Free Litter Box Training Tips for Puppies

A new puppy is a lot of work, especially when it comes to housebreaking. Many owners teach their puppies to use a litter box in homes where it's difficult to take the puppy outside as often as needed. This is also a good idea if owners won't always be at home to take the puppy outside frequently. Free litter-box training tips can help you learn how to housebreak your puppy quickly and easily.

  1. Introduction to the Litter Box

    • Experts recommend using special puppy litter or puppies, rather than cat litter. First, you'll want your puppy to get acquainted with his litter box. It's likely he's still 'going' wherever he wants to, so you can use this to your advantage. When you clean up the next puppy mess, place some into the litter box, then show your puppy what you've done. Repeat this several times, so your puppy will learn that the litter box is the appropriate spot for doing his business. The litter box should be kept mostly clean, with a small amount of soiled litter used to help your puppy associate the litter box with his needs.

    Watch Your Puppy

    • Puppies need to eliminate very frequently, so it's important to watch him closely, especially right after he eats or wakes from a nap. Within 10 to 15 minutes after your puppy has been fed, you'll likely notice him sniffing around. Pick him up, and place him in the litter box. Keep him there for several minutes and he should eliminate his waste in the litter box.

    Praising

    • Puppies make associations between actions and praise very easily. If you have a treat ready, give it to him the very moment he uses the litter box. Repeat this each time he uses the litter box, and he will quickly see that his actions (using the litter box) are getting great results (the treat). This is one of the most effective ways of litter-box training your puppy. Petting and verbal praise are also great ideas.

    Correcting Mistakes

    • If your puppy uses the floor instead of the litter box, do not give him a treat or praise him. If you see him doing it, tell him "no" firmly and move him to the litter box. All traces of the accident should be cleaned up and the area should be sanitized. Puppies will usually tend to use the same areas, and if your puppy can smell his waste on the floor it's likely that he'll use that area again.

    Helpful Products

    • Some products on the market may help your puppy learn where to go and where not to go. Some products attract your puppy to the area you want him to use and can help him learn to use that area. You can use this type of product in combination with the behavior modification you're using to litter box train your puppy. You can find such products in your local pet store or the pet area of your local grocery or outlet store.