Things You'll Need:
- Dog
- Litter Box
- Litter
- Urine Scented Spray
- Treats
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Step 1
Take your four legged friend and set off on a trip to your local pet store. On the potty-training aisle you will find dog litter. The brand I use is called Second Nature. The litter consists of small, hard pellets that are made from mostly recycled newspaper. They remind me of rabbit pellets. Pick the appropriate litter box pan for your friend (should be right there next to the litter). The pan size recommendations are based on your dog's weight. I have a 50 pound English Bulldog and a 55 pound Border Collie that both share the medium size, so you can see there is some flexibility on weight vs. size of the pan. Also pick up a spray there that "smells" like urine to the animals to encourage them to potty in a specific place.
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Step 2
When you get home, familiarize your friend with the litter pan. While it is still empty, put some treats in the pan and encourage him or her to walk into the litter box. Be sure to give them lots of praise! Let them check it out, this is new to them.
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Step 3
Next place a small amount of litter in the box and let your friend investigate it. I bet they will try to eat it and that is OK. The manufacturer says it is 100% safe to eat and is easily digested. I can vouch for hundreds of pieces of litter that have gone that way and not one problem! The reason they are drawn to it (and reason for eating it) is it's fresh, grassy scent.
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Step 4
Fill your litter box to the line with litter and place it where you will have it for the dog to use all the time. Spray some of the urine scent in the middle of the box.
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Step 5
Now you need to watch your dog and help them remember this new box. Dogs typically urinate and/or defecate at very predictable times...after waking up, after eating and about 20-30 minutes after drinking water. You may want to control the water so you know exactly when their intake was to help you time their potty trip. When you suspect they need to "do business", take them to the box and encourage them with your specially chosen word (tinkle, pee pee, potty, poop, etc.) When he or she accomplishes the task, immediately reward them with a treat and praise. Keep up the training until your friend is naturally going to the litter box on their own. Most dogs will pick this up very fast.
