17 weeks, too old?


Ajraffa

Ajraffa

New Owner
Hi there!

My boyfriend and I are bringing home a 17 week old long haired little girl on Saturday, and she is older than I expected. I've has "8 weeks=perfect" drilled into my head for years, and so I have some concerns.
I did some reading and the articles have made it seem that we have missed our window for socialization, that after 14 weeks you have lost your opportunity and now your dog will struggle with new environments and people.
Also I read that because the pup spent so much time with its littermates, it will be harder to bond with.
The breeder crate trains them from a young age but does not work on housebreaking them. She lives waaaay out in the mountains and so I am betting the pups didn't get a lot of human interaction outside of her and her family.

Any words of wisdom? I have read SEVERAL books about both dachshunds and puppy training, and they all say to start at 8 weeks. But what if I start training at 17 weeks?
 
CaseyKC

CaseyKC

Active Member
I wouldn't worry for a single second about her age. You will be her new pack, the new alpha and she will naturally want to please you. Just give her lots of love, take her out when she wakes up, after she eats, maybe before and after playtime, such as chase the ball or stuffed toy, and before bedtime. She will definitely bond with you if you are gentle, and loving toward her. Keep a few kibbles in your pocket for rewarding desired behavior and praise, praise, praise. Elimination accidents will occur, just as they would at 8 weeks, take her out to do business immediately and clean up the mess when you are back indoors. No shouting, but you can look disappointed while cleaning up. She will be fine and so will you.
 
Ajraffa

Ajraffa

New Owner
Thank you! I am so glad to hear that. So should I start training from the ground up, the way I would with a younger pup?
 
Nell

Nell

Member
17 weeks is still very young. I have known many people take on an adult dachshund that hasn't been house trained and they have managed to turn this around in a fairly short time. I personally don't think its about the age of the dog but rather more about establishing the ground rules from day one. House training is all about habit, if they get used to going in your house then the longer they do it the harder the habit will be to break.

If you are seriously on the case from day one, and establish the habit of going outside by regular visits outside and loads of praise when the puppy does go then they soon cotton on. I reprimand mine verbally (no smacking) with a low tone growling voice if there are any mistakes in doors and clean the area thoroughly and immediately to reinforce the message that this is NOT the place to go. You can also use puppy pads placed by the door to get them used to asking to go out and that often helps as well.

As to socialisation, I wouldn't worry too much at 17 weeks, most dachshunds are very friendly, love attention and will do anything for food and treats lol!!

Enjoy your new baby, you will work it out together, good luck.
 
Ajraffa

Ajraffa

New Owner
We're thinking about trying to paper/litter train her since my mobility is poor. Any thoughts on that?
 
Nell

Nell

Member
If the target area is the paper then its exactly the same as asking her to go outside. The only thing I would say is be consistent with where the paper is placed for her to go and again I would suggest this is somewhere near the door as she will then also get the idea she should go to the door. Hope this helps.
 
crystalclear1027

crystalclear1027

New Member
Hello and welcome from Pennsylvania!!! We got our girl when she was six months old, she fit in perfectly right away and she was pee pad trained. She had many accidents though. We had to find her schedule, and worked on it, she is pretty good now, treats always work. Good luck, you and her will be fine!!!!
 
Penny

Penny

New Member
Hi from Canada!
All our doxies have come here as adults and they learn the rules of the house. We are very cold here in the winter so mine go on the papers and as soon as it's warm outside, they are happy to run outside for a pee. Fresh air!! We bought a sheet of plastic to put the papers on and wash up with Nature's Miracle stain and odor remover. Works great. I have bought a cheep shower curtain but what I found was that it's folded very tightly and packaged so there was always pin holes in the corners. We bought plastic off a roll which came in different weights so the selection was pretty good. It was both at a large store that sold paint and also at a fabric store. Good luck and please post pics when you have time!
 
Ajraffa

Ajraffa

New Owner
A SHOWER CURTAIN that is genius! I have been looking for a tarp that isn't giant sized and I swear it's impossible. That is way better! I had thought about painter's plastic too.
I put down a layer of puppy pads til we find a good base and I swear she always manages to find the one spot that is not covered by puppy pad
 
Ajraffa

Ajraffa

New Owner
Also MORE questions!
We both work full days so she'll be kenneled for a few hours, then my friend will come to let her out, she'll be kenneled again for like 2 hours until I get home and then free for the rest of the day. Any advice on crying? She cries when we're out of sight, if she is in her pen, kennel or roaming.
 
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