How to Train Dogs to Use a Litter Box

Cats are typically the pets trained to use a litter box, but small dogs can also be trained to go to the bathroom in litter pans. Training small dogs can help prevent them from urinating behind doors and in corners. There is also more of a chance that dogs will not go to the bathroom other inappropriate places when their owners are either asleep or at work if they are trained to use a litter box.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Litter box
• Pellets, newspaper, pee pads or cat litter
• Simple Nature or Nature's Miracle spray or wet vac
• Backyard
• Secluded room
• Crate or carrier

1. Buy either a specially-designed litter box or cut the top off a cat litter box to use for litter box training to ensure your dog is able to climb into the pan easily. Put newspaper, pee pads or pellets in the bottom of the pan.

2. Establish early that the only options your dog has for going to the bathroom are in the litter pan or outside with you. Section off a room of your house or apartment with child gates, cardboard or another material for him to stay in. Make sure to keep the litter box at least 2 to 3 feet from his food and water dishes and sleeping area.

3. Monitor your dog's progress the first few days of training. If you are using crate training methods, keep him in a pet carrier or crate most of the time. Take him out of the crate every two or three hours and teach him to go to the litter box after he wakes up, eats or exercises. Use a command, such as "go potty," as a signal to your pet to go to the bathroom.

4. Place your dog in the cage if you are crating her while she is not eating or exercising and keep the door of the cage or crate open. Give her the option of going to the bathroom on her bed or in her litter box so she will likely use the litter box.

5. Fill the litter box with grass, dirt or other materials from your yard if you have a difficult time training your dog to use the litter box. This will help her recognize it as a place to urinate. Transition to using newspapers, pee pads, pellets or cat litter.

Tips & Warnings

• Establish a routine for your dog when she is young, feeding, giving her water and exercising her at the same time each day. Cut her off from food and water at the same time every day. While you are teaching your dog to use a litter box, continue to train him to go to the bathroom outside to give him a number of options.
• Use positive reinforcement techniques during training. Pet your dog or say "good dog" to him after he uses the litter box successfully. When he starts to go to the bathroom outside of his litter box, quickly pick him up and put him inside his litter box. If your dog has an accident during training, use a cleaner such as Simple Solution or Nature's Miracle or a wet vac to clean up messes.

References

• Secondnature Housetraining Guide
• How to Litter Box Train Your Dog
• The Good Dog Journal, "Housebreaking Made Easy," Robin Woodward, January 17, 2009.

Resources

• Nature's Miracle
• Simple Solution
• Forevr Litter Box Training