Which Indoor Potty Option Should You Choose?

There are many different choices for indoor potty areas. The old stand-by is newspapers, but there are now also products designed specifically for dogs, including potty pads, dog litter boxes and turf pads. In this article we list some pros and cons to help you choose the best option for you and your dog.

Newspapers

Pros:

  • Great for people who read a lot of newspapers and don't know what to do with them
  • Cheap, especially if you start gathering newspapers from your friends and family (after they've read them, not off the front lawn before the sun comes up!)
  • If Fido can read, he'll have something to do while you're gone

Cons:

  • The paper will absorb moisture, but once it's wet, urine or diarrhea can soak through to your floors
  • Because newspaper isn't as absorbent as commercial potty pads, you may have some dripping and a messier clean up
  • Newsprint can get on Fido's paws and he'll leave little inkprints around the house
  • Fido may enjoy shredding the papers more than going potty on them
  • Fido may miss his target and go right off the edge of the papers

image of a dog reading the paper

Potty Pads

Pros:

  • Very absorbent
  • Lined with plastic to prevent moisture from reaching your floors
  • Available at any pet store
  • Some brands are treated with an attractant scent that may prompt Fido to potty in the right area
  • Easy clean up

Cons:

  • Fido may find that it's fun to shred them into a million little pieces... so much for the easy clean up!
  • Plastic backing may slide on some surfaces and the pad may end up on the other side of the room
  • Fido may miss his target and go right off the edge of his papers
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Simple Solution Economy
Puppy Training Pads

NOTE: If you choose to use newspapers or potty pads, you may increase your chances of success by putting them in a tray with a low edge rather than just putting them directly on the floor. This will prevent them from moving and will make the distinction between the floor and the potty area clearer for Fido. Using a tray can also help to prevent the common problem of Fido standing with his front paws on the paper, thinking he's being a good boy, while his back end is off the paper making a mess on the floor. Wizdog, LLC sells a nice tray that may work better than wee wee pads alone. You can also order a plastic tray icon (that generally comes with a wire crate) to use for this purpose.

  

Litter Box

Pros:

  • The raised sides of a litter box create a clearly defined area, not just
    something laying flat on the floor so Fido is less likely to miss his target
  • Easy clean up
  • Multiple litter options
  • Available at any pet store

Cons:

  • Fido might think the litter is a snack food
  • If Fido is skittish, he may be nervous about going into the box
  • Fido may be offended and think you're treating him like a cat

Turf or Sod Pad

Pros:

  • Available with replaceable sod (real grass) or turf (artificial grass)
  • Fido can easily distinguish the texture of the turf from your floors
  • Pad is heavy and cannot be moved unless Fido is very strong and very determined
  • Works well for dogs that were previously trained to potty outside but now need to learn indoor potty training.
  • A good choice for dogs who will be trained to go both indoors and outdoors
  • Some suppliers offer weekly service including clean up, grass replacement and disposal of old grass

Cons:

  • If not properly cleaned, turf can get stinky
  • Fido may destroy the turf by digging or chewing
  • Not readily available at most pet stores
 

Indoor Potty Training

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