How to Use an Indoor/Outdoor Potty for Toilet Training

When people call me about training their new puppy, potty training is always at the top of the list. There are options - you can choose to train your puppy indoors, outdoors, or a combination of both. Regardless of your choice, the method to train him is the same, and your involvement is crucial, especially at the beginning.

Take him where you want him to go when he has to go.
When he goes in the right place, reward him with praise and a treat.
Watch him like a hawk or confine him at all other times.

There are several products to choose from regarding potty training your puppy indoors, one of which is a puppy potty. There are 3 main types of puppy potties.

Ones that have synthetic grass on top of a grate with the urine draining into a containment area underneath
Ones that use litter
Ones that use sod or grass

Puppy potties with synthetic grass are a great option for house training.

Reasons to Use a Puppy Potty for House Training

It feels like real grass to your puppy's feet, which is important if you want to transition him to pottying outside because he develops a preference for a grassy surface and because the surface feels different than wood, carpet, tile, etc.
If you spend time away from home (go to work every day) so you can't take your puppy out whenever he needs to go, he has a place to go indoors.
You don't have to get up in the middle of the night to take him outside, which is especially helpful during inclement weather or if you live in a high-rise.
It makes you feel better because he goes in one place. Your puppy has a specifically delineated toilet area inside your house rather than eliminating throughout your house.
Many companies offer sprays to help attract your puppy to the potty, products to congeal the urine, deodorizing sprays, or replacement grass. These products not only help your puppy in the training but also help you in cleaning.

Reasons to Use a Puppy Potty Long-Term

It's portable so you can easily move it from one area of your home to the other - for example, you can move it from your home office or kitchen to your TV area to your bedroom.
Your pup may have been injured and can't walk long distances.
It's good for smaller dogs who have a faster metabolism and tend to eliminate more frequently.
It's an excellent choice if you live in a high-rise, are not home all day, have an erratic schedule, or have mobility or health issues.
You can clean the indoor potties yourself, and most of them are easily cleaned.
Since the urine drains or is absorbed, your dog doesn't track it on your floors.
He doesn't have to hold it as long as he would if his toilet area were outside.

Remember that puppies develop muscle control and mental control every day and need repetition in order to learn where you want him to go. Take him to the potty when he has to go. When he does toilet there, tell him what a good dog he is as he is going and give him a treat in the potty area immediately after he finishes. Training your puppy where you want him to eliminate takes time, patience, and consistency, and it will pay off for both of you.

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