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Saturday, August 30, 2008
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How to Litter Box Train a Puppy

By Jennifer Ketcherside
 
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Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • Puppy litter box
  • Potty pads, litter, or newspaper
  • Small reward treats
  • Step 1:
    Assemble a litter box with your chosen substrate. You can purchase puppy litter boxes at the pet store, use a cat litter box, or make your own out of a plastic storage container. Potty pads and puppy litter are available at the local pet store, or you may choose to use newspaper as your substrate.
  • Step 2:
    Select a location for your puppy litter box. Keep in mind that your puppy may have accidents near the litter box for a while, so an area with a cleanable floor (such as a laundry room) is a good choice.
  • Step 3:
    Take your puppy to the litter box when you think the puppy needs to eliminate. Most young puppies will eliminate as frequently as every 30 to 45 minutes. Puppies usually need to eliminate shortly after eating, sleeping, and playing.
  • Step 4:
    Reward your puppy with praise and a small treat when the litter box is used properly.
  • Step 5:
    Speak a command, such as “go potty,” every time you see your puppy correctly using the litter box. Eventually, your puppy will associate the command with eliminating.
  • Step 6:
    Clean the litter box frequently. If the litter box is soiled, the puppy might not use it.

Tips & Warnings

  • If your puppy does not want to use the litter box, try changing the substrate type. Some puppies will eliminate only on certain types of substrate.
  • If you want your puppy to eliminate in a litter box and outside, make sure you equally train in both areas to ensure that your puppy does not select only one of the options to obey.
  • By nature, dogs do not like to eliminate where they sleep. For best results, put your puppy’s litter box away from his sleeping area. If you crate your puppy, but the litter box and sleeping area at opposite ends of the crate.
  • Do not punish your puppy when she has an accident in the house. Young puppies will inevitably have accidents in the house up to 6 months in age. Punishment could set back your training if your puppy associates fear with eliminating.
How to Litter Box Train a Puppy Provided by eHow.com