Potty Tray vs Pee Pads vs Fake Grass: What Actually Works for Puppies

We started Doodles of NC back in 2013. We tried newspaper, but it was a real pain in the butt. We had to change it so often. We tried a lot of other methods, but nothing really worked. Finally, we hit on something that worked. We put a shelving rack on top of a drip pan, and put a potty pad in between. That was the ticket. We used that setup for about 6 years before we finally decided to make it ourselves. We started manufacturing the Little Wolves tray in 2022.

What is wrong with a pee pad flat on the floor?

There are a few things that can go wrong with a pee pad flat on the floor.

First, the puppy stands in its own pee. You get wet paw prints all over the floor and it's a real pain to clean.

Second, a dog stands on the edge of the pad and the pee misses the pad. It's a mess and it's a lot of work to clean up.

Finally, puppies love to shred pads. A loose pad is tempting to chew, and swallowed pad material can hurt a puppy.

What about fake grass patches?

Dogs can pluck the fake grass and eat it. I know it's not the most appetizing thing to eat but some dogs will do it. Fake grass patches also trap the ammonia smell, and they take a lot of work to keep clean. If you're looking for a low maintenance solution then these might not be the best option.

How is a grate tray different?

The tray is two parts: a plastic base pan and a welded metal grate with a baked-on non-stick coating. The pad lies flat in the base pan, and the grate sits on top and lifts off. When your puppy does its business, the pee drains through the grate onto the pad. With puppies and small dogs, most poop drops through too, and anything left behind lifts right off the coating.

The best part is that your puppy stands on the grate, not the pad. Paws stay off the wet surface, and the pad is out of reach, so it doesn't get shredded.

Does the tray stop puppies from missing the pad?

It helps. The 22 by 22 inch grate gives your puppy a clear spot to step onto, and the pad sits fully inside the base pan underneath, so a puppy standing near the edge is still over the pad. If a puppy puts its front paws on the grate and leaves its back paws off, pee can still run under the pad. Erin's fix for that is in how we potty train a litter.

Here is the Little Wolves Potty Tray if you want to see it.