dachshund was almost trained - now seems hopeless
- Thread starter Toaster
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oops
After I read what I posted it looked like I just took her out every morning! hehe...boy would that have been a mess.
I did the same thing with her each time I took her out. We started off every hour, then moved to every other hour. Now she lets us know when she needs to go, and aside from the once in a while accidents that are totally our fault, she's great. Bailey is good too, but he's a bit on the spiteful side. I've always heard that dachshunds are that way, and sometimes can be very hard to potty train. When he gets angry with us, he will raise his leg on whatever he can find if we leave him out while running to the grocery store. Gracie, on the other hand, just likes to chew on things (which I have found an awesome fix for... Red gave me a good system, but I also get her those big rawhide bones.. She will chew on them for days at a time, and my things are spared.)
Good luck!
After I read what I posted it looked like I just took her out every morning! hehe...boy would that have been a mess.
I did the same thing with her each time I took her out. We started off every hour, then moved to every other hour. Now she lets us know when she needs to go, and aside from the once in a while accidents that are totally our fault, she's great. Bailey is good too, but he's a bit on the spiteful side. I've always heard that dachshunds are that way, and sometimes can be very hard to potty train. When he gets angry with us, he will raise his leg on whatever he can find if we leave him out while running to the grocery store. Gracie, on the other hand, just likes to chew on things (which I have found an awesome fix for... Red gave me a good system, but I also get her those big rawhide bones.. She will chew on them for days at a time, and my things are spared.)
Good luck!
I have been reading all Red's advice and I'm reeeeeallllly trying with the potty training. I just would like one precision...
When I catch him in the act its either too late even though I am right next to him or he just doesn't finish whatever he started once I get him outside. And though I try to do it very calmly, he is scared when I pick him up in the middle of his business. Any advice? I can't even seem to get him to the wee pad in time.
When I catch him in the act its either too late even though I am right next to him or he just doesn't finish whatever he started once I get him outside. And though I try to do it very calmly, he is scared when I pick him up in the middle of his business. Any advice? I can't even seem to get him to the wee pad in time.
This seems harder to me than it should be 
Here's the update so far.............. Stogie stays in his kenel as much as possible. When he is out of the kenel, he's eating, playing with us or having his elimination walks.
When walking him, which we are doing at least every 2 hours or less, we praise him while he's in the act (good boy go pee pee or ka-ka)... Here's the problem. When we watch tv for example, and he's on the leash next to us - we've caught him doing #2, we immediately yell NO NO, take him outside to finish, but he's a small 8lbs dog, so he starts and finishes pretty quick. Usually he's done by the time we catch him.
The other problem we're having is, when he's out of the kenel, he ALWAYS wants to go outside.... He can go outside every 2 minutes of we'd let him... obviously he want to go outside to play and explore - not to do his business.
How do we combat these problems? A) him not holding it at all while not in the box and B) him wanting to go outside all the time (false alarms).... The kids are already at the point of saying he doesnt want to go for a walk, he wants to go outside and play (and usually thier right).
Here's the update so far.............. Stogie stays in his kenel as much as possible. When he is out of the kenel, he's eating, playing with us or having his elimination walks.
When walking him, which we are doing at least every 2 hours or less, we praise him while he's in the act (good boy go pee pee or ka-ka)... Here's the problem. When we watch tv for example, and he's on the leash next to us - we've caught him doing #2, we immediately yell NO NO, take him outside to finish, but he's a small 8lbs dog, so he starts and finishes pretty quick. Usually he's done by the time we catch him.
The other problem we're having is, when he's out of the kenel, he ALWAYS wants to go outside.... He can go outside every 2 minutes of we'd let him... obviously he want to go outside to play and explore - not to do his business.
How do we combat these problems? A) him not holding it at all while not in the box and B) him wanting to go outside all the time (false alarms).... The kids are already at the point of saying he doesnt want to go for a walk, he wants to go outside and play (and usually thier right).
A) He shouldn't be given the chance to go #2. Even if he is leashed next to you to the coach, if you are watching t.v. (and not him), then he has the opportunity to go. Have you noticed any little dance that he does before you go? My puppy starts walking around fast, nose down at the ground sniffing, then he does a circle and goes.
B) He's a puppy, of course he wants to go outside and explore. Do you link a command to the act? We use, "Go Out" for both #1 and #2. Herschel is done in the crate, but when he was in there as soon as we would let him out we would say, "Herschel, do you have to go out?" and run towards the door. He got the point pretty fast. Now he will sit at the top of the stairs until we say, "Herschel, do you have to go out?" Then he gets really excited and follows us down the stairs and out the door.
B) He's a puppy, of course he wants to go outside and explore. Do you link a command to the act? We use, "Go Out" for both #1 and #2. Herschel is done in the crate, but when he was in there as soon as we would let him out we would say, "Herschel, do you have to go out?" and run towards the door. He got the point pretty fast. Now he will sit at the top of the stairs until we say, "Herschel, do you have to go out?" Then he gets really excited and follows us down the stairs and out the door.
We use "Stogie, you want to go outside?"
the problem is, he is a pup, and ALWAYS wants to go outside, unless its raining - then he wont go near the door.
He will SOMETIMES give us signs he needs to go outside... sniffing, tugging on the leash towards the door... but sometimes he'll just get up from laying on one of us, go to the floor and poop.
He has never had an accident while crated, which tells me he is able to hold it until he's let out - the problem is he still doesnt understand OUT is the only place to go.
the problem is, he is a pup, and ALWAYS wants to go outside, unless its raining - then he wont go near the door.
He will SOMETIMES give us signs he needs to go outside... sniffing, tugging on the leash towards the door... but sometimes he'll just get up from laying on one of us, go to the floor and poop.
He has never had an accident while crated, which tells me he is able to hold it until he's let out - the problem is he still doesnt understand OUT is the only place to go.
R
Are you food rewarding Stogie after he eliminates outside?
If not, you should be, each and every time. Keep your verbals during his elimination to the command word for the action ONLY.
Go pee pee go pee pee...and save the YESSSS good boy!!! for when he's done and you are feeding him his treat.
The FOOD REWARDS will help him understand that OUTSIDE is the place to eliminate and inside is not.
How old is he now?
If not, you should be, each and every time. Keep your verbals during his elimination to the command word for the action ONLY.
Go pee pee go pee pee...and save the YESSSS good boy!!! for when he's done and you are feeding him his treat.
The FOOD REWARDS will help him understand that OUTSIDE is the place to eliminate and inside is not.
How old is he now?
If he is laying on you and he gets up for no reason, then that suggests he has to go to the bathroom. This is actually a great situation in which you can say, "Stogie, do you want to go _______?" and then run towards the door.
By the way, does "Stogie, you want to go outside?" mean "Stogie, do you have to go to the bathroom?" How is he ever going to distinguish between going outside for fun and going outside for bathroom purposes if the words are the same?
Let's say you use "Garfield" to mean "go to the bathroom." If Stogie is laying on your lap and he gets up, immediately say, "Stogie, do you have to go Garfield?" while running to the door. Keep calling him and cheering him on until he follows you.
Once he is outside, keep asking him if he has to "go Garfield." While he's going, say "Good Garfield, good boy! Garfield, good boy!! Good Garfield!" When he is done kneel down next to him and say, "Good boy, Stogie!", rub his chest, and give him a treat.
By the way, does "Stogie, you want to go outside?" mean "Stogie, do you have to go to the bathroom?" How is he ever going to distinguish between going outside for fun and going outside for bathroom purposes if the words are the same?
Let's say you use "Garfield" to mean "go to the bathroom." If Stogie is laying on your lap and he gets up, immediately say, "Stogie, do you have to go Garfield?" while running to the door. Keep calling him and cheering him on until he follows you.
Once he is outside, keep asking him if he has to "go Garfield." While he's going, say "Good Garfield, good boy! Garfield, good boy!! Good Garfield!" When he is done kneel down next to him and say, "Good boy, Stogie!", rub his chest, and give him a treat.
Yes, we are treating him ONLY during outside bathroom time... and when we are working on training. We are still at the very basic training steps (sit, stay, etc.. we are taking baby steps to not confuse him and frustrate us)
My wife and I are taking the bag of beefy treat sticks with us outside.. when he starts to pee, we repeat Good boy go pee-pee outside, stogie's a good boy go pee-pee outside... same for ka-ka. Then once he's done, we're go down pet him, rub his stomach, chest, neck, repeat good boy, that was a good boy go for a walk outside, go pee-pee outside, go ka-ka outside... then treat him.
He's gotten MUCH better about the treats during walk time... initially he would want the treat as soon as he heard the bag krinkle... now he's expecting it after he does his business. (at least I think anyway?)
As for the how old is he now, we got him 09/03/2005 and he was 6-8 weeks old then (according to the seller), so approximately 10 months with us, maybe 1 year total (give or take).
My wife and I are taking the bag of beefy treat sticks with us outside.. when he starts to pee, we repeat Good boy go pee-pee outside, stogie's a good boy go pee-pee outside... same for ka-ka. Then once he's done, we're go down pet him, rub his stomach, chest, neck, repeat good boy, that was a good boy go for a walk outside, go pee-pee outside, go ka-ka outside... then treat him.
He's gotten MUCH better about the treats during walk time... initially he would want the treat as soon as he heard the bag krinkle... now he's expecting it after he does his business. (at least I think anyway?)
As for the how old is he now, we got him 09/03/2005 and he was 6-8 weeks old then (according to the seller), so approximately 10 months with us, maybe 1 year total (give or take).
R
no no no.
first, use something soft, delicious, and easy to wolf down. Small pieces of cheddar cheese, smoked turkey, hotdogs, etc.
Second, stuff the food reward in his mouth the SECOND he finishes. No dilly dallying about. Timing is EVERYTHING in rewarding a dog and reinforcing a behavior. Keep up the verbal praise, but food reward him the SECOND he is finished.
first, use something soft, delicious, and easy to wolf down. Small pieces of cheddar cheese, smoked turkey, hotdogs, etc.
Second, stuff the food reward in his mouth the SECOND he finishes. No dilly dallying about. Timing is EVERYTHING in rewarding a dog and reinforcing a behavior. Keep up the verbal praise, but food reward him the SECOND he is finished.
See that goes back to the being a puppy explorer issue.. He ALWAYS wants to go outside, I don't think he ever DOESNT want to go outside. No matter when we ask him - he'll jump on the opportunity to go outside and thats not realistic for us... Ideally I'd like him to let us know when he needs to go outside for a bathroom break by ringing the bells on the door, sitting by the door, whatever... but if we don't jump to it at that moment when he wants to go outside, I fully expect him to hold it (like he does while crated) until he does get the opportunity to go outside for his bathroom walk. Are my expectations unrealistic?
Yes, go outside means bathroom time (to us at least). We live in North Texas, and its HOT HOT HOT here most of the year. Even though Stogie wants to explore outside alot, he's 8lbs and even 10 minutes outside in the Texas heat drives him straight to the water bowl upon re-entering the house. Most of his playtime is done inside in our big living room and hallway, where we play chase the ball... he loves the tug of war battle with whatever he can sink his teeth into.
He's absolutely showing signs of improvement in the bathroom area... our issue right now is he doesn't understand that INSIDE the house in absolutely unacceptable. We're also having a hard time figuring out his schedule for doing #2 after eating. Sometimes he'll want to go outside and poop 10 minutes after eating, other times he'll wait 2+ hours... and even other times he'll be eating, eat for 45 seconds, go poop and return to finish his meal. Absolutely no ka-ka schedule whatsoever.
Herschel said:
By the way, does "Stogie, you want to go outside?" mean "Stogie, do you have to go to the bathroom?" How is he ever going to distinguish between going outside for fun and going outside for bathroom purposes if the words are the same?
Let's say you use "Garfield" to mean "go to the bathroom." If Stogie is laying on your lap and he gets up, immediately say, "Stogie, do you have to go Garfield?" while running to the door. Keep calling him and cheering him on until he follows you.
Once he is outside, keep asking him if he has to "go Garfield." While he's going, say "Good Garfield, good boy! Garfield, good boy!! Good Garfield!" When he is done kneel down next to him and say, "Good boy, Stogie!", rub his chest, and give him a treat.
Let's say you use "Garfield" to mean "go to the bathroom." If Stogie is laying on your lap and he gets up, immediately say, "Stogie, do you have to go Garfield?" while running to the door. Keep calling him and cheering him on until he follows you.
Once he is outside, keep asking him if he has to "go Garfield." While he's going, say "Good Garfield, good boy! Garfield, good boy!! Good Garfield!" When he is done kneel down next to him and say, "Good boy, Stogie!", rub his chest, and give him a treat.
He's absolutely showing signs of improvement in the bathroom area... our issue right now is he doesn't understand that INSIDE the house in absolutely unacceptable. We're also having a hard time figuring out his schedule for doing #2 after eating. Sometimes he'll want to go outside and poop 10 minutes after eating, other times he'll wait 2+ hours... and even other times he'll be eating, eat for 45 seconds, go poop and return to finish his meal. Absolutely no ka-ka schedule whatsoever.
Denaluvscorgis said:
Dachshunds are very hard to housebreak. Jackson Browne still has accidents in the house. I would say you will just have to start over. Good luck!!
I would say you will just have to start over. Good luck!!
Honestly, I can't figure out if he's being stubborn, revenege-ful, mean, or stupid.
I seriously do not think he's stupid... I think he has a good idea outside is good, inside is bad. I have heard from ppl that dachshunds are revengeful dogs. when you **** them off or ignore them or whatever, they will be bad? I don't know if thats true or not, but thats what I've heard.
I've read ON THIS FORUM, conflicting reports on training weener dogs.... some say they are stubborn and hard to train, others say they are smart as can be and easy to train. I'm in the hard to train camp right now, but.......
what bothers me, if I'm finding the accidental ka-ka, I know **** well he's pissing in the house too.... and obviously I don't want that. And I don't think my goal with him in un-realistic at all.. All I want is a housebroken dog.
< rant >
I've read lots of posts on here... and many are conflicting. People say keep the dog crated unless he's eating or outside. No alone time in the house.
Others say he's wrong to keep the dog crated while you're home.
Feed the dog 2+ times a day, others say feed him once a day.
Keep the dog on kibble or dog only foods, others say human foods are fine and better.
Its hard for us to filter through all the posts, and make sense of what should actually be done
obviously we want to do the right and correct things, but the information, even here, is conflicting.
< /rant >
If you aren't very closely watching or playing with him, he should be crated.
I don't think he is being vengeful, I just don't think he gets the idea that he should go outside.
He needs more to understand that going "outside is awesome" more than knowing that going "inside is unacceptable." Are you strongly renforcing him when he goes outside? Do NOT reprimand him if he goes inside!
I don't think he is being vengeful, I just don't think he gets the idea that he should go outside.
He needs more to understand that going "outside is awesome" more than knowing that going "inside is unacceptable." Are you strongly renforcing him when he goes outside? Do NOT reprimand him if he goes inside!
I've been trying to follow ONLY the advice I'm reading in this thread. I've been reading keeping him crated is the best way to housebreak him - so thats what we've been doing 95% of the time, the other 5% of the time is when we're not watching him closely enough is when he's having the accidents I keep telling my family, either watch him, play with him or crate him - but like I said in an earlier post, I'm training my 18, 13 and 11 year old children too! {any advice for training kids!? }
I don't think he's being vengeful either, but 90% of the pet owners and pet store employee's (*cough* petsmart) I've talked to about him say Dachshunds are stubborn and vengeful animals...? To me (us) he's sweet and very smart. I honestly feel he knows he shouldn't go inside the house, but he doesnt even try to hold it unless he's crated. That or he hasn't figured out how to let us know when he needs to go outside for a bathroom walk?
As for NOT reprimanding him when we find the mistakes in the house... We're trying, but I have to be honest, thats more of a test in my patience and will then his. After nearly a year, we are STILL trying to housebreak this dog, and we are currently unsuccessful - we are making progress (I think?) but a year later we should be training him to play dead, roll over, bahavior stuff... not the puppy basics still.
We are starting that today. My wife and I have agreed, based on your recomendations, perhaps our treats are enough - so we're going to start treating him with human foods immediately after he poops and/or pee's OUTSIDE. Using the suggestions you made, Cheese, turkey breast, piece of hotdog - something like that.
I WILL KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED!
I also want to thank you guys, and everyone who has participated in this thread. I appreciate all the time and effort all of you are putting into helping me with this. Even though I live in a major city (DFW area) finding good solid advice is no easy task locally. So I value the quality of advice I'm getting here, and I sincerely appreciate it.
I keep telling my family, either watch him, play with him or crate him - but like I said in an earlier post, I'm training my 18, 13 and 11 year old children too! {any advice for training kids!? }I don't think he's being vengeful either, but 90% of the pet owners and pet store employee's (*cough* petsmart) I've talked to about him say Dachshunds are stubborn and vengeful animals...? To me (us) he's sweet and very smart. I honestly feel he knows he shouldn't go inside the house, but he doesnt even try to hold it unless he's crated. That or he hasn't figured out how to let us know when he needs to go outside for a bathroom walk?
As for NOT reprimanding him when we find the mistakes in the house... We're trying, but I have to be honest, thats more of a test in my patience and will then his. After nearly a year, we are STILL trying to housebreak this dog, and we are currently unsuccessful - we are making progress (I think?) but a year later we should be training him to play dead, roll over, bahavior stuff... not the puppy basics still.
We are starting that today. My wife and I have agreed, based on your recomendations, perhaps our treats are enough - so we're going to start treating him with human foods immediately after he poops and/or pee's OUTSIDE. Using the suggestions you made, Cheese, turkey breast, piece of hotdog - something like that.
I WILL KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED!
I also want to thank you guys, and everyone who has participated in this thread. I appreciate all the time and effort all of you are putting into helping me with this. Even though I live in a major city (DFW area) finding good solid advice is no easy task locally. So I value the quality of advice I'm getting here, and I sincerely appreciate it.
Toaster said:
I'm training my 18, 13 and 11 year old children too! {any advice for training kids!? }
}
I've always been amazed how little the people at PetStupid know about animals. Please don't take advice from them!!
Toaster said:
As for NOT reprimanding him when we find the mistakes in the house... We're trying, but I have to be honest, thats more of a test in my patience and will then his. After nearly a year, we are STILL trying to housebreak this dog, and we are currently unsuccessful - we are making progress (I think?) but a year later we should be training him to play dead, roll over, bahavior stuff... not the puppy basics still.
I should add that small breed dogs are notoriously hard to housetrain. For some reason, we got lucky, but a year is not unheard of. Just keep working on it and like you said--use more desireable treats.
Well the newest addition to this Stogie saga is, when Stogie goes outside for his walks, after doing his business he looks at you in anticipation of his treat Yep, he know's he's gonna get it - and he's waiting for it after peeing or pooping.
Now, once the humor of that wears off, I realized he's still making the mistakes in the house.... why do I know this? After several additional days of Crate, Eat, outside, Crate routines, and seeing him waiting for a treat after his bathroom walks, I decided to leave him loose to see what happens. Well, he's still perfectly fine with using the house
I guess I just have to keep with this program, and pray sooner or later he'll STOP using the house entirely. Otherwise, I've got a dog that I won't be able to leave out of his crate for any length of time.
Yep, he know's he's gonna get it - and he's waiting for it after peeing or pooping. Now, once the humor of that wears off, I realized he's still making the mistakes in the house.... why do I know this? After several additional days of Crate, Eat, outside, Crate routines, and seeing him waiting for a treat after his bathroom walks, I decided to leave him loose to see what happens. Well, he's still perfectly fine with using the house
I guess I just have to keep with this program, and pray sooner or later he'll STOP using the house entirely. Otherwise, I've got a dog that I won't be able to leave out of his crate for any length of time.