the puppy to toilet indoors. So other than overnight when a puppy's bladder and bowel is too small to cope all night, I will take a puppy out after meals, when he wakes after a rest, and keep my eye on him anytime inbetween for those little give away signs that indicate he is needing to 'go'!!!

All the best,
Denise.

I looked at these pads and wonered if they were any good, I reallyn wanted to let my pup in the garden like he was use to with his breeder but I was concerned before his vaccinations as my garden was visited by foxes of a night and wondered if they could pass on diseases, so left it until after vacs. Any idea about saftey in gardens visited byn foxes for future puppys as my pup would have been house trained a lot earlier had it been allowed out the garden

Debbie,
the pads have been available for several years+ in the US. Now there is knockoff generic brands too. Some are designed with the apartment owner's use in mind for larger puppies & dogs. They do come in handy if you have an adult that's having problems with incontinence, uti's, or any other reason that training is being broken. Unfortunately, if you have an adult that has been imprinted with a preference, the dog might not "get it" that it's supposed to use these in case of accident.

Personally, I'd use them over newspapers on the kitchen floor. You never know what the doggy mind thinks & papers can be spread on the floor in the future, like school work..whereas discovering these odd types of diaper pads...are a less probable occurance.

There's a fairly new product out in the States now (last year or so)....apparently, some type of absorbent material and works to "litter box" train a dog. Obviously, for small breeds. I think that in certain occasions that it merits consideration -- apartment living in cities, especially. Many US cities just don't have the small city park systems that UK & European cities have...unfortunately :(
toodles

when I worked in the petshop plenty of people used and swore by them. the only thing which I'm concerned about is whats in them if the puppy tries to shred it, as pups usually do.

If they're anything like disposable nappies in constuction they are full of chemicals :(

Fiona
x x x

I think they are brilliant too. We moved them outdoors for Barney after a while and trained him to go outside this way. Only had to do it a few times and now he is house trained. Use them for Molly now although she is awful to train and we have to watch Barney doesnt slip back into bad habits but they stay in one piece as against newspaper and they do soak up the pee. I would recommend trying them.

Regards Gina.

PS I shall look out for the Pampers care mats if they are cheaper and have a go with them!

Fiona,
thats exactly what I was thinking, and even if they're not loaded with chemicals surely the waterproof backing must have plastic in it?

Yes I think the backing is plastic but as they only pee on it and then it is thrown out (not environmentally friendly I suppose but I try do my best for the environment most of the time) I dont think there is any harm to the dogs. I havent any young children either.

Regards Gina

Gina
So poor Barney had to have an op? I hope he is feeling better?
You know you asked about dose of Glucosamine? I have found some in Wilkinsons of all places that are only 100mg each (as opposed to the 600mg size I have seen and waiting for my delivery of), so may be if you wanted to give Barney some still (if your vet thinks it may help) you could use these?

Anita

Hi Anita,

Thanks so much for the help. Taking him to get his stitches out on Tues so will ask vet how much glucosamine to give him. I did get some capsules for humans from Holland & Barrett (just had a look but cant find them so dont know the strength) but can you just open a capsule and tip out the contents? Could you also tell me what or where Wilkinsons is? I live in London.

Ta Gina

Ahhh, yes Wilkinsons are very common here but maybe not down south:D They kind of sell all sorts of stuff, actually it would be quicker to say what they don't sell!

I'm not sure about tipping it out, how would you be able to judge, as we are only talking tiny amounts? Also Hollland & Barrett are quite expensive (my Mum had a look and I've ordered her some from NaturesBest at the same time:D ).

If you would like me to get you some of the smaller ones just email me your address and I'll post you some.

Anita

E mail sent many thanks - Gina

Hi Debbie,

I have tried both the spray and the pads, I didn't have any luck with the spray, the puppies chewed the newspaper up and ran around with it.

The pads are brilliant - I use them in the kitchen where the puppies sleep. During the day, I take them outside at regular intervals and don't have to use the pads. In the morning, there is no mess at all on the floor, even the mum uses the pad at night

I swear by these pads as I live in a top floor flat without a garden and getting outside quickly isn't always an option particularly as it is a fair way before there is an area where I would wish my pup to toilet regularly.

My pup was toilet trained very quickly indoors to use her pad, which we keep in the corner of the kitchen. We used the usual method of taking her to her pad after playing, drinking, sleeping etc. We also used the spray but I don't think it was as effective as the continual pad routine. She is now 17 weeks old and completely toilet trained and has been for many weeks (and now at night too in her crate). She just pads out to her pad when she wants to go during the day.

In addition, she had no problem transferring her toilet needs outside when being walked and patiently waits until we reach the park every morning before doing her business. I think the pads are a godsend and couldn't be without them.

Maisie How do you cope with a puppy in a flat? Im not being cheeky just curious as normally our rescue wouldnt consider top floor flats as a suitable home,for a dog and rather than NOT consider people out of hand maybe you could re:educate us on coping with a dog in a high flat,we do consider poeple on a ground floor with access to a garden,anyway hope you dont mind me asking.

(Edit Ooops dont know what happened there Leigh Heeeelp)

*tut* .... :rolleyes: you forgot your / in 2nd [ ]

Hi there, it's much easier than you think. Firstly, we considered the type of dog that would be most suited to our accomodation and decided on a BT. We are also lucky enough to live right on the beach so despite not having a garden, the pup gets a daily walk around the park after walking the daughter to school through the woods and then a run along the beach in the afternoon. We also live in a fairly large flat with some internal steps which she loves bounding up and down and I am lucky enough to be at home all day so knew that the flat would not be a problem for her. I don't think accomodation size is the problem as long as you tailor the size of the accomodation you can offer to the type of dog that would best suit it. I wouldn't have chosen a dog any larger than a BT but that's because I don't think it would be in a larger dogs best interests to share the accomdation we have on offer.IMO though, I wouldn't rule out people without gardens as I know some people who leave their dogs outside without company all day. Surely, it is better to choose owners on the basis of the time and commitment they can offer the dog? My breeder was aware of where we lived and we still keep in contact and recently met to let the siblings play together. Our only problem is that our lovely pup doesn't like the sea and runs away from fast approaching waves!!!

Thankyou for your reply Maisie,you are quite right some people think because they have a garden thats ok they neednt walk the dog.I never say no to anyone wanting a dog on the basis of where they live if they can prove to me they can offer a good life to a dog then its fine by me.,I mean we took three labs and a baby puppy in our caravan last weekend (good job its a big one ) and there is no garden and the dogs adapt straight away to life on holiday than life at home.Just that I was curious how you managed with the housetraining etc.. :) and you answered and its another thing to consider.

Hi Mattie,
With some breeds, I'd even worry if walking an hour or two would be enough for exercise. This morning, I took my crew with me biking. They heel nicely while hooked to leather lead that I loop on my bike. I usually walk them up to the rise where the RR crossing is, get on my bike, let them warm up about a block & then they're loose on the farm road. They love to run along in "pack mode." Not today, they were chomping & pulling me on my bike up the "hill" without any effort.

We caught up with a young woman at the entrance to the farm road, still leashed. He had pulled her all the way there & it was all she could do to hold him while walking, much less contain him while we went past. He was only about 40 pounds & looked a lot like the small munsterlander.

After we were past her about 100 ft, I loosed my two & we took off. They pretty much ran the entire loop which is about 2 miles. I let Samma set the pace since she's older & has smaller legs. We took about 25 minutes to do the entire loop. I cooled them down by walking them along the bike for a bit, hooked them back up, gave them water & biked back towards the reg. road. They just trotted next to me & were happy to head back after their run.

I looked down one of the trails as we went by & the young woman was returning with her dog. He didn't even look as if he had been "exercised" & she had to head back....well, he was pulling her along still. I felt bad for her, but it's her dog, not mine.
Since we were back, my two have "shown appreciation" of me, relaxed, slept, barked at birds & other dogs going by, & now they're lolling in the sun.

These are small dogs that are considered middle aged. How does one expect that the mild exercise of walking human speed 2x a day, for say, a 14 month old 40-60 pound dog designed to work all day, will be enough to keep him happy & healthy?? I don't think it would be enough for anything over 25 pounds.
Oh well, just an observation

Have just come in from one of my daily walks with my 'apartment pup' and the weather is appalling - soaked to the skin. In over an hour, I only met one other dog owner braving the elements. My point is, that my pup gets exercised whatever the weather but no doubt all those other dogs were getting their walkies in their patch of back garden.

If it's pouring rain, mine prefer to sleep in... piddle outside when absolutely necessary. Chienne even crawls under the one side of the Grill cover to do her business. I'd be abusing them if I took them out during nasty weather [$ they wouldn't let me forget ti either :D Snow & Ice....ok. Not rain puppies ]) Heaven help them if we ever move back to Seattle ;)

Senna doesn't seem to mind whatever the weather and she, like my daughter, doesn't have any choice as we all walk to school every day. She doesn't appear to even notice the weather and is quite happy to bound along in the rain and strong winds, ears and tail bobbing. She's obviously a hardy little thing. Must be her ancestory as the Scottish borders are not the sunniest place to be!:)

LOL --- mine like the cold & the sun, just not the cold wet... But they were both born & raised in the dry deserts of New Mexico for the first 4-5 years of their lives. It basically rained only during August. They could afford to be picky. Wait a while, it would stop :) Absolutely abnormal living there :P

Actually, Samma doesn't really mind the rain either....But she gets very messy [$ then easily chilled. They both have light short coats. I think that also makes a difference. In winter, they have their sweaters..but only tolerate them because it means they can go out in the snow & snuffle around ])

I don't think I could take Chienne to Scotland.... she has a hard enough time dealing with the short winter days here .... she'll follow a tiny patch of sunlight around the living room [$ if it gets covered up by a cloud... I'll get the pleading stare to make it return ]) It's that touch of Chihuahua in her :D
toodles

Hi Mattie,

I am about to get my puppy, and have every intention of taking her with us when we go away in our touring caravan, which we do quite a lot. I must admit though, I am rather worried about the prospect of how she will adapt and how safe she will be on the odd occasions that we may have to leave her there on her own if we have to go somewhere that we can't take her.

We are sensible and know not to leave her in a hot awning etc, but I am worried that she may eacape and get lost. The dog I had before was a little one which we used to lock in the caravan (with cold air fans on and lots of ventilation) if we had to go somewhere she couldn't go, but I am now having a large breed dog which will have to stay in the awning. Have you got any tips that may be useful to me please.

Thanks

Debbie.

I know Ill be jumped on here but despite my well aired feelings i used a cage this weekend only for her to sleep in and yes everyone she was fine !! had teddies and vet beds etc..in I put her in between the spare bed a small cage just fits,and a play pen for outside to go for wees etc... and when we went out she came in the car in the guardsman cage with tail gate up when we parked up...then when she is trained she will be fine in the caravan like our others are. But in your awning you can get mesh panels from croft to go all round I notice they all have them who camp at champ shows my dogs come with us all the time they love camping and so do I.
And amazingly never do anything naughty in the caravan :)

Hi again Mattie,

Can you (or anyone) give me some more info on these mesh panels. I have not seen or heard of those before, but that could be the answer.

Thanks again

Debbie.

There are some that are kept together by a rod and ring system. this is especially good outdoors, as the stakes can be pushed into the ground giving the pen some rigidity, now I have a web addy, lets see if I can do this!

http://www.doghealth.co.uk/ It is Stock Nutritions site! I would also recomend a folding wire crate, over a plastic one!

Brainless,

Thanks for that, its a great help.

Debbie

Croft products www.croftonline.co.uk

Hi Debb,
Sometimes putting a heavy towel over the top & sides of a crate, so the door area is clear, helps to keep the box insulated & the plastic from getting too warm.

I think it's wonderful that dogs can be so adaptable to various conditions & still be happy. At least she's not trying to hold it & get somewhere appropriate to relieve herself. It sounds though as if you selected her to be suitable for your home. What breed is she?
toodles
[ok, posted at the same time -- a BT, I see :D ]

Hi there.Yes, we spent about six months deciding upon whether our place would be suitable and then looking for a breed that would be best suited. We chose a border terrier because of her size and because I am at home all day, she gets plenty of excercise and when we are in, she goes to her mat if she wants to relieve herself. She's adorable and I can't imagine life without her already:)

Perhaps one of these days, you'll look into that "litter box" concept that I mentioned above. One thing about her being trained like you have her, if you do have to leave her alone when she's older, at least she won't be hurting :D

Hi again everyone,

It seems that these training pads are a good idea, so I went out yesterday and bought some. Anything that could help with housetraining is worth a try, but Sarah (my 23yr old daughter) thinks I am mad. She thinks they are like nappies and is reminding me constantly that our new puppy is not a baby.

I do have to say that they seem a good idea, along with a trot outside every half hour or so. I hope she learns quickly though.