Training an older dog to use pee pads?

Question

I have an 8 1/2 year old male neutered Labrador Retriever with a drinking problem. (He drinks too much water). Anyways, its gotten to the point where he just *can't* hold it for any appreciable length of time. He's not incontinent, he she has to pee when he has to pee and if I'm not right there, he takes care of things himself.
Typically, he goes in one place (getting to be a very smelly patch of carpet :( ). Was thinking about putting a pee pad down in that spot to try to make clean up easier. My concerns are ---
1. Don't want to tell him 'its OK' to pee in the house (still want him to ask me if I'm around).
2. I have another dog --- certainly don't want *her* to think its OK to pee in the house.
3. Volume --- because of the nature of his problem, it can potentially be a rather large volume (>1L of urine). Not sure if the pee pads can take that kind of volume. (this isn't really a major issue, as its certainly better than nothing, but any thoughts in this area would be helpful).
4. Not sure if putting the pad down will just cause him to choose another spot (surface preferences?) anyone with experience here?

Just in general looking to hear from anyone who has tried anything along these lines with their dog, and how it worked out for them.

Thanks!

P.S> Occurred to me that some answerers might try to solve the underlying problem of why he's drinking so much --- personally I've given up on this, but you're more than welcome to try.

Medical data follow:
1. Blood work -- Low albumin (progressive). No other unusual findings (kidney values all normal, liver values all normal) -- glucose totally normal.
2. Urine -- Only abnormal finding is VERY low urine specific gravity (can get as low as 1.004). For those of you who don't know, a USG this low actually means his kidneys are working (dilution is an active process). No protein (dipstick says trace protein, but can not confirm on SSA test). No glucose (so diabetes mellitus not the diagnosis). Can concentrate up to 1.024ish (haven't measured him at this in a while, but I'm fairly sure he can do it....) so diabetes insipidus not really on the list.
3. Medications -- Phenobarbital + Meloxicam (he has epilepsy and severe arthritis) -- drinking problem predates all medication, but drinking has recently gotten worse.
4. Other medical history - removed two mast cell tumors (Grade II) over the years. Completely resected, no local recurrence. He's blown both his cruciates (repaired surgically), has bilateral elbow dysplasia as well as various more minor arthritic joints.

Discussed his case with countless vets (and specialists) can't really seem to make any progress on it (discussions with one internal med specialist suggested that perhaps he has defective osmole receptors in his brain causing him to drink a lot - to diagnose is very invasive, and nothing we could do different in any case, so not pursuing that diagnosis).
'Best' diagnosis we've got really is "Psychogenic Polydypsia" +/- medullary washout basically meaning that he drinks a lot because he drinks a lot.

So anyways --- no good places to take it from here, so stuck dealing with the consequences (hence thinking about the pee pads).

Answer 1

1. Don't want to tell him 'its OK' to pee in the house (still want him to ask me if I'm around). - I don't think you can avoid this if he gets used to the pee pads, but I can't think of a way around it.



2. I have another dog --- certainly don't want *her* to think its OK to pee in the house. - She probably will, as it will smell like the toilet. I'm not sure how you can really stop her.



3. Volume --- because of the nature of his problem, it can potentially be a rather large volume (>1L of urine). Not sure if the pee pads can take that kind of volume. (this isn't really a major issue, as its certainly better than nothing, but any thoughts in this area would be helpful). - Several pee pads at once?



4. Not sure if putting the pad down will just cause him to choose another spot (surface preferences?) anyone with experience here? - He should choose the pee pad, they are normally scented to attract them.



I'm not sure if this is practical, but could you get a kiddies paddling pool? A bit of tarpauline? etc to go under the pee pads so that it doesn't leak as much? Or maybe a kiddies sand box that you could just clean out?



Well done to you for spending the time and money on trying to sort it out, many others would have rehomed the dog by now.

Answer 2

I'd say that if the puppy/dog is already toilet trained for the outside keep it like that for as long as possible. If the little guy/girl can't seem to hold on during the night then yes i would try to train him into using the pee pads it might take a little bit of time but it is worth while. Also pee pads can come quite cheap which can help a lot with the cost of the puppy/dog itself. Really Hope I Helped! :)

Answer 3

I have a 15 yo small pug who started having pee accidents several months ago. About the same time, she developed a hump in her mid back which vet says is from arthritis in the spine. For several years, she also has it in hips, and prolly "wrists" and "ankles" but didn't have pee accidents. She can hold it for 10 hr or more overnight, but now and then even does it a couple hours after I've had her out for a walk. I'm leaning towards the problem being because she will have some pain now and then (she is on rimadyl), and it makes it difficult for her to hold it. She has never peed on the bedroom rug. No matter what time this happens, she always goes out to living area near door where we have large Spanish tiles that are unharmed by the pee, which further leads me to think it happens because of sudden pain. I have put pads down, but she uses them to lay on (they always clean). lol You mention the dog has had surgeries on legs, and being older probably has some arthritis, so maybe that is his problem, too (besides drinking a lot of water; I'd say take the bowl up after 8 p.m., but I know I'd feel badly if my dog was that thirsty and I didn't let her have water, so that option is up to you and yours).

Answer 4

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aNLwr



A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 5

I'm doing basic obedience right now. My trainer hasn't once handled my dog. He has shown me how to handle my dog by using his own dog but that's about it. The reasoning is that I need to learn how to do these basic corrections and what not myself. Learn more https://tr.im/NonZz



I have never considered sending my dog away for training. I guess I haven't found that much of a problem with him to even think about it.



Again, it may also have to do with the level of training you are looking for etc. No idea lol. I'm not a trainer. I think a first time dog owner needs to learn simple commands and how to handle their dog themselves as well.

Answer 6

my shih-Tzu is 10 yrs old female she always went outside I never used pee pee pads she was easy to teach to go outside. Now her leg freezes up on her when its very cold outside. She`s healthly other than that. How can I train her to use pee pee pads so she doesn`t have to go out in the extremely cold weather? thanks

Answer 7

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Answer 8

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Answer 9

NEVER teach a dog to pee in the house for any excuse (especially a large breed dog!). If you have a fenced in yard, you can install a doggie door where he can go outside immediately when he needs to pee.



Also have another vet check him out - escessive water drinking like that is a classic sign of diabetes. If he's been checked for all medical, then you should limit his water intake during the day/night and only allow him certain times to be drinking.

Answer 10

If he has a spot picked out, put the pad there. He should use it. It will help if you can catch a wet spot, paper towel it, and put the paper towel on the pad.



I'm doubtful the pad will hold that much urine, but agree something has to be better than nothing.



Do not buy pads from the pet store. They are expensive to buy, and cheaply made. Instead try bed-liners for bed-wetters from Walmart. They are better made, and cheaper to buy.



As for the other dog, you do run the risk of her beginning this behavior. But then again, I have 3 small dogs, under 5 lbs, who use a pad, and my husband's older dachshund who doesn't. She didn't pick it up.



Edit: mine who are pad trained, still ask to go outside. The pad is more for, if we aren't home and they can't wait, or if it's too cold/wet/rainy/windy/snowy/icy and they refuse to go out.