If there is one thing that Dachshund puppy owners know, it’s that potty training can be a chore. In fact, it is the number one complaint I receive from clients with Doxies. Many adult Doxies still go to the bathroom in the house. Although some are quick to say that they are just stubborn, usually holes in training are to blame. If you have a Doxie puppy, you want to make sure you train them correctly from the start, to avoid the misery of a lifetime of potty accidents. To that end, here are 5 potty training tips to make sure your Doxie puppy gets it right from day one.
#1 – Say NO to Potty Pads
I don’t use them at all and here’s why: potty pads are made to encourage your Doxie to go to the bathroom in the house, which is the exact opposite of what you want! So then you have to fade out the pads (which can be hard to do correctly). If you want your dog to be able to go in the house because you are gone a lot, I suggest a litter box or one of those grass boxes. Both of these are distinctively different than your floor, making it easier for you to teach your Doxie that the floor is not the bathroom and the litter box or outside is fine.
#2 – Confined Space
Until your Dachshund puppy knows not to potty in the house, she needs to be confined. This is because dogs will not go where they eat and sleep, so if the space is small enough, it aids in house training. This is where crate training really comes in handy. A crate is a natural den and your Doxie puppy will be much less likely to soil it, not to mention, it keeps them from chewing on things when you are not around to watch. It also teaches them to be calm in a crate when needed for travel and stays at the vet or groomers.
#3 – Have a Set Schedule
If you feed your Dachshund at set times every day, you can get your pup on a bathroom routine, making it easier on both you to not let accidents happen. Most puppies go about half an hour after eating, but each dog is different so pay attention to timing. If your puppy keeps having accidents, you may be waiting too long to take him out after eating.
#4– Reward!
Dogs are more likely to do behaviors that are reinforced, so make sure you are rewarding your Dachshund puppy every time she goes potty outside. Give her treats, praise, playtime, a big party, whatever she enjoys. This will make her more likely to go outside again.
#4 – Tether To You
If you’re home and want your Dachshund puppy to be where you are but don’t have a good way to confine her, tether her to you with a leash or rope. Most potty accidents happen when our puppies wander away from us and go quick as a blink, before you even notice where they wandered to. This prevents them from doing that, and it also helps keep them from chewing on things.
#5 – Don’t Forget To Take ‘Em Out!
Dachshunds are small dogs. Small dogs equal small bladders. Small breed puppies mean even smaller bladders! Don’t expect your Doxie puppy to hold it for hours on end – it’s just not fair to your dog and can cause urinary tract infections. Make sure you are taking them out first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, and when they are really young, you may have to get up and take them out in the middle of the night. You should also take your Doxie puppy out immediately after a nap or play time, and a little bit after mealtime or drinking water. Finally, any time they have had a lot of excitement, including meeting new people or dogs, it’s probably time for a potty break. These are the main times your puppy will need to go, and in general, take ’em out often!
