The best puppy training pads to toilet train your pooch

Keeping your house clean and your puppy happy with these training pads.

best puppy training pads - Take a Break Pets

by Caitlin Casey |
Updated on

Puppy training pads are one more thing to add to the list when buying essentials for a new puppy. If you've added a new pooch to your family, there are loads of things to think about. From dog food to tackling pet hairs, it can be overwhelming and exciting at the same time. One thing you don't want to forget with a young pup, though, is toilet training. Check out our top choices of puppy pads below.

You will have to go through dog training, but toilet training is definitely at the top of the list when it comes to puppies. Before your dog has been fully vaccinated, you can't take them out for their usual walks, but that doesn't stop them from needing the loo. If you have a garden or outside space, puppy training pads can work as a training tool to eventually lead them out to the garden, showing them where to go.

If you don't have your own green space, using toilet pads while they're young can help save your carpets as they progress in their training. Puppy training pads are square or rectangular mats that you put inside your house or out in the garden to teach your pup where and when to pee or poo. They are usually super-absorbent and leak-proof to ensure the mess is easily cleaned and mopped up.

Best puppy training pads at a glance

Best affordable puppy pads: Amazon Basics Pet Training Pads – View offer on Amazon UK
Best leak protection puppy pads: Simple Solution Premium Dog and Puppy Training Pads – View offer on Amazon UK
Best absorbent puppy pads: Out! Go Here Absorbent Dog and Puppy Pads – View offer on Amazon UK

If you're frustrated with your doggy peeing on your carpet or in the kitchen, it may be time to invest in these training mats. We've rounded up our favourites. If you want to know more about how to toilet train your dog scroll to the FAQs at the end of this article.

Best puppy training pads

Best affordable puppy pads

Amazon Basics Pet Training Pads, RegularAmazon
Price: £12.99

Accessible, efficient and great value for money, we're kicking off our choices with these Amazon Basics Pet Training Pads which you can order right now. The packs come in different sizes, which you can select depending on how many puppies you have and how much you can afford. With five layers and high absorbency, these are a great first choice.

Customer review: "I bought a pack of these from a bargain shop, then I saw these on Amazon. These are just the same. They come in a simple clear plastic bag and work well. I place one in the puppy pen and one at the back door. The back door one usually gets played with instead of used but you never know he may use it (hopefully) soon. It makes cleaning the puppy pen in the morning so easy. Thank goodness for puppy pads."

Pros

  • Quick dry
  • Leak-proof
  • Choose different pack sizes

Cons

  • Not the most heavy-duty
Quantity:50 (40, 60, 100 and 150 also available)
Dimensions:56 x 56cm (X-Large 60 x 75cm also available)

Best leak protection puppy pads

Simple Solution Premium Dog and Puppy Training Pads, Pack of 100Amazon
Price: £60.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$29.04View offer

Say hello to these lavender-scented Simple Solution Premium Dog and Puppy Training Pads which have six layers for full leakage protection and full absorbency. The InstaShield technology allows these pads to hold up to six cups of liquid and neutralise any stinky odours.

Customer review: "I’ve had these for over a month and I’m probably about halfway through them. They’re super absorbing and we’ve had no leaks through them, Our puppy is very small but he can do some big wees sometimes - highly recommend these for house training."

Pros

  • Colour changing
  • Leak protection with six layers
  • InstaShield technology
  • 3-in-1 attractant system

Cons

  • Some reviews say their dog shredded the pad
Quantity:100 (14, 30, 50, 56, 100, 224 also available)
Dimensions:55 x 56cm (XL 71 x 76cm also available)

Best absorbent puppy pads

These multi-purpose OUT! Go Here Absorbent Dog and Puppy Pads work well with their moisture-lock technology and five-layered leak-proof protection. One of the best points is that they only use tissue and pulp from certified sustainable forests. Grab them in different size packs as well as an option with a pad holder.

Customer review: "Works really well, I have a French bulldog puppy. I have used a few brands of puppy pads and these seem to have the best attractant. They also are pretty durable, as my puppy is a bit dumb and chews on everything, so durability is a big plus."

Pros

  • Moisture-locked
  • Built-in puppy attractant
  • Multiple pack options

Cons

  • No adhesive or grip
Quantity:100 (30, 180 also available)
Dimensions:56cm x 56cm

Best reusable puppy pads

PET MAGASIN Pet Training Pads with Waterproof BottomAmazon
Price: £23.99

If you're looking to cut down on your disposable waste, check out these PET MAGASIN reusable puppy pads that are machine washable with sustainability in mind. They don't cut back on absorption though, with odour control and prevention seams and the ability to hold up to four cups of liquid.

Customer review: "Super alternative for disposable paper training pads. My puppy prefers them to the carpets. 100 per cent absorbency, easy 30 minute quick wash, and they come back as new. I bought a set, and after a few days, time-ordered the second and recommend buying two sets! Great communication with the seller."

Pros

  • Reusable and washable
  • Super affordable
  • Waterproof bottom
  • Different sizes

Cons

  • Not very absorbent
Quantity:3 (pack of 1 also available)
Dimensions:M 83 x 50cm (XS, S, L and XL also available)

Best synthetic puppy training grass mat

Hompet Dog Toilet Indoor Puppy Training PadAmazon
Price: £56.99

If you want to teach your dog to mess outside before they're allowed out, check out this reusable synthetic grass mat which encourages your pooch to poop outside and works as a toilet mat. Hompet Dog Toilet Indoor Puppy Training Pad also helps if you want them to mess in only one area. The mat is absorbent and non-toxic, and the dog wee goes into a waste tray making it extra efficient.

Customer review: "This is brilliant for indoor dog use or even outdoor so my dog learns to go in one spot and not all over the garden. The grass is non-toxic and easy to clean. Once cleaned it does not hold the smell. The wee goes down into a drawer that is easy to remove and wash after use. Good strong quality and made to last."

Pros

  • Three-piece system
  • Extra durable
  • Eco-friendly
  • Reusable for sustainability

Cons

  • Difficult to clean
Quantity:1
Dimensions:L63 x W51 x H7cm

Best sustainable puppy pad

While puppy pads are cheap, they're not the most sustainable choice, taking hundreds of years to degrade in landfills. If you're looking for an eco-friendly puppy pad, you could try a real grass patch. Piddle Patch comes highly rated, is shipped directly to your home, and is grown in a water-resistant box that is suitable for indoor use. It's soil-free, so you won't end up with muddy paw prints all over your home and makes toilet training super easy if you want your dog to eventually go on grass. What's more, if you live in a flat and don't have your own green space, you can subscribe so that your pet always has a natural place to do its business.

Customer review: "5* absolute lifesaver. Our little pup struggled with the unsightly pee pads as we live in a 1st floor flat - she found them confusing and would often mess on the carpet or clothing. But not anymore, she took to Piddle Patch immediately and now we are accident-free. She gets very excited when a new one arrives and I really cannot recommend these highly enough."

Pros

  • Real grass makes it easier to train your dog
  • Good for the planet
  • Subscription option

Cons

  • Real grass needs extra care
Quantity:1
Dimensions:66 x 48 x 5cm

FAQs

How do I toilet-train my puppy?

At first, it can be exciting to bring a puppy into a new home, but bringing up a puppy comes with the responsibility of training them. It can take between four and six months for your puppy to be completely trained.
Like humans, every dog is different and it can take a while for some puppies to grasp it, while others will get the hang of it quickly. Here are some of our top tips for puppy toilet training.
Routine is key
The more you put into training, the more your puppy will get out of it. Use positive reinforcement, and think about timings and rewards every time your puppy goes. You may have to wait around a while if you’re taking your puppy out or putting them on mats at certain times, but it will be worth it when they start to recognise their behaviour. You can also teach them a command associated with using the toilet, such as 'go potty'.
Place a toilet area in your house
With puppy training mats, you can establish a secure area that your puppy can use to do their business. Remember to use rewards-based training and keep up the routine within the toilet area so your puppy learns more quickly.
Don’t stress
Your puppy is young and learning, so it’s likely that accidents are going to happen. Even if there’s an accident around the house, don’t get fed up or frustrated - your puppy can’t help it! If you catch them in the act, move them before they’ve finished and then clean up. Don't scold them, as this can be counter-productive. Remember: consistency is key.

Caitlin Casey is a Senior Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for Take a Break Pets. When not out and about, you can catch her reading books at home with her two cats.

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