BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Dogs Anyone else with a bratty daxie?

We've had our female miniature dachsund for about 10 months now. When we got her I hoped for a dog that would bond well with our family. Be careful what you wish for because I got a stalker dog. She hates it if I leave her site and even sits by the door and cries when I leave. (I'm a s.a.h. Mom too which doesn't help) She has severe separation anxiety issues and barks constantly when no one is in the house. I have even tried bark deterrent collars with no success. We have not had the extra money for a dog trainer, therapist or any other professional. Is there anyone else who has had this experience? T.I.A

LOL! I know it's not funny but when I saw your title I thought "oh a kindred spirit!". <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I've had doxie's most of my life and boy can they be bratty prisses! We had one like this, and oh my goodness, he about drove me nuts!!

What you don't say is whether you've had her since she was a small puppy and she's now 10 months old or is she an adult dog that you've had in your home for 10 months? This could really make a huge difference! If you've had her since she was a puppy and she's 10 mo old, well it could be a phase (like a toddler). If she's an adult it could be that her life wasn't so pleasant before she came to your house or the transitions she went through were very traumatic for her.

If it were Ginger (my doxie) and me, who my family lovingly refers to as my icon, as in the icon that always indicates where I'm at and what direction I'm headed, I'd try a kennel or specific bed area. I'd get a smaller kennel, take a towel that you've used after a shower or actually slept with. If you've got an old shirt you don't mind parting with, sleep in it a couple of nights and then put it in the kennel. When you leave to go anywhere put her in the kennel with her towels, t-shirt and some toys.

Doxies usually like to burrow so make sure whatever you put in the kennel is enough that she can burrow under.

I know a lot of people think a kennel is cruel, but really for these small dogs, they can offer a real comfort. It gives them a safe place and if it's going to smell like their favorite person that's even better. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for your suggestions Cheryl. We adopted her from a petstore (which we said we would never do... but those big brown eyes sucked us in lol <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> ) when she was just over 5 months old. They said she was the runt of the litter and the only one left when we saw her. She seemed to be a normal healthy pup and got along with her kennelmate she was housed at the store with.
Unfortunately we did have to move a few months after adopting her and I did think maybe that was the catalyst for her behaviour. She still has her own yard etc. so she hasn't been deprived of anything.
She is kenneled when we are away and at nite. She does go in there on her own to sleep or to be by herself too when we are home. She has an big old towel to lay on/ crawl under, a rope toy, a cong (with treats inside) and some times a beef bone when we are away. I did try the old t-shirt as well with no luck.
This wouldn't be such an issue, but we do live in a duplex and the neighbours who live below us are not very nice after we have left her at home (usually only for 2-3 hours). I can't say I blame them, but it's too cold to move her kennel to the garage for at least another month. It looks as though we're going to have to tough it out til then. <img src="/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />