why my puppy won't poop in the training pad?

by lola
(nj)

I have a 7 week puppy, I trained him to pee( to do #1) on the training pad for dogs. But he won't poop( do #2) on the pad.

Is there a training method to teach your house pet to do #2 on the pad?





Hi Lola
What a cute puppy, love those wrinkles!

Using puppy pads or newspaper can be tricky and in my personal opinion it has more disadvantages than advantages. But there are some situations where it's best to train a pup to eliminate on pee pads or in a litter box or portable dog potty.

These include if you live in an apartment or other home that doesn't have a private, fenced yard that your pup can use as his potty spot. Taking a young pup who's not fully vaccinated out to an open, public area is putting him at risk of disease. Other times when this might be necessary is if you live in a high-rise, or are disabled or unable to get your pup outdoors quickly enough, or easily enough.

As for your problems, first of all he's only 7 weeks old and has barely any bladder/bowel control so don't expect too much from him just yet. He's obviously trying, so help him along with lots of praise and encouragement. Potty training takes time and effort and a lot of patience, you're just at the very beginning.

If your pup pees on his pads then he has the general concept right and it will just take more encouragement and supervision to prevent him having the chance to make mistakes. Just because you're training a pup to use pads or a litter box or whatever, that doesn't mean you shouldn't use a crate to confine him when you're not watching him. As you're having some difficulties, I'd recommend most following the guidelines for using the crate, but substitute his puppy pads for the trip outdoors. See my Crate Training A Puppy page for help with this).

Alternatively you can try a doggie litter box as your little guy may be more inclined to use that consistently. Don't forget to praise and reward your pup every time he pees or poops on his pads, and start using a 'trigger word', such as 'go potty' or 'hurry up' so that he can learn what you want.

I'd also recommend confining him in a small X-pen or puppy play pen with his crate for a bed at one end and his puppy pee pads at the other for his toilet. With more limited space and his bed in there he may be more inclined to use them. It's just a matter of figuring out what he can understand and helping him to get it right.

Be patient and consistent and it will come together. Best of luck with that little cutie.