While many owners toilet their dogs outside, indoor potty-training is a viable option for small breeds, particularly those living in cold climates or in high-rise buildings.  The following steps will help you get started:

1. Restrict Fluffy’s access inside the house.  Keep her on leash with you, in a free-standing pen on an easy-to-clean floor (while supervised), or in a properly-sized kennel.  When she looks as though she’s about to pee or poop, say “potty” (or whatever word you choose) and take her quickly to her pad.  Give her lots of praise and a small treat when she “does her business” there.  Do not allow her free access to the house yet, as that will only result in making housetraining mistakes.  If she pees or poops in the wrong areas, she will return to those areas more and more.
2. No punishment.  If Fluffy has an accident, simply take her quickly to her pad.  No yelling, no “bad dog” or other punishment:  all that will do is teach her to poop and pee when you are not around (when it’s “safe”).  Clean any soiled areas with an enzyme-based cleaner such as Nature’s Miracle and follow label instructions carefully.
3. Set up her “alone” room.  When you can’t watch her, or when you are away from the house, leave Fluffy in a small bathroom with pads covering the entire floor:  leave her some water, toys and some bedding to lie on.  Do this for 2-3 days, then take away one of the pads (leaving all the others).  In two more days, take another pad away.  Two days later, remove another, and so on.  The idea is to wean Fluffy off of each pad until there is only one left in the room.  If she pees outside of the remaining pads, put the rest back and start over.
4. Feed Fluffy on a schedule.  For dogs that eat twice a day, we recommend putting the food bowl down in the morning, wait 15 minutes and then remove it, regardless of how much or how little she ate.  She will learn to eat when her food is available, and be less likely to have accidents during the day.
5. Take her to her pad regularly and wait for her to go.  We recommend every 2-3 hours, as well as following sleep, play and eating periods.  Once again, reward her generously when she goes.  I would keep her on leash to prevent her from wandering away:  simply stand with her at her spot, on-leash, and ignore her until she goes.  Give her 5 minutes, then take her away from the spot.

Maintain this routine for about 2 weeks.  If she’s not having accidents at that point, begin to give her a little more freedom and continue to reward successful potty trips.  If she begins to soil again, go back to the steps mentioned above.

This material is copyright of Animal Humane Society and is used with written permission.

Once your dog is trained to using just one pee pad, now you can take him or her to the next level, transitioning them to a Pack ‘N Piddle.

Top 10 Reasons why you should own a Pack ‘N Piddle…

1. Gives your dog a designated location to do their business, allowing them to identify with their Pack ‘N Piddle as their “toilet” and not your favorite throw rug.

2. The light-weight and portable function makes hoteling, travel, vacationing or just visiting family stress-free for you and your pet. The Pack ‘N Piddle offers familiarity of “home”, reducing U.T.I’s that many small pets get during travel.

3. Pet owner’s who work 8 hours a day and just can’t be there when Fluffy needs to go.

4. Great for pet owner’s who live in high rises, condos or apartments.

5. Perfect for when you want to take your dog out in the boat or your RV.

6. Living in cold or snowy climates can be difficult when taking small pets out, a Pack ‘N Piddle can keep you and your small pet indoors when temperatures drop and become frigid, reducing the possibility of slips and falls.

7. A rainy day can be a nightmare for a small dog and their owner, with a Pack ‘N Piddle you and your pet never have to dodge rain drops or wet grass again!

8.  Pet owner’s who live in rural areas with predatory wildlife or elderly pet owner’s who don’t feel comfortable going out after dark. A Pack ‘N Piddle offers security and “peace” of mind.

9.  Pets that can’t go outside due to age or illness.

10.  Pack ‘N Piddle is great for cats too! By placing your cats litter box inside, it eliminates virtually all loose litter from being tracked around your floor!