litter box training anyone? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

easoueidi · 08-25-2005, 08:01 AM

I was reading something the other day about teaching little dogs to use a litter box. Has any one done this, if so does it confuse your baby about out side potty?I was just thiinking it would be really nice in the winter time not to have to go out side when it's below freezing.

typerk · 08-25-2005, 08:08 AM

My dog is litter box trained. But she doesn't go outside to potty at all. If you want yours to go outside to potty I wouldn't litter box train at all. I live in the Dallas area where it's always too hot or too cold so we decided it would just be easier to litter box train.

Jeniferlee · 08-25-2005, 08:13 AM

Currently my dog is using potty pads and she will pee outside once in a blue moon. When you say litter box trained do you mean like cat litter? If so how did you do that? Or where can I read more about it?
Thanks much!

daisysmom · 08-25-2005, 08:14 AM

I've tried this with Pochi and Choppi (reason they being boys, like to lift their legs and end up getting everything but their pee pad) and Pochi took to it well but Choppi didn't.
Choppi is a little lazy and even with his pee pads he thinks if he has his front paws on the pad it's good enough so he ends up peein on the floor in front of the pee pad, same with the litter box, he would just put his front paws in and go.

Pochi does a great job in the litter box. I use the newspaper litter like Yesterday's News but I had to start them by first putting the pee pad in the box and putting a little layer of the litter on top of the pee pad so they know they are suppose to go in there. Pochi caught on real quick and soon I no longer used the pee pad and just put the litter in the box.
Lots of praises and treats help too!

I still use the litter box for Pochi, as for Choppi? I've given up hope and have him in the bathroom with a pee pad that way I can do fast clean ups for all his "close but not close enough" bathroom duties.
Hope that helps and good luck if you try this!

typerk · 08-25-2005, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeniferlee

Currently my dog is using potty pads and she will pee outside once in a blue moon. When you say litter box trained do you mean like cat litter? If so how did you do that? Or where can I read more about it?
Thanks much!

No it's dog litter, quite different from cat litter. Smells good too.

http://www.doglitter.com/GetPage.asp...9065&T=2971458

easoueidi · 08-25-2005, 08:22 AM

Thanks for your help! I don't remember where I read about it, but I do remember it said DO NOT use clumping litter because doggies might eat it and get really sick.

cowboy_0215 · 08-25-2005, 09:10 AM

I tried the litter but my dog ate it. He was scared to go in the box because of the litter. I put a pp pad on top of it since he was used to that ,but the cat and him dug the litter out and strung it all over the floor and would chew on it so I gave up. I put his pp pad in there and he wont even use it anymore. He puts his toys in there and lays down. If it works i would like to know how you did it. Thanks

Tuck'smom · 08-25-2005, 09:12 AM

We've used it since bringing Tuck home - the breeder had started them on it and I am very pleased. Tucker will be nine months old in September and still has his accidents but for the most part does really well. Plus, I am very lazy, sleeping in til noon on Saturdays and hating standing out in the yard waiting when it is too hot - like always here in Florida. So dog litter was the best thing since sliced bread to me!!!
Dana

typerk · 08-25-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy_0215

I tried the litter but my dog ate it. He was scared to go in the box because of the litter. I put a pp pad on top of it since he was used to that ,but the cat and him dug the litter out and strung it all over the floor and would chew on it so I gave up. I put his pp pad in there and he wont even use it anymore. He puts his toys in there and lays down. If it works i would like to know how you did it. Thanks

Very easily. We started her on pee pads but we got tired of looking at used ones and thought that it would be more expensive so we went with the litter. If your dog is already pee pad trained for the most part it should be easy.

First we started by putting the pee pad in the litter box by itself. After a couple of days we started adding a little litter on top of the pee pad daily. After about a week and a half the pee pad was gone and it was all litter. She didn't miss a beat.

She did chew on the litter sometimes but never ate it. Even though I read that it's harmless if they do eat it. Start it gradually and you should be fine. Good luck.

cacbeary · 08-25-2005, 09:57 AM

I want to use the litterbox too but also want them to go outside. My hubby doesn't want them going in the house. But I live in Pgh with snow & lots of rain. I just don't understand how hubby thinks they can go outside. For now I am doing both & I understand it takes a little longer doing outside & pee pads but I can be patient.

Thanks for the advice of how to get them litter box trained by gradually adding some onto the pee pad in the litterbox.

It all makes perfect sense.

kristyrae77 · 08-25-2005, 11:39 AM

I think litter box training is the greatest thing ever!! Before she passed, my little angel Seary only got it about 3/4 of the time, but our new baby Emma, she is all over the liter box. It only took about a week to teach her and she was literally diving in it to make it. She was so silly. Now that she's about 5 months old, we havn't had any problems with it. It's very convienent because we live on the third floor of an apartment building. It's also wonderful for the snowy days (Colorado) and midnight pee's. It also takes the work out of having to clean up poop from the backyard. She goes and I flush. The puppy litter looks totally different than kitty litter. We actually made the mistake of buying kitty litter the first time we tried to show Seary, it got stuck to her butt and I felt so bad, so after a quick bath we went to Petsmart where we found the puppy litter. Emma does try to eat it when we first change her box because it does smell really good, but then again what don't 5 month old puppies try to eat?

After getting spolied by the litter box, I reccommend it to any small dog owner.

kristyrae77 · 08-25-2005, 11:44 AM

Oh yeah, and Emma has no problem still going outside when we are outside. Maybe I just got really lucky, but She is awesome when it comes to potty training...among other things.

I'm with you cacberry, I never wanted my babies to have to be in the cold. Especially in the snow and rain. Our winters can be very cold. I'm in Colorado as mentioned before. That was actually the main reason why i wanted them to become litter box babies.

kristyrae77 · 08-25-2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeniferlee

Currently my dog is using potty pads and she will pee outside once in a blue moon. When you say litter box trained do you mean like cat litter? If so how did you do that? Or where can I read more about it?
Thanks much!

One final thing (I promise), I meant to stress not to use kitty litter. It was not a pretty site for Seary. It actually like clogged her little butt, I know that sounds horrible but I really don't want anybody to make the same mistake I first did. It was okay after her bath but you can imagine the mess. For some reason it works for cats, NOT dogs!!!

cowboy_0215 · 08-25-2005, 12:37 PM

Do you take them outside to potty if you are trying to litter train also? I take Cowboy out several times a day and let him play and do his business. He was being pad trained when i got him and he used it during the night and when i had to leave him up until i tried to introduce the litter box. Now he wont even use the pad. I keep him in a gated area when i cant watch him or if i have to go to town( i live 30 min from anywhere).
but he will hold it or go on the floor, now. Do you leave them in a gated room or crate or just run around? Thanks for the info. I appreciate it very much.

kristyrae77 · 08-25-2005, 02:11 PM

I personally let Emma run the house when I'm away. The worst thing she's done is chew up a shoe and it was my own fault for leaving them out. She's teething and our fingers are really feeling her pain

. I personally think that yorkies are really clean puppies. When Seary got a older she could clean her paws for a good 20 minutes. Especially after she had to use the pee pad. I think she was a little confused because she had both, and that's why she still had accidents. She used to pee on the small rugs around the house, I think she thought of them as furry pee pads.

Emma has been in the box since the day we brought her home, and only when I felt she had it down, was the pee pad introduced. And now we only bring one if we are visiting people. They are not down at home at all. She did have a couple of accidents when we moved, so we had to re-train her in a sense. But I just made sure I put her in it every time she ate or drank, especially when she woke up from a nap. Now we are all clear again!!

I wouldn't take him out specifically to potty if you want him to learn the box first. If he is already having a slow time with it, just concentrate on one or the other. I think they naturally know that the grass is for potty so when you are just outside playing I would say it's ok. You might try small treats. If he goes in the box, make it seem like the best thing in the world just happened and make a big fuss. Even now if we get really excited when Emma goes, she gets all excited and hops around like "Yea, i did it!!!"

08-25-2005, 08:01 AM	#1
easoueidi Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 125	litter box training anyone? I was reading something the other day about teaching little dogs to use a litter box. Has any one done this, if so does it confuse your baby about out side potty?I was just thiinking it would be really nice in the winter time not to have to go out side when it's below freezing. __________________ Alisha- Maggie & Tilly (and 4 little babies)

08-25-2005, 08:08 AM	#2
typerk YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 252	My dog is litter box trained. But she doesn't go outside to potty at all. If you want yours to go outside to potty I wouldn't litter box train at all. I live in the Dallas area where it's always too hot or too cold so we decided it would just be easier to litter box train. __________________ http://www.dogster.com/?156534.

08-25-2005, 08:13 AM	#3
Jeniferlee Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: In da UP of Michigan Posts: 346	Currently my dog is using potty pads and she will pee outside once in a blue moon. When you say litter box trained do you mean like cat litter? If so how did you do that? Or where can I read more about it? Thanks much! __________________ "Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times."-Anon

08-25-2005, 08:14 AM	#4
daisysmom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 183	I've tried this with Pochi and Choppi (reason they being boys, like to lift their legs and end up getting everything but their pee pad) and Pochi took to it well but Choppi didn't. Choppi is a little lazy and even with his pee pads he thinks if he has his front paws on the pad it's good enough so he ends up peein on the floor in front of the pee pad, same with the litter box, he would just put his front paws in and go. Pochi does a great job in the litter box. I use the newspaper litter like Yesterday's News but I had to start them by first putting the pee pad in the box and putting a little layer of the litter on top of the pee pad so they know they are suppose to go in there. Pochi caught on real quick and soon I no longer used the pee pad and just put the litter in the box. Lots of praises and treats help too! I still use the litter box for Pochi, as for Choppi? I've given up hope and have him in the bathroom with a pee pad that way I can do fast clean ups for all his "close but not close enough" bathroom duties. Hope that helps and good luck if you try this! __________________ Jules The Yorkie Bunch Pochi Choppi Daisy and Meeju too

08-25-2005, 08:22 AM	#6
easoueidi Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 125	Thanks for your help! I don't remember where I read about it, but I do remember it said DO NOT use clumping litter because doggies might eat it and get really sick. __________________ Alisha- Maggie & Tilly (and 4 little babies)

08-25-2005, 09:10 AM	#7
cowboy_0215 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 103	I tried the litter but my dog ate it. He was scared to go in the box because of the litter. I put a pp pad on top of it since he was used to that ,but the cat and him dug the litter out and strung it all over the floor and would chew on it so I gave up. I put his pp pad in there and he wont even use it anymore. He puts his toys in there and lays down. If it works i would like to know how you did it. Thanks __________________ COWBOY'S MOM

08-25-2005, 09:12 AM	#8
Tuck'smom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: DeBary, FL Posts: 140	We've used it since bringing Tuck home - the breeder had started them on it and I am very pleased. Tucker will be nine months old in September and still has his accidents but for the most part does really well. Plus, I am very lazy, sleeping in til noon on Saturdays and hating standing out in the yard waiting when it is too hot - like always here in Florida. So dog litter was the best thing since sliced bread to me!!! Dana

08-25-2005, 09:57 AM	#10
cacbeary Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 203	I want to use the litterbox too but also want them to go outside. My hubby doesn't want them going in the house. But I live in Pgh with snow & lots of rain. I just don't understand how hubby thinks they can go outside. For now I am doing both & I understand it takes a little longer doing outside & pee pads but I can be patient. Thanks for the advice of how to get them litter box trained by gradually adding some onto the pee pad in the litterbox. It all makes perfect sense. __________________ Hannah Spencer

08-25-2005, 11:39 AM	#11
kristyrae77 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 225	I think litter box training is the greatest thing ever!! Before she passed, my little angel Seary only got it about 3/4 of the time, but our new baby Emma, she is all over the liter box. It only took about a week to teach her and she was literally diving in it to make it. She was so silly. Now that she's about 5 months old, we havn't had any problems with it. It's very convienent because we live on the third floor of an apartment building. It's also wonderful for the snowy days (Colorado) and midnight pee's. It also takes the work out of having to clean up poop from the backyard. She goes and I flush. The puppy litter looks totally different than kitty litter. We actually made the mistake of buying kitty litter the first time we tried to show Seary, it got stuck to her butt and I felt so bad, so after a quick bath we went to Petsmart where we found the puppy litter. Emma does try to eat it when we first change her box because it does smell really good, but then again what don't 5 month old puppies try to eat? After getting spolied by the litter box, I reccommend it to any small dog owner.

08-25-2005, 11:44 AM	#12
kristyrae77 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 225	Oh yeah, and Emma has no problem still going outside when we are outside. Maybe I just got really lucky, but She is awesome when it comes to potty training...among other things. I'm with you cacberry, I never wanted my babies to have to be in the cold. Especially in the snow and rain. Our winters can be very cold. I'm in Colorado as mentioned before. That was actually the main reason why i wanted them to become litter box babies.

08-25-2005, 12:37 PM	#14
cowboy_0215 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 103	Do you take them outside to potty if you are trying to litter train also? I take Cowboy out several times a day and let him play and do his business. He was being pad trained when i got him and he used it during the night and when i had to leave him up until i tried to introduce the litter box. Now he wont even use the pad. I keep him in a gated area when i cant watch him or if i have to go to town( i live 30 min from anywhere). but he will hold it or go on the floor, now. Do you leave them in a gated room or crate or just run around? Thanks for the info. I appreciate it very much. __________________ COWBOY'S MOM

08-25-2005, 02:11 PM	#15
kristyrae77 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 225	I personally let Emma run the house when I'm away. The worst thing she's done is chew up a shoe and it was my own fault for leaving them out. She's teething and our fingers are really feeling her pain . I personally think that yorkies are really clean puppies. When Seary got a older she could clean her paws for a good 20 minutes. Especially after she had to use the pee pad. I think she was a little confused because she had both, and that's why she still had accidents. She used to pee on the small rugs around the house, I think she thought of them as furry pee pads. Emma has been in the box since the day we brought her home, and only when I felt she had it down, was the pee pad introduced. And now we only bring one if we are visiting people. They are not down at home at all. She did have a couple of accidents when we moved, so we had to re-train her in a sense. But I just made sure I put her in it every time she ate or drank, especially when she woke up from a nap. Now we are all clear again!! I wouldn't take him out specifically to potty if you want him to learn the box first. If he is already having a slow time with it, just concentrate on one or the other. I think they naturally know that the grass is for potty so when you are just outside playing I would say it's ok. You might try small treats. If he goes in the box, make it seem like the best thing in the world just happened and make a big fuss. Even now if we get really excited when Emma goes, she gets all excited and hops around like "Yea, i did it!!!"