Paper training means the owner start a potty training indoors using newspaper or puddle pads. Newspaper is usually used for paper traning because it is inexpensive and abundant. Although smudgy, newspaper is actually clean. The soy ink from newspaper that rub off onto puppy's feet should be quite safe. You may find out what ink the newspaper use and ask your vet if it is safe for your puppy.

Another alternative to newspaper is puddle pads though it is more expensive. Puddle pads are similiar to disposable diapers and are made of absorbent layers of paper, backed by a waterproof sheet of plastic. Puddle pads are more suitable for small pups and toy breeds.

When you first bring your puppy home, the pup's playpen should be covered wall to wall with newspaper or puddle pads. Then your puppy will get used to pee and poo on the paper and learn to seek the texture underfoot when it needs to eliminate. A very young puppy barely will step away from its bed before eliminating. As your puppy grows, it will walk farther away from its sleeping nest to go potty. When you notice that your puppy is moving away from its bed to pee and poo, you may begin to shrink the potty paper area.