One of the threads above got me to thinking about training my dog to use a litterbox. I have a toy poodle that weighs 3# 4ozs. He was using the potty on a small enclosed back porch I have but he went out to do his business once and one of our big dogs scarred him. He hasn't used the potty outside since then. I thought I had him trained to go on the linoleum in my bathroom(I chose that because I could clean it really good) but lately he has started pottying on dirty clothes....gross!!!! I keep my clothes picked up but the kids don't no matter how much I nag them. They left a blanket on the floor one day and I didn't know who to kill...them or the dog. Since my dog is so tiny I can't leave him outside without supervision because something would make a snack out of him and it is too cold at the moment anyhow. Has anyone had any luck training a small dog like this to use a litterbox? I think he would prefer dirt over the cat litter stuff. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I like to keep a neat house and I can't stand a dog pottying everywhere! Thanks

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), November 28, 2000

Answers

Well I would think that maybe you can..but not sure. I do know that there is a litter type stuf that Purina has come out with that is used for puppies with housebreaking. I am not sure what it is called, and it is probably expensive, but I think it might be cleaner than dirt-I would be concerned with the bacteria count using just dirt. It would be easier to keep down and in control with something moe 'litter-like'.

One thing that you have going aganst you is that the instinct of dogs is to keep their quarters clean-so if they have too big a place that is theirs, they go anywhere except where they eat and sleep. They can be taught to keep it in one area, so maybe that would not be so difficult to teach him to do it in a litterbox.

Give it a whirl and see how it goes! Otherwise the only thing I can think if is to make a special potty place that is enclosed for him to use outside, a la Monks of New Skeet. then take him there in the am and then regular intervals during the day. Or make it sohe can access it onhis own with a doggie door mabye.

Hope that helps!

-- Sarah (heartsongacres@juno.com), November 28, 2000.

I don't know anything about training the dog but you might like this site: http://www.purina.com/products/products.asp?item=SecondNature

-- TW (tank@linkup.net), November 28, 2000.

Alternative-Take him on regular walks, for the purpose of relieving himself, or have the kids walk him.Good excersive for both of them.This is what relatives who work and live in the burbs do with their dogs.Works for them.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), November 28, 2000.

I wish walking him would work. If ya'll have had little bitty dogs you know that they are afraid of their own shadow (that is why he won't use the enclosed porch..he got scarred) and they are very cold natured. When I try to walk him he just whines and shivers. I was thinking about using dirt so I could toss it out and use fresh every day. I would think the bacteria count wouldn't be too bad on that would it? Let me know if I am wrong. He won't use an enclosed yard either because it is outside. sigh. Keep the suggestions coming. I love my little dog (and spoil him rotten) but I can't stand him pottying in the house.

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), November 28, 2000.

I have a friend whose little dog shares a litter box with the cat. Start with an un-covered box. Put a large, clean litter box in a small area (a bathroom). (Before starting, wash the floor with white vinegar to be sure there's no previous odors. The dog can smell them even if you can't!) Put some of the dog's poop in the litter box. Put the dog in the box at a time you know it has to potty. When the dog performs, praise highly. If you have to leave the house, put the dog in the bathroom with the door closed until you're sure it's trained.

P.S. Be sure all the clothing is picked up! -G- P.S.S. This isn't the greatest idea with a male dog! -LOL-

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), November 28, 2000.

At pet smart they sell pads that have a sent to get puppys to potty on them, maybe you could use that to start in pan. Maybe lock puppy and litter box in bathtub or crate until he gets the idea, and dont forget praise when he does.

-- kathy h (ckhart@earthlink.net), November 28, 2000.

Though I don't care for this idea, my friends do this with great success: They buy incontinent pads (they work in healthcare and they are cheap for them) and put a clean one on the floor of their (2nd) bathroom. Their dogs, both under 12 pounds, pee and poo on these pads. This is kind of gross for guests to get used to. I think a sweater for your dog and time outside away from the other dogs might be better, but, hey, I'm all for whatever works for you! They did go through periods where they kept the dogs in the bathroom when they left the house for looong periods, as opposed to the dog's crate for under 2 hour periods (or nighttime).

Pads or newspaper have got to help dissipate the continual odor that is generated when an area is used regularly. Buy some citrasolve or other cleanser that will thoroughly deodorize the area from a pet's point of view. Check out the web site for the National Public Radio Show "Calling All Pets" for more ideas.

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), November 28, 2000.

I had a friend whose little dogs used a litter box as well. There's hope!

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), November 28, 2000.

Amanda,

I was going to suggest the WeeWee Pads too. They have the same consistency as the clothes. Newspapers would be my second choice and are readily available. I know someone who would open a small paper bag in the center of the newspaper so a male dog can lift his leg on something.

If the idea of a litter box still appeals to you, you might consider getting the bottom tray of a crate to use instead. It is low to the ground and more acceptable to the dogs. Since dogs don't dig to hide their wastes, the litter doesn't have to be deep.

Wouldn't it be a cool idea to sell sod for the purpose of indoor dogs? Hey, they raise it for the Giants stadium.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), November 28, 2000.

I trained 8 week old puppies to use a litter box.. I cut a 55 gallon plastic drum end off and put it in their day time kennel, outside. At first , I put sand in it, but it didn't work out well, SO I started putting a little bit of hay in it. THat worked great, I emptied the hay in a compost pile, (not used for the garden) twice a day. It was really cute to see the kids jump in and out to go potty!

-- Ginny Davis (yehagirl@goin.missouri.org), November 28, 2000.

Yes all of the above work well, I would just like to encurage you. and be patient. When I handaled dogs in the Air Force, we hsd one that would use and flush the toilet. Fact no- joke. take care and good luck it will happen. George in central Mt.

-- george conklin (bbqrus@ttc-cmc.net), November 29, 2000.

Why not? They've been paper trained by apartment dwellers for a looooong time. I've also seen litter boxes designed for dogs at the pet store for about a year now, along with appropriate litter, which looks like a pelleted recycled newspaper product that is absorbant, but non-tracking, unlike cat litters, shavings, etc.

I would try 'marking' the litter box early on for the dog to figure it out -- stick a pie pan (or similar) under 'em when they're urinating, pour a little bit on the litter where you want them to go. Scent marking instincts are in your favour, and like others said. then praise the dickens out of him when he uses it. If you're dedicated about it early on, it should work.

How about closing your kid's door?

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), November 29, 2000.

I got a large plastic tub and put the paper in it. Much easier than laying it on the floor.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 29, 2000.

I don't see why you couldn't train the dog. My wife's cousin used to have a pot bellied pig she trained to a litter box.

-- Eric in TN (eric_m_stone@yahoo.com), November 29, 2000.

I would love to see a picture of this tiny dog!

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), November 29, 2000.

Dogs have the added advantage in litter training over cats, in that dogs want to please their owners over all other things, this desire alone should enable you to "litter train" your dog sucessfully. Be patient, and be consistent, and always, always, praise your dog for the desired behavior. The wee-wee pads placed inside a large, fairly lowsided container (maybe one of those underbed storage boxes) should be a good place to start, good luck! Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 29, 2000.

That recycled newspaper pellets is called Yesterday's News. It is really absorbant. Doesn't take care of the smell too great. (Smells like wet newspapers to me) They have a new cat litter out that is sylicon beads. Absorbs the urine odor right up. It claims to be boidegradable also.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), November 30, 2000.

Good luck on litter training your dog. But had to share this one... My first goat was recovering from surgery and to keep flies off her wound during the summer, I kept her on our screened-in patio. This is also where the cat's litterbox was.

I couldn't understand why the litterbox was so wet w/urine till I caught Capri (my goat) squatting over the cat's box! She'd urinate in it, but berries just went everywhere!

So if goats & pigs use litterboxes, there's hope for your poodle.

-- Marsha W. (CaprisMaa@aol.com), December 02, 2000.

Amanda,

Sounds like you think your dog won't go to the bathroom outside or shivers (no offense intended but....)..poodles have lots of hair! They don't get cold even the tiny ones. They used to be hunting dogs..that's why they have all that hair..helped them to retrieve ducks from the water (they were the orginial labrador retrievers!) and used them as herding dogs. He knows how to maniuplate you and has you wrapped around his finger like alot of little dogs do :) I won't put up with that with ANY breed of dog. I let 'em be dogs and if they wanna be with me they have to behave and all of my dogs have listened to me and gone outside. No offense but it gets on my nerves when people get small dogs and ask why it's hard to housebreak them...use a crate while you're not in the house or while you're asleep..a dog that's above 6 mos of age CAN hold their bathroom..they will yell yes but ignore it and it will stop. The key is not to abuse the crate. Make it a positive experience. Always feed your dog inside the crate. You might have to clean up the poop but when you let the dog out always go outside! Straight outside and make sure the dog has a leash on. After the dog poops or pees then make a big deal about it with a high voice and give the dog a treat after she performs the deed. Keep her on the leash in the house until she's totally trustworthy. I don't let any of my dogs get away with going to the bathroom in the house regardless of size. They are dogs so you have to think like a dog to have them listen to you.

:)

Ted

-- Ted Hart (tedhart71@hotmail.com), January 25, 2001.

Well, you can try our weewee pads at http://www.weewee.mylanusa.com We sell so many to peole who have trained their small dogs to go on them ... and they can also avoid taking the dog outside. Take a look at our site, it may be something for you.

-- Terri (terri@mylanusa.com), March 07, 2001.

Has anyone tried to just paper training them in a laundry room or somehting? at www.petsmart.com they have alot of good answers. Ya'll should try there.

-- Jake (sk8monky458@hotmail.com), July 16, 2001.