My Pet World: Dachshunds who won’t go potty outside and feral cats in limbo

Dear Cathy,

Some friends of mine have two dachshunds. They are no longer puppies and still potty in the house. The owners say dachshunds cannot be trained. I don't believe it. What recommendation do you have for this situation?

— Colleen, Missoula, Montana

Dear Colleen,

Well, I have heard this many times from dachshund owners over the years: “They just can’t be potty trained.” But let’s set the record straight – dachshunds can be trained. They’re intelligent, but also stubborn and strong-willed, which can make the house-training process more challenging. That doesn’t mean they’re untrainable; it just means they may need more training than another breed.

House training issues with dachshunds often stem from inconsistent routines, being given too much freedom in the house too soon, or a lack of understanding when it comes to their signals. Small breeds like dachshunds also tend to have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms, which means they need more frequent potty breaks.

The key is to go back to basics: Create a consistent schedule for meals and potty times, limit unsupervised indoor time using crates or small, easy-to-clean rooms, and reward the dogs immediately for going outside. If an accident happens indoors, it's important to clean it thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove all scent traces, which helps prevent repeated incidents.

If your friends have tried these steps and are still struggling, they might want to rule out medical issues such as urinary tract infections or incontinence. It can also be helpful to work with a professional trainer who uses positive reinforcement and has experience with small breed dogs.

Dachshunds are independent thinkers, but with structure, consistency, and the right approach, they can absolutely learn the rules of the house.

Dear Cathy,

Thank you for providing so much information to help us be responsible pet owners and neighbors. My friend has been feeding four feral cats for up to 12 years now. She's going to an assisted living home soon and her home will be sold and rebuilt by a construction company. It's doubtful anyone will continue feeding or watering the cats. Are the cats too old to trap and take somewhere else? Do you have any suggestions?

— Kevin, Freeport, New York

Dear Kevin,

Your friend has done something remarkable by caring for these feral cats for over a decade. It’s understandable to be concerned now that she is moving into assisted living and the property. While the cats may be older, they’re not necessarily too old to trap, and relocation is possible, but it must be done carefully. Cats who have lived outdoors their entire lives don’t adapt well to shelters or traditional homes. Simply moving them to a new area, though, without proper planning is not safe or humane.

One of the first steps is to connect with a local feral cat or TNR (trap-neuter-return) group. Many of these organizations can help assess the cats’ health and temperament, may assist with trapping, and/or possibly identify a new location like a farm, warehouse, or sanctuary that participates in “working cat” programs.

If relocation is the best option, it needs to follow a structured process. That includes identifying a committed caregiver at the new site, transporting the cats safely, and confining them in large crates or enclosures for two and three weeks to help them acclimate. During this time, regular food, water, and monitoring are essential. Without this acclimation period, the cats are likely to attempt to return to their original territory. If any of the cats appear social or in poor health, a rescue group may also evaluate them for potential indoor placement or medical care, but that determination should be made with professional input.

Another option – and perhaps a simpler and more sustainable one – is to see if someone in the neighborhood would be willing to take over feeding the cats. If possible, food and water stations could gradually be moved a short distance away from the active construction site, encouraging the cats to relocate on their own to a safer nearby area. Sometimes just 50 to 100 feet can make a big difference.

This approach allows the cats to remain in familiar territory without disrupting the construction, especially if a neighbor is willing to continue feeding and monitoring them. If no single person is available, a shared neighborhood solution might work – where seven to 10 neighbors agree to feed them on specific days of the week or month. This prevents the burden from falling on one individual or family and can be a meaningful way to engage families with children in compassionate, community-based animal care.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)