After many years being dragged outdoors in all kinds of weather by big dogs that needed to “go” to the bathroom, it is downright luxurious to have four low-maintenance toy poodles. We can concentrate on writing while they trot down to the laundry room to do their duty. Nice.
Our little dogs are trained to use pads like the one in the photo. This particular pad is actually a twin-size bed-wetting pad for children. We purchased several of these at Target, having purchased more expensive (albeit thicker) incontinence pads designed for people from a local home-care supply store.
All of these reusable pads are washable and they line-dry beautifully. You can also dry the pads in a clothes dryer but the waterproof backing on some might require using the low-temperature setting.
We used to buy disposable chair- and bed-pads for people but that method got kinda pricey. Besides saving money with reusable pads, we think we’re helping to save the planet.
Training a toy poodle to use an indoor bathroom is as easy as training a dog to go outdoors. It’s a matter of consistency and lavish praise. Of course, crate training is a vital part of any house training effort.
If you live in a high-rise, you’re disabled, or you simply don’t want to take your toy poodle outside at 5 am, a reusable pad on the laundry room floor can’t be beat. The pads work great in any room--a bathroom or mud room, say--that has an easily washed floor. There will be times when your toy poodles, especially the boys, “go” overboard!
Until next time,
Mr. Dibs
