5 Essential Training Tips for Dachshund Puppies

Dachshunds are intelligent, independent, and sometimes stubborn dogs. Their unique personality requires a special approach to training. These five essential tips will help you successfully train your Dachshund puppy while building a strong, positive relationship.

1. Start Early and Be Consistent

The best time to start training your Dachshund is the moment they come home. Puppies are like sponges, absorbing information and forming habits from day one.

Why Early Training Matters

Dachshunds were bred to be independent hunters, which means they have a strong will and can be quite stubborn. Starting training early helps establish you as the leader and sets clear expectations before bad habits form.

Consistency is Key

Everyone in your household must use the same commands and rules. If one person allows the puppy on the furniture while another doesn't, you'll confuse your Dachshund and slow down training progress.

• Create a training schedule:
• Short sessions (5-10 minutes) multiple times daily
• Same time each day when possible
• Same location for initial training
• Same commands and hand signals

• **Foundation Commands to Start With:**
• Name recognition
• "Come"
• "Sit"
• "Stay"
• "Leave it"
• "Drop it"

2. Use Positive Reinforcement

Dachshunds respond much better to positive reinforcement than punishment-based training. Their sensitive nature means harsh corrections can damage your bond and make them fearful or more stubborn.

What is Positive Reinforcement?

• Positive reinforcement means rewarding behaviors you want to see repeated. When your Dachshund does something right, immediately reward them with:
• High-value treats (small, soft, and smelly)
• Enthusiastic praise
• Favorite toys
• Play sessions

Timing is Everything

The reward must come within 1-2 seconds of the desired behavior. This helps your puppy make the connection between the action and the reward.

• **Treat Training Tips:**
• Use tiny treats (pea-sized) to avoid overfeeding
• Keep treats in your pocket for spontaneous training moments
• Gradually reduce treat frequency as behaviors become reliable
• Eventually replace treats with praise and occasional rewards

• **What NOT to Do:**
• Never hit or physically punish your Dachshund
• Avoid yelling or harsh verbal corrections
• Don't rub their nose in accidents
• Never use shock collars or other aversive tools

3. Master Potty Training with Patience

Dachshunds have a reputation for being difficult to potty train. While they can be challenging, success is absolutely possible with the right approach.

Why Dachshunds Are Challenging to Potty Train

• Several factors make Dachshunds more difficult:
• Small bladders mean more frequent potty breaks
• Stubborn nature can lead to resistance
• Low-to-the-ground build makes them sensitive to weather
• They may not want to go outside in rain or cold

The Successful Potty Training Formula

• **Frequent Breaks:** Take your puppy out:
• Every 1-2 hours during the day
• Immediately after waking up
• Within 15 minutes of eating or drinking
• After play sessions
• Before bedtime

**Designated Potty Spot:** Always take your puppy to the same spot. The scent will encourage them to go.

• **Command and Reward:**
• Use a consistent command like "go potty"
• Wait patiently (sometimes up to 10 minutes)
• Reward immediately when they eliminate
• Use high-value treats specifically for potty success

• **Crate Training:** Crate training is your best friend for potty training:
• Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area
• Crate should be just large enough to stand, turn, and lie down
• Never use the crate as punishment
• Gradually increase crate time as puppy matures

• **Handling Accidents:**
• Clean with enzymatic cleaner to remove all odor
• Never punish after the fact
• If you catch them in the act, calmly interrupt and take outside
• Increase supervision and frequency of breaks

• **Timeline Expectations:**
• Some Dachshunds are fully trained by 4-6 months
• Others may take 8-12 months
• Occasional accidents may happen until 1 year old
• Consistency and patience are essential

4. Socialize Extensively

Proper socialization is crucial for developing a well-adjusted, confident Dachshund. The critical socialization period is between 3-14 weeks of age, but socialization should continue throughout their first year.

What is Socialization?

Socialization means exposing your puppy to a wide variety of people, animals, environments, and experiences in a positive way. This prevents fear and aggression later in life.

• **People Socialization:** Introduce your puppy to:
• Men, women, and children
• People of different ethnicities
• People wearing hats, sunglasses, uniforms
• People using wheelchairs, canes, or walkers
• People with beards or different hairstyles

• **Animal Socialization:**
• Other friendly, vaccinated dogs
• Cats (if you have them or know friendly ones)
• Other pets like rabbits or birds (supervised)
• Livestock if you live in a rural area

• **Environmental Exposure:**
• Different surfaces (grass, concrete, gravel, sand, tile)
• Various sounds (vacuum, doorbell, traffic, thunder recordings)
• Different locations (parks, pet stores, friend's homes)
• Car rides
• Grooming tools and procedures

How to Socialize Safely:

• Before full vaccination (before 16 weeks):
• Carry your puppy in public places
• Invite vaccinated dogs to your home
• Have friends visit
• Drive to different locations and observe from the car

• After full vaccination:
• Puppy socialization classes
• Dog parks (once appropriate)
• Pet-friendly stores
• Outdoor cafes
• Walking in different neighborhoods

• **Making Socialization Positive:**
• Bring high-value treats
• Keep experiences short and positive
• Watch for signs of fear or stress
• Never force interactions
• End on a positive note

• **Signs of Good Socialization:**
• Confident body language
• Curiosity about new things
• Friendly with people and dogs
• Recovers quickly from startling events
• Adaptable to new situations

5. Address the Barking Early

Dachshunds were bred to bark while hunting, alerting hunters to prey. This means they can be quite vocal. While you can't eliminate barking entirely, you can manage it.

• **Types of Barking:**
• Alert barking (someone at the door)
• Attention-seeking barking
• Boredom barking
• Anxiety barking
• Play barking

• **Managing Alert Barking:**
• Allow 2-3 barks, then use "quiet" command
• Reward when they stop barking
• Don't yell (they think you're barking too!)
• Remove the trigger when possible (close curtains)

• **Preventing Attention-Seeking Barking:**
• Never reward barking with attention
• Wait for quiet before giving attention
• Teach "speak" and "quiet" commands
• Provide adequate exercise and mental stimulation

**The "Quiet" Command:** 1. Wait for your dog to bark 2. Say "quiet" in a calm, firm voice 3. Wait for even a brief pause in barking 4. Immediately reward the silence 5. Gradually increase the duration of quiet required

• **Exercise and Mental Stimulation:** A tired Dachshund is a quiet Dachshund:
• Daily walks appropriate for age
• Interactive toys and puzzles
• Training sessions
• Play time
• Sniffing activities

Bonus Tips for Dachshund Training Success

**Keep Training Sessions Short** Dachshunds have short attention spans. Multiple 5-10 minute sessions throughout the day are more effective than one long session.

• **Make Training Fun** Use games to teach commands:
• Hide and seek for "come"
• Treasure hunts for "find it"
• Tug-of-war for "drop it"

• **Be Patient with Stubbornness** When your Dachshund is being stubborn:
• Take a break and try again later
• Make sure they understand what you're asking
• Increase the value of rewards
• Break the behavior into smaller steps

• **Protect Their Back** During training:
• Teach "wait" before jumping off furniture
• Use ramps or steps
• Avoid repetitive jumping
• Support their back when picking them up

• **Professional Help** Consider professional training if:
• You're feeling frustrated or overwhelmed
• Your puppy shows aggression
• You're not seeing progress after several weeks
• You want to pursue advanced training

Common Training Mistakes to Avoid

**Inconsistency** Using different commands or rules confuses your puppy and slows progress.

**Expecting Too Much Too Soon** Puppies learn at different rates. Celebrate small victories and be patient.

**Training When Tired or Frustrated** Your mood affects your puppy. If you're frustrated, take a break.

**Skipping Socialization** Proper socialization prevents many behavioral problems later.

**Using Punishment** Punishment damages your relationship and can create fear or aggression.

Training Timeline Expectations

• **8-12 Weeks:**
• Name recognition
• Basic "come" and "sit"
• Crate training introduction
• Potty training begins

• **3-4 Months:**
• Reliable "sit" and "come"
• "Stay" for short periods
• Leash walking basics
• Continued potty training

• **4-6 Months:**
• More reliable potty training
• "Leave it" and "drop it"
• Better impulse control
• Longer "stay" duration

• **6-12 Months:**
• Refinement of all commands
• Off-leash reliability (in safe areas)
• Advanced commands if desired
• Fully potty trained (usually)

The Bottom Line

Training a Dachshund puppy requires patience, consistency, and a good sense of humor. Their stubborn streak can be challenging, but their intelligence and desire to please (when properly motivated) make them very trainable.

• Remember:
• Start early and be consistent
• Use positive reinforcement exclusively
• Be patient with potty training
• Socialize extensively
• Address barking early

With these five essential tips, you'll build a strong foundation for a well-behaved, confident, and happy Dachshund. The time and effort you invest in training during puppyhood will pay dividends throughout your dog's life.

Training isn't just about obedience—it's about building a relationship based on trust, communication, and mutual respect. Enjoy the journey of training your Dachshund puppy, celebrate the small victories, and don't forget to have fun along the way!