Hello everyone

We have a 4 1/2 month old Dachshund, Herman. We are struggling to find any consistency with the toilet training - some days he does quite well and some days he doesn't. We take him outside every hour when we are with him and he goes 99% of the time, but he can be inside literally 5 mins after and if you sit on the sofa and leave him to play with his toys and bedding he almost always wees on something like his bed cushion or around his toys... He would not wee if we were paying him some attention! But like I say the flip side can be he can go 3-4 hours without going to the toilet.
When we got him mid december we started with putting paper down and getting him to use that, which he did for 50% of the time but he just seemed to stop wanting to use that as much when he started going outside. He is pretty good when outside, always weeing within 1-2 mins. Its also when we start to eat inside also he just instantly seems to start to sniff around, regardless of if he has just been out!

He is caged off in the kitchen when we go out which does give him a good bit of space... and at night he is in a smaller open top cage which is around 1.5m by 0.5m.... its about a 50/50 chance he will go on the paper we put down for him in the night.....

Any advice appreciated!!!

Chris, Sophie ...and herman

Hello and welcome to the forum.
I hope some one can give you some advice soon

Hi. I would consider lifting all paper now. This will only give him confusing messages, and encourage him to go in the home.
People often give very young dogs too much freedom and unwatched time. This is when he may well pee in the home. Consider crating him more when unnatended. Also crate him when you eat if that is a problem.

Restrict his water intake near the end of the day, so he is more likely to have a dry night, and lift the paper now.

Do bare in mind he is only little, and his bladder control should improve greatly as time progresses.

Any what may seem 'unusual' wetting behaviour should be checked out at the vets as always.

HTH,

Nick

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Nick Jones MCFBA
Dog Behaviour Specialist and Trainer

http://www.alphadogbehaviour.co.uk

Hi Nick.

Thanks very much for the advice... we have actually stopped the paper in the day time for him pretty much, but the nighttime we still put down as 50% of the time he will go.... think we should just stop cold turkey or give it a couple of weeks? (as some of the wee's in the night are huge, plus dont want him paddling in it!)

Herman has just took himself out for a wee and a poo as i was reading your post - so maybe its a sign of good things to come - going to try and leave the back door open more as its nicer weather coming.

is crating and putting in a pen the same thing, or is there benefits to a crate that has a roof - making him feel more surrounded?

The dog sends us crazy sometimes but we love him!

Chris

Well I personally would lift all paper now yes...even though there may be a slight accident or two. Stop all water after 7pm...try that as a time. Make sure there are regular opportunities to toilet throughout the evening and last thing before you retire. Plenty of access to water at all other times of course. You can leave water down at all times later on.

I prefer an enclosed crate that allows a sheet to be placed over the top...creates a nice secure environment.

It really should improve, but paper in the home or crate is not desirable in my opinion, but others will disagree of course

Be sure to catch what you do want outside by giving verbal and physical praise along with a little food treat. This will mean assisted visits for some time yet to get it really drummed in

Ignore all in-house accidents too of course.

Try that

Nick

__________________


Nick Jones MCFBA
Dog Behaviour Specialist and Trainer

http://www.alphadogbehaviour.co.uk

Thanks Nick,

First night without paper and there was a tiny poo but no wee, heard him wake up at 7am so dashed down to try and catch any potential mistakes!!

Will reply to the post in a few days to let everyone know how he is getting on....

Puppy training class this morning for him at 9:30... (sigh!) We have mastered Sit, and come - to a certain extent!

Chris

Excellent news!

Keep us posted.

Best of luck with the classes!

__________________


Nick Jones MCFBA
Dog Behaviour Specialist and Trainer

http://www.alphadogbehaviour.co.uk

Hi Nick...

Help..

Puppy now soiling his bedding pretty much every night and when he is alone in the day - floors clean though!

We took paper up and made his cage smaller so he can just fit his bed in and to get out a very tiny bit....

Just seems to want to wee on his bed, the towel we put in while his cushion was washed - then the cushion 5 mins after it came out..... He is fine when your with him really and just goes when outside.... even taking himself out once a day....

Soiling his bedding is really a downer - any advice please would be much much appriciated!

Chris and Sophie

Just out...though I'll be in the car between 09:25 and 10:15 feel free to call me on my mobile 0775 9093394.

Otherwise, what do you feed him and at what times?

Is he anxious when left alone do you think?

Nick

__________________


Nick Jones MCFBA
Dog Behaviour Specialist and Trainer

http://www.alphadogbehaviour.co.uk

Hi Nick,

Sorry didnt see that you replied!!!!

Herman is given purina puppy food, 120g, at around 6pm - which he eats all of....

Think he feels ok on his own, always settles down ok at night whenever the lights turned off, we usually go to bed at 11 and im up at just before 7 for him. Every morning now there is a poo and a wee in the corner of his penned area (which runs in the kitchen tiles to a wide area)

Really wish we could crack this, He has always had a pen, not a crate - thought about getting one of those but just get he feeling he would mess inside and it would be another set of stuff i would be washing everyday.

Thanks In advance
Chris, Soph and Herman