I don't think I would be able to have a dog without this little gadget. I have an adult rescue Shih Tzu, and she had learned to use pads but was off target like 50% of the time. At first the noise of the plastic when she stepped in kind of startled her, but she got used to it very fast. I also did not use the walls at first but eventually started using them without any problems. The trick is to put a dirty pad first (i.e. use one to clean a "mess") and leave it in the gadget. Eventually they get the idea that this is where they need to go. I am very lazy and thanks to this gadget there are days that I don't take the dog out.

+2points

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Review 2 for Four Paws On Target Trainer

Overall rating

1 / 5 11 reviews

Don't Do It!

August 23, 2012

by Ameliacatz

fromLawrenceburg, IN

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

This tray is nothing but trouble. 1) Does not snap together easily - I had to pound it together with a gym shoe. 2) Does not hold the pad in place - It only locks pad down on one side and puppies figure that out in mere minutes. 3) Chi pups knocked sides down in about 20 minutes. Can't imagine what a large size pup could do. 4) Plastic is brittle so I can't imagine it would hold up long even if your dog doesn't rip it apart.

This will only work with a puppy or dog who doesn't mess with the pad at all. Since pad is only held down on one side, the puppies pulled the pad out of it in no time at all. The sides might be a good idea in some cases, but I can tell you the whole unit didn't work for us on multiple levels. Used one day and it is going back. I'm going to look at the Martha Stewart one which looks like it locks down the pad on all four sides!

0points

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Review 3 for Four Paws On Target Trainer

Overall rating

5 / 5 11 reviews

He hated it!

July 18, 2012

by Christina83

fromBronx, NY

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?2

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I have a two month old shitzu. He was somewhat trained by the pet store I got him from, and when I first brought him home he went right on the pads. However, we decided to throw this target trainer into the mix and it completely threw him off. He wouldn't go near the thing. I tried removing the walls thinking maybe it was too much of a change at once, still no dice. He went everywhere BUT on this trainer. I removed the entire thing and put a pad on the floor alone, and he went to it right away. Also, there's a very weak clamp along only ONE side of the pad, so it's not supportive at all, and your puppy WILL pull the pad out of place.

I tried taking it apart to return it and haven't been able to yet. It was also difficult to snap together even though it's just two pieces of plastic.

-3points

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Review 4 for Four Paws On Target Trainer

Overall rating

5 / 5 11 reviews

Works like a charm!

April 23, 2012

by Anonymous

fromDallas, Texas

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?2

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I recently purchased a Shetland sheepdog puppy about a week about and he has been using Simple Solution Washable Travel pad, and at first I thought it was working great. He started doing his business on it within the first day home. After a few days my bedroom started smelling, so I washed it twice and it just wasn't working out. I purchased the trainer product a few days ago and man what a change. My room no longer smells, and the disposable pads are so much better. If you have problems with your puppy pulling on the pad you have to train him not too. Most puppies want to pull on pads so make sure you train him. I found clicker trainer works best, and make sure you use positive reinforcement. Hurting your puppy does not work. With time and patience you puppy will be using the trainer in no time.

0points

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Review 5 for Four Paws On Target Trainer

Overall rating

5 / 5 11 reviews

Perfect!

April 8, 2012

by Louie87

fromOhio

I have a 8 month old Yorkie and he learned to potty on this very quickly. With the proper training your dog will use the bathroom on this trainer!

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 6 for Four Paws On Target Trainer

Overall rating

5 / 5 11 reviews

not for housebreaking puppies

December 10, 2011

by habblie

fromanaheim, ca

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?2

How often do you shop at PetSmart?A few times a year

I have a 2 year old toy fox terrier who is pad trained. She's not the best at hitting the "target" and once or twice a week she'll make a mess on the edge of the pad. I was using the pad holder that fits like a frame, clamping down all four sides, and was getting tired of wiping down the frame. This minimizes bad aim so that she now can only make a mess on one edge. It has cut down the extra cleaning and I am happy!

My only complaint is that it only clamps the front. Who's great idea was that? She doesn't mess with the pad so this isn't a problem for me. But most puppies will play with it, so if you are pad training a puppy get the frame that claps all 4 sides. If you have a little dog that lifts his leg, this is also not a great idea since the edges aren't watertight. Put the pad in a dog litter box with high sides. I'm a trainer and would never recommend this product to someone whose dog or puppy is still learning. But it's great if your dog is already trained and leaves the pad alone. (Another tip when training: spray the pad 5-6 times with Bitter Apple to get your dog to stop playing with it or chewing it up. Works like a charm for most dogs!)

+2points

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Review 7 for Four Paws On Target Trainer

Overall rating

1 / 5 11 reviews

Four Paws On Target Trainer

October 10, 2011

by Brutus

fromMyrtle Beach, SC

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?1

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

I purchased the item on line because my puppy was at times urinating on the floor even though he was in the box. I felt that this item would work because it had sides & a back. One of the plastic hooks broke when I tried to put the bottom together. The pad is only held down at the front of the tray. My puppy had the pad pulled out within 5 minutes. The front part opened up when he pulled the pad. I can not use this product. I would give it less than 1 star if there was that option.

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 8 for Four Paws On Target Trainer

Overall rating

1 / 5 11 reviews

Threw it out!

June 8, 2011

by Almitra

fromOntario Canada

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?1

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

The first Trainer I broiught home had such a weak clamp for the puppy pad, I took it back that day for a replacement. The replacement had the same weak clamp problem so I assumed that it was just the way they make them.
As soon as my dog had to go, she went on the floor in the opposite corner of the room. She didn't want to go near it. The instructions then said try putting up one side at a time over a period of time. I did that and sometimes she went in it and other times she went on the floor again.
Not only was this trainer big and ugly, our dog just refused to get used to it. It just doesn't seem to work with dogs and their natural instincts.
In the end I threw it out, since once you snap the base together it never comes apart again, so I couldn't take it back.
I jumped on it until it broke into small enough pieces for the recycle box. It ended up putting my dog back a month in house training. What a waste of time and money!

+3points

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Review 9 for Four Paws On Target Trainer

Overall rating

2 / 5 11 reviews

I wouldn't recommend this product.

May 17, 2011

by JMH1120

fromRayne, LA

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?1

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

I recently got a 9 week pomeranian puppy and we are undergoing the puppy pad training. She usually drags the pad around so I was looking for alternative ways to holding the pad down. I saw this product and purchased it yesterday thinking it would hold the pad down and she wouldn't be able to drag it- WRONG. The one clamp designed to hold the pad down is very weak and will not hold it in place. The other two corners remain free for tugging. The walls are a nice concept but seem to make her think it's a bed? She lays in it instead of using it as a potty! For assembly the tray comes in halves that you must snap in very hard or it won't stay. Now I have the problem of not being able to unsnap it for a refund. Never again.

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 10 for Four Paws On Target Trainer

Overall rating

2 / 5 11 reviews

not great

November 18, 2010

by LL1212

fromsan antonio, tx

The clamp that is supposed to hold the pad in place is extremely weak, and my 4 lb. puppy has no problem at all pulling the pads out. We bought the adhesive pads since we thought the adhesive and the clamp combined would work well, but it doesn't at all. The "splashguards" around the 3 sides are a good idea, but someone thought it was a good idea to cut out swirly designs in it, which make it look pretty, but kind of defeat the purpose of it preventing sprays. The only good thing about the sides is that it does prevent the puppy from going too close to the edges of the pad.

0points

0of 0voted this as helpful.

Review 11 for Four Paws On Target Trainer

Overall rating

5 / 5 11 reviews

Great!

July 24, 2010

by smithens66

fromMissouri

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?1

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

We have a chihuahua and she has done great with this product! The pads clamp into place and it has side guards. Nothing runs off the sides and it works with all the puppy pads we have used for generic to brand name!!

+6points

6of 6voted this as helpful.