Skip to content

Litter box training advice

Basenji Training
  • I recently got my basenji an indoor dog potty from www.ugodog.net. She is 7 years old & has fanconi, so she pees a lot now & I imagine it could even increase in the future. Also, she hates snow & rain (big surprise there), so with winter coming up I wanted to work on an indoor option for her. She does have a doggie door, but when I am not home I believe she rarely goes any farther out than the deck.

    I am wondering if anyone here can offer any tips on how to get Cleo to use the indoor potty. I expect it to be a bit of a challenge considering she has been effectively house trained for almost seven years. I have tried collecting a specimen & putting it in there & she will smell it but when I tell her to "go potty" she looks at me like I'm crazy & then starts running for the back door. Any advice that anyone can offer would be appreciated!!

    Sarah

  • Nature's Miracle makes grass scented pee pads don't know if it will help. I know they do help puppies to get the idea that they should go on grass so maybe they would work in reverse.

  • that sounds like it would be worth a try, I will look into those. Thanks!

  • And you might want to try putting it outside and try getting her to go on it there and then try moving in inside….

Suggested Topics

  • Any Advice?

    Basenji Training
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    We simply ignored ours when they were begging for food - so now one lies at our feet, and the other lies somewhere in the area. After we are done, they get a little bit in their bowls - this has stopped them constantly trying to climb into our plates. Dog naturally try to get into trash cans - we got the kind you have to step on a lever to open the top. Then we turned the top toward the wall, and they wasted some time trying to open the part with the hinge, and now have given up on it. all the other advice above is great.
  • Litter box training

    Basenji Training
    25
    0 Votes
    25 Posts
    17k Views
    T
    Yes, they will use it for poop - but if they have diarrhea they might not be able to make it to the box! Of course, the best thing is to figure out what's causing the diarrhea, which I'm sure you are working on. Half an Immodium usually works for ours if it's a temporary stomach upset from eating something they shouldn't… Terry
  • Troy's crate training, need some advice

    Basenji Training
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    11k Views
    nobarkusN
    @tanza: Crate training is something that "if" possible all dogs, not only Basenjis should learn… in your case Shaye's Mom, as you will I am sure read of hear from other Forum members there are some that you can just not crate train.... but the reasons are many, not just house breaking, but a safe place if you are having work done in the house, no worries about someone leaving a door open... work in the yard, no worries about someone leaving a gate open... traveling, all should be confined/restrained when in a moving vehicle, visiting with family/friends... by taking the crate along there is always a place that your dog is familar with and comfortable... Most responsible breeders have usually started crate training before you get your puppy... so usually they are somewhat used to them... however this is one reason I will never ship a puppy as cargo... and people need to personally pick up a puppy... one great way to freak a pup out (in my opinion) is remove them from their litter mates, stuff them in a crate that they have no idea what it is, haul them to the airport to be put in the belly of the plane.... well, you get the idea... Of course that said... there are just some that can't be crate trained and have never had a bad experience You're absoluty correct Pat. I had 3 that I could not for the life of me crate train. Crating would have been wonderful.
  • Clicker training

    Basenji Training
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    4k Views
    lvossL
    Edward, Positive reinforcement methods like clicker training work wonderfully with basenjis. All four of my basenjis are clicker trained. I guess you could even consider Sophie to have started before birth since I was clicker training her mom while she was pregnant with the litter. The purpose of the clicker is to mark the behavior that you want so you could also just use a word like "yes" or "Yay" or "good dog" followed by a treat. I use clicker training to train a variety of behaviors such as sit, down, attention, name response, stay, stand, go to mat, front, point, hand targeting, and the list goes on. I also use it in agility training.
  • Training Levels

    Basenji Training
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    4k Views
    WBLW
    Wonderful site!
  • Need some advice…

    Basenji Training
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    8k Views
    QuercusQ
    <> He may not find a kong with PB all that important. I am sure there is something out there, that he would find rewarding enough to go into the kitchen when he KNOWS he is going in for the day. Try a raw marrow bone...like a knuckle or femur that you can get from a butcher. Try not feeding him at all, until he goes into the kitchen in the morning...if he wants to eat, he has to go into the kitchen. Other than that, it sounds like you are handling it very well. He may have to wear a lead to get him into the kitchen, then you can remove it. I imagine he was allowed to pretty much do whatever he wanted in his last home...so he is confused with the new restrictions, and boundaries you have put in place (ones that he should have had from the beginning). It is hard when a dog has to start from square one, especially when they have learned that using their mouth can get them what they want. Good for you for hanging in there. He will eventually learn that he has to cooperate. I would definitely use his food for reward for good behavior. Doesn't mean you have to withhold his food if he doesn't cooperate...but you can use his food to help him realize what you want him to do.