- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Ok, it’s true. Dog potty pads aren’t the most glamorous thing to have lying around. However, when it comes to training a puppy, many pet parents feel it’s a whole lot better than something else lying—er, puddling—around the home. But are training pads really a good idea? How do dog potty pads work, and what’s the best way to use them?
We’ve spoken to a professional trainer about the pros and cons of potty pads, which dogs (and pet parents) can most benefit from them, and common mistakes to avoid. We’ll also break down how to pick the best potty pad for your unique pup.
Are Puppy Potty Training Pads a Good Idea?
When used appropriately, puppy pads can be a useful tool during the potty training process. These absorbent pads give puppies a designated spot to relieve themselves, which helps to establish a potty routine.
“In theory, puppy pads are a convenient way to teach your puppy (or adult dog) to eliminate in a specific area, thus making cleanup a breeze and accelerating house-breaking,” explains Brett Reynolds, a certified professional dog trainer and the Director of Dog Care at The Dog Stop.
Bear in mind that while potty pads are a helpful tool to jumpstart potty training, especially for pet parents who can’t be home all day, they’re not intended to be a long-term solution. And they come with a few downsides pet parents ought to consider. Let’s look at the pros and cons of using puppy potty pads and how pet parents should use them.
Advantages of using puppy pads
Tiny puppies have tiny bladders. And before 16 weeks of age, they have yet to develop bladder control—so accidents are a given at this point. This makes puppy pads an attractive and practical option.
“In the first days or weeks that a puppy is in your home, they’re not familiar with the space and don’t know where the ‘bathroom’ is—so potty pads may be helpful in getting your puppy to eliminate in a consistent spot,” Reynolds tells Rover.
Pet parents may want to implement puppy potty pads if they:
- Want to protect their floors and make cleanup easier during the initial training stage
- Have a puppy who has yet to be vaccinated
- Live in a high-rise apartment where outdoor areas are not readily accessible
- Live in a region with extreme weather or temperatures
- Work long shifts
- Need to be away from home longer than a puppy can hold their bladder
- Have a senior dog who struggles with incontinence
- Have a sick or disabled dog who can’t get outside easily
Disadvantages of using puppy pads
The most frequently cited problem with using potty pads is that dogs can get used to them. In other words, they might think it’s okay to go in the house, and they’ll be less inclined to make the transition to pottying outside.
“Since the pad itself mostly serves as a visual cue for where he or she should eliminate, some dogs will look for any contrasting surface in the absence of a potty pad,” Reynolds points out. “Area rugs, doormats, and articles of clothing are often targets of unwanted soiling.”
Other downsides associated with puppy pads include:
- They may lead to confusion about what’s an appropriate potty surface and what isn’t
- Puppies may like to chew and shred them
- The cost of continuously buying pads can add up
- They can be smelly
- Disposable pads contribute to waste and they’re not particularly sustainable
How Do You Potty Train a Dog Using Puppy Pads?
Dogs will not automatically know to use the potty pad, so training is important—we’ve got your step-by-step guide below.
- Familiarize your puppy with the pad: “First and foremost, allow your dog to see and sniff the potty pads so that they are familiar before nature calls,” Reynolds advises.
- Choose a cue word or phrase: You can use this to signal it’s time to go wee. Popular choices include “go potty,” “empty,” and “toilet.”
- Monitor your puppy closely: This will help you anticipate when they need to go. You may want to keep your puppy on a leash with you during the potty training phase—ideally, in a space that’s theirs, whether it’s a kennel, a bed, or a pen. “Any sudden change in behavior, such as dropping a toy and leaving the room, can indicate the urge to go potty. Circling and sniffing are also telltale signs,” Reynolds explains. When they look like they’re thinking about relieving themself, say your word of choice, then quickly take them to the pad and let them do their business.
- Stick to a schedule: Take regular trips to the potty pad every few hours and simply wait for them to go. “In general, your puppy will need to eliminate shortly after waking from sleep, eating or drinking, or playtime,” says Reynolds.
- Reward success with positive reinforcement: “If your puppy goes on the potty pad, be sure to celebrate it!” Reynolds tells us. “Excited praise, petting, and special treats will reinforce the act and make it more likely to repeat.”
- Be consistent: Practice makes perfect! The more you practice (repeating steps if necessary) and the more you reward positive behavior, the more likely you are to have a fully potty-trained dog.
Common mistakes to avoid with puppy pads
Learning to use potty pads correctly is a process. For the best chance of success, try to avoid the following:
- Never punish your dog for accidents: “Doing so will only confuse them and discourage elimination in your presence,” says Reynolds.
- Keep pads in the same location: This helps your dog remember where they’re supposed to go.
- Avoid placing the pad in your dog’s territory: “Speaking of location, don’t set a precedent for going potty in areas where your dog may be reluctant to go,” advises Reynolds. “Crates and exercise pens should be no-go zones.” High-traffic areas should be avoided as well.
- Keep it fresh: Most dogs prefer to go potty on a clean surface. Change used pads regularly to keep things sanitary and odor-free.
- Use cue words consistently: Otherwise, you could confuse your dog.
Are Some Puppy Pads Better Than Others?
Choosing the right puppy pad for your dog will be largely a matter of personal preference, but there are some key features all pet parents will want to look for.
The main concern here will be absorbency—after all, a pad that leaks won’t benefit anyone! To keep urine contained, look for pads with multiple layers (5 to 7 should do it) and leak-proof backing.
Of course, odor control will also be top of mind. To that end, we like potty pads that incorporate odor-neutralizing materials or activated charcoal, like the Bulldogology Black Carbon Training Pads. There are also scented pads that may mask offensive odors, but Reynolds reminds us that dogs have sensitive noses and may avoid perfumed materials.
To facilitate training, pads with dog-specific attractants are useful. The Four Paws Wee-Wee Pads, for example, have a built-in pheromonal attractant to make them more appealing and encourage dogs to use them.
For the environmentally conscious pet parent, Reynolds suggests washable pads. Fabric pads like the Pet Parents Pawtect Washable Dog Pee Pads can be washed and reused, sparing your wallet—and the planet.
Finally, fake grass can make the transition to outdoor pottying easier. “Assuming that most people prefer to have their pup eliminate outside exclusively in the long run, artificial grass pads provide a tactile experience simulating natural surfaces,” Reynolds explains. Products like PetMaker’s Artificial Grass Mat drain urine into a shallow pan underneath. On the downside, these need to be cleaned often, which can be tricky.
Alternatives to puppy pads
If you prefer to avoid using puppy pads during potty training, there are alternatives available.
- Crate training: You can minimize accidents by choosing a crate that’s just large enough to allow your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Metal dividers are also helpful for customizing a crate’s size.
- Bell training: Use a bell to teach your dog to signal when they need to go outside.
- Frequent walks: For many dogs, walk time means “wee” time, so try to make them a part of your regular routine.
- Potty training spray: Applying a pheromone-based spray to the outdoor area you want your dog to go potty may help attract them.
- Work with a trainer: Don’t rule out enlisting some professional help! A dog trainer can teach you techniques and help your pet master potty training.
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews, and an interview with professional trainer Brett Reynolds. We prioritized absorbency, odor control, and practicality of use. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pups, who are never stingy with their feedback.