Hey there, fellow pet parents! Let’s be real—we’ve all been there: rushing home from a work trip only to step on a squishy, smelly mess in the hallway, or waking up at 2 a.m. to your cat meowing so loud you think the fire alarm’s going off because they need to go out. If you’re a pet potty pads supplier, I get it—you know these struggles firsthand, and you probably also know how game-changing a good set of potty pads can be. But here’s the thing: slapping a pad down and crossing your fingers? That’s not enough. Your pet doesn’t automatically know what that squishy, paper-thin (or maybe extra-absorbent, if you’re carrying our stuff) thing is for. Introducing potty pads isn’t rocket science, but it’s way more than just placing them around the house. I’ve worked with tons of owners who come to me panicking because their pup’s peed on their favorite rug after they tried “training” themselves, so I’ve learned a few tricks along the way that actually work—no weird punishments, no confusing steps, just science-backed, pet-friendly stuff. Let’s break it down like we’re chatting over coffee, no fancy jargon, no hidden catch. Pet Potty Pads
First, let’s start with picking the right pad for your specific pet. I know, I know—you’re here to sell pads, but I’d be a bad supplier if I didn’t tell you that the wrong pad can make or break this whole process. A tiny Chihuahua doesn’t need a giant 100×100 pad that takes up half their living room, and a Great Dane definitely won’t care about a tiny pad that’s so small they’ll miss half the spot. My go-to tip here is to match the pad size to your pet’s typical potty needs. If you have a puppy that’s still mastering their bladder, a medium pad works fine—they don’t need space to roam, just enough room to get the job done. For older pets or bigger breeds, our heavy-duty, extra-large pads are perfect because they can handle more mess, and they don’t slide around on hardwood floors like those cheap, flimsy pads you get from the grocery store. Also, pay attention to the texture and attractiveness factor. Some pets hate scratchy, plastic-y pads, while others will ignore a soft, fabric-like one. We test all our pads for scent too—nothing too strong, because that can overwhelm sensitive pets, just a subtle “safe” scent that tells them this is their spot. Oh, and if you have a cat? Skip the pads designed for dogs—cat-specific ones have a texture that’s way closer to litter, which cats actually prefer. I can’t tell you how many cat owners come back saying they wasted money on dog pads because their kitty refused to go near them. Pick the right pad first, and the rest is way easier.
Next step: choose the perfect spot or spots. This is non-negotiable. Pets are creatures of habit—they want to go in the same spot every time, so if you move the pad 3 feet over one day, they’ll pee on the floor because they can’t find it. Where should that spot be? First, pick a area that’s easily accessible for your pet, especially if they’re a puppy, senior, or have mobility issues. A corner of the living room near their food and water (but not right next to it—pets hate peeing where they eat, trust me) is perfect, or a spot by the back door if they’re supposed to go outside eventually. Don’t place the pad near their bed or toys—those are their safe spaces, and they won’t want to use them there. Also, don’t put multiple pads all over the house “just in the case” when you’re starting out. That only confuses them. Start with one, maybe two max if you have a big space, and keep them in the same exact place every single day. If you need to move them later, do it very slowly—like an inch a day—so your pet has time to adjust. I had a customer once who moved her pup’s pad from the kitchen to the laundry room overnight, and her puppy peed on every rug in the house for a week. Oops. Don’t do that.
Now, the actual introduction part—this is where patience and positive reinforcement win. No yelling, no spraying with water, no rubbing their nose in a mess. That just makes them scared of you, and scared of peeing in front of you, which will make the problem way worse. Here’s what to do instead: when you first bring your new pad home, keep a close eye on your pet for the first few days. Whenever you notice them sniffing around, circling (that’s their potty dance, by the way), or acting like they need to go, immediately gently pick them up (or guide them, if they’re big) and take them straight to the pad. Say a calm, consistent phrase like “go potty” or “use your pad”—pets learn to associate words with actions, so this will help later. If they do their business on the pad right away, celebrate like you just won the lottery. Give them a tiny, special treat (the kind they only get for using the pad), a scratch behind the ears, and a happy voice—they’ll pick up that using the pad equals good things. If they don’t go, don’t stress. Wait 10 or 15 minutes, try again, and if they still don’t, put them back in their safe space (like a crate or playpen) and try later. Consistency is key here—most pets take 2 to 4 days to get the hang of it, but some take a week, and that’s totally normal.
Wait, what about accidents? Let’s be real, accidents are going to happen. It’s not a failure—it’s part of the process. The big rule here is to clean accidents immediately, and use an enzyme cleaner, not just regular soap and water. Regular soap just masks the smell, and pets can still pick up the scent of their old mess, so they’ll go there again. Enzyme cleaners break down the pee or poop molecules completely, so no more lingering smell. If you catch your pet in the middle of an accident, calmly interrupt them with a quick “uh-oh” and gently take them to their pad. If they finish there, give them a treat. If they don’t, just clean the mess and try again later. Never punish after the fact—even if you come home to a big mess 2 hours later, they won’t connect the punishment to the accident. That’ll just make them hide when they need to go, which leads to more secret messes you can’t find.
Another pro tip: if you have a puppy or a young pet, stick to a routine. Take them to their pad first thing in the morning, after meals, after playtime, after naps, and right before bedtime. Puppies have tiny bladders, so they need to go every 1 to 2 hours, so setting a timer if you work from home or have a busy schedule helps. Our pads are super absorbent, so if you leave your puppy home alone for a few hours, one pad is enough—no leaks, no mess. For older pets, especially if they’re used to going outside, you can gradually move the pad closer to the door over time, so eventually you can take them straight outside. That’s a huge win for both of you.
What about cats? I can’t forget my feline friends! Introducing pads to cats is a little different, because they’re used to litter boxes. First, if you’re switching from litter to pads (or adding pads), start by putting the pad right next to the litter box for the first few days. Cats are territorial, so moving something new too fast will make them ignore it. Make sure the pad is unscented (or has a subtle, cat-safe scent, like our cat-specific pads) and has a texture similar to litter—we use a soft, grippy surface that cats love. If your cat uses the pad, give them treats too—cats respond to positive reinforcement just like dogs, even if they act like they’re too cool for it. If your cat refuses, don’t force it—some cats just prefer litter, and that’s fine. You can still use pads for times when you’re away for a while, like a work trip or vacation, so they have a clean spot to go.
I also need to talk about what not to do, because I’ve seen so many owners make these mistakes. Don’t use used pads as a “scent lure” by leaving them around—wait, no, actually, a little bit of old pad can help, but not a whole pad. If your pet had an accident, you can put a tiny piece of the soiled mess (cleaned up with an enzyme cleaner) on the pad, so they can smell that this is the potty spot. But don’t leave the whole mess there, that’s just gross. Don’t change pads too often—once your pet is using the pad regularly, stick with the same brand and type they like. If you switch to a cheaper pad, they might not recognize it as their spot, and you’ll be back to square one. And don’t give up too soon—like I said, it takes time. I had a customer whose 6-month-old German Shepherd wouldn’t use the pad for 2 weeks, and then suddenly one day, it clicked. Now she uses it every time when the owner is at work, which makes their lives so much easier.
As a pet potty pads supplier, I’ve spent years testing our products with hundreds of pets (puppies, dogs, cats, even senior pets with arthritis) to make sure they’re the best for training. The key to success isn’t just a great pad—it’s how you introduce it to your pet, with patience, consistency, and positive vibes. No stress, no punishments, just lots of treats and calm guidance.
If you’re a pet owner looking for high-quality, training-focused pads, or if you’re another business interested in bulk orders, feel free to reach out to us to chat more about our products and how we can help make your pet training journey smoother. We work with all kinds of customers, from individual pet parents to large retail chains, and we’re happy to answer any questions you have.
Washable Puppy Pads References:
- Overall, K. L. (2013). Clinical behavioral medicine for small animals. Elsevier.
- Horwitz, D. F., & Mills, D. S. (2016). BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. John Wiley & Sons.
- Salvail, P. (2020). House training your dog: A positive reinforcement guide. Dogwise Publishing.
- Rodan, I., & Lund, E. M. (2019). Feline behaviour: A clinical guide. John Wiley & Sons.
Haining Hengshang Knitting Co., Ltd.
Haining Hengshang Knitting Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional pet potty pads manufacturers and suppliers in China, specialized in providing high quality products and service. We warmly welcome you to wholesale customized pet potty pads from our factory.
Address: No.10 Chaoyang Road, Yuanhua Town, Haining City, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province
E-mail: ashelly@hengshangtex.com
WebSite: https://www.hswashpad.com/
