[Roxxanne]

My fiance' and I just got a mini-dachshund last Saturday. She is 13 weeks old and very tiny. She is absolutely adorable! Taking her "potty" has been pretty successful.
I'm curious how to properly crate train her. I have read pointers on websites that recommened making her crate as peaceful of a place as possible. I'm concerned about her whining when we put her in the crate. Will she eventually quit whining when she is in there? Should we put her in there at night or let her sleep with us? Any advice will help.


Thank you,
Roxxanne's mommy:D

[Tuscany]

Welcome to the wonderful world of owning a dachshund. They are one of the best dogs, loyal, fun, caring, I could go on and on.

Doxies do take time to adjust to going into a crate. However, once they have adapted, it their favorite place. Getting a puppy used to their crate can be a noisy process. Once you put her in the crate and she starts whining... LEAVE HER THERE! She is not in pain, she just wants to see you. However, she will adapt nicely. However, if you let her out, you are reinforcing her whining and that will make it that much harder for you.

Most puppies will not mess in their crate so if you want to put a blanket in it or a small toy (careful that it is not one that will fray or that pieces can break off of) that is fine. I know that the first time I put Tuscany in his crate he cried pitifully, so I laid next to the crate... he stopped crying and fell asleep. Since that night, he is fine in his crate. Many doxie books tell you to put their crate in your bedroom at night, but that is a personal preference really.

As for sleeping with you at night. That too is a matter of preference. My opinion is that minis at that age are very young and small and it is dangerous to have them sleep with you at night (you might roll on them), so their safest place is in their crate. But again that is completely up to you.

Please read the stickies that Labman has placed in the dog folder to help guide you.
He will be checking in as well and is a wealth of knowledge as is Becky.
Best of luck to you and keep us posted on how Roxxanne is doing.

[kattygirl]

I have a 10month old dachshund and I can tell you that crate training can be difficult at first. I am not an expert but I can tell you what has worked for me. We started crating at bedtime because I like having room to sleep. If your's is anything like mine it must be attached to your side at all times. :) Whenever I put Zeus into his crate in the beginning I always gave him a small treat to reward him for being in there. The first night he whined for a good couple of hours. I compeletely ignored him and by the second night he stopped whining completely. Now he only whimpers when I first come home and am getting him out of his crate. Also the only thing I have in his crate is his dog bed. I do attach a small dish to the door that holds a little water and food if I am going to be away for more than 4hrs.

Zeus while not LOVING his crate has come to accept it and rarely makes a fuss. Please do not let the whining discourage you from crating him because if you haven't found out yet you will soon... dauchaunds chew EVERYTHING if left home alone. There is no distinction for them when it comes to a bone or a electrical cord.

Good luck. Always remember the better you train them now makes for the better life you have with them later.

[Tuscany]

Katty... very cute puppy!

[kattygirl]

LOL thank you! I always think the same about yours when I see him/her.

[labman]

There are strong opinions either way, but I agree having the puppy sleep in bed with you is a matter of personal taste. The exception to that is if you are having problems with the dog questioning your leadership. Laying down next to the crate is a simple, but highly effective technique for those first few night in a puppy's new home. I have had puppies I didn't need it. However I was very desperate the night I first tried it. My puppy had the neighbor's dogs barking. Since then I have had a dozen or more puppies, and every one of them has quickly settled down and gone to sleep.

I never leave any bedding or food and water in the crate. As long as you don't leave the puppy more than 4-5 hours, they are fine without anything. Beyond 5 hours, and you are asking too much of a little puppy. Even an older dog needs a break. If neither of you can make it home over lunch, see if you can find a neighbor or a professional dog walker.

I think some people try to make crate training more complicated than it is. Young puppies usually quickly adapt to them as long as they aren't left all day without a break.

As Tuscany mentioned, there is more material at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...man-53153.html Post back if you need more help.

[Roxxanne]

Thank you very much for your advice. I really appreciate it!

-Roxxanne's mommy