If you are looking forward to a new puppy, one of the first things you will want to do is house train them. Using puppy pads has become increasingly common, but do puppy pads work?
Not everyone has the same idea about how to housebreak a puppy. Some people start by training their pup to go outside to relieve themselves. While others, especially if there isn’t easy access to the outdoors, may want to teach their pup to relieve themselves in a particular place like a puppy pad.
There is no right way or wrong way but if you consider using puppy pads, read on to find out the pros and cons.
What is a puppy pad?
Historically a puppy pad tended to be an old newspaper left in the corner of a room. However, this wasn’t always the most hygienic of solutions. Also, it wasn’t often thick enough to prevent the pee from soaking through onto the floor.
As demand has grown for a more hygienic and convenient solution, puppy pads have developed into a big business.
Many owners, especially those with small dogs or those that live in apartments, use them almost exclusively as a place for their dogs to relieve themselves.
The easiest way to think of a puppy pad is to liken it to a nappy in its makeup, but instead of your dog wearing it, it lays flat on the floor. Typically puppy pads are layered sheets of material that include absorbent and protective tiers to trap any liquid and prevent it from seeping through onto your floor.
However, the production of puppy pads employs many different materials. There are even those designed to look like a patch of grass. They come in various sizes, with many models including different types of attractant, and compatible with dedicated puppy pad holder trays for extra security and convenience.
How do puppy pads work?
The idea is that your puppy will learn to use the pee pad when they want to relieve themselves. The benefit of this approach is that you can quickly dispose of the soiled puppy pad once it’s been soiled. This improves the clean-up process considerably and keeps your home clean.
Generally, the pad would be left in a special place so that your puppy has easy access to it when needed. Some pads contain a scent that is meant to encourage your puppy to use it.
However, there is nothing miraculous about a puppy pad. Your puppy will not automatically know how to use one, so you need to train your pup to associate peeing and pooping with the pad.
Training your puppy
Not everyone will train their puppy in the same way. But there are general rules that can make house training easier on both you and your dog.
- Make sure the puppy pad is easily accessible.
- Please keep it in the same place so that your puppy gets used to where to go.
- Supervise your puppy at all times to avoid accidents
- Make frequent trips to the pad with your puppy. Every 15 minutes is a good rule of thumb to start.
- Never punish a puppy if it has an accident. It will learn to associate having a pee with being told off. This means that your puppy is more likely to go somewhere quiet in the future, such as the back of the couch.
- If your puppy does wee or poop on the pad, reward them immediately afterward
- Introduced a cue word when your puppy uses the pad. As the association between the cue word and pad develops, you can train your puppy to go on command.
- Ideal times to take your pup to the pad are after a nap and 10-15 minutes after they eat.
The Pros
Puppy pads have many things in their favor. For apartment lovers, house training a puppy can be a frustrating and tiring business. Having to run outside every 15 minutes just to check if your puppy wants a pee can be a lot of hassle, especially if you live in a high-rise block. So puppy pads offer an easy solution to frequent trips outside.
Some small dogs don’t tolerate cold very well, so living somewhere with extreme winters can create an issue with taking your dog for a walk to relieve themselves.
This is also true for convalescing or old dogs whose mobility is severely restricted, and in these circumstances, puppy pads can be a very effective alternative.
Puppy pads offer a more hygienic and less smelly solution than a newspaper. They are convenient, easy to use, and they are a valuable training tool if they are used effectively.
The Cons
Dogs get used to using puppy pads. If you want to teach your dog to go outside to eliminate, then using puppy pads, in the beginning, can be a hindrance.
Some dogs need to be weaned off using the pads before they will relieve themselves outside. This can mean extra training and some frustrating accidents.
If you do find that your dog is unwilling to make the transition to outside, you can try to make it easier for them by:
- Gradually moving the puppy pad nearer the back door each day until you can take the pad outside.
- Only putting the pad down at certain times of the day. Such as after your dog’s meal. But make sure your dog has access to outside space at all other times.
- Rewarding your dog heavily for peeing or pooping outside
- Supervising your dog. So that if you notice your dog sniffing, you can take them outside
- Use the cue word when outside.
Some people find that the scent that is added to the pads attracts their dogs so much that their puppy tears up the pad, leaving them without a place to pee.
If you are keen on using puppy pads, but this keeps happening, there are alternatives like artificial turf boxes, or you may want to go old school and use newspaper.
Puppy pad options
Simple Solution Training Puppy Pads - 6 Layer Dog Pee Pads, Absorbs Up to 6 Cups of Liquid - 23x24in - 100 Count - EASY TRAINING: Our pee pads for dogs feature a 3-in-1 attractant formula that entices, engages, and encourages your furry friend to use the pad, making training a breeze; say goodbye to accidents and...
- 6-LAYER PROTECTION: These potty pads offer ultimate protection with a 6-layer system that works together seamlessly; from the tear-resistant top sheet to the leak-proof backing, every layer is...
- INSTASHIELD CORE: The InstaShield Core at the heart of these puppy pads can absorb up to 6 cups of liquid, providing ultimate protection and ensuring your pet always has a comfortable place to go,...
Klean Paws Dog Toilet & Potty Pad Holder - No Torn Potty Pads - Keep Paws Dry - Protect Floors – Just Throw Away Pads for Easy Cleanup & Wipe Clean... - ♥ KEEPS PAWS DRY ♥ - high quality perforated grate will allow pee to flow directly below your pets feet into the training pad or newspaper underneath keeping your pets feet dry and clean. Forget...
- ♥ NO MORE TORN PUPPY PADS ♥ - easy snap on/off grate system will prevent teething puppies from getting to training pads or newspaper in the pee pad holder. You have to buy them a real chew toy...
- ♥ SAVE MONEY ON PADS ♥ - since your puppies paws will be dry and they can’t chew them up, you can use pads longer. You can even use old newspapers to save even more money! Your wallet will be...
Sale 
PetSafe Pet Loo Portable Dog Potty, Alternative to Puppy Pads, Large - PEACE OF MIND: Great for working pet parents or those that live in apartments and want to train the dog to use the restroom indoor
- LESS ODOR: The covered waste bin and Wee Sponge powder work together to trap smells and help keep the potty odor-free. Made of PET- Polyethylene Terephthalate plastic.
- CONVENIENT CLEAN-UP: The Pee-Pod slides out of the base and the Wee Sponge powder turns the urine into a gel on contact to easily dispose of the waste
Simple Solution Dog Training Pad Holder, Fits Pads 21 by 21-Inch or Larger - Helps prevent tearing or pad shredding
- Provides a secure anchor to keep pads in place
- Fits any pad 21 by 21-inch or larger
Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor - Enzyme Pet Odor Eliminator for Home - Carpet Stain Remover for Cats and Dog Pee - Enzymatic... - CERTIFIED GENTLE AND SAFE Chlorine free and color safe. Safe to use around pets and children. No hazardous propellants, no residue left behind. So gentle it’s been Certified Safe for all carpets,...
- ELIMINATES STAINS, ODORS AND RESIDUE If it’s gross, it’s gone. Not just the stain, but the stink. From stinky yellow pet urine and feces to vomit and other organic spills, our professional...
- EVERY SURFACE, EVERY TIME For use on carpets, floors, furniture, clothing, litter boxes, kennels, carriers, all pet living and sleeping areas—anywhere stains happen.
- EASY TRAINING: Our pee pads for dogs feature a 3-in-1 attractant formula that entices, engages, and encourages your furry friend to use the pad, making training a breeze; say goodbye to accidents and...
- 6-LAYER PROTECTION: These potty pads offer ultimate protection with a 6-layer system that works together seamlessly; from the tear-resistant top sheet to the leak-proof backing, every layer is...
- INSTASHIELD CORE: The InstaShield Core at the heart of these puppy pads can absorb up to 6 cups of liquid, providing ultimate protection and ensuring your pet always has a comfortable place to go,...
- ♥ KEEPS PAWS DRY ♥ - high quality perforated grate will allow pee to flow directly below your pets feet into the training pad or newspaper underneath keeping your pets feet dry and clean. Forget...
- ♥ NO MORE TORN PUPPY PADS ♥ - easy snap on/off grate system will prevent teething puppies from getting to training pads or newspaper in the pee pad holder. You have to buy them a real chew toy...
- ♥ SAVE MONEY ON PADS ♥ - since your puppies paws will be dry and they can’t chew them up, you can use pads longer. You can even use old newspapers to save even more money! Your wallet will be...
- PEACE OF MIND: Great for working pet parents or those that live in apartments and want to train the dog to use the restroom indoor
- LESS ODOR: The covered waste bin and Wee Sponge powder work together to trap smells and help keep the potty odor-free. Made of PET- Polyethylene Terephthalate plastic.
- CONVENIENT CLEAN-UP: The Pee-Pod slides out of the base and the Wee Sponge powder turns the urine into a gel on contact to easily dispose of the waste
- Helps prevent tearing or pad shredding
- Provides a secure anchor to keep pads in place
- Fits any pad 21 by 21-inch or larger
- CERTIFIED GENTLE AND SAFE Chlorine free and color safe. Safe to use around pets and children. No hazardous propellants, no residue left behind. So gentle it’s been Certified Safe for all carpets,...
- ELIMINATES STAINS, ODORS AND RESIDUE If it’s gross, it’s gone. Not just the stain, but the stink. From stinky yellow pet urine and feces to vomit and other organic spills, our professional...
- EVERY SURFACE, EVERY TIME For use on carpets, floors, furniture, clothing, litter boxes, kennels, carriers, all pet living and sleeping areas—anywhere stains happen.
Do puppy pads work?
There are so many options to choose from. So we’ve whittled it down to the best of the best.
We’ve included a simulated grass version as well as an eco-friendly reusable choice. So there should be something to suit everyone.
People are very divided as to whether puppy pads work or not. For a lot of owners, puppy pads are an essential part of their doggy toolkit.
They are convenient, hygienic, and prevent a dirty house. While for others, puppy pads have worked a little too well, as they struggle to re-train their dogs to go outside.
Although they should never replace a healthy dog’s daily walk, they offer a viable solution for people with dogs that cannot go outside. And they offer a convenient way to house train your puppy.
But it’s important to remember that your puppy won’t automatically know what these pads have been put on the floor for. Training is essential for the success of the puppy pad. Whatever side of the fence you fall on, puppy pads are big business and are here to stay.
Last update on 2023-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API