Potty Training Techniques For Animals

An estimated 63 percent of all households in the United States have a pet, according to the ASPCA. This equates to roughly 160 million dogs and cats, many of which live a majority of their time indoors. Training your dog or cat to not make a mess inside the house is very important. Having a dog or cat that is properly potty trained saves time in cleanup and also makes for a healthier home. Potty training a pet has evolved over the years as new methods have been devised, but the basic principles remain the same.

  1. One Step Ahead of the Dog

    • Potty training dogs is easiest when they are young puppies. At this stage, they are learning and everything in life is new. It is a great time to teach them proper behavior while the slate is clean. Be sure to give the dog the best chance to learn by being one step ahead of it and taking the dog outside immediately after each meal and drink of water. Take the dog out right after it wakes up from a nap or sleep. Dogs usually go to the bathroom at these times.

    Using a Crate

    • Crate training your dog is a good way to teach him manners and to make sure he stays learned. Dogs do not like to soil their own sleeping place and will not go to the bathroom within the crate. Be sure to take the dog outside every time you take him out of the crate when he is young so that he can learn that the place to go is outside.

    Toilet Train Your Cat

    • Aids to teach your cat to use the household toilet are available in stores and online. This is a new phenomenon in the potty training annals for cats. Developed by leading animal behaviorists, vets and cat breeders, this method works with the cat's natural instincts to teach the cat how to use the toilet. It is a natural and humane way to have the household cat join the family in keeping everything clean.

    Old-Fashioned Kitty Litter Box

    • The method of providing your cat with a box full of kitty litter in the house and a scooper nearby has been around for years. Luckily enough, cats are very clean animals and prefer to go to the bathroom on sand or dirt so that they can then sweep a paw over it to cover it up. Keep the box in a private area of the house and put the cat in it. Her instincts will take over and soon she will come back to it when she needs to.