Automatic Litterbox Central

I've been an avid Litter-robot fan for many years. We have 3 cats that also love the box. We recently added a small dog to our family. She will be about 10 lbs fully grown and smaller than our big cat. My husband suggested the other day we train the dog to also use the litter-robot. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work? What steps did you take in training the dog? So far I've set treats on the edge of the litter-robot and made her step up and look into the litter-robot. With some gentle pressure I also made her step up and into the box. She can easily get in and turn around and get out. So far she just wants to get out asap. So far my thoughts are when I let her out of the crate first thing in the morning to put her in the litter robot and try to make her stay in till she goes, but I don't want to frighten her.

I've heard of people training their dogs to use an open litterbox, but not a LR.

I think if you force her to stay in the LR when she doesn't want to, she will simply become frightened of it or she will associate it with punishment. I would suggest accomplishing the task in stages.

First, you may want to get her used to using litter. I would do this in an open litterbox. When she wants to go outside to relieve herself, take her outside and wait until she's ready to do her business - and then place her in the litterbox. It may take days or weeks for her to get the idea, but that's probably the most difficult step. It may help to first get her used to the empty and clean litterbox by tossing treats into it for a few days.

Next, when she wants to go outside, occasionally place her in the open litterbox (situated next to the LR) until she's comfortable using the box indoors. The final step would be to remove the open litterbox and to introduce her to the LR. It might help to first empty and clean the LR and then toss treats into it so she's comfortable entering and leaving. You may find it helpful to add a larger step or ramp leading up the opening.

And of course dogs always react positively to praise. Praising her whenever she shows any interest whatsoever in the litter, litterbox, or the LR will speed things along.

Be aware, there's likely no going back. Once she sees the LR as a place to relieve herself you probably cannot put that toothpaste back into the tube. (visual imagery prohibited) And if she, like most dogs, likes to kick dirt around after doing her business, you may end up with litter all over the floor. But if you can identify that behavior with the open litterbox, you'll know she's not a good candidate for the LR.

That's an interesting project. Good luck, and let us know how it works out.
- Jack

Maybe what you're looking for is the PottyPorch...the self-rinsing grass potty area for dogs. http://www.porchpotty.com/

More seriously, I used to know someone who had pugs that all used litterboxes. They make special litterboxes just for dogs (more like kitty ones than the one I linked above but with higher walls than the kitty version) and there are sites dedicated to doggie litterboxes.

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/can-your-d ... page1.aspx
http://www.kturby.com/litter/litter.htm
http://www.smalldogsparadise.com/dog-tr ... itter-box/