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Why does my puppy sometimes pee on the floor instead of the pad?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Miniature American Shepherd | Female | spayed | 2 months and 9 days old | 7 lbs

Good afternoon, I had my puppy for 2 weeks now, I am training her to go potty on the training pads until I am able to take her outside. The problem is that sometimes she goes to the pad all by her self but sometimes she does it on the floor. The issue is that most of the times I know she needs to go potty so i take her to the pad but she runs away from the pad and does it on the floor. I am not sure why this is happening, that sometimes she is so good at it and sometimes she isn't, Thank you

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on July 24th, 2017

This is typical puppy behavior. Make sure you continue to tell her to go "potty" or whatever word you prefer to use. Also if you catch her in the act of peeing somewhere else then tell her "no" in a stern voice and redirect her to the pad and say "potty" again. Sometimes they have already gone to the bathroom but this helps to reiterate where she is suppose to be going to the bathroom. Also, when you aren't with her I would put her in a crate if she tolerates it to help teach her to hold it. Most dogs don't want to pee/poop where they sleep. The crate should be only big enough for her to stand and turn around. If it is too big they will pee/poop on one end and sleep on the other. She will get there - just try to remember that she is young and still learning. Plus things will get easier when your vet says it is ok for her to go outside. I hope this helps!

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    Answered By Susan England-Foster

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    I am assuming you are trying to not take her outside until she is fully vaccinated. I would recommend just starting her potty training outside. You can have her go to a door,ring a bell, whine or whatever method you would like. I would recommend keeping her outside in a small area when she is going to the bathroom. Even though she is not fully vaccinated I have found if you try to puppy pad train it is very difficult to break the habit and start having them go outside. I do not recommend taking a non vaccinated dog to a dog park, pet store or areas where sick dogs might be. Usually your yard or a small area around you that has grass should be pretty safe. If you decided you want to only potty pad train I would recommend taking her to the pads multiple times through the day. When she does urinate reward her with a treat and positive appraisal. If she just urinates in the house and you see it take her directly to the puppy pad so she can tell where she should be urinating.

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