Housebreak A Puppy Using A Cat Litter Box

FIRST TRY - It is best to start the puppy as young as possible. As soon as they are walking and leaving their bed to do their elimination is the perfect time. For toy to medium breed puppies use an aluminum baking pan for the first few attempts. Regular or clumping litter may be used as filler. The sides are low and the puppy can get in easier. For larger breeds use a regular box.

TRAINING - As soon as they finish eating place them in the pan and keep them there until they do their duty and praise them. Sometimes all they need is for you to scratch the litter to get their interest or to leave a piece of past waste for scent purposes. Do this with them for a day or two. Most catch on by day three. Dogs are naturally clean and do not like to soil their sleeping or feeding area.

LARGER BOX - When they have mastered the shallow pan and are going to it when they need it, graduate to the standard litter box as they gain more coordination. For medium to large breed puppies a tub used to mix cement or a shallow rubber livestock feeding tub may be used. These can be purchased at your local home improvement store or feed store.

GOING OUT DOORS - The shift to outdoors is easier than with newspaper or puppy wee pads in that it is more natural for the puppy. Just take soiled litter and sprinkle it where you want the puppy to go and they get the idea quite fast as to "Their spot". During this part of training still allow access to the litter box should your puppy get caught short. Praise them when they go outside and always leave a little of the waste in the area you want them to use just as a reminder.