New Dachshund bringing back bad habits in older one

[HammerSC]

I have 2 dachshunds that I adore, but who are making me lose my hair prematurely. I've had Farley (my six year old male Dachshund) since he was a few weeks old. He would have his occassional "accident" in the house, but that had become a rare occurance...that is, until Cinnamon (who's almost 2 years old) came into the picture. I rescued Cinnamon from a lady that I worked with whose family was not interested in taking care of her. They actually thought she was a mini, but once I started feeding her Eukanuba food, she is now a very healthy 18 pounds.

My problem is that I have not been able to "house-train" Cinnnamon, which is leading to Farley having accidents inside again too. They love staying under the covers in my bed when I leave for work, but after many acciendents in the last few months, I am going nuts.

I have tried crating just Cinnamon, but Farley did not like that, so the next day I let them both share the same big crate (with a nice comforter). They have not had any accidents in the crate, but I feel horrible leaving them in there while I am at work.

Does anybody have any advice on another way that I can try to approach this, or am I stuck keeping them in the crate when I'm gone. BTW, after keeping them in the crate for 2 weeks, I let them spend the next day with the "run of the house" and I had an unwanted "surpise" waiting for me under my covers that night.

I appreciate any advice,
Jeff

[blazeman]

Welcome to the DBB Jeff and boys!

I know you have washed the sheets since the accidents, but could there be some smell left on the mattress? You might not be able to smell it, but I am thinking they can.

Another thought... can you keep them out of your room when you aren't there... see if they leave you anything?

Welcome again to the DBB!

[lotsadox]

Hi,

I see you're new to the Board. Welcome! :waving: You've come to the right place for help with your dachsie. My first question is, how long are they crated while your at work? It's not good to crate them too long, but sometimes necessary. If you do have to be gone for a long time, possibly you could have someone let them out for you or hire a dog sitter to do this.

You may have to re-house train Farley at the same time that you house train Cinnamon. Changes in the house (adding a new dog) can cause stress which in some dogs causes them to revert to bad habits. I have one that does this. I re-trained him just as if he were a puppy. Kept him with me or confined all the time. Took him out at regular intervals. I crated him when I was away. I didn't give him a chance to potty in the house. It seems to have worked. He will very occassionally pee on something in the house, but not often.

Another thing to keep in mind is when they do have an accident, it must be thoroughly cleaned and deodorized or they will go to that place again. I use Nature's Miracle cleaner and odor neutralizer. I works really well and can even be used in your carpet cleaner. It's easily available. I get it at Petco. Getting the smell out seemed to help with my problem, too. He didn't keep going back to the same spot. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Mark]

Hi Jeff,

First, welcome to you and your furkids to DBB! :waving:

It is quite common for a new addition to have a bad influence on the resident pupper. You have just changed their whole world . . . Farley now suddenly has a sibling that never existed before and Cinnamon is in a whole new environment and family.

Since it sounds like there is no one home during the day . . . it would be very hard to housetrain and rehousetrain by using a "schedule". The alternative to that is crating both puppers while . . . and the crates of choice would be those which are not *roomy* - just big enough for them to turn around in.

Maybe some others here at DBB have more informed or experienced suggestions for you . . .

In any case, we're glad you're here and look forward to getting to know you and your furkids. :circle:

[Heide]

Jeff. Its nice to have you here with us.
I agree with Patrice. Retraining. That way you can train both of them together.
I would not let them have the run of the house since not trained.
I know its hard to do but crateing is what needs to be done.
Like Patrice also said maybe someone can let them out while you are at work.
Looking forward to hearing more from you and your crew.

[yolanda]

Even though a lot of people do not favor it, crating when necessary is not a bad thing. Use a crate big enoung for them to stand up and turn around in. Use a reward for good behavior. Only give a reward when they go potty outside and say something like good baby when you give them a treat. Positive responses over and over and patience. Hope this helps.

[Jennie]

while I'm at work, and they are fine. My situation is a little different, but I am comfortable with our situation.

Both my boys have a crate at home that is used at night or when I am running errands, cutting the grass, etc. They are not yet housebroken, and can't be left unattended yet. When they are crated at home, they are each in their own crate, and this seems to work fine, especially since it is for a few hours at most except for at night.

At work, we have a kennel, so I got my boys a large crate to share. Not sure of the exact size, but is it big enough for a medium breed dog, or a small large breed dog. They have a comforter in there, and several chew toys. I go over once a day or so while at work to let them out. They not only seem to be fine, they may actually enjoy it. I say this because they are very quick to go into their crate, sometimes even when I'm not ready for them to. When we get to work, they come right out of their travel crate, walk into the kennel, and jump right into their crate. They don't really pay any attention to me, and after I give them each a biscuit (each time I leave them they get one), they don't pay any attention at all. When I go let them out, they are often ready to come in before I am. They will go to the porch door (their crate is stored on a glassed in front porch) and wait to be let in. When I let them in, they go straight into their crates, often before I can even get their leashes off!

My point is that while crating may not be the ideal, it can work if necessary. I am getting my boys a fence for when we're home so they can get more excercise, but they seem fine with our system of crating. They are visited often by the kennel attendants and others who tell me they sleep a lot, but also play with each other and their chew toys. They do have enough room in their shared kennel for a short wrestling match, and also play tug-of-war with the comforter.

Not sure this system would work for all, but it works for my boys (we've been doing this since I've had them). Neither has ever had an accident in any crate, except when Baxter was sick.

Hope this helps (sorry for the rambling)...........

[Kim H.]

Welcome to the DBB.

Although it seems surprising, most references now say the dogs really do well with crating when you're gone... they supposedly like having a "den" where they feel safe and secure. Of course, when you're home they will prefer to be with you, but don't worry that it is cruel to crate when you leave!

As far as odor neutralizers, we have had great luck with "Petzyme" (purchased ours at Petland). Nature's Miracle is also highly recommended but for some reason didn't work well on our carpets. Petzyme is also inexpensive.

Good luck with your two!

[roxysmom]

I have a similiar situation with my doxie. I adopted her last year from rescue. If I let her have free reign of the house she will poop or pee on the carpet, even if it's just for half an hour! I tried crating her, but I don't think she had ever been in one in her life. She raised such a fuss, the neighbors complained(I live in an apartment). I finally found a solution that works for me. I use baby gates at both ends of my kitchen and leave her in there with her food, water, bed and toys. She doesn't have an accident unless she really can't hold it. But, at least it's on the linoleum, so it's easy to clean up. The kitchen is big enough for her to run around in and not feel confined. I also leave the TV on for background noise so she doesn't bark at people making noise in the apartment complex. I hope this helps!:flower:

[lotsadox]

Kim's right about dogs doing well with crating. I have two that absolutely love their crates. I have the crates in the study and leave the doors open. They take naps in them during the day and one of them sleeps in his most nights. I think they feel it's their own safe place.