Real grass potty training toilet takes stress out of teaching your puppy where to poop
A REAL grass training potty toilet called Potty Plant is fast becoming every pet lover’s godsend. The Australian first is the brainchild of inner-west entrepreneur Julia Sakr.
Inner West
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
KEEPING pets at home can be a messy business, but the latest clever solution will appeal to people living in all kinds of situations: houses, units, caravans — even squats.
Potty Plant, the brainchild of inner-west entrepreneur Julia Sakr, is the answer to every pet-lover’s toilet-training nightmares.
As Australia’s first real grass potty-training toilet, it is already giving apartment-owners a leg up over a wee problem indoors. It is also an effective and odour-free backup option for those who keep their pets inside while they are out.
Cake-baking and decorating specialist Katherine Sabbath, of Marrickville, found Potty Plant after failing to find a suitable toilet mat for her pooch Pluto.
“We bought two months’ worth of pee pads but, after two days, we’d had enough because you can’t monitor the puppies ripping them up,” Ms Sabbath said.
“We immediately decided to get synthetic grass but that smelled, and I work in food and do photo shoots at home, so it was disgusting to have a stinky synthetic grass mat.”
Potty Plant proved the ideal solution. It absorbs liquid, which takes away any unpleasant odours, and comes in a durable plastic tray that discourages chewing and secures the grass.
You could say it is a growth industry designed to solve a grassroots problem.
New grass mats are delivered to subscribers weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
Ms Sabbath said it took about a week to train her five-month-old Manchester terrier to use them.
“After she went on it the first time and with lots of positive reinforcement, she just got it,” she said. “We move ours around but we mostly keep it on the balcony. We have a fortnightly subscription because Pluto is quite a small dog.”
Ms Sakr said it was not just pooches using Potty Plant. Cats and rabbits are too.
“We do cater for customers with rabbits and cats that tend to use the mat to snack on,” she said.
“Since launching in May last year, we now have more than 150 subscribers ... (the) majority living in apartments.”
Potty Plant starts at a $230 base price, following with a $25 weekly, $33 fortnightly, or $37 monthly subscription.
Details: www.pottyplant.com.au
POTTY PLANT TIPS
● Choose a sunny and permanent spot to ensure a routine for your dog
● Dogs must not use it for sleeping
● Praise your dog after they mark their territory
● If the Potty Plant is looking dry, give it some water
Watch this cheetah cub and puppy play
‘Like the Honey Badger’: U16 players to watch at City v Country rugby
Young guns in the U16s City v Country battle will be playing for more than pride and victory on Sunday. Rising stars - including ones likened to the Honey Badger and Brian To’o - to watch
Big boppers, livewire: Unusual mix of U15s City v Country players to watch
There’s a mix of tall timber, an amazing smaller player, big boppers and a livewire hooker. It’s why the City v County U15s battle at Newcastle is shaping up to be a memorable one.