Bella was pre-trained on piddle pads when we brought her home. When we bought the Potty Patch I simply took her piddle pad and put it in the collection tray in the bottom of the Potty Patch. There are enough holes in the Potty Patch to where she could smell it, and she knew instinctively to go potty on the Patch. I would recommend putting it in the *exact* same spot you have the newspaper, at least for now.
Additionally, I just wanted to say that I give the Potty Patch a solid
F as in fail. At first I loved it, but that quickly changed.
My Review:
It is not anti-odor. The hemp-like material used to bind the grass underneath is very absorbent. The urine soaked into the binding material and it constantly reeked of urine all the time. It didn't matter how often I washed it, or with which pet-safe products. Nothing took that horrendous odor away.
When it was washed, (even gently), the grass would come loose and fall out. One corner was completely bare within the first week from rinsing it.
The second tier of the Potty Patch has spikes that dig into the actual grass top layer. Once puppy has pottied on the Patch a number of times, the spikes underneath start to pop through the top, causing painful pokes to the pads of the paws.
I hate that thing and it has been disposed of.
Two thumbs down
I changed to T Bumpkins and Co's washable piddle pads. Cathy makes them of the highest quality, and they are VERY absorbent. The bottom layer is a leakproof barrier (tried, tested, and true)...nothing gets through it.
She has them to match virtually any decor, and nobody in your home would ever guess it's for potty unless they have one themselves.
They're easy on puppy's little feet and very easy (in my opinion) to transition from piddle pads to the washable piddle pad.
This is the site:
http://www.doggiepeepads.com/
Two thumbs up
In regard to your training outside question - I'm sure someone will have the answer for you. We live in a very cold state, and Bella is very small, so she is an indoor potty pup until the weather has warmed.