Is this progress?

[Jennie]

I think we're making progress, but wanted to run it by the "experts"........

My downstairs is comprised of a great room, kitchen with eat-in breakfast nook, and dining room. We go out the back door of the great room to go outside to potty, and when we are at home, we're usually in the great room or upstairs in the hobby room.

My boys have been having accidents in the great room and dining room ever since I got them. But recently, they've started going in the dining room mostly to go. They actually seem to leave the great room, walk into the dining room, go potty, and come back into the great room.

Are they beginning to see the great room as their den as well, and that's why they're not going there anymore? Are they going in the dining room to hide from me? I never really scold, so I don't really think that's it.

I'm getting a baby gate from Tammara that will allow me to keep them out of the dining room so I can watch them better. If we are making housebreaking progress, this will hopefully help!

I wish they'd go to the door instead of the dining room, but if this is progress, I'll take it! Thoughts?

[doxielover@rcn.]

Jennie:

I wish I could interpret what goes through their minds. Frankie is 5 years old, and she will use my living room as a bathroom!!! Because of this, that is the only room I will not permit her in. I feel the only reason she goes in there is to go potty. If I catch her in there, I tell her "out" and she sure does run quickly! :circle:

[Jennie]

I was off work today and home with my boys. In the entire day (which started at 7:00 and it is now 9:00), we only had two small accidents! This is way better than ever before, and one of them was really my fault for thinking another two minutes wouldn't matter :)

I'm so thrilled about this progress! Of course, it could be because today was also the first day my boys could play outside in their fence. They would go outside, run around for about 15 minutes, and then come in and sleep for an hour! I think they slept more today than when they were tiny puppies. My dad came over this afternoon while they were asleep, and while they did wake up, they didn't want to play, just laid right back down. This fence is going to be a good thing! In addition to giving them more freedom and exercise, it may just help us housebreak!

[doxielover@rcn.]

Your boys are growing up!:bounce:

[TessieMom]

It definitely sounds like they are enjoying the new fence! Progress is progress.

Rena and the Waco crew

[Lauri Gengor]

Your boys are growing up, and they now connect the the urge to potty being outside. That is progress. The fenced area looks great for them to play and have freedom. Question do they have a doggie door or are you thinking of putting one in? My cousin installed one for her three dogs to a fenced in backyard and it works great. They can come and go at will.

[Jennie]

and no way to do one really - my doors that lead to the back yard are glass patio doors that don't slide. But they are definitely getting better even without that!

[LisaH]

I think they don't want to pee where they and the rest of the family spend a lot of time. That's their idea of being "clean." Our Molly (who was my Mom's dog) used to go down to the guest bedroom or bathroom to pee; I think she just figured this was okay because she and Mom didn't use those rooms!

And yes, it's progress! You'll see even more progress if you gave the little devils treats whenever they do their thing outside. Food is an outstanding dachsie motivator!

LisaH, Annie, and Molly

[Jennie]

each time they potty outside. They definitely understand that connection, almost before the trickle stops, they're bounding over to me to get their treat. Sometimes I'm not sure if they're going or not, but I can always be sure when they suddenly move and run to me. They each get a yogurt treat for each time they do either thing outside.

I also definitely think the fence is helping us. Today we had one very, very small accident in the house, and that was this morning while I was getting dressed for work. Bailey went right next to the bed in a very small spot. That was the only accident all day!

This afternoon I took them out about every 20-30 minutes from 5:30 until 8:00 when they fell asleep. Every single time, they at least trickled a bit. I think they're trying to go each time we go out so they can get that treat..........

We are making progress!

[Jennie]

Wouldn't you know, while I was writing that last message, Bailey gave me a nice spot by the TV. Oh well..........

[doxielover@rcn.]

Frankie peed in my living room. She's 5 and knows better. I don't know what possesses her to do this. she hasn't done that for a long time. I smacked her tush and firmly told her "no". GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR:mad: :angry:

[Otto'sMom]

I've found any sort of physical punishment just makes them do it when you can't see them and just makes them fear you and or fear peeing at all. I caught Izzy the pee king( I've started to think of him as Whizzy Wartzburg) lifting his leg on the corner of the sofa and tapped his leg down so he stopped and told him no then run like crazy to the door to let him out to pee. He did rather well, no pooping accidents in a week from the dog who hadn't been house trained for 8 years. Peeing, that's another story. He did go to the door to pee on the rug though :sarcastic I'll give him a :thumbsup: for the effort.

[doxielover@rcn.]

And I thought it was difficult raising a child:) :flower: :dizzy:
There is so much psychology to both raising kids and having furkids.:caffeine: :eek:

[Lauri Gengor]

Raising a puppy is so much like having a baby...I forgot all the time and effort it takes since my last two were pups. It's constant repitition of things they should do or not do, but it's rewarding when something clicks and they learn. I hope I do not have a regression with Mirri with potty. Right now it's do not chew this or that or hoping my older two finally blend with her. I have avoided slapping her furry bottom, I know it's a no/no but still I am tempted at times....so I just roll my eyes and go No Bad again!:eek:

[Juneysmom]

A funny story:

When I was in college, I was sharing an apartment with three other women. I decided to move and preparatory to moving to my own apartment, I got my first little dachshund, Cleo. Well, I still had a week before moving into my new apartment and was trying to teach Cleo the right place to go. Because she was still a baby pup, she made lots of mistakes, so that my roommates named her Tinkerbell.:D

[Jennie]

pee free day! Not one accident in the house today! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: Whoo hoo! Now, I must take both boys to bed before they realize that and give me a surprise. But this is a day we've been waiting for! They do learn (or at least learn a little bit)..............

[doxielover@rcn.]

Be patient. It takes time....they will "get" it.