My 5 year old Ziggy, the doxie, was lonely when I went back to work. So I was lucky to get a new 3 year old female to keep him company. They are best pals. However, the former owners lied to me when they said she was housebroken! Zelda is the sweetest little doxie, but will go to the bathroom iin the house even when the door is wide open. I know how to train a puppy, but not a 3 year old. Crating is not an option for Zelda. Also, she has no idea how to bark or signal to be let out. I personally believe that she was kept in an outside pen most of the time. Can you give me some ideas? Thanks, Dottie

Dachshunds have a reputation for being hard to housebreak. Then you throw away an important tool, the crate. You housebreak an older dog, much like the proper way with a younger one. Identify when they need to go out, take them out, and give them a command and praise then they go. Having her crated while you are away or at work forces most of them to wait until you return, giving you the advantage of knowing they need out at that time. Otherwise you are forced to carefully watch her, watching for the quit playing and start sniffing around, especially near frequently used spots. Right after waking up from a nap is also a good time. Tying the dog to you works for some people. When you do take her out, don't let her just amble around. Keep her moving, that stimulates the body, and forces her to relieve herself while you are watching and can praise her. For some dogs, a short tether works to confine them in place of a crate.

You could give up and put down pads for her to use inside the house. Ask for Wee Pads at the pet store.

There could be an element of pack position here too. Obedience train her.
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 http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/.