Teach your dachshund to walk. When your dachshund can walk, he’ll walk beside you without pulling. To teach this command, have him stand on your left side when you have his leash and harness in place. Hold the leash in your left hand and a toy in your right hand. Cross your right hand over your body so he can see the toy. Say “heel” and start walking forward, keeping your right hand in position so he can see the toy.
Make the crate comfortable for your Dachshund. Ultimately, the crate should be a comfortable safe haven for your Dachshund. Place comfortable bedding in the crate that already has his scent on it, which will make the crate feel like a familiar place. Put her other “creature comforts” in the crate, such as her water and food bowls and puppy-safe toys.
Don’t punish your dachshund for accidents. Naturally, you may get upset and/or frustrated with your dachshund if he urinates or defecates in your home. Rather than punishing him once it happens, clean up the mess without making a fuss. Rubbing your nose in the soiled area is not effective – it will only serve to scare your dachshund.
Buy a harness and leash. Leash training your Dachshund can be difficult, as he is stubborn and has a natural hunting instinct. A well-fitting harness and leash, which can be purchased at your local pet store, will help you train him. Consider asking the staff to help you choose a harness that will fit your Dachshund snugly without being too tight.
Place the crate in an area full of activity. Dachshunds can get lonely, which can make crate training difficult. Place your Dachshund’s crate in a room with lots of human activity, such as the family room. Dachshunds need company, so your Dachshund will appreciate being near where you and your family spend your time.
Be patient. Because of their strong-willed nature, Dachshunds can be difficult to housebreak. However, it’s very important to teach your Dachshund to go to the bathroom outside, so be patient with him as he learns where he should go to the bathroom. It can take at least several weeks to properly train him.
Establish a feeding and toileting schedule for your Dachshund. Whether your dachshund is a puppy or an adult, he should have a set schedule for eating and then going out to the bathroom. The schedule will reduce the likelihood of him eliminating himself in the house. For example, if you have a puppy, feed him 3 to 4 times a day and take him outside immediately after he finishes eating.
Start training your puppy early. The sooner you start training, the better. Start training your Dachshund puppy at 8 to 12 weeks of age. By 8 weeks of age, your puppy will have been weaned from his mother, and he’ll be ready to start living and interacting with the world around him.
Let your puppy acclimate to your home. When you first bring your Dachshund puppy home, you may be excited to start working with him immediately. However, it will take a few days to a few weeks for him to become comfortable in your home before he begins training. Confine him to a small room first, such as a small bedroom, and then gradually introduce him to other rooms in your home.
Discourage chewing behavior. When it comes to chewing, Dachshund puppies are no different than any other puppy – they love to chew! If you see him chewing on something he shouldn’t (e.g., shoes), say “no” firmly and remove the object. Do not verbally or physically scold your puppy for inappropriate chewing. Rather than learning not to chew, he’ll be afraid of you, which will make training even more difficult.
Encourage your dachshund to stay in the crate. Throughout the crate training process, which can take at least a few weeks, you’ll teach your dachshund to stay in the crate for longer and longer periods of time. Initially, entice him with treats to enter the crate. Then, you can start feeding him in the crate.
Select a crate. Crate training is an important aspect of training your Dachshund, especially when it’s a puppy. Choose a crate that is large enough to move around in comfort, but not large enough for a separate bathroom. The ideal size for a Dachshund crate is 61 x 76 cm (24 x 30 inches) or 61 x 91 cm (24 x 36 inches).
Wait until your dachshund is calm before walking him. If you put the harness and leash on your Dachshund when he’s excited about going out for a walk, you’re actually teaching him bad behavior, letting him do whatever he wants to get your attention. When you see him become animated, let go of the leash and harness and walk away. Once he calms down, come back to him and put the leash and harness on.
Enroll your puppy in kindergarten. Puppy kindergarten will help your puppy learn to socialize properly with other dogs. Plus, he’ll begin to learn basic obedience skills in a fun environment, and you’ll learn how to communicate with him. Before choosing a class, watch a few sessions to see how the trainer handles puppies and discourages bullying.
Reward your dachshund for going to the bathroom outside. When you take your dachshund outside, let him choose where he wants to eliminate. Once he’s done, reward him immediately with a small treat and lots of verbal praise. Be consistent with your praise so your Dachshund understands that going to the bathroom outside is a good thing.
Don’t let your Dachshund pull on the leash. As excited as your dachshund may be to go for a walk, don’t let him pull. This pulling may indicate an attempt to be the pack leader. If he starts pulling, stand still or walk in the opposite direction.
