Beemer and Mercedes are really starting to blossom and act like normal puppies. However, we are having a not so good of time learning the potty training. They just aren't getting it at all -- no connection to anything. They are caged when I leave and have paper to go on -- sometimes they hit it or they just use their blankets. They are just now willing to go in the grass outside but have made no connection with going potty outside yet. I have paper down all over the house and they pee and poop on the rug. I have to work so I was at least hoping that they would make the paper connection. I am open for suggestions on Doxie training. Bev
I was very lucky with both of my rescues....so I have not had to deal with training a puppy. From what everyone here has said - potty training a dachshund is VERY hard....stubborn little toots that they are !
You will get a lot of good advice from those that have done it. The big word is consistent and taking them outside every 30 minutes or so....and praise, praise, praise when they get it right.
Any chance of someone close to your house taking them out mid day? For a puppy a long day being caged is hard - and since they haven't made the connection yet - they just go when they have to. It is definatly a lot of work....but you have to keep at it. No yelling, just praising when they do it right.
So glad they are doing well otherwise !
You have to be very consistent. With puppies you have to take them out pretty frequently or they will potty in the house. When they first wake up, take them out. When they finish eting, take them out. When they have played for a few minutes, take them out. pretty much whenever the activity changes take them out. Also if you are going to be gone during the day and can't get home to let them out you can train them to paper or puppy pads or to a litter box (that's what I did). You just have to confine them so that they have access to the bed and the papers(potty area). If they have access to the potty area, then they shouldn't potty in the beds. It may need to be quite a small area at first but it can gradually get bigger as they are more reliable about the potty habits. Also if you are going to crate them, you might want to have a crate big enough to divide into a potty area and a sleeping area while they are puppies. They will need to go if you are gone more than a few hours.
The main thing is to be consistent, give them treats and praise like they are the greatest little babies in the world when they get it right. If they mess up, don't give any attention unless you catch them in the act. If that's the case then a stern "no" and taking them to the right place is what you should do. Of course when they finish pottying in the correct place brag and cheer like crazy as if it was all their idea to go there!
I trained Cajsa to use a litterbox by barricading her in the kitchen (linoleum!) with just her crate and her pottybox all on papers. Eventually I was able to expand the area, still leaving the papers around the pottybox just in case she didn't make it in time. She is now 2.5 years old and will go to her box but doesn't always like to turn around so sometimes misses. I just keep a washable pooch pad down to catch it and that keeps my floor cleaner.
Gee, I don't know how you can work and potty train at the same time !?!?!? Potty training WAS a FULL time job. I got Ellie in July.... beautiful summer days and nights .... the neighbors laughed at me when I was out in the yard at 3 a.m. with the little :princess: