Hey, New member I need to know what is the right way to house break my seven week old miniature dachshund I have read book after book some say let him in and out of the crate some say make him stay in there all day except to eat and potty but he has already using it in his crate I Don't KNOW WHAT TO DO I took a week of vacation to help get him started but I'm fixing to go back to work and I work 12 hour shifts I'm just confused please help!? :confused:

My expansion of what works for me and many others is in the sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post251809 I advise learning to read the puppy and following its schedule rather than try to make it follow you schedule. I also believe in only crating the puppy when you can't watch it. It works well for us as long as we don't have to leave the puppy more than 4-5 hours in the day time.

There is a lot of conflicting and mostly incomplete advice around on housebreaking. There are also a lot of people have trouble. I have added from our personal experience to what many other and us have been taught. It works.

I found the first answer offensive, so I deleted it and your response. I hope you stick around long enough to find there are friendly, helpful people at AMHD.

Congrats on your dachshund puppy! You will have many years of absolute bliss and utter frustration. I have 20 years of doxie experience and still know them to be the most stubborn and the most loving animals on earth.

My 10 year old is still not potty trained, not because he doesn't know any better, but because he likes to leave me a "message". Usually when he thinks he needs more treats than necessary. My four year old thinks that going outside is for playing and exploring, but definitely not for doing her business.

I have to tear out my upstairs carpet and replace it with tiles (not nice laminate that would increase my property value!). They have a doggie door both to a huge upstairs patio and a downstairs one.

Good luck with your training and let me know how you fare.

Frustrated but spoiling doxie mom.