August 17, 2016 · Annie Grossman
Beyond wee-wee pads: 4 easy indoor pottying options for city dogs
Sometimes a dog needs to go indoors. Four easy indoor potty options for city dogs that work better than plain wee-wee pads.
Why would anyone want a dog to do their “business” inside their apartment? Sometimes it’s because a puppy hasn’t gotten vet approval to go outside, or because weather is nasty. Other times, it’s a matter of a dog’s health issues, or simply the reality that it can be hard to get a dog outside frequently enough if you live in an eight-floor walkup. As trainers, there are times when we see anxiety or aggression that is so severe on the street that we advise dog owners to go a period of time when they only take their dogs on walks when they’re with a trainer, if at all. Whatever the reason, the fact is that teaching a dog to eliminate inside in an appropriate place can often be a solution that goes unconsidered. Wee-wee pads, which soak up urine and keep excrement from getting on your floor, are the go-to for most puppy owners. But dogs sometimes learn that peeing on one soft thing on the floor means that it is okay to pee on all soft things, and that’s bad news for your rugs. Others simply don’t like the aesthetic of devoting part of their precious square-footage to what is basically a spread-open diaper. In the long term, other options may be easier to use and more environmentally friendly. Here are some products that may make at-home bathrooming a less stressful option possible for you and your dog.
The Fresh Patch is fresh grass shipped to you by subscription. That’s it! Dogs like to go on soft things, and many learn quickly to go on grass. If your dog has previously enjoyed going on grass outside, it should be an easy transition. If your dog hasn’t yet had that particular pleasure, the Fresh Patch may help him transition to going outside—if you can find grass outdoors, that is! Even if your dog doesn’t catch on, it’s a purchase that he might enjoy simply as a lounging place. What a luxury for a city dog to have his own personal plot of grass delivered semi-monthly!
Why would anyone want a dog to do their “business” inside their apartment? Sometimes it’s because a puppy hasn’t gotten vet approval to go outside, or because weather is nasty. Other times, it’s a matter of a dog’s health issues, or simply the reality that it can be hard to get a dog outside frequently enough if you live in an eight-floor walkup. As trainers, there are times when we see anxiety or aggression that is so severe on the street that we advise dog owners to go a period of time when they only take their dogs on walks when they’re with a trainer, if at all. Whatever the reason, the fact is that teaching a dog to eliminate inside in an appropriate place can often be a solution that goes unconsidered. Wee-wee pads, which soak up urine and keep excrement from getting on your floor, are the go-to for most puppy owners. But dogs sometimes learn that peeing on one soft thing on the floor means that it is okay to pee on all soft things, and that’s bad news for your rugs. Others simply don’t like the aesthetic of devoting part of their precious square-footage to what is basically a spread-open diaper. In the long term, other options may be easier to use and more environmentally friendly. Here are some products that may make at-home bathrooming a less stressful option possible for you and your dog.
The Fresh Patch is fresh grass shipped to you by subscription. That’s it! Dogs like to go on soft things, and many learn quickly to go on grass. If your dog has previously enjoyed going on grass outside, it should be an easy transition. If your dog hasn’t yet had that particular pleasure, the Fresh Patch may help him transition to going outside–if you can find grass outdoors, that is! Even if your dog doesn’t catch on, it’s a purchase that he might enjoy simply as a lounging place. What a luxury for a city dog to have his own personal plot of grass delivered semi-monthly!
Dog diapers can be a lifesaver for some dog owners. Most dogs tolerate them well. They ensure cleanliness, especially when training dogs to go both indoors and outdoors. The discomfort of a dirty diaper may teach dogs to wait for an outing.
It might not be the most popular method, but for some dog owners, dog diapers can be a life saver. Surprisingly, most dogs tolerate them well. Next to being hyper vigilant in teaching your dog to be in a crate (or otherwise confined) unless you are sure he is “empty,” diaper-training may be the best way to be completely certain your oriental rugs will not be sullied. If a dog is getting trained to go both inside and outside, the mild discomfort some dogs likely experience when wearin