It's said that Brussels Griffons are often difficult to housebreak or cannot be housebroken. Therefore, anybody who wants perfection in that area needs to look for a different breed. example: A woman got rid of her seven year old toy poodle. Why? It had pooped on her kitchen floor sometime during the night and, at breakfast, the woman had stepped in it. I wish she had called me! Accidents happen. I would have been so pleased that it wasn't on the carpet! What a smart dog!  Remember *It is our perception of the behavior that makes the difference. *  Brussels Griffons often hate the rain. Watch out for accidents on those days! Litter Box Story: I got my BG when he was already an adult. Before I got him I knew that I would train him to use a litter box. We built a 4' x 4' sandbox, lined it with heavy plastic, put clumping cat litter down, then covered that with newspaper. Inspiration! A woman taught her dappled dachshund to ring a counter top push bell that she put on the floor by the door. Anytime the dog wants out . . . "Ping!" Now that's a great idea! We covered a teepee type           We covered a teepee type structure and placed it in the middle of his litterbox . . . his own fire hydrant, so he could lift his leg. He adapted instantly. (Note: if you can't keep up with overturning and changing the paper daily, don't use the clumping cat litter under the paper! Clumping litter in dog paws is not a good thing.) After a week or so, we reduced the size of the box to 4' x 2'. He has no problem using it . When he was home alone, we left a paper-lined, cat-style, plastic litter box in the house for him. He never used it. He seemed to think it was his fancy bed.  Oh well, we can't win 'em all! ~ Griffon-tastic update: We had another Griff stay with us for a few days. She quickly learned to use the litterbox, too. It took a couple days for her to figure out that we wanted her to go INSIDE the box.  Initially she was comfortable going outside but was doing her business on the indoor/outdoor carpeting leading to the box.

• Brussels Griffons are very smart. They might urinate if they are upset or anxious.
• Griffs often don't think of the consequences to their actions.  If they want breakfast, they may not do everything they should before they're fed.  We have to let our guy out immediately after he eats his breakfast or else!

Remember:  Do not pick up the mess in front of the pup. Puppies see it as their "gifts" Why? I've been told it is because their mother gave them wonderful attention and affection as a result. I made sure that I praised my two non-griff pups through the roof for doing what they had to do outside . . . anything inside went unnoticed (according to the dogs.)  It took me one long weekend of constant training. They were fine on their own from then on.