Dachshund Training Guide

Last updated Sep 15, 2020 0

This popular breed, with its unique body and way of walking, is a favorite with families. Due to needing little exercise, this bred makes and excellent choice for people living in apartments, smaller homes, or homes without yard space.

However, just because the Dachshund is a smaller dog, with short legs, does not mean your pet can get by without some training and exercise.

How to Train Dachshund

As with any purebred dog, the best place to start is with a top-quality breeder, one who will only offer the healthy, well-socialized puppies. Young dogs from good breeders will be energetic, active, and curious, but at the same time, these dogs will be comfortable around humans and other dogs because the breeder makes sure that his system produces such puppies. This would get the new owner off to a great start with a Dachshund puppy.

Contrary to some opinions, Dachshunds can be, very good pets when it comes to obedience and training but you will find this breed can be a bit stubborn. For this reason, firm and consistent direction is needed.

Generally, the Dachshund carries itself with some energy and is quite friendly. The dog is active, even indoors, but also loves spending time outside. Some type of open area is recommended for play and for trotting about the yard to get exercise. This breed has great stamina, a trait held over from their origins as a working dog used to hunt down badgers.

Dachshunds can be a bit difficult to housebreak and some owners report that even after the pet is part of the family for several years, there are times when the dog will not go outside. Remember, there is a stubborn streak in many Dachshunds so you need to be prepared for this, at least to the point of expecting it to happen and not overreacting when it does.

Puppies will take about six months to get used to the housebreaking expectations and adult Dachshunds, being willful, may take a little longer.

A good place to start with potty training is to set off a puppy zone meant for use by the pet when you are not at home, becoming a safe area where the Dachshund could go, even when you are not around.

Having such an area or room in the home will eliminate bigger housebreaking problems. The key to housetraining a new puppy is to prevent the “accidents” rather than punishment after the fact. Some trainers and experienced owners report that constant supervision is necessary, as well as getting in tune with the pet’s habits.

Sometimes, a Dachshund puppy will decide to chew on things around the home until provided with a number of stimulating “toys” that the pet eventually regards as its own. You would be amazed at how toys can solve bigger problems.

Remember that young dogs explore, using the mouth and nose for this purpose. One trainer uses a simple system of verbal response such as “OW” when the puppy attempts to bite or nip, trying to make sure the puppy’s teeth never touch bare skin, even during play.

Dachshunds also love to dig so new owners should make an effort to let them know when and where this is okay. Some reports from owners and trainers show that the Dachshund makes a good choice for obedience and trial activity, if the focus is on using the breed’s natural instincts for hunting down small animals and for working close to the ground.

Just remember that special care should be taken to avoid injuring a Dachshund’s back with activity not suited to the body style and short legs of the breed.

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dachshund dog training guide