However smart your pooch is, it is not likely that he’ll cross his legs and hold his bowels and bladder until you come home from work. You’ll probably find some messy and smelly gifts on the floor of your apartment or house, instead.
In order to prevent these situations you will have to teach your dog to do his business in a designated area inside and provide him with his own potty and motivate him to consistently use it. Here’s how.
Choose an area which has a floor that is easy to clean. It is best to use an area that’s large enough so one end can be the lounging and playing area, and the other end can be used for going number 1 and number 2.
You’ll need a litter box that’s big enough so your dog can comfortably stand in it. If you don’t have one, you can use a plastic kiddie pool.
If you have a puppy or a small dog, make sure the edges of the box are low enough so he can easily climb into it.
We’ll also need to line the litter box with a pee-pad to absorb urine. These pads are usually scented with an attractant and have waterproof backing and leak-proof edges.
Next, we’ll need some substrate in the litter box that’s similar to the material your dog is used to go potty in. If his outdoor potty is a grassy area, place a sod square in the box to mimic his previous outdoor bathroom.
Place a soiled rag that was used to clean up one of his ‘accidents’ in the litter box. The smell will tell your dog what this new strange box is for and will stimulate him to use it.
Watch your pooch closely and when he seems restless and starts sniffing, circling or scratching at the door, put him in the litter box. When he finally goes, praise him and shower him with treats to reinforce his successful behavior.
Last but not least, always try to keep your dog’s potty clean. If it’s dirty, he might refuse to use it and find a different area for his business. Then you’re back to square one and you’ll need to wipe the slate clean. Figuratively speaking…