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.
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
Dogs won’t automatically know to use a potty pad, so training is important. To train a dog to pee on the pad, watch for signs that your dog has to urinate, like circling or sniffing. Take them on a leash to the pee pad, then offer the cue word of your choice. When your pup pees on the pad, reward them with praise and treats.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Familiarize your puppy with the pad, allowing them to see and sniff the pad.
- Choose a cue word or phrase to signal it’s time to go wee. Popular choices include “go potty,” “empty,” and “toilet.”
- Monitor your puppy closely so you can anticipate when they need to go. You may want to keep your puppy on a leash with you during the potty training phase. “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 your puppy looks like they’re thinking about relieving themself, quickly take them to the pad and say your word of choice.
- When your puppy pees on the pad, reward them with enthusiastic praise and treats.
- Create 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.
- Be consistent. The more you practice and the more you reward positive behavior, the more likely you are to have a fully potty-trained dog.
Teaching a dog to pee on a potty pad 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.
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.
