Can My Dog Use a Litter Box?
Many times, as a dog owner, we must all find ourselves waiting on Fido
to finish his business on a stormy night and thinking - "Why didn't I
just get a cat?" Cat owners have always had things a little easier
that way - safe inside on those cold late-nights when we're stuck
outside holding the leash or the door for our canine companions. Also,
if your dog has trouble walking any distance because of osteoarthritis
or age related conditions, or perhaps suffers from a medical problem
which causes increased urination, a litter pan would certainly be a
helpful and humane alternative to having your dog beg to go outside, get
you out of bed, or wait for you to dress for the weather and take him
outside.
Well there's
good news! Most breeds of dog can be trained to use a litter box - just
like the "Puppie Pawtie".
Some breeders of smaller breed dogs will regularly train dogs to use a
litter box as a matter of convenience if they live in an area with harsh
winters. It just makes more sense than any other option.
Larger dogs can also be taught to select a "target spot" inside the home
and return there as a matter of habit - usually this is done with
newspapers. So logically, if a dog can be taught to go in a
place that you choose, shouldn't it be a simple matter to place an "easy
to clean" device like the Puppy Pawtie in that target area?
It is that simple.
First though we need to consider the basics. It is best to train a dog
while still a puppy. It isn't impossible to train an adult dog, but the
earlier that you develop good habits, the less likely the dog is to fall
back to some previous behavior. If your dog is older, that doesn't mean
he is a lost cause, and may in some cases only help to make your dog
easier to train - providing that he has developed some level of
obedience already. Training a dog to do anything usually involves
identifying a positive behavior - and then rewarding it repeatedly until
the dog reaches a point where the desired behavior becomes associated
with a good thing like a treat or praise. Puppies respond better to
treats more regularly, so a food treat that you will associate solely
with the use of the litter box is a key. Try to find something
that is small, but very flavorful or with a distinct smell, not the
regular food that the dog has in his bowl at meal times. ( Cheese,
small bits of cooked liver, small slices of wiener, bits of carrot, or
store bought dog treats should work - but be sure the dog likes the
treat before you invest in a big bag.)
Second, we need
to catch the dog doing the behavior in the right place. The best way to
do this is to place the dog in an enclosed area with newspapers or
a small litter-box in the corner and watch for the puppy to go. When the
puppy goes, immediately praise him and offer the treat. Even
easier is to crate-train your dog. Rather than the long wait, put your
puppy in a small enclosed space right after feeding. Wait a short time
and then watch to see if the puppy is doing ok, then take him out and
place him in the spacious Puppy Pawtie.
The timing of the meal and the fact that he's now restricted to the large
litter box should increase the odds that he will be ready to go while
you are watching him. Remember too that dogs are more prone to bathroom
stops in the early morning when they wake or after you return home from
work, school or shopping.
The reward
you give your dog for going in the litter box is two-fold, offering
mainly the treat at first, but also the praise. After a few days you
will find that your dog will look forward to visiting the Puppy Pawtie
and getting the good things that go along with it. (snack & praise).
Soon you'll be able to let the puppy choose his own times to visit the
Puppy Pawtie, but be warned, some dogs have been known to "fake" a
bathroom trip or two once they get into the habit. Keep a sense of
humor and reward him for trying, it will only reinforce the idea that
he's starting to understand. However if the fake trips become too
frequent. You may wish to save the treat and just offer mild praise for
false alarms.
The praise
component is very important, don't neglect it! Remember that
there will be many times that you may be elsewhere when the dog needs to
go. It's a good idea to bring the dog to site and praise him when you
get home or when you discover his earlier handiwork - make sure that you
only offer special attention when your dog is on target.
Another
consideration is the type of surface. Some dogs may already be used to
going on a plain surface or on newspapers. You can leave you Puppy
Pawtie liner bare, or line with a single sheet of newspaper - depending
on the dog. Either way, clean-up is still easy. If you have a dog that
is used to going on the grass, you may have a more difficult time
switching, but it is worth a try, and you may find an organic or
recycled litter that will act as a good substitute.
For smaller
dogs, you may be able to use an absorbent litter, but do use some
caution here as you'll want to test your dog's reaction to the type of
litter that you use. If your dog is a "digger" then you may wish
to avoid using a litter at all. You should try to avoid clumping
litters - whether clay based or natural fiber - if your dog is curious
about the "clumps" that form. Experimentation is the only way to be sure
that your dog finds the litter box a comfortable stop, without also
making it a site for exploration. Assume the worst and be wary of any
litter that might cause problems if ingested.
When your Dog
forgets:
If your
dog happens to eliminate in the house but in an inappropriate spot (only
while you’re home), clap your hands to interrupt her and take her
quickly to the desired location immediately. You don't have to get
angry, just disrupt the activity and establish that you wish the dog to
stop. Many dogs will react to a firm "No", or a loud "AH, AH, AHHHH!"
In Summary:
Any elimination
in the pan should be enthusiastically praised and otherwise rewarded as
soon as it happens. It also will be helpful to reward even mild interest
and sniffing in the vicinity of the Puppy Pawtie. Dogs are bright and
will get you intent soon and enjoy this activity as much as any other
game that you might play with them. The extra attention to training
early on will usually pay off with a life-time of easy clean ups and a
contented pet.
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