How to Potty Train a Boy
1. How long it might take to train a boy
2. If they might do it the "wrong" way.
The answer is that there really is no right or wrong way. The choice is up to you. However, I will share some ideas and reasoning behind both ways and let you be the judge of which you will try.
Potty Training A Boy while Sitting Down
In my opinion, training a boy to potty train while sitting down is the easiest. While I am not a trained expert, I do have experience, as I am a mom of four boys! I initially trained all of them to go potty while sitting down on the toilet. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends encouraging & teaching toddler boys to urinate sitting down.The main reason I potty trained this way was to keep things simple. Boys have to sit down to have a bowel movement, so it was logical to have them sit for both. Clean up was also easier to as I had less "aiming issues" to deal with. Once they have potty training down and have successfully mastered it, I have then moved on to them standing while urinating. However, I ONLY did this once they were completely potty trained.
Potty Training Boys- How to Transition from Sitting to Standing
Once my boys were fully potty trained, the next step I took was introducing them to standing up while urinating. If there is another male figure in the house who can demonstrate this concept, then start there. If not, then you will want to introduce them to the concept through pictures in a book.There are two things thing I highly recommend:
1. Train them on your regular sized toilet. The opening that they have to aim into is much larger and therefore success is more likely. It will not only be easier for him, but easier for you as you will not have near the number of messes to clean up.
2. Have a safe, low stool that he can stand on. This makes the process much easier. I have highlighted a couple further down in this article. Some are just stools by themselves, much like what they can use to stand on to reach the sink. Alternatively, some are incorporated right into a potty chair. For those you simply close the lid, and then they can stand right on them. I prefer those types, as they are more stable over all.
Potty Training a Boy to Stand when using the Potty
The other way you can choose to Potty Train A Boy is to have them stand. There is nothing wrong with this way, but it can make the process longer. However, if you have a boy who has been watching his dad or brothers use the bathroom, this just may be the way he is going to want to learn. It may even be easier to train him if this is what he is interested in.So, to train a boy to go potty while standing, you will to decide:
1. Will you use a regular sized toilet so he has a bigger area to aim into?
2. Will you use a regular potty training chair and work diligently on aim?
3. Will you buy a child sized urinal for him to use? There is a very COOL product out that I highly recommend if you want to go this route. It is the "Peter Potty Urinal". There is a picture and a link to the product below. Very fun and easy for a boy to feel like a "big boy."
There is no right or wrong answer; it is simply a matter of preference for him and for you. I will highlight some of those types of potty's below.
The other thing to keep in mind is that he will need to learn to sit on the potty when he needs to have a bowel movement. You will want to talk with him about the difference between the two, and then practice.
Here's my favorite link:
Potty Training Products for Boys
Peter Potty Toddler Flushable Urinal
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009) 
Bright Products Potty Training 101 - Boys
Amazon Price: $11.04 (as of 12/28/2009)
PRIMO Freedom Trainer (Toilet Trainer) (White)
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/28/2009)
Mommy's Helper Contoured Cushie Step Up
Amazon Price: $24.88 (as of 12/28/2009)
BABYBJÖRN Safe Step - White
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Potty Training Chairs
A fun potty chair that peaks their interest really helps!
BABYBJÖRN Potty Chair - Blue
Amazon Price: $21.00 (as of 12/28/2009)
Baby Bjorn Potty Chair - Green
Amazon Price: $23.21 (as of 12/28/2009)
Fisher-Price My Potty Buddy - White/Blue
Amazon Price: $31.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Sesame Street 1-2-3 Learn With Me Potty Chair -Elmo All Star
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
The Potty Scotty Musical Potty Chair - Blue for Boys
Amazon Price: $20.65 (as of 12/28/2009)
More Potty Chairs or Seats
Fisher-Price Royal Potty Step Stool
Amazon Price: $19.89 (as of 12/28/2009)
The Riding Potty Chair By Potty Scotty
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Children's Potty Chair
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Baby Bjorn® Large Potty Chair White
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Safety 1St Comfy Cushy 3-in-1 Potty
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Potty Training Aids
Potty Pal Step Stool
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Once Upon A Potty Plush Doll Set With Mini-Potty - Boy
Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 12/28/2009)
Potty Train, The
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/28/2009)
Potty Reward Chart
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Safety 1st Potty 'N Step Stool
Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Additional Potty training items that help
BABYBJÖRN Toilet Trainer - White/Black
Amazon Price: $23.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
Stress-Free Potty Training: A Commonsense Guide to Finding the Right Approach for Your Child
Amazon Price: $9.32 (as of 12/28/2009)
![Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day: Proven Secrets of the Potty Pro [toilet training]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CABPYB1WL._SL75_.jpg)
Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day: Proven Secrets of the Potty Pro [toilet training]
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 12/28/2009)
Babies On Potties- The #1 Guide for Parents!- Uses a PROVEN Scientific Method for Potty Training.
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
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Share Your Potty Training Questions or Experiences
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- Mellithorpe Mellithorpe May 22, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
- With 4 boys, I would say you know what you are talking about. Great lens.
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- pottyman pottyman May 19, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
- A lot of helpful information on this lens - well done.
