Being creatures of habit, I suspect they will still use the pea gravel, as unappetizing as that must be to your dogs. Once they get accustomed to the cement patio as a sleeping/lounging area, you might wish to consider grass for the dog run area.
I have a dog run (pea gravel) on the side of my house, then a few stone steps, then 2 steps up to a redwood deck. My dogs have the run of the deck and sleep on the covered portion. Right now, my dogs, a Labrador Retriever and a Yorkshire Terrier, do their business in the dog run and not on the deck.
I'm worried that when I replace the raised redwood deck with a ground level concrete (or other hard material) patio that the dogs will start using it as a bathroom. Is this likely? Is there a way to make a successful transition so they will recognize the patio as their new home and continue to use the dog run as the bathroom?
Some grass would be a lot better for your pets. Pea gravel though it drains easily is not the best for their pads over a long period of time.
Who cares if they use the concrete for a potty. Surely you have a hose near by.
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