Your dog can't wait for the elevator, and some days you can't either. A dog grass pad for balcony use gives a small dog a grass-feeling spot to go, a few steps from the door. It works best when you set it up on purpose, clean it the right way, and keep the balcony safe.
This guide covers placement, a simple routine, smell control and balcony safety. It also points you to real, in-stock gear, from a $76.54 two-pack of grass pads with trays to enzyme cleaners and a premium playpen.
Key Takeaways
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AKC's apartment potty-training guide lists a sod patch on a patio or terrace as an indoor-friendly option, including containers that catch drainage. A grass pad with a tray is the portable version of that idea. It suits small dogs, puppies and anyone without a quick elevator trip.
The real appeal is timing. A pad ten steps from your door means fewer accidents on the way down, and it works in rain, heat or a late shift. Pick a pad size your dog can turn around on, and keep it in one spot so the habit sticks.
Our starter pick is the two-pack below. Two pads means one can dry while the other is in use, which is the easiest way to keep things fresh.
Dog Grass Pad with Tray, 2 Pack (22x18 in, Gray)
Two grass pads plus a collection tray, listed for indoor, outdoor, patio and balcony use.
$76.54 · Shop Now →
Artificial Grass Puppy Pee Pad 16x20 with Tray
Compact 3-layer reusable potty pad with tray for small dogs.
$56.34 · Shop Now →
35x22.6 in Dog Grass Pad with Tray
Larger artificial turf potty mat with tray, listed for balcony and patio.
$133.51 · Shop Now →
AKC advises keeping a pad in a single spot, ideally near the door, so the dog learns where to go. On a balcony, that means a flat, shaded corner near the door, away from the railing, with the tray level so liquid drains into it instead of pooling.
Put the pad where your dog can reach it without squeezing past furniture. PetMD recommends moving furniture away from balcony edges so dogs can't use it to climb. The same logic helps here: keep the pad clear of chairs and planters.
Unique insight: wind is the balcony problem nobody mentions. A pad that slides or flips once will teach a nervous dog to avoid it, so anchor it before the first use.
Foldable Dog Litter Box with 2 Grass Pads, Small (23x15 in)
Foldable liner base with two artificial grass pee pads, listed for balcony use.
$66.14 · Shop Now →
4-Pack Magnetic Potty Pad Holder
Magnetic holders to keep a pad in place, listed for leg-lifting dogs.
$32.11 · Shop Now →
AKC says a puppy can hold its bladder about one hour for every month of age, so an 8-week-old rarely lasts past 2 hours and a 12-week-old about 3. Take young dogs to the pad after waking, after meals, after play and before bed.
The Animal Humane Society suggests taking a pad-trained dog to the pad every 2 to 3 hours and after sleep, play and meals, staying with her and allowing up to 5 minutes before rewarding. Use a cue word such as “potty” and give a small treat right after.
| Puppy age | Rough hold time (one hour per month) | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | About 2 hours | Pad trips every 1 to 2 hours |
| 12 weeks | About 3 hours | Pad trips every 2 to 3 hours |
| 4 months | About 4 hours (calculated from the same rule) | Add a trip after every meal |
Our calculation: count the walk to the balcony door in that window. If your dog needs 20 seconds to reach the pad, start the trip when the clock says 90 minutes, not 120.
Never punish accidents. The AKC notes it can teach a puppy to hide when it needs to go. Calmly move your dog to the pad and reward the next success. Views differ on pads as a long-term plan: a Texas A&M veterinarian warned in 2008 that the habit can stick into adulthood, so choose a surface you're happy to keep.
Mr. Peanut’s Gel Pee Pads 23x23 in, 6 Layers, Lightly Scented
Six-layer absorbent gel pads with a light scent, an easy entry-level pad.
$8.99 · Shop Now →
Mr. Peanut's Washable Reusable Pee Pads, Set of 3
Washable, reusable waterproof pads, sold as a set of 3.
$14.99 · Shop Now →
The Humane Society of Sonoma County recommends an enzymatic cleaner for urine and warns against ammonia and vinegar, which don't remove the odor for your pet and may encourage repeat urination. Steam cleaners can set odor into synthetic fibers, so rinse, treat and dry instead.
Fresh urine does the least damage, so deal with it quickly. Lift the grass layer, empty or rinse the tray, apply an enzyme cleaner as the product label directs, and let everything dry fully in the sun. The Animal Humane Society also recommends enzyme-based cleaners and says to follow the label closely.
Unique insight: most smell complaints come from the surface under the tray, not the pad. Lift the tray weekly and wipe the floor beneath it.
Jeffers X-O Pet Odor Neutralizer Plus Cleaner Concentrate
Concentrated odor neutralizer and cleaner, an easy low-cost start.
$19.99 · Shop Now →
Skout's Honor Professional Strength Stain & Odor Remover, 1 Gallon
A gallon of stain and odor remover for ongoing cleanups.
$40.99 · Shop Now →
Pogi's Dog Poop Bags, 10 Rolls (150 Bags)
Ten rolls of waste bags for solid cleanups.
$11.43 · Shop Now →
Each option fits a different routine. A grass pad gives a grass-like texture and a tray, a disposable pad is the cheapest per use, and a washable pad cuts waste. Our washable vs. disposable pee pads guide goes deeper on that trade-off, and the table below compares them for a balcony.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Grass pad with tray | Dogs that like a grass feel, small balconies | Needs regular rinsing and drying |
| Disposable pad | Puppies, travel, quick cleanups | Wind, and a steady supply |
| Washable pad | Less waste, backup under a tray | Laundry time and drying |
The Animal Humane Society lists small breeds, high-rise apartments and cold climates as dogs that suit potty pads. Many owners mix them: a grass pad on the balcony and a disposable pad for rainy days.
Pet Life Charcoal Odor Eliminating Dog Training Pads
Ultra absorbent training pads listed as charcoal and odor eliminating.
$43.99 · Shop Now →
WizSmart Essentials Pads, Large, 50 ct, Fresh Scented
A 50-count pack of large fresh-scented training pads.
$29.99 · Shop Now →
PetMD reports that dogs can squeeze through railings and be injured by a fall even from one story. Check slat spacing, keep furniture away from the edge and stay close, because a dog can get hurt in a single moment of inattention.
PetMD also advises a harness or leash on balconies, shade and water, and checking for hot grills and toxic plants. A screened enclosure is the safest option if you can install one. Our room-by-room home safety checklist covers other hazards around the home.
The AKC recommends a playpen or gate when you're home and a crate at night or when away, sized so the dog can stand and turn. Those tools keep accidents to the pad. Our compact apartment gear guide and indoor dog houses and crate furniture guide cover compact options.
A playpen gives you a contained area near the balcony door, and a stroller or carrier helps on longer trips.
6-Panel Freestanding Wooden Dog Playpen & Pet Gate, 144 in
Freestanding wooden playpen and gate with a lockable gate, no wall mounting.
$292.42 · Shop Now →
3 in 1 Pet Stroller with Removable Carrier, up to 33 lbs
Stroller with a removable carrier, for small dogs up to 33 lbs.
$206.66 · Shop Now →
A quick shortlist from the catalog, sorted from entry level to premium. Prices are current as of publishing.
100 Count Dog Wipes for Paws, Lavender
Cleansing, deodorizing wipes for quick paw cleanups.
$22.01 · Shop Now →
Washable Pee Pads for Dogs
Washable pads to rotate as backups under or beside the grass.
$42.36 · Shop Now →
Artificial Grass Puppy Pee Pad 20x30 with Tray
Reusable 3-layer potty training pad with tray, 20x30 in.
$80.74 · Shop Now →
Foldable Dog Litter Box with 2 Grass Pads, Large (33x23 in)
Large foldable liner base with two grass pee pads for medium dogs.
$122.51 · Shop Now →
WizSmart Essentials Pads with Charcoal, XL, 50 ct
Extra large pads with charcoal, 50 per pack.
$43.99 · Shop Now →
100 Count Extra Large Dog Pee Pads, 28x34 in
Bulk pack of disposable, quick-drying, leak-proof pads.
$113.23 · Shop Now →
Foldable Dog Litter Box with 2 Grass Pads, XL (44x34 in)
Extra large foldable liner base with two artificial grass pee pads.
$165.39 · Shop Now →
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Airline Compliant Expandable Carrier V3.0
Expandable airline-compliant carrier for trips with your dog.
$144.00 · Shop Now →
10X Concentrate Bio-Enzyme Pet Odor Eliminator, Makes 10 Gallons
Bio-enzyme concentrate listed for artificial grass, patios and kennels.
$235.15 · Shop Now →
Yes, many owners use one. AKC lists a patio or terrace grass patch as an apartment potty option, with drainage-catching containers. Keep it level, near the door and away from the railing, and check your lease for balcony rules.
Blot or rinse soiled areas promptly, then use an enzymatic cleaner as the label directs. The Humane Society of Sonoma County advises against ammonia and vinegar. Let the pad and tray dry fully, and rotate to a second pad while one dries.
The Animal Humane Society suggests going to the pad every 2 to 3 hours and after sleep, play and meals. Stay on leash, use a cue word, allow up to 5 minutes and reward success. Keep the routine for about 2 weeks before widening freedom.
AKC says puppies hold it about one hour per month of age, so an 8-week-old lasts roughly 2 hours and a 12-week-old about 3. Take puppies to the pad after waking, meals and play.
Safety depends on the balcony, not the pad. PetMD warns that dogs can squeeze through railings and be hurt in a fall. Use a harness or leash, move furniture away from the edge and supervise closely.
Sources: American Kennel Club, How to Potty Train a Dog in an Apartment, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/potty-train-dog-in-apartment, retrieved 2026-10-08. Texas A&M University (Texas A&M Stories), House-Training Puppies Not Always a Fun Job (2008), https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2008/01/31/house-training-puppies-not-always-a-fun-job/, retrieved 2026-10-08. Animal Humane Society, Potty Pad Training Your Dog, https://animalhumanesociety.org/training/potty-pad-training-your-dog, retrieved 2026-10-08. PetMD, Balcony Safety and Pets: How to Avoid High-Rise Risks (2018), https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/balcony-safety-and-pets-how-avoid-high-rise-risks, retrieved 2026-10-08. Humane Society of Sonoma County, Removing Pet Odors and Stains, https://humanesocietysoco.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/removing-pet-odors-and-stains.pdf, retrieved 2026-10-08.
General information for dog owners, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your dog's needs.
$220.53
$47.32
$52.99
$23.45
$129.45
$220.53
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