Small dogs, probably pugs, specifically...a question

[Rachel]

I know some small dogs are trained to use paper, but I haven't heard about using a litter box. The problem is if you are thinking of getting puppies, you have to be available to train them to use the paper just as you would to get them to go outside. Taking on more than one puppy at a time would be a significant challenge. There are other issues with raising a puppy other than simply providing a place for them to *go* and these issues require considerable supervision. I would strongly suggest a grown dog for someone in your situation.

[Cataholic]

I can't use a doggy door, as I don't want a kitty door!

As for puppies vs. grown dogs, and I am a fan of rescues, I guess my fear is that I can't know for certain how grown dogs will react with my cats, or my son. Yes, I realize there are no true certainties, but, puppies growing up with a child and cats might be a surer bet.

[Giselle]

I know some small dogs are trained to use paper, but I haven't heard about using a litter box. The problem is if you are thinking of getting puppies, you have to be available to train them to use the paper just as you would to get them to go outside. Taking on more than one puppy at a time would be a significant challenge. There are other issues with raising a puppy other than simply providing a place for them to *go* and these issues require considerable supervision. I would strongly suggest a grown dog for someone in your situation.

Agreed!! Puppies are A LOT of work, especially multiple puppies. To be honest, I really would not dream of taking on more than one puppy at a time. They're called "landsharks" for good reason

Plus, there are a lot of adult pugs up for adoption and most of them are housetrained and, more often than not, are used to living in homes and usually are not as destructive as puppies. But, to answer your question, yes, dogs can be litter trained. We litter trained my Pekingese, but the process of cleaning out the litterbox was more trouble than it was worth so we got rid of it.

ETA: On the contrary, I've been told (and have personally experienced) that a well-evaluated adult is a surer bet than a puppy. Please do consider adopting..

[lizbud]

No offense,but I don't think you should get "some puppies" at all. If you
won't have time to train them properly or even get to spend time with them,
don't bother.

[Pam]

No offense,but I don't think you should get "some puppies) at all. If you
won't have time to train them properly or even get to spend time with them,
don't bother.

Sorry, but I'm with Liz here. Cats are more appropriate for someone in your situation. Also, as WolfQ said, dogs and cats cannot share litter boxes. The first thing my vet told me when I added cats to my 'dog household' was to make sure the dogs never had access to the litterbox for just the reason she mentioned.

[caseysmom]

Yes my dogs are definetely cat poop eaters, it is disgusting. I think a well evaluated adult dog would be a good option, I swore after I had Bubba I would never own another puppy. He chewed up the bottom of my dining room chairs, 5 of my daughters school books and the list goes on.

[shais_mom]

1) Let us not forget this is NOT Johanna's first dog. So I think she understands the difference b/n dogs and puppies and cats.
2) I too was a bit at the 'get some puppies'. But more on the fact does this mean 2-3- or 9?
3) I am single. I live alone. I work full time. The shift I work I wasn't able to come home and let out a puppy. Keegan is 6 years old and hasn't had an accident for years. Can a person be single, work full time and raise a puppy? You bet. Does it take maybe a bit longer than being able to be there all the time. Probably. Keegan came to me at 6 weeks old. I didn't have a choice but crate her for 8+ hours while I was working. Should I send her back now?
I just understood that I had to clean the crate. Sometimes there were messes sometimes there weren't. I don't think she has sufferered any setbacks. On the weekends when I work 12 hour shifts, she either goes to my parents or my neighbors come over to let her out.


I have every confidence that Jo will do what is right for her, Jonah and the new dog/dogs/puppy/puppies. Good luck my friend.

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

Hey, well there are a lot of good points in all these posts but I am sure you know what is best for your household.

Yes small dogs can be potty box trained. Chopper is both box trained and outside trained. He will use his box even when we are home during the day but will go out with me if I take the big dogs out. It is not hard work to train them, just the same as training them to go outside. And it does make it easier on both you and the dog when you have to leave the house for too long of a period.

Dogs cannot use the same boxes as cats, not just because they will eat the poo but because some dogs will eat the litter and this could cause an obstruction. They have dog litter but I find it more expensive then the pads. I use potty pads that I buy at Wal-Mart (32 pads for like $7) and just lay them in the bottom of the dog litter pan, change as necessary and yes they will tend to go next to it if the pads cleanliness does not meet their expectations. I use one to two pads a day (depends on how much outside time we spend). I flush the poos as soon as I see he has gone and I know that once he has piddled on his pad three times he will not - WILL NOT - use it again.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I am sure an older dog can be trained to use a box too, just may take patience because they might not understand at first why you are trying to make them go inside when they know they are suppose to go outside, but dogs are smart and I think given the guidance needed they will get the idea.

[PupPLuv]

I know someone who has a tiny dog that is litter trained. It actually works well for them, because when they're not there during the day, they just block her off in the kitchen and she goes in it. The only problem is, she doesn't like to go in the litterbox if it's not "clean". She'd rather go on the floor if there's something in her box. ((But I doubt this is a common habit...haha!)) Best of luck!

[wolf_Q]

Yes dogs can be litter trained. They make specific boxes and litter just for dogs. I wouldn't allow a puppy to have access to a cats litter box....dogs happen to LOVE to eat cat poop. You'd just have some ill puppies on your hands if you did that. It does take a lot of work though, dogs are not as easy to train for a litter box as cats. My grandma tried it with her chihuahua but wouldn't put the effort into training him so she gave up. You would have to be home and put in the time to train them to use a litter box just like you would to train them to go outside.

I agree with others that a small puppy, especially more than one, would not be the best idea in this situation. Look into some rescues that use foster homes. If the dog has been fostered around cats and children and has been good with them that would be a fairer bet than a puppy IMO.