Indoor Dog owners!

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:48 pm

How much of a PITA are they? Does training take forever? I finally have money to get a pup (mini daschund -gf has already made up her mind) but i'm not sure if i'm doing the right thing. I hear they're hard to train.

But how is it at first? Any tips?

I haven't owned a dog in a while so i'd ilke to get this right

King Crab · Post by **King Crab** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:23 pm

Depends on what you consider to be a PITA! I've had a Shi Tzu for 6 years now and got him when he was about 6 weeks old. He was very easy to house train, only took 2 maybe 3 weeks at best. Every breed is a little different, but from my only experiences as long as you're consistent with your method it shouldn't be hard at all.

But I have too add that this is a big decision. As it is for the life of your dog and you must not give up. As you are young, relationships (maybe), jobs, schooling, living arrangements will change for sure over the course of the next few years, but one thing must not change and that's the home that you'll provide for your dog. I'm not trying to be an asshole I just want what's best for you, your girlfriend and your possible puppy. I can not even put into words the joy and love that a dog will bring you. Their awesome.

Good luck.

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:28 pm

I'm concerned about the dogs welfare as well...i'm 19 so this isn't a toy i'm going to forget next week. I have 2 younger brothers (17 yr) that can help me out...so he will have someone to play with when i'm not home.

I can afford him financially. I also wonder about my room smelling, him tipping over my 50' tv, etc...haha.

Even though it's a dog it feels as though it's a child...

Post by **Diablo0** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 1:37 pm

Crate train him, it's about the easiest way to house break them... it's what we did and the only reason why she'll go inside is if we don't get to her in time.

As far as the room smelling, keep the dog washed once a week or so and you should be fine other than the usual cleanings you should do if the dog soils on the floor.

http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 4:09 pm

use a crate to train him like Diablo0 said. I have a Papilon and a Pug and it took the Papilon about 6 months compared to the Pug's 6 weeks. The key is consistency. Also, toy dogs are harder, comparatively, to train than a larger breed. Also, do not use puppy pads or anything like that. Sometimes you can't get the dog to go on anything but one of those. Set up a time table and stick by it. Usually a young puppy has to go within 45 min. after eating, right after playing, and after it wakes up from naps. Anyway, that is what I have learned and read myself.

glasswars · Post by **glasswars** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:47 pm

I have a border collie, blue mearl, and shetland sheepdog. All were easy to train, and I love them all. But they aren't by any means indoor dogs, they love being outside.

jrumann59 · Post by **jrumann59** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:21 pm

I have a rottie that is an indoor dog, if you have a good vacuum and you vacuum once a week there is little to no smell. house breaking is the key and all dogs need a routine until they are old enough to let you know. My trainer told me a puppy can hold it an hour for every month old. But if you want a good vacuum I recommend a Dyson Animal line I know they are pricey but they do pull all the hair out of the carpet and they all have HEPA filters that help with the dander.

Wenuden · Post by **Wenuden** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:46 am

don't worry about the tv. A mini dachshund only weighs like 9 or 11 pounds tops LOL. You'll step on it before it knocks over a 40 or 50 pound television.

Those little yap dogs are annoying as hell, my sister had 4 when I was younger. They all lived more than 12 years.

Cbussilver01es · Post by **Cbussilver01es** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:31 am

Yea its not necessarily easy, dogs are like children, housebreaking is the key, along with the basic commands, sit & stay. I have a pit bull that has the attention span of a rock, and was able to housebreak and train her to sit, stay, lay down & speak on command, so If I can do it you sure as hell can, lol it's some work but worth it in the end!

-Devil- · Post by **-Devil-** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:19 am

i have had 7 daschunds ... still have 2 ... they are very smart dogs .. and playful ...

they don't care to be alone though ... so make sure to keep some toys for it ...

they train real easy ...

i am opposite on the crate training ... my dogs sleep in the bed with me ... only rarely does one of them have an accident on the floor ... when that happens it is mostly because it is raining real hard outside and my wife hadn't taken them out in time ...

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:26 am

He wouldn't be alone too often, there is always someone at home. We're all older too so it's not like he would be around children.

I figure mine would sleep on the bed with me too...training him is gonna be kinda hard I don't know how to do it =\

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:58 pm

buy a dog training book

dodge_girl · Post by **dodge_girl** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:24 pm

one big thing is you have to make sure everyone who is looking after the dog is training him/her in the same way. And i suggest crate training aswell, i did with both of my dogs and it works amazingly, i didn't crate them over night though, they have always slept in my bed. Dogs are the best thing ever, you just have to make sure you have the time and that your buying this breed because it suits your lifestyle not because its cute, research the breed a lot
http://www.akc.org/breeds/dachshund/index.cfm

King Crab · Post by **King Crab** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:39 pm

Although we did crate him (Copper) overnight for the first 2 or 3 weeks like stated earlier. After that Copper has being sleeping in bed with us ever since.

And has never made a mess in the house, after the training period.

Dogs rule.

Adionik · Post by **Adionik** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:41 pm

So how would you teach them to go outside?

-Devil- · Post by **-Devil-** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 4:52 pm

pick up a training book .. it will explain

but be fore warned .. a daschund has a strong personality ... and may take the training the wrong way ...

so don't be suprized if .. when you pick up a mess and take it outside while fussing at them ...

that the next time you fuss at them about a mess .. they may just pick it up .. and carry it outside where you placed the last one ...

i wouldn't trade my daschunds for anything ...

one of them has caught over 20 mice and numerous rabbits and othe rodents while in and while outside of the house ...

the other one is a great guard dog .. if he see's anything wrong with a person that is coming in the house ... he lets us know right away to the point of chasing the person out of the house ...