Dachshund training is harder than most owners expect. Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers — independently, without human direction — and that "think for myself" trait is baked into the breed. Combined with notoriously difficult potty training and a tendency to be vocal, Doxies are not the easy small dog many first-time owners assume. The good news: they're smart and food-motivated, so success is achievable with the right approach.
Step-by-step program designed for breed-specific challenges. Used by 50,000+ dog owners.
See the Training ProgramDachshunds are scent hounds bred to track and confront prey alone underground. They make their own decisions and ignore distractions to follow a smell. This means recall is unreliable, and they're easily distracted by interesting odors. Training works best in low-distraction environments first, with very high-value rewards. Build up to outdoor training only after indoor reliability is solid.
Dachshunds are among the most difficult breeds to potty train — most owners report 4–6 months for reliability, with accidents continuing to 12 months. Use a strict schedule (every 2 hours for puppies), reward outdoor success heavily with high-value treats, and crate-train consistently. Avoid pee pads if possible — they confuse the "outside only" rule. Cold/rainy weather makes Doxies reluctant to go out, so plan for indoor accidents in winter.
Positive reinforcement with high-value food rewards — Doxies will not work for kibble. Use real meat, hot dogs, or strong-smelling treats. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes; Dachshunds tune out longer sessions fast. Avoid harsh corrections — they shut down and become more stubborn. Consistency matters more than session length: 3 short sessions daily beat 1 long session weekly.
Breed-specific training program with day-by-day instructions, video demos, and lifetime access.
See the ProgramYes, harder than average. They're intelligent but independent and stubborn — bred to think for themselves. Basic obedience is achievable with patience; off-leash reliability is rarely realistic.
Plan for 4–6 months of consistent training, with full reliability sometimes not occurring until 12 months. Doxies are slow potty trainers because of their independent temperament and small bladder size. Crate training and a strict schedule are non-negotiable.
8 weeks. Start with crate training and potty training immediately — these are the hardest areas. Add basic commands gradually. Keep all sessions short (3–5 minutes for young puppies).
Barking is a breed trait — Dachshunds were bred to alert hunters to underground prey. Reduce excessive barking with consistent training (mark and reward quiet), adequate exercise, and managing triggers. Some baseline barking will remain.
Disclosure: We earn affiliate commissions when readers buy through some links on this site, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial recommendations are independent.