Hi -
I'm the owner of a five-month old Daschund/Pomeranian mix. I have a few questions regarding issues we've had with his training so far. I've gotten so many opinions from so many people that now I'm doubting how good of a job I've done with him.

My first issue is potty training. We were strongly advised to train him in a litter box. This is working most of the time, but now he won't go outside at all. Plus, if he thinks he's not getting enough attention he'll poop on the floor in front of us. He has also taken to eating it. We are feeding him Bil-Jac puppy food. He seems to love the food, but I'm not sure if I'm feeding him enough. The bag says 1 cup per day for his size. I know it's important to watch his weight.

My second issue right now is the tiny bump I can feel on his back. It feels like a little marble sized cyst that moves or maybe some type of tendon. I just noticed it this morning. I give him check-ups often, and I've never felt it before. I'm very worried. He was just to the vet, and he's had all his shots and is in great health. Are these little bumps normal?

He's my first child, basically, and I'm very close to him. I don't want anything to happen to him so I'd rather be safe than sorry. Can anyone help me with these issues?

Taking the problems in order you listed them. I am against using liter boxes or papers in general. Sometimes for somebody in an upstairs apartment with no ready access to an outside area not, used by other dogs, it may be necessary. Maybe take the litter box outside. Then the first thing in the morning and when you come home, take him out on leash to it. Give him a command in a firm, but friendly voice. Keep repeating the command and let the puppy sniff around. If it does anything,
Praise it. Really let it know what a good dog it is and how much you love it,
And maybe a treat. Note, being out there not only means you can praise it,
But it also keeps it from being snatched by a hawk. If it doesn't go, take it
Inside and give it a drink and any meals scheduled. A young puppy will need to
Go out immediately afterward. Go to the spot and follow the above routine.
Praising it if it goes is extremely important. If it doesn't go, take it back
Inside and put it in its crate and try again soon. Do not let it loose in the
House until it does go.

Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them
Will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic
Ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put
In a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select
A crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys. Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter. Don't leave
Anything in the crate the dog might chew up. It will do fine without even any
Bedding. You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going
in. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at
Feeding time for more than one dog.

I see the pooping in for not of you as a status issue. Having a good pack structure reduces such problems. The dogs see all the
People and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
The pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
Outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by
Reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
Or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
A treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete (http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/).

For now, he needs to be corrected in a way that leaves no doubt that your are top dog, and you will not permit it. Give a warning stern "Bad Dog!". In stubborn cases, I repeat the "Bad dog!" right in its face with the dog on its back. Hold it down until it lifts one back leg to show submission. Use one forearm under his jaw to keep his teeth away from your face. Another very effective technique if the dog is small enough, is to pick it up with your hands behind its front shoulders and hold it out with its back to you. Make sure it is far enough out it can't fling its head into your face. Hold it until it quits struggling and relaxes. If you can't do either of those, try the squirt bottle. Fill it with water and a little vinegar or lemon juice. Give it a squirt in the face as soon as it misbehaves. Dogs hate that. Dachshunds have a reputation for being stubborn. The solution to a stubborn dog is an owner that is even more stubborn. Every time he poops for attention, he immediately gets which ever bad consequence works best for you.

Eating stools is common at 5 months. When you have him out on leash, you should be able to control it with a snap of the leash, and a firm ''Bad dog!''. Later if he is still doing it unattended in a fenced yard or tie out, try food additives, either something such as Forbid from the pet store or pineapple juice or canned pumpkin.

I am not familiar with the Bil-Jac chow. Most comercial chows meet AAFCO standards, and most dogs will thrive on them. It doesn't hurt to change over to an adult chow anytime now, better for the larger breeds. Many dogs are happy to eat themselves to an early grave. Do not go by how much he wants, or the package. Rather see (2 DEC. 07, This thread is so old that that link no longer works. It has been replaced) http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspxfor a good illustrated guide to feeding him.

That bump does not seem normal. Check it every day. If it changes at all, immediately call the vet. Otherwise you should have him in again soon for rabies shot, neutering, etc. and show it to the vet then.

Since you mentioned the dog had all its shots-do you remember if the place you found the cyst was where one of the shots had been given to the dog? Sometimes they can have a reaction and this might be one. Please do a little research on vaccinations/shots for dogs/cats and see what the recommendation and possible side effects could be. Thought this might be helpful w/the cyst.

I had a problem with one of my dogs before having a cyst on his back as well. He had just been vaccinated when the cyst came about. The vet was able to drain it in order to make it go away. It wasn't a big problem for him but I would still get your dog's looked at just in case it is something more serious.

Jordan