Potty training is probably one of the top priorities when bringing home a new dog. Whilst it can take months to fully housebreak a puppy, training pads are an excellent way to get the process going. Laying down pee pads for dogs gives them a designated area to do their business, preventing mess elsewhere in the house.
In this buying guide, we'll go over the benefits of both disposable pads and reusable mats, including ones that mimic real grass. With bulk packs ranging from 20 to 100, read on for the 10 best and top recommended training pads on Amazon UK!
Quick List - Top Training Pads
Pogi's Pet Supplies
Highly Absorbent, Eco-Friendly Disposable Training Pads
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Disposable pads are the most common option you'll find. These are generally cheaper to begin with, but can add up over time depending on how long you need to use them. For this reason, it's probably best to order them in bulk.
Usually made out of layers of paper-like substances, these disposable paper pads are, of course, the least environmentally-friendly option. While it might take a little more time to transition a puppy to pee on the grass outside, training a dog to use paper pads still has its benefits.
If you take your dog travelling with you, or if they fall ill and can't go for walks, it gives them the option to pee when they can't get outside. Ideally, teaching your dog to go potty on the outside grass alongside disposable pads are your best bet.
When house training puppies, incentivise good behaviour with treats
Washable training pads are made out of cloth material. These tend to have a higher cost but will last a lot longer, making them much more environmentally friendly. That said, you will need to buy two to ensure that one is always clean and available to hand.
The downside to washable pads is that they may hold some stench after a while, and depending on the pad's quality, the timeline on this can vary quite dramatically. Also, some dogs may be put off by heavily scented laundry detergent and could end up mistaking them for a bed rather than a pee spot.
Finally, you have the option of artificial grass pads. These look and feel like natural grass (depending on how high quality the product is) and can be excellent for mimicking the outdoor environment.
They are probably the most expensive option, but you should only need one as they can be washed easily with a bit of soap and warm water. They are more aesthetically pleasing for your apartment, and might make it easier to transition your puppy to peeing in the great outdoors when the time comes.
This is probably one of the most important factors in choosing a quality training pad. Just like nappies, if the absorbency level isn't high enough, you may as well just use a regular towel or layer of paper. When it comes to matters of wee, the last thing you want is for it to seep through and ruin your lovely carpet or flooring!
The quality and type of materials used in training pads will indicate the level of absorbency a pad might have. The main thing to look out for is 'polymer layers' - the more the pad has, the more it can absorb. These essentially work by converting the liquid (the wee) into a gel-like consistency that helps prevent it from leaking through further layers onto your floor.
Just in case of any accidents, here are the 10 best mops in the UK!
Training pads aren't just useful for puppies, they can also be great for adult and senior dogs. This is why it's important to make sure the pads you pick are the right size for both the breed and age of your dog.
While a small pad will be difficult for a sizeable adult dog to use as a target, you also don't need giant pads for a small dog or puppy. Small to medium-sized breeds will generally be most comfortable using a regular size of 24" x 35", but large dogs will require something with a greater surface area.
Some training pads contain an attractant that tempts your dog over, encouraging them to do their business. You may not be able to smell it yourself, but our canine friends have a much keener nose on them!
The scents vary from brand to brand, but they all work in the same way. For instance, some might smell like grass which helps a puppy transition to peeing outside, whereas some smell like ammonia - which dogs typically like to cover with urine. Some simply smell like dog pheromones, which they'll undoubtedly want to check out.
Either way, the point is to persuade your dog, through smell, that this is the place they want to pee. According to many positive reinforcement dog trainers, getting a puppy to do something voluntarily is the best way to ensure that behaviour sticks. So, if you want to find the very best pads, look for ones that include attractants.
Some especially mischievous dogs have a fun habit of tearing up the pee pads, which is costly to replace and creates one hell of a mess. If your pup is of this sort, try finding puppy pads with adhesive corners.
These enable you to stick down the pads onto the floor so they can't be pulled up, ripped, or played with, meaning they'll likely last much longer around a playful pup. This will also prevent them from being dragged across the floor, mess and all, which is a definite plus!
Distract your dog from tearing up their training mat with one of these exciting interactive toys!
Some training pads can help to control odours. A relatively new feature, this is usually achieved via the materials used in the pads. Some have fragrances, whilst others simply contain technology that neutralises the scent.
That said, when potty training a puppy, it's recommended to leave a little of their urine scent on the pad as dogs will often pee in the same spot over and over again. Leaving the smell will enable them to find it again, making potty training run much more smoothly.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pogi's Pet Supplies Earth Friendly Training Pads | ![]() | Highly Absorbent, Eco-Friendly Disposable Training Pads | |
2 | PetCellence Training Pads | ![]() | Multilayered Training Pads With High-Quality Polymer | |
3 | Simple Solutions Premium Training Pads | ![]() | Lavender Scented Training Pads to Eliminate Unpleasant Smells | |
4 | Out! Go Here Dog Pads | ![]() | Lure Your Dog to the Mat With Attracting Scents | |
5 | Simple Solutions Washable Travel Pads | ![]() | Reusable Training Pads With Odour Control | |
6 | All Pet Solutions Puppy Training Pads | ![]() | Bulk Box of 100 Puppy Training Pads | |
7 | Pet Impact Premium Reusable Pet Pads | ![]() | Reusable Training Pads That Are Washing Machine Safe | |
8 | Hompet Training Grass Mat | ![]() | Artificial Grass Mat for Small Dogs and Puppies | |
9 | World of Pets Super Absorbent Training Pads | ![]() | Convenient Disposable Pads for Pens and House Training | |
10 | Starroad-Tim Artificial Grass Rug | ![]() | Synthetic Grass Pad With Drainage Tray for Easy Cleaning |
It was a tough call between the top two, but these training pads from Pogis took the edge due to the sheer amount of positive reviews. Similar to PetCellence in terms of features, these pads have a super high absorbency rate and contain odour control technology within the multilayered material.
They contain an appealing attractant that will surely be valuable when first training any puppy or dog where to go. And, as a final bonus, all the layers are made using eco-friendly, sustainable materials with adhesive straps to stop them sliding away!
Our runner up is PetCellence's disposable pads. These training pads are ultra-thick with six layers, including a high-grade polymer that makes them extra absorbent. Due to their size, these pads are great for both puppies who struggle to stay on the mat, and for medium to large dogs.
The material also has an attractive smell to entice your pup to pee in the right spot, and odour control technology that reduces the smell of fresh wee within seconds. With the addition of adhesive stickers to secure everything in place—all in all, they're an excellent buy for any dog!
This pack of 100 premium puppy training pads from Simple Solutions is a great option if you really want to eliminate the odour of wee in the house. The pads are made using a superior odour control material that emits a delicate lavender scent.
Not only do they fill your home with lavender, and not urine, but they are highly absorbent. They even contain an attractant smell that helps lure your dog over to do their business.
Next up, we have the Go Here Puppy pads from Out! Coming in a pack of 100, these are excellent value for money. But that doesn't mean they've skimped on the quality, these disposable pads contain an attractive smell to help lure your dog into peeing directly on the mat - which makes potty training much more manageable!
They're made from an odour eliminating material and, according to the reviews, have a high level of absorbency thanks to their moisture lock technology. A great buy if you want to go down the disposable route.
These washable training pads from Simple Solutions are a great eco-friendly choice with a ton of positive reviews. With two in a pack, you can have one on the go whilst the other is getting a well-needed wash.
What's especially great about these reusable pads is their high absorbency level. The material also contains odour control technology to help neutralise the scent so you won't need to wash them every time, making the mats themselves last much longer.
These puppy training pads from All Pet Solutions are fantastic if you're looking to buy in bulk! They come in a pack of 100 for a fairly reasonable price and have adhesive stickers to keep them firmly in place, and eliminate any mischievous shredding.
They're a little on the small side, so you'll probably want to lay down a few side by side, and while the material doesn't contain any specific scents to lure your dog to the spot, they are highly absorbent. They also contain odour control technology to eliminate the tangy fragrance of fresh pee.
If you're not keen on disposables, but still require some form of training pad to lay down, these reusable training pads from Pet Impact are a top choice. They stay firmly put, thanks to the non-slip backing, and are a relatively large size to accommodate most dogs.
Unfortunately, there isn't any odour control, so they might start to smell after a while, even if they've been washed many times. That said, the absorbency rate is fantastic, and you receive three in a pack, so you won't be caught short if a couple are in the wash.
Next up, we have another artificial grass training pad. If you happen to have a puppy that loves the feel of artificial grass, then this is a great option to try. It may be a little smaller than some others, so it's best suited to puppies or small dogs.
There's a pull-out drawer underneath the grass matt, which collects the pee, making for an effortless clean-up, and the grass is made of non-toxic material. However, it can start to smell over time, so thorough cleaning will be required frequently.
Next on our list, we have our first batch of disposable pads. These are especially great for puppies as you can line their playpen area with as many as you need to ensure that your carpet stays dry, even overnight. We've chosen the pack of 20, but World of Pets also offer a 40 and a 60 box if you want to stock up.
They have excellent reviews for absorbency due to the five layers of material that lock in some of the stinky odour. However, the pads don't have any sticky adhesive tape, so they may be seen as a play toy rather than a pee mat!
We're kicking off our countdown with this artificial grass training pad. Being a little bigger than many other artificial grass pads, this is an excellent option for larger dogs. The mat also comes with a tray that sits beneath, which makes it particularly easy to clean.
Whilst this is a great short-term solution, the quality isn't up to scratch if you want to keep this as a permanent fixture in your home. This type of training pad is relatively new to the pet world, and generally aren't quite as effective as disposable pads.
Training pads are one of the best tools for potty training your dog, especially if you live in a high-rise apartment where you don't have a garden or patch of grass to hand. Puppies need to go pee a lot, and having a designated area for them to relieve themselves really helps train them to go where you want.
Simply lie a few pads in a certain spot where they hang out, so they have access to them at all times. Pads are also perfect for plastering in their crate or playpen area at nighttime when puppies can't hold their bladder in for more than a few hours.
But training pads aren't just useful for puppies. Senior dogs who struggle with long walks, have incontinence issues or injuries can also benefit from a few pee pads around the home to help them feel more comfortable.
No. 1: Pogi's Pet Supplies|Earth Friendly Training Pads
No. 2: PetCellence|Training Pads
No. 3: Simple Solutions|Premium Training Pads
No. 4: Out!|Go Here Dog Pads
No. 5: Simple Solutions|Washable Travel Pads
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