Heartwarming and somewhat funny is the story of Jake, a sprightly Labrador puppy of three months who, having enough of the wet English summers, turned his crate into an art masterpiece. His tools of the trade you ask? Well, training pads, of course. Not the typical artist’s palette, but Jake wasn’t your average pup. His handiwork wasn’t a potpourri of childlike scribbles but an unexpected whirl of shredded bits of absorbent materials. You see, the pads did prove useful for a puppy who loved to frolic and chew. Needless to say, his owners learnt a valuable lesson about the correct use of training pads.
You may have been in a similar predicament with your own four-legged friend, a little confused about the role of training pads and whether they should be in a crate or not. Why is there so much uncertainty about puppy pads? Well, that is largely because these tools, used correctly, can be quite handy but misused, can lead to a multitude of problems. It could be a case of should versus shouldn’t or, more importantly, need versus want.
Welcome to the wonderful world of pet-parenting – a world full of unconditional love, never-ending cuddles, slobbery kisses and not to forget, fascinating dilemmas. And one of the dilemmas that has many a pet parent scratching their head is figuring out whether they should put training pads in their pet’s crate. So, let’s try to unscramble this much-debated question today!
If you’re on the fence about putting training pads in your fur-baby’s crate, it would be good to know both sides of the coin. We’ll also be throwing in a pinch of science, advice from top dog behaviourists and trainers, and tips from seasoned pet parents to help make your decision easier.
First off, a crate is a sort of sanctuary for your pet – where they sleep, rest, and have me-time. It needs to be clean, dry, and comfortable. The idea behind house training or crate training is for your puppy to learn to control their bladder and bowel movements. The process teaches them where it’s appropriate to go and where it isn’t, along with developing a routine to hold until you’re able to take them outside.
Training pads, also called puppy pads, have a specific purpose – to capture and absorb urine and faeces effectively, keeping the floor beneath them clean and dry. They have their place in the house, especially during the initial stages of house training or for older dogs with incontinence issues.
Now coming to whether you should put them in the crate, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. On one side, you might think it’s a good idea to put training pads in the crate for those times when your pup can’t control it. After all, better safe than sorry, right? Plus, it doesn’t matter if it gets soiled because it serves its purpose in maintaining overall cleanliness.
The flip side of this argument, however, is that if you place a pad inside the crate, it sends a confusing message to the dog about their crate space. It might seem to them that it is okay to relieve themselves in the crate which is contrary to the purpose of crate training. Dogs are naturally clean creatures, and they do not like to pee or poop in their living space. This is leveraged in crate training, where the goal is to teach your pupper to hold their bladder until they can go outside.
If used consecutively, puppies may rely too heavily on inside house-training practices and struggle to transition to outside excretion. Thus, the so-called solution of keeping the crate clean might lead to longer housetraining periods and accomplish the exact opposite.
So, what’s a dedicated pet parent to do? It all depends on understanding your dog’s instincts, respecting their needs, and where you are in the housetraining process. The cycling process from being comfortable with training pads to not needing them anymore is a journey of understanding and patience. Here are some pointers to help you navigate this crucial training phase:
- Introduce the Crate Early: Let your puppy get familiar with their crate. Instill a sense of comfort and safety within it. Dogs innately do not want to soil their den, and the crate should be seen as that safe, clean haven.
- Timely Breaks: Puppies have small bladders and may need to go out frequently. So, it’s crucial to ensure regular and timely bathroom breaks. This will reduce the chances of accidents happening in their crate.
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Praise and Reward: Positive reinforcement is a great teaching strategy. So, whenever your pup goes outside, reward them with a treat, cuddle, or a praise. This will encourage them to repeat the behavior.
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Monitor Food and Water Intake: Regulating the food and water intake will also help in predicting when your pup might need to relieve himself. However, never withhold water as a way to control urination.
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Watching out for Signs: Puppies typically show signs before they relieve themselves – sniffing around, circling, excessive licking, or whining. If you notice any of these signs, it is time to take them outside.
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Patience, Persistence and Consistency: The magic trio. These are key in successfully house training your pet. It will not be achieved in a day or two, but with time, your pup will learn.
While everyone has a different strategy and perspective, the key is to observe your pet and understand what works best for them. Remember, every dog is different and what works for one might not necessarily work for another.
So, should you put training pads in the crate? The answer it seems, lies in the art of balance. Balance between using them strategically in the beginning while slowly fading their use as your puppy matures. Rest assured, with a bit of patience, and a whole lot of love, your furry friend will have their “eureka” moment leaving you both with a sense of accomplishment.
Just don’t expect them to turn into a modern-day Picasso with their training pads!