T~Bo Boston Terriers
Owned and Loved by Teresa Hendrix
The Home of BIS BISS Ch. T~Bo's Time Will Tell, ROM **
“Love is patient.” I Corinthians 13:4
Litter Box Training
T
T raining Your Puppies To Use A Litter Box
I put a litter box in with the litter when they are between 4 and 5 weeks old, pictured above is a litter 4 1/2 weeks old already using the litter box. You will be surprised how fast they start using the litter box. Mom doesn't seem to mind when adding the litter box to the playpen. By they time the puppies are totally weaned they are pretty much litter box trained. We have been using the litter box now for over 5 years and it works wonders for us.
T raining Your Puppies To Use A Litter Box
I put a litter box in with the litter when they are between 4 and 5 weeks old, pictured above is a litter 4 1/2 weeks old already using the litter box. You will be surprised how fast they start using the litter box. Mom doesn't seem to mind when adding the litter box to the playpen. By they time the puppies are totally weaned they are pretty much litter box trained. We have been using the litter box now for over 5 years and it works wonders for us.
We use a large corner cat litter box we get from
Jeffer's Vet
for $13.95's, my husband cuts a little of it off in the front so the puppies can get in and out of the box easily. This litter box fits right nicely in the corner of a 3 X 3 playpen. You can use other litter boxes but the corner one works best for us. We purchase our pine pellets from Tractor Supply, we pay between $5.00 to $6.00's for a 40 lb bag.
This is a good way to potty train the puppies before going to their new homes. The litter box is useful for people who work or when the owner has to be away from home for a few hours to go shopping, bad weather or go on errands. Dog litter box training provides greater convenience for both owner and dog. No trips outside, no braving the wind and the rain, no tracking in dirt and mud. Just clean the litter box once a day. Our clients are very proud and give me great feed back on how surprised they are with the litter box. I get lots of e-mails with compliments on how well trained our puppies are when they go to their new homes.
~ Dog litter box training mistakes ~
• 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, heshould 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.
• Watch the dog constantly during the first few weeks. If the dog is not beside you with you watching him, heshould 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.
" T~Bo's House Training Information "
Set Realistic GoalsAll puppies under 4 months of age have small bladders and can not be expected to hold their urine longer
than 3-4 hours during the day or 6 or so hours at night. Someone must be available to let the dogs out once
every 3 hours. Housebreaking occurs gradually over a period of time using consistent schedules and
methods. Even if it is done 100% correctly on your part it sill takes time and mistakes happen.
Time:
Plan on being available to walk your puppy at lunch time or hire a service to do so. An 8 hour day is not
possible for a dog under 8 months.
What You Need:
A crate, large enough to allow your puppy to lie down comfortably, and turn around easily. You may need to
use a divider how ever if it is more than twice the pup's length.
A 6 foot leash.
A buckle collar.
Treats.
Cleaning and deodorizing products.
Setting Up Your Schedule
Puppies urinate frequently and predictably. They go after waking up, after eating, after playing, and when
they get excited. Always take your puppy out to the same place, the same time, and following his meals.
When you take them out it is helpful if you give your pup a word or phrase to associate with elimination.
After they go, calmly praise them for going in the proper area.
It is important to allow your puppy to earn space in your home. Only allow him in a new room after he has
gone to the bathroom outside. Do not overextend his limits. He needs to gradually work up to extended
freedom in the home. Do not wait until your puppy is 6 months old to show him your living space, he will not
consider this part of his "den" and may not respect it. Good manners are taught young.
Within 10-30 minutes after you feed your pup he will have to relieve himself. All your walks do not need to be
long. The first walk in the morning is just to relieve himself then bring him back in for breakfast in the crate.
Pull up all food and water by 7PM (depending on your schedule, climate, etc.). Your puppy needs to go to
bed on an empty stomach and bladder. An ice cube instead of a whole bowl of water is helpful.... It gives
them liquid in the bowl gradually and/or is a fun snack.
Feed your pup in his crate for now. This does several things, it enables him to eat with more peace of mind
knowing he's in his own space, and it makes the crate a more enjoyable place to spend time in.
Giving your puppy dinner by 5PM allows him to digest and urinate prior to bedtime. If he seems hungry later
a biscuit around 7 is ok.
Example of Puppy Schedule
6am - Bring out to elimination area
6:10 - Breakfast in crate
6:30 - Longer Walk
Play time
Socialize to kitchen
Crate
11am - Bring out to elimination area
11:15 - Feed in crate
11:30 - Walk
12:00 - Crate
3PM - Walk
Play
Crate
5PM - Bring out to elimination area
5:10 - Feed in crate
5:30 - Walk
Play, kitchen time
Crate
7-8PM - Bring out to elimination area
Optional play and kitchen time
10-11PM - Bring out to elimination area
Crate for night
(Pups under 4 months can not always be expected to make through the night. If they bark or whine in the
middle of the night, they must be let out to relieve themselves and then returned to their crate).
Housebreaking Do's and Don'ts
Do's Don'ts
Be realistic with your puppies training, this is a process that takes time. Don't think if all is done right your
pup will be 100% trained in 3 weeks.
Expect accidents. Clean them up and carry on. If you catch the pup going, lift him up and bring him to his
elimination area. Don't ever hit, yell at, or run your pup's nose in it. This will lead to a fearful and untrusting
pet.
Praise calmly for going outside. Do not talk much or distract pup so as he forgets what he is supposed to do.
Feed on schedule - limit water. Do not feed pup on demand or give water after 7PM.
Take pup to same areas they have gone outside. Don't allow free play until you see him relieve himself.
Do escort your pup outside. Don't assume they're doing their business alone.
Do say word or phrase to associate with going. Don't talk or distract them from doing what they are there for.
Allow earned free time in your home after going outside. Start with kitchen. Don't bring pup into your living
room for the first time at 6 months of age; 5-10 minutes in your living space after he has been out is great.
Use a treat to lure pup into his crate. Never punish or yell at your puppy while he is in his crate. Don't let
him out if he has just been put in and is barking and fussing.
Love your puppy, he is just learning. Don't give up, don't get mad, and don't take it personally.
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