How to Train Your Dog to Use Pee Pads: A Step-by-Step Plan for Puppies, Seniors, and Apartment Dogs
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Pups Gourmet Kitchen earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Wondering how to train your dog to use pee pads? Put pads in one easy-to-clean spot, take your dog there every 2–3 hours and after sleep, play, and meals, reward the moment they go, and slowly shrink the pad area to a single pad.
Key Takeaways
- The Animal Humane Society recommends pad trips every 2–3 hours, plus after sleep and play.
- Start with a small room fully covered in pads, then remove pads every 2–3 days until one is left.
- Feed on a schedule — put food down for about 15 minutes twice a day — so potty times become predictable.
- Never punish accidents: “No yelling, no ‘bad dog’ or other punishment,” says the Animal Humane Society. Clean with an enzyme cleaner.
- Scent helps: the AKC suggests placing a soiled paper towel on the new pad to signal “this is the spot.”
- Pads work well for small dogs in high-rises, cold climates, and seniors with mobility issues — but they don’t replace walks and outdoor time.
Not every dog can pop outside the moment nature calls. If you live on the 14th floor, work long shifts, face icy winters, or share your home with a senior whose hips aren’t what they used to be, knowing how to train your dog to use pee pads can make life easier for both of you. The good news: pad training follows the same rules as outdoor potty training. You’re just moving the “bathroom” indoors.
Is pee pad training right for your dog?
Pee pads work best for small breeds, apartment dogs, young puppies who can’t hold it yet, and older dogs with mobility or continence changes. The Animal Humane Society says pad training suits small breeds in high-rise apartments or cold climates, and the AKC notes that senior dogs often benefit from an indoor option.
If your goal is a dog who only goes outside, skip pads and follow our main how to potty train a dog guide instead — pads can make that transition longer. Whichever route you choose, the AKC stresses that indoor potty training shouldn’t replace outdoor exercise, socialization, and sniffing time.
What do you need to pee pad train a dog?
Pee pad training kit
- Pads: leak-proof puppy training pads — larger sizes give small puppies a bigger target at first.
- A pad holder: a pee pad holder tray stops pads from sliding, bunching, or getting shredded.
- Enzyme cleaner: an enzyme-based urine cleaner removes the scent that draws dogs back to old accident spots.
- A pen or gate: a small-dog exercise pen makes it easy to limit freedom while your dog learns.
- Tiny treats: soft, pea-sized rewards like our spinach and cheese training treats.
How do you train your dog to use pee pads, step by step?
This routine combines the Animal Humane Society’s potty-pad protocol with the AKC’s tips on location and scent.
Step 1 — Pick one spot and stick with it
Choose a quiet, low-traffic area with tile or vinyl flooring, such as a bathroom, laundry room, or corner of the kitchen. Keep the spot the same every day; moving the pad around confuses dogs. Keep it well away from where your dog eats and sleeps, since dogs naturally avoid soiling those areas.
Step 2 — Limit freedom while your dog learns
Accidents happen when a dog has the whole house to roam and no one is watching. The Animal Humane Society recommends keeping your dog on a leash, in a pen, or in a kennel, then taking them to the pad the moment you see signs like sniffing, circling, or heading for a corner. For times you can’t supervise, set up a small “alone room” with pads covering the entire floor.
Step 3 — Go to the pad on a schedule
“Take her to her pad regularly and wait for her to go. We recommend every 2–3 hours, as well as following sleep, play,” advises the Animal Humane Society. Add trips after meals and first thing in the morning. Say a short cue like “go potty” as your dog starts to go; over time, the cue helps them go on request.
Feeding on a schedule makes this far easier. Put food down for 15 minutes twice a day, then pick it up. Predictable meals mean predictable potty breaks. Not sure how much to serve? See how much homemade dog food to feed.
Step 4 — Reward within seconds
The moment your dog finishes on the pad, praise warmly and give a treat right there. A reward that comes after they’ve walked away teaches nothing about the pad. Keep a small jar of treats near the potty spot so you’re never caught empty-handed.
Step 5 — Shrink the pad area slowly
Once your dog reliably uses the pads in their alone room, remove one pad every 2–3 days, working toward a single pad (or a pad holder) in the spot you want long term. Keep the routine steady for about two weeks before you give more freedom around the house. If accidents start again, back up to the last step that worked.
How long does pee pad training take?
Many dogs catch on within one to two weeks of consistent practice, but full reliability can take longer — especially for young puppies, rescues with an unknown history, and seniors with medical changes. Use this timeline as a guide:
| Stage | What you do | Typical timing | Move on when… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set up | Pads cover a small room; pen or leash in the rest of the house | Day 1 | Your dog has used the pads a few times |
| Routine | Pad trips every 2–3 hours and after sleep, play, and meals | Days 1–14 | Most trips end in success |
| Shrink | Remove one pad every 2–3 days | Weeks 2–4 | Your dog targets a single pad |
| Freedom | Give access to more rooms, one at a time | Week 3 and on | No accidents for a week or more |
Why does my dog pee next to the pee pad?
- The target is too small. Go back to more pads, or use an extra-large pad in a holder.
- The pad smells wrong. Change soiled pads, but leave a little scent behind in the early days.
- Old accident spots still smell. Regular cleaners mask odor for people but not dogs — use an enzyme cleaner.
- Too much freedom, too soon. Shrink their space again for a few days.
- Punishment. “If Fluffy has an accident, simply take her quickly to her pad. No yelling, no ‘bad dog’ or other punishment,” says the Animal Humane Society. Punishment teaches dogs to hide when they go, not where to go. The AVSAB’s 2021 humane training statement backs reward-based training for this reason, and the full AVSAB position statements are worth a read.
Can you switch a dog from pee pads to going outside?
Yes. The AKC suggests moving a used pad (or some of its material) to your outdoor potty spot so your dog recognizes it, and using the same potty cue outside. Gradually move the pad closer to the door, then outside, and reward heavily for outdoor success. Teach one location thoroughly before adding another. Many owners keep both options — the pad for storms and late nights, the yard for everything else.
Pairing potty training with other basics makes everything easier. A dog who knows how to sit and stay is easier to guide to the pad, and a crate-trained dog learns to hold it between trips. For seniors, our soft treats for senior pups are easy on older teeth, and our dog training treat recipes make great pad rewards.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to train a dog to use pee pads?
Many dogs learn the basics in one to two weeks with a consistent schedule. The Animal Humane Society recommends keeping the routine steady for about two weeks before giving more freedom, and backing up a step if accidents return.
How often should I take my puppy to the pee pad?
Every 2–3 hours, plus after naps, play sessions, and meals, and first thing in the morning. Young puppies may need to go even more often.
Where is the best place to put a pee pad?
In a quiet, low-traffic area with easy-to-clean flooring, away from your dog’s food, water, and bed. Keep it in the same spot every day.
Should I put a pee pad in my dog’s crate?
Generally no. A crate is meant for resting, and a pad inside can teach your dog it’s okay to go there. If your dog will be alone longer than they can hold it, use a pen with a bed on one side and a pad on the other.
Why does my dog chew or shred pee pads?
Pads are tempting to play with, especially for puppies. Use a pad holder with a frame, supervise closely, and give your dog appropriate chew toys instead.
Can older dogs learn to use pee pads?
Yes. The AKC notes that senior dogs often benefit from an indoor potty option. Place the pad where your dog can reach it easily, use a surface they already like, and reward every success.
Do pee pads make house training harder?
They can if your long-term goal is outdoor-only potty habits, because your dog learns that going indoors is okay. If you plan to switch later, move the pad gradually toward the door and outside.
