Cairo is 7months now and will unstuff toys (not eat) and will eat pieces of towels if I put them in the crate. I think it is just a stage that they pass through with age.
I like the gray padding/ bedding that fits the shape of the kennel exactly. If they have an accident, it absorbs in, they can only destuff the edges and cant tear it apart.
I think the towels are kinda a sucking chewing thing.
The pads (at Petsmart) are super easy to throw in the washer for the occasional accident.
Puppy pads have a particular scent which helps puppys know where to go to release themselves. I would not suggest using this in the kennel because you may be working against yourself with potty training.
Typically my guys may have accidents, but they are usually pretty upset about it when I get home. Almost like they are embarrased.
Caesar even taught himself to drink less in the morning to stop having accidents while I was at work. He guzzled water as a puppy.