Puppy Litter Training: Do I Have Good Reasons?

Question

My husband and I have wanted a pug puppy for so long, and while we don't have one yet, we are getting close to a time when we can get one. I am building a case for litter training the puppy, and would like to know if my reasons are sufficient for trying this.

1.We work full time and won't be able to take weeks off to train the puppy. I think leaving him in a crate for at least four hours until I can get back home to let him out is cruel. Babies can't hold their bladders that long, how can I expect a puppy to?

2.Pugs are very sensitive to temperature and humidity, so he must be an inside dog and we can't kennel him. There will also be times when the weather is just too hot or cold for us to take him outside.

3.No matter what's going on, he can go without us having to stop and attend to him, and he won't have an accident because we're too slow.

4.Litter training via crate training has all the benefits of crate training as well.

Are these good reasons to consider litter?

Thanks for your answers, all. To be clearer, we would never pen him inside forever and never exercise him. I am concerned that a new puppy will have a harder time not going in the crate being left for so long, and if he makes a mess he'll feel bad when it's our fault. Most of my coworkers have had to take two weeks off work to train their puppies, as they may have to go every 1/2 hour. We simply can't afford to do that.

Also, we would be placing the litter box in the crate, leaving it as the only option for him to go in. I've read a lot of testimonial that this works well, just like traditional crate training but when he has to go he has an appropriate place instead of no place.

Also, our climate is pretty extreme here, with excess of 100 degrees in the summer and negative temps in the winter with lots of snow and ice. I feel it's safer to let him go indoors in an appropriate way than risk him overheating or getting too cold by going in and out.

Thanks again!

In response to the size question: My best resource thus far has been a woman who has 2 litter trained weimeraners (which are pretty big dogs). A healthy adult pug can weigh 20-24 lbs. (They tend to get overweight easily, so we are researching many ways to control our baby's health, and yes, for those who think litter training is laziness, that includes going for walks, playing and running around. lol)

Answer 1

Its a good idea but still going to be as time consuming as training him to go outside. Even if he knows where the litter box is, most likely he will still pee or poop other places unless you are there under constant supervision. If you are that busy I recomment krate training or not getting a puppy. I understand you feel its un real to leave him in a krate for a few hours a day, but its a known fact that animals will not use the bathroom where they sleep. Take him for a walk twice a day (before you leave for work and maybe when you get home or after dinner) and he would only need to be in the krate while you were at work. But thats my opinion. Otherwise I don't think it sounds like you will have the time to train a puppy. sorry.

Answer 2

I don't know about litter training..Jess brought up a lot of the same valid points I have against it. I just think it's a whole lot better all the way around to train them to go outside. It may just be my opinion, but I'd rather bite the bullet, train them to go outside consistently, and then I can move on to other things.

And crates are NOT just for potty training. they're great for all indoor training and I wouldn't know how I'd ever get by without one. I'll give you a couple links I found here about housebreaking and crate training, but I'd also suggest getting a good book.

And pugs aren't so sensitive they can't do a quick run out the door to relieve them self and come back in, and they do need outdoor time and exercise like every other dog, so stop worrying so much :) GL

http://www.inch.com/~dogs/housebreaking.html
http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

Answer 3

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/aL5cC

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 4

Puppies aren't babies. Puppies bladder and bowels mature much faster babies.

Crates are only cruel when misused. Some people crate their dogs non stop. 4 hours will be just fine during the day.

Letting your pup run loose in your home without supervision jeapardizes your puppy's health. It also puts him in a position to learn bad habits, that is not fair to him.

Puppies are not cats, they could care less about a litterbox. It will take just as much effort to teach him to use a litterbox as it would to teach him to go outside. In fact the whole process could backfire on you. Many dogs taught to eliminate in litterboxes or on pads develop housesoiling issues. Its not their fault, they were taught its ok to eliminate under a roof.


I could go on and on.

It sounds like you don't have or want to make the time it takes to have a dog. Maybe you should wait awhile. No matter what the dog will still need to be walked, you will still need to stop and attend to him. And he will very likely have many, many more accidents with this method of training.

Answer 5

I think your reasons are good but the only thing I am worried about is you shouldnt get a pet (esp a dog) if you do not have time to play with them and take them out. Having a dog is a huge responsibility and if you do not have time to take him out when he needs to go then I would reconsider getting a dog in the first place. Just my opinion... if you do get one though good luck and have fun!

Answer 6

Pugs, in my opinion, are kinda big to try to litter train.
I know of someone who litter trained a 5 lb dog, but aren't pugs larger.

Regardless, if you are interested in litter training, that's a valid enough reason, no?

Answer 7

go for it, I would suggest a large kitty litter box if you don't plan to by a dog litter box which they do sell. they also sell dog litter which is newpaper pellets which are great to recycle in the yard as well.

I say go for it