For the next few weeks, sleep will be limited, but rest assured that all of this effort will be worth it. If your puppy is keeping you awake all night by crying in their pen or crate, it’s time to take action and stop this.
Puppy Potty Training Tips
Designate Yard Area
Choose a specific area in your yard for your puppy to use as a bathroom, ideally with minimal noise or distractions.
To ensure effective potty training, avoid allowing your doxie to wander freely in the entire yard. By consistently taking them to the same spot for both urination and defecation, they will learn what is expected of them.
If your dachshund is trained to use puppy pads, you can carry the pad to the specific potty spot outside in order to motivate your puppy to go potty outside rather than inside on the puppy pad.
Watch Carefully, Move Quickly
Watch your puppy closely! If you notice your puppy showing any of the potty clues above, take them outside fast. If you catch them mid pee or poo, pick them up and take them outside, even if they are still going.
To prevent getting upset, simply place the puppy outdoors in the designated potty area and offer them acknowledgment.
If you follow this method consistently, it will help your pets understand where they should relieve themselves. I assure you, this step-by-step approach is effective.
Don’t Let Them Roam
If an accident occurs in your home without your awareness, there is no need to become upset. Puppies are unaware that they are not allowed to relieve themselves indoors. It would be beneficial to pay closer attention in the future.
If you cannot supervise your puppy, do not allow them to have unrestricted access to your home. Instead, always confine them within their designated gated area or playpen. It is your responsibility to closely monitor them to ensure their training is effective.
Unnecessary Punishment
Using punishment as a form of discipline during the housetraining phase can result in the prolongation of your dog’s training time and increase the difficulty level unnecessarily. The traditional approach of putting your puppy’s nose in their messes is no longer recommended. Instead, opt for positive reinforcement techniques.
Praise And Reward
Once your puppy successfully goes potty outside, offer verbal praise by saying “Good” and reward them with a small dog treat. After that, promptly take the dog back indoors.
Gradually, your Dachshund will start associating going to the bathroom in the assigned area with receiving a positive reward and being able to go back inside the house.
It takes time for this to happen, it doesn’t happen overnight. Keep going even if it doesn’t feel like they are understanding it – stay consistent!
Hire Help
We understand that many people have jobs and cannot constantly let their puppy outside. However, it is crucial for potty training success to consistently let your puppy outside every day during the initial few weeks.
If you cannot let your dog out during the day, seek assistance. You have the option to search online for dog walkers, pet sitters, or doggie daycare services in your local area. Alternatively, you can explore smartphone applications such as Rover or Wag.
In order to keep your doxie calm while you are away, it is recommended to take them for daily walks and provide potty breaks throughout the day.
They Can’t Hold It
At any age, your Dachshund should not be required to hold its bladder for longer than 4 hours. This means that even as an adult, your Dachshund will still need to be taken outside every 4 hours in order to maintain proper potty training.
If you make your Dachshund hold it all day or let them have an accident in the house due to being away for too long, it will reverse their potty training progress and result in significant separation anxiety problems.
Considering the situation logically, it is clear to me that just like I cannot restrain myself from using the bathroom for 8-9 hours, it is unrealistic to expect a dog to do the same.
To ensure your puppy’s safety, it is important to keep them in a gated area or playpen whenever you are not able to give them your undivided attention.
Clean It Up
If your Dachshund puppy has an accident indoors, it is important to immediately and thoroughly clean up the area. Failure to do so could lead to your puppy wanting to mark the same spot in the future if the smell lingers.
Instead of using a “deodorizer,” opt for a pet odor neutralizing spray purchased from Amazon. To completely eliminate any lingering scent of potent urine, it is advisable to employ a pet mess cleaner containing enzymes.
Accidents are an integral component of the learning process.
The puppy lacks understanding. Remain patient and reflect on how to avoid this situation in the future.
Use A House Line
If potty training is progressing smoothly and you believe your doxie is prepared to explore a bit more, you can allow your puppy to wear a house line or lead. A conventional leash can be utilized by attaching it to the belt loop of your pants or letting it freely trail behind.
Having a house line can be beneficial in case your puppy seizes something they shouldn’t, such as a pill or your socks, as it provides something for them to grasp onto. With the house lead, you can guide them towards a toy that they are permitted to gnaw on.
When handling your dachshund’s house line, it is important to avoid yanking or pulling forcefully as dachshunds are prone to IVDD and require gentle treatment.
Potty Privacy
It is acceptable for some dachshunds to relieve themselves away from their owners. It is fine to allow them more space by either closely monitoring them or using a longer leash.
Why Is My Dachshund Still Peeing Inside?
If you are still experiencing problems with your puppy having potty accidents indoors, it is important to prevent them from freely roaming around if you cannot supervise them constantly. In order to prevent accidents, it is advisable to keep them confined in a kennel or a play pen.
Make sure to frequently let your pup go potty outside and consistently use the same designated area in your yard. Provide rewards to your doxie, maintain a positive attitude, and persevere even in challenging times.
Why Is Potty Training A Dachshund Challenging?
If you have tried the steps above and are still not seeing any progress, don’t give up because prolonged potty training is one of the famous quirks of Dachshunds, just like all other dog breeds have their unique quirks.
Dachshunds, being hunting dogs, encounter numerous distracting sights, sounds, and smells in their surroundings.
When they step outside, all of their senses are heightened, and going potty is the least of your Dachshund’s concerns.
It’s important to remember that the Dachshund also has a well-known characteristic – a stubborn attitude. Although it typically emerges in later stages of life, it should be considered when there is a sudden change in your puppy’s training.
The reason why it takes a little longer to potty train a Dachshund compared to other dog breeds is because they require more time.
BONUS: How to Potty Train a Yorkie Puppy
Training your puppy to use the bathroom outside can be the most effective solution in the long run as it removes the necessity of purchasing training pads and having them readily available in your house all the time. Moreover, you won’t have the burden of carrying the pads with you if you choose to bring your Yorkie to someone’s place or on a journey.
Potty-pad training will be covered for those who have trouble teaching their indoor-trained dogs to potty outside, whether on walks or during playtime. Although it may not be suitable for everyone.
When learning how to train a Yorkie to potty outside, it is important to know a few tricks. Initially, the right equipment is necessary. If you do not have a doggie door available, one option is to teach your puppy to ring a hanging bell to signal that they need to go outside. To maintain cleanliness, it is a good idea to have disposable and biodegradable doggie bags easily accessible by the door.
1. Pick a potty spot
In order for the puppy to eliminate, it is necessary to have a specific outdoor bathroom spot. It is advisable to select a location that is not frequently used and can be reached regardless of the weather, even in the rain, as Yorkies do not appear to like getting wet. Additionally, consider that grass and plants may not maintain their appearance after being repeatedly exposed to dog urine.
No matter which spot you select, it is important to consistently use this designated area so that the puppy can learn to recognize where they should go when you place them there.
2. Get ready for go-time
To successfully housebreak a puppy, it is important to know the specific times when they are likely to eliminate. Puppies tend to relieve themselves directly after engaging in activities such as playing, eating, exercising, waking up in the morning or after a nap, and right before going to bed. To ensure that your puppy gets the opportunity to eliminate, make sure to take them to their designated potty area within 15 minutes of these occurrences.
If the puppy has an accident, then you will be aware that in the future, you should take them out earlier.
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3. Keep your puppy in a confined area
In order to achieve successful housetraining, it is crucial to provide continuous supervision. Despite the potential challenges, the end result will be worthwhile. To simplify this process for you, we recommend employing a crate, tether, baby gate, or puppy playpen throughout the training duration.
When using the tether method, it is important to have a body harness along with a lightweight leash that is 6 feet long. It is crucial to use a harness instead of attaching the leash to a Yorkie puppy’s collar, as this increases the risk of neck injuries such as a collapsed trachea, even in adult dogs.
One alternative method to ensure your Yorkie puppy remains in a specific area is by utilizing a playpen or pet gate. These can come in handy when you are unable to keep the puppy close to you or if you have to briefly step out of the house. It is advisable to position the Yorkie’s food and water within this designated space, while placing a pee pad (if applicable) on the opposite end of the area from the food.
The purpose of this confinement is multifaceted. It prevents your house from getting messy with unwanted things, provides a secure space for your curious puppy, and, most importantly, allows you to continuously monitor your pup in case they choose to act.
If you observe your puppy displaying signs of needing to eliminate, such as squatting or lifting a leg, interject by speaking the word “No” or producing a clapping sound. Promptly lift the puppy and relocate them to the designated area for relieving themselves. Proceed with your verbal instruction.
If you prefer, you can use a wire crate of appropriate size for your dog to stand or lie down in when crate training your puppy. In this case, you will need to monitor the time between your dog’s bathroom breaks in order to determine how to balance their playtime and crate time. For more detailed information on crate training a Yorkie puppy, refer to our guide.
4. Take your dog outside and give them a verbal command
To ensure successful training, resist the temptation of letting your puppy go outside on their own for a potty break and instead, pick them up and place them on the designated potty spot.
1. Begin by positioning the puppy in the assigned potty area, and then proceed to administer a verbal instruction of your preference. 2. During the elimination process, regularly reiterate the given command. This consistent repetition of the command word will aid the puppy in learning and associating it. 3. By employing a consistent word, your puppy will gradually become familiar with the command, facilitating comprehension and trained response.
Your puppy may take some time, possibly up to 15 minutes, to choose the perfect spot. Therefore, practice patience. Consider bringing a book or listening to a podcast while you wait. However, ensure that you allow your puppy enough time to succeed.
The puppy is expected to wander and use its sense of smell to explore and establish the areas it wants to mark. Sniffing is beneficial because it helps them familiarize themselves with their surroundings and aids in relaxation before they relieve themselves.
In the event that the puppy exceeds the boundaries of the designated potty area, it is advisable to retrieve them and relocate them to the appropriate spot, reiterating the command word. Continue this action consistently, demonstrating patience throughout.
5. Praise your dog for doing the deed
If your puppy eliminates (hopefully), provide them with positive reinforcement and physical touch such as rubbing their back or scratching their ears. Optionally, you can use a training clicker to indicate the precise moment your puppy follows your command. The goal is for your puppy to associate going potty with positive affirmation in order to encourage them to repeat the behavior.
If you decide to use treats, it is important to be cautious as small dogs can easily become overloaded. To prevent this, opt for either very small treats or soft treats that can be torn into tiny pieces. This way, you can avoid affecting their daily calorie intake.
6. Be kind and consistent when they have accidents
Be mentally prepared for accidents as they are inevitable. Anticipate them and remain calm. Pet training experts recommend promptly cleaning up accidents and continuing with your day. Criticizing your dog afterward does not effectively communicate that their behavior was inappropriate.
If you notice them doing it, quickly pick them up and move them to the designated outdoor potty spot while firmly saying “NO”. After they have finished, give them praise for going potty.
To prevent deeper penetration into carpets, rugs, etc., it is advisable to promptly clean up any mess. It is recommended to use a potent detergent or an enzymatic pet cleaner, such as Bac-Out, to eliminate the odor not just for you but also for your pet. Occasionally, dogs may continue eliminating in the same spot if they can detect their previous markings.
7. Pad train at night
It is important to always provide puppies with access to a designated potty area at night. Even when potty training a Yorkie to go outside, it is advisable to use pee pads during the night, either in their divided wire crate or in the puppy playpen. Initially, they will need to relieve themselves multiple times during the night, and it may not always be easy to detect.
To train your puppy to sleep through the night, you should disregard their whining and barking for attention unless you suspect they need to go potty outside, although this is not typically the case in the early stages of training.
If your puppy is making progress, you may consider reinforcing training by bringing them outside at night. However, avoid turning it into a playtime session. Limit your communication to only the command word. Moreover, dim the lights and ensure to put the puppy back in their sleep area after they have relieved themselves.
