The adventure begins

[Annie's granny]

Annie has discovered the most entertaining little trick (for her, not me!) While folding a basket of towels, which was very full, she "discovered" that if she jumps up on the basket she can grab a towel and take off running with it, and even more entertaining it makes the "granny" yelp with surprise. I didn't even realize the little thing could jump up like that. Hmmmm...could this be an indicator of many things to come? <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm42.gif" border=0>

[OwnedByChaucer]

Yep. In a word, if it's not glued down with liquid nails, it belongs to the dog.

[Susan's Freddie98]

Welcome Annie's Granny,
We've shared so many entertaining stories here about our dachsies, it's hilarious!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm26.gif" border=0> I'll never forget Kathy's story about her little one running off with her bra, and then it was dangling off her head! Talk about a priceless picture! LOL <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm42.gif" border=0> Dachsies are SO comical!

Susan

[Oscar's Mom]

When Oscar runs off with something, its so funny, because he will casually walk by the item, then quickly turn back and run full speed off with it!

[Mandy]

Watch any underclothes in the laundry basket..they tend to run off unless you get the laundry put away immediately. Henry has outgrown stealing the laundry (for the most part), but Jakey still likes to play in the laundry (plus, what dachsie could resist warm clothes fresh from the dryer?). What I have found that works to distract Jakey is a little odd. I save the dryer sheets (softener sheets) and let Jakey play with those as I am putting laundry away. He loves them and will spread them out on the floor and roll on his back all over the dryer sheets...I know, a dachsie rolling in something that smells nice? http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif But he really likes it. They keep his interest for about the same amount of time it takes me to finish the laundry, and then I take them and throw them away. It's a riot to watch as he will also flip them and chase them (he does this with everything).

And yes, be prepared to be dachsie-trained! Your training has begun!

[LisaH]

Yes, this seems to be a particular dachsie trait! Whenever I'm not paying enough attention to Annie, she'll grab a shoe or sock or slipper and take off running with it. I encourage her belief that this is a WICKED thing to do--I don't want her to graduate to real juvenile delinquency! <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm35.gif" border=0>

[Annie's granny]

Mandy, I used your suggestion and gave Annie the dryer sheet while I folded laundry. That worked great for all of 45 seconds!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm12.gif" border=0> Thing is, she apparently wanted ME to play with her and the fabric softener sheet. She started to bark at me and when I didn't immediately stop and play, she jumped INTO the laundry basket! She then latched onto a pair of underwear and tried to make the great escape. My husband and I laughed so hard!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm42.gif" border=0> So, he got her "sock" and they played tug so that I could finish folding. She finally wore out! Someone mentioned to me that since she tends to be aggressive, we shouldn't play tug with her, but she just loves this. We decided not to let anyone do it except my husband, since she does not act aggressive to him AT ALL. The only thing we can figure is that she has decided he is the alpha. She doesn't even so much as growl at him, or try to "mouth" him. But she loves to play with him. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Annie's granny on January 05, 2001 at 10:58 PM</font>

[Mandy]

Henry has possessive-aggressive tendencies. He is so much better now. It is true that you should watch the tug of war, but you can still play. We play tug of war with Henry, but he never wins against us. If we start playing, we know that we will be playing until the game is over. Never let her win....otherwise she will think she is hot stuff and it will enforce the idea that she is alpha over you. You have to win. You can also work on commands such as give and leave it. These really help Henry. He will "give" the rope toy or ball and then we can throw it if we get tired of tug of war (he loves fetch so this is great). I(f he really wants to play forever, we can sometimes hand our end to Jakey. It's okay if Henry wins the toy from Jakey (our other dachshund).

[Roxane]

By all rights I guess this needs to to be posted under Training, but here goes anyway:
Mandy made a great point about having control at all times, even during tug-of-war. More importantly, I have found making the dogs respond to commands to relinquish something they have is vital. (Did my early training with big dogs.)

Doesn't make any different which words you use. I have always said, "Thank You". Followed by lots of praise, once I have the object.

During the training I would give the object back. This helps a great deal when you are starting.

And, unike tug-of-war, I would slip a finger in the side of the mouth and pry as I gave the command, if the pup were unwilling to let go. Didn't want him/her to think it _was_ a game.

The practical side to all of this is the assurance that you will be able to retrieve something that could be dangerous to the dog, without it being dangerous for you! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/rolleyes.gif
Roxane and crew