Litter Box Question

[Tulip]

This is sort of a spin-off from my thread about my dog not liking to go out in the rain. I have decided to go ahead and train her to use a litter box for times when she can’t or won’t go outside. It feels like a mammoth task, and I’m not sure where to begin, but I’ll sort it out because all we have is time lol.

Since I have never had a cat, I have not had to consider where one might put a litter box. But now that I think about it, I am really not sure where I would put the thing. Where do you put a litter box?

[Nanook]

Re: Litter Box Question

I'm trying to remember the name of the thing that Schultz uses for her little dogs. You could PM her and ask, she does have an indoor thing.

They make grass mats for this too, that you can wash. I imagine you would put it in front of the regular door to the potty. Since I don't have a separate wash tub this idea does not appeal to me.

I use pee pads, but the ones they sell for puppy training are too small even for the MinPins. I go to Sam's Club and get a box of 120 adult incontinence pads for around 26.00. Last me forever...or I'm sure they sell small amounts anywhere. I use the pads for both puppies, and for my old wobbly senior citizens when it's not nice out!

The problem with the pee pads though, is that they can sometimes stand on the pad and pee off of the end, and miss the pad. Can't get mad at them for that, they try...and then it's time for scrubbing.

The unit Schultz has, doesn't leak. Maybe she'll see this thread or you can send her a note!

[Tulip]

Re: Litter Box Question

Thanks Nanook. I will PM Schultz.

My back door is off the dining room. It makes sense that it would be the most logical place to put the box, but that just isn't going to work. Even if I could stomach it myself, imagine if I am entertaining.

That's why I started this thread. I actually started to wonder, where do folks put a litter box.

[sistacaf]

Re: Litter Box Question

i have mine inside the closet where i store household items, plastic bags, cleaning supplies, etc. It has shelves up top and a large open space at the bottom. the box i have is the kind with a cover, it's like a lil house, with a large space in front where lil miss goes in and out. the closet door is one a them bi-fold ones, so it can stay folded half-open most of the time to cover most of the box from public view, but leaves nuff room for her to go in an out.

my mummy keeps her box in the extra bathroom, she has nuff space behind the tilet to fit the box back up in there; hardly anyone ever uses that spare bafroom so it works well.

i also use that clumping litter which really keeps the odor down; makes cleaning real quick and easy too.

[Tulip]

Re: Litter Box Question

Sistacaf, I have been considering the guest bedroom idea. I don't have that much company coming to use it either so it seems like the best location. If they have a problem with it, then at least they'll have a good story to chat bout when they leave.

Alright, now I have just officially made up my mind that the guest bedroom is the location.

Nanook, I did pm Schultz. The next step is figuring out exactly what to get. That should not be too difficult, but training her to use it might be a different story.

[Nanook]

Re: Litter Box Question

You will probably have to start out putting it by the door, since that is the location she knows of that relates to "potty". You might have noticed that if a dog doesn't get let out to go potty, the most likely spot they will have an accident is by the door. They are trained that way, doorway is the thing they go through to pee. So...you might have to start it there, then slowly move it to where you want it. Once it gets her scent you should be able to put it wherever you want it to be but since it is something new, you will need to train her to do what you want.

On the other hand, it can backfire to think you could move it..

I made a BIG mistake with this and my pads. I started putting them somewhere I wish I hadn't, and there is no turning back. The spot I put them will get used whether I put a pee pad there or not. It is by a door though, and it's been so many years I can't remember if I started using the spot because the dogs were at times soiling it, or if I stupidly chose to put the pads at the entrance to one bedroom.

Old blind frail 16 year old dogs are very hard to change, pretty much impossible.

I'm looking forward to Schultz weighing in, she has had success with her unit but I can't recall the details.

[Tulip]

Re: Litter Box Question

Nanook, I am glad you mentioned your experience with moving the pads later. I'm going to try just putting it in the guest bedroom from the beginning.

Schultz pm'd me back and this is the site for anyone who might be interested: http://www.ugodog.net/. I am so pleased with this idea! The only thing I'm trying to read up on now is how to get her started with it. I know they sell sprays that are supposed to attract her to it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Click to reveal.. (You going to find this a nasty idea.) <input type="button" class="form-button" value="Show me!" onclick="toggle_spoiler(this, 'Yikes, my eyes!', 'Show me!')" /></div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div style="display: none;">I am of a mind to put one of her turds on it.</div></div></div>

[Nanook]

Re: Litter Box Question

Yep that's the one! Good luck, come report how it goes for you and your baby. Your turd idea is spot on. You have good instincts, but I've told you that before!

[Tulip]

Re: Litter Box Question

Thanks Nanook. It seemed like the best way to attract her to it.

I will be sure to keep you posted on her progress once it arrives!

[schultz]

Re: Litter Box Question

The good thing about the ugo dog is there is no litter and not much mess to clean up. If they are already used to using the pad you can put a pad or cut one in half and put it on top of the grate. It took Dottie about a week to get used to it. I kept cutting pieces of the pad off and making it smaller and smaller. Now, the chi prefers going outside when it's nice but will use the ugo when I'm not home- that's the good thing about it.

Tulip, did you order it?

[Tulip]

Re: Litter Box Question

Hey Schultz. Yes, I have it now! Yay!

She has only urinated on it thus far, and I rewarded her lavishly with praise. However, the weather has been good too so all her bms have been outside.

I think she is a little confused about why it is OK to go in the house. I have never used the pads or anything with her. It has always been an outside activity. I have no doubt she'll catch on though. After all she did pee on it.

I'm debating whether to not let her out and try to get her to go potty on it or just wait for the next rain. I think I'll wait for the rain so it can seem like a positive alternative to her.

[schultz]

Re: Litter Box Question

Oh good! Glad she took to it so quick. Keep us posted on the progress.

[Tulip]

Re: Litter Box Question

I sooo forgot to report this Friday. It was raining and she did it! She pooped on the ugo. I am so proud of her. She understands why it is there.

And yes I did use the turd on device method. I guess the only thing I have to do now is watch out to make sure she understands that it is the only acceptable place to go in the house.

[Nanook]

Re: Litter Box Question

YAYYYYY!!!! She will have the acceptable part figured out fast, she probably already does, she's a poodle!