Litter Box Training for Puppies: A Personal Approach

Yes, You Can Train a Puppy to Use a Litter Box

What follows is based on my own firsthand experience. It may sound odd, but it works surprisingly well with dogs. The reason is simple: they appreciate having a dedicated spot for elimination. If you observe any dog in the yard, you'll notice they often return to the same spot to do their business.

Train your dog to use a litter box.

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Getting Started: What You'll Need

Before beginning, gather the following items.

A Litter Box – or Something Bigger

My dog was medium-sized, and I chose a crate-style box about three inches deep. The key is to select something the puppy can step into without difficulty. You don't want to create an impossible hurdle, but you also don't want something so large it creates a mess in your kitchen or wherever you keep it.

As the dog grows, a larger box may become necessary. A trip to a home improvement store like Home Depot can yield a suitable option – being resourceful here is easy.

Litter That's Safe for Dogs

Do not use the crystal litter made for cats, clumping litter, or any cat litter unless it is completely natural. Puppies put everything in their mouths, and you don't want them ingesting that. Instead, purchase rabbit bedding from a pet store – the compressed sawdust type. It comes in pellet form and breaks down when it gets wet. If your dog swallows some, it won't cause harm or pose a choking risk.

Also, don't put in too much. A layer of roughly two inches, perhaps slightly less, is enough.

Newspaper

Once your puppy understands that the box is where you want him to go, he'll try – but he may not always succeed. If he starts urinating as he approaches the box, you still want him to go on something other than your floor. This isn't just about appearances; you don't want him to think it's acceptable to eliminate on tile or carpet. It is fine, though, if he views newspaper as an acceptable substitute, because the newspaper will only be placed near the box.

Pet Stain Remover

I suggest this over a standard household cleaner because it truly eliminates pet odors. Once the spot has been cleaned with a product made for pet messes, the dog won't be inclined to go there again.

Plastic Fencing (or Similar)

"Fencing" may not be the perfect term, but I can't think of a better one. I bought plastic paneling from a DIY store and arranged it in a circle around the box. You don't strictly need this, but it helps keep things neat. It held the newspaper in place and gave my dog a clear target area. On the infrequent occasions when litter scattered, it didn't travel far.

Solving Common Problems

Take your puppy to the box frequently. Place him inside it. Let him feel the pellets under his paws – this matters because he'll start linking that sensation with going potty, and he'll figure out that tile and carpet do not feel the same as the spot where he's supposed to go.
Won't male puppies lift a leg and urinate all over the box? No. Male puppies don't begin lifting their legs until they're close to a year old, and some wait much longer – and a few never do it at all. He'll be trained before that behavior starts.
Say "Go potty" or a similar phrase, and the moment he does, praise him right away. That means while he's going, not afterward. Repeat "Good boy, go potty" several times, and eventually he'll understand that you're pleased when he goes in the box. You should also do this when he eliminates outdoors.
If he goes somewhere else, think about why. Was he heading to the litter box but couldn't make it in time? If so, I'd simply pick him up, put him in the box, and praise him once he's there. If he just squatted and urinated on your carpet without even looking at the box, I'd say "NO!" very firmly, then pick him up and take him straight to the box. If he continues to go IN the box, follow with plenty of praise. If not, well, you have to let it go. Do NOT hit him! I will get very mad at you if you do!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I transition from the box to going outside?

Your dog should still be eliminating outside during walks, but he'll likely use the box more often than not. I phased out the habit by relocating the box to the balcony. Once the dog realizes the box is outside, they learn to ask to be let out. When they're at the door, ask them, "Do you want to go potty?" or something similar.

When they go outside and use the box, praise them again and again. The transition doesn't take long at all. If you don't have a balcony, you can accomplish the same thing by watching your dog closely. When he heads for the box, intercept him and take him outside right away, asking him the same question I mentioned above.

Can this be his main way to go potty as an adult?

That shouldn't be your aim. However, if you work all day, this is a useful backup so your dog doesn't have to hold it indefinitely. But I have to say, you really shouldn't have a dog at all if that's your normal routine. That said, if your dog gets plenty of exercise before and after your job, I suppose it could be a good solution for you.

Don't set unrealistic expectations!

This is as much a physiological matter as it is training. He won't be able to hold it until his bladder muscles are fully developed. Generally, that's two hours for every month of age – but that is by no means a guarantee. Excitement also plays a big role. My dog was trained very quickly, but still occasionally urinated when really excited to see new people. It's just something you have to accept.

That's how to litter box train a puppy. It works, I promise. If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments. I'll do my best to answer them.