Litter box training an adult?

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Just be careful b/c some dogs will eat cat litter and it's very bad for them.  It's worse for them to eat plain litter than it is for them to actually eat a poop out of the litter box.

I was thinking of using that recycled paper litter.  Though I don't think he would eat the litter in general, he's never been one to root through the cat box.  I think the most challenging thing is going to try to get him to use it when he's already going outside to use the bathroom (well, except for when no one's home...)

Well, I've been trying this for a couple of days now (I know, not long).  Problem is, I can't get him to use the box.  He'll go stand in it just fine and isn't afraid of it, but he won't use it to go to the bathroom.  Currently, I am trying the crate method.  I have a pen set up with his bed, food and water, and the litter box.  I have been trying to leave him in there so he has no choice but to use the litter box.  He cried all day and then when he finally did go, he went on the one tiny little spot of the floor that wasn't covered up.  I have since put a box in that spot.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  I don't want to be unnecessarily cruel to the poor dog.  Problem is, he has no problem peeing in the house when no one's looking, but the second we actually want him to do it, he's on his best housebreaking behavior.  [8|]
 
I know this is going to be a long process, especially with an adult dog, but does anyone have any tips?  Am I going about this the right way?
 
Thanks!
Erin

I feel for you.  My poodle's nickname is "Mr. Piddles" because he does the same thing.  If I'm home with him, he'll gladly sleep in the recliner all day, but if I pop down to the grocery store for 30 min, he will pee in a corner  [:@]  He also pees in his crate every day, even if I come home at lunch.  I had to move him into a cat carrier instead of a wire crate because he peed out the sides of the wire crate.  [:@]
 
Sorry I have no advice, just empathy....
 
 
 
 

Problem is, I can't get him to use the box.

Have you tried spraying the litter with one of the "puppy attracting" sprays".   If your dog will use puppy pads, you could put one of those on top of the litter until the dog gets the idea.
 
Does he have any problems walking on the litter?

ORIGINAL: janet_rose


Have you tried spraying the litter with one of the "puppy attracting" sprays".   If your dog will use puppy pads, you could put one of those on top of the litter until the dog gets the idea.
 
Does he have any problems walking on the litter?

 
He doesn't seem to have any problems walking on the litter.  For the first couple of days I was trying to get him used to the box and I would tell him "Go in your box" and would reward him for jumping into the litterbox and prancing around in it a little bit.  I'm using the recycled newspaper pellet litter.  I don't think it's his favorite substrate in the whole world, but he seems to tolerate it just fine. 
 
I am currently using one of those puppy training sprays.  I don't know how effective it is though, because he didn't sniff it like it was interesting or anything.  Does anyone have any idea when this stuff wears off?  Should I be spraying it on the litter again every few days? 
 
He has never used the puppy training pads.  I know that sometimes they are scented with an attractant.  Do you think it would be easier if I tried putting those in the box for awhile instead?
 

If I can offer any help I would be happy to.  I demonstrated Second Nature litter for dogs by Purina for years.  And I had many adult dogs use it after using puppy pads for years.  If your finding it hard to get your dog to go in the box.  Maybe back up and take smaller steps.  First step is to make the dog comfortable with the feel of the litter rolling under their feet.  Using a smaller amount that normal at first.  Without focus on the actually "using" of the box but getting them to walk in it.  Take poop from outside and place it in there also can help to get that idea going.  If using a puppy pad you place the pad in the box first get them used to it.  Then start cutting the pad smaller and smaller daily until the litter under it becomes more than less.  Until no pad is there.  Special rewards for using it are helpful too if necessary.  And remember the box they make versus a cat litter pan, is notched with an opening which years of research showed dogs prefer that.  Easier for toy breeds to get in and out also.  Should your dog or pup eat it, its only paper and not to worry about it.  Good luck. 

i see that others have commented with feedback already, but i decided i should throw something it, the litterbox method seems to me like a waste of effort/money, when i 1st trained my dog i thought a litterbox would be a good idea, however, cleaning the box took around 5 minutes and probably around another 8 bucks to refill it, i dont know, but the tradition pee/poo on this paper seemed alot quicker and effective for the in-house dog.

just my 2 cents!

i just had another idea. i'm no professional and have given up litter training once myself, but it was a complicated situation.
ANYWAYS..
how about you train him to use the litter box outside the house first.
like first train him to go on command outside. then once he's comfortable with that, start introducing the litter box outside and try having him go there on comand. then once he does that for a while, start having him go inside in the box on command..
what do you think?

[8|] Not that im an expert on litter box training but i tried it with my pom and she just wouldnt do it[:@]. some dogs perfer going outside and not in a litter box.
 
[8|]Resources said:[:-]
i talked to some pet counselors, and they said some pets just have a preference. in addition to that, im not sure how you are doing it, but they told me, to get a pet litter box, put down pee pads in the box that already have pee scents built in that you can buy from a pet store. start with pee pads instead of litter. the scent of the pee in the pads should trigger your dog to pee. as the dog gets use to peeing n pooping in there, start sprinkling alittle bit of litter each day as you reward her for her action. also, make sure you purchase doggy litter and not cat litter, because cat litter will make a dog throw up. and doggy litter isnt powdery, it more like pellets, kinda like rocks. if the dog wont go, or doesnt notice the artificial pee scent in the pads, they sell housebreaking spray at ur local pet store, which is just fake pee scent that you spray onto the pads or around your house to let your pet know thats where to pee.
 
p.s this is just what the counselors told me. just passing on the info. although my dog is stubborn and much prefers outdoors, but you can give it a shot. my pom just sits there n stares at me and doesnt even try to smell it out n pee.
 
Good luck!!![]

I am eventually hoping to train my dog on the toilet after she masters the litter box... She's 1.5 years old and in potty trained outside,  I am trying the crate method as of tonight.  Anyone every thought of graduating from the litter to the toilet?  I found a product called CittyKitty that slowly introduces litter training to the toilet.