Category: Top Dog

Picked up our mini schnauzer between 8-9 weeks old, he is now 12 weeks. For 3 weeks straight we have been taking him outside every 30 or so minutes, before and after naps, after eating, and after play. We grab his paw and get him to ring the potty bells on the door every time before we go outside. He does go pretty reliably outside, and we say “yes, good potty” in the middle of him peeing or pooping, and then he gets a treat immediately after.

He still has frequent accidents in the house though. 2 poops and a pee in the last 2 days and most of the time these are shortly after coming back inside. I’m getting frustrated and exhausted. I know 3 weeks isn’t very long but should something not be clicking by now? He does not use the bells to let us know he needs to go outside and just casually squats and poops/pees right in front of us without warning.

We have a 4 month old puppy who is teething bad! Found out that a good enrichment toy is just an empty Gatorade bottle (remove all the plastic on the outside) and throw some ice in there! Our girl plays with it for hours

HI everyone,

I am fairly new to reddit and have mainly only used it to look up advice or training for my new puppy. I want to preface this post with the fact that I have had a dog before (he is 9 now) so I have raised a puppy before. I was on a waitlist for a mini dachshund puppy since September and was told I probably wouldnt get an available puppy until August. However, this specific breeder (very ethical might I add) had an accidental litter and was unable to advertise said puppies as it would not be good for her reputation, therefore I was offered one and picked her up last week.

I had done all the preparation for months, I had thoroughly researched all breed specific training and spent a lot of money on specific enrichment toys, crate, special carry bag for their spine etc. I was so ecstatic. However, once I picked her up I had this massive sense of dread and fear at what I had done. I have cried every single day since I got her, I keep thinking it was a mistake and that I desperately want to return her. I feel trapped and so flat and numb. Now, I know this sounds dramatic but I genuinely cannot make sense of these emotions and they have not gone away even slightly. She isn't even a 'bad' puppy, just a regular puppy and she is cute and its fun to play with her and she likes to cuddle which makes the whole situation worse.

Now just to add some context, I am 23 (f) and recently moved to central europe from the UK (August) and have struggled for months. The country was so difficult to integrate into, I struggle hugely with the language, the people are cold, I had to navigate the housing market alone and organise my visas as well as applying and reapplying for the visas for my partner to join me. I also struggled a lot with my new job too and as of around a month ago I finally felt settled and happy with the job and settling into the city. My parents dont think this is really about the dog at all and more that I have struggled for so long and finally felt okay again and now I have 'trapped' myself with another responsibility when I shouldn't have.

I did reach out to the breeder to try and express my struggles but she has not been understanding at all and it has mainly been more of a guilt trip. Now I know I am cruel and I deserve to be guilt tripped and I promise there is nothing I could hear that is harsher than what I have been saying to myself. But I just wanted to ask for some advice on whether this truly was a mistake because I dont really think I can trust my own judgement anymore. I just want to do what is best for the puppy because like I said, this breeder is desirable and I have no doubt a new family would be found soon and I'd rather she goes to someone who can give her what she deserves incase I can't pull it together as I would hate to evetually resent her when she didn't do anything wrong.

I appreciate any advice or insight anyone can offer.