What do you think of litter box training for puppies? And how do you do it?

Question

What type of dog litter box - what type of litter - what method of training. Pros/cons of litter box training. Comparison to paper/pad training vs just going outside. What method to train them.

Answer 1

Here is a good site to help you litter box train your puppy> http://www.kturby.com/litter/litter.htm
However, there is a sentence where she says to shout at the dog..I TOTALLY disagree with shouting..

Litter box training is preferable to pad training, as pups find that VERY confusing..
However, unless there are elevators, more than a flight of stairs, or a disability that keeps you inside..I think outdoor training is very much better..If a male begins to lift his leg to pee, the litter box is a big problem, as is the pee pad..

Routine is the most important aspect of training. From the beginning, feed 4 times per day, at the same times, and put the bowl up in 5 minutes, or when finished.

A puppy will need to go just minutes after eating, so whisk her outside, and stay with her UNTIL SHE 'goes'..Give her lots of praise when she does her job, play a few minutes, and come back in..

If you can spread down a bag of sand, from a garden center, it will give her a good place to go, so you can kind of aim her there, and not just all over your yard..

She should only need to go poop after eating, and perhaps at bedtime..

However, she will need water down at all times, and need to pee frequently..so, outside every other hour for that..and keep a close eye on her..She will need to go during active play, and every time she wakes from a nap..If you watch her, you will see her acting restless, and sniffing the floor, etc when she needs to go..at first, peeing may be just a matter of pausing, and uh-oh, there it is..She won't even be aware...So its important to never scold her for peeing...***this is what makes traumatized pups that refuse to pee outside, or try to hide it in the house..as they get scolded for it, and it becomes a traumatic event***..
Keep the product, Nature's Miracle, on hand, for instant cleaning of pee spots...or ask your pet supply which enzyme cleaner they recommend..

Puppies physiology only allows them to hold pee for about 1 hour per month of age...so expecting any more is unrealistic..a good reason for a playpen or crate at night.. She may hold it through the night, but is likely to need to pee at least once during the night..You can remove the water a couple of hours before bedtime..

By following a routine, and being ever watchful for the first few days, you can have her petty well trained in just a couple of weeks..or less

I house-train all of my pups before they ever leave my home, and I do it an entire litter at a time..it normally takes about 4-5 days, with very few accidents, before they are asking to be let out..
But, if you hang a little bell on the door, or a desk bell on the floor, and show her you are ringing the bell each time you take her out, she is likely to begin ringing the bell when she needs to go..Just be very vigilant, and yet stay relaxed..an accident doesn't mean failure..
Remember, it takes forever to potty train a human baby, and it is so nice that puppies can learn it so much faster, but they are still allowed to be babies, and don't deserve to be stressed about the training...
If you have important areas to keep clean, just keep her away from those areas until she is a bit older..

I recommend using a soft step-in type harness for the walking and leash training, as it is less frightening and stressful..eventually, as trust is developed, you can switch to a collar..but a soft harness takes the fear away from the beginning...Walking stimulates the bowels to move, more so than just putting the dog out..

Answer 2

Any kind of litter box would be fine as long as it fits the size of your dog. You dont want the box is too big or too small. The pros for using a litter box is convenient for the dog, he/she can go whenever it feels like and it is easier for them to get to. However, you have to spend an extra 30 dollars a month to buy pee pads and they smell if you dont change fast enough. Training the dog to go outside is more time consuming because the owner needs to spend time and wait until the dog find its favourite spot. Training your dog to go outside can lower doggie odor at home, it is more clean and is cheaper. On the other hand, dogs enjoy going outside, when taking your dog out to go potty, they feel much happier than going inside the house.

Answer 3

It could depend on the breed you own. I have know many toy breed owners to litter train their dogs especially if they lived in highrise apts. in that case knock yourself out. That could be a godsend for you and the dog. And I would use a good clumping litter just as I would for a cat.... But it still would not take place of a good walk for excersing. For larger breeds it would not be practical and using crate training and using paper or puppy pads and taking of outside is your best way and teach them to go outside. It would be best all around. Not only that think if you were renting you may not get good references or if it was your own home the mess and smell and damage it could cause. If you just don't want the responsibility of taking a dog out to potty then get fish, gerbil, or a cat. something you don't have to take out to potty.

Answer 4

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aMRzd

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 5

Ok, I personally think litter boxes are very gross and they always smell bad. We had a cat and it was very nasty. I would reccomend training your dog to go outside. If you see them peeing in the house or if you find pee in the house then take your dog over to the spot and tell them "outside pody" firmley. Then take them to the spot you want them to go to the bathroom on and wait until they go to the bathroom or make them stay outside for about 4-5 minutes. Good luck!!

Answer 6

puppy pads worked great for me, weather to cold outside to train. after one puppy used the pad I took the other pups to pad, they sniffed and used it too. I also recommend them for senior dogs. the best price I found on them was Walmart