How to potty train a dog or a cat?

Potty training, also called house training, is one of the most important first steps after adopting a puppy. Although teaching your dog to eliminate in the right place and time requires patience and consistency, it is a crucial base for a good bond with your puppy as they grow. Litter box training a kitten might also seem a difficult task, but when following several simple steps, it becomes straightforward and easy to execute. In both cases, devoting your time and energy to train your pet at the beginning is worth it, as it can save you a lot of trouble in the future.

TOPICS

• Different methods of potty training a dog

• Tips for a successful potty training of your dog

• Preparation for litter box training your cat

• Steps to successful litter training

Different methods of potty training a dog

There are several methods of potty training a puppy or an adult dog, among which crate training and paper training are the most frequently chosen. As with any other types of dog training, both have pros and cons, but sticking to the common rules makes them easier and can guarantee a success.

Crate training

Crates are the most popular puppy housetraining tool, even though some dog owners have hesitations when it comes to confining their pets in a crate. However, if used properly, they are safe, harmless, and, contrary to what their opponents think, completely humane. Getting your new puppy used to a crate will also be beneficial in the future, as you may need to use them for visits to the vet or travels.

Crate size

The reason behind the success of crate training is that dogs, being very clean creatures, does not want to eliminate in the space where they live. Therefore, it’s extremely important for the crate size to be well adjusted to the size of the dog. It cannot be too big, otherwise the dog will urinate in one corner of the crate and rest undisturbed in another. The crate should not be too small either – the puppy should be able to easily lie down, stand up and turn around in it. You might want to consider buying a crate with partitions, which you can easily adjust when your puppy grows.

When to go out with the dog?

When in a crate and feeling the urge, your dog will usually signal that to you by whining or scratching. That is the sign for you to take them for a walk to a potty area. It’s important to do so as soon as you get the signal from your dog, as delaying and letting your dog eliminate in the crate might make them think it’s okay for them to do that. Remember that puppies don’t have a lot of bladder control and it’s difficult for them to hold it for a long time, which is why you should act fast.

It's important not to use crates as a punishment and thus nourishing in your dog negative associations with them. The crate should be a safe and comfortable space for the dog, where they feel secure.

Paper training

What is paper training?

Paper training is another method used by many owners to potty train their puppies. The use of potty pads can come in handy especially for those owners who tend to spend long hours outside, or who don’t have time to go out with their puppy-dog for a walk every time they feel the urge.

When to use paper training?

It is crucial to emphasise that paper training should not be used along with crate training, as it may confuse the puppy by allowing them to relieve themselves in specific spots at home, and thus make all the effort pointless. Because of that, this method should be used only in cases when the dogs have to be left alone and unsupervised at home, and when taking the dog outside is not an option.

Tips for a successful potty training of your dog

Apart from choosing the right method of potty training, it’s also crucial to stick to several tips that would make training your puppy easier, quicker, and successful.

Setting up a schedule

To ensure success, it is important to set up a training schedule for your puppy. It is not only patience and consistency that count in potty training, but also your devotion and engagement in the task. Puppies, especially the small ones, have tiny bladders, which means that they need to urinate much more often than adult dogs. It is recommended to take your puppy out on the following occasions:

• first thing in the morning,
• just before bedtime,
• after eating and drinking,
• after any vigorous activity,
• after waking up from a nap.

Controlling the diet

Controlling the diet of your new dog is an essential element of potty training, as well as a part of a housetraining schedule. Make sure to give your puppy food at specific times every day. It’s best to divide puppy’s feeding schedule into three small meals that will be easy to digest. That will not only allow you to control the times you have to take your dog out to eliminate, but it will also bring structure to the puppy’s day. The quality of the food is also extremely important. Always buy high-quality puppy food appropriate for your dog’s age.

Giving praise and rewards

Similarly to any other type of training, potty training should be based on positive reinforcement if it is to bring expected results. Every time the puppy does the right thing, reward them by either giving them a small piece of their favourite treats or lavishing them with praise and hugs. After the dog eliminates in a potty area, allow them some off-leash playtime, either in a safe outdoors area or back at home.

Make sure that they associate potty-training with fun and positive reaction from your side. For this reason, don’t scold your puppy or punish them if an accident happens – just clean it up, making sure to get rid of the scent. Be aware that this is part of the training process and embrace yourself with a lot of patience and understanding. Punishing your dog when they urinate or defecate at home might lead to behaviour problems, including anxiety.

Preparation for litter box training your cat

After becoming an owner of a new cat, one of the most urgent issues is litter box training your new furry friend. Although training a cat might seem a difficult task, it results fairly simple and straightforward, mostly due to cat’s nature. Most kittens are litter trained by their mothers in the first weeks of their lives. Other kittens or adult cats that were previously outdoor cats should learn to use the litter quickly, as their natural instinct will prompt them to hide the evidence of their elimination.

When to start litter training kittens

New-born kittens in the first weeks of their lives are usually taken care of by their mother, who makes sure to stimulate them to eliminate and cleans them up afterwards. During this period of life, kittens don’t need to use the litter box, and it’s recommended to start the training from the age of 4 weeks on. When adopting an older kitten or an adult cat, you can, and should, start the training as soon as the new pet arrives home.

Equipment you’ll need

You will not need elaborate equipment or expensive supplies to litter box train your cat, but it’s important to equip yourself with several essentials. Make sure to follow our advice to choose the best options both for your wallet and your cat’s preferences and health.

Litter box

It is recommended to have at least one more litter box than the number of the cats in the household. This means that when you adopt your first kitten, you should buy two litter boxes for them. You might be tempted to buy a full-size litter box straight away to avoid having to replace it once the kitten grows, but be aware that at the beginning it might be too big and thus intimidating for a small kitten.

There is also a debate among cat owners and specialists whether the uncovered littered boxes are a better choice than the covered ones. However, there is no straightforward answer to this dispute. You should observe your cat and see if they prefer an open litter box, in which they don’t feel confined, or the privacy that the covered litter boxes provide.

Type of litter

Choosing the type of litter you’ll be using might seem trivial, but it can determine the success of your training. Each cat has their own preferences, so your decision should be based on the observation of what your kitten likes. It’s best to start with a standard, unscented clumping litter, as it is usually preferred, or tolerated, by most cats. With time, you can explore other options available on the market, such as eco-friendly litters made from pine pellets, recycled newspapers or wheat and corn.

Treats and toys

Positive reinforcement training doesn’t apply only to dogs but also to cats. In order to make your cat associate using the litter box with positive things, make sure to reward them after they successfully eliminate in their box. To do this, their favourite snacks and toys will come in handy. Try to give the reward as soon as they finish using the litter box to build the association between the two things. Otherwise, the kitten might not understand the link. Under no circumstances should you punish or yell at the kitten if they make a mistake – these are part of the training process that you must be able to accept.

Steps to successful litter training

After having prepared for litter box training, there are several steps and tips you should follow in order to successfully and smoothly introduce your kitten to using the box.

Placing the litter box in the right locations

The location of the litter boxes within your house is not insignificant. They should not be placed in hidden spots that aren’t easily accessible for the cats, but they should provide your kitten with privacy. At the same time, remember to put the litter boxes in the places free from distractions to ensure the training process to be as smooth as possible.

Introducing the kitten to the litter box

As soon as you get home with your new kitten, show them the litter boxes, allowing them to sniff and examine them. Put the kitten inside the box and wait for them to explore it. Some cats’ natural reaction will be pawing at the litter or even using the litter box, but if that’s not the case, you may want to run your fingers through the litter, so that the kitten can imitate your movements.

Put your kitten in the box immediately after eating and napping, as they will be most probable to feel the urge to eliminate at these times. React by setting them in the litter box every time they look as if they needed to go.

Reward the pet every time you see they are using the litter box, and don’t scold them in case of accidents. Yelling at your pet will not help, as the cat will not make an association between the incident and you scolding them. Instead, make sure to properly clean the place of an accident using an enzyme cleaner to get rid of the smell, which might make the cat use the same spot for eliminating in the future.

Maintenance of the litter

As cats are highly hygienic animals, it’s important to ensure the cleanness of their litter boxes. A dirty box may discourage the kitten from using it and thus jeopardize the success of the training. Scoop the box every day or even after every use. When you observe that the litter doesn’t block the odour, replace it. Before doing that, make sure to properly clean the box using mild detergent that will not be harmful for your pet.

Troubleshooting cat’s litter box issues

Although litter box training your cat can result to be a simple task, you may sometimes encounter difficulties along the way. When your kitten stops using the box, try finding the reason behind this change and address it.

Consider changing the location of the litter box or the type of litter used. If you think your cat might need more privacy, use a covered litter box, or uncover the one you have if you notice your cat’s reluctance to confined spaces. You may also try scooping and cleaning the litter box more often.

If you see that none of your efforts brings positive results, you may need to consult your veterinarian, as such changes might be caused by parasites, urinary track problems, or other health issues.

Potty training is one of the first and most important trainings you will do with your pet. It can be a perfect opportunity to teach your cat or dog good habits and to establish a bond between the two of you. Using positive reinforcement method, along with your patience and consistency will be the keys to success.