I live in an apartment and got Ralfie in the end of December, so pad training him has worked out really great. But we also walked him at least once a day from the beginning, and he's equally comfortable going outside in the grass. I'm hoping to eventually train him to completely go outside once we move to a house in August, but if we have to stick with a combination with pads forever, I really won't mind. Like others have said, they are very convenient in icky weather, traveling, late at night, etc. So it's really whatever works best for you in your situation.
