Dog pee pads: a convenient solution for the owner, but problematic for the dog
Mariasole FerranteShare
Dog kennels: a comfortable solution for the owner, but
problematic for the dog
More and more often I see owners who, instead of teaching their puppy to do his business outside, prefer to use absorbent pads at home. It may seem like a convenient solution, but it hides several problems both for the well-being of the dog and for the daily management of the relationship with him.
The apparent comfort of sleepers
For many homeowners, sleepers are a quick and easy solution,
especially in the first months of the puppy's life. Taking the dog out several times a day can be tiring, especially if you have little time. However, this choice is often dictated by a search for personal comfort, without taking into account the dog's well-being.
The problem with pads: the dog learns to do his business in the house
When you train a puppy to go potty on a pad, the dog learns that housetraining is acceptable.
This behavior becomes a difficult habit to
correct when the owner decides it is time to take the dog outside to do his business.
Many owners realize only later that the pad is not an ideal solution and decide to teach their dog to do his business outside. This sudden change generates confusion and frustration in the dog, who finds himself having to change a consolidated habit. For an animal that relies on consistency and repetition, this can be very stressful.
The importance of doing your business outdoors
For a dog, doing its business is not only a physiological necessity, but also a behavior.
social. When a dog urinates outdoors, it leaves olfactory signals that communicate
information to other dogs, such as their gender, emotional state, and even their presence in the area. Preventing your dog from engaging in this activity outside deprives them of an important form of natural communication.
Teaching your puppy to do his business outside from the beginning is essential not only for his physical well-being, but also for his emotional balance. In addition, taking your dog out regularly helps him socialize, explore the environment and vent his energy.
Problems related to the use of sleepers
Keeping your dog accustomed to doing his business in the house has several consequences:
• Hygiene: It is not at all hygienic to let the dog urinate inside the house,
especially if he then decides to do it outside the sleepers.
• Behavioral confusion: Once the dog has become accustomed to doing its business in
home, correcting this habit requires time and patience, as the dog is confused about where the correct place is to relieve himself.
• Frustration: A dog that doesn't have the opportunity to explore the outside to do its
needs can become frustrated, nervous and even develop problems
behavioral.
Teaching your dog to do his business outside: a choice that pays off
The best choice is to teach the puppy, from day one, to do his business outside.
This requires patience and dedication, but the benefits are enormous:
• The dog learns to manage his needs naturally.
• A habit is created that makes coexistence more peaceful and hygienic.
• The dog is happier, because he can explore and mark his territory outdoors, using his natural instinct.
If the owner decides to move from using pads to going potty outside, it is important to proceed gradually, rewarding the dog each time he manages to do his business outside. This positive reinforcement helps the dog associate going outside with a pleasant experience.