Litter Training Puppies/Dogs

proudlez71 · 08-14-2011

I have a Torkie (Toy Fox Terrier/Teacup Yorkie) he is about 6 months old and only weighs 4.1 lbs. I got him when he was 8 weeks old and by the time he was 12 weeks old he was litter trained, mainly I did this because of how tiny he is he can be prone to overheating in high temps and sensitive to extreme cold which where I live we have all seasons, also since I am in an apartment I don't want him in and out in bad weather ruining the carpeting at my cost. He is neutered and I thought that would cease the raised leg when urinating but not always. Now at 6 months old the issue I am having is that there are times where he will only get half way into the litter box and the pee will end up outside the box on the carpet. Any suggestions on how to break this? I really like that he was so easy and quick to train but would love to find a way to break this bad habit, not that it always happens.. thanks

reeskujo · 08-14-2011

You cannot train a male dog to not lift his leg..What you may think is a bad habit is something that is completely natural and intinctive for a male dog to do...The only thing neutering may do is cause them to lift their leg a little later then an unneutered male might but it certainly does not prevent the behavior nor is it the reason for neutering a male dog.

proudlez71 · 08-15-2011

the lifting of his leg is not the habit I am concerned about... when he is in the litter box as tiny as he is the urine remains in the box so not too concerned about a natural instinct... sorry I wasn't clear... my concern / habit I want to break is where he will only get into the box with his front paws and back paws out of the box and won't go into the box all the way at times and pees outside the box... again sorry about the misunderstanding

Also as far as lifting the leg , I had a larger dog a black lab/ golden retriever mix that was neutered at a young age before he learned to hike his leg and he squatted to pee from puppy till he passed away... the vet told me at the time 14 yrs ago that he may have never hiked his leg due to being neutered so young 12 weeks old... I waited with my current dog till he was 4 months old and I didn't have him neutered for that reason. I was first of all required to do so by the management of the apartment complex where I live... not allowed to have dogs but due to mental health issues (agoraphobia) my doctor signed off on a service dog for my needs.. the other reason I had him neutered even if they didnt require it was studies have said that neutering or spaying before maturity can extent the life of your pet/loved one.. so I want you to know it wasn't to prevent lifting the leg was just hoping for the same results as my previous dog.. not an issue tho was just hoping lol... all good and again just concerned on how to break him of only getting half way into the box instead of the whole way in to do his business

reeskujo · 08-15-2011

I'm sorry about the misunderstanding as well...Is it possible that he may not be wanting to get in the box all of the way because he has already peed in his box? Some dogs can be very funny about wanting to step in the same spot they've already peed in..If that's not the problem you might have to retrain him so to speak.. You can try bringing him to the box when he doesn't have to go,use a treat to lure him all the way into the box and then give him the treat once he's in..Do that a few times and then if he'll pee with you watching him,when you know he's going to use his litter box follow him with a treat and if he goes all the way in reward him with it..If he doesn't go all the way in see if he'll let you pick him up to put him in and then give him the treat when he's in with all fours.

proudlez71 · 08-15-2011

thanks I have been doing that.. the thing sometimes is catching him in the act lol... when I do catch him I will look at him and will say get in , repeat as necessary and finally he will get in finish going and then I will use a very loving high pitch voice praise him and then give him a small treat to reward him... just not sure if there are other things to assist beyond what I am already doing... sorry I didn't mention this earlier but felt I was long winded enough already in previous posts lol

Lunareclipse · 08-15-2011

Replace your litter box with a rubbermaid tote. Cut a hole in the side low enough for the dog to get in, but high enough that it would extremely uncomfortable for him to go unless he is all the way in the box. We had to do that because we have a cat that gets in the litterbox but hangs her rear over the side and poops on the floor anyway. Works like a charm. Maybe it might be a solution for you. And rubbermaid totes are bigger. For some reason dogs think they need a lot of room to pee.

proudlez71 · 08-15-2011

thanks for the advice... good thing is that I have alot of totes from when I moved in I used them to pack things in lol... I will give that a try and repost with the results... thanks

Lunareclipse · 08-16-2011

I can't wait to hear how it goes.

proudlez71 · 08-19-2011

so far no more half in half out accidents... I went to the pet store and got this spray that is supposed to stop dogs from going where it is sprayed... so I sprayed in the areas where he had a few accidents while training then sprayed on the floor around the litter boxes... so far he still uses the litter boxes but wont hang half out ... hopefully this was the solution I needed... thanks

Lunareclipse · 08-19-2011

That is just great! I am glad you found a solution.