How do you train a dog to pee in a litter box? A Complete Guide

Setting Up the Litter Box

Question How do you stop a dog from peeing and pooping on the floor? Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC Canine Behavior Consultant Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com. Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC Canine Behavior Consultant Expert Answer Take a little bit of the waste and put it in the litter box, or soak up a little pee with a paper towel and dab it in the litter box. That way, your dog can see and smell their waste in the litter box and feel a little more comfortable with it.

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

A litter box is a great way to give your dog an opportunity to eliminate when you can’t let him out, but it is not a replacement for going out. You will still need to provide your dog with opportunities to pee and poop outside.[14]

Litter box training works best for smaller dogs, as taller ones will frequently lift their leg and pee outside the box.[15]

To teach your dog to use a litter box or fake grass potty area, follow the steps below and continue on to the next step once your dog uses the papers or pads two times in the previous step.

Weve all had the experience of walking into a large store and being confused by the huge selection, perhaps wanting someone with the background knowledge who can help us make a wise choice. The Pet Expertise Experts personally select and test the items available for purchase on the site to find those that are as safe and effective as possible. The right products can make a big difference!…Read More

Once your dog is going to the potty area and “going” with your guidance, you can remove the crate and simply supervise (of course rewarding any breakthroughs). A Male Wrap might be a helpful preventative for your boy dogs at this stage. You may need to encourage your dog to go to his potty area from areas in the house that are farther away. Continue rewarding your dog for using the potty area / litter box for a few weeks. If there are any accidents, you will want to increase your supervision and decrease the amount of freedom your dog has. You can decrease freedom by keeping your dog in a small area such as a crate, pen or indoor tether.

Potty Training App: Puddle & Pile

No matter why you use an indoor toilet or which containment type you pick, you might also benefit from using a tool to help you track their tinkles. A member of Canine Journal tried Puddle & Pile and recommends it. It’s $3.99, but for about the same price as a dog bone, you can save yourself lots of cleanups from accidents.

Put in your dog’s age and name, and use the app to note when your pup eats, drinks, and has a puddle (pee) or pile (poop). It predicts bowel movements and sends reminders and tips so you don’t forget. And you can even see the stats and history for the times of day your pup is most likely to use the bathroom and have mealtime.

Here are some “burning’ questions you might be wondering when it comes to doggy and their doody.

How to Litter Box Train Puppies and Dogs