[princess]

I've just adopted a 2 y/o Spaniel mix female. She seems housebroken, though I've only had her for 6 days so cant tell for sure. She sleeps inside and hasn't wetted or soiled so that seems a good indicator.

I've been reading here about litter training and it seems many are opposed to it if the dog is housetrained. I'm not sure why it would confuse the dog to poop/pee in a litter box that is placed outside.

I was planning on getting a sand box, like the Turtle shaped boxes, putting sand or litter in it, and having her use that as her poop area. I have a sectioned off area of the patio for her use during the daytime and she currently consistently uses a particular area for toileting now. I was planning to put the sand box there, making cleanup easier. I was also going to put some artificial grass around the area for her to scrape off her feet, like she always does now except on the patio tile.

Does this sound like a feasible plan and how can I train her to do so? Thanks.

[briteday]

Our dogs have their own place in the yard to go. It is a small area where we put gravel, then sand, and one side has grass.

So, I don't think that having the dog go in a sandbox is odd. However, it's curious that the dog will go on the tile patio. I'm guessing this was a shelter rescue that was accustomed to piddling on the concrete floor. Whether it works or not is another story.

To make it work the dog must realize that the box is "the spot." I would take a few samples of her work and put it in the box to encourage her. You could also put an ex-pen fence around it so that she has no choice but to stay there until you let her out. And when she does business then you need to praise her like she found a million dollars and give her a treat.

[princess]

Thanks, briteday.

yes, she's a shelter rescue dog. and also the patio is only place she can go for now until i set up something better, so that explains why she's going there.

so it seems the sandbox idea could work as long as i wait there until she goes. phew, waiting around for a dog to go poop. can't wait until this is over with. at least when it is, then cleanup will be easier and there won't be an unsightly mess on the patio.

[battlemonkey]

That's a good idea, especially if you're limited on space like in an urban area, kinda like I am.

We live in a condo, but thankfully we have both front and back yards so there's room for the dog to go. Mind you, no "dedicated" dog areas like I've read so many people have on these boards, which is definately a good idea. I think somebody was saying that in their building, there is a dog area where they have poop bags and whatnot. That's such a good idea! Mind you, in a small building like mine (only 10 units), and only owners are allowed to have dogs (most units are rented), there really is no need for a dog area on the premises.