Litter and crate training

[Tweezle]

I'm planning on litter training my chihuahua, Maximus, and I also think that crate training him would be a good idea. But all of the websites and articles I have read on crate training include him being trained to go outside. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can litter train him AND crate train him without confusing him?

[Shahoa]

Well you do basicly the same thing as when training them to potty outside, except instead of taking him outside when he wakes up or after playing or eating, put him in the litterbox. when he does his business, praise him, maybe give him a little treat. Also give him a treat when he gets crated, he needs to associate it with good things. Alot of dogs, especially small ones, usually love their crates. Dont crate him as a punish ment, or he may learn to dislike it. Litter training is kind of like litter training a kitten, except a bit harder because dogs dont scratch before they "go", tho little dogs like minpins and chi's kick with their back feet after they go.

[Daethian]

Our Chi's thought the litter was to eat ... ugh not good...we gave up on the litter training. We had hoped to use it as a back up if we were gone for too long. Now we just take up the rugs and put down some paper by the door (with a trash bag liner under it) and they will use that. We even tried paper in the litter box for a bit, nooo they just drug that out and shredded it LOL

[Tweezle]

Maximus and his brother Don Juan (my neighbor bought him) spend days together while I'm at work, and so far they're both very good about doing their thing on those puppy training pads. The only problem is, they won't go near the litter box, even when I put those pads in it. I saw some spray that's supposed to make dogs want to go where it's sprayed... does that really work?

[Daethian]

We tried spray too and didn't have any luck :(

[Tweezle]

Dang. I knew it sounded too good to be true!

[brandy pup]

I would personally train ght pup to go outside first nd let him get potty trained then incorporate the litter box.