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Benefits
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Small dogs have small bladders so the dog not having to wait until the owner returns home is a plus. Less indoor accidents occur if a dog is able to use a litter box at will. A litter box trained dog does not necessarily always need to use this method. Dogs who have been trained in the litter box method can also train to go outside. Owners who travel would prefer litter box training since it makes traveling with a dog easier.
Necessary Items
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Items necessary to have when training a dog to use a litter box are a litter box, filler and a litter scoop. Purina manufactures a litter box for dogs; however a large cat litter box without the top is also effective. For dogs, it is necessary to round the edges of a cat litter box with sandpaper or a smoothing tool like a Dremel because dogs bury their waste differently than cats and go more often.
For filler for the litter pan, some people prefer newspapers or absorbent pads. Others like to use commercial dog or cat litter, so waste disposal is convenient. When using litter filler, a large-size litter scoop is a necessity.
Cleaning Essentials
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Brooms, easy-to-use mops and paper towels should be handy. For the sand and litter spills, a small hand-held vacuum helps to quickly clean an area. Candles, sprays and plug-ins work well for odor control. As long as an area is kept clean, it is not likely to smell bad.
Accidents
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Accidents are inevitable when litter box training. When an accident occurs, it is essential to clean the urine spot with the proper substance. An enzymatic product such as Simple Solution works well to get rid of urine stains. This product eliminates any subtle odor that a dog's impeccable nose can sense.
Method
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The gradual paper to litter box method works well with dogs especially those that tend to learn quickly like the Pomeranian breed. If the trainer catches the dog going in the wrong place, saying "no" loudly and a quick clapping of the hands gets the dogs attention. Then urging the dog toward its bathroom reinforces where to go. Once the dog is there, praising the dog is of utmost importance.
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Litter Box Training for a Pomeranian
Training an animal to use a litter box is usually a cat owner's problem; however, in recent years, owners of small dog breeds have attempted litter box training. Small breeds like the Pomeranians have benefited from learning the litter box method. Since the Pomeranian is very bright but has an independent nature, the owner must train the dog through consistent messages and praise. The dog should adapt to litter training quickly.