How to Train a Dachshund — Stubborn but Smart

Why Dachshunds Are "Stubborn" (and Why That's Actually a Good Thing)

Before we dive into specific dachshund training techniques, it helps to understand why your wiener dog seems to ignore you with such confident flair. Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany over 300 years ago to independently track and flush badgers from underground burrows. That job required a dog that could make decisions on its own, deep in a tunnel, without any human guidance.

So when your dachshund looks you dead in the eye and does the exact opposite of what you asked? That's not defiance — it's centuries of breeding telling them to think for themselves. The key to stubborn dachshund training is reframing your mindset: you're not commanding a soldier, you're negotiating with a very small, very clever business partner.

The good news is that dachshunds are food-motivated, bond deeply with their people, and genuinely enjoy mental challenges. Once you figure out what motivates your particular dachshund, training clicks into place much faster than you'd expect.

The Golden Rules of Dachshund Training

Every breed has quirks that affect how they learn best, and dachshunds are no exception. Before you start any specific commands or routines, internalize these core principles. They'll save you a lot of frustration — and a lot of wasted treats.

1. Keep sessions short (5–10 minutes). Dachshunds have sharp minds but short attention spans for repetitive tasks. Multiple short sessions throughout the day work far better than one long one.
2. Use high-value treats. Kibble won't cut it for a dachshund. Think small pieces of chicken, cheese, or freeze-dried liver. The reward has to outweigh the joy of ignoring you.
3. Never use punishment or force. Dachshunds are sensitive dogs. Harsh corrections will make them shut down, become fearful, or double down on defiance. Positive reinforcement is the only way.
4. Be consistent — ruthlessly consistent. If "off the couch" means off the couch, it means off the couch every single time. Dachshunds are brilliant at finding loopholes in inconsistent rules.
5. Make it their idea. The most effective dachshund obedience tips all share one thing in common: they make the dog want to comply rather than feel forced to.

How to Train a Dachshund Puppy: The First 16 Weeks

If you're starting with a dachshund puppy, congratulations — you have a golden window. Puppies between 8 and 16 weeks old are in their prime socialization period, and the habits you build now will shape your dog's behavior for life. Here's what to prioritize when you train a dachshund puppy.

Socialization Comes First

Dachshunds can be wary of strangers and other dogs if not properly socialized early. During the first few months, expose your puppy to as many positive experiences as possible: different people, friendly dogs, various surfaces, sounds, car rides, and environments. Keep every experience upbeat and rewarding. A well-socialized dachshund is dramatically easier to train than one who's nervous or reactive.

Potty Training (the Dachshund Owner's #1 Challenge)

Let's be honest: dachshunds have a well-earned reputation for being difficult to housetrain. Their small bladders, dislike of cold or wet weather, and independent nature create a perfect storm. But potty training is absolutely achievable — it just requires more patience and consistency than with some other breeds.

• Take your puppy out every 1–2 hours, plus after meals, naps, and play sessions
• Always go to the same spot and use the same cue word ("go potty," "do your business," etc.)
• Reward immediately and enthusiastically when they go outside — not after they come back in
• Use an enzymatic cleaner for indoor accidents (regular cleaners won't remove the scent markers that encourage repeat offenses)
• Consider a litter box or indoor potty pad as a supplement during bad weather — many dachshund owners find this a lifesaver in rainy or snowy climates
• Crate train alongside potty training — dachshunds generally won't soil their sleeping area

Essential Commands Every Dachshund Should Know

Once your dachshund understands that training = treats + fun, you can start building a solid foundation of basic commands. Here's a training progression that works well with the dachshund temperament — starting with what they find easiest and building to more challenging behaviors.

For each command, follow the same basic pattern: lure → mark → reward. Use a treat to guide the dog into the desired position, say "yes!" (or click a clicker) the instant they do it, and deliver the treat. Over time, fade the lure so you're using just the verbal cue or a hand signal.

Tackling Common Dachshund Behavior Problems

Even with great training, dachshunds come with some breed-specific behavioral tendencies you'll likely need to address. Understanding why these behaviors happen is the first step to solving them.

Excessive Barking

Dachshunds are vocal. Very vocal. They were bred to bark loudly underground so hunters could locate them — so this isn't a flaw, it's a feature. You won't eliminate barking entirely, but you can manage it. Teach a "quiet" command by waiting for a natural pause in barking, marking it with "quiet" + treat, and gradually extending the silent duration. Also make sure your dachshund gets enough physical and mental stimulation — bored dachshunds bark more.

Digging

A dachshund that digs is a dachshund doing exactly what it was designed to do. Rather than fighting this instinct, redirect it. Provide a designated digging area — a sandbox or a specific garden patch — and bury treats or toys there. Reward digging in the approved spot and calmly redirect from unapproved areas.

Resource Guarding

Dachshunds can be possessive of food, toys, and even their favorite humans. Address this early by practicing "trades" — offering something of equal or higher value in exchange for whatever they're guarding. If resource guarding escalates to snapping or biting, consult a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) immediately. This is one area where DIY training can backfire if not handled correctly.

Advanced Training: Keeping Your Dachshund's Brain Busy

Once your dachshund has the basics down, don't stop there. These are intelligent dogs that need ongoing mental stimulation, and a bored dachshund is a destructive dachshund. Advanced training options that dachshunds particularly enjoy include:

• Scent work: This is the ultimate dachshund sport. Hide treats around the house or yard and let their incredible nose do the work. You can even enroll in formal AKC Scent Work classes.
• Trick training: Dachshunds can learn dozens of tricks — spin, shake, play dead, roll over. Tricks keep training fun and strengthen your bond.
• Puzzle toys: Kongs, snuffle mats, and treat-dispensing puzzles give your dachshund a job to do when you can't actively train.
• Earth dog trials: Organized events where dachshunds navigate underground tunnels following a scent trail. It's literally what they were born to do.
• Agility (modified): Low-jump agility courses can be great exercise and mental stimulation, as long as obstacles are appropriately sized to protect their spine.

Dachshund Training Timeline: What to Expect by Age

One of the most common questions from new dachshund parents is "when will my dog actually listen to me?" Here's a realistic timeline so you know what to expect — and so you don't give up during the tough middle months.

The 6–12 month adolescent phase is where most dachshund owners feel like giving up. Your once-cooperative puppy suddenly acts like they've never heard the word "come" in their life. This is completely normal. Stay consistent, keep sessions positive, and trust the process. The other side of adolescence is a well-trained adult dachshund — and that's worth the temporary chaos.

When to Get Professional Help

There's no shame in calling in reinforcements. Consider working with a professional trainer if your dachshund shows signs of aggression (growling, snapping, biting), severe separation anxiety, extreme fearfulness, or if potty training hasn't progressed after several months of consistent effort. Look for a trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods and has experience with hound breeds specifically.

Group puppy classes are also a fantastic option for socialization, even if your dachshund training at home is going well. The structured environment helps dachshunds learn to focus around distractions — one of their biggest challenges.

The Secret Ingredient: Patience and Love

At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember about dachshund training is this: your dachshund wants to have a good relationship with you. They're not being stubborn to spite you — they're being dachshunds. And honestly, that fierce independence, that bold personality, that hilarious refusal to do anything they consider beneath them? That's exactly why you fell in love with the breed in the first place.

Training a dachshund takes longer than training a golden retriever. It requires more creativity, more treats, and more patience. But the bond you build through positive, consistent training with a dachshund is unlike anything else. When a dachshund chooses to listen to you — and it is a choice — you know you've earned something truly special.

Celebrate the small victories. Laugh at the setbacks. And never forget: every dachshund who's ever been called "untrainable" just hadn't found the right human yet. You've got this. 🧡