A few difficulties - Amber Stage

[Rhapsody]

Not for sure what advice to give you as the Amber Int Disc made all the difference to my two cat getting used to a hole being where their litter is... they are now using the regular Amber Disc with no problems what so ever.

[catsx2]

It seems that the amber stage is the worse stage because of the size of the hole. Why doesn't LK just include that intermediate amber disk with the kit initially instead of having to order it, wait and start over again. This unit certainly isn't inexpensive and to throw in one more disk seems like a good idea.

[Jen83]

Hello,

It seems to be a very common problem with cat's freaking out when the hole is introduced. My little boy was perfect with the red phase but we have had some trouble with the amber.

All I can say is I think it will be worth it. Even though the whole process risks your sanity - think of it as character building.

From what I've read there are several things to try:

*Intermediate orange disk
*Regressing to previous stage
*Old disks under new disks - this worked for me to at least get him to pee with the amber disk - I put the red directly under it then slowly moved it down over a few days until it was right at the bottom of the bowl. Then i subsituted it for toilet paper floating on the water with some litter rested on top.
*Plastic to cover the hole and introduce slowly
*Only using treats with toilet training has helped me - no treats at other times.
*Plastic water bottles/foil on the floor or dishes on the floor
*Cat deterant spray on floor
*I've also tried letting him start to poo in a regular litter box and pick him up and place him on the toilet before he starts. He'll continue to poo but wont seem to get up there by himself.
*Removing all rugs etc from bathroom floor
*I've tried (now dont laugh) showing him the instructional dvd again so he can see other cats doing it.

Is there any other stratigies to try that I haven't mentioned?

At this stage we are peeing in the amber and holding on and going on the bathroom floor for poos.

Any advice would be great. Keep your chin up everyone! It'll be worth it... even if it takes a year to train them.. whats a year in the 15 or more so years of a cat's life? Expecially the grand or so it costs for litter - 15yrs = $15000 for litter over a cat's lifetime. Thats money better spent on toys and good treats!

[Rhapsody]

Hey Ragdoll -

I might have some advice for you after all.... when one of my cats started using the LK unit and a spot on the living carpet as her litter box I solved the issue by keeping an eye on her through out the day and when she would walk over that way as to go potty I would pick her by the nap of the neck carry her to the bathroom this way and place her on the LK unit (hold her there for a few seconds) then leave the room with the light on and shut the bathroom door with her in side.... she eventually started to use the LK unit with in 15 minutes of being locked in the bathroom. "she such a smart girl"

FYI - if she pees in the sink or bathtub just keep them filled with some water.