It is generally accepted that well-mannered dogs go to the toilet only on the street, but in recent years, various devices used for the home toilet of animals in the apartment have begun to be used by dog breeders. As a rule, this applies to small and medium breeds, but there are exceptions. Naturally, in order to use trays correctly, the dog has to be trained. In this article we will tell you how to choose the right potty that is suitable for a puppy, and what to do to train the animal to go to the tray in the designated place.
Types of toilets for dogs
Previously, when talking about home toilet for animals, we mainly meant trays filled with sand, sawdust or even paper. But demand creates supply, and the development of the industry does not stand still, so today there are many much more convenient devices for a dog toilet in an apartment.
The most popular among them:
- Pillar toilet. It is good because the animal can do the job by habitually raising its paw to the post. In this case, the contents do not splash onto nearby furniture or a wall, but flow down the column directly into the pot. As a result, the pet obeys its instincts, and the owner receives a hygienic option, in which it is enough to wash the tray, and a convenient installation location.
- Absorbent diapers. They can be placed at the bottom of the potty or simply on the floor in the room, which is very convenient with very small puppies or sick dogs that are not able to actively climb over the sides. The used diaper is disposed of along with the trash, so the dog’s owner doesn’t even have to wash the toilet area.
- Tray with filler. At its core, it is no different from a cat, except for size. A special adsorbent material is placed at the bottom, which can simply be removed with a special spatula. The undoubted advantage of this option is the complete absence of odor if it is replaced on time. It is true that it is important to choose a substance that the puppy will not try to eat, and if he tries, he will not be poisoned. Sometimes, instead of filler, a special plastic grid is placed in the tray, through which excrement flows down, but then there is no need to talk about the absence of odors.
- Tray with imitation lawn. It is designed in such a way that an imitation of green grass is placed on its upper part, under which there is a spacious tray, which receives the puppy’s waste. Such a tray looks good in an apartment, and even completely blocks out the stench, allowing you to wash the toilet only once every few days.
All other options, when a dog or puppy is asked to do business in a room using a newspaper or in an ordinary basin filled with sand, are extremely unhygienic, and the dog rarely likes it.
How to teach a dog to ask to go outside
Of course, it is much more convenient and familiar for dog owners to walk their pet on the street, but for this you need to train the animal to ask to go to the toilet on its own, so as not to miss the moment or not to spend too much time walking the puppy. Depending on the breed, you can start training a dog at different ages, but on average this happens at 4-6 months, when the dog has received the necessary vaccinations, which means it can spend time outside.
Another important point concerns the frequency of walks: the number of walks the puppy should always coincide with the number of meals. It is impossible to train a dog to ask to be walked only twice a day if his diet consists of 5 feedings. He simply physically cannot experience discomfort for so long. As a result, the dog will leave a puddle on the floor in the apartment. If you are not ready to go out every time the animal demands, give in to the tray.
The training itself is based on several principles:
- Take him for a walk immediately after the dog eats or drinks water. This way he won’t have to endure it for long, and you won’t have to look for the next puddle;
- If walking the puppy is carried out for bowel movements, then it should end after the dog has relieved itself. 10 minutes is enough for this. Games, active running, training and other street entertainment should not be associated with walking;
- Stick to a consistent schedule. This applies to feeding, walking, sleeping - in short, the entire daily routine as a whole. The dog’s body must adapt to the schedule, then it will be easier for him to learn the rules;
- If your pet shits at home, you should scold the dog for it immediately or not scold him at all. Otherwise, the animal’s brain will not register the cause-and-effect relationship, and it simply will not understand why the punishment followed;
- Don't forget to praise if success is achieved. Moreover, as in the case of punishment, do it immediately, and not upon returning home.
If you follow these simple rules, the dog will start asking to be walked quite quickly, but a young puppy can still be trained faster than an adult pet. Simply because the first one has not yet formed a strong habit.
Why dogs may shit at home
In order to solve the problem as quickly as possible, you need to figure out what causes it. Dog handlers identify about 10 possible reasons why a dog may crap at home. They can be physiological or psychological in nature.
How to litter train a puppy
Physiological reasons:
- the puppy is still too small, he simply has not developed this skill;
- a disorder of the genitourinary system, such as a cold, can provoke urination;
- one of the reasons that the dog starts to shit in the apartment is incorrectly selected food;
- Heating or pregnancy can also cause your dog to immediately urinate.
Psychological reasons:
- both a puppy and an adult dog can thus express protest against a long separation. For example, when the owner leaves the dog alone for a long time while going to work;
- deep resentment or jealousy can also be the reason why the dog begins to relieve itself in the apartment;
- often a puppy or even an adult dog can pee from fear or a sudden noise effect;
- such an individual characteristic of a pet as increased emotionality. It is usually caused by the dog's excessive attachment to the owner and can manifest itself in the form of puddles on the floor when meeting him;
- Stressful situations, such as the arrival of a new family member or moving to a new home, can cause behavioral problems such as spontaneous urination or defecation.
The litter box is an important dog accessory.
Choosing a dog litter box
If the owner nevertheless decides that a home toilet for a pet will be more convenient, you need to choose the right tray and a convenient place. The most important thing is that the animal is comfortable using the potty. Therefore, it is important to take into account the age, gender, size, and condition of the animal. Thus, very small puppies are unlikely to like a tray with high sides, and a bitch will not appreciate a device with a column.
An important point to consider is the number of times your pet goes to the toilet. If the puppy relieves itself a couple of times a day, then it is quite possible to accustom her to a tray with a simple plastic grid. You will have to wash it after each use, but in general the unpleasant aroma will not eat into the material for a long time. If the amount approaches 5 times or more, then you should think about a tray that can trap the smell, since it is unlikely that the owner will have time to remove the excrement.
And finally, the size of the animal. Small breeds can be trained to use any litter box, but large breeds will most likely need to be trained to be walked. After all, finding a device of a size that can accommodate an Alabai, Labrador or other large species is an almost impossible task.
How to choose a tray and place for the toilet
How to toilet train a Chihuahua: diaper or litter box
Today's pet market offers an extremely large number of litter boxes for dogs. Before choosing a litter tray, you need to evaluate the space. In order to save it, you need to buy a corner tray.
Regarding your pet's needs, consider the following recommendations:
- For young puppies and older dogs, a tray with the ability to frequently change the diaper insert is most suitable. This is due to the fact that these categories of dogs more often need natural relief;
- For male dogs, you must choose a tray with high sides. For bitches, you can choose a home toilet with low sides;
- For representatives of small breeds of dogs, such as Chihuahuas, toy terriers or Yorkies, a tray with granular filler is perfect;
- Spitz is considered the cleanest among small dogs. You should offer him a tray with a grid bottom to keep his paws dry.
Basic rules for training a dog to use a tray
The process of accustoming to a home toilet should begin no later than 4 months. Of course, if the moment is missed, then you can try to retrain an older dog, but in this case, be prepared to spend your entire vacation doing this.
You can accustom your dog to a new toilet if you follow the same rules as when training to ask for a walk. Consistency, adherence to a schedule, praise and attention to the dog's behavior are important. As soon as you notice that your puppy is acting like he wants to defecate, immediately take him to the litter box. This moment will come soon after the animal eats or drinks, so you most likely won’t have to carefully monitor it all day. Externally, the desire manifests itself in the form of restless behavior, sniffing corners or furniture legs.
As for the external conditions for training, in addition to selecting a convenient potty, the owner should make sure that the dog has as few temptations as possible. So carpets and unnecessary furniture will have to be removed from the room for a while. For example, on the balcony. Sometimes the dog itself chooses one secluded place to go potty. In this case, install the tray exactly there and provide easy access. Under some control from the owner, she herself will understand what she should do.
How to train a dog to go outside
You can accustom your dog to the street after the pet has received all the necessary vaccinations. In this case, the puppy must be at least 4 months old. If the dog will be constantly taken outside when it grows up, it is better to arrange a place for its toilet near the entrance to the apartment.
The problem of how to accustom a dog to the street is solved with patience and perseverance. You need to take your dog out at the same time every day. This way the dog will quickly learn to relieve himself on the street and will wait for the right moment. You should take dog treats with you on your walk. You need to treat your pet with them when he does everything right. At the same time, the dog needs to be praised and caressed.
You need to pay attention to the puppy's behavior. If he is worried, whines, runs around the apartment, you need to immediately take him outside. You need to act quickly, but carefully, so as not to frighten the dog and prevent involuntary urination.
How to behave if your dog does not go to the litter box
Even if all the rules are followed, sometimes the animal stubbornly ignores the requirement to go to the tray. Even the most experienced dog breeder should be prepared for this. Beating or severe punishment for disrupting the dog's behavior is unacceptable in this case. Instead of teaching, you can scare the dog or make it angry, which will only worsen the conflict. It is better to try to train your dog to use the litter box using cunning.
If your dog poops in a place other than the designated area, collect the excrement with an absorbent diaper and then place it in the bottom of the potty. The probability that the animal will choose the next place exactly where it smells its own scent is very high. At the same time, you can spray a special spray in the wrong place that your dog likes, and he will forever lose the desire to use it as his potty. But be careful. Do not harm the animal's sense of smell. Especially when it comes to very small puppies.
If it is possible to do without a home device, for example, when living in a private house, try to adjust your schedule in such a way as to teach the animal to ask for a walk. If a tray with a diaper or other contents is the only option, be patient, stubborn and insist on following the established rules at any time of the day. Don't leave things to chance. Only knowing that the owner will not give up on his desire to train, the animal will give in and begin to visit in the right place.
