Q

Posted by Carolyn

I was given two toy poodles and they have never been outside so they were taught to go on a rug (and now pee on my rug). How do I house break them to go in the litter box?  Thanks so much

A

I will do my best to help you with your canine litterbox training challenge.  This type of training can be very time consuming so try not to get frustrated if you do not see immediate results.  Since your new dogs were previously trained to go on a rug and you have carpeting in your house that you do not want them using, then your first roadblock will be to teach them to switch to a new ‘substrate’ (material on which you want them to urinate).  If you are keeping them on a tiled surface, then try placing a newspaper near or on the rug and when they need to urinate (after waking up, eating/drinking, etc) try to redirect them to the newspaper.  You may even need to have them on a leash indoors while you are doing this.  Use lots of praise and reward when they show any interest in the newspaper and hopefully they will began to urinate near it or hopefully on it.  Avoid punishment whey they do go on the carpet as it will only cause stress and confusion.  Once they start using the newspaper, then start moving the newspaper closer and closer each day to the litterbox you have set up.  Do not put a lid on it at first.  Only try a lid if you feel that they are ready, and even then, they may not like it.  If newspaper does not work out as a substrate, consider other substrates or purchase a substrate specifically designed for indoor dogs. Remember LOTS of praise, positive reinforcement and patience are key.

Good luck with your project and I hope you have lots of fun with your new toy poodles!

Craig Galbraith, DVM