Using 'astroturf' For House Training

[poochmad]

Hi all. In two weeks I am getting our Field Spaniel.

I am looking at using an astro turf box (that you purchase from pet stores) to have in his puppy pen for when we're at work.

When we're at home he will be taken outside and trained to go on a particular area on the grass.

My question is, will this confuse the pup using different materials (one grass the other fake) or will it not matter?

Any thoughts/assistance/experience welcomed.

PS. Whilst we're at home he will also be crate trained.

Thanks!

[ellz]

You're only creating more work for yourself and the puppy.

Just work on teaching him to be reliably trained when you are home and holding it when you're not and he is inside and you'll be fine.

[poochmad]

What do I do though when I'm at work? I can't presume he will be able to hold on all day...(he's inside while we're at work in his puppy pen).

[Aziah]

Put newspaper down incase he needs to go while you're out...simple, inexpensive and easily disposed of :cool:

[trishalouise]

We did it and it worked great. Fake grass in puppy pen for when we weren't home and access to outside when we were home. She ALWAYS used the fake grass when she was locked in her puppy pen and ALWAYS went outside when we were home. I made my own though - Indoor Doggy Loo. Good luck.

Trish:)

[puggy_puggy]

Um why not use newspaper? Much cheaper and easier to clean up.

If you are really worried you could put a plastic tarp under the newspaper.

[trishalouise]

Newspaper is fun to rip up!!

[ellz]

Newspaper is fun to rip up!!

Shredded newspaper is more absorbent.

[Papi_Searcher]

Newspaper is fun to rip up!!

Shredded newspaper is more absorbent.

I had the shredded paper problem, which I counteracted by putting it in a plastic tray device not unlike a puppy training pad holder except with a plastic grill over.

http://www.crittercottage.com.au/product.aspx?id=59

I didn't pay 90 bucks for mine though

Last pup we used puppy training pads - all I can say is what a waste of money and we are still trying to get the adhesive off the polished wood floors.

Newspaper rocks.

Edited July 16, 2008 by Papi_Searcher

[poochmad]

Thanks for all your comments...we did consider the newspaper, but have decided on the Pet Loo.

Since we are commuting back and forwards from Canberra to Goulburn, we have decided to go this way. He will be enclosed in a puppy pen as well until he's 4 months old. When we're home, he will be taken outside to use the grass. We have decided that he will be enthusiastically praised when he uses his indoor loo and then when he goes outside, we will praise as though he's just won Olympic Gold. I figure that he will learn that going on the pet loo is great, but going outside is even better.

(When he's four months old, he will be given access to the backyard via a doggy door and the pet loo will be removed.)

The reason we have decided to keep him inside for 4 months is that Goulburn is quite cold at night and I can't just 'duck' home to check on him. I'd rather have him inside (nice and warm) in a safe place until he's old enough to go in and outside of his own free will. By the time he's 4 months old, it will be spring and he will be more confident.

I'll let you know how I go with this arrangement.