UPDATE 10/15/2010: PLEASE READ AT LEAST SOME OF THE COMMENTS THIS POST HAS GENERATED BEFORE YOU MAKE A PURCHASE DECISION.
Has anyone tried this product? I got an ad in my e-mail about it, and I’m trying to decide what I think of the Potty Patch.
According to the ad, this is the “perfect” solution for pets who must stay inside for long periods of time, or at least for longer than they can cross their legs.
The picture appears to be a swatch about the size of a carpet sample, made of three layers. The bottom layer is a tray that can hold up to a gallon of urine. The middle layer is basically a grate that allows the urine to travel from the top layer to the tray. The top layer looks (and feels?) like grass.
The idea is that your dog will feel comfortable peeing on the “grass” and will not make a mess on your floors.
My questions:
Do you have to train your dog to use it, like you would newspapers, or does he naturally gravitate to it?
How hard is it to clean all three layers to keep them from stinking?
Why is this any better than newspaper training?
If you have answers, please let me know.
Until next time,
The Dog Lady
UPDATE!: See related posts and articles:
Response from Potty Patch company owner.
Did you get your Potty Patch yet?
Concerns about Potty Patch being an identity theft scam.
Alternatives to the Potty Patch.
Article on Indoor Dog Potties.
WHAT ABOUT POO? IF THE DOG IS STUCK INSIDE A LONG TIME, THEY ARE GONNA HAVE TO DO BOTH. POINTLESS AND STUPID PRODUCT, END OF SUBJECT. DOGS AREN’T CATS AND SHOULDN’T BE TREATED AS SUCH. CATS NATURALLY USE THE LITTER BOX FROM BIRTH, DOGS DON’T FOR A REASON… SORRY FOR THE CAPS, MY KEYBOARD IS JAMMED
i agree about the washing of the grass…..I would love it if i could put it into the washer..and if i do this.could i add a bit of bleach to to
Another question……is real sod better? how often does it need to be replaced if so? Thanks!
thanks Tim for your response……but there must be a way to clean the grass. I found on site that said to put it in a pillow case with baking soda and wash it in the washer. I have not tried this since I am afraid of harming my washer or my expensive fake grass! Any ideas anyone????? I also heard that it is dishwasher safe…but I am our dishwasher!
I bought POTTY PATCH too, but after two weeks it smelled so bad and the grass was falling out, I had to throw it away. It was too messy to clean in the shower and it never really got clean. The grass seems really cheap. I would not buy this product again. Live and learn!
I own a potty patch and love it. My little dog will not go out in the rain…..here in the NW that is a real problem. So this has been the answer of my dreams! But now the grass is smelly and as much as I clean it…it still smells like urine. I have tried to find the proper way of cleaning but can not find any answers. It is easy to clean the bottom to layers…..but to rinse the grass with soap and water in my shower? Gross!!!! I have done it….it takes forever to dry. But if you only clean the bottom 2 layers then the top still stinks. HELP!!!!!!
I’m glad I found this webiste also before ordering. You all can call your credit cards up and file a complaint even after they’ve charged the money. The credit card co. will make it their responsibility to straighten it out for you, or you get your money back. It’s called fraud.
I saw the Potty Patch ad on tv last night, and loved the idea, but won’t order one after reading the messages on this site. I will make a potty patch of my own though; sod and a tray to lay it in. I have 3 small dogs (one has been with me for 10 years, the other 2 are rescued dogs who have been members of the family for over a year now) … anyway, one of the 2 rescued dogs barks the entire time I’m at work, and his barking causes the other dogs to bark as well. Most of the time I take all 3 dogs to work with me, but when I can’t take them along, I have to lock their doggie door so they can’t go outside and bark for hours … a neighbor has complained, and I don’t blame him, I just didn’t know it was happening, until he said something. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the dogs, the neighbors and myself, happy, and as stress free as possible … a potty patch it is then! I’ll let you folks know how it works out for the dogs! Thank you for your information, it has saved me the frustration of ordering something that may never be delivered! I’ll also let you know what my own potty patch cost is, compared to the tv ad price! Happy New Year to all!
I just bought one….in a store here in Canada..
i have two cockapoos..and when we leave the house..they both get uptight and will pee on the front entrance floor…..
i read all the testimonies above and mine doesn’t slip…it stays together….
and the sharp prongs are covered with the thick grass….so the dogs can’t feel it….not sure why these people’s potty patches are slipping
i have even layed a potty training pad…at the bottom of the plastic..and when my dogs go in there..i take out the plastic pad and throw it into the garbage
it does have a smell….but when not needed in use i put it into the laundry room or outside if not snowing or raining
and when outside ..my dogs will go in there and not on the ground…
well worth it….and all you negative response people…give it a try
Where is the moderator? Why is this “Rascal Dog Litter Box” person allowed to SPAM this section so much?
As for pet pads/trays… Amazon.com sells several, including the “Potty Patch” and that “Rascal” one. Check the reviews over there. IRIS sells a potty tray for $19.99 (medium size) and you can get the disposable pads for around $7 for 25 of them, maybe less if you shop locally. They’re also free shipping eligible. The IRIS product has 70 reviews with a 4/5 star rating.
It does pay to shop around and read reviews. I’m not saying the IRIS products are for everyone — just one of many affordable options that will work just as well (and sometimes better) than these $50+ ripoffs.
OMG. I am sooo annoyed. I just bought the dang thing (prob about 4 times since I had to click the submit button that much) and then read these reviews. Im gonna call the 866 number to try to cancel it right away
I saw this advertised on TV & I like the idea. PETCO has it on their site .. I’m going to check the store. I never buy certain things online . PETCO I would feel safe with .. but would rther buy it in the store .. easier to take back.
Leigh, before you go to the expense of “re-designing” the Potty Patch, thought you’d want to know there already IS a “Perfect Dog Litter Box.” It is manufactured and sold by http://www.RascalDogLitterBox.com
Rascal Dog Litter Box is superior in it’s quality and I believe the company captured all the necessary features that makes it pretty perfect as is. You are absolutely right in stating that a dog litter box is a great idea. Unfortunately,
the Potty Patch is turning many consumers sour on the idea. Please check out the company I mentioned. I have purchased two and they have worked out beautifully for our dogs. Oh yes, Rascal Dog Litter Box just introduced a new size and will be adding another in the very near future. Says something for the company.
I thought it would be the perfect solution to my rebellious dachshund. She finally started using it when I put it in her night time kennel. So it definitely is a great idea, but like the others say, it is a horrible design. I cant believe they are able to sell this thing for $50, it probably cost $5 to build, if that. I am currently trying to design and market a better potty patch because as I said, it is a great idea but design is completely useless!
Ha! Better to buy the potty patch in person? As several bloggers just said…….
“It’s a piece of junk, not to mention dangerous!” Folks, even Petco has gotten duped. Obviously, they didn’t check out the “quality & functionality” of the product.
Petco sells the Potty Patch, both sizes, in the store. Better to buy it in person than risk ordering from the website. It’s $49 for the small and $79 for the large, which is think is about 10 bucks more than the online price.
Sandee, and Ashley, may I suggest you consider a company I have found to be
perfect in every respect! The company is called http://www.rascaldoglitterbox.com
Go to the website, call the owner for any help or questions about training, etc.
Great company doing business with, superior quality and customer satisfaction. I highly recommend them to everyone!
M. Edwards
the woman who answers the phone at the showcase does not want to give the name of the people who is distribuiting the potty patch. First, she said that she is the supervisor, then she says she is the manager. well, we all know that is a lie. what are they hiring?
I agree with you Sandee! Waht a piece of junk that POTTY PATCH is and dangerous too!! What were they thinking when they made this? All those sharp points under the grass! I didn’t have give my puppy a chance to jump on it and posssibly have an accident where he would puncture his delicate pad paws! Not only is it not safe, but the grass does not stay in place! Mine is going back to Petco tomorrow too! I will look for another dog litter box company as I really want my little boy trained. Also, I wasn’t even thinking when I bought this……….he will pee right off the edge of the grass once he starts lifting his leg….I guess that is why cat litter boxes ARE A BOX and not just a pad!!!
Don’t waste your money on this worthless product!
Even if you can get it, don’t waste your money. We just bought this product at Petco. The biggest probelm is it doesn’t stay together. Even when our 4 lb puppy steps on the “grass”, the grass and grate slide right off the bottom part of the tray. I tried turning the grate over so the spikes on the grate faced down. This seemed to hold the grate in place a little better so it didn’t slide off the bottom tray. However, when I put the grass on top without the spikes holding it in place, it slid all over the place. Even if we gently place our puppy on the grass, the littlest movement causes it to shift and move & our puppy is afraid of this. You can’t pee if you are concentrating on just keeping your balance. This is going back to Petco tomorrow.
Thank you all so very much. I was on the Potty Patch website and was filling in my credit card number when I decided I had better check testimonials on this product. Wow! Did you all save me from making a big mistake. Thanks for all the suggestions and other product names. A reputable company would have contacted at least one of you by now,; therefore I am led to assume this company is a scam. Thanks for exposing them.
Thank you all for your posts. I ordered a potty patch for my daughter’s small dog on 10/12. Each time I check the status on www customer status.com, I find that the date of the “back order” is moved up by 5 days. Today I am sending a cancelation email. My concern is that they have my charge information. I was also disappointed because I found it on a friendly link at Amazon.com. Hopefully I can cancel and nothing else will come of this.
+1 on the “almost bought until I found this site”
Quick trip to the hardware store should do the trick.
Bill, sorry you got duped. I am flabergasted at the number of complaints that continue to come in on “Potty Patch”. They are currently FEATURED on the front cover of Harriet Carter! Of interesting note…………….the “Potty Patch” is sanctioned by AKC (American Kennel Club). Just goes to show you what any organization will do for money!
Don’t give up on the idea of the dog litter box. The company you need to look at is http://www.Rascallitterbox.com I have now ordered TWO and they are a God send! And customer service? Like none I’ve seen in quite a time! EXCELLENT.
Give them a try.
Good luck,
Mara
I also like others waited two months to get what I consider a complete scam. This item is nothing more then some plastic grass and a tray that one of my dogs chews on and the other sleeps on.
I have three dogs none of them even consider using it. It is companies like Potty Patch that really make you think before ordering something new online. It is a shame that they are allowed to sell such a useless item and make a pretty penny off consumers.
They should be shut down and made to refund every penny they made off consumers.
I ordered the potty patch last July just to have an ’emergency place’ on my apartment patio. I did speak to a customer service agent on the phone because my order was accidently confirmed twice (maybe I clicked submit twice??). Anyway, to their credit she was very helpful. However, like many of you I kept recieving post cards about my delivery date being pushed back. The last actual date I was told was in mid-October… after being ordered in July???! Then I got a card that again pushed my order back, basically stating that no shipping date can be predicted. By now I’ve moved and my apt is on the first floor, rather than up several flights of stairs. I sent the card back with the ‘cancel my order’ box checked and just saw the refund on my credit card statement. Although the experience was largely unsatisfying, I just wanted to let everyone know that they do refund without a fuss.
However, after ordering on their website they did sell my info to several telemarketers…. get on that National Do Not Call Registry!
You can add me to the list of disgruntled customers. I also wish I had come across this blog before placing my order. I ordered the Potty Patch on Oct. 6th and kept tracking my order through their tracking site. On the day it was supposed to arrive, the site said it was on back order. The new arrival date was Nov. 19th, but I just called and again, it’s on back order. I don’t know how the company can continue to tell people they are shipping the product, then tell them it’s on back order. My new target date for the product to be shipped, not delivered, is November 25th. Maybe that’s why their website says allow 6-8 weeks for delivery!
I ordered a potty patch as I have three small dogs and thought this might be the solution with winter coming and finding a solution to them going outside in the snow.
I am very disappointed. I was told it would arrive on Nov 6th. I called the customer service # and was told it had been shipped Nov 12th on Thursday. I waited and when I had not received it by Tuesday Nov 17th , I called again and was told it was on back order. I have been lied to by these people. They should not be allowed to advertise their products on TV.
i would strongly advise against purchasing anything from this company.
Beware of the webiste Pet Zoom – Pet Park they are the website that gives you no comfirmation at all. After you submit your order, the screen does not change, it goes back to the top of the page asking if you want to order. So you believe your order was not completed and when I called the next morning, supposedly both units had already been shipped. They had no idea why the website gives no type of confirmation, but this seems to have been going on for sometime.
I order my large Potty Patch on Oct 2nd and just received it yesterday on Nov 12th. I was worried so about 2 weeks ago I called their customer service number and they said the response to the product had been so good that they were on back order.
It was extremely easy to set up and within an hour my dog had already used it on the outdoor patio of my apartment. The only problem with it is that the grass (top layer) just sits on the top with no way to secure it down and when my dog (who is 60 pounds) walk on it, it shifts a bit. The should be a top “frame” to hold all the layers in place. I guess I’ll had to build one.
I have been curious about these products…luckily I came across this blog site before purchasing anything….I always do complete research before purchasing anything to find the best product, best price, & all the negatives….& the positives hopefully…lol.
I have been using the pan’s that are from the bottom of the puppy pens that are not being used for my dogs & line them with the puppy pads……they are about 36″ x 18″. The problem I find is that my eskies walk while they pee…….& they walk right out of the pan & their pee goes from the pan onto the floor as they walk or they hit the edge & the pee runs under the pan. I don’t see how anything like the potty patch or other similar products might be any different…..any thoughts would be great. Of course, there is still the male problem…..with the hiked leg, Once in awhile, he is willing to hike his leg in the pan & hit the pad (after I make him feel guilty about peeing on the doorway.
I try to get my dogs outside, but one female that I let outside for an hour & she doesn’t go potty until she gets inside, 2 of my other females go about every 30 minutes &…..gggrrrrrr!
Unfortunately, not all my eskies get along together, so I have 3 puppy pens for the other 3 to hang out in. It works great for my female….as she can potty through the grating in the pen…..but the males hike their legs even in the pen’s…..so I wrap them with old hospital blankets to keep the pee from spraying outside the pen. With 6 dogs that tend to fight with each other, it is difficult to find the time to constantly let them out to potty…I would be doing nothing but putting dogs in & out all day & get nothing done……so there are many times where I do need something like this product…..especially for the 3 dogs that I do not have in puppy pens…..they hang out in my upstairs bedroom & hall…..they are the ones I have the problem with overwalking the tray I have set up for them. One of them is also a male who hikes his leg….also have a female that hikes her leg also…..guess she grew up around too many males teaching her what to do.
Maybe having higher sides on the tray would keep them from walking off the tray? I have been thinking about making something larger with the artificial turf to see if that might work better. Decisions, decisions…..are the worst….the worst is when they don’t end up working any better than what I already am using.
I have to be careful on my farm also as we have many coyotes around her…mostly in the evening….my house is fairly close to the road also, so I end up using a 20′ leash & tying them outside for several hours…..but cycling through that many dogs isn’t easy…….there has to be a better way…..which I was hoping to find with something like the potty patch…..right now, the pan’s are the easiest to clean also….even though the potty pad’s cost about .17 cents each….it adds up quickly.
I am open to any suggestions at this point.
Carol, if you go back and read through this entire BLOG, you’ll find the numbers listed. DO NOT OPEN the box as someone else wrote (in this very blog) that the company will not take the product back IF it’s been opened. The number(s) will be listed but be warned, (acording to other customer posts) you’ll have a heck of a time getting through.
Please let us know via this site as to what happens! I can NOT get over this company!
Does anyone have a contact number for this company Potty Patch/ I bought it and haven’t even opened it yet, and want to return it.
Oh, and there was no mention of price for the large one but I certainly didn’t expect it to cost 3 times as much! And those stupid ads you couldn’t get through….AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!
Tally
I too ordered this back in August. My dog is elderly and handicapped and just can’t make it through the night.
First it said it was being shipped. Then I got an e-mail saying it was delayed. Then I got a postcard saying it would be shipped in October, then in November. I’ve been charged twice. Got a postcard last week that says “if WE don’t hear from you by November 24….” . I tried e-mail, couldn’t find a phone # but finally found one here so I’m calling them NOW!
And the ad runs almost hourly! What a rip-off. I’m going to report them to the better business bureau in Texas too.
Tally
Mandie, contact http://www.rascaldoglitter.com. They will be coming out with not only a larger version of their dog litter box, but a smaller one too.
it looks great but i have an ENGLISH BULLDOG who is way over the 25lbs limit. he wont fit in that small box…
Mandie! Seriously, the Rascal Dog Litter Box is $69.99. It’s worth every penney and more! Once you see the construction AND the clean ability of the grass,
you’ll be sold. http://www.rascaldoglitterbox.com
Good luck!
Mara
i know dogs need to get out and exercise. im all for that but im a student who works and lives in a condo in colorado.. yeah i really thought this one out. lol its too cold to have him outside while im gone in the winter so i keep him in the house. hes really good about holding it but if im gone for 6+ hours at a time i can understand if he has a slip up. im considering some form of potty patch. dont want to pay a fortune but i want something that works. hes a male english bulldog. love of my lifee!!! help?
I’m a dog trainer and it is just natural for me to want to have my dog go outside. I do adjust my schedule to work in relieving periods for my dogs because I have worked so hard with them that I do not want the good training to go out the door by then learning indoor relieving is okay. There are times an indoor potty may be helpful in those situations you can’t control: wrecks, traffic, etc. One thing I haven’t been about to find on this Potty Patch is info on #2. Last time I checked, all dogs still poop. Usually that is not liquid and cannot be absorbed in to faux grass. Maybe I missed this? If someone can come up with an awesome way to teach a dog to use the toilet and have them flush, I would be greatly interested. Otherwise, I’ll stick to the old fashioned method of outdoor use for the dogs.
I have an elderly cat, & he’s on his last days, I think, that still wants the run of the house, but has problems sometimes making it upstairs to his box. He took to it right away. I don’t know about letting a gallon of urine sitting there, though. The wife is a clean freak, so it’s washed almost every time he uses it. He’s only dropped a deuce once on it & the wife went nuts, so that was the last time he did that. I know this is a dog site, so I’ll be waiting for the cat bashing comments, but dogs are supposed to be smarter than cats, so it should work even better for a dog, unless he took the short bus to obedience school
Nicole! PLEASE read my post dated November 2. There IS a wonderful dog litter box. It’s called Rascal Dog Litter Box.com
Check it out! Our little Yorkie took to it almost immediately! ALSO, it’s extremely well made, easy to clean (you can wash the grass in the washing machine
in a pillow case) AND it doesn’t STINK to high heaven either!
I couldn’t help but notice all the comments on this particular subject!
While a few people have been satisfied with thier “Potty Patch” purchase, why is it you suppose that the negative comments continue to come in at this rate?
For those of you who are REALLY interested, read the entire blog on this very subject!
Well, I finally recevied my Potty Patch after waiting 2 months to receive the product. What a piece of junk. Is not worth the box that it was sent it! I finally thought that I had a solution to my male Yorkie’s potty needs. I don'[t know what I was thinking???? He was peeing off of the edges of pee pee pads and they were costing me a fortune! I don'[t know why I didn'[t think he would pee off the edge of this piece of grass, but that is what has happened. The box needs sides………..this is not different that a pee pee pad. I am still cleaning up pee off of the floor and now I will have to wash a piece of grass??? No thanks! I am hoping that I get my money back……..Don’t waste yours. Also, I have seen on this blog that Petco is carrying the box. Buyer beware………..If it sounds to good to be true then it probably is! Ask if you can open the bax and look at the product. The grass is so fake and the hole thing is a piece of junk probably from China. Ever see a cat litter box without sides? I don'[t think that dogs are much different. I am going to search for a dog litter box with sides or make my own………somehow…..I will find a solution. Nicole
I have purchased Potty Patch at PETCO. and so far i am very pleased with it. it is simple to clean and you dont need to train your dog how to use it. im not sure what is the whole conflict with ppl being scammed. i have personnally went to their website and they do have a customer service number and is 1866-518-2294
and last if you see the commercial it says the urine passes right through the 2nd tier and it does have anti microbial for urine smells and it does also say it has some sort of smell that would attract the dog to urinate into the potty patch. i am very very pleased with my potty patch and i recommend it to everyone!!!!
Hello, well all what I have to said is this, I not satisfied with you guy’s because when I order an potty patch, someone send me a email, saying that I going to get it on 12/20/09, so when this date come up the product never show up , when I trake the order the customer status said that it going to arrive on 10/28/09, and nothing happen , so today I check today and thew same company now said it going to be at home by 11/11/09. WHAT’S GOING ON DID YOU GUY’S DON’T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THIS OR SOMEBODY JUST IS LAIN TO ME ,THAT IS NOT FEAR.
thank you for your time.
Alfredo
I too ordered the potty patch using the telephone number on the tv. After they got my card number They tried to sell me everything – I kept saying no to all ,and finally said all I wanted is what was advertised. Finally I hung up on them. Then a week ago I got a package in the mail. The only thing I ordered was the potty patch. Well I have a feeling the company that sent me this package got my card number from potty patch . What I got was from a company I never heard of saying this was my trial offer for a smoke -52 ???
All it had was a web site smoke51.com. I emailed them several times with no response. Then I checked my charges on my credit card and found three within two days. One for $9.95, a second for $29.95 and a third for $89.95. All these were after I emailed this company telling them I wanted to see proof of this order from me and that I was going to contact my card company. I am a widow on a limited income and I am very upset over this problem. The telephone nos. seem to be bogus. Has this happened to anyone else??
Something else of GREAT importance I failed to mention in my earlier comments about the “Potty Patch”…………….it’s DANGEROUS! Check out the sharp HARD plastic spikes the underliner consists of. Surely NOT inviting to one’s tender puppy paws.
M.Edwards
To all of you that have ordered the “Potty Patch” and have gotten royally burned (not only by the product itself, but the poor customer service too – check them out with the BBB)……………….Take heart! There IS another product that is SUPERIOR in quality and customer service! The company is
http://www.rascaldoglitterbox.com
Remember the old adage………”you get what you pay for?” While this product costs a bit more, it is superior to the referrenced Potty Patch. I ordered one for a friend’s Yorkie and the puppy was trained in no time flat! It’s easy to use, well constructed and works like a charm! Please also note the numerous testimonials on the product.
MEdwards
Well, the saga goes on. I wish that I had read this website first. I too am waiting for the Potty Patch. I tried to track it and it was backordered and now it says it will be delivered on 10/30/09. It isn’t here yet and I am starting to think it isn’t coming. I have an older dog that is having trouble going out and I thought that this would be helpful to him. I will let you know if I get it. I will be contacting the B.B.B. as well if I don’t!
I am super satisfied with this product!
I bought the “Potty Patch” yesterday at Pet Co for $50 bucks, I live in an apartment so I placed it on the patio and my little dog has peed on it twice now…i just pointed to it and said “go pee pee”, he still poos on the cement outside!
The reason why i purchased it is because i needed something to absorbs his pee because otherwise he creates a puddle and steps in. I find this easier to clean than hosing off the patio everyday!