I do not use a crate either. I have now pad trained 3 but I can only tell you what I did (meaning I do not follow a specific method and perhaps they learn despite my efforts) and then like magic, one day it just worked. The instructions on the package of pads said to keep putting them on it so I did.
My two oldest were 9 weeks and 14 weeks when we got each of them (not at the same time). It took each of them 2 weeks to go on the pad. Our youngest was 8 months when we got her. It took her 6 weeks.
I did exactly what you do. You have to catch them going and take them to the pad, put them on it (even if they are finished going) and I use EXACTLY the same words. For us it is "potty on the mat". I do not call it (the potty or the pad) anything else. Now when I say it to another one, my newest runs to the treats so I know that they all know what it means.
I used a lot of floor cleaner in those 2 and 6 weeks!
I also randomly picked them up, took them to the pad, said "potty on the mat'. Later I did the same but while they were on the mat I offered a small bit of treat.
The first time each of them actually went on a pad you would have thought they won a Nobel prize. I clapped, said good girl, jumped around generally like a batty person. I said "potty on the mat" like 50 times and gave the best treats.
Beyond that, do not ask me how, but they are pad trained. Thanksgiving was ans issue. House full of people and my little one went on the carpet. I credited it to new people, activity and such since we have had nothing similar since she has been here 2 months.
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photos-Jennifer Hague, fixyourimages.com
Last edited by jesuschick; 11-26-2011 at 05:04 PM.
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