Help!! New Dog!!!

[Louise]

We just got a new puppy yesterday, and we need all the help we can get! We have never had a dog before. He was born March 23- so he is four months old. The guy at the pet store said as soon as he eats to take him outside. And he said to feed him twice a day. Leave the food in his bowl for 1/2 hour and then remove it.

Yesterday the dog peed in may places- I think because he was very excited. after munching a bit of supper he pooed on the carpet, before we had a chance to bring him outside. Last night he went to sleep in his doggy crate. He whimpered for about twenty minutes and then stopped. This morning as soon as we got up, we took him, outside and he peed, and we praised him. Then we brought him in to eat, and as soon as we brought him in he pooed. then I took him back out. Then I brought him in to feed, and then took him back out.

My daughter is ten and is absolutley thrilled with him, and is constantly playing with him and watching him. Is this bad?

I need all the help and suggestions I can get. What is the correct way to train a daschund? When is he considered no longer a pup?

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Hi Louise Congrats on your new puppy!!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif
The key is to do like u are doing LOTS of trips outside ... also if u are busy doing chores around the house it is a good idea to put him in his crate... im not sure if crating will work too well at 1st for u since hes from a petstore he is used to being in a cage so he may soil his crate then again he may not ... they usually dont like to potty where they sleep .... here is a good link to a site with lots of puppycare info.... Good Luck!!! Remember consistancy is the key!
http://www.miniaturedachshunds.com
Click on avail. puppies icon then on the "puppy care basics icon" She has tons of great info!!!

Jen

[Penny's Aunt]

Your pup has 2 strikes against him, so you will have to understand that & be patient:

Dachshunds are more difficult to housebreak than many other breeds.

Dogs bought from pet shops may have gotten into the habit of relieving them in their cages, making crate training almost impossible.

The first thing you need to realize is that when it's time to take the pup out, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE PUP OUT. This means RIGHT AFTER HE EATS, right after he wakes up, preferably every hour, & right before you go to bed. It DOESN'T MEAN right after your shower in the morning, or after breakfast, or after the TV show is over. If you have to set your kitchen timer, do it.

Have a container of treats near the door, & grab a couple every time you take him out. As soon as he finishes peeing or pooping, give him a treat & praise him lavishly. After business is done, let him walk or run around, don't go right in the house. He has a whole new world to explore, & if he learns that he goes right inside after he pees or poops, he will put off doing either, because it means the end to playing & exploring.

Be sure to use a good odor neutralizer like Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution on any accidents, & use ENOUGH, at least 1.5 times as much as their was urine, & let it set a bit. Pick up the solids & take a few outside to where you want him to poop, so he knows that is the right spot.

Don't hit him for accidents, just speak in a stern voice, or better yet, catch him in the act & startle him. Hitting will encourage him to hid his accidents, but it won't help housebreak him.

Don't rub his nose in it, it's totally ineffective. (Really, a creature that thinks cat poop is a delicacy won't think there's anything wrong with stuff on his nose!)

Be aware that dogs think that everything in the world is a chew toy; it's their nature. So it's up to you to keep him away from the stuff you don't want chewed. ESP from you to him about exactly what is a chew toy doesn't work, so don't expect it to.

Esp since your dog was caged, I would be tempted to use the tether method to keep him confined, if you can't gate off the kitchen. I am using it on my pup, & it has prevented tons of damage & has helped considerably with housebreaking. I got my pup at 8 wks, put her on the tether immediately, & she has NEVER relieved herself when she was on her tether, & held her urine all night (11 to 5 or 6) right from the beginning. I have one in the kitchen (that's where I started her so she could get used to it, & see people coming & going, so she wouldn't feel abandoned), one by my bed, & one in the living room.

Just make a 3-ft chew-proof tether of plastic-coated steel cable (narrow size, from the hardware store), ends clamped into loops with 1/4" copper pipe in 1/2" lengths (use the store's cutter) hammered flat to hold, with leash clips in the loops. Screw some eye-bolts where you want the pup tethered, preferably where he will be part of the family. Put him on the tether with his blankie, toys & chewies whenever you aren't playing or paying direct attention to him.

Patience, consistency & treats will do more than all the spanking & shrieking in the world.

Oh, letting your kids play with him a lot is fine, but with supervision. Dachsies' backs are extra-sensitive to damage, so watch how the children handle them. Try to prevent twisting/forcing him on his back, picking him up with one hand, etc. Dachsies require BOTH HANDS when being picked up by ANYONE, providing full support.

Lots of play is fine, but the pup needs to get used to being alone, or you're going to have a screaming barker on your hands, & some really irate neighbors. Gradually get him used to being alone, left with his chewies & toys. Start with coming & going for a few seconds, then minutes, then longer patches of time, until you can leave the house without fear.

Have fun!

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by Penny's Aunt (edited July 25, 2000).]</font>