Should you put puppy pads in crate?

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

Most experts advise against using puppy pads in crates for house training puppies. The confined space of a crate can encourage a puppy to soil their sleeping area, and puppy pads may delay learning to hold their bladder and bowels. Instead, focus on taking the puppy outside frequently and praising them for going in the right spot. Only use pads temporarily for young pups who can’t make it outside.

Should You Put Puppy Pads in the Crate Overnight?

It’s generally not a good idea to put puppy pee pads or potty pads in a crate overnight. Here are some reasons why it’s best to avoid puppy pads in an overnight crate:

Puppies may play with, chew up and ingest pieces of the pad which could cause intestinal blockages.

Pee pads in a confined space can teach the puppy it’s okay to eliminate where they sleep.
Pads delay house training since the pup doesn’t learn to hold their bladder and bowels.
The smell of urine and feces on used pads is unpleasant in an enclosed crate.

Some dogs prefer to eliminate on grass, dirt or other surfaces and won’t reliably use pads.

Instead of using pee pads in a crate at night, take the puppy out immediately before bedtime and first thing in the morning. Young puppies unable to go all night without pottying may need a middle-of-the-night bathroom break. Choose a crate size where the puppy has room to stand, turn and lie down without soiling one end and sleeping in the other.

Should You Put Puppy Pads Under Crate?

It’s also not recommended to place potty pads or trays with artificial grass underneath crates. Just like pads on the crate floor, underneath pads can confuse puppies about where it’s appropriate to go to the bathroom. The crate should be a designated sleeping and relaxing area, not a potty spot.

Lining the crate bottom with pee pads, fake grass trays or other absorbent materials to catch leaks and messes can prolong house training. Dogs should learn to hold their urine and bowels and wait to be taken outside rather than eliminating whenever they feel like it in their crate.

Instead of potty pads under crates, use washable crate mats or towels that can be laundered if your puppy has an accident. Restrict water and food a few hours before bedtime and take the pup out immediately before crating at night to help them hold it. Thoroughly clean any soiled crates to prevent smells that may prompt repeat urination in the same spot.

When Can You Use Pee Pads in a Crate?

There are some exceptions where using potty pads in a crate may be appropriate:

For very young puppies under 12 weeks old who physically cannot control their bladders and bowels for long periods yet.
For dogs recovering from illness, injury or surgery who need rest in a confined space.
For elderly, anxious or special needs dogs who are prone to frequent accidents.

In travel crates for short car rides to new places.

In these cases, pee pad use should be temporary, not a long-term solution for indoor potty training. As soon as the puppy gains more bladder control or the dog recovers, stop providing pads in the crate to avoid delaying full house training.

Puppy Pad Alternatives for Nighttime Crating

If your puppy is having frequent potty accidents in their crate at night, consider these better options than leaving pads in their sleeping space:

Take the puppy out more often – Set an alarm 2-3 hours after bedtime and whenever the pup wakes you up whining.
Make the crate smaller – Use a divider to restrict space so the pup can’t potty in one area and sleep in another.
Remove food and water earlier – Stop giving food and water 2-3 hours before crating at bedtime.

Line the crate with washable mats – Use crate mats, blankets or towels you can throw in the wash instead of disposable pads.

These tactics can help minimize soiled crates while continuing to reinforce that the crate is for resting, not eliminating. Be patient – puppies can usually hold it through the night between 3-6 months old.

Using Fake Grass Potties in Crates Overnight

Some puppy owners try using artificial grass trays or potties inside crates at night hoping they are a cleaner, more house-training friendly alternative to pee pads. However, using these indoor potty systems in a crate has the same drawbacks as pads:

Dogs may start eliminating routinely in their sleeping area.
Natural potty training instincts can be suppressed.
Bacteria and smells build up without thorough cleaning.

Dogs attracted to certain textures may reject artificial grass.
Loose fake turf pieces could present a choking hazard if chewed and ingested.

Instead of fake grass, provide opportunities for your puppy to potty on real outdoor surfaces. Take them out frequently and reward them for going in acceptable spots. Avoid letting them form a habit of using any indoor toilet areas in their crate space.

Using an Exercise Pen with Potty Pads

While puppy pads in crates are not recommended, using them in an exercise pen or gated-off “puppy proof” room can be helpful for house training. The more open pen allows the puppy to eliminate in one area and relax, eat and sleep in another clean area. Key steps include:

Place pads in a consistent corner spot of the pen away from food, beds and toys.
Keep the pup in the pen when you can’t actively supervise.

Promptly take the puppy to the pads when they show signs of needing to go potty.
Confine pottying to the pads only – don’t allow accidents around the house.
Gradually transition the puppy to going outside until fully housebroken.

This technique takes advantage of a pup’s natural inclination to keep their sleeping area clean. However, you must be vigilant about limiting access to the whole house initially to avoid potty mistakes and reinforce pad use only.

Should You Use Potty Pads When Crate Training at Night?

For best and fastest results, it’s best not to use pee pads when crate training puppies overnight:

Pee pads in the crate can undermine crate training goals.

Puppies learn to soil their sleeping quarters instead of holding it.
Bladder control development can be delayed by always having a potty available.
Dogs may become confused about what surfaces are acceptable potty spots.

Instead:

Take puppies out on a schedule overnight to encourage bowel/bladder control.
Use a small crate size with just enough room to lie down and stand up.

Remove food/water a couple hours before bedtime crating.
Thoroughly clean any soiled crates to prevent residual odors.

Following these tips trains puppies that the crate is for sleeping, not pottying. Be patient with frequent night wakings to take them out until they gain greater ability to hold it for longer stretches. The investment of time pays off with faster house training.

How to Transition Away From Using Pee Pads in a Crate

If you’ve been keeping potty pads in your puppy’s crate but want to transition to full outdoor housetraining, follow these recommended steps:

Take the pads out of the crate – Do this when you are home to monitor the puppy closely.
Stick to a strict potty schedule – Take the pup out every 30 minutes at first, extending intervals as they learn to hold it longer.

Praise outdoor potties enthusiastically – Use treats, pets and happy praise to reinforce this is where to go now.
Supervise constantly indoors – Don’t give opportunities for indoor accidents. Use a leash to keep the pup with you.
Use crates and pens strategically – Confine the puppy when you can’t watch them actively. Don’t give access to areas where they’ve previously padded.

Clean all indoor accidents thoroughly – Vinegar, enzyme cleaners and hydrogen peroxide remove odors that might attract the puppy back to the same spots.
Be patient! – Stay positive through the adjustment period. Consistency and time are key.

Sticking to these crate training and housebreaking basics sets your puppy up for success. Maintain vigilance, take them out often and offer lots of motivational rewards for their progress. Ditching the indoor pee pads may mean more clean up initially but pays off in the long run.

Puppy Pad Alternatives for Easier Clean Up

Instead of using disposable puppy pads in the crate that allow moisture to seep through, consider some washable, super-absorbent options for easier clean up of any nighttime accidents:

Reusable pee pads – These have a waterproof layer and absorbent core you can machine wash.
Crate mats – Washable crate mats sold for pets soak up urine to protect crate floors.

Old towels or blankets – Layer absorbent fabric you don’t mind washing under a crate liner.
Dog diapers – For young puppies, dog diapers can contain messes at night until they gain more control.
Disposable human incontinence pads – These have quilted, absorbent cores and plastic backing to limit leaks.

While you don’t want to encourage routine pottying in the crate, these items help contain it and make clean up simpler when accidents do occur. Always remove and replace soiled liners promptly.

Conclusion

In most cases, it’s best not to put puppy pads or potty trays in crates when house training a new dog. The close quarters can encourage eliminating where they sleep instead of developing bladder and bowel control. While very young puppies may need temporary pads for overnight crating, stop using them as soon as possible to reinforce that inside crates are sleeping areas, not potty zones. Consistent outdoor access, rewards and scheduling are key for successful crate and house training without dependence on indoor pee pads that can delay progress. Be patient, persistent and positive!