he just wont housebreak

[doxaholic]

My dachie shadow wont housebreak! I give him treats when he goes outside and it will work for a while but when we stop he goes backwards and starts going on the floor again! I'm losing my mind<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm12.gif" border=0> . I have read many books<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm15.gif" border=0> but I do everything they say but it doesn't work! I can't keep on giving him treats for the rest of his life! I mean he is a little angel<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm37.gif" border=0> but if this continues my floor will be completly yellow! I love him to death<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm20.gif" border=0> and it breaks my heart to spank him when he makes a mistake but how else will he learn<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm18.gif" border=0> I am all out of ideas<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm40.gif" border=0> ! He is so sweet and loves being dressed up and playing tug-o-war and he rarely barks (what a miracle)! If anyone can help me please e-mail me!

Thx
- Caitlin<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm3.gif" border=0>

[LisaH]

Caitlin:

I hope none of the books you've read suggest spanking him! If you catch him in the act, grab him up, take him outside to let him finish, then praise him for peeing outside. If you DON'T catch him in the act, he has no idea what you're punishing him for. The most he'll learn is that you get upset when you find pee on the floor (this is NOT the same to him as being upset when he pees in the house) and he'd better do it in a less frequented area of the house!

How old is he? Housetraining a dachshund can take a long time, and the onus is on you to teach him. He shouldn't be getting the opportunity to pee where you don't want him to--this means you're not watching him carefully enough. At times when you can't keep an eye on him, keep him in a crate so he can't sneak off and pee. Take him out CONSTANTLY and keep giving him treats for going outside. Devote a lot of time to this now, and it will pay off in the long run.

Also (and I should have mentioned this first) are you sure he doesn't have a bladder infection or similar problem? And are you cleaning the places where he's peed inside with Nature's Miracle or a similar enzymatic cleaner? If he can still smell it, he'll go there again.

Dogs, especially comfort-loving dachshunds, are absolutely clueless about our preference that they pee outside. We have to work to teach them about this peculiarity of ours.
<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm35.gif" border=0>

Good luck!
Lisa and Annie (who's no rocket scientist but did eventually learn to pee outside)

[Oscar's Mom]

Dachshunds can be more difficult to house train, they are very stubborn. But sometimes I think we may confuse them, I know I havent been the best. Check out www. doggiedoor.com , they have some good articles.
Never spank, it only teaches your pup to fear you.

[Bernie]

I know how frustrating it can be, it took my Hannah about a year and a half before she would go to the door. Even now she will sometimes have an accident if I don't get to the door quick enough. It's hard, but be patient and continue to take your doxie outside and reward good behavior. Please
don't spank.

[Heather]

Everyone else said it, but I will say it again - Don't spank your dachsie! It simply is not an effective way to housetrain your dog.

The advice below is great. I would reiterate that you can't allow the dog full run of the house, until he is completely trusted. My dogs are 5 and 2, and even now, when I know I will be in the same room for a few hours, I gate it off. This does not allow them the opportuniity to get into mischief, or pee in the house.

Treating when the dog elimiinates is a great idea. It took me about 6 months of treating outside until I stopped with my youngest.

Also, I was never able to fully housetrain my shy submissive two year old until I did obedience training with him and raised his confidence level. You may want to consider that with you dog.

Also be sure to crate the dog when you are not home. Allowing them even one accident reinforces the idea that it is ok to go in the house.

Good Luck!

[doxaholic]

See listen I am 12 yrs old and wrote my post alittle wrong I was just desperate for help! First of all sorry about writing the word ''spank'' I don't spank my dog I tap him on the nose or the behind and tell him no and it litterally is a tap. I rarely even do that it is usally a taking of the toy or a forceful NO.
Thank you for your help and I look forward to your helpful replies.

- Caitlin

[Mark]

Hi Caitlin,

It sounds like you're having a tough time with the housebreaking. Here are some things that worked for others when they thought it was impossible to house train their puppers. I call it potty training 101. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif

Use a schedule and take (not put) Shadow out every ? hours or minutes. Pick a phrase or word (like, "go potty") and say it over and over. When he does go, praise him a lot and give a treat (baby carrots are great for this). Keep doing this *beyond* when he "gets it", so that it becomes second nature. Eventually you'll find when you ask him if he wants to go potty he'll head for the door. When he does so, tell him what a good boy he is and be sure to have the baby carrot ready when he's done. In time you'll find it's no longer necessary to accompany him outside everytime, but a good idea to do so when you can.

Above all, be consistant and don't get discouraged . . . it could take a few months.

Make sure any family members that are helping when you're not there use the exact schedule, words and routine.

I hope that helps,

Mark

[doxaholic]

Thx Mark that is a good idea! I always tell him to go potty I am pretty sure he has go that atleast 50% down the only thing I can't do is the baby carrots he isn't crazy about them usally we brake a treat in to 5's and he loves them they are called these treats called Tarter Check there good for his teeth and as I said he loves them!

Thx for your help!

- Caitlin

[LisaH]

Mark gives very good advice. We've been taking Annie out and telling her to "go pee" since she was 8 weeks old, and I think once they've associated those words with peeing, they absolutely HAVE to do it after a while!

Lisa and Annie