New pupper questions

[stella dormoy]

Hi,

I am getting my baby (8 weeks) in 2 days. I am very new in being a dachsie mum. I am going to try to housetrain her for the first 2 weeks by being home. Then I hv to get back to work... and I work ( 1hr drive one way) far from home.

I intend to hire someone (a good friend) to come and let the puppy out of the crate to pee or poo or both during lunch time. She's a student and it's 20 mins drive one way and she needs to stay for maybe half hour. She will of course have the key to my home, which I hv no problem with at all.

Has anyone done this before? What amount $$ is fair that should I give her if I need her to do this for 2 months??

[blazeman]

Stella,

Sounds like you have a good plan... but I have no idea how much to pay for that service.

There is a REMOTE chance your little one could pick up the basics of housetraining in that time. Having someone by in the middle of the day will help with the trainging though.

You do know... the next 48 hours will be the longest of your life... right? :)

[juliette]

We have a service which comes into our home every day, picks up the puppers, takes them to the local conservation area and walks them and their buddies for up to two hours per day. They are in HEAVEN everytime Pet Platoon comes to get them. They are both off leash for most of the time and get to frolic and play, chase squirrels, get thoroughly spoiled, etc.

They are dropped at home having done their business, been fully exhausted with completely clean paws. I also get a log book which details what they did each day, who they played with, if their stool was okay, etc. They have been a godsend for our busy lives, and a crucial part of the dogs socialization, training and (ongoing in Hijinx's case) housetraining!

They also stay in our home while we are away or on vacation - so it's double duty - housesitting and pupper-loving.

When I just had Otto, the daily service cost me $15 per day, and the overnight was $35.

If you want to take a look, see
www.petplatoon.ca (http://www.petplatoon.ca)

[stella dormoy]

Bob & Jake,

Yes.... I am beginning to feel the long.. long.. coming 48 hrs. I eat, sleep, think, dream dachsie!! Talk about obsessiveness!! I am in love!!!! I can't wait.....

How do I post picture of my baby here? Could you tell me please?

[stella dormoy]

Juliette,

Thanks for your mail. Seeing you are from Toronto, it is Canadian dollars you are talking about??

My husband and I lived in Mississauga,Ontario, from May 1998 to May 2000, working for the GTAA (Toronto Airport) I must say... I love Toronto!!! Enjoyed every minutes there!! Work or not!!

Thanks.

[juliette]

Sorry, should have specified that I was talking Looney-$$'s when I quoted prices.

So glad to hear that you liked living in our fair city. Must say, you chose the right year to go home - we've been freezing ourselves silly all winter.

Good luck on your sitter search!

[GINNYSDOXIES]

Hi Stella...and congratulations on your new bundle of JOY!

I think that getting the baby trained in two weeks is pretty agressive (one member said maybe you could do it in that timeframe). As a general rule it seems to me that Doxies are harder to train than any other breed. I know this may not be encouraging but my newest baby is five months old and still has quite a few accidents. Just like my first one, they almost seem too afraid or too stubborn to go in the right place. BUT on a lighter note, I can say that potty training has been the only experience i have had since doxie ownership that has really been frustrating. Everything else is wonderful. My girls are pretty good about not destroying things like some breeds (its a trade off - the ones that potty train early are usually "house destroyers" on the terms of chewing)

I am so glad you have someone to come in to sit with the baby while you are at work. It is very frustrating to read posts from folks who get a new baby and then expect it to stay crated for 8+ hours a day. It's just not fair to the pup. Pups are pack animals and they need human companionship.

I don't really have any solid suggestions for you in the way of "pup" sitting but if you have this person coming in once a day you will be fine. The training is going to take a lot of patience...just tell yourself over and over that sooner or later baby will get it right. Who knows...you may be one of the lucky few who has a dox that learns very quickly. I know that the lengthy training time for doxies has a thing to do with their being "dumb" as I have heard people say, they are just so stubborn! If something does not make sense to them they just don't do it!! (pretty darn smart if you ask me)

Well good luck and cherish these months when baby is little. They grow up so fast! Realize that all of the frustrating moments are outweighed by the cute little face and cuddling that you are going to be in for !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proud mama of two doxie red smooths, Skittle and Purdy Gurl.

[GINNYSDOXIES]

Okay Stella...dummy me. I just realized you posted your message on March 26th so you have had you doll for awhile now. SO, I am just checking....how is it going so far???

[stella dormoy]

Mei Mei is 12 weeks today. While I am at work, I gate her in the bathroom that has a window with her crate(door opened), water, toys and a radio. The sitter comes in lunch time to feed her, clean her potty area and play a little. Total : 30 mins.

In the morning, 11/2 hrs before I leave her, she is with me every minute except when I am in the shower. I agree very much about the need for human companionship with my Mei Mei. She knows now when I hv to leave for work and I always tell her that "I'll be back!" and she is getting use to it.

I normally find her in her crate asleep when I get home and will see she has most times pottied on the paper. I find my Dachsie (bear in mind I am a new mum and for only 1 dachsie) pretty trainable. She is walking with a leach pretty well too!! I show her love and she shows me love!! Can't beat that!!