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 your dog 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 cleanup- Newsprint can get on your dog’s paws and he’ll leave
little inkprints around the house- Your dog may enjoy shredding the papers more than going potty
on them- Your dog may miss his target and go right off the edge of the papers
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 your puppy to potty in the right area- Easy cleanup
Cons:
- Your dog may find that it’s fun to shred them into a
million little pieces… so much for the easy cleanup!- Plastic backing may slide on some surfaces and the
pad may end up on the other side of the room- Your dog may miss his target and go right off the edge
of his 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 your dog. Using a tray can also help to prevent the common problem of your dog 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. You may want to consider using a UgoDog
potty pad holder or a replacement tray
for a wire crate rather than just putting your potty pads on the floor and hoping for the best!
Litter Box
Pros:
- The raised sides of a litter box create a clearly defined area,
not just something lying flat on the floor so your puppy is less
likely to miss his target- Easy cleanup
- Multiple litter options
- Available at any pet store
Cons:
- Your dog might think the litter is a snack food
- If your dog is skittish, he may be nervous about going into the box
- Your dog 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)
- Your dog can easily distinguish the texture of the turf from your floors
- Pad is heavy and cannot be moved unless your puppy 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 cleanup, grass replacement and disposal of old grass
Cons:
- If not properly cleaned, turf can get stinky
- Your dog may destroy the turf by digging or chewing
- Not readily available at most pet stores