A new carpet...

[whogrewoutoftheterribletwos]

New puppy. DH has literally carpeted the house in puppy pads. It's driving me up the wall. Please someone tell me that it's a bad idea and we're sending the signal it's ok to crap in the house by doing it. Then I can show this thread to DH and get rid of some of them.

Oh no not a good idea! You don't want to be teaching them that there is a nice absorbent surface to use inside. Keep them limited to a small area of the house to start and take out after each meal, drink, play and generally every 30 mins. Praise and treat for each outside toilet. Do you have a crate for when you can't supervise them?

Puppy pads teach them to go inside on the pads then you have to re-train them to go outside.
The weather is glorious and perfect for training outside. Ditch the pads get outside with your puppy.

Agree with the other posters above, puppy pads aren't necessary for toilet training. What's needed is vigilance and lots of trips outside where they are rewarded for going in the right place.

Agree with above. Just wanted to add that if/when your puppy does have an accident indoors, soak it up with kitchen paper...then....throw it all in one area of your garden! I know it sounds ridiculous BUT IT WORKS! It will teach them that that is the area of the garden you want them to go in, and since it already has the scent, they will choose to go there. It will look a mess, but try to turn a blind eye for approx 10-14 days.
Then every time you take them outside, take them to this place first, to encourage your puppy to go.

Thank you all. That's what I've been saying (though he was deterred by many accidents on the stairs yesterday as Dpup didn't like the rain). I feel vindicated by Mumsnet