Leo eats and destroys EVERYTHING!

[MicheleCap]

Hi All,
We adopted Leo about a month ago. He's a 10-11 month old mini dachshund, but you'd swear he's a horse the way he destroys things! My husband calls him the 10-inch terror.
We have a crate and use it.. that's not a problem as he's very good in it and just sleeps. The problem arises when I go into another room and don't give him ALL of my attention. He eats the cat poop from the litter pans, my shoes, anything that's on the coffee table (I caught him ON the table a few times), and the worst was last night when he pooped on our bed. Now this took place when I went into the bathroom and closed the door.
I work from home and find it impossible to do what I have to on the computer because I'm constantly having to get up and take something from his mouth. He has no concept of what's right and what's wrong. Last week he looked at us as we were sitting on the couch and relieved himself on the rug. That was about 5 minutes after coming in from the backyard.
Another problem is that with me being home most of the time, he seems to have separation anxiety when I go out or leave him in the backyard. He cries and howls in the backyard until I go back there with him. I can't leave him because there's senior housing behind us and I don't want anyone to complain. One day I tried leaving and coming inside... he howled and cried nonstop for 30 minutes.
I'm now looking into training for him, but to be completely honest we don't have the $500-600 we've been quoted for a trainer. I know a class training environment will help him learn to sit, stay, etc., but I have been told on the phone that the type of training I need can only be done on a one on one basis in my house. Am I being snowed here? Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Anything at this point would help. I've owned Dobermans and Yellow Labs in the past and never found them to be this difficult. If the training doesn't work I'm afraid he'll have to go to a Dachshund rescue <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm36.gif" border=0>

[OwnedByChaucer]

Okay, sounds like you have a dachshund. They are little terrors....(love them as I do...)

First, I have a destroyer. As a result, Chaucer is crated when we aren't home. He'd eat the house (literally) otherwise.

Second, I have a crier and what has worked with her is frankly, making her feel "special"--I think it took some time to build her confidence to the point where she knew that we'd come get her out eventually. We also noticed that since she started sleeping with us most nights, her overall behavior improved--I think it helped her feel accepted/secure.

As for curing the spearation anxiety, you need to come and go frequently--with no big to do so that Leo learns you may leave, but you wll ALWAYS come back...

D

[pkmiddler]

Male youngsters brains fall out at around 9 months and come back at somewhere between 15 and 18 months.So untill his brain comes back Mom has to retrain him every second of the day.When you are on the computer put up a puppy gate and keep him in the room with you with toys and his crate water ect.If he gets on the coffee table then do waht I did with all of my dogs put a paper plate of some kind of food on the table and hide around the corner and if he goes for it YELL NO!!! and throw a T.V. guide so it flutters and lands next to him.It takes time just like a child (which he is) if you leave him in a room next to where you work in the cage just out of your sight and he starts to cry and howl tell him NO QUIET!!Your voice is the best traning tool you have.I leave a radio on if I leave the house but sometimes they want to bark or get to know that it means Mom is leaving so the next time I leave the TV on.Put him all over the house in differant rooms than where you are and if he starts to make noise NO QUIET!! is what he should hear from you.WORK AT IT it is not a overnight deal.Good Luck

[Rusty's mom]

No doubt about it - you definitely have a dashie. I like to be on the computor and initially Rusty would whine, jump at me, paw at me, make the weirdest noises I ever heard come out of a dog, etc. I used to pick him up all the time but finally said enough. Then I started saying "no, lay down" and would refuse to pick him up. It took time but now he lays under my chair and chews on a toy, sleeps, etc. It's never been a prob with Duffer though. In addition, both our guys sleep with us and it seems that Dashie's do need more attention than other dogs. They seem like real kids vs. doggie kids and do require extra time and effort and attention - but for us they are definitely worth it. Good luck.

kathy

[Snorodent]

THe first few months we had Opal, I literally thought I would either kill her, myself, or both of us. She pooped all over, chewed eveything, whined, cried, barked. I was going out of my skull like this lady is . Often my husband would be no help and I had to fight the new dog, take care of the older dog and watch my husband sit and watch TV as the puppy pooped in front of his eyes! I never expected the turn around I got - with in three months, Opal is a polite young lady, fully ( 99%) housetrained, chews only her toys and an occasional beetle or paper towel. Yeah shes a handful, and demands alot of attention, but trust me - dont give up, he WILL get beter. Just be strict with him and don't let him get to you, always make sure he knows you are the boss. And use gates! a good gate can save your house and maybe your sanity. HANG IN THERE!!!!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm32.gif" border=0> <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm31.gif" border=0>

[Colleen]

I got my Lucy when she was four months old from a breeder. She was sick when I took her to the vet and stayed on antibiotics for months. The housebreaking was a nightmare. I crated her and she would have accidents in her cage in the middle of the night. I couldn't leave her in the crate like that and would have to clean the cage and Lucy at 3:00 a.m. Wow, that was a long time ago. I believe because of her age (4 months), sick, and coming from a kennel, she couldn't help the accidents. Since that time, I have gone to dog school. I really hate going and haven't been in awhile, but I did learn that a choke chain for Lucy has been a great thing. Just a tug on the chain, lets Lucy know when she is doing wrong. I still have housebreaking problems and keep Lucy in the kitchen with a gate and sliding door most of the time. She likes to go potty on my carpet. I know she understands, because after she goes on the carpet, she will hide in her crate. Lucy will be 2 years old in January. Oh, the chewing will stop. Lucy has chewed 2 of my bibles, any pencil she could get a hold of and this has stopped. It must be an age thing.

[MicheleCap]

Thank you everyone for your advice! Leo is now laying next to me on a chair cushion in the office. I did put a baby gate in the doorway and he has all his toys and water in the room. He's so darn cute!
We've signed him up for puppy classes so I'm sure that will help.
He went to the vet last night and the doc said he should have x-rays on his front legs because they splay out so much. Has anyone ever had surgery on their babies to correct this type of problem? I was told it's a 3 month recovery time and he would have metal pins in each leg. I spoke with a friend who runs a rescue for dogs and was told to start putting garlic in his food, give him mackerel once in a while, and feed him Nutro. It was also suggested to give him liquid... darn, I can't remember the name... glucosamine something. Any suggestions?
Have a great weekend everyone!

[Mandy]

We always recommend glucosamine for dachshunds. Glucosamine helps with back/joint problems. I buy the capsules and empty the contents into their food. Everyone, our two and fosters, eat it up without any problems.

Our 3 1/2 yr. old has calcified discs. When he acts as though his back is bothering him, we give him a double dose. It seems to help. A friend of ours also takes glucosamine for joint problems and says she can feel the difference.

[Rusty's mom]

I agree about the gates - they have saved our furkids and us from needless anxiety. We have gates so they can't go up or down stairs. Rusty and Duffer only have access to the main floor and when we are gone for any length of time we gate them into the kitchen/dining area and they can't access the front room - rug in there you knowhttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif We don't feel they need the run of the house anymore than little kids do. There are just too many things for little furkids (and real ones) to get into and they need constant supervision. Am glad that you are getting things worked out. They are the cutest little babes and so loving but definitely not a dog for everyone. My good friend is talking about getting a dog - but she said she will not be getting a daschiehttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif

Kathy

[LisaH]

You've gotten good advice from everyone. I just wanted to add that for separation anxiety, you can "practice" leaving him alone for 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, etc. Go and come back until he's sick to death of you!

I assume you have lots of chew toys for him. A kong is good if he doesn't have one. I have a very quiet little dachsie (very uncharacteristic!) but she loves chewing on a plaque attacker bone. Keeps her entertained for hours.

If accidents inside the house are a problem, try rewarding him with treats when he pees outside. Food seems to be a magic motivator for most dachshunds. They ARE very different from other breeds; in general, they love their comforts more than they love pleasing you! If you can combine those two things, you'll get their attention.

Good luck!
Lisa and Annie