What types of training

[69Stang]

In the next 2-3 months i am going to getting a dachshund and i was wondering what types of training/housebreaking techniques i have availible to me. Also, my dog will be able to have the run of the house and i have a feneced backyard so it will be able to roam there too. If anyone has any help for me on the type of training/housebreaking i should use please help! Thank you-J

------------------
I can't stand a dachshundless home!!

[im rapunzel]

Hello! Our dog Wobbles is now 10 months, and housebroke pretty well using the crate method. We got him at 12 weeks old.

The crate is also wonderful because puppies are naturally destructive while teething, plus their nature is to investigate things... this way they stay out of trouble. If for some reason you cannot watch the dog, keep him in his crate. It will save much of your sanity (and valuables!)

The trick to crate training is that the dog should not have too much spare room. If they do, they will soil one end and sleep at the other. We used a grate from an old refrigerator as a divider, as Wobbles got bigger, we would adjust it. They should have enough room to get up and turn around.

At first, I kept the crate on my nighstand because he would cry - I could stick my fingers in the crate to soothe him. We would take him out right before bedtime. If he had to go out, he would cry (cuz he did'nt want to soil himself) and I'd wake up. After a few days, my internal clock woke me up at 3am every night, and I would take him out.

Keep in mind, that puppers need to go out CONSTANTLY! Especially after eating/playing. As they get older, they will be able to hold it longer. Wobbles was about 7 months when he could hold it through the night (that is, he would go out at around 11pm, then at 6am - for 7 hrs total in crate). Now I put him to bed at 10:30pm, he is fine in the crate until 7am.

The other thing to note is that my husbands work is seasonal. We got Wobbles when Rich was home, and able to take him out often. I don't know how we would have done it otherwise.

Whenever we took Wobbles out and he would go to the bathroom, we would make a REALLY BIG DEAL out of it! We would tell him what a wonderful dog he was, give him a treat and lots of hugz! This way, the dog associates going outside with luv from his mom-moo and dad-doo! If he had an accident, we would be VERY ANGRY at him - but NO hitting or rubbing his nose in it. Wobbles gets very sad when we are dissapointed with him!

Hope this helps!

[LisaH]

Im rapunzel gives great advice. The important thing is to take the puppy out frequently, take him to the same spot, tell him to do his business, and then praise him to the skies when he does it. A yummy treat really helps them get the idea (a big light bulb went on over Annie's head when we gave her a treat for peeing--"Oh, THAT'S why I should do it outside!).

And you have to be patient. Dachsies as a breed are more challenging to housetrain than other breeds. I'm not sure why; I think it's just that they love comfort and can't see why on earth they should go so far to pee when the living room carpet is right here! Your job is to make sure the pup is in the right spot at the right time (when he needs to pee) so that you can reinforce the right behavior.

Good luck!
Lisa and Annie

[69Stang]

About how long does it take for the puppy to be able to hold going out for about 6-7 hours during the day? If it was let out right before i left and the second i got home.

------------------
I can't stand a dachshundless home!!

[Oscar's Mom]

My Oscar was 4 months old before he could it that long.

[LuvMySax]

What I'd suggest is those new doggy litter boxes that are being made now. I don't have a dog now but I'm looking for one and since I live in an apartment that would be ideal for me to get for my new dachsie puppy. They don't cost much more than the ones for cats and are made where one side of it is low and even to the ground since dogs (especially dachshunds) aren't as agile as cats. That's what I'd suggest.
Christina

[Oscar's Mom]

I tried the doggy litter system. It didnt work. I think you have to start from day 1 with those. All Oscar did was bring the litter all over the house and eat it.

[Mandy]

We had the same problem when we tried to incorporate the dog litter pan. The dog litter consists of pellets made of recycled newspapers. Nice idea...but they are just the right size and shape for a silly dachshunds to have fun with. Our youngest took great pleasure in tossing the pelltes all around the house and munching on them. We recently decided to try a cat litter, but no one is interested. And why should they be when mommy and daddy jump up and take them outside when they want?? http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif