[Scarletsmommy]

Ok well I am getting this 8 month old female daschund named Lady in about 2 weeks. She was abandoned and a family friend has been taking care of her with her dogs until we are able to go pick her up. My questions are quite numerous so sorry in advance for the amount of them.

1) Nobody is home is home for about 8 1/2 to 9 hours while I am at school and my mother at work so what should be done about her elimination needs?

2) Should she be left out while we are away or should she be crated or confined to a smaller area?

3) Should we train her ourselves or get her into some kind of class?

4) Should she be put in a crate or confined area at night or is it ok for her to sleep on my bed with me?

5) How should I disipline her because I have heard that Daschunds should never be scolded?

6) Are Daschunds a breed that get along with other animals ok? (I also have a 4 yr old black lab/chow mix named Precious)

7) Is there a way to make it easier for the first meeting of the 2 dogs?

8) If anyone has any tips to do with raising a Daschund (considering I have never owned one before) that may help me in this undertaking I would be greatly appriciated.

Thank you in advance for all help and tips.
Katelan

[Curbside Prophet]

If you don't mind, I'll number my answers to mirror your questions above. I'll be brief, and if you need further information, please don't hesitate to ask.

1. At 8 months, you may be lucky...she should be able to hold her bladder for that long. However, since it's a new environment for her, her training should be as if she was a puppy. And since it is not a good idea to crate your pup for more than a few hours at a time, I would recommend containing her in a puppy safe area like a bathroom or kitchen, closed off to access to the entire home. And a space large enough for a crate, water, safe chew toys, and a romp around area. Since she'll not be in the crate, I would prepare for elimination with paper training. You'll have to give her time to adjust to her new environment. And in the mean time, you'll have to encourage and praise outdoor elimination. Get very excited and happy when she eliminates outside, and give her a treat party.

2. I do not encourage people to leave their dogs outdoors. Especially a dog who's learning his environment. There is too much of a potential for things to upset her like foreign noises and neighborhood pests. Plus, you need to learn the temperment of the dog. And you don't want to learn that it's an escape artist by leaving it home alone outdoors. That being said, you'll have to make you're entire home puppy proof, not just the confinement area.

3. I think training classes are a wonderful thing, even if you know everything about your dog, because training classes are a great place to socialize your pup and to meet fellow dog lovers.

4. I would keep her off your bed until she can be trusted with free roam of the home. I'm not against dogs sleeping in the bed, but you do need to establish boundaries early when teaching your pup. The dog needs to learn that everything must be earned through his leaders (that's you and your family).

5. I don't believe any dog should be scolded with verbal or physical contact. Ostracism is the form of discipline I recommend, because in conjunction with physical, social, and mental stimulation, it will be the only form of discipline you should need.

6. If both dogs are properly socialized, they can be the best of pals. Again, as long as both dogs get the requisite mental, social, and physical stimulation, you're chances for a peacful home go up.

7. The first meeting should be in a neutral area like a park, to eliminate any territorial problems, and only after both dogs have been given a long walk through the neighborhood...initially walk them separately, but join together not far from the park, Just keep moving on your walk until they are sufficiently tired to rest and sniff each other without drama. If anything should occur, separate them, and you'll have to try agian later in the same manner. Consult a professional if a problem persists.

8. I've never owned a Dachsund, so I have nothing specific to add.

Good luck!

[gojo431]

Gosh Curbside, those are great answers. I really like the one about how to introduce the dogs.

Scarlet, the only other thing I could possibe think of would be to try to have someone come home during the middle of that timespan to walk the dogs and give them a small break.

[luv4gsds]

Those are some good ideas there Curbside Prophet.

I myself am owned by two mini dachshunds Odie and Sweetie.

1. Just keep in mind that some dachshunds can be very stubbron about house training. You could use those puppy pads or the litter box. Mine didn't go for the puppy pads they always chewed them up.

2. You can get a ex-pen for her to stay in while you are gone. I wouldn't put her outside by her self. My two dachshunds are diggers, they couldn't be trusted in a yard by there selves.

3. I would look into a training class.

4. I crated mine until they know they routine of the house. But know the sleep in bed with me under the covers. Mine will even stay in bed with me as long as I'll stay in bed.

5. You shouldn't scolded. Dachshunds carry their hearts on their shoulders, just keep that in mind. I would use positive reinforcement when it comes to that.

6. Well as for getting along. That depends on the dogs. If both dogs have a dominate disposition than you will have trouble. But if one has dominate disposition and the other one has submissive disposition than you wouldn't have trouble. But the better of the deal is if both are submissive. My male dachshund dosen't get along with my male german shepherd but he is great around my females now for my female dachshund she will tolerate the other dogs to a point.

7. I agree with Curbside Prophet on the greeting area. Not that I didn't agree with them before.

8. Just keep in mind that dachshund can be chewers even if they are bored or not and some of them can be pack rats. They tend to go to one person in the house hold. And they should be socialized.

If you have anymore question please ask away.

Here are my two mini dachsunds.

Odie


Sweetie


Here they are sun bathing together