Litterbox Training a Toy

[KingdomOfFireflies]

Due to many different variables springing up, litterbox training my Havanese puppy (Toy breed) is starting to look like a really good idea. Has anyone litterbox trained their dog? Are there any tips or warnings about it? I'm working on housebreaking her and having her go in my yard (though, I think at nighttime the sound of animals moving through the woods literally scares her crapless) but I thought that before she was set on going on grass, I could switch it with a litterbox.
(I did a search of this forum on the issue, but didn't come up with anything that really answered my question)

[flyndog]

Hmmm. There's been plenty of discussion and we do have some members who trained their puppies to a litterbox. Sorry they didn't answer your questions. Do you have some *specific* questions that we can answer for you? I can't think of any drawbacks to litterbox training your Toy dog if that's what you want to do.
Kit

[richnrissa]

I've never done this, but i did find a link that may at least start you on your way.
i have seen some threads here, you might try going all the way back under the training forum and see what pops up

www.dogtraining-tips-tricks.com

hope this helps!?

[calgal]

Zada, my 7 month old is trained on the wee-wee pads. I didn't want to mess with a litter box because of traveling. It's so easy to pack the pads. I've even put a pad down on the plane for her and she will go right on it. I save the long plastic wrap that newspapers are put in to keep them dry, so I can put the soiled pad in one right away, then take it to the flight attendent's station to throw out. (or in the motel so it wont smell up the trash basket) It's easier when your visiting someone when on vacation, it's easier in the hotel/motel, plus she still goes potty outside when she's out. So much easier than going out in the rain, or after dark in a strange motel/hotel, or early morning in a motel before even combing the hair. Yes, with small dogs there's no better way to go in my opinion. I've heard of people buying that special dog litter only to have their dog eat it. Another gal that posted here said her dog played with the litter.

[KingdomOfFireflies]

Thanks for the responses....I was mostly just wondering how some people trained their dogs to go on litter/pads. I had done a 'litterbox' search and some people have posted about it, but no one really says how they do it or if there are any negative sideaffects (you never know with a dog, haha).
I can see how a dog would get carried away with the litter (lord, my dog is a digger) so the pee pads are actually sounding like a good idea. Thanks for the link too!

[calgal]

Well my Zada was already useing wee-wee pads when I got her, but I've trained puppies and adult fosters to the pad. I have a doggie fence I used for each dog for awhile. I would put their crate at one end with the fence attached to the front of the crate (while the rest of the crate was outside the fence so as not take up the room inside. Then they would have toys and chews close to the crate, and the pad at the other end. Every one of the dogs would use the pad. (course I had them in the yard many times a day plus walks and such) After about two weeks like that then they graduated to the entire gated sun room 12x30 (wood floors) and one pad at one end. If there was pee anywhere but the pad, I'd soak some up in a paper towel and blot it on to the pad. If they peed on the floor again, it was back to the fence arrangement for another couple of weeks. I never had a third offender. Anyway, that was the way I worked it. I'm not big on letting puppies have too much room for awhile. My Zada is 7 months old and still does not have unsupervised run of the house. She hasn't made any messes, but then I'm right on top of things too. Maybe by the time she's about a year old she will have mastered house training.

[KingdomOfFireflies]

I like your way of training, really smart idea. I tried something along the lines of what you mentioned and she did go on the pad, so the future looks bright! Thanks

[chazzysmybaby]

I personally prefer my puppy to be housetrained. That way the house doesn't smell like her pees and feces. Blegh. And it's inexpensive and easier to clean up. Chazzy's learning really fast. When he wants to go eliminate, he'll stand by the door and look at me. I'm trying to teach him to scratch on the door so I'll hear him.