Training pads are one of the most misused tools in house training — not because they don't work, but because most people place them wrong and never phase them out.
Where to actually put the pad
Consistency matters more than location. Pick one spot, away from food and water bowls and away from high-traffic areas, and keep the pad there for at least several weeks. Moving it around confuses the association you're trying to build.
Getting your puppy or kitten to use it
- Watch for the pre-elimination signs — sniffing, circling, sudden stillness — and carry them to the pad the first few times
- Praise immediately after they go, not after they walk away
- Leave a very small trace of scent on a fresh pad rather than washing the area with strong-smelling cleaner, which can erase the cue entirely
Sizing and absorbency
A pad that's too small means missed edges and cleanup; oversized pads just waste money. As a rough guide, the pad should be noticeably larger than the puppy or kitten lying down flat. Look for a leak-proof plastic backing and a quick-dry top layer — wet paws walking through a soggy pad is how the mess ends up on your floor instead of on the pad.
Phasing them out
Once accidents away from the pad become rare, gradually move the pad a few inches per day toward the door (for dogs being transitioned outside), or simply reduce the pad footprint over 1-2 weeks for cats moving to a litter box. Sudden removal usually causes a relapse.
Our Dog & Cat Training Pads (50-Pack) are sized for exactly this kind of extended, consistent use rather than one-off travel situations.