Litter Box Training a Dog

How to Train Your Dog to Use a Litter Box

If you have a small dog and are wondering whether or not it is possible to litter box train your small friend, the answer is 'yes'. A small dog, which is often smaller than a normal-sized house cat, can easily be house trained to use a litter box.

There are many pros to litter box training your dog, as well as a few cons. 

PROS:

- Your dog is small. It has a small bladder, and when it has to go, you may not have time to get it outside, especially if you live in an apartment or duplex on an upper floor.

- Since your dog is so small, a litter box may be a more comfortable spot for it to go. A small dog may too intimidated by people passing by, cars, or other dogs.

- You don't have to interrupt dinner, nap time, or your workout to run your dog outside for an impromptu toilet session.

- When it rains, you get to smile as other dog owners are getting wet and you are not.

- If you live in a location that gets cold and icy winters, then a litter box can be a godsend, as small dogs get colds and hypothermia easily.

- Cleaning up a dog mess outside can be a messy job, and leave behind residue on the grass.

- The ability to scrub a litter box is sanitary.

- You can leave the dog for a longer period of time.

CONS:

- It is more expensive to buy dog litter than it is to let the dog go outside.

- The smell can be unpleasant immediately after the dog goes.

- You must have room to place the litter box. Having the box in the open, in a kitchen corner, or in the bathroom can be unpleasant, especially for guests.

- If you have both a cat and a dog, they may get in fights over the boxes.

As you can see, litter box training a small dog has more pros than cons. If you think that litter box training a dog is ideal for you, then read on.

Step 1:

- If your dog is used to going outside, it may be more difficult to get your dog comfortable using a box. If you find this to be true, you may have to take the litter box outside and have the dog get comfortable using it there before moving it inside.