Puppy Afraid of Litter Box

[AliKat485]

I just got my first puppy 2 weeks ago. When we got him, the previous owner said that he was litter box trained, but obviously he is not. He is only a little over 2 months old so I know that he does not have good control of his bladder, this is not the problem. When we put him in his litter box (the same litter box his previous owner had) he cries and runs out as soon as possible, if you hold him their he will cry and try to claw his way out. He refuses to use it unless you hold him there for till he just can't hold it anymore. He also will run from me when I am trying to pick him up to take him there. I've never hit my dog or even loudly scolded him.
It is too cold here to take him outside, I especially don't want to take him outside because he hasn't had all of his shots yet.
Please help me figure out how to get him not to be afraid. Thank You.

[BreakingDaHabit]

My guess is the previous owner did something to scare him in the litter box.

Try newspaper and see if there is a different reaction.

[Norman]

Try giving him a small treat while he is in there (easier said than done when holding him in there!!) and when he does go in there maybe two treats so he knows going to litter tray is not scary actually get goodies and if I pee/poo in there too I get extra goodies.

[Kayl]

I agree--sounds like something terrified him when he was in there at some point. If the treat thing doesn't work, newspapers or puppy pads might.