My Dog Won’t Pee on the Pad Anymore – What to Do Now to Fix It

Why Won’t My Dog Pee on the Pad Anymore?

Specific issues compel dogs to stop peeing on a pee pad all of a sudden. Here are some possible reasons why this might happen and some solutions to help solve this problem.

Your Dog Needs More Training

Most dog owners assume that once they see their dog peeing on the pad, it will be that way forever.

Learning a new behavior requires lots of repetition before it becomes ingrained.

Training your dog to use a pee pad effectively requires consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience.

If you think this is your dog’s issue, I have some tips later on for getting your dog to pee on the pad again.

Your Dog Has Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection can be the reason why your well-trained dog suddenly stops peeing on their pee pad. 

A UTI in dogs is an infection usually caused by bacteria. Bacterial UTI affects 14% of dogs throughout their lifetimes. 

Female dogs are more likely to get UTIs than males, but male dogs may still get them.

Aside from peeing outside of the pee pad, other signs of UTI in dogs include:

• bloody and/or cloudy urine
• straining or whimpering during urination
• frequent accidents
• wanting to go out (for dogs who are used to peeing outside)
• licking around the urinary opening
• fever.

Unfortunately, there are times when dogs do not show any symptoms of UTI. That is why you should always seek the help of a vet.

Your veterinarian is the person best equipped to deal with this situation. Go to them immediately before the UTI worsens into poisoning, kidney disease, cancer, or stones.

Your Dog is Getting Older

Old dogs often cannot control their bladder anymore. They may also be experiencing cognitive dysfunction, where they forget what they learned from previous training.

Cognitive dysfunction also makes it tough for them to remember new training.

If your dog is having a hard time moving to one place to pee, change the placement of the pad to accommodate them.

The Pee Pad is Not Replaced Often Enough

Dogs have a very good sense of smell and can smell even the smallest amount of pee. 

This means that if you don’t change your puppy’s pee pad often enough, the smell of urine can build up and make them more aware of it. 

So, your fur baby might not want to use the dirty pad and instead choose to go to the bathroom somewhere else in the house.

Not changing pee pads often can also lead to cleanliness problems and make your dog’s surroundings unhealthy. 

Bacteria can grow on dirty pee pads, which can make your fur baby sick. 

The smell from a dirty pad can also be unpleasant for you and your pup and make it hard to keep your home clean and odor-free.

To keep your dog from avoiding the pee pad, you should change it often, preferably every time they use it. 

This will help keep your dog’s area clean and healthy, and it will also encourage your fur baby to keep using the pee pad. 

You can also use odor-neutralizing sprays or cleaners to get rid of any lingering smells and make your pup more interested in the pee pad.

Your Dog Has Behavioral Problems

Urinating outside the pad when they have been trained not to do so can be a sign of a behavioral issue in dogs.

Are they feeling anxious or stressed? It’s important to try to identify the source of your dog’s stress or anxiety and address it. 

It can be caused by changes in their routine, environment, or interactions with other people or pets.

If your dog stopped peeing on the pee pad, try to find out what triggered them.

• Are there changes in their environment that might be worrying them? 
• Do they look like they are in pain? 
• Are they pacing or restless? 
• Are they barking or whining more than usual?

If you notice any of these signs, consider consulting with your vet or an animal behaviorist to find out how to help your dog manage their stress and anxiety.

The Pee Pad is Too Small

If the pee pad is too small for your dog, they might not be able to use it properly. This could lead to mistakes outside of their designated area.

In these situations, your dog may need a bigger pad to meet their needs and make sure they can use the pad successfully and easily.

Learn how to choose the right pads for your dogs.

The Pee Pad Is in the Wrong Location

The position of your dog’s pee pad might affect their behavior and success. One of the most critical factors is the location of the pad itself.

Dogs tend to avoid soiling places where they eat or sleep. 

This means that if the pee pad is placed too close to your dog’s sleeping or eating areas, they may be less likely to use it. 

Instead, they may choose to seek out a quieter and more isolated area of the house to relieve themselves.

Another important thing to think about is how busy the area around the pee pad is. 

If the pad is in a place that is too busy or crowded, like near a door that gets used a lot or in an area with a lot of foot traffic, your dog may not want to use it.

To make sure the pee pad is in the best place, you should choose a quiet, private area of the house that is far from where your dog sleeps and eats. 

You could also put the pad in a place that doesn’t get used much, like a spare room or a laundry room.

What to Do if My Dog Stopped Using Pee Pads

It can be stressful and confusing for you and your dog if they stop using pee pads. 

But you can do a few things to get your dog to use the pads again and stop accidents from happening in other parts of your home. 

Try these tips:

• Figure out the reason: The first thing you need to do to solve this problem is figure out why your dog has stopped using the pee pads. It could be because of a change in their schedule, a health problem, or a behavioral problem.
• Rule out health problems: It’s important to rule out any health problems that might be making your dog avoid the pee pads. Take your dog to the vet for a checkup to make sure there aren’t any underlying health problems that need to be taken care of.
• Reintroduce the pads: If your dog has stopped using the pee pads because their habit or surroundings has changed, reintroducing the pads can help. Put the pads in a place that is easy to get to.

With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can help your dog develop good bathroom habits and maintain a clean and hygienic environment in your home.

How Do I Get My Dog to Pee on the Pad?

Here’s how to effectively train your dog to use a pee pad:

1. Choose a good location: Find a spot in your home where your dog can easily get to the pee pad. It should be away from their food and water bowls.
2. Introduce the pee pad: Guide your dog to it and allow them to sniff and explore it to familiarize themselves with its presence. You can even place a small treat on the pad to make it more enticing.
3. Monitor your dog closely: Keep a close eye on your dog’s behavior, especially after meals, naps, and playtime. Watch for signs such as sniffing, circling, or restlessness, which may indicate they need to go potty.
4. Guide your dog to the pad: When you notice your dog displaying signs that they need to eliminate, gently guide them to the pee pad. You can use a leash or verbal cues to direct them towards the pad.
5. Use positive reinforcement: When your dog successfully uses the pee pad, reward them with praise, treats, or a favorite toy. Positive reinforcement will encourage them to use the pad again.
6. Create a routine: Establish a regular routine for your dog’s bathroom breaks. Take them to the pee pad at regular intervals, such as after meals, naps, and playtime. 
7. Be patient: Potty training takes time and patience. Don’t get frustrated if your dog doesn’t immediately take to the pee pad. Keep practicing and rewarding positive behavior.
8. Clean up accidents properly: If your dog has an accident outside the pee pad area, clean it up thoroughly using an enzyme-based cleaner to eliminate any lingering odors. This helps prevent your dog from associating that spot with a potty area.
9. Transition to outdoor potty breaks: If your ultimate goal is for your dog to eliminate outside, gradually move the pee pad closer to the door leading outside. Eventually, transition your dog to outdoor potty breaks, using the same positive reinforcement techniques.

Learn some more puppy potty training tips.

How to Stop a Dog From Peeing off the Pee Pad

If your dog keeps peeing on the floor instead of the pee pad, cleaning up can be challenging and take a lot of work. 

But you can teach your dog how to use the pad properly with time and training. 

Here are some things you can do to stop your dog from urinating on the floor:

1. Make the pee pad bigger. If your dog is having trouble hitting the pad, try making it bigger. This will give them more room to aim, making it less likely that they will miss the pad.
2. Watch how your dog acts. If you know when your dog is likely to urinate, you can lead them to the pad at those times. This can be done after eating, when you wake up, or after you play.
3. Use positive feedback. When your dog uses the pee pad properly, praise and reward them. This reward will make your dog more likely to use the pad regularly.
4. Be consistent. If you want your dog to use the pee pad, you need to be consistent. Be patient and stick to a normal schedule. Your dog will learn how to use the pad right if you train them consistently.
5. Keep the pad clean. Dogs have a strong sense of smell, and a dirty pee pad can turn them off. To keep a clean atmosphere, make sure to change the pad often and clean the area around it.
6. Consider crate training. Crate training can help your dog get into a pattern and learn to hold their urine until it’s time to go to the pad.

Learn how to properly crate train your pup here.

Why Does My Dog Pee Next to the Pad?

Your dog may be peeing next to the pee pad for a variety of reasons, including:

• Your dog hasn’t been properly trained to use the pee pad: If your fur baby hasn’t been properly trained to use the pee pad, they may not know why it’s there. Make sure to train your dog consistently and give them positive reinforcement to get them to use the pee pad.
• Your dog is marking their territory: Dogs may sometimes mark their territory by peeing next to the pee pad. This is especially true if there are other dogs in the house. Consider getting your dog spayed or neutered to reduce this behavior.
• Your dog has a health problem: If your fur baby pees a lot or in strange places, it could be a sign of a health problem like a urinary tract infection. It’s best to talk to their vet to make sure there aren’t any underlying health problems.

Why You Need Pee Pads

Why use a pad when you’re potty training your pooch?

Although many dog owners have problems with using potty pads for their dogs, here are some benefits of using a pee pad for your dog.

Pee Pads Make Potty Training Easier

Teaching your dog to do their business outside isn’t always practical, especially if they need to stay indoors when you’re at work all the time. 

With the pheromones in pee pads, your pup is attracted to them, meaning you won’t have to spend time and energy trying to get them to go outside. 

Once you establish a safe place inside for your dog to pee, there’s no need to worry about sticking to a potty schedule. 

You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that your dog is not trying to hold it in while you’re not around.

However, make sure they still get time outdoors for exercise and mental stimulation.

Puppy pads also make cleaning up after accidents faster and easier. You don’t have to scrub and use deodorizers.

Just throw the pad away and replace it with a new one.

Pee Pads Protect Your Home

Many dog owners worry about their home having pet stains and foul odor. You can avoid this once you teach your dog the appropriate place to pee indoors.

As mentioned, pee pads have a pheromone that attracts puppies to use them, so they will be less likely to soil your couch.

They also contain materials that neutralize odor.

Try these American Kennel Club’s Pet Training and Puppy Pads. Available in five scents, these training pads have six layers that can quickly absorb pee without leaking.

They can also eliminate bad odor and are antibacterial.

Common Questions