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Can I train my dog to use a litter box??
For dog owners who reside in heavily populated urban
areas this technique of house training can be very successful in maintaining a
regular schedule. Dogs can be trained to use a certain area set aside for
elimination. They're less fussy than cats about what materials you
use to absorb the waste, so you could put old newspapers, paper litter, clay, or
another absorbent material in the bottom of the pan. No matter what material you
decide to use, use it consistently. At first, you may want to leave the litter a
little dirty, because dogs tend to go back to a place where they have gone
before. For the same reason, clean the carpet whenever your dog has an accident,
to be sure she doesn't return to the same spot.
Most of all, be patient and consistent. Develop a schedule
of feeding, playing, walking, and sleeping, which will keep your dog on an
elimination schedule as well. Learn the times when she will generally have to
go: after eating, after waking up and, for puppies, about every 20-30 minutes
when they are awake and playing. Watch for the cues your dog gives before
urinating, like sniffing and circling, and place her in the pan when you see her
getting ready to go. Praise her when she uses the pan.
Different dogs learn at different rates, so it may take
a few days of accidents before your pet learns to use the pan. Eventually,
though, with gentle persistence, she can learn to use the litter box
consistently. Remember, though, the pan is not meant to replace trips outside,
but to supplement them. Your dog still needs to go outside for exercise and
fresh air every day.
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