No matter how much we love our furry friends, there's a downside to dog ownership. They have to be taken outside to you-know-what, even when it's 20 below. And sometimes they (we?) screw up and go inside. My family-room carpet is a sad testament to that.

So I was intrigued when a product called the Potty Patch arrived at the office. Basically, it's a metal tray, with a grate on top, and on top of that, a patch of artificial turf grass. The Potty Patch is a "convenient indoor bathroom," according to the marketing materials, for when the weather is too nasty to send Fido outdoors -- or when you can't make it home to do the honors.

The Patch is branded by the American Kennel Club, and recommended by dog trainers and vets as a training tool for housebreaking your puppy. It's also used by show dogs -- such as those who'll be strutting their stuff at Westminster next month -- for times when they can't sully their perfectly groomed coats with outdoor slush and grime. (You can order the Patch at www.pottypatch.com, for $39.99, plus shipping and handling.)

I decided to try the Patch at home. I placed it in the corner of the family room where one of my two dogs always has her accidents. She's old and pretty set in her ways, but not the brightest bulb. I was hoping I could fool her into thinking that a patch of real grass had suddenly sprouted indoors, so I marched her over and set her on the Patch. She looked at me quizzically, then scampered off.

The Patch has now been in my family room for a week, and neither dog has used it for its intended purpose, although my big mutt showed enough interest to dismantle it and scatter the three layers around the room. I suspect more training might be required. But training has never been my strong suit (as evidenced by the afore-mentioned carpet).

Have you tried the Patch (or something similar)? Would you? Or do you have another strategy for preventing canine accidents -- and for eliminating the tell-tale stains?