Mon 29 Dec 2008
Hello to anyone who reads this. I have a Standard neutered male who I think is psycho! First and most important, he won’t go outside if the weather is either cold, raining, or snowing. We will force him to go outside walk away from the door, and he will throw himself against the door whining and barking for 10-20 minutes at a time. Of course we give in and end up letting him in because he won’t leave the porch. This of course results in him going to the bathroom in the house. However, he will not urinate or deficate in the house unless we are not home, he chooses to wait until we have left the house. He will also go in the house if we miss a walk with him as if to say he’s mad at us for missing his walk.
Another problem we have with him is that he is dog aggressive when he is on his leash. He asserts himself as alpha off the leash without any altercations. But when he’s on his leash, he automaticaly just strikes out and will bite the other dog and latch on. This has resulted to us having to take him on walks when there is likely to be less people out in the neighborhood with other dogs. He is perfectly fine with dogs who’s home we visit or that visit us. He has even been to the dog park where he didn’t have any trouble.
I should also add that when we brought him home, we had 2 older dogs that have both been put to sleep over the past 1.5 years. He was 8 weeks old and the breeder hadn’t ever taken the pups outside as she lives in Wisconsin off Lake Superior and the temps were way below zero. His first experience to the outdoors was walking him from the house to the car. Once we got him home we started housebreaking.
We love our dog and he makes us laugh everyday, but these two issues, especially the first one, has us on the edge. Can someone help!
Thanks!
Outside issues:
All dachshunds hate to go outside when it’s raining or snowing. How cold is cold? If it’s less than freezing then it makes sense. To mitigate this, have lots of fun with him outside in these conditions. Be a total spaz and embarrass yourself, but just play with him and say “oh we’re having so much fun!” when it’s raining or snowing. If you’re doing it in earnest your dog will start to change his mind in time. But they will always want to go outside quickly and go right back in when it’s raining or snowing.
My dog is in a crate when I’m away. Consider using a crate if you’re not gone more than 4 hours. Study up on crates, they are not to be used for discipline (obligatory safety note.)
Yes. Dogs are often dog aggressive on leash. One should never introduce their dog to another dog on leash. Even “good” dogs. Here’s why: your dog has a fight or flight instinct just like you. Normally if a dog is unsure about another dog he will move away by choice. But if you take that choice away by having him on leash, he has no choice other than to fight. That’s why he’s not aggressive off leash. This is a rule you should keep 100% of the time. Never introduce your dog to other dogs on leash. Never!
My mini dachshund is also a bit of a suck about the weather. He’ll stand just inside the door when it’s cold, snowing or raining outside, and sometimes if he gets too wet while on a walk he will sit down and refuse to move. Getting him a warm coat and booties helped alot, as did keeping walks short and sweet at those time. I’ve also mat trained him so that if the weather is exceptionally nasty I can put a training pad down and he’ll do his business there. Another tip I’ve found useful is giving the dog a treat everytime you come in from outside so he thinks of it as a job well done.
Good luck!
I agree with Matt’s advice. He has good ideas.
Also if you can give The Dog Whisperer (on National Geographic)a look that may help, he has very good teaching techniques for dogs.
If you feel anxious when walking him he will pick up on that and feel even MORE like the protector and defender of all. I have been there, and it is hard sometimes to really be calm and at ease when things are uncertain. But it is important.
We used to raise standards so I have had a little experience with these guys (and girls!). They can be a challenge, but when you get them on your side it really is wonderful.
Wishing you luck with your guy.
Nancy
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