How to Litter Box Train a Dog

A litter box is the key item that you'll need. The Purina dog litter boxes are ideal, and they come in three sizes- mini, toy, and standard. You can, also use the largest cat litter box available and cut the top off the hood, removing the top makes it much easier for the dog to use.

People use a variety of "filler" for litter pans. Some people like to use newspaper or puppy "pee pads".

Others prefer commercial dog litter, so they can scoop out and dispose of the waste easily.

If you use dog litter, buy a large size litter scooper.

It's also handy to have a foot pedal "step-on" garbage can. You can also use a standard diaper pail lined with a plastic bag.

Back to Top

Purina SecondNature Dog Litter Pan
Toy
(Toy
15''x20''x5'')

Second Nature Dog Litter Pan
( 2nd Nature Litter Pan Mini )

2Nd Nature Litter Pan Standard

SecondNature Dog Litter
(12-lb bag)

SecondNature Dog Litter

Be sure to have plenty of cleaning supplies handy.

Keep brooms and easy-to-use mops, such as Swiffer, nearby.

Paper towels should be kept on hand.

A DustBuster hand vacuum can make it easy to clean up the sand and litter that inevitably gets kicked around.

Bleach is a great odor mask, and putting some in a small container out of the reach of dogs and children will go a long way in odor control.

Other odor controls such as candles, sprays and plug-ins can also work well.

But for the most part, if you keep the area clean, odor won't be a big problem.

Back to Top

Be prepared for accidents when house and litterbox training. If you do not completely clean urine stains, the spot will become reoccurring spots that the dog will use.

Simple Solution is a great cleaning mix that will help keep the urine smell out of your floors.

Simple Solution Stain and Odor Remover
(32-oz spray bottle)

Simple Solution Home Stain & Odor Remover
Clean Cotton Scent
16 oz

Simple Solution
Gallon

If you're starting from scratch, you'll need to work with your dog carfully. The best method for housetraining is to design an environment that is hard to fail.

First, designate the area to be used for the litterbox and/or papers. A tiled or easy to clean floor works best. During the first few days, you will need to constantly monitor the dog when it is not in its bathroom area.

In this initial period, the dog should be with you or on the way to his bathroom area. This is easily accomplished by shutting all other doors and using dog gates.

If you can't watch the dog, put him in his bathroom area or crate. If you notice any potty signals - circling or sniffing, then encourage the dog to go to his area to do his business on papers.

Develop a key word or key phrase for this action, such as "go potty" and repeat it many times when at the designated potty spot.

Back to Top

With either method of litter box training, you will need to get the dog used to the pan/box, which whould be his area from the start.

Use a tiny bit of litter in the bottom and some newspaper inside of it. Newspaper should also be put right next to the litter box if paper training.

Some people have better results by adding a one of the commercial "potty aid" liquids in the potty pan during the early stages of training.

To start, you will need to get the dog used to getting in and out of the pan/box by simply lifting the dog and placing it in the box. Remember to give the cue word or phrase that you've chosen when you put the dog in the box.

Praise him graciously. The dog will more than likely get out of the box on his own, to which you will walk over, repeat the key word/phrase, and put the dog in the box.

Repeat the routine and even give a treat.

If the dog stresses or tires of the game, just stop, but make sure to stop before the dog is bored.

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. And, after a few sessions, you should be able to have dog go in the box on his own when the cue is used.

Placement of the box is important. It must be next to the newspapers, and the open side should minimize "fallout".

Back to Top

There are at least two methods to successfully litter train a dog.

1. The first method is a gradual paper to litter box method which works well with dogs who are already paper trained.

2. The second method is a variation of crate training.

Back to Top

If your dog is solidly paper-trained, you can make a gentle progression from paper to litter box.

The key for the "paper to litter box" method is to make it gradual.

You'll need a supply of cardboard boxes in various sizes, masking tape or duct tape is also useful as you change the sides and shapes.

Make a flat "pan" area with the papers. You can cut out the bottom of a cardboard box and line it with papers. It should be a minimal "box", simply enough side to it that it is not completely flat. Otherwise, start with the papers on a flat piece of cardboard, then move to a slight "pan shape" box.

As time progresses, you need to change the cardboard "pan" to a "box" by gradually changing to boxes with higher sides. Make the transition last over a period of several weeks.

Next, slowly decrease the size of the "cardboard litter box" to be slightly larger than your real litter box.

At this point, put the litter bottom, or tray, into your cardboard box and line the bottom and sides with newspaper.

Once the dog is comfortable with using that, you can clip on the plastic hood with the top cut off.

When you insert the pan or clip on the hood/sides, it should look no different except that it is plastic rather than cardboard.

Next, slowly remove all the cardboard so the dog is using papers in the litter box.

Finally, you'll slowly change the paper to litter, starting with a thin layer of litter in the front of the box, and paper covering almost all of the bottom of the box.

Over a period of days, move to less paper and more substrate.

The key is for changes to be so gradual the dog doesn't notice.

Back to Top

Crate training style litter box training is probably one of the most effective way to litter box train a dog.

Traditional crate training involves putting a dog in a kennel when you cannot watch it. The concept is fairly simple to which no animal will soil the area to which it eats and sleeps.

Puppy Smarts Potty & Crate Training DVD

The crate style method for litter box training is similar, except eventually, the dog will have more freedom, even while you're away from the house.

Before you start crate style training, you should already have the dog comfortable with the litter box. The dog should also know that he is expected to use "his area" for the bathroom.

When litter box training using this methos, you aren't using an actual crate but a small "crate area." You can create an area that has just enough room for the dog, his bed, food/water bowl, and litter box. The basic concepts of the size of the crate still applies, to which the dog must have just enough room to sit, lay down, stand, and turn around, except there must also be enough room for the litter box.

The cage should be sturdy, as should the crated area, if you chose not to use a crate. In the later case, choose a material that the dog cannot jump over or hurt himself trying to escape from. A dog gate works well.

If using a puppy pen or cage, be sure to fill any open space with some other safe material that will prevent the dog from using open space in the pen or cage as a bathroom area.

Once you have constructed your "crate area", place the dog in this "crate" at typical bathroom times. The dog should stay in this crate area until he uses the bathroom.

Quick & Easy Crate Training
(Quick & Easy)

Try to be nearby so you can catch the dog in the act and praise him right after he uses the box.

The crate area should also be the where the dog stays when you leave the house or cannot watch him.

When you are with the dog in the house, the crate area should be left open, and part of his "direct path" to his bathroom area.

If the dog uses the bed as his bathroom spot, wash the bed and sprinkle food and treats on the bedding. Because the dog will not use it as his bathroom area if there is food on it.

The crate training routine should continue until you see the dog use the litter box on his own.

You should try stay in the room with the dog at times when you know he needs to go.

By leaving the crate area, it will encourage him to use the litter box, repeating with the cue frequently, and praise him whenever he uses the box.

Soon, you'll be walk with the dog into the room, use the cue, and the dog will go to the litter box to do his business.

Eventually, he will go there on his own.

Back to Top

If you are still having problems, you may want to look at how you have things laid out, especially if you are using the crate training method. Make sure that the dog doesn't have any choice as to where he's going to use the bathroom. Make sure that his options are limited.

If the dog won't use the box unless he's 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 cue, and using lots of praise.

Using treats as a reward in addition as praise for going in the box can help increase the likelihood that he uses the box. You can eventually wean the dog away from treats and more towards praise.

Remember, litter box training can 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 100% trained.

Another common problem is for some dogs to use the litter box to pee, but they'll poop outside this box.

There are two factors here:
1. Dogs typically don't do all their business in one spot.
2. Some dogs need to "walk it out".

Also, it can be easiler to use just a thin layer of pellets in the bottom of the litter box rather than the 1" to 3" that Purina recommends. Using less litter makes it easier to scoop.

Back to Top

Be consistent. Pick the dog's area and stick with it. Use the same cue. Stay with one brand of litter. Keep a routine as much as possible. Any change must be very gradual.

Watch the dog constantly during the first few weeks. If the dog is not beside you with you watching him, he should be in his crate area. A single "uncaught" act of peeing or pooping in the wrong place will cause a major set back.

Never hit, beat, or push the dog's nose into the "accident". It will be a mistake your dog will never forget.

Keep the litter box clean. Regularly go into the litter box(es) and dispose of all the waste.

Always deal with relapses or accidents. Once the dog begins to use the litter box, you'll provide more freedom, so if the dog has an accident, or starts to use a different spot, you must deal 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.

Back to Top

If you're a frustrated pet owner, that wants to have a healthier, happier dog, you may be interested in this book.

You will learn how to teach your dog the basic obedience that he needs.

You will learn how to teach your dog to:

Stop soiling the carpets and floors.

Chewing up your favorite sneakers.

Nipping at guests.

Jumping on people.

And MORE!

This book will show you how to teach your dog to obey every command, near immediately. But, don't worry that it's going to be a detriment to the relationship with your dog, because this book shows you training secrets that your dog will love because he loves you!

Back to Top

Back to Top