A training toilet for training a dog, cat or other animal, or for a young human child. A space above the first layer receives the trainee, and, upon receipt, activates a switch. The switch includes a pressure actuated mechanical switch or a motion detector switch, which changes state. Based on the change of state, a microcontroller operates to play a number of recorded responses, such as audible recorded encouragements to the trainee, played upon the start of use and exit from the top layer of the toilet. A programmed timing lapse for the plying of audible recordings ensures that the exit message is played only when there has been a predetermined lapse time between the entrance and exit of the trainee. Different modes are provided by different combinations of the recorded messages and different delay periods for the playing of encouragements, which are based on the mode switch operable by the user.