Training Your Dog to Use a Litter Box? Secondnature Litter
Written: Nov 13 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Able to have a dog in an apartment or mobile home park
Cons: Bowel movements are a little smelly until disposed of
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| djgeiger's Full Review: Second Nature Purina Secondnature Standard Dog Lit... |
What a unique concept. The first time I noticed the litter at Pet Smart I was highly skeptical. I went home giving the concept of litter box training a dog an occasional thought. The occasional thought became a compulsive thought when I realized what this could do to help people that are in the position that we are.
I love all my pets. I really missed not having a dog. When we moved to California to be near my parents we didn’t feel it would be a good idea to have a dog in a mobile home park. Neither one of us likes the concept of walking a dog to do it’s duty in a populated area. I enjoy walking a dog for exercise but not for eliminating on lawns and picking up after it. The thought became a total compulsion when I realize I could have a dog now!
I knew it would have to be a small dog. I also felt it would be easier to train a puppy in this new concept of litter box training than a full-grown dog. I’m sure it is very possible to train a full-grown dog. I keep imagining a full-grown dog saying when I point to the litter box; “you want me to do WHAT in THAT?“
After much discussion and puppy shopping we decided on a Toy Fox Terrier. She is so adorable and she was no bigger than a hand full when we brought her home. We named her Trixie. We bought the Ralston Purina Litter Box Training System and set up the box before we even picked her up.
The heavy plastic molded creamed color litter boxes come in three different sizes. The largest or the standard size is for a dog up to 35 lbs. The size is 22”x28”x9” and the cost is $19.99. The standard size comes with a little front gate that snaps in place. I presume it is to keep the litter from getting all over.
The second size is the one we bought. It is the miniature size for dogs from 6-15 lbs. The size is 20”x24”x5” and the cost was $16.99.
The smallest of the litter boxes is the toy size for dogs up to 6 lbs. The size is 15”x20”x5” and the cost is $12.99.
Trixie could have used the smallest box but we felt it would be easier to buy the next size up. She looks so tiny now but she will grow and as an adult the middle size box will be more comfortable for her to use.
The Secondnature litter comes in two sizes. It comes in a bright 12-lb. size for $5.49 and also in a 25-lb. size for $9.99. When you purchase the litter pan a $3.00 rebate is available when you purchase 2 bags of litter. The slip for the rebate is on the litter pan when you purchase it and is also available from the second nature website. www.doglitter.com/rebate.htm
The litter itself is bigger than I had expected. The diameter is about the size of a pencil. The lengths are varied the biggest being about two inches. A smell is there but is so close too inert it is hard for me to detect it.
The litter is made out of a minimum of 70% of consumer products. It really does absorb pretty well. All the materials used were recycled. Wood pulp and paper pulps are the primary ingredients. The dog’s liquid waste is supposed to go to the bottom of the litter box and then is wicked up into the litter. The solid waste is just scooped out and disposed of. The litter swells and the color changes when it becomes saturated with urine. The litter should not be flushed down the toilet. The litter is said to be non-toxic.
A training manual comes with each purchase of litter. Following the advice works pretty well except for they suggests crating the dog. I don’t doubt that this method will work. I personally just don’t believe in crating a dog. I use a very personal method to housebreak. When I am ready for a new puppy the first two weeks I set aside for exclusively training the puppy. I have her with me all the time, 24 hours a day. I can feel a slight agitation when she needs to eliminate. I take her to her litter box. Since I want her to use the litter box inside the house before I take her outside to play I take her to her litter box. After she eats each meal I take her to the litter box. It has worked extremely well. The training manual has lots of helpful information on how to properly litter box train a dog.
The concept behind crating or using a confined space is pretty simple. It simulates a den environment. If you don’t use a crate confine him to a small area. Start training your puppy on your days off. Another words purchase your puppy when you have time to dedicate a lot of attention on training. Trixie got a pretty good idea with in the first 24 hours. No accidents have occurred after about 2 weeks. If your dog has a bowel movement outside the litter box, place a portion of it in the litter box and flush the rest. Clean the soiled area with vinegar so that the puppy will not return to that spot. Use lots of praise and practice plenty of patience. Never strike a puppy for any reason. You will be the ultimate success of training your puppy.
The creation of the Secondnature litter and training system took years of research. I think it’s a great idea and has given me the opportunity to have a dog again. The cats were a little curious at first but prefer their own litter boxes. I think if you give this new system some thought and give it a fair try you will like it as much as I do. Secondnature isn’t just a litter it’s a system!
Recommended:
Yes
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djgeiger
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Member: Diana Geiger
Location: Huron, South Dakota USA
Reviews written: 150
Trusted by: 343 members
About Me:
I am a writer and the Exotic Pets Editor for BellaOnline.com.
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