The Best Dog Training Pads
While welcoming a new puppy into your home is exciting, there's a lot of work involved with being a pet parent. Potty training is often one of the most challenging aspects of bringing a new puppy home. That's where dog training pads come in, helping keep your floors clean and accidents contained to one spot in your house. With so many training pads on the market, choosing the right one for your pup may seem like an impossible task. To make your search easier, we've rounded up some of the best dog training pads the internet has to offer.
What to Look For
We kept the following three questions in mind as we searched for the best dog training pads on the market: How many absorbency layers do they have? Are they disposable or reusable? How effectively do they absorb odors? Our top pick was the dog training pads from Amazon Basics, which are highly absorbent and big enough to cover a large surface area. We were also impressed by the dog training pads from Glad, which are highly absorbent and use activated carbon to help neutralize odors. Read on to learn about the rest of our favorites and discover the right training pads for your pup.
Amazon Basics Heavy Duty Dog Training Pads
Keeping it clean
If you’re looking for budget-friendly dog training pads that get the job done, it’s hard to go wrong with these puppy pee pads from Amazon Basics. These pads have five absorbent layers that keep odors at bay, prevent leaks, and help protect floors from accidents. What’s more, they also have a built-in scent that encourages puppies to relieve themselves on the pad.
Pros:
- We love how effectively these pads work even with large dogs, holding urine in the lining without leaking.
- In addition to training puppies, these pads work well with other animals, including as a cage lining for birds and rabbits.
Cons:
- The surface may stay wet after dogs relieve themselves.
Glad Activated Carbon Dog Training Pads
Easy clean up
When you need dog training pads that quickly absorb liquids and keep your dog’s paws dry, these pads from Glad get the job done. They have five layers and turn urine into a gel, locking it away from the pads’ surface. Plus, the activated carbon helps minimize strong odors while keeping surfaces under the pad dry.
Pros:
- We were thrilled that these pads use activated carbon, which minimizes the appearance of urine stains on the pads.
- These pads are great during inclement weather, controlling order while allowing dogs to relieve themselves without going outside.
Cons:
- The pads are black, making it difficult to tell if they’ve been soiled.
Immcute Extra Large Dog Training Pads
Spick and span
These dog training pads from Immcute are the ones to reach for when you need to protect a large surface area in your home from accidents. The extra-large pads are highly absorbent, quickly converting urine into a gel and keeping it away from the pad’s surface, helping to prevent paw tracking around the house. Moreover, they effectively control odor.
Pros:
- We were impressed by how quickly these pads absorb liquid, keeping the borders and surface area below them dry.
- Since these pads are so big, they’re an excellent choice for dogs that like to circle in a large area before relieving themselves.
Cons:
- There’s no adhesive tape on the ends of the pad
Paw Legend Reusable Dog Training Pads
Built to last
If your dog is potty trained but has occasional accidents, or you need a puppy pad your dog can use during inclement weather, these washable dog training pads by Paw Legend are an excellent choice. They feature a super absorbent inner core that prevents leaks and a moisture-wicking surface to minimize paw tracks. But that’s not all; they’re also reusable, saving you money on buying pads repeatedly.
Pros:
- We especially liked that these peed pads were thick and held a large amount of urine without leaking.
- The training pads are dark, minimizing the appearance of urine stains.
Cons:
- They require frequent washing to control odor.
Honey Care Quick Dry Dog Training Pads
Quick and easy
With a powerful odor neutralizer to minimize scents and a quick-drying surface, these dog training pads from Honey Care have what it takes to keep your home clean and your pup happy. They effectively absorb urine, and the plastic border reduces the chance of spillage. They work well on all types of surfaces as well as in kennels and crates while traveling.
Pros:
- We found these pads were thick and highly durable, holding up well and not falling apart easily.
- These pads work as well as more expensive brands, making them an excellent value for the price.
Cons:
- There’s no adhesive on the bottom of the pads to secure them to the floor.
Where should you place dog training pads?
When using dog training pads to housebreak your pup, you should place the pads in strategic locations instead of scattering them throughout the house. You want to train your dog to think of a specific area as the place where they relieve themselves and not think of the entire house as a place for going to the bathroom. The best location for dog training pads is over tile or another hard surface in a part of your house that gets little foot traffic.
How long will my pup need to use dog training pads?
If you’re housebreaking a new puppy, you’ll only need to use training pads temporarily. Dog training pads are typically used when puppies are very young. As soon as your dog is ready, you’ll want to transition them to going to the bathroom outside. However, if you live in a high-rise building or an area with extreme weather, you may want to use training pads long-term, especially if you have a small dog.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
Since 2008, DogTime has served as a leading resource for millions of dog owners and pet lovers alike. Our goal is to give every dog and pet a happy, healthy home by providing owners with all the information they need to be the best pet parents possible. Our experts share their insights and recommendations to make caring for your beloved pets a breeze.