I did a boatload of research today and finally tracked down the owner of the Potty Patch business. Many of you have wondered what was going on with this company, since you sent in your credit card information, but never received your product. See my previous post here. (Special note to VPinTenn: Thanks for the phone number! Unfortunately, I could never get through – kept getting “all circuits are busy”.)
After buying a couple of searches on Intelius.com, I was able to find both a phone number and an e-mail address for Christian Darby, the registered owner of the PottyPatch.com website. I left a message for him, and he was nice enough to call back and give me the scoop on what is happening.
Their company is currently test-marketing the Potty Patch in several different ways. One way was the e-mail blast, which is what I originally blogged about. Next, they did a TV spot, which several of you saw on Animal Planet. However, because they are simply test-marketing to see what brings the best response, they were not totally ready to ship products at the time.
Mr. Darby assures me that the small size Potty Patch will be shipped in about 2 weeks, while the larger size may not be ready until June. If you have any questions or concerns about your order, he is willing to address them if you email him at christiandarby(at)earthlink.net. (If you don’t know how this works, he would have been flooded with spam if I had entered his complete e-mail address here, so just replace the (at) with the traditional @ sign when you go to address your e-mail.)
He sounded like a nice person, and understands your concerns about identity theft. Please let me know if you don’t get a response from him after you contact him. He appeared to be very willing to clear this up.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
I agree with “spoiled4sure” it does slide. Initially I tried velcro but once it got wet it lost it’s stickiness. I resorted to using 2 dumbbells, one on opposite corners, to prevent it from sliding and this solved the problem for my 55lb bulldog.
It took me a little over a day to get my dog used to using it. Initially, I got some urine on a papertowel when she peed and placed it on the mat. Trouble was, due to the lightness of the towel, it moved when she brushed against it.
Next attempt ,which ended up working, was when I used a towel to absorb the urine when she peed outside and placed that on the mat. That was enough to get her interested. After she peed the first time on the mat I removed the towel and she has been using it daily since.
For cleanup I use newspapers under the grass and spikey plastic piece for easy daily cleanup and endup rinsing the whole thing once a week.
I meant “border”…sorry. 🙂
I bought the large Potty Patch for my 4 year old Dachshund because he was trained to use a doggie door but we moved to a 3rd floor apartment. I ordered mine online from Petsmart and it arrived within a few days. The first time he stepped onto the Potty Patch it slid out from under him and scared him. There isn’t anything that keeps the patch attached to the tray and it slides very easily. He won’t even attempt to use it anymore. He “goes” all around the boarder but won’t get back on the patch. I think its a good concept but could definitely use some improvement.
MINE TOOK ABOUT 6 WEEKS TO ARRIVE AND AFTER ALL THAT WAITING EITHER OF MY DOGS WILL USE IT. THEY PEE RIGHT NEXT TO IT BUT WON’T GET ON IT. I THINK I’LL USE IT TO PRACTICE HITTING GOLF BALLS OFF MY PATIO.
I thought this was a great idea, given the frequent below zero weather we had this winter. My 12 yr old rescued Beagle, Brittany, did not agree; never gave it more than a quick sniff, then ever thereafter ignored it. My daughter’s 14 year old terrier mix entered my apartment for the first time went directly to the patch and utilized it!
Didn’t change Brit’s mind.
it is a horrible product. i have three little dogs and none of them will use it. one of them did try it once and it stayed wet and it stunk. it is so misleading. it is a shame that they get away with it and they do not have a return policy. do not buy this!!!!!
This is to Janice Anderson_Phillips on February 21st, 2010 12:42 pm
If you used a Debit card a phone number will be next to it, same goes for Credit Card (call the CC company) The phone numbers for those are DIFFERENT than the numbers to the public… Good Luck…
Soooooo glad I didn’t order one..
I ORDERED AND PAID FOR THE POTTY PATCH. THEY MADE SURE THEY GOT THIER MONEY. I DID NOT GOT THE PRODUCT. THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO ANY CORRESPONDENCE. I HAVE NEVER, & I EMPHASIZE NEVER, GOT AN ANSWER ON THE PHONE NUMBER THEY PROVIDED IN THE CONFIRMATIOM EMAIL WHERE THEY “””””TOOK”””” MY MONEY””””. EVERY TIME, AND AGAIN I EMPHASIZE, EVERY TIME, I HAVE GONE TO THE WEB ADDRESS THEY PROVIDED IN THE CONFIRMATIOMATION EMAIL AND CLICK ON THE “CONTACT US” LINK, THIS IS A COPIED AND PASTED RESPONSE: CustomerStatus.com
We are currently upgrading our systems to serve you better… please try again later
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY FOLKS.
I was about to purchase this online via the website when I came across this blog and I’m glad I didn’t order from the website. Being on the East coast I tried checking at my local Petco if they had one. Surprisingly, they had 1 Large (27″ x 34″) available which I was actually looking for. It was $79.99 + tax.
Once at home I opened the box and the Large was actually 2 regular size trays attached together via a plastic “bridge” to keep the trays together. Each tray had a plastic grate with a plastic spikey area you would point up for the synthetic grass to catch on. Or, if you choose not to use the synthetic grass the plastic grate can be turned over so the “spikes” are pointing down and the smooth portion up.
My Bulldog is 14yrs old with arthritis so her back legs are a little wobbly and drag a little sometimes. I got her to walk across the synthetic grass and one problem I noticed is if you have the plastic grates installed with spikey area up the bottom is smooth and the tray it rests in is smooth so when my Bully walked across the grass it slides a little bit. I may try putting some velcro or a weight on one side so it doesn’t slide.
I walked her outside and when she peed I collected some urine on a paper towel. I placed the Potty Patch next to her bed with the urine soaked paper towel on top. I’ll keep you guys updated what problems if any come up.
LEAD CONTENT OF THE SYNTHETIC GRASS –
Ask any of the potty companies what the LEAD CONTENT of their grass is.
Dogs and children may ingest the yarns.
A reputable dog potty manufacturer can readily tell you that their grass has been tested by an independent lab. There ARE high levels of lead in low quality synthetic grass, and they are in use in some pet potty products. Stick to a company that has been in business a while, and obviously cares about dogs.
I am so furious with this company as I ordered 3 or these things on Jan 6 and have not been able to get anyone live to tell me why I have not received them as yet. Their contact site is not working and neither is the number that the AKC gave me. So frustrated that I am going to try to cancel the order but can’t do that beause I cannot reach any one. !!! Not sure they even work.
Petco has a product called The Potty Patch. It sells for $60.00 We have a female Toy Poodle who thinks she shouldn’t have to go outside if it is raining, thinking of raining, or heaven forbid snow on the ground.
As far as the poop question, if you watch the advertisement it says after they do their business just pick it up and dispose of it as you normally would. It then goes on to pour a quart of water on the patch.
I was just hoping someone had tried it.
Potty Patches are sold at Wal Mart and PetCo and it is the same ‘As Seen on TV’ version. They were $100 so I didn’t buy one,
I’ve never used this product, but I know how I would make my dog use this if he is hesitant:
Build an small enclosure. It should ONLY be big enough for either a small but comfortable bed or crate he already likes to use, a small area for him to eat and drink, and the potty patch.
If the space is small enough he will have to decide where to go potty and he won’t want to do it in his favorite bed or crate, or in his food, so he will choose the potty patch.
Put him in this enclosed area overnight or while you are at work. Long enough for him to have to go potty. After a while of doing this you should be able to get him to do this somewhere else in the house.
If you notice a charge on your account that you didn’t make as soon as it pops. Call your bank but keep a close look out on your bank account.
I wouldn’t order from Potty Patch, they are a scam. Mike and I ordered ours over a month ago and never received it. We got a confirmation number saying it was shipped. I checked my boyfriend’s bank account and it hasn’t shown that they charged it. We found out that they charged us for two of them for $79.99 + shipping for both, and their website says they are $39.99 and get a 2nd one FREE + FREE shipping for ordering the 2nd one.
When we found out we were charged for 2 and no FREE shipping and we never gotten them. We canceled our order today. I would call them and cancel your order ASAP. And find your confirmation number and cancel it anyways. IT IS A SCAM DON’T FALL FOR IT!
I ordered the potty patch without seeing this blog. I waited 2 weeks for my order and went online to track it. This is when I saw your blog. I called the 1-800 # and the phone was answered right away. I asked The lady to cancel my order and she did. She gave me her name & ID #. I am worried because I used my debit card, should I change my number?
Well,now–my daughters keep telling me to use the internet for EVERY thing–c;early, I shoulda done so on this item. Ordered my Potty Patch (PP) thru Harriet Carter Gifts.; took about 2 1/2 weeks for delivery. Problem is my 12 year-old rescue Beagle isn’t interested. NEITHER of us very enthusiastic about going outside with the windchill at 30–40 BELOW!.
Went directly to their web-site for “more details” on using a pheromone spray. Nothing shown. Called their Customer Service number where a young lady seemed distressed that I had not ordered the PP die\rectly from them. She told me that if the item is NOT LISTED or shown on the web site, the company no longer sells it. Huh. That implies that once they did–but what I read here suggests they never did.
I, too, planned to place the PP in my walk-in shower; seemed like an ideal way to service it. I wonder about confusing her VERY thorough house-training, too. I’ve had her about 2 1/2 years … the only accidents she had were when she was neglected for four days by my (ex-)husband. Brittany poops only after some exercise; bless her, since we moved from Minneapolis to up here on the border of the Boundary Waters, she needs to walk only about 60 feet before she “does her duty” then heads for the nearest door back into the apartment building. Last couple of trips were completed in about 30 feet!
So–I am searching for a source on that “pheromone spray!” I’ll be checking out that rascal dog litter box, too.
This potty patch is the BEST!!! I have an 11 week old puppy who took to the grass to go potty and poo inside of two days. I got one for my balcony upstairs and one for the front patio. She will stand in front of each slide door and go and do her thing. This is easy to clean. Hose it off. I sometimes will use white vinegar and water first and then rinse with the hose. Thank you for the Potty Patch!!!!! It makes my life so much easier with puppy training.
Im wanting to get or order a pottypatch for inside ur home for our dogs to go to inside what they show on TV could u please mail me one to 307N. Green St. Glagow ky. 42141 and bill me for it or let me know how i can get one please thank u Lucinda Cindy G. Proffitt
DANG!!! Sooooooo glad that I found this site before ordering this product!!!! I’ll just go to Petco and grab one instead of going through ALL THE ‘CRAP’ everyone else seems to be going through!!!!!
Thanks EVERYONE for your warning comments!!!!!
I’ve had mine about 2 1/2 months. My dog still will have nothing to do with it. It was a waste of my money. He will not go close to it. It’s effective at keeping him out of an area I don’t want him in.
I BOUGHT THE (LARGE) POTTYPATCH, WHICH IS JUST 2 SMALLER ONES HELD TOGETHER BY A SNAP ON BAR. ANYWAY, HOW DO YOU GET THE DOG TO USE IT>????? WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY.
I, too, ordered this product before reading the reviews. I ordered 24 hours ago, so my order isn’t in their system yet. I’ve called four times to cancel and was able to get a live representative three times. Today the rep told me that I can go to http://www.customerstatus.com and, once my order shows up in the system, I can cancel the order, and the info. will go to the customer service center within 60 seconds. I’ll believe it when I see it, but at least it’s worth a try!
I ordered a Potty Patch before Christmas and just received it in the mail today. I picked it up at the post office on my way in to work and haven’t opened the box yet, but it is in the large box which is what I had ordered. I just hope that it works once I get it home now!
ORDERED THIS PRODUCT THRU THE LONGEST, MOST ANNOYING PHONE CALL AT LEAST 8 WEEKS AGO. STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT NOR CONFIRFIRMATION OF MY ORDER. OF COURSE, REACHING CUSTOMER SERVICE BY THE ORDERING PHONE NUMBER IS NOT AN OPTION. SO, HAD TO DO INTERNET RESEARCH TO FIND A CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER. HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE BEING PUT ON HOLD FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. BY THE WAY, I AM TRYING TO TALK TO APERSON AT POTTY PATCH TO FIND OUT WHY I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY ORDER. POTTY PATCH, YOU GET AN ‘F’ FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. YOU ARE BY FAR THE WORST COMPANY I’VE EVER DEALT WITH. LET’S HOPE THAT YOUR PRODUCT ARRIVES BEFORE THE SPRING AND IS OF SOME VALUE. GET YOUR ‘POOP’ TOGETHETER, PLEASE.
Yes they do sell the POTTY PATCH AT STORES, They have both sizes at PETCO the small one is for $49.00 and the larger one is $79.00. From all the issues everyone has been having, I will buy mine at Petco and I do have a male but he squats, he doesn’t know how to lift his leg so it should work, he goes on the peepee pads and so do my cats but they always try covering it and rip the paper 🙂
Hope the potty patch won’t encourage the cats.
Terri
You can buy a similar product at your local WalMart store. It’s called the Spotty Training Place. Works great because the grass is easier to clean. Thanks!
I order on 11/09/09 potty patch my order nomber is 1765403
item : 8117MOC
still i dont have my order
I want to know whats happen to my order
thanks
I just got a potty patch to try with my 13yr-old dog. She is housetrained, but now she can’t always get to the door on time and has accidents.
After reading about everyone’s problems receiving their orders, I decided to get one another way… I went to Petco. They have them in the store, and the price is a bit higher ($49.99 for the small), but to me it was worth it to walk out with the product in my hand and not have to worry about being scammed online. Petco’s website (www.petco.com) has them as well, and you are ordering from the Petco company, not the Potty Patch mystery company.
i want to get a potty patch but i dont know what size i should get i have two mini dachhounds would that small one be big enough?? and also is the shipping crisis fixed is everyone actually getting them now??
I finally got the potty patch. My dog is afraid of it. Will not go within 5 feet of it.
Anybody want a potty patch?
Try putting a used pee pad underneath the grate or transplant some poop onto the grass. Hope it works–it’s so worth it especially ’cause I put the potty patch in my walk-in shower and just clean it and rinse it off before I use the stall to shower myself…
sorry won’t pee or poop on it.
I ordered from carol wright and got mine in a matter of days.
My only question, is how in the world do you get your dog to use it.
He’ll lay on it, sit on it, but won’t poop on it. Anybody out there, please
explain????
I ordered a Potty Patch from Carol Wrights Gifts via the phone, asked for a discount and got it. It was back ordered once, but I received it before the expected date anyway. My 4 month old wanted to chew the grass, so I removed it until she was comfortable going on the plastic grate placed upside down. After only 3 days, I put the grass back on and she hasn’t had a mistake since.
well i just wanted to know my dog is 2years old and i wanted to get a potty pad thing i seen on tv for the winter my question is would it mess her up on her potty training that she has done so well with so would it be fine if we got a potty pad for her though the winter time ? so if you would get back to me that would be great thanks
michelle
[email protected]
My husband and I just cancelled our order today after waiting almost a month with no updates except that each time we’d login to find out when the estimated delivery time was, it would postpone another week. My husband called this morning and cancelled when he learned that it’d be another month because they were on back-order. We are still very interested in the product. Just not comfortable with paying money for something and waiting months for the product.
I LIKE THE POTTY PATCH THE PRODUCT IS GOOD FOR SMALL DOGS. THE BIG DOWN FALL OF THE COMPANY IS THEY WERE NOT READY FOR ALL THE REQUESTS . WE THE CUSTOMERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO BUY REPLACEMENT PARTS. ESP. THE GRASS PADS. PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED AS WE WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE THEM. CONNIE AND ABBY A 5LB MALTESE.
I also ordered the potty patch. I keep getting dates of delivery but they are changed periodically. I’m going to try to call today and cancel. This is nuts that people like this are able to keep advertising a product they cannot supply.
I ORDERED THE PATCH POTTY OVER A MONTH AGO. THANKFULLY I USED PAYPAL. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PRODUCT NOR HAS THERE BEEN A TRANSACTION MADE FROM THE WEBSITE. SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS COMPANY. I WAS ABLE TO CLOSE MY PAYPAL SECURE CARD TODAY SO THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE.
I ordered the Large Potty Patch about 2 months ago and received it about 4-5 weeks later. When I ordered it did say it was backordered but the delay was worth it.
My dogs love it! We moved from a house to an apt and my pups missed their lawn! I put one pee pee pad on each side just cuz it’s easier to keep clean that way and less odor. The large is 2 small bottom parts with a one piece 27 X 34 inch grass patch. The most I’ve done is rinse it with water about once a week, maybe spray some windex or clorox clean up on it. The potty pads help a lot to decrease odor as well. I imagine if the pee just laid there… pew.
The poop couldn’t be easier to clean up. The grass blades are thick and do not stick to the poop at all, and if a bit does, water or wipe and it’s gone.
I have a Jack Russell, as well as a sweet pup, and he even uses it. He prefers to soil whatever nice carpet I have out there but actually uses this without hesitation. Great product, works great, stays dry… but where will I find a patch replacement??
Sorry you all have had trouble. I ordered, I waited, I received. Dogs are happy boys!
Patricia,
My dogs do the same thing in the litter box. The older one used to be small enough that she could stand completely in the box and her butt would still be in the box. Now, she’s a little bit bigger, and we end up with poop on the floor quite frequently. That, or she will jump out before everything has um… fallen out, and it drops right on the floor
I forgot to mention that my dogs don’t understand that it’s their butts that need to be on the patch. Often times, they will have their whole body on the patch, but their butts are actually off the patch, so their feces fall on the floor right next to the patch. Finally, my two male dogs, both neutered, often stand next to the patch and “aim” for it. Sometimes they miss. They did both of these things with their litter pan as well, so this is not necessarily a problem with the potty patch.
I purchased a large-sized potty patch several months ago. I have 4 Miniature Pinschers. Previous to the potty patch, my dogs were litter trained. I used a dog litter product made by Purina. The day I set up the potty patch, I put several pieces of litter on the potty patch. My dogs used it without fail right from the start. I love it because it keeps my dogs from having to “hold it” during the day when I am at work, and I am not spending $40 per week in dog litter. I put puppy pads in the bottom tray, and that keeps down the odor and makes clean-up much easier. However, the grass mat has to be cleaned at least every other day, if not every day. This, and the fact that the edges of the mat are not finished, so the mat is slowly unraveling, are the down sides to the product. I would like to buy a replacement mat, but I cannot find one anywhere.
Just buy a Potty Patch on Ebay ….duh Then you wont have to worry about this company ripping you off. I’m ordering one right now. You are all ridiculous.
Both of my dogs are litter box trained. I didn’t go the expensive route, just a $15 doggy box from Petsmart or Petco. Then again, both of my dogs are girls so there is no leg lifting issues
I was looking at something to have at my mom’s house. It seems though that this is not the answer. I guess I need to save myself the money and grief and go get another box.
Thanks to all who have posted and shined the light on this scam. I was about to buy the potty patch also, but after researching this product I found this blog. You save me $40 and a lot of grief!!
I checked out the Rascal Dog Litter Box website and was very impressed with the design of this litter box for dogs. I will be ordering one in a few days and will post my review of this product. I have a male Maltese puppy who is 3 months old and 95% trained on the wee-wee pads. He should make the transition from the pads to the litter box with out any problems. Also I was told once he gets snipped he shouldn’t lift his leg to wee. But even he does the sides should be high enough to stop him from hitting the walls.
Here is a link to the site: http://www.rascaldoglitterbox.com/home
Thanks again!
Dominic
So glad I found this blog. I too would have became a victim of this scam! I ordered the Rascal Dog Litter Box. The company promises same day shipping which they did follow through on. I was determined to litter box train my puppy since I work long hours. I spoke with the owner of the Rascal Box company and she assured me that my box would be shipped that day. It was refreshing to speak directly to the company and not an anwering service.
Good Luck to everyone. I hope you get your money back.
Jim
I emailed the Christian Darby? listed in this article.. he answered immediately and someone from the company called me ….. I was the one that was wrong… the payments they collected from my account were correct and it was no problem…..i think this webiste is creating a bit of a frenzy and causing people to overreact… …… in retro tho… i am wondering if it is ever a good idea to encourage the dog to pee in the house… how does my dog know if the carpet is green or tan .??? peeing on the carpet is still just that .. peeing on the carpet….
but I had no problem with the Potty Patch company…and i do not work for Potty Patch nor am i connected with the company in any way..