male maturity

[Buddy's mom]

My little boy is growing up and I have noticed a big change in him. Buddy is now 5 months old and a real Jekyl and Hyde. One minute he is this cute cuddly boy and the next he could rip your arm off. He isn't neutered and I plan on breeding him some day. We have a 7 month old pit bull female who is spayed that he likes to play with but he has became quite vicious with her lately. He has also tried to bite us when we put him in his crate and he doesn't think he needs to be in there. I have a daycare and he is around kids all the time but he really has gone nuts and tried to bite out new neighbor boy. He has never even laid on eyes on this boy unless Iam holding him. His hair will stand up and he shows his teeth, all the while growling and barking. I don't know what to do. I can't trust him around kids right now. I hope this is just a phase he is going through. He also tries to "hump" the pit bull and any toy he can get on. I know this is normal to an extent but really "all the time". Please some one advise me. Is it a phase? Do we need training? We he ever be good around kids again? I am really puzzled.

[Owen's Mom]

Yep... You need training. Everyone needs training with their pet. It's beyond important, especially with small dogs, as they tend to get overly coddled.

Also, if you're planning on breeding your little boy, I'd assume you're going to title him in the ring first, so you're only going to benifit from training, he'll be better in the ring. And... you only want to breed to better the breed, not just to pass on his cuteness... We all have cute dogs, that doesn't mean we need to continue their lines, they may have temperment issues we don't want to pass on, health or genetic issues etc. Open a dialouge with 8 dachsie angles, wirewieners and the others here who have commited to be responsible breeders and do lots and lots of research, invest in genetic testing and have your dog become a confirmed champion before you start breeding him.

I don't want to sound mean, but you have to understand that there are Sooooo many dogs (dachshunds expecially) who needs homes already, that unless you're breeding to improve the breed, it's better to spay and neuter your dog and let him live a long, cancer free life.

[Penny's Aunt]

My pup is 5 mos old now, too, & is going through a "willful" stage. BUT she isn't acting mean.

Dogs are like kids in the respect that they will push to see what they can get away with.

You really need to take him to obedience school. Look for the Positive Methods kind (praise & food), not the old jerk-&-hang methods. Dachsies are real chowhounds, so find one that does include giving treats for good behavior. Some trainers that use positive methods only use praise & not food, but IMHO, that is an ego trip. Use what works best, & food works best.

Keep him away from the other kids for now. You don't want an insurance claim before you can get a handle on this.

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Oh yes i remember the good ole Dachsie teens well uh im still going thru them with some of mine ... What he is doing is perfectly normal to him ... you have to teach him better ... i would enroll in a obedience class... petsmart has a nice puppy preschool type thing for a good price you might want to check into that or ask your vet.

As far as breeding im gonna make this brief and non-judgemental (you can email me in priv. if you want also)

You need to have your dog AT LEAST CERF eye certified.
You need to make sure that he conforms very closely to the standard (ie not fiddle front, roachie back, or high in rear etc)
You need to find a mentor (someone thats been breeding dachshunds for lots and lots of years) this person will help answer your questions about breeding and give your moral support.
You need to make sure your dog is in EXCELLENT heath and he has both testicles down... very very important.
You need to buy a female to breed with ... because believe me most bitch owners arent going around looking for a stud dog unless its got a ch. in front of the name. (not ment to sound snotty but its true in my experience anyways)
You need to be prepared to give your dogs a lifetime guarentee on genetic defects. And be willing to take a dog back at anytime in its entire life if the new owner is unable to care for it anymore.
You need to be prepared to make contracts stating your wishes to the new owners ... (ie feeding premium dog food, regular vet visits and vaccines etc.)

And theres ALOT more stuff ... that you need to know... im learning everyday... Also remember if you do buy a female (get her from a good breeder) and make sure you remember that with the joy of puppies can come sadness... some pups may die or in some cases the mother may die which means you would loose a pet http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif I dont like to think about that part but i know it can happen.... i just pray i can do the best for my girl when the time comes. Good Luck feel free to email me .... im sure wireweiners will know more shes been into dachshunds alot longer than i http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

Jen

[wireweiners]

Your baby is now a typical obnoxious teenager. He has decided he wants to be leader of the pack and the logical place to start (in his view) is with the kids since they are low in the human pack order. I would get him to a good obedience school, pronto. When he tries to bite or show agressiveness to anyone, be ready to step in and firmly correct him. You don't have to beat him or anything but grasping his muzzle or the scruff of his neck and giving him a good shake will help. What has worked well with me when my teenagers want to "talk back" is to grasp their muzzle, give them an shake, force eye contact and give them a good old fashioned butt chewing. Remember the "as long as you live in my house you will follow my rules" lecture that your parents gave you when you were a teenager and "knew everything"? This is the canine version. In multiple dog households such as mine, the older dogs do it for you. Whopper and Button just turned 9 months. Wheeler and Pippin are constantly rolling Whopper and holding him down and Katie and Rita are doing the same for Button. They are reinforcing their position as alpha dogs. I would seriously consider having him neutered unless you are planning to show him. Neutering and training should nip this behavior in the bud. I would keep him away from the kids unless you can supervise very closely.

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by wireweiners (edited September 12, 2000).]</font>

[Buddy's mom]

Thank you everyone. Now I know this is just typical behavior. I have been giving him some ferce "butt chewing" and time-out. That seems to put him back in his place. He is the first dog in our house so I guess he is "Alpha" over Shadow and she doesn't seem to mind his obnixous behavoir. I live in a very small town and there is only one place to go for training so I am planning on getting him in there as soon as the budget allows it (spaying found kitten, two little kids in school this year, neutering found kitten #2, you know everyday life). I am looking into showing him as well but like I said out in the boonies we don't very many dog shows and traveling in the winter is almost imposible. Is there a way to find out if there are going to be any shows in my state and when they are? I am really intreged with trying them out. I also keep a close eye on him around the kids. We have strict rules regarding both the dogs. They also go outside during the day and I do crate them some as well. The kid's play areas are off limits to the dogs (they like to potty in my kids rooms?). Any one who shows or breeds please feel free to mail me privatley.

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Here is a good link for dog show scedules ... i think Cindi suggested it to another member... check it out.
http://www.onofrio.com/

Good Luck
Jen <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm34.gif" border=0>

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by ~8DachsieAngels~ (edited September 12, 2000).]</font>