Potty training options

[benjihairybutt]

Hi,

I don't have a puppy yet, but I am thinking of getting one so I want to be prepared.

How do you potty train a dog? I saw something on the internet about litter training puppies, and I want a small dog so I thought that might work. When my mom got our first dog I wasn't born yet, so I've never had the experience of training a puppy. My mom said she trained our other dog with "pee pads" which would be another option. If you train your dog to use a litter box does it mean that he won't know it's ok to go potty outside? Can you do both yard and litter training? If I got a puppy no one would be able to be home with it from about 8-3 because I am only 14 and my mom works. Would this be a mojor set-back or could we work around it?

I know this is probubly a weird post, I just want to know what I'm getting into. I really really want a dog, but I want to know i'd be able to raise it right too.

 

[moxiegrl]

How do you potty train a dog?

They're are many ways to potty train a dog. Im not really sure about the litter box thing...if someone else has done that on here maybe they can respond. The puppy pee pads are great for small dogs. You can train them to always go on the pads, or eventually start to move the pads outside to let them know that's where to go. For small dogs, that won't be able to go outside from 8-3, the peepee pads may be your best bet. If you crate train, do not put the pads in the crate. You do not want them to pee or poop where they sleep, in their "den" if you will.

Can you do both yard and litter training?

I would only do one, as it may be confusing for the pup having two places it's "supposed" to go. If you take the dog on a walk, or are playing outside and it goes potty, obviously that's ok. But when she goes in the house, you need to decide one place , at least at first, that you can show her where to go. BTW there are a lot of great threads on here about potty training, do a search as well.

If I got a puppy no one would be able to be home with it from about 8-3 because I am only 14 and my mom works. Would this be a mojor set-back or could we work around it?

Puppies need constant supervision, especially when you are training them. They also need a lot of attention and interacting with you to bond. I think this would also depend on the age of the pup, and where you plan on keeping it while your gone. Puppies destroy things, so if you arent there to watch and correct, it will not learn what its supposed to do. And I dont think a pup should be in a crate all day, not only for bladder reasons, but a bored puppy is usually a mischevious puppy. When you do come home, it will be So excited and hyper the rest of the evening, it will be harder to help it learn. IMO

Would this be a mojor set-back or could we work around it?

People do work around it, Im sure you know that....maybe someone on here that has had daily obligations and a puppy could give some imput. Right now, I get to stay home with my pup, so I dont know. I actually quit my job when we got Katie because I could, and I didnt want her home alone all day. Im also a full time college student and take night classes, so it works out good. when Im at school, daddy's home with her, and during the day Im here.

 

[zoe08]

Do you have your heart set on a puppy? There are lots of dogs at shelters that need homes and many of them are already crate trained and house trained. I am sure that many people work around being gone all day, but it sounds like it might be best to get an older dog that doesnt need all the work a puppy does. Especially for it being your first dog.

 

[benjihairybutt]

Well, it's not exactly my first dog. My mom got a puppy a little before I was born, and I've had him around all my life. I also have a pomerainian who we got when he was one or two. These dogs live with my dad now though. I miss them and I want a dog around the house. I would like to get a puppy, ecause I have never had the experience of training and raising a puppy. However, I'm not completely set on it because i know it would be a big challenge. If I do get a dog, I will be sure to look in a few shelters first.

 

[benjihairybutt]

Some people let their dog go potty on peepee pads all the time? Could you train a dog to go on those when you are away, but still go outside when you are home?

 

[yoko]

i think if you do it right you can train a dog to go one place when it's inside and alone and then outside when you're home.

i have this little bathroom in my house that no one uses. and it has a flat shower. * no tub just sliding doors to shower* and if yoshi needs to go pee while i'm gone she goes in the shower and i've taught her to 'flush' the shower. i do have a friend who has litter trained her dog i can ask her how she did it if you would like to do that instead of the pee pads

 

[mojozen]

benji - i would opt for training one way or another, instead of both. Yes, you could litter train the dog, but understand most dogs are no where NEAR being as neat about their toilets as cats are. Plus even small dogs can generate quite a bit of poop. Do you live in a high rise apartment building? Is that why you want to litter train?

I personally would get hte puppy in the habit of going outside, instead of teaching him to go inside. But ... that's simply my opinion in this matter.

 

[PriscillasMom]

I trained my Papillon to go on puppy pads, but when we take a walk she always "goes" then too. It's the best of both worlds. Now that the weather is getting nicer she's going more outside than in, but if I'm gone for a few hours I don't have to worry. She's great with her peeing, but not with her poops. She likes to do that next to the toilet!

 

[Mindy Miller]

Input from someone who works all day and has a puppy:

I come home at lunch and the dogs have an hour to play and do their potty thing. About half the time, they get a mini walk, too. I come home from work at 3. I don't think Roxie would have made it through her early puppy years if I didn't take that time at lunch to take care of her. Is there any chance your mom could come home for a bit at lunch time?

I have nothing to say about puppy pads or litter boxes. Never used 'em. My doggies do their thing outside.

 

[BullyLover]

This is how I house broke Stoli. When I am away from home I baby-gate (which she scales like a skilled rock climber now, but thats another thread. ) her into our back hall. I lined the entire area with newspaper. Every couple days I would remove some of the paper until there was only one sheet...then the sheet got moved right next to the back door. And then out the door. When she went outside she got lots of praise and as the pee was flowin' I would say "Go Peeps, Stoli! Stoli, Go Peeps!" And I would give her treats. Now when we go out and I say "Stoli, Go Peeps!" She will go right away. I am not nearly as skilled in all this as some people. This is how they said to do it in my puppy book.

 

[benjihairybutt]

No, I don't live in an appartment, I was just wondering about the pee pads and litter boxes cause I saw them online and thought it was maybe a good idea. I think if I end up getting a puppy I would just train it to go outside.