Say hello to our new puppy!

[angka]

Gus is a seven week old silver dapple dachschund. He is possibly the cutest dog that has ever lived (I haven't seen every puppy out there so it's hard to say). As a pedigreed furbag, he cost an amount that I have to confess was completely inappropriate. I hope I don't get flamed over this like a certain prominent someone did recently.

As I type this he is chewing on my shoes. And just about five minutes ago, he crouched down right in front of me and took a dump on the living room floor. Now I understand why the wife and I made a deal to only have one kid. You take the good with the bad, I guess.

So how do you people housebreak puppies? We've got a book with some suggestions, but I'd really prefer to find a Dr. Spock-style no meanness way to do it.

[Occulus]

1. Well,

from personal experience, rub the dog's nose in it (their sense of smell is 20,000 times better than ours), tell the puppy- LOUDLY- that it was BAD, repeat that word while rubbing their nose in it again, and then isolate the dog for about half an hour.

The dog will get the hint.

Repeatedly take the dog out for walks to eliminate. It will go. Instinct, you see.

[Bake]

2. What a cutie!!

I'm a sucker for puppies and kitties.

And I can't believe his name is Gus. Many many years ago, when I was just a little kid, we had a dachsund who looked JUST LIKE YOURS and his name was Gus! (Actually, Baron Gustave von Highstepper, but that gets a little long when you're trying to call him!). He was a great dog, even when he ate the neighbor girl's little dyed Easter chick. He loved ice cream cones (we got the flat-bottomed ones so he could hold them between his front paws on the floor to eat 'em), and would regularly fart in his sleep so loudly that it would wake him up.

I hope your Gus brings you as much joy as mine did. He's a cutie! Look at that FACE!!!!

Bake

[angka]

5. no kidding. his full name IS gustav.

:)

[SoCalDem]

3. Dogs have a conscience..

Please don't stick his nose in it:(.. Take him to it and say " BAD DOG"..Sternly.. When they are little, they will usually "go" very soon after they eat.. so if you control when he eats, and then take him for a nice little walk, he will learn.. When he goes where you want him to go.. parise him and pet him.. He will want to please you :)

If you have a fenced yard, just put him out when he's eaten and watch for him to go.. Then call him right in.. It won't take long for him to get the message ...

He's a cutie :)

[VolcanoJen]

22. SoCalDem's got the housetraining right!

In my experience, rubbing a dog's nose in his waste is completely ineffective. With that method, all you're really teaching the puppy to do is to not pee... in front of you, that is.

The puppy year is difficult. It requires time and loving dedication. I've raised more than my share of puppies, and I've always been successful in housetraining. Not all dogs are alike, and some take longer than others. Dachsies are headstrong little guys and want to be in charge, in my experience. When my little mutt Strider (at least 1/2 Dachsie) was a pup, he gave me such headaches with housetraining! What finally worked for me was succumbing to a rigid schedule. When at home, and when he was uncaged, he went outside every hour on the hour, and got a little tiny tasty treat when he was finished. Eventually, he figured out that going outside = snack, while going inside equalled loud noises and unpleasant experiences (when I caught him, I'd clap my hands very loudly to distract him).

It took awhile, but he figured it out. They always do. Consistency is the key, as is rewarding the pup for good behavior. :-)

[Code_Name_D]

25. If that fails...

than you could place him in a small pen, prefurabel in the garoge. It will NOT take him long to catch on that he needs to control when and where he goes.

BUT! Keep in mind that puppes are just like children. Their bowels are not fully devluped when they are as young as this one. So he CAN'T control himself just yet. That is where the paper floor comes in. Punishing him too soon only frustreates him, and makes you into his nemises.

Its one resone why I like cats.

[dweller]

4. He's a beauty!

We had dachsunds growing up, they were so much fun.

Check out The Monks of New Skete website
http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

a past gf of mine used their techniques and had great success with a lab she owned.

check out their book, Art of Raising a Puppy.

good luck,
dp

[kixot]

6. AAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!

My wife and I just lost our little dachshund a month and a half ago after spending all night and $700 in the animal hospital trying to save our little baby. We've been looking for a replacemnet since and still haven't found one at the pound or in the paper within our price range.

They are quite possible the most precious little doggies ever bred, but notoriousle hard to potty train. The thing is that they never quite take to complete potty training, they may learn the "preferred" place to go, but they may also, from time to time, leave you a little present out of spite, forgetfulness, or plain misbehaving. They really are like children. They tend to be too distracted to take much direction or discipline so get yourself a shampoo vac and cuddle up to your new best friend!

[VolcanoJen]

23. I'm so sorry about the loss of your little buddy, kixot.

:-(

You will find dog love again, I promise!

Prices, schmices. How about taking a trip to the local animal shelter and adopting a little guy in need of a home? It's easy, it's cheap, and it'll make you feel all warm inside. :-)

I had my heart set on a Dachsund too, but found a sweet little dachsund mix at our local shelter and gave him a happy, loving home. If you don't find your dog soulmate at the pound upon first visit, just keep going back. It's hard, I know, and heartbreaking too, but eventually you'll find a little fella or gal who was just made for you. :-)

I'm done being preachy about mutts now,
Jennifer :-)

[LuLu550]

43. I'm sorry

losing companion animals is so hard, they are just like kids. My Wire Haired Fox Terrier, Scruffy was killed by a stray dog two years ago and it still makes me cry. We took her to the vet and spent $900 trying to save her but her injuries were too bad. www.petloss.com is a great site for those grieving the loss a pet.
Hope you find a new little friend soon. We now have Lexi, a mini Scnhauzer and she is a doll!

[Wickster]

47. Our Bogey (doxie) died last year.

I'm so sorry that you lost your dachshund, too. They are wonderful, funny creatures.

And Gus, what a charmer! I could just pick him up and love him to pieces!

You are right, kixot, they can be spiteful regarding elimination! Bogey would get mad at me for some reason and poop right in front of the door - while watching me! He was so funny. Throw a cover on his head and he would keel right over! He seemed to know how I felt and when I was sick, he would never leave my side. His idea of a treat was an ice cube. He would hear the ice dispenser being used and come running! (Sure is cheaper and really better for them).

He was with me for 15 years. I really miss him, so I know how you feel.

BTW, sticking their little noses into their excretement serves no useful purpose - they LIKE shit. They will even eat shit. They smell other dogs behinds in greeting. You are encouraging them when you rub their noses in it. :D And then they come "kiss" you on the face. Think about it!

[papau]

7. A very large smile! - wish I could have one!

but I doubt we will be able to care for a pet again.

Meanwhile thanks for the smile!

:-)

[Deja Q]

8. What a lovely puppy!

(S)he'll grow up to be a beautiful daschund!

I've no dogs so I can't give you any ideas on how to potty-train the pup, but I wish you the best of luck! Apart from possibly showing her where to go and when and rewarding her when she does it right. And reward at the time, don't reward her 30 minutes after the event.

If you do see her "going" inappropriately, try a spray bottle and talk sternly. That, I gather, works for cats... not sure about dogs though.

But do take that with a grain of salt. On second thought, ditch the grain and get a bucketful of salt - I'm not really qualified but I had to make the set-up that long in order to tell you the corny salt joke and to make this look like a one-liner, I do wish you well in the training of the pup...

[geniph]

9. *grin*

Puppy pics! I love puppy pics! I love other people's puppies, when other people get to pick up the poop and make them stop crying in the night! ;-)

He's a little cutie. There was a mini-dachsie in the obedience training class I took my Basenji to some years back, and he was only like three months old and TEENSY. His people would tell him, "sit! Sit! Oh, you ARE sitting..." because you couldn't tell. His little legs were so short you couldn't see if he was sitting or standing. :D

Oh, and crate-training is the best way to housebreak, but don't expect too much muscular control before 4 months or so. They just CAN'T hold it before then.

[roguevalley]

10. I have five. :-D

Two chocolate dapple twins with burnished red and black dots and
they bleach in the sun. Tippy looks like he has silver spats.
Sits up. Smiles.

Two black and tans. :-D One hums.

One tiny red dapple.

Best breed EVER!

Congrats. Welcome to the obsession.

[Aristus]

11. Oh my GOD! A dachsie!

I come from a dachshund family. We've never had anything but. What a beautiful dog!

[FlaGranny]

12. Crate Training!

It's the only way to go. The crate should only be big enough for the puppy to lie down in. He might protest a little when you put him in it, but as he gets older the crate becomes his den and he will go there on his own. Only take him out of the crate when you can watch him so you can catch any naughtiness and nip it in the bud. Take him outside as soon as he comes out of the crate. It is best to pick him up and carry him at first. Praise, praise, and more praise when he does his business outside. Ignore it when he goes inside, except maybe to say "bad" in a stern voice. Take him outside every time he eats. There will be accidents, but he will learn in a month or so how to please you, and he really wants to please you. Buy bitter apple at the pet store and spray it on anything you don't want him chewing up and give him plenty of chew toys.

As he gets older, he will be out of the crate more and more, and when you can trust him, you can leave the crate open and he will most likely go into the crate on his own when he wants privacy, but by then he can have the run of the house.

Edit: You WILL have to put up with a bit of crying at first, but he'll soon get over it. Make sure he gets plenty of play time and cuddling with his people.

[VolcanoJen]

24. FlaGranny has perfect advice!!!

Your method is the same as mine, FlaGranny, and it never fails.

It's a little embarrassing when your neighbors witness you going absolutely nutty-happy when the dog goes outside, but it's worth it. :-)

[LuLu550]

42. I agree with crate training

Very cute little pup!
I agree so much with crate training. Make sure it is small enough that he can't poop in the corner. Get on a "feeding going to the bathroom" schedule.
Feed him, then take him right out and say "go potty" or something (use the same word all the time) WHILE he is pooping or peeing and get excited and say "good boy." Don't play outside first, always make the first thing the "going to the bathroom" part.
Putting their nose in it doesn't really help because they don't put the ACT of eliminating with the negative consequences.
I never used papers in the house or anything. Just a crate and a good schedule of eating and pooping and all four of my dogs trained rapidly.
Good luck!

[angka]

13. puppybump!

thanks for all the great advice.

[Madrone]

14. I want to share too! (pic)

This is my Bodhi - he's almost 9 months old now...

<>

[Richardo]

15. I like to call them "poopy dogs" at that age...

We've got six (or as I like to think of it, 3 pair of dog).

We've found that if you pair them up as puppies (poopies) they do less damage to your household objects. But as you say, cost is a factor. I'd say the crate method works best in the long run.

Anyway, Mazeltov! Enjoy Gus, he looks like a winner!

[ronnykmarshall]

16. Ahhhhhh!

What a cutie pie!!

[Catshrink]

17. He melted my heart

what a darling little guy. There's nothing as awesome as a puppy -- except of course, a kitten!

[angka]

18. he's working out the relationship

with our two cats. it's day by day, but remarkably the cats appear to be terrified by him (that's good because they can kill things his size).

i'm honestly a little worried about cats soing to the puppy what they already do to birds and rodents (and even a squirrel once).

[LuLu550]

44. congrats on the pup

AND joining the 700 club! :bounce: :party: :bounce: :party: :bounce:

[Rhiannon12866]

19. What an adorable little sweetheart!

Thanks for sharing him with us!:D

The most important thing about housebreaking is consistency. You need to stick to a schedule. He will get used to being taken out at set times. The most important ones are immediately after he wakes up (even from a nap) and immediately after he eats. Also, the first thing when you get up and the very last thing at night. Every two hours is a good guideline to follow, but the times I mentioned are especially important. You might also want to consider a basic obedience class. If he learns basic commands, he will be safer and both of you will he happier because he will understand what is expected of him.:-)

He is just so cute and I will certainly not flame you. All of my dogs, except the one I had as a child, have been rescue, but all have just happened to be purebreds. You never know, these days, where any dog will end up. My little dog must have cost a fortune for his original owner, but she died and he was nearly euthanized because nobody wanted him. The important thing is that you love him. I sure do!
:loveya:

I hope to hear more about he's progressing. Congratulations and best wishes to all of you.
:toast:

Rhiannon

[SuffragetteSal]

20. Welcome Gus and congrats to mom and dad

We have two Doxies and just love them. We use WeeWee pads for indoor most of the time, but a good thing is to take your little Gus out to the grass or yard where you want to train him to go. Physically take him if he doesn't want to go (meaning carry him out to the grass).

We take ours out regularly but the male still prefers to use the WeeWee pad (or you can go cheaper and buy the hospital style under pads much chaaper from the drugstore (near the Depends area).

Thank you for sharing your little joy. He is just precious! Realize that these little guys love to 'mark' so be prepared not to lose your cool when he insists on marking any items you may leave laying around on the floor. Good luck with your puppy. I hope he gets to sleep with you, because these dogs love sleeping in the 'big bed' with mommy and daddy!

[angka]

26. ha!

sleeping in bad with mommy and daddy is already the norm. he curls up next to my head and sleeps—i can't resist the extreme cuteness of this. it's the best way to keep him happy at night, and so far he's alerted us very nicely when it's time to go outside and do his business (we've had no accidents in bed and very few in general in this first week).

we're absolutely trying to do this in a way that doesn't alienate him. no smacking, not really much correction at all yet (at 8 weeks it's useless to get mad at him). just encouragement and lots of alternate things to chew on besides my shoes. :)

[VolcanoJen]

21. Hi, baby Gus!!!!

Ohhhhhhh I have such a soft gushy spot for pupper-doggers!!!

My own little guy, Strider, just over a year old, resembles a dachsund with a big, fat bassett hound body.

Weiner Dogs are such clowns, aren't they? May Gus provide you with a lifetime of laughs!!

:-)
Jennifer

[graywarrior]

27. The Monks of New Skete have a great book.

.

[trof]

31. "How to be Your Dog's Best Friend"-absolutely the best

by the Monks of New Skete.
http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/puppies/dg.html

You can buy it here
http://books.cheap-internet-store.com/Home_Garden/Expert_Advice/Monks_of_New_Skete/

I visited the monastery several years ago. They have some of the most beautiful German Shepherds I've ever seen. The book is a must read for anyone with a dog.
Good luck.

[SiouxJ]

28. I had a long haired Doxie when I was growing up

She WAS the cutest dog that ever lived (at the time) too! Great dog that lived to a ripe old age. They do tend to screw up their backs so if you can discourage that sitting upright on their butt begging habit, you'll be better off in the long run. Mine had to have back surgery when she was about 10. She lived another 6 or 7 years after that but it was very hard rehabilitating her (not to mention it was very expensive). Also, they will eat until they pop and can get so fat that their bellies drag on the ground. We kept mine in good shape but I've seen it happen to others. Good luck with your new pup!

[trof]

32. Me too!

He was my first very own dog.
I showed him and won lots of ribbons.

[SiouxJ]

33. Mine too!

she was my first dog. I got her on Christmas Eve. Mine wasn't a pure breed though, so no ribbons but she was certainly ribbon worthy to me :-) .

[Darranar]

29. Hello, puppy!

n/t

[ProfessorGAC]

30. It's OK to Say It. He's The Cutest Ever!

Housebreaking: We got our dog to go by taking him out often and encouraging him with the word "potty". When he did go, which is fairly often for a puppy, we praised him profusely and reinforced the word. It took him only about a week to wait to go out for potty time.

No meanness. Just a lot of repetition and praise. Worked for us.

Chewing: Can't help much there. Our's never chewed much. We gave him toys and approved of that chewing, and yelled whenever he picked up anything that wasn't his. He never really got into that habit, so it wasn't really an issue for us.
The Professor

[ploppy]

34. What a nice puppy!

Enjoy and spoil him. Doxies are the greatest companions and they always bring a smile to my face.

[Rhiannon12866]

35. Here is a great dog thread that you may have missed

This guy posted some excellent sources for learning more about dogs.:-)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=109950#110601

[ikojo]

36. He is awful cute

I wish I could hold him and give him hugs and lovin.

:hug:

As far as housebreaking your new bundle of joy I would consider kenneling him while you are away. Dogs tend not to "do their business" where they live. I know many people who kennel their dogs while they are at work.

You may also wish to keep him to only one room until he learns to ask to go out.

Just a suggestion from one who babysits dogs.

[Rhiannon12866]

38. I kept my dog in one room at night, while he was being housebroken,

rather than giving him the run of the house. That's what I was advised to do. It got to be rather comical. My dog was not a puppy, but was an adult dog who had been mostly housebroken by the wonderful woman who rescued him. I would give him his treat and say goodnight. After a couple of weeks of this, I would give him his treat and he would run around behind me and out of the door of the room. I just laughed out loud. I was very lucky that my boy really understood what was going on.:D

I think you mean crate when you say kennel. At least that's what it is called in Upstate New York.:shrug:

[ikojo]

41. Yes I do mean keeping them in an appropriately sized cage

(crate) when I suggest kenneling dogs. I had never heard of that before I started dog sitting for people while they went on vacations. They call it kennelling.

:shrug:

[HEyHEY]

37. New Puppies always look sooo tired!

So much in one day I guess

[seeker4ever]

39. Sweet little baby!

Love animals.

[retread]

40. Dogs are creatures of habit. We can use this to our advantage.

1. Use no physical violence. EVER!
2. Correct only when you see them in the act that needs modification.
3. Crate training is the easiest path. Remember though, if he cries and whines and you let him out you have trained him on what to do when he wants out.
4. When he is in the proper place and goes, lots of praise and treats.
5. Take him to the proper place regularly. Restrict his access to the entire house. Gradually expand the size of his "den".
6. He is not being willful. He doesn't understand what you want. Any failure is NOT his, it's your's.
7. A formal puppy-training class, with the right instructor, can open lines of communication that both of you will benefit from as long as you are together.

[kskiska]

49. Right on, Retread

There's an excellent book:
Good Dog, Bad Dog
by Mordecai Siegal & Matthew Margolis
that I've used as a "bible."

Never, ever, rub a dog's nose in his feces. A dog does not see this an something bad and only confuses him. It's important to get inside the dog's brain and know how he thinks. This book does this.

The important thing is routine. A dog defecates immediately after meals. Puppies should eat twice a day. My daughter just trained a Walker Hound that had lived wild for the first few months of her life abandoned in the woods with her two sisters. The dog is perfectly housetrained now. It takes patience, but do not blame the dog for accidents. If the dog is caught in the act piddling in the house, immediately take it outside. If the puddle is noticed later, forget about it. The dog will not make the connection. I have no experience with crating, though some swear by it, but do keep the puppy confined to one room (the kitchen is easiest to clean) at night and when you go out. So many dogs end up in the pound because people don't understand that dogs don't think the way humans do, and their training methods are futile.

[Boudicea]

45. How sweet - my childhood best friend dog was a dapple.

[arissa]

46. Why would you buy a puppy?

When there are millions of puppies and dogs sentenced to death every year, and millions more homeless, because people buy them and then decide they don't want them?

Puppy breeding is not only immoral because of the massive overpopulation of companion animals, but most large scale breeders that sell to pet stores and other commercial locations operate what are called "puppy mills," where female dogs are kept continuously pregnant, and then killed when their bodies give out and can't take it anymore.

Their offspring are torn away from their mothers too early so she can get pregnant again, and kept in awful and unsanitary conditions. Unhealthy puppies are killed, usually either drowned or struck on the head with a blunt object, and thrown out. After being sold to a broker who sells the puppies to a pet store, the puppies are usually shipped hundreds of miles in awful conditions, exposed to the elements, and with no access to food or water.

Only about half the puppies born in a puppy mill make it to "market."

Further, bred puppies are usually inbred (especially purebreeds), which leads to a host of health problems when the dog gets older. Small breeders aren't immune from these conditions either, most also being inbred to some degree or another, and all adding to the problem of overpopulation.

Rescue your next dog or cat from an animal shelter or off the street. Adopt, don't buy - don't support such cruelty with your money.

[Andy_Stephenson]

48. Guard the baby well...

all 3 of mine were kidnapped from my yard...I love dauschunds. They are quite possibly the best dogs on earth.