Why Real Grass Dog Toilets Can Make Toilet Training Your Cavoodle Easier

For many new Cavoodle owners, toilet training is one of the first big milestones, and often one of the biggest challenges.

The good news is that Cavoodles usually pick up toilet training quickly when they're given consistency, routine and clear guidance. The key is making it as easy as possible for them to understand where you want them to go from day one.

While many new puppy owners automatically buy puppy pads or artificial grass, these options aren't always the best choice. In fact, they can sometimes make toilet training take longer or even create confusion later on.

A real grass dog toilet provides a much more natural experience and can help your Cavoodle develop the right habits from the very beginning, especially if you live in an apartment or have limited access to real grass.

Why toilet training can be confusing for puppies

Imagine if someone kept changing the location of your bathroom every few days. 

One day it's inside on a mat, then it’s on fake grass, and the next day it's outside on real lawn. That can be confusing, especially for a young puppy trying to learn. Puppies don't naturally understand where they're expected to go. Instead, they learn by repetition and by recognising surfaces and scents.

That's why choosing the right toilet surface early can make such a difference, regardless of how old your dog is. 

Why real grass works so well

Dogs naturally prefer to toilet on grass as the texture, smell and feel are familiar and instinctive, making it easier for puppies to understand what they're meant to do. That is why we prefer Real Grass Puppy Potty’s - they use real grass which helps you train them quicker.

Unlike puppy pads, which simply absorb urine, real grass provides natural scents that encourage your puppy to return to the same area. We know how much dogs rely on smell so being able to smell the space they went last time, helps them to understand where to go and make the transition to your backyard much smoother.

It's particularly useful for:

• apartment living

• rainy days (as oodle owners can relate to)

• overnight toileting

• owners working from home

• puppies that haven't completed their vaccinations

Rather than teaching your puppy that it's acceptable to toilet on soft mats or carpet-like materials, you're reinforcing the behaviour you ultimately want them to continue outdoors.

Real grass potty’s are not just for puppies

Adult Cavoodles can benefit from real grass too, not just puppies. A real grass potty like these ones from Real Grass Puppy Potty, provides a convenient toilet solution for apartment living, rainy weather, long workdays, senior dogs with reduced mobility, or times when getting outside isn't practical. 

Because it uses natural grass, most dogs instinctively recognise it as an appropriate place to toilet, making it a familiar and comfortable option. It can also be particularly helpful for older oodles who need more frequent toilet breaks or dogs recovering from surgery or illness, giving them easy access to a clean, natural surface without needing to venture into the backyard.

The downside of puppy pads

Puppy pads certainly have their place, but they can also create a few challenges. Many puppies struggle to understand why they're allowed to toilet on one soft surface inside the house but not on rugs, bath mats or carpet.

Some owners also find that after weeks of using puppy pads, their dog becomes reluctant to transition outside. Instead of learning "grass equals toilet," they've learnt "inside equals toilet."

This doesn't happen with every dog, but it's a common hurdle many owners experience.

Why is it better than artificial grass?

Artificial grass is often marketed as a long-term solution, but it isn't quite the same as real grass because it doesn't contain natural scents or living grass. This means puppies or even older dogs that have moved into an apartment,  take longer to recognise it as their toilet area.

Artificial surfaces can also retain odours over time if not cleaned thoroughly, making hygiene more challenging. While fake grass may suit some households, many trainers recommend starting with real grass wherever possible because it creates a more natural transition to outdoor toileting.

How to introduce your Cavoodle to a real grass dog toilet

The first few weeks are all about creating routine. Try these simple tips:

Take your puppy frequently

Young puppies generally need to toilet:

• after waking up

• after eating

• after drinking

• after playtime

• before bedtime

Frequent opportunities help prevent accidents. And when you gotta go, you just gotta go, right? 

For adult dogs, they might be used to a routine at certain times of the day so help them transition in the same way. 

Always use the same spot

Consistency is one of the biggest factors in successful toilet training. Take your dog to the same grass toilet each time and give them plenty of time to sniff and explore. Sniffing is super important for dogs, so give them time to do that.

Reward immediately

The moment your dog finishes toileting, praise them enthusiastically and offer a small treat. This helps them connect the behaviour with something positive.

Keep accidents low-key

Every puppy has accidents. Rather than telling them off, simply clean the area thoroughly using an enzymatic cleaner and continue with your routine. Punishment often creates anxiety rather than faster learning.

Common toilet training mistakes new Cavoodle owners make

Expecting too much too soon

Young puppies have very small bladders. It's unrealistic to expect them to "hold on" for several hours. 

And if you have an adult dog that is used to having access to real grass whenever they want, it can sometimes take a little time to transition. Be patient and consistent with them,

Waiting until they ask

Many owners wait until their puppy starts sniffing or circling. By then, it's often too late. Instead, take them out proactively several times which also helps to get them into a routine.

Inconsistency

If different family members use different commands, different toilet areas or different routines, puppies become confused. Everyone should follow the same plan. Use the same word like ‘go wee wee, go toilet or do puddles’ - it doesn’t matter what you use but it’s important everyone in the house uses the same word.

Giving too much freedom

Allowing a puppy or dog unrestricted access to the whole house too early usually leads to more accidents. Keeping them in a smaller supervised area helps build successful habits.

Is a real grass dog toilet right for every Cavoodle?

Every household is different, but for many Cavoodle owners, a real grass dog toilet bridges the gap between indoor convenience and outdoor toilet training.

It's particularly valuable during those early puppy months when routines are still developing and vaccinations may limit outdoor access. Rather than teaching your puppy one habit and then asking them to learn a completely different one later, you're building the right behaviour from the start.

Toilet training doesn't happen overnight, but it doesn't have to be stressful either. With patience, consistency and the right setup, most Cavoodles learn surprisingly quickly.

Choosing a real grass dog toilet can help reinforce natural behaviours, reduce confusion and make the transition to outdoor toileting much smoother.

Every puppy learns at their own pace, so celebrate the small wins, stay consistent and remember that accidents are simply part of the learning process. After all, today's little puppy will soon become the confident, house-trained companion you've been working towards.

The Real Grass Puppy Potty is a simple way to encourage natural toilet habits using real grass. It's ideal for puppies, apartment living, and helping make toilet training easier and more consistent. Use the Code MYCAVOODLE to get 5% off your order

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