TOILET TRAINING

Enric Girona recently donated his prototype pet commode to El Vendrell, Spain, hoping to spark worldwide interest. Conscientious owners can train their dogs on the station (a hole in the ground with a flush handle) connected to the sewer system, as is the drain grid next to it (for tinkling). The platform, which looks to occupy about 20 square feet of surface, is self-cleaning (though not too clean, said Girona, because dogs are lured by a lingering scent). Spain is already among the world’s toughest on lazy owners who don’t scoop up after their pets, with fines in El Vendrell as high as $1,000; in Madrid and Barcelona, $2,000.