Paper and Liter Training

The paper training method works best with puppies and is a must for those people with condos. An adult has better bladder and bowel control so you may not need to use the paper method. If you are planning on your adult to eliminate outdoors, you probably want to use the methods for adults , or crate training.

Before you begin with the paper method, first you must choose a location where your puppy will be staying until house trained. Make sure the room is puppy proofed and that elimination on the floor in this area will not cause permanent damage to your home. A bathroom is usually a good place for this. Once you have chosen an area, cover the entire floor with newspaper. Young puppies do not have sufficient control over their bladder or bowels and therefore tend to go a lot more when compared to an older puppy or adult.

When paper training, young puppies love to play with the paper. If they decides your paper looks better shredded than whole, don't scold him. Soon the paper will get boring and they will leave it alone. In the beginning, it is important to replace the paper as soon as possible after the elimination has occurred. (mornings, coming home from work, etc.)This helps your puppy establish the area as their own. It will help you get a better idea of where they favor doing their business. As your puppy eliminates throughout the day, they may choose different areas of the room. As they gets a little more used to their room, they will choose a certain area where they prefers to eliminate.

When their preferred area for is established, begin removing the paper from the rest of the room, only covering the area they use. Make sure you leave their papered area large enough so that he does not miss the paper. When he uses their papered area, praise him. The more your puppy associates a reward with their choice of the paper instead of the floor, the quicker your puppy will be trained. After he has established that he will use the papered area instead of the floor, begin moving the paper towards the area where you want him to go when fully trained.

If you will be training your dog to go outdoors, you may continue the paper method by moving the paper towards the area he will eventually go.  The paper should only be moved a little at a time 1 to 2 inches. If moving the paper confuses your puppy you must go back a few steps and start over in their room. Once the paper is completely removed, he will go to that area automatically and at that time and sniff or turn circles, letting you know he has to go out.

When you are at home and with your puppy, and he is not in their area, make sure you keep him very close to you at all times. Or put a leash your puppy and attaching the other end to your belt loop works well. If you allow your puppy to wander off for a few minutes before he is completely trained, he will most likely have an accident in another area of your home, causing him confusion. If you do have him out of their area, make sure you return him to their papered area after he has eaten, playing or woken from a nap. ( about 30-40 minutes )

Litter box training should only be used for small Dachshunds whose owner is unable to take them outside on a regular basis. Many condo and apartment dwellers and elderly people inquire about this method because of the inability to properly walk a Dachshund on a regular basis. Although you may be able to use a traditional cat litter box. Pet supply stores do sell doggy litter boxes. They are a bit larger than the traditional kitty box. Also available are litters be used in the box. Some of the litters produce certain smells that are marketed to attract your Dachshund to them for better success with this method.

Once the puppy has eliminated in an area about the size of a litter pan for approximately two weeks, place a litter pan on the floor and paper inside the litter pan. If your puppy refuses to use the pan and begins eliminating on the floor, remove the litter pan and go back to the paper on the floor. Once they have established that he will once again use the paper consistently, replace the litter pan with the paper inside. If they does go inside the litter box, make sure to praise them profusely. They have got to establish this is the correct behavior before he will be comfortable with it. Once they use the litter box with the paper, you may begin the change to doggy (or cat)litter if desired. As time goes on, you may add additional litter until eventually the paper is gone and only litter remains. You must clean the litter box every time your Dachshund eliminates. He will not go in a dirty box. Failure to consistently clean the litter box will result in your puppy reverting back to the floor.