Mine use pee pads from day 1 and they are 100% pee pad trained. I'm gone for almost 9-10 hrs a day and no one can be at home to take them out so we did the pads. This works for us and no they do not stink up my house.
Pads are removed as soon as we come home and when we are home they use their pads about 2-3 times (pee) and if they poop they come right up and in a little baggie and out the door. This works for us. I sometimes do wish I could take them out and they go potty outside. They'll be outside and will not go potty..they hold it until we are done walking and go straight to the pad when they come in the house.