LITTERBOX TRAINING

We begin our litterbox training with the "Misty Method".  In a nutshell, it helps guide the puppies in their preliminary potty training from as early as 3 1/2 weeks old.  We set them up in a specialized area that has their crate/bed, food and water, and play area.  They also have a potty station.    This gives our puppies a head start in knowing there is a specific place to "go".
 

Mother with young babies using the Misty Method
 

Once the puppies are 6 weeks old, we begin to crate train them, and continue with the litterbox.
 

 

These are 6 week old puppies with a small litterbox.
 

 

These puppies are a little older, with a larger litterbox.
 

We encourage our buyers to set up a "puppy area" in their house, preferably a small bathroom or laundry room with a baby gate, or an exercise pen (pictured below).  This allows the puppy to be contained in a safe area, and doesn't allow it to wander about the house, looking for a place to "go".
 

 

This is one example of a "puppy area". 

This is also known as long-term confinement.  This is where puppy goes when nobody can be watching him.  It is safe, has a potty area (which can be a litterbox, or potty pads), crate/bed, and water.  Toys are also recommended in this area.
 
**By 8 weeks old, our puppies are using their litterboxes very well.**
  
The key to successful potty training is supervision, supervision, supervision, and proper containment.  It is also crucial to have a feeding schedule, as this will directly affect the elimination schedule.
 

 

This puppy got caught using the litterbox!! Here's his VIDEO.
 

Puppies are generally safe to wander about the house, under a watchful eye, AFTER they have gone both pee and poop in their box.  Once the owner is done interacting directly with the puppy, it should be put back in the "puppy area" so any accident will happen on a cleanable surface.  While some accidents sometimes happen just outside the box, most of our puppies know how to use the box, and hop in there to "go".
 

We also recommend keeping the puppy on a leash at the very beginning so they cannot wander off to unseen parts of the house.
 

 

Chloe on her leash, hanging out upstairs with us.  She can't wander off, and we can keep an easy eye on her at all times!!
 

This is a letter we received from a buyer after her puppy arrived and was settled into her new home.