I don't know why so many are against the pee pads, I think they are just fine. My cat Roxy has a lot of balance problems and can't always use the litter box, so we keep a pee pad down for her and she uses that just great. They are so easy to clean up too. I have one of these to hold the pad in place, and I like it a lot.

I have 5 dogs ranging in weight from 6 to 13 pounds, one being a 10 year old chihuahua. I run my house on a strict routine, otherwise it would be complete chaos. They go outside at 7am, 1pm, 4pm, they eat at 6pm, then go outside at 6:30, again at 9:30pm, and lastly 11:30pm. There's a larger gap between 7am and 1 pm because I go to work for a few hours 4 days a week. I know most people aren't able to keep a schedule like this because they work, but a routine of some kind may be a good idea.

I'm not a fan of the doggy door as I like to supervise my dogs in the yard. They are never outside unless my husband or I am with them.