How to Train a Dachshund: The Complete Guide

Understanding the Dachshund Personality

The dachshund is a lively, brave and intelligent dog, historically bred for hunting. He learns fast, but his independent streak can make training demanding if the rules aren’t clear from the start.

A Smart Breed… but an Independent One

He picks up commands quickly, but often tests limits. He needs consistent, firm and positive structure so he doesn’t start making the decisions himself.

A Very Strong Hunting Instinct

Digging, tracking, following scents: it’s all innate. This instinct can make him ignore commands, especially outdoors. Training needs to include recall and leash walking.

Why His Temperament Shapes His Training

Stubborn but sensitive, he trains best with short, regular, reward-based sessions. Too much harshness damages the relationship; too much leniency makes him unmanageable.

Getting Ready to Train Your Dachshund

Before you even teach commands, you need to set clear boundaries. A well-trained dachshund is, above all, a dog who understands what is allowed, what is forbidden and what is expected of him.

Set Rules from Day One

Decide on the house rules as soon as he arrives (couch or no couch, off-limits areas, schedules, mealtimes, etc.) and don’t change them afterward. Inconsistency breeds disobedience.

Consistency Across the Household

Everyone should use the same commands, the same rules and the same reactions. Otherwise, he adapts to whoever is the most permissive.

Create a Safe and Stimulating Environment

Provide a quiet place to sleep, toys suited to his chewing needs, and regular mental activities. A bored dachshund becomes destructive or barky.

Training a Dachshund: The Essential Basics

The goal is to lay simple but solid foundations: short, regular, motivating, reward-focused sessions. A dachshund doesn’t obey out of “submission” but because he sees a benefit in it.

How Often Should You Train Your Dachshund?

Go for 5 to 10 minute sessions, several times a day. Too long means he loses motivation or gets stubborn. Consistency beats intensity.

Essential Commands to Teach (Sit, Stay, Recall…)

Start with: sit, stay, come, no, go to your bed, and heel. Each command must be clear, always using the same word.

How to Motivate a Stubborn Dog: Rewards & Positive Reinforcement

Use high-value treats and an enthusiastic tone, and praise every bit of progress. Ignoring bad behavior is often more effective than punishing it.

Early Socialization: Dogs, People, Environments

Expose him early to other dogs, people, noises, places and situations. A poorly socialized dachshund becomes wary, barky and hard to handle.

Leash Walking and Leash Handling

The dachshund tends to pull, especially when he catches a scent. Leash walking should be worked on early so he doesn’t become hard to manage outdoors.

Learning to Walk Without Pulling

Start in a distraction-free environment. Move forward only when the leash is slack, stop as soon as he pulls, then resume when he comes back to you. Repetition and consistency are key.

Using the Leash Correctly: Harness vs. Collar

Choose a Y-shaped harness to limit pressure on his fragile back. A long line can be useful for working on recall without letting him completely loose.

Tips to Keep Him from Following His Hunting Instinct

Avoid overly stimulating areas at first, then gradually increase the difficulty. Redirect his attention with treats, a toy or a simple command like “look at me.”

Teaching a Dachshund to Come When Called

Recall is often one of the biggest challenges with a dachshund, because his hunting instincts sometimes take over. The goal: make coming back to you more interesting than following a scent.

Why Recall Is Hard for This Breed

When he’s tracking, he tunes out his owner and stays locked onto the trail. It isn’t willful disobedience; it’s genetic.

Progressive Exercises for Reliable Recall

Start indoors, then in a yard, then in quiet places on a long line. Reward every time at first, then at random to build motivation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Never call him to end something he enjoys (for example, leaving the park). Never punish him when he comes back, even after a long delay: he would learn that “recall = bad.”

How to Train a Dachshund at Home

A dachshund can be affectionate and easygoing, but only if good habits are set early. At home, the goal is mainly to channel his energy and prevent annoying behaviors.

Potty Training

Take him out often, especially after meals, naps and play. Praise him right away outside, and ignore indoor accidents. Consistency builds routine.

Managing Barking and Hypervigilance

Dachshunds are quick to bark to sound the alarm. Work on calm at home, keep him mentally busy, and teach him a command like “go to your bed” to redirect his attention.

Preventing Destructive Behavior and Boredom

Give him chew toys, keep him mentally busy (games, lick mats, Kongs) and add more outings if boredom persists. A bored dachshund gets into mischief.

How to Get a Dachshund to Obey

For a dachshund to obey, he has to respect you, understand you and want to cooperate. Authority isn’t enough: the relationship and consistency matter just as much.

Establish Your Authority Without Harshness

Show that you set the framework (schedules, rules, access to rooms), but without yelling or violence. Calm firmness inspires trust.

Use Clear, Consistent Vocabulary

One command = one word, always in the same tone. Talk little, but be precise. Reward immediately when he responds well.

Pair Every Command with the Right Reward

A dachshund learns best when he gets something out of it: treats, petting, play, freedom. It’s better to motivate than to force.

When and How to Correct Without Physical Punishment

Ignore bad behavior or redirect him. If a correction is needed, use a sharp “no” without yelling or physical punishment: he’s sensitive and may shut down.

What Not to Do with a Dachshund

The dachshund is sensitive, stubborn and very attached to his owner. Some methods can slow his learning or create mistrust. It’s best to avoid them to keep a healthy relationship and a receptive dog.

Never Yell, Rough Him Up or Punish Him Harshly

Fear doesn’t create obedience. Yelling, harsh punishments or abrupt gestures break trust and make learning harder.

Don’t Give In to His Stubborn Streak

If he gets what he wants by insisting (barking, pulling on the leash, whining), he’ll repeat it. Be consistent and never reward these behaviors.

Avoid Inconsistent Rules

If he can climb on the couch today but not tomorrow, he won’t understand. Rules must stay stable over time and be the same for the whole household.

Don’t Neglect Outings and Mental Stimulation

An under-stimulated dachshund becomes destructive, noisy or anxious. He needs outings, play and scent exercises to thrive.

Puppy vs. Adult Dachshund: Different Training Methods

Training a dachshund isn’t approached the same way at every age. A puppy learns fast but is discovering everything, while an adult may already have ingrained habits.

A Puppy’s Training Priorities

Focus on:

• potty training
  

• socialization
  

• basic commands
  

• learning to stay calm

The goal is to build good habits before he picks up bad ones.

Retraining an Adult or Adopted Dachshund

An adopted dog, or one who has already been trained, may need a fresh start. Work gradually, with short sessions and more positive reinforcement to replace old behaviors.

When to Call a Trainer

If your dachshund shows persistent problem behaviors (aggression, no recall at all, anxiety, extreme barking), a professional can provide targeted corrections.

Training Your Dachshund Is an Absolute Must

For a dachshund, training isn’t just about "obeying": it ensures a calm daily life, prevents annoying behaviors and protects his health (especially his back).

Prevent Problem Behaviors

Without structure, a dachshund can become barky, destructive, dominant or anxious. Training sets clear limits and reduces sources of tension.

Build a Harmonious Owner-Dog Relationship

By learning to communicate together, you strengthen your bond: trust, respect, cooperation. A trained dog is more independent and more comfortable in society.

How Training Affects Physical Health (Back, Pulling)

Poor leash walking, repeated jumping or excited behavior can strain his spine. A well-trained dog is easier to keep under control and therefore safer.