I am new to this board. I joined because it has been tough housebreaking my Mini Doxie Puppy. She is 16 weeks, crate trained, gets through the night, and knows what going outside is all about. We are working on an alert for her to let us know that she needs to go out. This is the big issue. She is either in her crate, in the kitchen or in someones lap when in the rest of the house. If you don't watch her every EVERY second she will soil in the kitchen. She can stay dry for 3 hours in her crate, but 15 minutes in the kitchen and look out. I think that she will be locked in the kitchen forever.

I previously owned a Shihtzu (sp?) and a lab mix (now deceased). Never ever did I have so many problems. She is so hard headed and really seems like she is doing this on purpose. I only yell "NO" at her in mid act, otherwise I clean up out of her view. She gets tons of attention and I'm home most of the day. I take her out every 1/2 hour or so and feed her in her crate only.

Tonight was a rare night out and my neighbor let her out for me around 8, I came home at 1 to find her out of her crate - the neighbor didn't latch the crate right - and she soiled every single room in my two story home - except those rooms with tile floor of course (ha ha).

NOW WHAT DO I DO???? I feel like I have just taken 50 steps backward and want to give up!!! Love love this dog but AAAAHHHHHHH, am running out of patience and paper towels. I've read alot of the housebreaking posts and feel that I pretty much have followed the "rules" as closely as possible. Is there hope???

Have you had her checked for a bladder infection?

I haven't had her checked because she is able to stay dry for hours IN her crate. Do you really think that she could have an infection like that and stay dry? This is new to me so I appreciate all the advice I can get.

Their bladder hurts, so they can hold it while asleep but not while awake. Most dogs sleep in their crate, so it is possible. Auster could hold it most of the night as a pup but not more than 15 mins during the day when she had a bladder infection.

You've got a point. She is getting some shots this week, I'll call the vet and see if we can have her checked out.

Do you think that she will forget about her free night out in my house? I'm concerned that we will be back to square one again and she will treasure soiling my carpets the next chance she gets.

I'm not sure what effect it will have on housebreaking, but you need to take in a urine sample and have it tested BEFORE she gets vaccines if you think she might have an infection. If she gets shots while she has an infection it will make it take a lot longer to clear up, but most vets either don't realize this or just don't care and will vaccinate a sick puppy.

You don't need an appointment to have her checked for a bladder infection. Just collect her urine in the morning (most concentrated, and a disposable cup works well for collecting and can be cut shorter to get under her) and take it the the vet within 30 minutes. They can do a urinalysis and tell you if she has infection. You might have to take her in to get a Rx if she has an infection.

Thank you so much for your information. I have very little experience with sick dogs and vets, my last two dogs were incredibly healthy and at old ages died peacefully at home.

I have been looking up information on the web and a strange topic keeps coming up about daschunds being very difficult to housebreak - I'm thinking they are just independent little dogs who need a very good reason to do as they are told. Thankfully she loves her crate - its quite the safety net for both of us.

Had a very hard time housebreaking my cairn. He would do his business on the floor in front of you. My husband finaly had enough after 6 months and gave him a swat on the behind and he never did it again.I just do not think the little guy cared where he did it.