Indoor Potties for Dogs! A Doable Alternative?

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| Print | By Jo Singer | June 18, 2009 4:27 PM

I am constantly blown away by the many variety pet products on the market designed to make life easier for owners. As I have lived with cats for most of my life, and never had to worry about "housebreaking", since most cats are instinctively "hard wired" to do this on their own. But of course with the canine species this is not the case. Proper house-training is essential.

This morning, after washing and changing our three litter boxes, I grabbed a second cup of Java, went online to check my email. While perusing "new mail" I ran across a fascinating advertisement for an indoor potty for dogs.

What a concept! My curiosity piqued, I immediately googled "indoor potty solutions for dogs". I was amazed at the many products available for dog owners as an alternative to the great outdoors when the weather is nasty or for those who live in high rise apartments where it may be a juggling act to get Fido to the street in time to relieve himself. Yes Virginia, there are litter boxes for dogs! It is also suggested that this may be a really good way to start house training a puppy.

Most pet stores carry litter boxes for dogs. They are readily found on the Internet. It is important to choose a box that is appropriate for your dog's adult size. There are commercial litters brands on the market designed specifically for dogs, using recycled paper pellets, wheat and corn based litter, cedar chips and pine sawdust. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests that using clay litter be avoided since those dogs prone to eating clay litter may develop intestinal distress, or even an obstruction in the lower bowel.

Training a dog to use a litter box is very similar to traditional house training. Learning to recognize the signs that your dog needs to go "potty", such as sniffing the floor, or circling, is the time to put your dog into the litter box. After the dog finishes a meal is another good time to introduce the litter box.

But wait . . .

There are many other products available to train a canine to use indoor "facilities", for both the convenience of owner and dog. Many of them are pads that are covered with either real grass or artificial turf.

The Wizdog: According to the manufacturer, the Wizdog indoor toilet can "alleviate many of those puppy housebreaking problems - without any extra work from you! It's a smarter, cleaner and more efficient way to house train any puppy or older dog indoors." This device is suggested for those dogs required to "go potty" indoors. Whether inside the house, in a pen or garage, this is an efficient training tool as well as an indoor solution. It is also perfect for young puppies who have not completed their vaccinations, much safer than outdoors. Learn more about this product by visiting: http://www.squidoo.com/wizdog

PETaPOTTY is an indoor "toilet" for dogs that is a patch of grass housed in a shallow plastic container. It has a slide- out- tray underneath which catches the drippings. It comes in three sizes. The prices range from $179.99 to 259.99 depending size. Real grass or synthetic grass is available. Read more about this product by visiting: http://www.doggienews.com/2005/01/petapotty-indoor-dog-potty.htm

The UGODOG is another indoor potty for dogs which is carries a smaller price tag. In 2008 pads for this product ranged from $0.30 to $0.50 per pad. Read more about this device and reviews by visiting: http://monkeeworks.com/goUGODOG

What are your thoughts about indoor "toilet accommodations for dogs? Leave a comment and share.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (224) , Dogs (40) , Product Reviews (7)

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Vicki June 18, 2009 5:41 PM

Wow, These are pricey. I saw some similar products at Wal Mart for $39.00, small size. Some of these are going for over $2000. I usually put puppy pads down for my two little ones and they are very good at using it. I thought about getting one of these, but heck, seems like a lot of trouble and expense. I think I will stick with the puppy pads.

Ruth from England June 19, 2009 2:17 AM

It never ceases to amaze me that all these inventions keep coming along for the convenience of lazy owners.When we had dogs we took them out regularly to do their business from being puppies.Some people seem to feel it's compulsory to get a pet and then shove it in a cage if it's a cat or a crate if it's a dog, to be taken out when convenient. Here all our pets are part of the family and have the freedom of the house and garden the same as the human members do.

Fran Willows England June 19, 2009 2:45 AM

What a pile of poop! please pardon the pun but honestly what is this world coming to? Declawing, debarking,tail docking all things done for convenience of owners and now a dog loo. Has nobody ever thought that these dear creatures need exercise, or have their owners thrown out their brains with the garbage! ENOUGH! this has to stop, just let animals live their lives the way they were meant to. They need exercise, especially dogs, and if anyone is irresponsible enough to have a dog and live in a condo, well they need a therapist.

Amy June 19, 2009 6:09 AM

I think the idea might be good for people who own small breeds. Dogs need to get out and romp, sniff and run around. This is something I would never ever buy and use.

Babz June 19, 2009 10:53 AM

The world has gone babanas! Why on earth would anyone want their dog to "go potty" indoors? Why make extra cleaning for themselves and invite nasty pongs around the house when it's so much simpler and more natural to take your dog for a walk! What worries me with all this "potty" talk is that dogs are going to get phobias about using these inventions indoors, then we'll be getting more dogs with IBS or constipation.
And to market them for people who stuff their dogs in pens or garages is just plain irresponsible. Dogs need exercise, take them for a walk, take a supply of poop bags with you and save yourselves money.

Babz June 19, 2009 11:08 AM

Haha, of course I mean bananas! Though babanas is quite a nice word I must say, pity it doesn't exist :-)

BK July 9, 2009 4:50 PM

The idea of indoor potty training is good for those who are single and work a full time job. Being away from home for 8-9 hours a day does not allow someone to take the dog out whenever they need to go to the bathroom.

st July 29, 2009 4:51 PM

I'm wondering about using for an older dog post-surgery,
in my house which has alot of stairs. Any thoughts

Usenext July 29, 2009 7:12 PM

Hey, ok, I get it, I guess - but does this really work?

RKR July 30, 2009 2:25 PM

I would get one of these do to being single and working full time. I think it's not fair to leave a dog indoors 8+ hours without a way to go to the bathroom. Of course he gets a morning and night walk when I'm home and a 3rd one on the days I don't work. so it's not about being lazy like some posted here. It's about letting the dog be able to go when he needs to and no one is around to take him out.

Barb August 5, 2009 7:23 AM

Many years ago a friend's grandmother had a regular litter box for her small terrier. This was used as a backup for late nights or bad weather when the lady couldn't walk her dog safely.

potty training puppies September 11, 2009 1:35 AM

"> potty training puppies
wow... find it interesting... hope it'll be beneficial for me and my friends...

JMcD September 12, 2009 3:03 PM

I think this concept is great!! If it really works. I walk my dog everyday for at least 2 miles. We have a nice size yard and let our dog out all the time he needs. However, when we leave our house for visiting, shopping, recreation, or god forbid there is an emergency and can't get home in time to let the dog out, this litter box would be an excellent pet releaver. (I would rather have the dog go in the box rather than my furniture).

Melanie September 27, 2009 9:34 PM

This is very interesting. I have had 6 puppies of my own in an apartment and struggled to find a good potty puppy system for them.

Jan October 11, 2009 6:36 PM

Remember those of us who live in frigid temps during the winter. In Wyoming, the wind could blow at 25mph--making the temperature around zero or below at times. Combine that with the snowfall, and having an indoor potty for my critters is humane--nothing negligent about it!

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