Litter or Potty Training your Pets: When to Start and How to Do It
Most of us love our pets, but we don’t always enjoy the smell of their waste. So, we’ve devised a solution that works for all parties involved: litter training your pets! We’ve taken some time to put together this guide on how to train your pets (and yourself) to use the litter box and keep it clean.
Get a Litter Box
The first step is to get a litter box that’s right for your pet. Your cat or dog needs a large container to accommodate them and deep enough to dig when covering up their waste. If you have an older pet, it’s also important to make sure that the surface of their litter box is non-slip, so they don’t fall in when digging around in it.
Litter boxes are typically made from plastic or metal, but some people prefer other materials like cloth or cardboard—just make sure whatever material you choose is sturdy enough not to be torn apart by your pet! When purchasing a new litter box, ensure there are no sharp edges or slippery surfaces like those found on plastic models (this will help prevent injury).
Get Their Attention
To train your dog or cat to use a litter box, and you need to catch them in the act of doing their business. If they’re not used to your being around when they go outside, try closing yourself in with them while they are out of the box and get their attention by making some noise—but don’t scare them! Once they start going, scoop them up gently and place them inside their new bathroom (or wherever you want them to go). Then give them a treat as soon as their paws are off the ground.
If this goes well for both of you, repeat it repeatedly until she learns that it’s time for her bathroom break when she sees you pick up the shovel!
Once your toilet-trained pet poops or pees outside his litter box on accident (this will happen), don’t punish him for mistakes—just reward him for successes! He must know what behavior is expected from him; otherwise, his brain can get confused about what’s okay (going inside) versus not okay (pooping outside).
Steps for Potty Training Your Puppy
Begin puppy potty training when your pup is 12 to 16 weeks old. This is when your puppy has begun to have more control of their bladder and bowel movements. Teaching a puppy when and where they can go from a young age is important for avoiding behavior problems down the road.
Follow these steps to potty train your puppy:
Step 1: Build a Routine
Getting yourself and your puppy into a routine can make potty training a cinch. Eventually, your pup will pick up on the routine you design. They’ll learn what time you usually wake up and when you normally take breaks to let them out.
Keep in mind, you’ll need to go for more frequent potty breaks while your puppy is young since their bladder can’t handle waiting very long. As they age you’ll be able to go longer without needing to drop everything and take them for a walk.
Here’s a basic potty training schedule to guide your day and prompt you to prompt your puppy it’s time to go out:
When You Wake Up
As soon as you get up in the morning, take the puppy out of their crate and bring them outside to the designated spot. This will start both of your days off on the right paw.
Make sure you’re not hanging around, waiting for the coffee to brew, or getting completely ready for the day first. Throw on some shoes and head for the door as soon as you’re awake to help reduce the chances your puppy has an accident.
Remember, they’ve gone the whole night having to hold it. That’s a long time for a little puppy to wait.
Tip
Go to the same area every single time. Take the same path every single time. This familiarity and routine will help your puppy better understand it’s time to eliminate.
After Meals
Take your puppy out after every meal. They definitely have something in their system they’ll need to eliminate. Waiting too long after a meal can turn into an accident which will undo all the work you’ve already done.
These after meal potty breaks should be at about the same time each day as your puppy should be on a regular eating schedule.
Tip
Aim to make after meal breaks 5 to 30 minutes after your puppy finishes eating.
When Your Puppy Wakes Up From Naps
Just like when you take your puppy out in the morning, you should take your puppy out when they wake up from naps. You’ll want to take them out as soon as they wake up to reduce the risk they have a sudden accident.
After Playtime
Your puppy may ‘forget’ they need to go while they’re playing. Jumping and running around may also cause them to need to go. Whether your puppy actually ends up needing to eliminate after playtime or not, it’s better to give them the opportunity to go.
Before Leaving Home
When you have a tiny, furry canine to watch out for you’ll need to try and plan your outings around how long they can hold it. Always make sure you take your puppy out before leaving for an extended period of time.
If you’re not sure how long your pup can go without needing a potty break, adhere to the month-plus-one guidelines. This suggests your puppy can hold it for their age in months plus one hour. (Note: Some suggest an hour for every month of age rather than the month-plus-one rule.)
Puppy Potty Training Chart
| Age of Puppy | Maximum Time Between Potty Breaks |
| 2 Months | 3 Hours |
| 3 Months | 4 Hours |
| 4 Months | 5 Hours |
| 5 Months | 6 Hours |
| 6+ Months | 6 – 8 Hours |
Before Bed
Before you hit the hay, take you and the little pup out for another trip to the outdoor potty to prevent overnight accidents. This will help get your pet in the routine of having a final trip out each night.
Step 2: Set Up a Que
Setting up a queue can teach your dog to let you know if there is ever a time where they need to go ASAP. Most commonly, pets are taught to bark, ring a bell, or sit by the door when they need to go out. Having an obvious queue can help your puppy prevent accidents as you may miss other, less noticeable signs when they need to go out.
Step 3: Take Your Puppy to the Same, Distraction-free Spot Each Time
So you and your puppy made it outside without any accidents. Now what? Your puppy may not quite understand why you’ve rushed them out the door. To help your puppy understand it isn’t playtime, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind:
- Always take your pup to a secluded area (fewer distractions, higher chance they’ll go potty)
- Try to stick to the same spot every time you take them out
- Be boring—don’t play with your puppy or pay attention to them to limit distractions
- Don’t get frustrated or yell at them in an effort to get them to do what you want
Remember, your puppy may not go every time you take them outside. This isn’t the end of the world. If there’s no success then go back inside and try again later. Eventually, your pup will figure out what the desired routine is.
But, if your puppy does go while you’re outside you want to reward them for their good behavior. This is an even stronger reward with the juxtaposition to your previous, boring pre-potty self.
Step 4: Use of a Crate When You’re Not Home
Using a crate while potty training your puppy can be helpful for preventing accidents and can actually control where they go while learning. While everyone would love to stay at home with their pets all the time, for most people it isn’t possible.
Crate training gives your puppy an area that is just for them. This plays into a dog’s natural instinct to keep their space clean. They will avoid having accidents in a crate that is appropriate for their size.
Warning: This is not a magic solution. A puppy’s bladder and bowel control will not defy logic when in a crate, you still need to be home to let them out at appropriate intervals.
Step 5: Properly Reward Your Puppy
Always reward your puppy for eliminating in appropriate areas. This will require you to be prepared to anticipate when your puppy needs to go out.
When your puppy has eliminated, immediately reward them with a small treat (we recommend training treats to avoid giving your puppy too much ‘junk food’). You can also implement clicker training at this point by marking the action with a click followed by a treat.
Time is everything. You should make sure you aren’t giving the reward too soon as this can disrupt and distract from the positive action you’re trying to reinforce. Too late and your puppy just things you’re giving out random treats.
You Live in an Apartment
Unless you live on the first floor of an apartment with an easily accessible backyard green space, you’ll be facing extra obstacles when potty training your new puppy. Routines and backup plans are your best friend when you live on Floor 2 and beyond.
Puppy pee pads and doggy litter boxes are a good option when your puppy simply isn’t going to make it. Dog litter boxes are synthetic grass and can be placed on a balcony or in-home like you would a cat litter box. You can DIY this or go with one of the many store-bought variations.
It’s a good idea to carry your puppy in the elevator down instead of letting them wander on the ground. While there’s a chance they will pee on you, they’re much more likely to hold it a bit longer if you’re holding them than if they’re on the ground.
You Don’t Have a Crate
Potty training is pretty much the same with or without a crate while you’re home, it’s when you leave the home that you’ll need to make some decisions. Potty training your pup without a crate is inevitably much easier if you work from home. But when you do leave the house you’ll need to set up the following for your pup while you’re away:
- Decide on a room or penned off area to contain your puppy while you’re away. (You might need doggy gatesfor this.)
- If you decide to use puppy pads, keep them in one spot not spread everywhere.
- Train your pup to use the puppy pads while you’re gone and be sure to quickly replace any soiled ones.
Tip
Use an enzymatic cleaner that breaks down even the tiniest of potty stains to ensure they do not associate certain spots with pee and thus decide that spot is an okay spot to go.
You Have to Work
If you work long hours potty training can be a bigger hurdle than for those working short shifts or from home offices. Those working full-time often put off adopting a young puppy to avoid potty training struggles. With the following in mind, remember your puppy’s potty training progress will likely be slower when you aren’t able to build a routine and let them outside regularly.
You’ll want to determine if you can come home on lunch breaks to let your puppy out and keep up the potty training schedule. Otherwise, your best bet is to hire a qualified dog sitter. They can either stay with your puppy all day or drop in as a dog walker would for a midday walk.
While you’re at work, set your pup up in a safe puppy-proofed area of the home with puppy pads.
When to Begin Potty Training Your Puppy
A puppy will typically be ready to train when they are between 12 to 16 weeks old. At this point, they have enough bladder control to be trained on when to go out.
Warning: In an effort to avoid parvovirus, you’ll want to make sure your puppies have been given all the necessary shots before letting them wander outside.
How Long Does it Take to Potty Train a Puppy?
On average, it takes roughly four to six months to completely potty train a puppy. As you move into the four and six-month marks, your puppy will be close to completely potty trained but accidents are still likely to occur. To cut down on the time it takes to have your puppy completely potty trained, avoid punishing your puppy for accidents, and use positive reinforcement when they eliminate in the designated area.
How to Potty Train Your Puppy Fast
If you’re trying to potty train fast you’ll need to be available to let your pup out every hour of the day. If you have the right schedule and a puppy who’s an especially quick learner, potty training can be accomplished in seven to fourteen days. We want to stress, however, that this is not the norm.
Don’t go into potty training expecting a quick solution. The best way to speed up potty training is with positive reinforcement. Incorporate frequent potty breaks and stay with your pup at all times to monitor for signals they need to go out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an eight-week-old puppy be potty trained?
Eight weeks is still a bit too young to realistically potty train your pup. At best they can hold their bladder for two to three hours. At eight weeks you can do your part to get them where they need to be to go—don’t expect them to notify you they need to go out. You can begin establishing routines for yourself and, as your puppy ages, they will begin to pick up on the potty schedule.
What is the hardest dog breed to potty train?
You can’t make generalizations set in stone when it comes to dog breeds. But, most dogs of a specific breed will have similar temperaments. Because of this, the hardest dog breeds to potty train are usually Jack Russell Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers.
It comes as no surprise that these ‘harder to train dogs’ are also smaller dog breeds. Small and toy dog breeds are known for being a bit trickier to potty train. This is often attributed to their smaller size and faster metabolism.
Signs Your Puppy Needs to Eliminate
As your puppy begins to associate outside with the right place to eliminate they will find ways to signal to you if you haven’t already taught them to us a bell or bark at the door. Watch out for the following common signs your puppy needs to be let out:
- Circling and whining
- Sniffing and licking their groin or rear
- Scratching or sniffing at the door
- Returning to a spot in the house where they previously eliminated
Tip
It’s better not to wait until you notice obvious signs your pup needs to go out, especially when you’ve just started potty training. Take your pup out at regular intervals to avoid the possibility of accidents.
How to Deal With Accidents
Dealing with accidents starts and ends with not punishing your puppy for their mistake. No, rubbing their nose in urine isn’t going to magically potty train them even if you’re frustrated.
If you catch your puppy in the act of having an accident in the house, make a sudden noise to distract them (not yelling at them). This should momentarily get them focused away from having an accident and give you time to swoop in a get them outside. Once they eliminate outside reward with a treat.
Be sure to thoroughly clean the area after an accident to remove any urine scent. You’ll need a cleaner stronger than your traditional surface cleaner to completely remove the smell.
Do’s and Don’ts of Potty Training Puppies
If you’re a first-time puppy owner and in charge of potty training, here are some do’s and don’ts you should follow:
- DOreinforce positive behavior as this shows the puppy when they are doing the right thing.
- DON’Tpunish them by rubbing their nose in accidents, this is cruel and they do not understand it.
- DOrecognize that accidents happen and there might be medical reasons for them.
- DON’Tneglect your puppy and think they have a bladder of steel—no one does.
- DOgive them the time they need to learn and always act with patience and kindness.
There is no set amount of time that it takes for a puppy to be potty trained. Give them the time and patience that they deserve and you’ll be in for a lifetime of happy licks and tail wags.
Show Them How To Use It
To teach your pet how to use the litter box, you have to show them where it is and how to use it. First, place their food and water bowls near the litter box so they can easily associate their potty spot with their food. Then, show them how to get in and out of the box. Once they’re comfortable with this step, you can move on to teaching them about digging and covering up.
Finally, remember that training takes time! Don’t be discouraged if your pet doesn’t pick up on things immediately; keep trying until he does!
Be Consistent
The most important rule of litter training is to be consistent. If you want your pet to use the litter box, you must be sure they have access to it at all times. If the cat chooses between using their toilet and relieving themselves on your furniture, they will choose the latter.
It may seem like an unimportant detail when you’re dealing with something like this, but if your cat doesn’t know where they can go when nature calls and instead has been told it’s okay for them to pee in other places, then chances are pretty good that they’re going to end up peeing all over the place! So how do we make sure our cats know where they can go? We need a few things:
A clean litter box (you can buy special kinds designed for cats) and fresh litter pellets or crystals every day
A location for said box—it should be easily accessible, so even older pets who might struggle with stairs still have no problem finding it on their own
And the consistent placement of said box throughout any given room in which you wish them not only find but use regularly as well!
Warning Signs to Watch Out For
Even after your dog is a pro at knowing when and where to go, you should keep an eye on their urine and stool. It may seem gross, but as a pet owner it can actually help you monitor your pet’s health.
Noticing continuous diarrhea, blood when urinating or defecating, and other warning signs can help you catch problems before they progress to more severe and obvious symptoms.
Keep an eye out for:
- Increased amount of urine
- Increased frequency in elimination
- Blood in either urine or stool
- Change in consistency of stool
- Straining
- Discoloration of urine or stool
The changes in your dog’s elimination could be caused by anything from separation anxiety to Cushing’s disease. Certain medications your pet is on can also affect their elimination (which will likely be addressed upon prescription).
If you notice unusual or alarming changes it’s best to contact your veterinarian immediately. Your vet will be able to conduct a urinalysis, CBC, fecal sample analysis, or any other necessary testing to determine the root cause.
How to train your kitten to use their toilet at home
To litter train a kitten, follow these steps:
Set a routine
- 1. As soon as your cat arrives, show them the litter boxesby placing them in it and allow them to sniff and inspect the
- 2. To avoid confusing them,don’t move the boxesonce you’ve shown them to her.
- After mealsand when they wake up from naps, place your cat in one of the boxes. Pick them up and put them in their litter box if you observe them acting like they needs to go, which could include sniffing or squatting in a certain place.
- Let your kitten sniff around in their litter boxand choose what they want to do.
- Rewardthem for using it anytime you see her. Praise and encourage them with a toy or a treat.
- Try to place your kitten into their litter box at hourly intervalsthroughout the day to get them into the habit. It reinforces the sense of what and where it is, even if they are unlikely to go every hour.
Don’t scold or punish them for mistakes.
Accidents do happen and it is okay. Don’t scold your kitten. This will just increase stress and anxiety, worsening the condition and making training more difficult. Because cats don’t identify punishment with the incident in question, it won’t help them learn not to do it again.
How to potty train older cats at home?
Typically, older cats are experienced litter box users by the time they come to live with you, but if the cat in question was previously an outdoor cat, you may face a litter box training problem.
Even yet, cats have all of the instincts necessary to quickly learn what a litter box is for. The most difficult part may be getting them used to the litter. In such instances, start by filling the box with outdoor soil.
As your cat becomes accustomed to using the litter box, gradually replace more of the soil with cat litter to allow her to become accustomed to the new surface.
How to clean a litter box?
It’s critical to properly maintain the litter box. This will not only help to erase the terrible “cat odour” from your home, but it will also make using the litter box more enjoyable for your cat.
- To remove your kitten’s deposits, scoop the box once a day.
- Soiled litter should be replacedas needed, usually when it stops regulating odour.
- When you replace the litter, clean and disinfect the box.
- Use water and mild soap, or a water-white-vinegar solution.
- Use caution while using bleach, commercial disinfectants, or other strong chemicals that may hurt your cat.
- Clean spots outside the box where your kitty has had accidents with an enzyme cleanser.This cleaning will remove the odour, which if left unattended may tempt cats to return to that location.
Tips for Toilet Training your Cat
- Maintain a clean litter box, but keep in mind that many cats dislike the smell of powerful disinfectants or even fragrances.
- Make sure the litter box is out of the way and away from the eating area.
- Check to see if the litter box is big enoughfor the cat.
- Make sure the box’s sides aren’t too highfor a kitten this age.
- If your cat prefers to excrete in one location, make it as uninviting as possible. Alternatively, relocate her feeding bowls or bed to the location; most cats will not litter their eating or sleeping areas.
- Try to keep any changesto the cat’s routine to a minimum, and keep an eye out for any new cats in the neighborhood.
- Change the type of litteryou’re using. Some cat litters contain deodorant, which may repel your cat.
- If you catch your cat in the act, splash him with a gentle water sprayfrom a water pistol or bottle spray to shock him. This won’t hurt the cat, but it might stop them from making the same mistake again.
If none of these tactics work, have your cat examined by a veterinarian to make sure they don’t have a medical problem.
How to litter train your cat?
Because this is a normal activity for cats, they can be simply trained to use a kitty litter box or tray. Because of their tendencies to release bodily waste in dirt or sand, many cats and kittens will use a litter box without being taught. It is possible to train them to use a litter box by putting them in a litter box and following a schedule every day.
Reward Them
Once you have successfully trained your pet to use the litter box, reward them for their good behavior. Giving them a treat is a great way to let them know that they are doing well and it will encourage them to continue using the litter box.
Sometimes just showing praise and affection is enough of a reward for them; however, if you want your cat to associate their potty training with something more exciting, then consider giving them a toy or game of fetch as a reward for going in their designated area. If you want something more luxurious like cuddles or snuggles, this can also be considered an appropriate reward for successfully using the litter box after training!
Use a Routine
There is no denying that your pet will benefit from a routine. Like you, they promptly need their daily food, water, and bathroom visits. If they don’t get them on time, they can become anxious and even sick.
But having a routine isn’t just about keeping your pet healthy — it can also help with litter training! When you keep to the same schedule for feeding, watering, and potty breaks every day (and night) of the week, it helps your pet learn what’s expected of him — and makes his life much less stressful.
When to Start Litter Training Kittens
In the first few weeks after birth, mother cats stimulate their kittens to eliminate, and they clean them up afterward. During that time, kittens don’t need litter boxes.
You can start litter training kittens at around 4 weeks of age by offering kitten-friendly litter boxes. This coincides with the time that kittens start weaning.
If you adopt an older kitten or adult cat, you can start litter box training as soon as you bring them home. You will need the right cat potty training supplies to be set up before they come to their new home.
Final Word
Litter training your pets is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. By teaching your pets to use a litter box, you can rest assured that they will always have a place to go when they need to relieve themselves and that you won’t have to worry about accidents on the carpet. It’s also helpful because it allows them to go outside more often and explore more of their surroundings.
Not only does it make life easier for everyone involved, but it also gives you some time alone! This may sound silly, but cleaning up after your cat or dog daily can take quite a bit of time out of your day if you don’t have help from someone else in the household or if no one else lives with you.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
