Housebreaking in the winter

Rose Madder

I've been looking into adopting an older dog, but I might have to settle for a puppy. The breed I want is very uncommon, but I see puppies on a pretty regular basis. I am well aware they are much more work than just having an older dog, but I really want my dog :P

I've been researching on housebreaking for a bit now, and decided that if I do end up getting a puppy I will gate him off in the kitchen until he is housebroken. My question is, it will probably be winter when I do get my dog (or puppy). How much more difficult is it to housebreak a puppy in snow than it is in the summer? I don't really want to wait again till late spring to get my dog. I've also read that it is quite possible to train smaller dogs to use a litter box. Would leaving a litter box in the kitchen surrounded by newspapers work as well? LoL, sorry I am a dog newbie here :P

Reefer

It isn't anymore difficult than in the summer, it's only a lot colder. Getting dressed at 4 A.M in the morning in winter clothes because it's 5 Fahrenheit and 8 inches of snow outside, and the dog needs to twinkle is an experience everybody should have at least once in their lives.

Can't comment on the litter-box for dogs though, never had one, and never will.

Both my dogs were house trained in the winter, and as long as you take them out after they've slept, been playing, and have eaten it's pretty straight forward...

Rose Madder

LoL, thanks for the encouragement, Reefer

Tess

Its only harder in the winter to the extent the cold affects you and the dog. If its a cold hardy breed, the dog won't be bothered by it, but it does make the trips outside more troublesome for the person. If its a dog who gets cold easily, then yes, it can make all their little sphincters tighten right up and make it hard to pee!

We house trained a puppy in December in NH, during an ice storm, when no one, not even a dog could stand up, and we still got the job done! All the principles are the same... confinement inside, then outside to pee, then back in for more freedom and playtime. Its all about setting the dog up to succeed and preventing accidents. You'll be fine!

Rose Madder

Thanks, Tess! I just wish dogs came automatically programed like cats lol

Criosphynx

My dogs which are housebroken fight me tooth and nail every winter not to go outside....and Iam in sunny Ca...


like mentioned before, depends on the dog...box training is becoming more and more popular...I also paper trained when I had my puppy....not too hard

Tess

Yes, wouldn't that be nice!
Well, actually they do come somewhat pre-programmed... you just have to help them expand what they consider to be their "living quarters", while also showing them the "right" place to go.

Really, if you have not done it before.... housetraining can be quite simple, if you do it right... or a nightmare if you make a lot of mistakes early.
You have time to read up on it, yes? There are lots of good articles/parts of puppy book etc. The basics can actually be done in about a week, if you are totally on top of things. Then it takes a few more months before pup has the bladder control to last a while, and also until he/she develops the communication skills to tell you when he/she needs to go. But truly, you can get the pup patterned correctly in a very short time.
Housetraining truly is about the owner's diligence!