[eaglais]

We have a six-month-old female longhaired dachshund puppy whom we can't seem to housebreak. We've tried pee pads, no pee pads, positive reinforcement, and nothing works. We have a doggie door, and she goes outside sometimes and inside other times. Just goes wherever she happens to be when she feels the need. When she does go outside, it's usually because we have reminded her or have taken her out on lead.
We are at our wit's end, and about ready to let her go. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob
Camarillo, CA

[cigwyllt]

At 6 months she could be coming into season which could make her more prone to having accidents. But I think from your post perhaps you could be more proactive. If she has access to the outdoors without supervision she won't be praised or rewarded for toileting there.

If she was mine I would go right back to basics - constant supervision, taking her to the toilet after every meal, every sleep, every time there's a change in activity. You need to take charge of her and give her every opportunity to get it right. Lots and lots of praise when she gets it right and ignore the accidents.

Obviously you need to clean them thoroughly- if you google cleaning dog urine you will find plenty of odour neutralising solutions - some you can buy, others you can mix yourself.

It really is hard work and quite tedious - but better than getting down and dirty with the disinfectant LOL!

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by cigwyllt

At 6 months she could be coming into season which could make her more prone to having accidents. But I think from your post perhaps you could be more proactive. If she has access to the outdoors without supervision she won't be praised or rewarded for toileting there.

If she was mine I would go right back to basics - constant supervision, taking her to the toilet after every meal, every sleep, every time there's a change in activity. You need to take charge of her and give her every opportunity to get it right. Lots and lots of praise when she gets it right and ignore the accidents.

Obviously you need to clean them thoroughly- if you google cleaning dog urine you will find plenty of odour neutralising solutions - some you can buy, others you can mix yourself.

It really is hard work and quite tedious - but better than getting down and dirty with the disinfectant LOL!

I agree, the return to basics is the best option at this point. Small dogs are prone to be more difficult to house train especially short coated and single coated puppies as they feel the cold and wet much easier. Good Luck.

[Ishine]

My dogs had same problem when whey were puppies. One day I went to a pet store and found a spray which is to make dogs pee on wherever you spray on. So I spray it on the Grocery bag and put it on top of the training pad. It works. My female dog pees on the pad and my male dog aim at the grocery bag every time.

[Todd]

I agree with going back to the basics. I may try using a crate if the dog keeps going on the floor until fully trained.

[DoggieVogue]

I have a 3 year old dachshund female also. She was sooo difficult to housebreak. It's something that takes a lot of patience and constant work. What I did was make sure I always took her outside on the leash and if she didnt go after a minute or two, I took her back inside. That way she knew if she wasn't doing her business, she wasnt out there to play. Sometimes when you have a dog door its hard to know when they go and when they are just out playing. I'd just keep a really good tab on when she goes, and take her out after every nap, meal, playing etc.. and after enough persistence you should see some results! Good luck and stick with it!