How to Train Your Dachshund?

How to Train Your Dachshund?

Are you wondering how to train your adorable dachshund, the famous terrier dog with the powerful bark?

With this companion (and hunting) dog, it requires patience and firmness 😜 as this little dog is more stubborn than other canine breeds.

Dachshunds, while affectionate, were bred for their great independence and ability to make decisions for themselves.

These character traits (regardless of coat) are still present today, and although admirable, they make the breed intelligent but challenging to train.

When you begin your training, keep in mind that sessions should be very short, no more than 5 minutes at a time.

Repeat the sessions 2 to 3 times per day.

For dogs, small pieces of food or treats are a way to maintain their interest.

Training a dachshund can also be accomplished with an adult dog, but it will be a bit more difficult, though not impossible. So, if you are planning to expand your family soon with a miniature dachshund, or kaninchen or standard, start their training while they are still a puppy by following guidance from a behaviorist expert. 🐶

Dachshund Training: The Basics

😊 Read our article: 19 reasons (not) to adopt a dachshund.

Training your dachshund requires a good dose of patience, firmness, and consistency. You know well that this dog breed is a bit stubborn. Your breeder or animal shelter must have warned you... 😉

Here are some canine exercises that will show you how to teach your furry friend what they need to know to share your house or apartment.

How often?

Try to limit training to about 5 minutes per session.

Ideally, you should have 2 training sessions per day. Three training sessions would be even better.

In each session, work on a different area.

Basic canine obedience commands:

Basic obedience training for all dog breeds starts with leash training and walking at heel.

Walking at heel is when your doxie can walk to your left or right without running ahead. Once these basic commands are learned, you can move on to learning the following points:

- Walking on a leash
- Sit and stay
- Down and stay
- Wait
- Come (recall)

Receive the guide

Using the leash:

The first step in their training consists of teaching your dachshund the right way to walk on a leash 😇

If you have a young dachshund, they will be less inclined to see their freedom of movement limited by a leash.

Instead of associating the leash with this restriction of movement, teach your dog that the leash is a way to be with you and to go to new places together.

Over time, the leash will become a direct link to the owner, a pleasant event that will excite your pup as soon as they hear the familiar jingle of their walking accessory!

During the first leash training sessions, always do them in familiar places and in a playful manner.

👉 Remember that these first sessions must be very brief.

The following assumes that you have already familiarized your dog with a fitted collar (you should be able to easily pass one or two fingers between the collar and their neck so that your dog is comfortable).

After attaching the leash to the collar, let your dog guide you and do not pull on the leash. If the leash goes taut and your dog starts to resist, release the pressure and speak in a soothing tone. Always remain calm, positive BUT firm, trying to control your emotions (your best friend feels all your emotions).

Start walking forward, encouraging your dog to follow you at the level of your legs. When they do so, praise them and give them a small pat on the side. Avoid patting them on the head.

If your dog resists despite all your cajoling, you will need to pull them gently toward you while telling them "good dog." Do not hesitate to calm them and make them sit. Reward them with a small treat to positively associate the exercise.

Once your dog feels comfortable on the leash, you can move on to other basic training activities.

Leash walking:

The correct position for walking on a leash is to have the dog walk on your left or right, close to your leg (choose and always keep the same side). The dog should not be allowed to run in front, stay behind, or wander off, regardless of distractions.

Hold the leash in the hand opposite to where your dog is located. Stand next to your dog so that you are both facing forward.

Example: if your dog is to your left. Start walking slowly in a straight line, pushing off with your left leg.

Always start walking with your left leg, as this will become a visual signal for your dog to move forward.

As soon as your dog starts pulling on the leash, stop and bring the leash toward you. Do not drag the dog toward you. Simply stop.

Wait for the dog to stop, praise them (with 1 or 2 treats), and continue walking.

No command is necessary for now; you are just teaching basic good manners 😊

Every time you start again, always begin with the left leg and tap your left thigh. As this exercise is mastered, add the verbal command "heel."

Training Your Dog is an Absolute Necessity

Having a well-trained dog is a real pleasure 💚 for both short walks and long strolls.

An untrained dog can become a real nightmare (and sometimes aggressive)... If you are in this latter situation, there is still hope, regardless of the age of your companion 😊

Without training, you are actually putting your dog in danger, especially if there are hazardous areas in or around your home, and your veterinarian will not tell you otherwise.

Who doesn't live near a street with traffic?

Our little dachshund friends have a very strong will, more than most other dogs. This is why training is an absolute necessity.

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Basic rules:

1. Start today if you haven't already. Canine training must begin from the first day the dog arrives in your home, regardless of your age or the dog's age.

2. House training is the first thing to learn. Whether your dog is a puppy or a senior, house training will need to be introduced and practiced until it is mastered. Puppies can wait until they have reached their third month to receive additional training.

3. Training is based on the alpha leader principle. That is to say, there is only one authority in the house: you! Your dachshund must understand that you are the authority figure. You must set clear boundaries for the dog and you MUST insist that the dog recognizes you as the alpha leader. If you fail to establish this relationship, your dog will simply refuse to obey.

4. Be consistent. Always use the same words in your training. This is the only way your dog will start to understand the meaning of your sounds. For example: Come, sit, stay, no! Do not say "Come here" once and whistle the next time, then "Come".

5. Reward and punishment. Always follow commands with one or the other. Punishment can take the form of withholding a reward or treat, or a verbal punishment—usually in the form of a sharp "no."

Do not use the dog's name when giving a punishment. Always use the dog's name with a reward. This system of reward and punishment establishes a link in the dog's mind with the events that immediately precede the punishment.

Use a gentle voice for praise, a stern voice for scolding.

The dog must learn that a brief, stern "no" means something and requires an immediate change of action. Punishments should not include shouting and must never include hitting. Punish a dog by taking them by the scruff of the neck and shaking them briefly. This DOES NOT mean lifting the dog off the ground, shaking them violently, and raising your hand against them.

6. Offer your dog plenty of activities and exercise. They will enjoy the challenges associated with training if they also have plenty of time to play with you.

In other words, do not make all your interactions with the dog just training. There is a time for training and a time for play, and obviously for rest by offering them a deer antler to chew on. 😊

Conclusion

All breeds are different but the training will almost always remain the same for all dogs. Training your adorable dachshund requires patience and firmness to be effective.

It also requires consistency, and this is especially true if you have multiple family members (and other animals, dogs, and cats).

It is just as important to train all family members on how to care for your dachshund so that everyone is on the same page, especially your pet 🐶

Finally, we recommend seeking advice from a professional dog trainer near you and/or taking a course offered by qualified professionals for puppies or adult dogs!

The Teckelshop Team - 💚 Last modified on 01/10/26

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