A friend of mine has successfully paper trained two small dogs. I would love to get a small dog - but I work two days a week. I have considered paper training as an option. I would like some advice on whether this is a feasible option. Also - what kinds of dogs would be suitable for this method of training? Would the dog see this as the only method of elimination - would it be confused when it was encouraged to eliminate outside when I am at home? I live in a flat so it would be also helpful in the training period.

U can paper train a small dog very easy. My aunts shihtsu (sp) is paper trained as well as outside. My male boston terrier is paper trained as well as outside. I found that out because I was paper training a puppy because of the snow and Dozer went over and peed on it lol :D I don't leave paper down at all. But if I only had the one dog I would probably use a litter box and paper train the lil one for when I am not home, I have 5 dogs so prefer them to go outside.

If u want the pup to learn to go outside clean the area real good in the house and pick up all paper when u are home. This way the pup learnes when u are home to ask to go outside and when u are not home then the paper is made available. It just depends how much u are on the ball with it, rememeber it can take a good 6 months to a year to fully train a pup outdoors. I found they take to paper real fast since most breeders pretty much have the pups using it. When I had a litter I would give them an hour 4 times a day to run around my living room with paper down and they all used it, mind u I still had the odd accident which is to be expected.

I would definately stick to a small breed ( like a shitsue (sp 4 all) yorki, lhasa apso, maltese, bichon, boston, ect) for paper training and use something like a litter box (a big open one) for the lil one to use. :)

ttfn :)

hi athene i have a 5 month old mini dachs who is paper trained. he is 100% on the paper now and took to it really quickly but he will also happily go outside. we live in an appartment so it's really useful.
we still try to take him out as much as poss, at least once every 2 hours so he doesn't actually use the paper all that much. it is very useful tho if we are out or can't be watching all the time.
one thing with paper training tho - if we go to someone else's house he can't just go on the floor which means putting down paper if we go to visit or watching him like a hawk.
i have had a few sunday papers and magazines spoilt before i've read them because i've stupidly left them on the floor and archie has come along and peed - of course you have to really praise him because he's gone on paper! he can't tell if it's today's paper!
one thing i'm not looking forward to tho is when he starts cocking his leg - will be getting a high sided litter tray for that!