Hi there, I'm not actually a dog owner (yet?) but I was wondering if any has ever heard of/attempted to train their dog to use the toilet, as in the porcelain flushing toilet we humans are so fond of. I know cats can be trained to do so.

Lol, I'm sure you probably can, but why would you want to? I know I certainly wouldn't want to use the same toilet as my dogs. I've never heard of anyone training their dog to do that.

I don't know how you'd get the dog to jump on the toilet and not fall off. Plus what happens if someone is taking shower and the dog REALLY has to go. I also have a hunch he'd miss quite a bit (my cats tend to let their bum holes hang over the litter box edge and poops land on my floor). I also think it would be difficult to make the dog actually stay on the toilet during training. They need to pace and such and that can't be done on a toilet seat so I think he would be reluctant to go there. I would not do it, going outside works just fine for me

I think most dogs would have trouble balancing on the toilet seat. Really, it's not such a great idea with cats either because if they get old and arthritic they may not be coordinated enough to use the toilet, but maybe refuse to use the litter box.

I would think you'd need to train them in two steps.....to go on the toilet and then the follow-up care. (If you sprinkle when you tinkle, please be a sweetie and wipe the seatie.) No, I don't think it's a good idea in all seriousness.

What Treats To Use For Training?

I've tried Milk-Bone products where it claims to have REAL BONE MARROW. But the dogs only show interest before feeding. After feeding they don't really pay much attention to the treats.

I wanted to use these to train them the basic commands and it isn't working because they lack the interest in these treats. I bought these because they are 10 calories each compared to some other treats that are much higher. I was trying to feed in small portions so that I can reinforce the behavior better several times a day.

Any treats you guys particularly know that dogs will love and isn't fattening and available on the shelves of a store?

String cheese is a good treat, just cut it into small pieces. You can eat it too.

Also Wellness has some jerky products, (I use salmon and venison) good ingredients, no artificial junk.

A dog goes into the future and bites his own tail, when does he feel it?

Diced cheese (I would eat the string cheese so for us its a no go) Diced hot dog, diced roll over, kibble soaked in bacon grease, dehydrated liver, liver treats I make my self, cooked chicken hearts, salmon treats I make myself, and on occasion, pounce cat treats.

I got a question;

When you guys refer to these cheeses, do you mean the ones we can eat like say by Kraft? I thought dogs weren't allowed to eat human food but I know they do anyways. Is it safe to just buy string cheese at a local grocery and just feed some to the dogs?

I also noted that I can never get her to lay down because when I put the treat next to her nose and then move it down to the floor, she just gets up to follow closer to it or just bends down to eat it while sitting. At least she's sitting?

I'm sure they do. I don't think the ingredients in dog cheese and human cheese differ greatly, maybe just nutrients added for their diet.

I'm just trying to promote healthy treats that will get their attention because if she's any part corgi, being overweight is a no-no. But I just also noticed something. Maybe a treat they eat too often gets them not wanting it just like how we eat something often and get over craving it. I guess I should try new things but I don't know where to start.

I really don't want to make up a recipe or follow one. I'd more than prefer to just buy something in the local store or even online store that you guys know of.

I did hotdogs, string cheese (per the dog trainer - we HAD to bring those with us). She used freeze dried liver treats and ALL the dogs went crazy for that.

When trying to teach to lay down - get into a sit. Take the treat to the nose then bring it down and push it back - that worked for one of my guys. They had to scootch back and then they went into a lay.

Lately I've been using low-sodium hotdogs, thinly sliced, microwaved until they're quite crispy (so they keep longer and don't get my hands greasy). They're pretty cheap and a very high-value reward to my dogs.