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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

Purchase Supplies Related to This Article

Porch Potty

The Porch Potty is a nice-looking potty area for indoor or outdoor use. It’s a nice size for bigger dogs, but I recommend it for smaller dogs, too, if you have the space. Can be used with the included fake grass, or even better, replacement REAL grass… or sod from the home-improvement store!

Faux Grass Potty

This dog potty with artificial grass is a good lower-priced option for puppies and smaller dogs.

Dog Litter Box

An ideal option for tiny dogsand puppies. Can be used with dog litter, newspaper or potty pads. I recommend getting the larger size, even if you have a teeny dog!

Potty Pads

Wee-Wee Pads are basic potty pads for puppies or smaller dogs. The built-in attractant scent will help your pup figure out what the pads are for!

Washable Potty Pads

Washable potty pads are an inexpensive alternative to disposable potty pads. And if your puppy chews up disposable potty pads, using these may solve your problem!

UgoDog Potty Tray

If your dog chews up potty pads, the UgoDog potty pad holder will help to keep your playful pup from shredding his pads before he has a chance to use them!

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