Potty Training Your Mini Dachshund
Dachshunds are one of the dog breeds that are the hardest and most difficult to potty train. There are various methods for potty training, but the following potty training information is what worked for me and hopefully will be helpful to you, as you potty train your Dachshund.
Hello Everyone! I am guest author Lauren (Mommy). Sampson, the lovable mini Dachshund has asked me to write a post.
The puppy pads that you can buy in the store are great for potty training when your mini Dachshund is a little pup. They are great for clean up, but they also teach your dog the ‘area’ where it is okay for him to relieve himself. Although the puppy will be weaned from going on the pads, they are useful in the beginning and especially if you live in a apartment building or somewhere where it’s not quick and easy to get outside.
In the beginning of the potty training for your Dachshund, I recommend you lay out several puppy pads overlapping each other. The reason for this is because there were many times when our puppy had his front paws on the pad, not realizing his back end was not on the pad. He would, therefore, miss the pad all together.
As time goes on, you will gradually need to start reducing the number of pads you put down, until you ultimately get to one pad. Then gradually, start to move this one pad closer and closer to the door. Now it’s time to start taking your dachshund outside for his potty training.
There are several tactics to use for this and you must be faithful in fulfilling your side of things. Repetition and routine is how your Dachshund will learn to go to the door when he has to go. This is key in potty training your Dachshund.
If you are present when he/she is going on the pad, praise your little Dachshund, applaud him and immediately give your Doxie a treat.
I say immediately because if it takes you a minute to run, grab a treat and give it to him, he won’t remember or make the association that the treat is a reward for going on the pad. For this reason, I recommend that you keep some treats right near your puppy’s ‘bathroom’ when you are potty training.
When starting outside, it is helpful to take a soiled puppy pad, bring it outside to the location where you want your puppy to regularly do the Dachshund duty. Poke a stick through the soiled pad, securing it to the ground (so it won’t blow away). Having the ‘scent’ there will help the puppy to understand that this is the designated place.
While inside, keep an eye on the puppy for signs. If you notice your puppy is walking over to his pad, pick him up, bring him outside and place him in the area where you want him to go. When he goes, immediately give him a treat and praise. Again, the treat must be given right away. For this reason, we got used to putting a treat in our pocket as we took him outside. If he didn’t go, he didn’t get a treat.
When he goes, immediately afterward, praise him, pet him etc. so he knows you are pleased with him. After all, that’s all they want to do is please you.
The next thing you need to do is to ‘toilet’ him just as you would a child when you are potty training them. Depending on the age of your dog, start with bringing him out every two hours. If he goes, reward and praise. Then gradually increase the periods of time between your visits outside to every four hours, 6 hours etc.
Eventually you will figure out your dog’s ‘routine’. For example, our Doxie goes out first thing in the morning, then a few hours after his breakfast, again in the late afternoon and then before bed. During this period your Dachshund should have learned to go to the door. This will come naturally as he learns that he must go outside.
Remember, praise, praise, praise. You can’t give too much of that! Even now, at a year and a half old, our Dachshund still rushes in, after I praise him, and runs to Pop Pops after every successful bathroom trip, wagging his tail, looking for praise because he knows he did ‘good’.
And all 3 of us are happy!
Try not to get frustrated. The Dachshund breed is definitely more difficult to potty train, and takes longer than other dogs that we’ve had over the years. It’s all worth it though – they are the cutest things…
(((Dachshund Gifts For Dachshund Lovers))) (amzn)
Any suggestions if they tear up the potty pads?
Our first long haired mini I trained her with pee pads. I started with them in one area and always brought her to that location. If she didn’t go immediately I took her right outside. She usually relieved herself outside then. After about a week I would move the pee pad to a location closer to the door outside. I would repeat the process, carry her to the pee pad and if she didn’t go I would take her outside. If she did go I still took her outside, but also would take the soiled pad and lay it on the ground. Seriously, within 2 and a half weeks she was not using the pee pad, but expecting me to pick her up and take her out. Then she would just go to the door and stare at it when she wanted out to do her business. Please understand my wife and I made sure she was outside every hour to hour and a half when we first brought her home. Sometimes she would go other times not a thing. You have to devote the time to train and not go into a rage if they have an accident. Give them Praise, praise praise, love, love, love and they will return it to you ten fold.