When we started potty training with all the puppies we started with the washable pads. They worked out great for us. I do like them alot and Sherman still has one in his xpen but we are trying to potty train outside now because no matter what the smell is hard to get away from. We cant change pads after ever "potty" when we are at work and the smell is bad by the time we get home. Sherman is a big boy so there is ALOT!