One the most difficult aspects of owning a dog is housebreaking him or her -- teaching Johnny not to treat the house as his personal toilet. For most people this is relatively easy, since they have a yard and are physically capable of taking the dog out multiple times during the day to use the bathroom. Potty training this way takes consistency, timing and lots of positive reinforcement. In order for your puppy to learn to go outside, you must take him out after eating or in some cases, right as the act is happening.

But what do you do if you don't live in a house with a yard? What do you do if you live in an apartment where there is no yard or in high-rise condos, where it may be difficult or cumbersome to take the dog in and out of the building every few hours or so? Most importantly, what if your dog or you is mobility impaired? Are there any alternatives to the classic outdoor potty training?

Happily, yes, there are. And these advancements have come about mostly due to the large number of people and families now choosing to, or finding themselves in apartment-living scenarios. There are a variety of potty training aids to choose from and they all are aimed at making this task a little easier. The choices range from pee pads and litter boxes, to actual "potty stations". (These potty stations are made to look like a real patch of grass on top of a concealed collection bin and are even said to have a particular scent to encourage your dog to use them).

Which One to Choose?

So, with all these options, which one is going to work best for you? Well, that all depends on your space and time requirements, as well as your physical capabilities. Pads may be a good option if you prefer to have something quick and easy that you can just throw away. A litter box may be a great option (yes, they make these for dogs now), if you have an older dog that is having trouble moving or is sensitive to temperature fluctuations. This option may also be good if you are going to be out of the house overnight. In addition, having the option of staying indoors is also important for those with disabilities, who may not be as mobile.

The potty stations have good points as well. They have some of the same portability and ease qualities of the litter box, but without the mess of having litter tracked everywhere after your dog has used the box. Given that they are made to look like small lawns, the owner can easily put one out on the porch for the pooch to use, minimizing the neighbors' complaints. Also, urine and feces odors may be kept to a minimum, which is important in the closed-in nature of most apartments.

The only drawback to some of these indoor potty aides is that they may be expensive and in some cases, difficult to keep clean. But these reasons shouldn't stop you from looking into the technology. Just do your research and where possible, read customer reviews of each product. That way you can pick the best of whatever fits in your budget, and have a pretty good idea of what you're in for.

Although owning an English Bulldog in an apartment or living with physical disabilities presents some challenges not often seen with dogs who live either outside or with ready access to a yard, they should deter you from living with one. Dog ownership is rewarding and needn't be limited to those who can afford to live in a house with a yard.