Can little dogs like Yorkies be trained to use the litter box?

Question

I might be getting a Yorkie.

Answer 1

Yes. Any type of dog can be trained to use the litter box. Just make sure that you use dog litter, not cat litter. You could also try using puppy pads or newspaper in the box.

I have had great results using puppy pads with very young pups!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Yes you certainly can - I'm a yorkie breeder and have taught several of my dogs to use the litter tray. The link that someone posted is a particularly good one.

One other tip is to use newspaper pellets rather than the clumping cat litter or clay based ones - just in case the dogs decide to have a meal of it. Also, in case your dog decides to dig in it and cover up his poop you can also put chicken wire over the top to stop this. You can get them used to the chicken wire by covering it up with newspaper. In fact when I started with the litter i put a newspaper over the top so that they would know to go on it (as a graduation from newspaper training). I would use this method in conjunction with crate training for the best results. You need to be really consistent in order to get good results.

Just a word of warning. Yorkies as per all terriers are harder to train than say a labrador or a goldie - dogs that catch on really fast, so as a first dog, they can be difficult. One of my yorkies took until she was over 4 months old to really catch on reliably so you will need plenty of patience. Patience is really important because when you get a new dog, particularly as they will mess alot and you can't let your temper get the best of you and scold it after the fact because they don't tend to make the connection if it's not an immediate scolding.

Find some books about dog training and getting a new puppy and really do some reading about methods etc.

Make sure you go to a reputable breeder who is registered with the canine council. Do a premises inspection and see both parents and the papers. If it looks dodgy don't buy from them because if the conditions don't look good, then they're not caring for the dogs properly. Ask about genetic issues. Yorkies are prone to heart problems, often get liver shunt, luxating patellas, hip problems, collapsed tracheas - so these are all things that the breeders need to know about in order to breed these undesirable characteristics out of their bloodlines.

Answer 3

Yes, they can. I have a 8.6 oz. Yorkie/Chihuahua mix that is litter box trained. I used the info on the following site under "Crate Style Training".

http://www.kturby.com/litter/litter.htm

I use pine wood pellets for the litter and my home, if it reeks of anything, it reeks of pine. I clean it often throughout the day.

KJ:

Just because your pet is litterbox trained doesn't mean they don't get regular walks.

Answer 4

I'm sorry but what is all the hype about training dogs to use the litter box? This really bothers me. I picture poor little dogs living inside their entire lives having one room or two to get their exercise in.

It's a dog. It' needs regular exercise and fresh air just like any other pet.

It's pure LAZINESS! Take the poor thing outside!!!

To...J&K's mom...if your pets get regular walks and outside exercise then why do they have to be litter box trained?

Answer 5

Yes you can. I did it with my min pin bc I live in WI. During the summer months, she loves to go outside with her cocker spaniel brothers to go potty. However, in the winter, she only gets to the door and is already shivering. If it's not too cold out, she'll still go out. So, if it is too cold for her, she has her litter box to go potty in. I guess mine is trained to go outside and in the litter box. You would train them just the same as any other dog, only it's to go in the box rather than outside. You can also get cat litter called Yesterdays News that is the same as dog litter only MUCH cheaper!!! Good luck!

Answer 6

Yes. In fact, for a while we had this little dog that was some kind of terrier. And she was an ancient little thing, and arthritic to boot. But she was such a sweetie- and she taught herself to use the box.