training

Is it possible to train a peekapoo puppy with a puppy play pen and litter box? We work out of the house a good part of the day and would not be home to let her outside.

I would like to litter train the puppy because we live in a heavily wooded and tick infested area. I'm thinking of having the crate and litter box in same play yard so puppy isn't confined in crate all day.

Help!




Hi
It's possible that you will be able to successfully housebreak your puppy to a litter box, and I do understand your reluctance to leave her in a crate for long periods while you work.

However, not all puppies take to litter boxes (but pee-pee pads are even less successful), and you will need to be very consistent in placing her in her 'box' after she eats/drinks/plays etc. It's important to make sure that she doesn't eliminate on the floor or in other areas of her playpen, as this will lead to confusion on her part. And set up bad habits that will be difficult to break.

Ticks are definitely a problem, and you don't want her running around in tick-infested undergrowth. However, if you have a fenced back yard, or can fence off an area for her to use as her 'potty spot', that would be even better.

Crate training is definitely the simplest and quickest way to potty train a puppy, so if it's even possible for someone (maybe a neighbor, friend, relative or even petsitter) to visit during the day and give your pup a potty break so that you can use a crate, that would be the best solution. Your puppy will be able to 'hold it' for several hours within a few months, so this would only be necessary for a fairly short while.

Failing that, you will have to do your best with the litter box until she can use the crate for longer periods. You will probably find my Potty Training page helpful, and my New Puppy Care page has lots of tips and advice on raising a puppy.

Best of luck with your new puppy.