Behavior Problems in a Daschund

Hi C., having trained dogs in my younger years, Dachsunds are well known for their stubborness. I adore the breed because they are so challenging. Puppies take constant contact and awareness of their surroundings while they are learning. I would be glad to talk to you about some options or help you find a replacement home. Let me know. D. Luke
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We had the same problem chewing w/our dachsund. The last straw for me was a mint condition student body president sweater that he got a hold of. My mother-in-law took him and to this day if theres a plastic toy or a shoe lying around, guaranteed Slinky has had it in his mouth. We got him when my daughter was 2 years old, she is almost 11. He has gotten better, only due to aging. As far as urinating, he still does that now and again.

C.---I did a simple web search for Provo and found a number of trainers that would be willing to come to your home. I would suggest before you consider putting him up for adoption that you try contacting one of these trainers because his behavior may not only be puppy behavior but if you have not been appropriately correcting him you may have reinforced his negative behavior unknowingly. One website that offered a lot of info and is in Utah County is www.k9housecall.com.

Is he neutered? If he isn't I would suggest you do so as this can sometimes be the root of many behavioral and medical problems. Deb K is incorrect to say that he is still teething---all the canine adult teeth are fully erupted at 6-7 months of age. At this point you are dealing with a puppy that does not understand what is appropriate to chew and that needs to be curbed now while he is somewhat still malleable with training.

The following are some articles from a very reputable veterinary information site. I would suggest that you read through them and also explore the website for any other topics you may find pertinent.

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/submissive-urination-in-dogs...

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/guide-to-behavior-problems-i...

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-deal-with-a-chewing-d...

I cannot stress enough that you need to get help from a trainer to educate yourself on how to best deal with your puppy's behaviors and it needs to be done now while he is still a puppy and malleable. If you put him up for adoption without doing this, when you have felt you have done all you can do up to this point, you are giving up on him when it may not necessarily be all his fault. Plus, your setting him up to go to the shelter and start a cycle of going through a number of homes because of his behavior problems that were never fixed and he may even be euthanized due to his lack of adoptability. You can make a difference with him. How his life plays out is all up to you.

All of this is fairly normal puppy behavior!! As far as submissive peeing goes, go on walks or even just stand out in your front yard, and every time someone walks by, give her lots of treats and love and keep telling her "its ok... they are a friend"... if the person walking by seems nice or interested, have them give her a treat while you pet her and tell her they are a friend... this helps retrain the dog to think that people are good instead of something to be scared of. It can be a long process, but don't give up- it is so rewarding at the end of it!!!!!!!

This dog ABSOLUTELY needs training...he IS part of your family now and you need to invest the time that it takes to correct his bad behavior. I imagine that if you really looked into it, you could find a dog trainer in your area. He is NOT a lost cause and should not be given to a shelter...work it out as a family. Teach your 3 year old to problem solve!

PS Is he neutered? If not, have the surgery and it may solve some of your problems immediately.

Call the humane society in Boulder, Colo....they have classes but they might do phone consults....I volunteer there, they're a great bunch of people...

C.,

Try putting your puppy in a kennel whenever you are unable to watch him. The kennel should not be too big, just something that is comfortable for him to sleep in. The puppy should not be in the kennel for more than about 2 hours at a time. Puppies and dogs try very hard not to pee where they sleep. This also gets control of the chewing. The puppy still needs chew toys to alleviate this desire. Don't give up on the puppy yet. It's important for children to grow up with pets, unless of course, they are allergic.

Don't give up on your Daschund! We went through these very same things with ours and it was hard. She almost didn't make it at our house. She shredded up the carpet, urinated when company came over, she was a pain to potty train, and she has always been timid. But at about 10 months old, things clicked for her and she quickly matured. She very, very rarely pees when people come over, she is completely potty trained, she hasn't chewed (or shredded) anything in a very long time. Daschunds, as you are probably aware, were origionally bread to dig for badgers and so it is their instinct to dig. Murphy, our Dachund is now 4 years old and is the best dog we could ask for. She is great with our kids, she is so smart, and even though she still freaks out at the grocery bags when we come walking in the door (the timidness), she has mellowed out drastically. She is so calm and spends most of her day asleep. They really great dogs. You just have to make it through a few more months. Good luck!

Daschunds are a breed of their own! They need a lot of attention and if they don't get it they will find a way to get it! Good or Bad!

Yours seems to be an extreme. 1st place to go for help is your vet. They can usually steer you to dog behavior classes. They may have something on line. Also, look in the newspaper for other people that raise and sell them. They can be a good resouce.

Good luck! We've had the little things and they were the loves of my life! Good luck!

K.
Arvada, CO

There is a LOT of information on the internet. A few things you might try is crate training him. This allows him to have a "safe" place for him to go. If someone comes to your home, he can go there to hide or wait while he watches the person. When he feels comfortable, he can come out and greet the stranger.

As far as the chewing, you can get a hollow dog bone, fill it with peanut butter and freeze it. He will love it! They love peanut butter - it's not harmful for them - and he will have to work on it for a very long time! This might help him with his chewing problem.

I would suggest getting the book "the dog whisperer". It is amazing and has helped a lot of people I know! Good luck.

It sounds like your puppy may have some fear/anxiety issues. I would suggest an animal behaviorist. I worked with a woman for some issues with one of my dogs and learned a lot.

Check out her website- helpwithcrazypets.biz and give her call. She makes house calls and can evaluate the situation in your home. She is VERY resonable too!

Petsmart also has trainers and classes as well.

I have had the chewing problem with my pup as well but I quickly got rid of that by getting a small kennel to place him in whenever he is in the house. The cowering is a sign of inbreeding though.

First of all, he's a puppy...expect more chewing. He'll be doing it for a while. However, when it comes to your child, if he makes her hysterical there should be no question about what to do. She is your priority, not the dog. Get rid of him. Don't get another until she's a little older. And then I would get a dog breed that is better suited around children. Also, female dogs tend to do better with children than males, and males urinate more (marking territory) than females. Make sure the dog is fixed and they will be a wonderful pet and you shouldn't have to worry about how they'll be around your kids. Frequently, you can get a full-grown dog from a shelter, they're usually house broken and fixed and are looking for a great home. They usually already have their shots, and you can take your daughter to see how they would behave with her and how she would behave with them. If she's still skiddish, then you might have to live without a dog. It's that simple.

My dh grew up with dachsunds and we have a 5 yo male dapple longhaired dachsund now. First off...the urinating..ours isn't submissive..but when he gets really excited to see someone..he does the same and heaven help the person if he flips on his back hoping for a belly rub while in the process cuz boy dogs and sure shoot it! hehe Anyway, this uncontrolled urinating is a trait of dachsunds..males and females alike. First things first...dachsunds are known for their brains but also their stubbornness. I think our's is a great dog..but I'm also aware of his breed tendencies. Now have you crate trained him? The crate can be extremely useful when potty training but since you're past that, it's also a safe haven for them to come and go in...their "house" if you will, where they can get away and get over any anxiety issues...which is nice with small kids (I have an 8 yo, 6 yo, 2 yo and soon to have our last bb in June.) Anyway, give him a "house" and it's off limits to everyone when he wants his time. Now for the chewing...he needs to be disciplined..put him in a spot that keeps him away from people for a short time..every time he does that. Dachsunds are very social dogs and hate to be away from the ones they love. Also, a squirt gun....squirt him with water if you catch him at that or any behavior..and put tons of rawhide or chew toys around but be sure not to discipline him if he's destroying one of his toys..puppies need to chew and he just needs to know what's his to chew. And finally, his timidness...my mom has 2 female dachsunds and I swear they're afraid of their own shadows! They're about the same age as your pup so I'm assuming it could be an age issue? But I notice that the more they're around people as they grow, they are getting slightly better. But, I also think it won't go away entirely because it's simply a personality trait each of them has. So I'm sorry I can't help you much on that. Good luck..dachsunds are good family dogs and once you get past puppyhood..could be about 2-3 yrs, you'll find what a wonderful dog you have.

Hi C. - How frustrating! Sounds like your little guy has developed some pretty bad habits, but not to worry - he can learn better behavior! First of all, if you don't have one, buy yourself a crate for him. It will help with all sorts of training and give him somewhere safe to be when company comes.

Sounds like you have been, but make sure that he has plenty of toys that he's actually supposed to chew on (hard rubber) and when you find him chewing something else, say "no", remove the item, and replace with his toy. Then praise him lavishly! Because daschunds were bred to hunt and dig, try hiding treats for him to find, or filling a small Kong or two with food or treats and placing them around the house. This will give him an opportunity to spend more time looking for and chewing on things he SHOULD have, and hopefully divert his attention from other things. Please make sure - and I know it's difficult - to keep baby's toys where he can't get them, keep him where the toys aren't, since not only does he learn to chew on anything in reach, but can also easily choke on the pieces.

About the bed - my German Shepherd used to chew all her beds up as well. I finally got tired of spending lots of $$ on them an bought her a simple fleece liner. Surprisingly, she did not chew it. Of course, there was nothing inside to try to get out of it, so maybe that's the key!

I don't know where you're located, but you may find a trainer outside your immediate area who is willing to travel. I come from a very small town in ND, but there was a trainer about 80 miles away who charged a VERY reasonable fee to come to your home, and she dealt specifically with problem behaviors. It may be worth checking out to see if someone around you provides that service.

Also, and maybe most importantly, even though he's a little guy, make sure he has regular exercise. You may be surprised to find that a brisk walk of at least 20-30 minutes at least one per day will make all the difference for him. Puppies always do better when they're worn out!

Good luck - there are a lot of things I know I didn't cover, but hopefully this helps you get started!

Kennel or Crate training is a wonderful thing. We have a Shih Tzu who is actually "tile trained" as well as kennel trained. He is not allowed on furniture or even on carpeted areas in our home. He can only stay on hard surfaces or in his kennel. We got him an oversized "cage" that he sleeps in at night, and is put in when he does something naughty or if strangers come in so he doesn't get scared or too over zealous around the people. My suggestion for you would be to stop having your guests discipline the dog. Do that yourself, and do it EVERY time. By letting someone else discipline while you don't step in, he will think that YOU are okay with his actions while your GUESTS are not, therefore, he can do it. He looks to you for what is acceptable behavior and what isn't. As far as kennel training him, if you use it as a "time out" or punishment, do it like you would for your own child. Tell him "No" or "don't do that" and put him in his kennel. Leave him in for a few minutes, then let him out. If he does it again, put him in again. When he urinates (while frightened or not) you still need to punish him. Put him in his kennel every time so he knows it's not okay. My dog used to do the same thing when he was a puppy, but just not as often. And since he's tile trained, it never ended up on carpet or furniture.

As other posters have said, there is a lot of information on the internet as well. Don't get too frustrated yet, until you feel you've really tried everything and nothing works. Also, get him his own chew toys (not food or rawhide toys - something that isn't as easily disintegrated) and when you find him chewing on something he's not supposed to, replace the item with his own toy (same one each time so he knows that is what he is allowed to chew on and nothing else), give him his "kennel time out" and tell him "no" or "don't do that" or something. Dogs eventually understand "no". Hopefully this helps.

If it is certain things that he chews up spray him with water or water/vinegar mixture. When we got our dog that is what they told us to do. Spray them with the vinegar solution and it should stop. They don't like the smell.

Try walks. My pups have all (heeler and malamutes) been holy terrors. Walks drain their energy that would usually go toward destroying your house and yard. I don't know how long daschunds mature, big dogs can take a few years, but if your consistant your pup will do well as an adult.
I don't think your dog is completely submissive to you, but is more scared. And the peeing is a reaction. I am not saying that your too harsh in your discipline, or anything like that, but some dogs react to fear with urinating, or aggression. But walks will help. They will understand their place in your home because he will be following your and your baby. Be consistant in your training methods, and displine at the first sign of bad behavior. Its hard to keep your cool in the mist of full blown bad behavior. Don't give up.

The chewing is normal, he is teething. Try making sure he has plenty of durable hard chew bones and if he heads to something he isn't suppose to, quickly pick it up and replace it with the bones. Our puppy did this for a good while, especially any blankets I put in her crate or any stuffed toy we had for her. Barbie lost a few hands in the process. I can say that my kids learned the hard way to keep things picked up. Don't let him have free access to everything, isolate him from a guests stuff. His chewing is relief for him with teething, but just get the bone and stick it in his mouth. So he gets clear definition of what is okay, lightly tap his nose or squeeze his top jaw and say "no bite". It will be a while before this phase passes, but do not for any reason allow him to put his mouth on body parts. It is fun for them to play bite when we as adults want them to but a puppy cannot distinguish between a adults hand or a childs. Also get a spray bottle and when he does something he isn't suppose to squirt him in the face, doesn't harm them but gets their attention without scaring them.

As far as the submissive peeing, some dogs are the "submissive" type for life, however if you continue to take him places, for walks with people around, Petsmart, wherever you can and expose him to a ton of different things it will let up. We adopted as a puppy a aussie/collie mix, she is now two and since I got her after the divorce she has no clue about men, other then my older brother she gets near a man and completely pees herself. With kids and women, she is in heaven and even when excited she is fine and no peeing. She just hasn't been around men really so I am trying to work on that and take her up to men in the dog park or my friends husbands pet her to get her used to it. Puppies after the year mark start doing better with the destructive behavior, but even if you have to crate him a few hours a day as a "time out" then do so. Make sure he is getting enough excersise too as that can lead to destruction big time.

C., I have two small, extremely energetic dogs (Toy Fox Terriers) and have experienced some of the same issues you listed.

The chewing... I gave up on doggie beds - they just get eaten. Instead, I found some old throws and they each sleep on their own blanket. Yes, they've chewed them a little bit, but like someone else said, they don't seem as interested when they realize there's no stuffing to get at.

More chewing... my youngest dog loves chewing on my underwear and socks (I know a lot of dogs that do this), so I now I just make sure that he cannot get to any laundry. They also enjoy chewing pens, so we are no longer allowed to leave pens on coffee tables. Two more problems solved.

Final chewing... our dogs can destroy a toy in a day and chew rawhides very quickly. Instead, I spend the extra money and get Kongs to stuff with treats/peanut butter and also buy Tuffies dog toys (mydogtoy.com). I have to get Tuffies that are rated 9 or 10 for my dogs; the rumble ring has held up really well.

Urinating... my older dog had this problem and would pee when he got scared/scolded. My husband believed in yelling at the dog when it happened, which just made it worse. I finally convinced my DH that he had to stop that, and it has gotten better now with time. Now it's very rare that my dog pees when he's scared, and if he does, I just talk to him calmly, clean it up in front of him and then tell him to go to his "house".

Overall, I'd say just keep working with the puppy and be patient... Also, definitely consider fixing him if you haven't already, and make sure you set up a special place for him in the house to send him to when he acts out with company or plays too rough with your daughter.

Also make sure he's getting enough exercise, either by walks or by playing fetch. I personally don't have/make enough time to walk my dogs, which is why I got a second dog in the first place. They play and wrestle with each other and wear each other out. Then when I sit down in the evening I make sure to play fetch with them (yes, in the house! LOL) to wear them out and little and then they just sit and chew on their dog toys instead.

I went through frustrating times with my dogs, but I love them so much and they are a very important part of my family now. Good luck!

Socialize, take the pup out for walks with your daughter. Is there a PetSmart nearby? They aren't the best, but they usually have training classes. Go to the library and read books on dog behavior and training. You can teach him some of the commands at home, and this lets him know you are the leader. Also look on line, there are some places where you can ask questions and get answers online. The Dumd Friends league/ or perhaps an animal shelter or vet may be able to suggest places to get training also. Again, socialize to get rid of the fear of people, otherwise you could end up with a fear biter, and that is no fun!!

I have 2 year old daschund female puppy who is sweet as pie, but she does the peeing thing too when people come over. First...go to the pet store (or Walmart) and buy a good pee carpet cleaner- we used one in a white bottle with yellow and blue writing- which makes it so he won't want to pee in that same spot again and reoves the smell. We also us Resolve if you can't find a good one. Then, when we know someone is coming over, my husband lets the dogs (we also have a 1 year old mutt) out so that the bladder is emptier when they come in. Then, we allow her to meet them. If she's acting really anxious, we just put her in her pet taxi and no peeing!!! I also found that soemtimes picking her up when they first come in helps some too so she's up on their level. But I think it must have something to do with their small hight where they feel so intimidated. She also has lots of stranger anxiety and growls and barks at any one new and once she gets used to them, she's okay as long as they don't move fast (or go to the bathroom because as soon as they come out, they are "new" again!!!). She also has lots of problems with bearded men, which is wierd because my husband has a beard...so who knows. As far as toys, we have to buy the big dog chew toys or they get destroyed, so the Kong toy and hard, hard, hard chew bones (we use the brand Hartz which makes a blue or pink chicken flavored bone), but anything cute and tiny or furry or squeeky (like the Petco commercial with the daschund carrying the fuzzy hotdog dog is a joke in our family!!!) is desroyed in minutes. I think their chewing will start to go down with the amount of toys, but we are having the same chewing trouble with the new mutt dog because we bought her at 6 months and they say the most ingraining training is before then and she was an outdoor cow dog, so she's having touble learning the no chew rule. My mother in law says a spray bottle with vinagar or something spicy in the mouth when you catch them chewing works, but our dog likes jalapinos and we rarely catch her chewing, but maybe it's worth a try. hope something helps. If you want to continue exchanging ideas about the dogs, e-mail me ____@____.com! Good luck!

Before you put him up for adoption, how much exercise does he get? Dogluvers.com has some good information. I have never owned one of these dogs before, but I have watched the dog whisper and his solution to problems is exercise. Maybe walks everyday or see if he will fetch a ball. Nyla bones are good for chewing, however do not get the puppy ones get the large breed and he will chew on that for days! Hope that is a little bit of info for you. I am not sure about the peeing part. My dog is timid as well and I just make sure people that come in to our home ignores her for the first part and when she comes to them then they can pet her. Otherwise she does the same just not a full pee.

J. S