To get started, you will need to establish a bathroom area. You will need a litter box, dog litter, and potty pads or newspapers.
Placement of the box is important. It must be next to the potty pad/newspapers, and the open side should minimize “fallout.” Dogs have a digging instinct, so it is important to have the litter box in a corner against a wall. This minimizes cleanup in the event of a digging episode! It looks like a tight spot, but honestly, small dogs don’t have any problem getting in and out.
At its most basic, the box should be large enough for your dog to turn around comfortably. The sides of the box should be low enough for him to climb in by himself; however, if your dog is of the male persuasion, make sure the sides are high enough to catch the results of enthusiastic leg-lifting. Also, some dogs are super clean and want a separate box for #2. If your dog is like this, place the two litter boxes together and remove the poop after each elimination.
While you may be tempted to place the box in a far corner of the basement or an infrequently used guest room, that’s a recipe for disaster. Your dog needs convenient access to the litter box, and you need a visual reminder to clean it (which you should do each time your dog uses it, if possible). Determine the ideal spot using cat litter box placement principles: a location easily accessed but with a sense of privacy.
Supervision is Essential
During the next several weeks, the dog should either be with you or in his crate. If you are unable to observe the dog, put him in his crate. If you notice actions such as circling or sniffing (usually indicating the dog has “to go”), then encourage the dog on a leash to go to the potty area to do his business on the potty pad. Use the keyword “GO POTTY” for this action. Repeat this word often at the spot where the dog should do his business.
In about one month from now, the dog should be solidly paper-trained. Then, you can make a gentle progression from paper to litter box.
Progressing from Paper to the Litter box
You’ll need to get the dog accustomed to the litter box. It should be in his area from the beginning, with a tiny bit of litter in the bottom and some newspaper inside it. It would help if you also put a newspaper right next to the litter box of paper training. Some folks have reported better results by adding one of the commercial “potty aid” liquids in the litter box during the early training stages. I’ll leave that up to you.
At the outset, you’ll need to get the dog used to simply getting in and out of the box. Make it into a fun experience for the dog. Lift and place the dog in the litter box and use the key phrase like “use the box” or “go potty.” Praise him and be happy. He’ll likely get out of the box. Walk over, repeat the keyword/phrase, and put the dog in the box. Repeat the “praise and happy” routine and even give a little treat.
If the dog stresses or tires of the game, stop. Repeat it another time or day. Soon, you’ll be able to repeat the keyword while gently guiding the dog in the box from outside the box.
After a few sessions, you should have the dog go in the box on his own when the keyword is used.
Alternative Boxes
There are also additional alternatives for litter boxes. You can use large plastic bins or the top of travel crates if you need a larger space.
Some companies build and sell self-contained litterboxes to which hoses can be hooked up to flush and exit wastewater. Generally, these sophisticated units run around $600-$700.
You’ll need a large plastic tub to serve as your dog’s litter box. Many models on the market have different features, including modesty-serving covers, self-cleaning functions, and layered boxes that have a grate or grass on top and allow waste to collect in a lower pan. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $500 for the initial setup and the ongoing litter replacement cost. Dog litter itself is similar to the kitty variety, and there are many kinds, from paper pellets with activated charcoal odor control to simple clay litters. For DIY scent control, sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the box each time you empty it.
Litterbox Training #2 Crate-style Housetraining
Crate style training is, in my opinion, the quickest and most effective means of litter box training. Traditional crate training involves putting a dog in a bed/kennel except when it is active with you or outside using the bathroom. The concept is simple. Every creature has a natural aversion to soiling where it eats or sleeps. The crate style method for litter box training is similar, except that eventually, the dog will have greater freedom, even while you’re away from the house.
NOTE: Before starting crate style training, you should already have the dog comfortable with the litter box and able to hop in and out of it without fear (see earlier section). The dog should also be accustomed to or know that he is expected to use “his area” for the bathroom.
Instead of just a travel kennel or cage, you make an area with a bed, food, water, and a litter box. The area must be large enough for the dog to get up, turn around, and lay down comfortably — but there must be no open space for the dog to use the bathroom except the litter box. The cage material should be sturdy and something the dog cannot jump over or hurt himself trying to escape from. A child safety gate and/or latex lattice works great. Use bungy type strapping hooks to lash easily and hook your cage.
It’s also possible to use playpens or commercial cages. If using a pen or cage, be sure to fill any open space with plastic buckets or some other safe material that will prevent the dog from using open space in a pen or cage as a bathroom area. Once you have constructed your “crate area,” place the dog in this “crate” at typical bathroom times (after eating, after sleeping, etc.) The dog should stay in this crate area until he uses the bathroom. Try to be nearby so you can catch the dog in the act and praise him right after he uses the box. Remember to use your keyword or phrase!
The crate should also be in the potty area. When you are with the dog in the house, this crate should be open and part of his “direct path” to his bathroom area.
The crate training routine should continue until you see the dog use the litter box on his own. It would be best if you occasionally stayed in the room with the dog at times you know he needs to go. With the crate area open, encourage him to use the litter box, repeating with the keyword frequently, and praise him whenever he uses the box. Soon, you’ll walk with the dog into the room, use the keyword, and the dog will go in the litter box to do his business. Eventually, he will go there on his own.
I’ve never seen the crate style method not work. Properly laid out, it simply doesn’t give the dog any other choice. Check to make sure you have the area as small as possible, limiting his choices.
Remember, this process (even crate training) takes several weeks before the dog will reliably go in the box by itself and several months of checking and monitoring before the dog will be fully “on his own.”
Suggestions Keep the dog in his crate, only allowing him out to eat or to eliminate. Take him out when you get up in the morning, 1 hour after the dog eats, every 3-4 hours during the day, 1 hour after the dog eats again, and before you go to bed. If the dog uses the bedding material as his bathroom spot, change it immediately! Replace the bedding, and sprinkle bits of food on the new bedding. If there are treats frequently found on the bedding, the dog will not use it as a bathroom area! If the dog doesn’t go unless crated, then you’ll need to spend more time teaching him to use the box — simply reinforcing the command to get in the box, and staying with him in the room and gently guiding him in the box, repeating the keyword, and using lots of praise. Use treats as a reward for going in the box along with praise! You can eventually wean the dog away from treats and more towards praise. To encourage elimination on command, repeat the elimination command in a soothing voice while the dog is eliminating. This is done with your dog on a leash. Praise upon completion and allow your dog supervised “free time” in-house. Many times, giving a special interactive toy for 5 minutes reinforces the command. Each day continue to keep the dog in his crate with the same stipulations but allow the dog out for 15 supervised minutes in your home after eliminating in his litter box. Increase time out by 15 minutes each day if no accidents occur; still supervising your dog whenever it is out and continuing the elimination on command routine. If your dog has an accident, startle the dog with a clap of the hand or another method. Don’t punish. When the dog looks at you, give elimination command in a pleasant voice and take him to the “potty spot” on leash. Give the elimination command and wait 10 minutes. If the dog does not eliminate, don’t say anything but put it back in his crate. Clean up the accident with vinegar or bleach solution and follow up with enzyme cleaner allowed to dry on own. Return to the previous amount of “free time” for one day. Tips
Follow the housetraining schedule for the next 10-14 days.
The dog is in a crate unless you are supervising it. No exceptions.
It usually takes from 10 – 14 days for a dog to change its pattern.
Common Mistakes
These are some common mistakes to avoid:
Be consistent. Pick the dog’s area or spot and stick with it. Use the same keyword or phrase. Keep a routine as much as possible. Any change must be very gradual.
Watch the dog constantly during the first two weeks. If the dog is not beside you with you watching him, he should be in his crate. There must be a direct path between you and the dog’s bathroom area at all times. A single “uncaught” act of peeing or pooping in the wrong place will set you back nearly to the beginning.
Try not to show emotion if the dog has an accident. Rather, have the “house” give the correction.
Never hit, beat or “grind” the dog’s nose into the “accident.” It will be a mistake your dog will never forget, and you will always regret it.
Keep the potty area clean. Regularly replace pads and dispose of all the waste. At least once a month, wash the area with soap and water.
Always deal with relapses or accidents. Once the dog begins to use the potty pads, you’ll provide more freedom. Then, he will have an accident — or decide to start using a different spot. NEVER let this go without dealing with the situation. Immediately start the routine again, including crating, if necessary. If you don’t deal with a relapse, the dog will revert to going anywhere and everywhere in the house.
Suggestions If you catch the dog in the act of going in the wrong place, you need to “shock” him. A loud clap of slapping your hands together and sudden movement toward the dog should cause the dog to bolt. In any event, his direct path, his destination must be his bathroom area. Use the leash to take him. Once there, start praising the dog and use the keyword, i.e., GOOD POTTY. The dog’s problem of peeing in one spot and pooping in another is a common problem. Dogs typically don’t do all their business in one spot. Second, some dogs sometimes need to “walk it out.” You will need to provide the dog with clean potty pads after each elimination or add another area for the dog to poop at. Accidents may be due to disease; at some point, have the dog checked by a vet. Soak a small bit of the dog’s urine in a paper towel or newspaper and put it in his bathroom area. If the dog smells his feces or urine in his bathroom area, he will be more likely to use that area. Clean any “accident” areas to an extreme degree. A dog’s sense of smell is incredible. I “over-treat” using an enzyme cleaner such as Simple Solution. After all the smells and stains are gone (to my nose and eyes), I reapply the solution. When the dog goes to the right place to use the bathroom, you need to lavish praise and pets on him, all the time repeating GOOD POTTY. Frankly, it works best if you overact when expressing your pleasure or displeasure. If by chance you see the dog in the act of going on the papers (or later in the litterbox if you want), you must be beside yourself with joy and happiness! Believe me. The dog will catch on when you are dancing, praising, and kissing his little head when he goes in the right place! Final Note
Remember, either process takes several weeks before the dog will reliably go to the litter box by himself and several months of checking and monitoring before the dog will be fully “on his own.” With every dog, there’s frustration, and you’ll say, “He just doesn’t get it. He will never do this”. Then, suddenly, he’ll catch on!
While it takes time and patience to teach your dog to go potty indoors, you can do it. And the rewards of successful training can be great.
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