I used the reusable washable hospital chux for my puppy but realized later that she was getting confused between the chux and regular blankets for her crate. I used to work long hours at the hospital, so when she was older I kept her in a circular play yard with her crate inside and a pee pad area on the opposite side. She would end up moving the pads around and yes, getting pee everywhere, so that wasn't so great.
I'm on a list to purchase puppy next year, and I think this time around I will buy one of those "potty patch" or "potty park" things. They are plastic liners with fake grass turf on top. The puppy pees on it, and the urine flows into the liner, and poo stays on top. That way, my new puppy will get used to the feel of grass on her feet, and it will smell like her potty (to her)all the time, (vs wiping a bit of poo on a clean pad as some suggest).