B@ndit my little Zuchon

I wish I had more advice to people who are or thinking about litter training thier puppy.  I know for myself there was not alot of information out there.  The best one I found was www.doglitter.com It’s from Purina who makes the litter so I was a bit skeptical from the start but honestly it was probably the best information.

All I can do is tell you want we did and hopefully it will work out as well for you as it did us.  I guess one other thing I want to mention is I read somewhere how bonding with your puppy should be a fun enjoyable time but how potty training can stress the relationship.  I thought about that with previous pets and found that to be so true.  I love puppies but I never looked forward to potty training them.  This was different, almost easy, unbelieveably easy.  I never felt the strain.

  We set up an area for him. In the living room.  We have an open floor plan so it actually sits right in between the living room and the dinette. (Busy area where families gather, so puppy does not feel isolated)

It is actually a kids play yard (Once upon a child $30) that we found out needed to be a little more reinforced since he was so small he was able to slip through the bars.  We bought some screen and ducktape (Hardware store $15). Piece of mind (Priceless) LOL had to do that!  Anyway.  We had the place all set up for him before he got home( minus the screen).  Toward the back was his litter box, on the left side of the play yard was his dish for food and water, on the opposite side was his crate, and in the middle some toys.  The first thing I did when we got home(Saturday afternoon) was put him in the litter box and said “go potty”.  He just sniffed around and jumped out.  I then continuously watched him like a hawk.  When ever I saw him even remotely looking like he was sniffing or squatting I picked him up and placed him in his litter box with the command “go potty”  If he peed or pooped in there I would clap and dance around like an idiot and praise him lavishly.  He seemed to catch on quite quickly because later that night while he was playing with a toy he stopped, ran to his litter box and peed!  I did my idiot dance and praised him more!

That’s about it!

We are going on 3 weeks and have had very little accidents.  When he does it usually due to us not supervising him close enough.  If we are right by him though he always goes to his litter box.

When he does have an accident I put him in his play yard with the door closed and clean up the mess.  Then let him out again.  No yelling involved.