Should You Train Your French Bulldog to Use Pee Pads?

One of the main benefits of the French Bulldog’s small size is that he makes a great choice for families living in apartments, condos, or urban housing environments. Not only do French Bulldogs have low needs for exercise, but they also don’t tend to take up a lot of space.

Another benefit that many French Bulldog owners cite is the fact that they can be housetrained to use pee pads which saves you from having to take your dog up and down flights of stairs just to get him outside. Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of indoor housetraining and to receive some helpful tips.

The Pros and Cons of Indoor Housetraining

Indoor housetraining involves teaching your French Bulldog to do his business on a pee pad inside instead of doing his business outside. This is a great option for people who have limited access to greenspace and for people with limited mobility. Indoor housetraining does have its challenges, however – here are a few:

Pros for Indoor Housetraining:

• A convenient option for people in urban dwellings, apartments, and condos who have limited access to outdoor greenspace.
• Pee pads make cleanup quick and easy, as long as you are home to replace them.
• Indoor housetraining is a good option for French Bulldog with medical problems that limit their mobility or that cause incontinence.

Cons for Indoor Housetraining:

• Teaching your dog to do his business indoors may increase the risk for accidents in the house.
• Using pee pads sometimes results in problems with the French Bulldog thinking any square, absorbent surface is a place to pee.
• Training your French Bulldog to go indoors may limit your options for socialization as he spends more time inside.
• If you change your mind later, it may be difficult to transition your French Bulldog into going outdoors.

Teaching Your French Bulldog to Use Pee Pads

When it comes to indoor housetraining, you can’t just put a pee pad on the floor and expect your French Bulldog puppy to know what to do with it – you’ll have to train him. First and foremost, choose a place in your home to place the pee pad and don’t change it, if you can help it.

Next, keep your puppy with you at all times when you are at home so you can keep an eye on him. If at any moment he looks like he’s about to have an accident, pick him up and take him over to the pee pad – you should also be doing this about once an hour to give him a chance to go. Each time he uses the pad, praise him excitedly and reward him – this is the best way to teach him what the pad is for and to encourage him to use it.

In the end, it is completely up to you how you choose to housetrain your French Bulldog. If you are thinking about indoor housetraining, be sure to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of this decision to ensure that it is the best choice. If you think that it is, follow the tips provided above to thoroughly train your French Bulldog so you don’t find yourself dealing with accidents in the house.