Pee Wee Housebreaking Aid: potty in a bottle?

Editor’s note: Four Paws pet training product is in no way connected with St. Louis’ Four Muddy Paws pet store.

Ahhh, spring is here. What a perfect time to add a puppy to the family! While the vision of FiFi pouncing in the grass and tossing squeak toys around seems ideal; it is crucial to remember that there are not so wonderful times with a puppy as well.

One of the biggest obstacles to overcome is housebreaking. Small breeds have a bad rap when it comes to “getting it” as quickly as bigger breeds typically do. I thought that this would be a terrific time to introduce (what I thought was going to be) a very helpful housebreaking product called Four Paws Wee-Wee Puppy Housebreaking Aid. The product is sprayed outdoors in the area that you want your dog to “go” and the ingredients of the spray lures them to that spot on each “outing.” Being sensitive to my dog’s health, I sought out exactly what ingredient magically causes dogs to pee where you please.

After some queries, I found that Pet Connection carries the item. I called up a customer service representative for Four Paws, identified myself as a newspaper columnist, and asked the million dollar question: “What is the ingredient that lures dogs to go where it is sprayed?” She placed me on hold while she asked her supervisor. I waited. And waited. And waited some more. She finally returned to the call shifting her previously pleasant attitude into an attitude just shy of snotty. “I cannot divulge that information to you.” Excuse me? “You mean you can’t tell me what is in this housebreaking aid?” “No, I cannot give you that information.” Whatever. I thanked her for her help and decided not to quit.

No amount of searching got me closer to the secret ingredient, and frustration set in. I wanted to actually try the product on a dog before I reviewed it, but I wasn’t about to spray random chemicals for my dog to constantly sniff. Increasingly, my curiosity bordered on the edge of obsession--I was on a mission to get my paws on a bottle of this stuff to uncover the mystery ingredient.

Off to Pet Co. I went. Four Paws Wee-Wee Puppy Housebreaking Aid was one of only two such products that they carry - the other was out of stock. I picked up the bottle of Four Paws Wee-Wee Puppy Housebreaking Aid thinking the ingredients HAVE to be on the label. NO INGREDIENTS!!! I asked the kid scooping the dead goldfish out of a huge tank about the product. Of course, he had no idea.

I shuffled back over to the peepee aisle. I picked up the plastic bottle to examine it again. Standing with the spray bottle in my hand, I decided to spray it into the air. Squirt!

OH MY GOD!! I know why the ingredients are not listed anywhere!!! It almost has to be rejiggered dog pee!! The smell was horrible and, not just similar, but identical to dog urine. Obviously Four Paws did not confirm this, but I think they have bottled dog urine, put it in a spray bottle and are selling it for about $8.00 a pop. To say I was repulsed is an understatement and I refuse to try the product until Four Paws comes clean

Ultimately, there is no iron-clad shortcut for potty training. The best way to housebreak your dog is old-fashioned patience, timing and rewarding for going potty outside. While struggling through this stage of a new dog’s development, please do not rub his or her face into her own waste if a mistake is made, that old-wives method is just plain cruel. Unconditionally love your new pet with an open-mind and open-heart. I promise the love will be returned three-fold. Keeping some spot remover handy for the times when there are little accidents (and there will be many) is an absolute must.

Wags and Wiggles, Rachel

You can e-mail Rachel at rachel_pelzz@hotmail.com, www.shoppupfiction.com