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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2011 15:50:07 GMT -5
So my newbie Dixie has been home approx. 2 weeks. Her and the girls have been restricted to a single level FN with a hammock. My goal has been to form a strong habit of going in the litter box. In two weeks we've had 1-3 accidents. They got one of the shelves back as well, and so far so good.
My question is how to approach the next step - the second FN level? Its so much space. The food and litter box will probably stay on the bottom level, and sleepy areas will be up top. Should I just open it up and hope Dixie goes down to potty? She is not really deterred by blankies and toys in corners. They will get moved and/or pooped on. Any suggestions?
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Post by Sherry on Mar 18, 2011 19:36:34 GMT -5
First- don't add any shelf up there yet. And if you want her to stay good- why not just move the food to the floor of the second level? Feeding dens, dishes, etc. She'll be less likely to potty in her feeding area, so I found that really helped with mine.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2011 21:52:26 GMT -5
Okay, I'll take down the shelf. How long until I add it back?
That's how I used to have it, but the feeding den/area has been on the bottom level I don't want to change too much.
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Post by Sherry on Mar 18, 2011 22:07:52 GMT -5
I'd give it a couple of weeks at least. I started doing the food on the top when I first got the FN, Every so often I switch it up, and make the top a play area, as well as a sleeping spot, and the bottom pottying, and the bottom shelf for food. They seem to adapt to it really well. I've also switched it out so the potty is on the top level, just to give my back a break with the cleaning ;D They do well with that, also.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2011 22:11:09 GMT -5
I prefer the litter box on bottom (I'm short so the trip down isn't that far  ). The feeding area I don't really have a preference. If I had to chose, I'd rather it away from the litter box so it doesn't get all dirty and icky. After the shelf is back in, how do I go from the 1 level FN to the 2 levels? I'm just worried about overwhelming her with the space and I don't want her to get in any bad habits of pottying in the wrong areas. My other two are 99% in the box and only have accidents when they're sick or the box is too dirty. |
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Post by Sherry on Mar 18, 2011 22:53:37 GMT -5
Simply by introducing new levels one at a time til she has access to the full cage. That includes hammies, etc., by the way.
Litter box boot camp, for example, has ONLY the bottom level. No hammocks etc. Next step is ONE hammock, then the shelf. Once they are good with that, the ramp is opened and they have access to the next floor level. Then another hammock, etc., til they are good with the whole thing.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2011 22:58:45 GMT -5
Okay. My girls free roam for a good portion of the day (6-8 hours average) but I just feel so guilty locking them up all day on the tiny FN  I will just have to slow down. I started with nothing. After 5 days of good potty habits, they got a low hanging hammock. I've been keeping blankets to try to deter Dixie from using the other corners (it helps that Pixie likes to sleep in the corner, so I don't think Doxie will poop on her  ). |
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Post by Sherry on Mar 18, 2011 23:02:51 GMT -5
She'll be pretty ticked off if Dixie does ;D
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Post by katt on Mar 19, 2011 3:25:46 GMT -5
I had to go through this with Kenai. Koda took to it automatically. I showed him the litter box, and he never ever had an accident in his cage after that. Until Kenai came home and taught him bad habits. Out of the cage is a different story.  You will probably have to backtrack a lot. I also use actual blankets in their cage and stuff the whole level full of bedding and toys Except for the litter box. AFTER getting them to USE The litter box of course. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2011 3:35:41 GMT -5
Dixie is doing pretty good. I expected a couple accidents, and to be honest, i can't be sure those few accidents were Dixie and NLT protest poops from Pixie I can't wait until they can use the whole FN again. I will say, it has definitely helped them bond. The only real comfy spot is a round cup hammock and they all manage to cram themselves in it. Dixie sometimes passes out after eating/pottying Pixie had always been good at pottying. Trixie, too, for the most part. It seems like Dixie is not going to be much trouble. I didn't have the FN when I got Pixie and Trixie, so they were already trained. I do NOT want Dixie to pick up bad habits. One thing I noticed and am grateful for is Pixie doesn't mind Dixie using her corner. Pixie and Trixie use separate corners for the most part. Dixie just goes wherever. I'm glad Prissy Pixie doesn't mind sharing  |
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Post by katt on Mar 19, 2011 3:49:54 GMT -5
;D Koda minds sharing.  He minds sharing a litter box. Period. He is such a pooper about it. It must be CLEAN. When Kenai came home if it so much as smeled like Kenai touched it he would avoid it. Thank goodness THAT stopped for the most part! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2011 4:20:35 GMT -5
Hehe, Koda is the king. You can't DARE expect him to share a toilet |
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Post by Sherry on Mar 19, 2011 10:49:13 GMT -5
And I thought Boris was a Mr. Priss  |
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Post by katt on Mar 19, 2011 18:38:49 GMT -5
And I thought Boris was a Mr. Priss Yeah you are telling ME! He went from being Mr. 99.9999% Hit Rate, to Mr. I-can't-touch-something-HE-touched... He would sniff it, realize Kenai touched the box (even if it was totally clean  ) and then poop right next to it.  |
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You will probably have to backtrack a lot. I also use actual blankets in their cage and stuff the whole level full of bedding and toys Except for the litter box. AFTER getting them to USE The litter box of course. 