Real Grass Pee Pads: A Natural Solution for Dog Potty Training

Updated On: Friday, July 25, 2025 06:21:03 AM America/Los_Angeles
Potty training a dog can be challenging, especially for apartment dwellers or busy pet parents. Traditional puppy potty training tools like newspapers or disposable dog toilet training pads do the job, but they often feel unnatural and can create a lot of waste. Enter the grass pads – real grass pee pads that bring a little piece of lawn right into your home. These grass pads consist of a patch of living grass (often in a tray or box) where your pup can relieve themselves just as they would outside. In this article, we’ll explore why real grass pads (with DoggieLawn as a prime example) are a game-changing solution for dog potty training. We’ll cover how they work, their benefits for both pets and owners, and tips for using them effectively.
 
Modern pet owners are discovering that providing real grass indoors is a convenient and natural potty option. If you don’t have a yard, live in a high-rise, or face mobility issues, a real grass pad offers a dog grass patch right at home. This means no more frantic elevator trips at 2 AM or standing in the rain for potty breaks. In fact, indoor grass pads have become a potty grass for apartment dogs that’s incredibly handy in bad weather or when caring for unvaccinated puppies who shouldn’t roam outside. For many pet parents without easy outdoor access, a grass pad provides a safe, designated potty spot at home – a great solution for apartment living, severe weather, or times when you can’t get your pup outside. Let’s delve into what makes real grass pee pads so effective.
Indoor dog grass pads featuring a brown Australian Shepherd sitting on artificial turf beside a blue velvet couch.

Why Dogs Prefer Real Grass Over Pads

Dogs instinctively seek out natural surfaces like grass when nature calls. If you think about it, the feel and scent of real grass are familiar to them, whereas a crinkly plastic pad or fake turf is not. A real grass dog potty mimics the outdoor environment and appeals to your dog’s innate preferences. By using a natural grass pad, you’re giving your furry friend a potty spot that feels right to them. This often means less training time and fewer accidents. According to pet experts, dogs are naturally drawn to the smell and texture of grass – providing a grass patch indoors creates a comfortable, instinctual place for them to go. In contrast, many dogs find artificial pee pads strange or even think of them as chewable toys. With a dog grass pee pad, your pup gets the real thing, which can make them much more willing to use it consistently.
 
Another reason dogs prefer grass is the feedback it gives them. Grass and soil absorb liquid and have natural odors that signal “this is your bathroom” to a dog. On a hard floor or plastic pad, a dog might not get those cues. Using real grass for dogs to do their business reinforces the idea that grass (whether outdoors or in a box) is the proper place to potty. This can prevent confusion and reinforce good habits. In short, a grass pad feels like the outdoors to your pup, which can make indoor potty training feel more like what they’d naturally do outside.

Faster and Easier Potty Training

One of the biggest advantages of grass pee pads is how they can speed up house-training. When considering how to potty train dogs successfully, consistency and positive reinforcement are key. A real grass pad gives you a consistent spot that aligns with outdoor training, making the whole training system more coherent for your dog. Puppies in particular learn through scent and repetition – if their indoor potty has the same grass they’ll use outdoors, they catch on faster. In fact, using real grass indoors can reduce accidents and help puppies learn quicker, because it reinforces their natural instincts and habits. The grass’s smell tells them “this is the bathroom,” which means fewer messes on your carpet and a smoother training experience.
 
By contrast, training on synthetic surfaces or disposable pads might require an extra transition later. A puppy that’s only learned on pee pads could get confused when you eventually introduce grass outside – it’s a completely different sensation and smell. Real grass pads avoid that hurdle; your puppy is essentially learning to go on grass from day one. This makes for grass potty pads for dogs that double as a training aid. As your pup grows, moving from the indoor grass pad to exclusively outdoor potty breaks will be more intuitive. You’re basically teaching the same behavior (peeing on grass) throughout, just changing the location. Many owners find this approach leads to more reliable potty habits in the long run. The familiar feel of grass under paws teaches dogs where it’s appropriate to go, and they carry that lesson over when they encounter grass outdoors.

Convenient for Apartment Living and Busy Schedules

If you live in a high-rise or condo, you know the struggle of those early morning or late-night dog walks. Not everyone has a yard or easy ground access, and that’s where a real grass pad truly shines. Think of it as giving your pet their own little lawn on demand. Even if you only have a balcony, a dog potty grass for balcony setup can save you countless trips down the stairs or elevator. Your dog can step onto the balcony and do their business on real sod instead of waiting for a walk. This is a lifesaver during torrential rain, winter snowstorms, or if you’re simply tied up in a work meeting. Urban pet owners have embraced these pads as a way to ensure their dogs have relief when needed, without disrupting their whole day.
 
Convenience is a major selling point of grass pads. With an indoor real grass pet potty, there’s no need to structure your entire schedule around your dog’s bathroom breaks. Owners no longer have to schedule multiple outings at odd hours – which can be especially challenging during bad weather or long workdays. Having a grass patch indoors means your pup can relieve themselves on their own schedule, minimizing accidents and stress for both of you. For example, if you work a full day, your dog doesn’t have to cross their legs waiting; they have a safe spot to go if nature calls at noon. This potty grass is also a huge help for those living on upper floors – no more rushing down flights of stairs or waiting on elevators every time your dog sniffs around anxiously. Simply put, real grass pads bring outdoor convenience inside.
 
Another benefit is travel and mobility. If you’re staying in a hotel or visiting someone’s apartment, bringing along a portable grass pad gives your dog a familiar potty option. It’s a lot easier than trying to find a nearby patch of dirt in an unfamiliar city street late at night. Overall, these grass pads provide flexibility and freedom: you and your dog aren’t bound to the outdoors for every bathroom break. Many owners say this reduces their anxiety about leaving the dog home alone for a few hours, since an accident is far less likely with a grass pad available.

Helping Puppies, Seniors, and Special-Needs Dogs

Real grass pee pads aren’t just convenient for able-bodied adult dogs in apartments – they can be a game-changer for dogs with special needs, too. Consider young puppies: before they’re fully vaccinated, veterinarians often caution against taking them to public areas where other animals frequent. A grass pad gives your puppy a safe, sanitary place to potty at home until it’s safe to explore outside. This way, you’re not compromising their health during those early weeks, yet you’re still teaching them that grass is the right spot to go. It’s an invaluable puppy potty training tools for new pet parents adjusting to life with a little one.
 
At the other end of the spectrum, older dogs or those with injuries and mobility issues can greatly benefit from an indoor grass patch. Arthritis, surgery recovery, or general old age might make it painful for a dog to go up and down stairs or walk long distances to reach the usual potty area. Providing a soft dog grass toilet inside your home means they don’t have to hold it in or risk hurting themselves when they really need to go. In fact, a natural grass pad like DoggieLawn offers a comfortable, familiar surface for senior or disabled dogs to use without the strain of outdoor trips, helping prevent accidents and reduce discomfort. Your aging pup can relieve themselves when needed, in a stress-free manner, which is so important for their dignity and health.
 
Even adult dogs who are sick or injured (wearing an e-collar, for example) might not be up for the usual walks. The grass pad becomes their bathroom recovery zone. It ensures that even on days when they or you aren’t up for a trek outside, their needs are still met. This kind of grass potty pads for dogs offers peace of mind that no matter your dog’s age or condition, they have a reliable potty option. It’s one less worry during times when you’re focused on their health and comfort.
Dog grass patch with a smiling black and white dog lounging indoors near a fireplace.

An Eco-Friendly Pee Pads Alternative

Beyond the training and convenience perks, real grass pads are notably greener in the environmental sense. Anyone who has used disposable pee pads knows how quickly they pile up in the trash. Those plastic-lined puppy pads are single-use and end up in the landfill, where they can take a very long time to break down. In fact, many standard pee pads contain non-biodegradable materials (like plastics and super-absorbent polymers) that can linger in landfills for years or even decades. That’s a sobering thought for eco-conscious pet owners.
 
Real grass pee pads, on the other hand, are a natural, biodegradable solution. The grass and soil will decompose over time just like any plant matter. Some services even allow you to dispose of the used grass in green waste bins or compost, returning it to the earth. By switching to a dog grass pee pad that’s made of living grass, you’re dramatically cutting down on plastic waste compared to tossing out multiple synthetic pads each day. Over the course of a puppy’s training, that could mean avoiding hundreds of disposable pads – a huge relief for the environment.
 
Not only do grass pads reduce landfill waste, but they also eliminate the need for all those puppy pad plastic packaging and manufacturing impacts. Each real grass pad can last somewhere around 1-4 weeks (depending on the dog’s size and how often they use it) instead of being thrown away after one use. Fewer items in the trash, fewer resources consumed in making them – it’s a more eco-friendly pee pads approach all around. For pet parents trying to go green, this is a simple switch that aligns pet care with sustainable values.
 
Lastly, consider odor and chemicals. Disposable pads often have added fragrances or chemicals to attract dogs or mask smell. Artificial turf potties can leach chemicals or microplastics as they wear out. Real grass contains none of those artificial additives. It neutralizes odors naturally (grass and soil break down urine, reducing smell) and you won’t be spraying chemical cleaners constantly. It’s healthier for the planet and for your home environment.

Using and Maintaining a Real Grass Pad

Setting up and caring for a real grass pee pad is straightforward. Here are some tips to get the most out of this potty solution:
 
  1. Setup and Placement: Choose a location for the grass pad that’s easy for your dog to access yet out of the way of daily foot traffic. Many dog grass pee pads come with trays or boxes—make sure to use the tray! It will hold the grass in place and catch any excess liquid. Place the tray in a corner of a room, on a balcony, or wherever makes sense for your living space. If you’re in an apartment, maybe a laundry room or near the balcony door works well. Ensure the spot has a little room for your dog to turn around on the grass patch comfortably.
  2. Introducing Your Dog: When the grass pad arrives (or when you set it up), encourage your dog to sniff and explore it. You might even bring your dog to it when you know they have to go (e.g., after a meal or nap). Use whatever potty command you’ve been working on (“Go potty,” etc.), and praise them enthusiastically or offer a treat when they use the grass. Make it a positive experience. Dogs often take to real grass quickly, but if yours is hesitant, try dabbing a bit of their urine on the grass patch or using a spray attractant to give the hint. Consistency is key: whenever it’s potty time, lead them to the grass patch so they form the habit.
  3. Daily Upkeep: Treat the grass pad a bit like a tiny lawn. Remove any solid waste promptly, just as you would from a yard, to keep the area clean and odor-free. The good news is that real grass naturally absorbs urine and can dry it out, so you won’t have to scrub or wash the pad daily like you would a fake turf mat. However, a little maintenance helps: some owners lightly water the grass every few days to keep it fresh (unless it came pre-treated to stay green without watering). This can flush out some urine and prevent dry patches. If your pad is outdoors on a balcony, watering also helps keep it alive longer. Indoors, just be careful not to over-water – you don’t want a soggy pad or leaks from the tray.
  4. Periodic Replacement: Each real grass pad will naturally age. Over time the grass may turn yellow or the absorbency will reduce. Most products require you to replace the grass patch every couple of weeks (some last a week, some up to a month – check the recommendations for your specific pad and judge by its condition). Many people subscribe to a service like DoggieLawn that ships fresh grass to your door at a chosen frequency, so you always have a new pad ready. When it’s time to swap, simply throw out the old grass. Since it’s biodegradable, you can put it in your regular trash or a green waste bin if your area allows. Always clean the tray with mild soap and water between replacements to keep things sanitary. Then, lay in the new grass and you’re back in business!
  5. Transition to Outdoors (if desired): If your end goal is to have your dog do all their business outside, you can use the grass pad as a stepping stone. Gradually move the grass tray closer to the door over time, and eventually outside (if you have an outdoor space like a patio). This can help signal to your dog that grass outside is the next step. Because they’ve been using grass all along, many dogs transition to outdoor-only pottying quite smoothly. And if you plan to keep an indoor option indefinitely (common for high-rise living or just for convenience), that’s fine too – with proper care, a real grass pet potty can be a long-term solution.
 
Using a real grass pad is low hassle once you get into the routine. Many owners find it actually simpler than dealing with dirty pee pads or washing out synthetic turf. There’s no lingering urine smell (the grass and soil absorb it), and if something ever gets too messy you can just replace the sod. In essence, you have a little lawn that cleans up after your dog in a natural way.

Subscription and Ordering Process

Ordering real grass pee pads from DoggieLawn is designed to be simple and stress-free, making it easy for busy pet owners to provide a fresh potty solution for their dogs. The process is streamlined so you can set up regular deliveries and never worry about running out of a clean grass pad. Here’s how the DoggieLawn subscription and ordering process works:
  1. Choose Your Plan: Select the right size of grass pad for your dog and decide how often you want fresh grass delivered (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).
  2. Place Your Order: Complete your purchase online. Every order includes free shipping, so there are no surprise fees at checkout.
  3. Receive Fresh Grass at Your Door: Your DoggieLawn arrives ready to use, delivered fresh to your doorstep in a recyclable tray.
  4. Swap and Dispose: When your new grass pad arrives, simply remove and dispose of the old one (in the trash or green compost bin), and replace it with the new patch.
  5. Enjoy Ongoing Convenience: With your subscription, you’ll continue to receive fresh grass automatically at your chosen frequency—no need to reorder each time.
With DoggieLawn’s easy subscription model, you can relax knowing your dog always has a clean, natural potty spot available. The automatic deliveries and simple replacement process are designed to fit seamlessly into your routine, giving you more time to enjoy with your pet and less time worrying about potty breaks.

Dog Grass Pads Options and Sizes

When choosing a real grass pee pad, it’s important to consider the range of product options and sizes available. Many brands offer pads in multiple dimensions to suit everything from small puppies to large breeds, as well as single or double packs for multi-pet households. Subscription and refill services make it easy to maintain a fresh potty area without hassle. By selecting the right size and delivery frequency, you can ensure a comfortable, convenient, and consistent potty solution for your dog and living space.

About DoggieLawn: What Makes Us Different

DoggieLawn was created to make life easier for modern pet owners and their dogs. Our mission centers on providing a natural, low-maintenance potty solution that supports both pet well-being and environmental responsibility. Unlike traditional potty pads or soil-based grass products, we use hydroponically grown, soil-free grass delivered fresh in recyclable trays—offering a clean, mess-free experience with every order.

 

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. Our living grass and packaging are fully biodegradable, reducing landfill waste and eliminating the need for harsh chemical cleaners. For urban dog owners and those with busy schedules, our flexible subscription service ensures you always have a fresh, eco-friendly potty option on hand. Every delivery includes thoughtful extras, like complimentary gloves for easy cleanup and access to our loyalty rewards program for ongoing savings.

 

We’re committed to more than just convenience. By focusing on sustainable materials, reliable service, and responsive customer support, DoggieLawn stands out as a partner for pet owners who care about their dogs and the planet. Our approach is simple: practical solutions, delivered with care, to make daily life cleaner, greener, and more comfortable for you and your pet.
Grass potty pads for dogs shown with a French Bulldog sniffing the turf on a high-rise balcony.

DoggieLawn: A Complete Potty Training System in Real Grass

DoggieLawn distinguishes itself in the real grass pee pad market through a thoughtful blend of product innovation, sustainability, and customer-focused service—making it more than just a potty solution, but a complete system designed for modern pet owners.

 

DoggieLawn’s real, hydroponically grown, soil-free grass is delivered fresh to your door in a recyclable cardboard tray, ensuring a mess-free experience without muddy paws. Unlike many alternatives, DoggieLawn’s grass is lush, naturally attractive to dogs, and free from artificial fragrances or chemicals. This means dogs instinctively recognize it as a bathroom spot, making potty training easier and more intuitive.

Customer Experiences and Reviews

DoggieLawn has earned enthusiastic feedback from pet parents who appreciate the convenience, cleanliness, and reliability of its real grass pee pads. Many customers highlight how their dogs took to the natural grass instantly, making potty training easier and reducing indoor accidents. Owners living in apartments or high-rises frequently mention the relief of having a dependable indoor potty option, especially during bad weather or late-night emergencies. The hassle-free delivery and easy disposal process are consistently praised for fitting seamlessly into busy routines. Some reviewers also note the added value of perks like complimentary gloves and the loyalty rewards program, which enhance their overall experience with DoggieLawn. Collectively, these testimonials reflect a high level of satisfaction and trust in DoggieLawn as a solution that improves life for both dogs and their owners.

 

Real grass pee pads have emerged as a natural solution for dog potty training that checks all the boxes. They cater to a dog’s instincts by providing an authentic grass surface, making training quicker and reducing accidents. They offer tremendous convenience for owners in apartments, with busy schedules, or dealing with bad weather – giving dogs a safe bathroom spot at any hour. They’re also a kinder choice for our planet compared to throw-away pee pads, since real grass is renewable and biodegradable. Whether you have a young puppy, a senior dog, or just want an indoor backup for your pet’s potty needs, a real grass pad can be a reliable part of your routine. Indoor dog grass pads like DoggieLawn are transforming pet care by bringing a little piece of the outdoors inside. The result? Happy, well-trained dogs, and relieved owners (pun intended) who no longer have to stress about when and where their furry friend will “go.” With a real grass pee pad in the house, you’re providing the ultimate natural comfort for your dog – and that’s something to bark about!

Sources

  • DoggieLawn Blog: “Health Benefits of Natural Grass Pads like DoggieLawn for Indoor Pets” – DoggieLawn【1†】
  • DoggieLawn Blog: “Dog Potty Grass: A Solution for Apartment Living” – DoggieLawn【4†】
  • Elite Veterinary Care: “Is Grass Good for Dogs? Learn All About Home Dog Turf” – EliteVeterinaryCare.com【6†】
  • Unblocktober: “How to Dispose of Puppy Pads” – Unblocktober.org【7†】
  • Gotta Go Grass Blog: “9 FAQs About Gotta Go Grass Pads for Dogs—Answered!” – GottaGoGrass.com【20†】
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