Training A Dog

Question: Litter box training a dog to use the same box as the cat?

(Posted by: on 2010-08-12 17:30:47)

I think I want to train my puppy, who is currently paper trained, to go in a litter box instead. Is it possible to have a dog and a cat use the same litter box? Or will one get confused by the other's pee/ poo smell? The reason I want her to use the litterbox is because she is a 4 month old puppy and some days I am out at class/ work and unable to walk her in the middle of the day. Weewee pads cost a lot of money, and since I already have a cat using a box, I'd rather her just use that. Plenty of dogs are trained to use litterboxes. It's not a new "crazy " concept. There is really no reason to be so rude. If you're just going to be an asshole then please don't answer my question. Oh my goodness, calm down first answerer person. There are maybe two days a week I can't walk her during the day. Are you saying only unemployed people should get dogs? Ridiculous. The grass things are like, $200 a piece. And yeah buying more litter is definitely cheaper than weewee pads, the dog is pretty small and litter isn't really expensive. The dog is being trained to go outside as well, she is starting to get the hang of that actually, I just need to use this as an alternative plan during the day maybe 2x per week. My family members who live close by are busy during the day as well with work, otherwise I would've asked them. Cleaning and disinfecting the box is no problem, I already do that each week with the cat, I'm just afraid that maybe the cat will use the dog's box and that will repel the dog or something. Thats really what I was asking before everyone started attacking me instead of being helpful or just not answering the question. The tip about the dog eating the cat's poo is a good point though, I hadn't thought about that. She's never gone into the litter box to eat it on her own but I guess it is a possibility that once in there she might

Posted by: luckydog on 2010-08-12, 17:33:52

It is more likely your pup will eat the cat's poop. Cat food has a different makeup than dog food...higher in protein and has a distinctive odor that is irresistible to some dogs. I would not take a chance that my dog would start snacking. It is probably best to have each animal have its own space.

Posted by: Bells : on 2010-08-12, 17:33:38

It is also possible to take your dog OUTSIDE to piss and crrrap Not sure why anyone in their right minds would intentionally train their dogs to ccrap INSIDE the house

Posted by: Annalyne on 2010-08-12, 17:33:46

It would be really hard to train your dog to use the litter box, there made for cats, not dogs. And yes he probably will get confused. its better to teach him to go outside, it will be a lot easier too.

Posted by: Rayven ~ Here we Go Again on 2010-08-12, 17:33:49

If you are going to insist on treating your dog like a cat it will need its own litter box. Dogs unlike cats do not have the instinct to bury their mess and unless you REALLY want you cat going on strike from the box, set up a second. And this dog doesn't go outside why exactly? ETA: And you think buying more litter and having to change the litter more often is cheaper? At four months old your pup can probably hold it long enough for you or someone else to come by and let her out.

Posted by: K on 2010-08-12, 17:54:40

If you really have no time to properly house train the dog, and you want her to use a litter box, she needs her OWN litter box. She can not share with the cat (and I doubt the cat will share with her anyway). Dog litter is different than cat litter and the boxes are also differently designed. You have to clean it every day, and then disinfect every week (just like the cat litter box). This is ESSENTIAL for the health of your pets.

Posted by: Dakota on 2010-08-12, 18:01:30

At petsmart they got this patches of grass with litter box things underneath for dogs. There great for this use.