Pee everywhere!

Dachshunds have a vision for how their day should go. Often times going outside to pee is not a part of that vision. Especially if it is remotely moist outside. Since dachshunds are notoriously hard to house break we would like to share some tips to help your ween succeed.

Step 1: Limiting space.

With 7 dogs and 3000 sq ft of laminate, hardwood, rugs, and carpet (aka indoor grass) to do ones business on it would be impossible to keep mistakes from happening. The weens are down right debaucherous if they are given full access to the space. Our solution is to give them less room inside to roam unsupervised. Doors stay closed and we use dog gates to help keep them in common areas.

Step 2: It's always a good time to go for a pee.

Don't wait for your dog to tell you it's time for a pee break. Instead make it a habit to regularly take your dog out to water the flowers. For example we send the dogs out for a pee break about every 30 to 45 minutes.

Step 3: Wait longer.

Dachshunds are incredibly stubborn. It's one of their best qualities really. But you need to be more stubborn than your dachshund. If you put them outside for a pee and they want to come back in without doing the job, wait longer. They will try to convince you that they don't need to go, but they do, and they will. As soon as they do it bring them inside and give them lots of praise.

Training a puppy:

With new pups its a good idea to take them outside for a pee in between each new activity. It's the times in between things that they find a spot to pee.

When they stop playing, go pee. When they wake up, go pee.

When they finish dinner, go pee.

And so on.

Go out with them and watch for them to do the deed. Give them praise when they pee and take them right back inside when they're done. That way they associate outside with pee and praise.

No puppy pads:

We don't recommend using pee pads with your pup. Training them to pee on a pad will send a message to your ween that it is ok to pee inside the house.

Catch them in the act:

We love catching them in the act. It's a wonderful opportunity to redirect their impulse and connect them with the concept of not peeing in the house. If you catch your pup mid pee, tell them no and put them outside as soon as you can pick them up. Even though they're already done, it will help the associate outside with pee town.

Don't leave them alone:

Keep your pup in your immediate area so you can keep an eye on them. If they start to wander around with their nose to the ground it's time to go outside. We will take a new puppy everywhere with us in the house so we can watch them closely and catch them before as many mistakes as possible. If you can't watch them during this training time consider crateing them while you're busy. Choose a crate that is large enough for them to sleep comfortably, but not too big that they can play otherwise they will pee inside the crate.

Keep at it:

Don't give up. Even an older dog can change their ways if you decide to make this a priority. Don't leave it all up to your dachshund. You call all the shots and be exceptionally vigilant. You will see improvements, I promise. Except maybe when it's raining... Dachshunds are made of sugar after all.