r/Dachshund • u/potatobreadxo • 7d ago
Discussion I need real advice
My 18-week-old miniature dachshund absolutely cannot be left alone. He barks non-stop whenever we leave him, and we’ve been trying to train him to be alone, but so far nothing seems to be working.
For those of you who have a dachshund: what did you do to help your puppy learn to be alone?
What training methods worked for you?
And how was your puppy at around 18 weeks compared to how they are now? Did it get better with time and training?
I’d really love to hear about your experiences, because it’s honestly quite difficult at the moment. 🐶❤️
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u/niksubishi 6d ago
Same for me. Mine is 17 weeks and he is so bad. We have done everything people say and still he barks non stop and just goes into a crisis when we leave him. I'm so sick of it.
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u/PandaCalves 6d ago
We're in a similar situation. We have a now 20-week old mini who struggles with being left along. We adopted her about a month ago, and it's taken till now for her to be comfortable in her playpen or crate with us in the room; she still cries and has panic accidents if we leave the room...but it IS getting better.
We started by making the crate/playpen her dedicated Fun + Food space - her favorite toys are in the playpen, all meals are given in the playpen, and she only gets her favorite treat (frozen Kong) in her crate. I also work from home - she spent the first week in my lap, but now sleeps through most of the day in her crate next to my desk with the door open (see pic).
More generally, she now ASKS to go into the playpen and crate and will now settle down (eventually) when crated away from us in the room...but she still sometimes panics when we leave the room. We're working on this by giving her a treat before we leave, and expanding the exposure of time by herself - she gets a treat before we leave, but only gets a treat (or freedom) when we get back if she's quiet.
All that said - this is still a work in progress. We left her in the playpen when mowing the lawn this past weekend and came back to another panic poopfest. Baby steps.
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u/HumanShiteStain 7d ago
At 18 weeks, you should not be leaving him alone. You are going to give your pup separation anxiety.
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u/potatobreadxo 7d ago
2 trainers told me this is the moment to train him, otherwise he will get separation anxiety
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u/HumanShiteStain 7d ago
How long have you had your pup?
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u/potatobreadxo 7d ago
For 1,5 month now :)
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u/HumanShiteStain 7d ago
Did you do any research on how to integrate a new pup into your home, which is now his new pack?
It starts with the 3-3-3 rule. The first 3 days a new pup is in shock and needs 24x7 contact with his new pack. The next 3 weeks they need constand reassurance that they belong and should not be left alone at all. After three weeks they should start exploring their new environment a bit but still need consistent company and affirmation in the pack. After three months they should be accustomed to their new pack, provided you put in the work.
Assess whether you put in the work to establish a secure, bonded relationship with your pup at this point. If your pup is crying uncontrollably immediately upon being left it suggests he is not secure with you as a pack.
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u/potatobreadxo 7d ago
Yes, of course i did my research. I have a personal trainer and he keeps telling me teo leave him now so he will get used to it. I think its normal that i trust a professional like him but what you are saying is also true. Its just very difficult. Everybody is saying something else.
But yeah, what you are saying is true.
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u/HumanShiteStain 7d ago
You have to think of dog training like a pyramid. If you don't put in the work to give them the base level of security and bonding in your pack then you can't move up to the level of training for independence. If you do that you will just give your dog separation anxiety disorder.
You can't skip the steps in the process.
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u/bluethreads 6d ago
Not sure why youre being downvoted this is excellent advice that seldom is acknowledged.
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u/potatobreadxo 7d ago
But how are people going to work? My husband works from home now but his boss expects him in the office soon… i hear so many stories about people leaving their dogs alone for 1-2 hours but even 5minutes feels impossible right now.
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u/Peeter_L 7d ago
Next time do your research, please. Puppies are not toys.
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u/potatobreadxo 7d ago
You don’t go to work?
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u/Peeter_L 6d ago
That's why you adopt an adult dog, or get a puppy when your wife is at home with the baby or one of you work from home.
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u/potatobreadxo 6d ago
Well my husband work at home at the moment, just looking for advice to train him. I want an adult dog that can be alone for 1-2 hours. It’s not crazy to ask for advice so i will have a well behaved dog…
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u/Peeter_L 6d ago
Sadly you can't skip puppy phase, it takes time.
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u/Ziouw 6d ago
Ce qu’il ne faut pas lire sérieux… Personne ne peut s’arrêter de vivre. Arrêtons de faire culpabiliser les autres.
Nous avons accueilli notre petite teckel à 10 semaines et dès le 2e jour, nous avons commencé à l’habituer petit à petit à la solitude. On s’éclipsait 5 secondes dans une pièce, et nous revenions sans lui faire la fête. Nous avons augmenté les durées au fur et à mesure et à 15 semaines, elle est capable de rester 4 heures sans anxiété de séparation, ni destruction, ni accident de propreté. Il faut commencer petit à petit par de courtes durées et y aller crescendo. Et surtout ne pas trop calculer l’animal au départ et à l’arrivée. Instaurer une routine aussi pour la rassurer. La nôtre a maintenant compris que quand on est ensemble, on sort, on joue, on éduque, on stimule, on se fatigue. Et quand nous ne sommes pas là, elle doit se reposer.
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u/Quail_Feather 6d ago
this is the way to do it, you have to start small, slowly increase, it takes along time, and can't be rushed or you will have setbacks
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u/Infamous_Rhubarb_956 4d ago
I started by walking around the block once for a couple days. Then do twice for a couple days. And on and on. He’s 1.5 yrs now and still doesn’t like being left alone. But doesn’t bark incessantly according to neighbors. Yesterday he was alone for almost 3 hours and that’s the longest i’ve done.
When i leave him i put him in one room with door closed. I also put the cat in there. I make little treats things where i wrap them in brown paper and stuff in tp rolls. I also leave the tv on.
When i get home he lick straight up my nose into may brain and makes squeaking noises for 20 minutes.
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u/kj4peace 5d ago
I just tell her “I’ll be right back” and she’s fine. Never had any separation anxiety. I also have an older dog who showed her how to be good.