We just brought home a min-pin/dachshund puppy that is 6 weeks old.  Does anyone have books they recommend for house training, feeding, etc?

We also got dry puppy food from the breeder that she mixed with baby oatmeal and warm water.  The puppy only eats about 2 pieces of the dry food but eats all the rice cereal water mix.  Ideas?  We just got him yesterday.  Also,  is he too tiny to try to go potty outside with it cold and rainy?  And when is a good time to get them fixed?

I don't know about the food, but I would seriously ask the vet about that.

They have pee-pee pads for little dogs, BUT I just saw a new one on TV that has a plastic bottom and this stuff on top that resembles grass. It was cool. I swear they said there was some kind of odor to attract the dog, and when the nice weather comes, you can stick it outside. Completely washable BTW.

I think I answered this in Hidden Gems.  But I recommend the books by Brian Kilcommons.  I am reading My Smart Puppy as I raise Misha (or she raises me...LOL)

Misha was 9 weeks and 2 lbs when she was given to me.  I immediately started taking her outside to go potty.  I've read that you have to make a choice between potty pads or outside.  I've never used the potty pads.  I found with my brother's puppies they seemed confused by potty pads at home but then having to go outdoors elsewhere.  I don't think your pup is too young to start housebreaking, it may just take a little longer.  If I remember correctly, until 4 months of age a puppy can only hold it for about 3-4 hours.  I used to take Misha out every hour whether she asked or not.  At night, I got up around 4:30-5 am to take her potty.  By 4 months, she was holding it all night and we never had a night time accident.

Day time was a different issue.  I am not sure why but when I got her she was a water gorger.  No matter how much water was in the bowl she would devour it.  She was checked by our Vet and it wasn't a health issue.  I think it may have been something new to her.  I had been told that she spent all her live in the kennel with her litter mates so her trip to my house was the first time she had been in a house, on grass, etc.  I had to control her water in take because if I didn't she would pee every 5-10 minutes inside or outside. 

I also did the water at certain times.  I never let her drink water passed 9pm, so she would make it through the night.

She has gotten so much better.  She still has accidents but now she is drinking sips rather than a whole bowl.

I'm not sure about the food.  I fed my puppy food that was soaked in water for 10 minutes.  You might want to ask your Vet.  Perhaps the dry food is too hard for your puppy to chew so he is avoiding it?

Please introduce yourself in the puppy support group post.  We've got a group of puppies all growing up together :)

It seems the vets are like human doctors and everyone has different opinions.  We'll be trying soaked dry food, but I think our puppy is just picky because he can eat dry food when he wants to, but doesn't choose to most of the time

I have an 8 month old mini-doxie and I needed lots of help:) I found the dvds and books by Paul Owen to be really helpful. His videos were really practical and basic, but I also got a puppy book by him and it is really good. It covers a lot of puppy basics.
 

Also, Christa, I'm totally intrigued by your Mars Hill banner. Is that the one in Seattle? I used to live out there...I'm in Chicago now...but I've listened to their sermons online and have friends that are obsessed with that church. Do you attend there? That's super cool...tell me more!

Christa, how is your puppy doing?  Did the eating improve?