[Marilynfan]

Hi Everyone,

Some of you might remember me as the mommy of my beloved Ceasar (Ceasar's Palace) who we lost to cancer in July 2005. We're finally ready to bring a new baby home. We pick him up next Saturday and I am very excited and a little scared too.

I actually wanted to hear some opinons on those puppy pads that you can buy now. Has anyone actually used them? We both work during the day so we gate off an area in the kitchen next to the sliding doors. When we had Ceasar I remember just using newspapers in front of the door but boy what a mess they made. These pads seems like an interesting idea. I was just curious if they are worth the money and what people's experiences have been.

Melinda

 

[Scully]

I have no advice regarding the puppy pads, but just wanted to wish you good luck with the new pup. I love your website....what an absolutely gorgeous boy Caesar was! I loved looking at your pictures of the Basset Bustle too. We were able to go with Scully for the picnic part in 2004...what fun that was!

 

[Maya]

I use puppy pads and I think they are so much better and cleaner than newspaper. I had to replace the flooring in my kitchen when Molly was a puppy because the wet newsprint stained the flooring. No such problems with the pads. They are expensive but I like them.

We are both working and Maya gets put in the kitchen with a gate between there and the living room. When we are out and overnight she uses the pads really well.

Congratulations on getting the new pup. How old is it and have you picked a name?

 

[BubbaLeroy]

Congratulations on your new little Basset. I know you are so excited and do post pictures once you get your new bundle o joy home.

 

[Sophia's Mommy]

I am going to do the same with Sophia. She will be in the kitchen when we are at work with food, water, toys, a bed, and puppy pads. I used them with my last dog when she was a puppy and LOVED them. They make for easy clean up ...and as "Maya" said they don't stain your floor like newspaper will. Good Luck and Congratualtions on your new baby

 

[Elmer-n-Button]

Puppy pads could be a valuable training tool--I'd make sure I got a frame/tray to insert them into. It helps hold it in place and discourages dragging it around. My boys loved to drag the loose pads around the room and shred them. :blink: They never really used them, because I introduced them too late. :huh:

 

[Shermie's Mom]

I have no experience on the puppy pad matter, but know how excited you are, and wish you years of happiness with your new buddy. Can't wait to see pictures of your new bundle of joy!
Sally and Sherman

 

[Marilynfan]

Thanks very much for the feedback and the warm wishes. I will look into a tray for the pads as well. I think it sounds like a great idea instead of newspapers again. We have no kids so I don't mind spending a little extra on the furbaby.

The pup will be 8 weeks old when we bring him home. It is actually going to be a surprise to see who we get We went and saw the litter a week ago - there is nothing better than sitting in the middle of a pile of 12 puppies! They are just precious and are all tri-colour. Anyway, we've been in touch with the breeder for over a year and love her to death (she has known us since the Ceasar days). Her dogs are gorgeous and I am honoured that we will be getting a show prospect even though we really don't have any plans to show him - but you never know. She is keeping one of the males and she has it narrowed down to 2. She will make the final call on who she is keeping and we will take the other one. One boy is really dark, all black and the other has a lighter head and more white. I will be thrilled with either one.

 

[Aruuuu]

Your new pup will have a wonderful life with you. And who knows? I have Charlie -- the pet who became a champion ! When we got him, all I wanted was a new friend for the family. Within two weeks, his breeder asked if we would mind letting her show him, I became interested, Charlie's breeder has mentored me, I've now got many very dear basset people who I consider friends, and I now have my second show dog and am looking at a third coming home after Chrismas! Life takes many unexpected twists and turns, and you may find that you and your new pup will travel down the show road!

In any case, I've also lost two pups in the past few years, one at 18 months, another at 10 months. Both were very sweet and I'd have done almost anything to give them both long, full lives. But I'm only human and some things are not meant to be. I grieved, especially for the 18 month old who I fought long and hard for, but in the end, I had to move on and Edith Ann came into my life. She is gloriously healthy. She's an intricate member of the family, and we have recently started showing, which we both enjoy.

I'm looking forward to hearing your puppy stories -- and to seeing pictures!!!!

 

[Betsy Iole]

We fostered a litter for the local rescue during the second half of this year, and that's when we discovered puppy pads. We like them very much; they're more absorbent than newspapers, and there's less leakage. Quality varies, depending on brand, and we found that we went through fewer pads with the more expensive brands. Good luck with your pup--looking forward to photos of the handsome little guy.

 

[Baxter Basset]

Congratulations on your new baby!! Baxter is now 4 months old and I use wee wee pads all the time! I started out using a tray and litter pellets that Purina makes for dogs. He was eating the pellets so I stopped using them and line the tray with newspaper and then several wee wee pads . They saved our house!! We both work all day and this is wonderful. He even uses it when we're home and he has to go in a hurry - he runs in his "kennel" and goes in his tray. Of course there are times that he doesn't make it to the tray and we have to clean the rug He's still learning.... We got him when he was 3 months old so we haven't had him very long. You just have to love him to pieces though - he's just so adorable!

 

[mgbrown66]

No experience with the pads here either, but just wanted to wish you all luck with the new kid!

Caesar was quite the little studmuffin.

 

[Wilsonsmom]

I buy Hartz puppy pads at Walmare ($10 for 30) and use them for my chihuahua. We live in cold Saskatchewan and Tiger hates going out in the cold. They are a god send. I have tried more expensive ones from the pet stores and they are no better, just more expensive. My other dog or cat don't drag them anywhere and I just put them in the same place all the time and even though at her previous home she went outside, she just uses it (no problems or issues at all). Good luck with your new baby. Can't wait to see pictures. Have a wonderful holiday season.

Susan and Wilson

 

[Twinkie's Mum]

Congratulations on your new puppy. While puppy pads seem like a wonderful thing, I find myself wondering if using the puppy pads will delay/retard actual success with total housebreaking? Or do you just use them until the puppy is older and can hold their bladder longer? Any thoughts?

Janet 'n Twinkie

 

[Baxter Basset]

I really don't think the pads will delay housebreaking. We use them in conjunction with housebreaking. When we're at home we take Baxter out to the kennel often and he goes. He will sometimes hang around near the door and then we know he has to go, but mostly we just take him - a lot! He's mostly a good boy, but when he gets to playing a lot and chasing the cats, he forgets and wets the rug. If we catch him in the act, we say NO and take him out. But a lot of times we see it after the fact and just clean it up. We use the pads basically because there is noone home in the day to take him out. The other 2 dogs can hold it without any problem, but Baxter is just a pup and so he has the pads.

 

[Marilynfan]

Thanks for the brand tip Susan. I will see if I can find those around here.

I don't think pads will delay housebreaking. It is only while they can't hold it all day. With Ceasar the papers were set in front of the sliding doors. So it was easy to get him to the outside stage. When we were home as soon as he headed to the door (i.e. papers) we would put him right outside.

Will be sure to post some photos!

 

[Ruthless]

I tried the puppy pad when I had puppies, They just chewed them up and made a bigger mess.

 

[copsmom]

My girls chewed them and scattered them everywhere too. Welcome and congradulations!!!

 

[Rubydoo]

Congratulations!!!!!