Ben just pees on the pad, I have not done anything special to make him get it right. I don't use a bottle on it or anything. He will occasionally pee too close to the edge and it runs off a bit but no worry, I just clean it up. I do like the larger pads that Ryan sells:
Puppy Pads - Puppy Training Pads - Puppy Pee Pads
I think that may be what keeps him on the pad -- having a larger target.
I tried to use the small ones and bought a LOT of them and the pad holder. Was not a good idea -- Ben would not pee on the pad if it was in the holder. I don't know what he didn't like about it, but he refused. He would hold it as long as possible and then pee next to it. So, right now I am using two at a time overlapped to be the same as the large pads Ryan sells, just to use up what I have, and no holder. I will order from Ryan again soon. If Ben doesn't want a pad holder and he will pee on the big pad, then that is what he will get. He gets what he wants for being a good boy!