Daschund Potty Training/Behavioral Problems?

Question

I've got a four month old, male daschund who just doesn't seem to get the whole "doing his business" outside of the house. I really can't get it through to him. Whenever I get home or wake up, I make it a point to take both of my dogs outside. My other dog has no problem peeing when he's out, but the weenie takes forever to pee if he pees at all. A lot of the time I'll stand outside and encourage him to pee for up to 20 minutes, and it seems as though the moment we step inside he pees on the floor. He has big jealousy issues with the other dog as well. Whenever I praise the other, the weenie comes up and bites or bullies him and tries to get my attention instead. He definitely acts like the little brother. Also, I recently planted tomatoes and strawberries in the back yard. To protect them from bugs, I sprayed them with pesticide, and he ate all the tomatoes and puked. So I began spraying them with my own organic compound, and he has now taken to eating the stems. What do i do?

He also rips up all of his belongings (beds, toys, other plants outside, plastic, garden soil bags, etc.). I keep the dogs in a pen that has a doggie door leading to the backyard when I'm not at the house which allows both of them to come and go as they please. And when I try to punish him he seems to have no idea what I'm doing or why he's wrong. I really think I'm going to have to give him up if these problems don't cease to exist. I understand some of the behavior because of his age, but a lot of this stuff is really extreme. I've had daschunds before and none of this has been a problem (with the exception of teething). I'm really at a loss here. Give me some advice, please. It is greatly appreciated.

My grandmother got him from a breeder somewhere close to her house... I'm really not sure how many times the dogs had been interbred (if that's the correct term). So maybe there's something wrong with genetics.

I try ignoring the pup when he bullies, but if he's out he'll just continue, he doesn't listen to me. I lost the crate I used to have and I really haven't had the money to get a new one, but I know what my next paycheck is going towards. I punish Noodle (my baby dasch) by taking him to the scene of the crime, telling him no firmly and putting him in the pen by himself. I really think he has too much freedom in the pen though. Thanks for all the great advice!!

He doesn't growl at the other dog. If he ever sees me pet or pay any attention to the other dog, he comes over and butts in between the two of us and demands some attention. If I'm not paying attention to either of them, he'll start jumping on and wanting to play with the other dog. They get into the chasing, barking, play biting and when I say "BOYS NO" they stop but after a few minutes they'll be at it again... I really have to get a kennel and keep him in it during the day.

YES, definite alpha male behavior. And I really don't have the funds for immediate doggie training classes, so I'm going to start with kennel training and tight meal schedule as well as keeping up with taking them outside on schedule

Answer 1

When he pee's outside do you immediatly go back inside? He most likely likes being outside and knows that when he pee's he will just go back in. So when you take him out to pee .. do as you do and walk him around to let him go .. then pull out a toy (after he goes potty) and throw it around for about 10-15 minutes. That way he'll associate peeing outside with playing outside.

As for him bullying your other dog when he does this say "NO" and ignore him for about 5 minutes and just pay attention to the other dog. Then when he settles down play with BOTH of them. You want your pup to see that if hes going to be a bully, hes NOT going to get your attention.

For the plants, my dad lives out in the country in PA and grows some tomatoes, cucumbers and some peppers in his back yard. There are alot of deer so he bought a tall thin wired fence to keep deer and rabbits out of his plants. You can easily get some at your local hardware store.

Good luck with training! I recently got a Dachshund pup and shes 5 months and she was a bit stubborn w/ potty training but now shes ALOT better :] I can actually give you some more tips that I did w/ her:

1. ALWAYS keep an eye on him! If you need to go into another room or cook dinner and cant watch him .. put him in his crate. Most pups go when you arent around.

2. If you dont feel good putting him in the crate, get a long leash .. like the ones where you can put your dog outside w/ thats long and hook one end to your belt loop and the other to your dog. Thats another way to keep an eye on him.

3. Take him out 15-20 minutes after he eats or plays rough. Watch his drinking patterns as well.

4. Keep him on the SAME feeding schedule everyday. Like I feed my dogs 6AM and 5PM same time everyday. I know when they have to go potty now.

5. No food or water 1 hour before bed time.

Hope that helps!

EDIT: How are you punishing him? .. Maybe we can suggest another technique.

Answer 2

Crate training is such a good thing! I am glad to see you plan on getting a crate for him. When you take him out to potty, take him alone for a while. The other dogs may be distracting to him. My puppy will not go if there is anything to distract her, she has to go investigate. If my cat is out there she wants to play with the cat. As far as the bullying, do you have someone that could help train with you? Work on the "Sit" commmand. Once he gets a grasp at what that means, take the dog he is most jealous of, and your training assistant outside with the daschund. Make sure they are both on leashes. Tell the daschund to sit and if he does, give him a treat and lots of praise. Then walk away with the other dog. Tell the other dog to sit, and give him a treat and lots of praise. When the daschund attempts to run over, have the assistant trainer tell the dog, "NO" and "Sit." Once he sits back down, have the assistant trainer give him attention and treats. As you do this day by day, get a little closer together. Finally, hopefully, you will be able to have them both out at the same time,right together, and they will understand that they have to wait their turn.

Answer 3

These dogs are hard headed. I have 2. Take the dog to the doggy trainer and get him started on the right track. Pet-Smart did a world of good for my Bull Headed little monster. We worked together for 6 weeks once a week with the trainer and all the time at home. It really does work. About the plants I would put up a small fence to keep him out.

Answer 4

Dachshunds are a very intelligent breed and often listed in the top five of most intelligent breeds. Your dachshund has learned that it can pee in the house and now that is where it wants to do it. Your dog is training you. First things first. If your dog is not neutered then that needs to happen today. You must keep the dog under constant supervision when in the house. If you can't contain it to a small specific area you need to have it on a leash in the house. When you catch it doing its business you scoop it up take it outdoors and give a command, I use "go potty". The dog will learn that it can't go pottying in the house because it will get scooped up and taken outside. A big problem will be if you decide that the dog is trained and take it off constant supervision and it potties in the house. You will have lost and the dog will have won and now your efforts have to be doubled. You say that the dog is "jealous" this isn't correct as only humans get jealous. It is always incorrect to apply human traits to dogs. Your dog is being alpha and territorial and this may explain the peeing in the house issue, he is marking territory. What to do is to get yourself and the dog to puppy classes and then on to basic obedience training. This dog is smart and taking over. If you do not redirect its behavior you are going to have a problem pet. I have owned mostly dachshunds and understand them very well. They can be the greatest dogs in the world if you understand dog behavior and how to train them. Oh, one thing about the biting and growling at your other dog. This is never to be tolerated in any dog and this indicates to me the dog is already badly behaved.

Answer 5

Oh my. I know dachshunds. They are one of the hardest breeds to house train. It took my sister (who breeds dachshunds) three years to get her girls kennel trained. They still are not completely trustworthy around the house without supervision. My best advice would be not to loose control. Keep working on it. You may even want to try some potty pads. Nature's Miracle has potty pads that have the grass scent in them. That may help encourage him to pee outside as well.
As for the tomato thing... not sure. I've never had that problem. I do have to say that you were smart using an organic spray instead of the pesticide again. Chemicals are so harsh on their systems. Continue to scold him if he gets near your plants. Don't go off on a rampage yelling at him. He doesn't speak English. The fewer words the better. Just use the word "NO!" in a harsh tone. Dogs catch onto voice tones.
Good luck!

Answer 6

I just had to put my sweet dachshund to sleep
I have been crying for days
I am not sure it was the right thing to do
His name is Pepper and I have had him since he was a tiny puppy
I had to pull all my carpet up and replace my floors with slate
I just could not train him no matter what
He saved it to go into the house
I really think he got some bad dog food because he could not get enough to drink
I thought he had diabetes so I took him to the vet
$212.00 later no digests he seemed to be doing a little better for a couple days then started throwing up all night and the next day
Then he had thee runs and it was rust coloured
I called the vet and said I think my dog is dying
I took him in as I did not want to let him suffer over the whole week-end
we put him to sleep with his little sweet face close to mine
I can not stop crying
was that rust blood
That's what I think
Oh god I miss my sweet (bad ) little friend
I called him the$10,000.00 dog because he cost me new floors etc.

Answer 7

When I first got my dog all he wanted to do was pee inside of the house, until when he peed inside I took his nose and rubbed it in the pee and got a rolled-up newspaper and spanked him on his bottom a few times. Within a few days maybe a week he would scratch on the back door to go out and o his business.

Answer 8

Hello...they are very stubborn, you need crate or space training ( not a big space or crate - one just his size ) & a feeding & water schedule for potty training...more detailed info is on my 360 ...don't know why but many dogs like to dig up new plantings... so good fencing can help, but dachsies are notorious & great diggers ..LOL !! You just have to take charge of the dog ..not let the dog take charge !! Take Care :)

Answer 9

I was taught Never praise a dog openly. Make them work for your attention giving them to much praise discourages them not to work for your love its already there, demand them to get it done you giving them the time you think not what they want do not give in, a Kenneling up is a good way to get your point across with out physical punishment. Locking them up at night for 30 days consecutively taught my pom my way or the highway. There is a certain demand to give your pup when times up, try one see if works. My word is NOW. Every time your pup will not respond kennel up for about 15 to 20 mins you ll get your point accross soon.

Answer 10

Stop asking for advice from everyone. Please speak to a reputable dachshund breeder or even the secretary of one of the many dachshund clubs. you can get this information from the kennel club. also if you want to contact me i will advise as i show and breed dachshunds.