Indoor Potty Training for Dachshunds

Indoor potty training is the way to go if you have a Dachshund puppy.  This is true for Miniature Dachshund puppies as well as for those of the standard variety.  I love Dachshunds in general but am partial to the Miniature Dachshund. This article also applies to adult Dachshunds and all other small breeds but the focus is on Dachshund puppies. 

Indoor training will spare you some of the unpleasantries of having a Dachshund that must go outside.  Who wants to get up at 5 AM in the morning, when it is rainy or cold or, when you are watching a great movie?  It is also better on the Dachshund’s bowels and bladder if they can go potty anytime they want.  By the way, indoor potty training can be initiated for a Dachshund at any age.  It is better, however, to start their training sooner rather than later.

Start the potty training as soon as possible once you get your new, best friend home.  Dachshund puppies are quite small so even if they do make a mess it is no big deal.  However, having them make a mess on a hard floor is preferable as it is much easier to clean than if they go on carpet.  For the first few days you have the little weiner at your home, I suggest you have them mostly contained to a room with a hard floor…like in a 2nd bathroom or laundry room.  The space should not be too small but also not too big. 

I suggest not shutting them in their space by closing the door.  Instead, gate them in the room.  Leave the door to the room open but invest in some kind of child or Pet Gate that stretches across the door so they cannot get out.  You control the gate so they get out when you want them out and they are gated in when you want them in.  This is better as the doxie will not feel shut off from the world (as with a closed door) and you can easily look in upon them anytime you wish.  This gate will come in handy for the lifetime of your pet; you will be very glad you purchased one.   

Don’t worry, you can get your puppy out to play and can go into their area to spend as much time with them as you wish.  I suggest having some Nature’s Miracle around when a mess on the carpet (it will happen) does occur.  You will be amazed at the power and efficiency of this product.

Place everything your Dachshund puppy needs in the contained area i.e. their kennel/bed , food and, potty.  If you are lucky, the breeder had already initiated their paper training which will make it easier for you and your new puppy.  Start their training off on some newspaper.  When they make a mess on the floor put a little of the pee or poop  between a few pieces of newspaper.  They will smell this and will begin to associate this as the place for them to do their business.  Keep the top of the paper dry and clean.  Remove the used paper as soon as possible or simply place more paper on top of it and then after awhile, throw it all away and start anew. 

Some people utilize wee wee pads but I never did. I have seen them used a few times and they appear to work pretty well. So, wee wee pads could serve as an alternative to newspaper–you can try them both and see which one you like better.

If you are playing with your puppy some distance away from the primary potty you can always place some newspaper where you are…just in case.  I did this when Charlie was a puppy and it worked well.  As they get older they need to rely solely on the primary potty area. 

Chastise your Dachshund puppy immediately when they don’t perform well; they will feel the disappointment in your voice.  Making an unpleasant noise in general works well in this regard.  For example, the moment you see the naughty weiner going somewhere they are not supposed to raise your voice a bit towards them, clap your hands, gently shake a can with coins in it, etc.  Squirting a doxie with water works wonders also.  A spray bottle like the ones people spray plants with is perfect for this purpose.  Make sure the bottle is clean and that there is no chemical residue on the inside.  Dachshunds hate getting squirted with water so this is a great way to deter them from unwanted behaviors.  Squirt them don’t spray them.  Do not give the weiner dog praise or a treat when they perform poorly.

Please never yell or scream at your Doxie as they are incredibly sensitive and will be very hurt.  If you do yell  you will see how crestfallen they are and you will feel guilty.  Your Dachshund very much wants to please you!  

Just keep working with them and your Dachshund puppy (or puppies) will soon get it right.  When they do get it right praise them and give them a treat.  Your puppy will be so happy!  It won’t be long until they start getting it right most of the time!  You will develop your own little system as times goes by.

One purpose of this article is to spare you some of the mistakes I’ve made over the years.  My Mini Dachshund (Charlie) is almost 12 years old and I experimented with several indoor potty techniques over the years.  I started off with newspaper (paper training) but as your Dachshund grows, you will tire of them stepping in their own urine, transferring urine or, having the urine drain off the newspaper onto the floor.

Dachshunds have a quirk where if their front paws are on the paper they think their entire body is on the paper.  This results in alot of near misses.  Improvement was made when I placed a plastic hallway runner under the newspaper.  At some point, I then purchased a large litter box and then placed newspaper in that and a hallway runner under the litter box.

You will so love your Dachshund that messes won’t matter much.  However, as years go by, the messes have a way of growing on you.  Once Charlie got into his 10th year or so, I started to get quite tired of dealing with the messes.  It is a labor of love however and unavoidable.

Just recently, I discovered and purchased a Wizdog indoor potty system.  How I wish I had discovered this years ago!  Wizdog consists of a large plastic pan with a separate plastic grate on top.  You place newspaper in the bottom of the device. The dog does it’s business on top of the grate and the urine falls into the tray below.  No more wet footprints or urine on the floor.  The poop is easy to clean off the top of the grate.  This is so much better than the intermediate steps I went through over the years.  Charlie has taken to this upgrade well—messes on or transferred to the floor have decreased dramatically.  I’m happier now too as the messes are more contained and much easier to clean up.

Underneath Wizdog is a ”round circle thing” in every corner which helps it stay in place on the floor.  So, I have had no problem with the device sliding around when Charlie is on top of it.  In addition to having newspaper in the bottom to soak up urine I also put some newspaper on top.  I fold a newspaper page in half and place it on the far end of the Wizdog.  When Charlie approaches, he puts his front feet on the newspaper and then is far enough forward that his pee falls thru the grate and onto the newspaper below.   Having some newspaper on top is a kind of a “hybrid approach” I use.  Charlie was use to being on newspaper so this method has worked well for us.  The grate on the top of Wizdog did feel a bit funny to Charlie at first but he quickly got use to it.

Click here to see a picture of my Wizdog

In summary, for indoor potty training of your Dachshund puppy, start off with paper training.  Then, soon integrate your setup and system with a Wizdog.  You’ll be glad you did–trust me!  This will allow you to skip all the intermediate steps I experimented, utilized (and suffered with) over the years.

Please feel free to contact me if any questions arise. 

Sincerely, Link
site administrator and
friend of Dachshunds
everywhere

Old postcard with 2 cent USA stamp. Postmark for year unreadable

Dachshund Traits and Care

The Dachshund is a very popular breed. They make great companions and overall, are pretty easy to care for.  The two weight classifications are Miniature and Standard.  The Miniature Dachshund is 11 lbs. and less at 12 months of age or older and the Standard 16-32 lbs.  My Dachshund, Charlie, is “on the fence”, in terms of weight classification. Sometimes before eating he is a mini and after eating is between the two classifications.  You will find that many Dachshunds are borderline between the two weight classifications.

Dachshund personalities come in all shapes and sizes but words like playful, affectionate, bold, intelligent, loyal, curious and, mischevious come to mind. Dachshunds are also known for stubborness which can make them a challenge to train. You therefore need to be firm, consistent and very patient when training your good friend.

From April of 1969

Dachshunds tend to be friendly and outgoing and love to be around people. That being said, Dachshunds and small children tend to not be a good mix. Small kids don’t know how to approach and treat the doxie and this makes the doxie nervous. The Dachshund usually gets along well with other pets. 

The biggest health risks these dogs face are obesity and spinal disc disease. Too much weight gain can strain their inherently long and somewhat weak back. You thus must be careful to ensure they do not overeat; they need to have their food intake carefully managed. Try also not to let this dog jump too much as this too increases their chance of spinal injury.

You can do everything right and your doxie can still suffer a back problem from time to time. Charlie has strained/sprained his back three times in 13 years and luckily, came out of it every time. Managing your doxie’s food intake and minimizing their jumping will greatly reduce the chance of a back injury.

Though lively, a Dachshund doesn’t need a great deal of exercise.  A short walk once a day or a session of play is enough.  Dachshunds do well without a yard so are a good choice for apartments or condos.  This versatility is a real plus of the breed; they are at home on the farm or in the high-rise, condo building downtown.   Watch your doxie closely when they are outside as they like to dig and chase varmints-a doxie can quickly draw you into an awkward situation.

If you own the Long Haired variety of this dog, you will need to regularly brush their hair.  The Wire Haired variety needs to be professionally trimmed twice a year.  The Smooth Haired variety just needs to be rubbed down with a damp cloth every now and then.  I give my Smooth Haired Dachshund, Charlie, a full bath.  Of course you also have to clip their nails from time to time.  Brushing their teeth is a plus if you have the time.

Overall, the Dachshund is a great dog to own.  They are lots of fun and are very loyal to their owners.  Most of them are adorably cute.  Just make sure they are right for you before purchasing one.

Dachshund Health Information

For the most part, Dachshunds are a healthy breed of dog.  Due to their long backs and short rib cavities however, they are, as mentioned elsewhere, susceptible to spinal problems.  Obesity only worsens the situation.  Due to these factors there is a higher risk of strain or injury of their spinal vertebrae when they jump or go up and down stairs. Too much jumping and/or obesity will take you down the path of the dreaded, doxie, back syndrome and you will be sorry.
 
Back problems associated with Dachshunds are one of the more talked about issues regarding the breed. You cannot go into a Dachshund oriented forum without soon seeing a thread or an entry regarding the phenomenon. It is an unavoidable topic however as many Dachshund owners have had to endure the agonizing and sad experience of witnessing their good buddy in pain and functionally compromised.

If you manage your doxie’s food intake they will not get obese. This will go a long ways in staving off back problems.  Also try to minimize how much your doxie jumps.  Consider obtaining a ramp at some point. It is also important to understand how to properly hold a Dachshund. Both the front and rear portions of their body must be fully supported when holding them.

In case of back strain/sprain, please go to a vetrinarian as soon as possible.  Signs of a strain/sprain may be inability to hold their head/neck normally, stiffness, abnormal posture, crying when you handle them or in general, not eating, etc.  The doxie will need to be confined to a small space and given an anti-inflammatory medication, pain medicine, and possibly steroids.  Most of the time, the doxie will come out of the crisis in about one week.




Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) is the more serious back problem a Dachshund can face. Surgery is often needed and recovery prolonged. A doxie with IVDD can cost you alot of $$$ too. Signs of IVDD are an abnormal gait, inability to stand/walk, inability to control the bowels or bladder, crying when you handle them or in general, not eating, etc. There is a site called Dodger’s List which is dedicated to the topic of Dachshund IVDD. The site offers support for those who have a Dachshund in crisis with IVDD.

Charlie strained/sprained his back a few times when he was young due to too much jumping.  He overcame this problem with improved training and had not had a back problem in many years. Unfortuneately, earlier this year in February, he had an episode. It is always scary cause at first you are not quite sure how bad it is. This episode was like the others and I reacted to it and treated it as described above. I think my four year old Son had something to do with it but I don’t know for sure. The vetrinarian told me there does not have to be a cause…that a back crisis in a Dachshund “can just happen”. Charlie’s only significant problem right now is dry eye syndrome.

Dachshunds, of course, can have any other host of health related issues. I know of a wonderful Dachshund named Oscar who experienced sudden canine blindness earlier this year. You can learn more about Oscar and learn more about visual problems in dogs in general at SARDs/IMR–Awareness Central. I’m sure there are Dachshunds out there who have just about any health related condition you can think of i.e. diabetes, deafness, seizures, cancer, etc.

Well, don’t let me alarm you too much! With a proper diet, some training, and a little bit of exercise, your doxie can live a long and healthy life. Even if your doxie does develop a health problem it is, most of the time, not the end of the world.  Doxie health problems can be treated, managed, cured, etc. and the joy to be experienced with your buddy can still be tremendous.   A Dachshund’s life span can be as long as fifteen years and you will never have a better friend. I know of a Dachshund that is 19 years old and my doxie, Charlie, is 13 years of age.

Postcard postmarked 1946 from Nashville, TN.

Charlie’s Health

Charlie is in great health overall for his age. He will be 12 years old in September. However, he has just recently begun to develop some health problems. The main problem right now is dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca. He is on artificial tears, Optiimmune and, Neomycin/Polymyxin for this condition. He also has developed a few skin anomalies but these are no big deal.

Overall, he is the same old dog I’ve always loved. He gets on top of me as I lay on the couch and it does not take long for him to fall asleep. He follows me everywhere. He licks water off my feet when I get out of the shower—do all doxies do this?

He likes to take walks though isn’t quite as strong or as fast as he use to be. I’ve recently shortened his walks. His muzzle is getting more white.

While on the computer, he is often behind me laying and/or napping on his blanket on the floor.


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The following is a link to a GREAT DEAL on Optimmune–Just click on the picture:

Optimmune Ophthalmic Ointment – 3.5 gm Tube

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Dachshund Warning Sign