How to Train a Dachshund

Dachshund training. Tips for their moderate energy hound breed temperament.

Training Approach

Dachshunds are smart dogs who understand exactly what you want -- they just do not always care. Their hound independence means traditional obedience methods that work on eager-to-please breeds like Goldens will fall flat. You need to make training worth their while, which usually means food. Lots of food.

Keep sessions under five minutes. A Dachshund's attention span for repetitive drills is short, and once they decide they are done, no amount of coaxing will bring them back. Three micro-sessions scattered through the day outperform one long slog every time.

Dachshund Training Challenges

Stubbornness is the Dachshund's defining training challenge. They were bred to pursue badgers into underground tunnels alone, making independent decisions without human input. That self-reliance is baked in. You cannot train it out, but you can work with it by making yourself more interesting than whatever else has caught their attention.

• Size: small (16-32 lbs)
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Shedding: Moderate
• Common Health Issues: IVDD, Obesity, Dental Disease
• Lifespan: 12-16 yrs

Socialization

Dachshunds can be snappy with unfamiliar people and dogs if they were not socialized young. Their small size makes owners less likely to take socialization seriously, but a nippy Dachshund is still a liability. Introduce them gradually to different people, gentle dogs, and new environments. Carry treats and reward calm, relaxed body language.

Watch for "small dog syndrome" -- many Dachshund owners inadvertently teach their dogs that growling and snapping makes scary things go away by picking them up whenever they react. Let them work through mild discomfort on their own while rewarding bravery.

Obedience Commands

Focus on "come," "leave it," and "drop it" as priority commands. Dachshunds are scent hounds who will pick up and eat things off the ground faster than you can react. A reliable recall and a solid "leave it" can prevent emergency vet visits.

Housetraining deserves special emphasis. Dachshunds are widely considered one of the hardest breeds to housetrain. Stick with a strict schedule, take them out immediately after meals and naps, and never punish indoor accidents. Many owners find that litter box training or pee pad training works as a backup, especially for rainy days when Dachshunds flatly refuse to go outside.

• Provide 30–60 minutes of daily exercise appropriate to their energy level
• Feed a high-quality diet formulated for small breed dogs (400–800 calories/day)
• Maintain a 2–3 times per week grooming routine
• Schedule breed-appropriate health screenings for IVDD
• Pet insurance enrolled early typically offers the best value, covering breed-related conditions before they develop

Advanced Training

Nose work is where Dachshunds truly shine. Hide treats around the house, teach them to find specific scented objects, or try formal AKC Scent Work classes. This taps directly into their hunting heritage and tires them out mentally faster than physical exercise alone.

Trick training also works well because Dachshunds enjoy the one-on-one attention and the food rewards. "Spin," "shake," and "play dead" are easy wins that build the training habit for both dog and owner.

Avoid activities that stress the spine. No jumping through hoops, no weave poles at speed, and no roughhousing that involves twisting. Gentle earth dog trials -- where Dachshunds navigate tunnels to find caged rats -- are a breed-appropriate sport that satisfies their instincts safely.

Common Behavior Issues

Barking is the number-one complaint from Dachshund owners. These dogs have a surprisingly deep bark for their size, and they use it freely -- at the mailman, at a leaf blowing past, at nothing you can identify. Teach "quiet" by rewarding silence, not by yelling "shut up" (which they interpret as you joining the barking party).

Separation anxiety is common in Dachshunds because they bond so tightly to their people. Build independence gradually: practice short absences, leave a stuffed Kong, and do not make departures or arrivals dramatic.

Dachshunds do best with a predictable daily schedule. Feed at the same times, walk at the same times, and keep bedtime consistent. When they know what comes next, the anxious barking and attention-seeking behavior drops noticeably.

Veterinary Care Schedule for Dachshunds

Preventive care reduces both emergency costs and disease severity over your pet's lifetime. Here is a general framework for your Dachshund. Adjust the schedule based on your vet's advice.

Dachshunds should receive breed-specific screening for IVDD starting at 3-5 years of age or earlier if symptoms appear. Proactive testing tends to pay for itself in avoided complications.

Cost of Dachshund Ownership

For the last mile of any pet feeding plan, a veterinarian's perspective usually beats another round of internet reading.

• Annual food costs: $250–$500 for high-quality dog food
• Veterinary care: $300–$700 annually for routine visits, plus potential emergency costs
• Grooming: $30–50 per professional session (2–3 times per week home grooming recommended)
• Pet insurance: $25–40/month for comprehensive coverage
• Supplies and toys: $200–$500 annually for bedding, toys, leashes, and other essentials

More Dachshund Guides

Find more specific guidance for Dachshund health and care.

• Dachshund Diet & Nutrition Guide
• Dachshund Pet Insurance Cost
• Dachshund Grooming Guide
• Dachshund Health Issues
• Dachshund Temperament & Personality
• Dachshund Exercise Needs
• Dachshund Cost of Ownership
• Adopt a Dachshund

What are the most important considerations for how to train a dachshund?

Training a Dachshund: Complete Guide works best with consistent, positive methods tailored to their temperament and energy level. Early socialization is also critical.