Dachshund Training Guide | Dog Training Tips & Advice

Small, lively and full of personality describes Dachshund very well! Affectionately known as the Dashy or Sausage Dog, this breed is well suited to apartments and tiny homes. However, they still need plenty of exercise! In this blog post, we’ll go through everything you need to know about this breed before you commit, focusing on Dachshund training. As with any breed, good training can lead to a rewarding relationship with your dog and help them avoid behavioural problems.

This breed happily lives with other dogs, though it often prefers the company of other Dachshunds or small dogs. It can be very playful and loves having a playmate around; however, if it gets bored or lonely, it can become destructive.

Dachshunds come in smooth, wirehair, and lengthy hair varieties, as well as miniature and standard sizes with all three coat types. The smooth coat, particularly, is very low shedding and requires minimal brushing. The long hair and wirehair varieties will need regular grooming to keep their coats healthy. Also, remember that their characteristic low-to-the-ground body will pick up all sorts of dirt, so remember to put a good towel down after a muddy walk!

Don’t be fooled by the Dachshund’s innocent looks. Underneath that sweet exterior is a feisty little dog with a terrier attitude! They can be vocal and often bark at approaching people or dogs. That’s why socialising them effectively while young is integral to Dachshund puppy training, ensuring the barking doesn’t turn into unexpected aggression. Remember, they like to chase and nip, so watch them play with dogs who can’t handle their exuberant natures.

It is essential to choose from a good breeder. Dachshunds are known for having medical problems; reportedly, 1 in 4 dogs have irreversible issues. Buying from a good breeder who health tests all of their puppies will help reduce the likelihood of your dog developing any problems, including paralysed.

Overall, this cute breed has a loyal following of fans who adore them for their unique looks and bright personalities! They can make excellent pets for all situations if the owner knows how to properly care for and train them.

Socialising your Dachshund at an early age is important, especially with strangers, bigger dogs, and different noises. Dachshunds can typically be anxious about these situations, and if not exposed to different situations as a young dog, they can have issues with this later on. Showing them that there is nothing to fear in situations such as these is a great way to help their temperament and behaviour.

As an owner, bear in mind that dogs have been bred to bark. So, training your dog when guests come to the doorbell is a must if you want a quiet house. This can be built up gradually by changing your dog’s association with the bell. When it comes to barking, many pet parents accept the lot they’ve been given and put up with a dog who barks and barks. But, with some simple changes, this doesn’t have to be the case!

It’s a common misconception that small breeds like the Dachshund don’t need much exercise. But even though they are small, they need a moderate amount of exercise. Chasing a ball can be ideal for this breed, as can

nose work games such as sniffing out treats. This will not only provide exercise but also give your dog the mental stimulation that it needs to stay as relaxed and calm as possible.

It is natural to want to pick Dachshunds up when they are nervous, especially because of their cute size. However, this can reinforce their behaviour and prevent them from learning to cope in stressful situations. Try to encourage your dog through situations if they are nervous and give lots of praise and reinforcement when they have coped well. This will help them develop positive behaviours and help them understand that these situations aren’t actually that bad in the future.

This breed is stubborn and can be challenging to train, so starting young and adding a little bit of training to your dog’s routine each day will definitely help this. Try to break training criteria down into small steps so as not to discourage yourself or your dog when they cannot achieve your targets. Training is a lifetime process that can’t be completed in just a few sessions, so it’s vital to be aware of this before committing to any breed of dog! The basis of training is also a good relationship with your dog, so work on building up trust and respect between you to help make training easier.

There is no denying that this breed loves to explore and sniff! So, introducing your Dachshund to different environments can help to keep them stimulated. This, in turn, will allow them to behave better in all sorts of environments, including those that they tend to find stressful.

Unfortunately, Dachshunds typically have health issues with their backs. So, if you do want to commit to buying one, you must look for a reputable breeder who undertakes comprehensive health tests on all of their dogs. Also, it would be best if you kept in mind small restrictions on their activity within the house. For example, steps can be a great option for helping your dog to get to and from the sofa, rather than jumping and putting strain on their backs.

Along with problems with their backs, miniature Dachshunds are prone to eye conditions. As a result, it’s important to look out for the onset of eye conditions throughout their lives. If you want to buy a Dachshund puppy, you must look for dogs that are PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) clear to help reduce these risks.

Dachshunds can become overweight very easily. So, if you’re using treats as a part of your training, make sure to cut them up very small. The best method is to strategically leverage your dog’s diet to your training advantage. Toys are another option to reward your dog with when performing the right behaviours if you want to move away from using food as a reward.

As this breed was bred to dig, it may be helpful to have a dog sandbox where they can dig appropriately without digging up your flowers in the garden! Encouraging positive behaviours in the right area can definitely help the harmony in your home with an energetic Dachshund who loves to dig.

Here at Royvon, we work with all sorts of breeds, not just Dachshunds! Whether they are puppies who need to learn the basics or adult dogs with severe anxiety or aggression, we will work with them to develop a training plan that works well for them. If you need support or advice with your dog, please get in touch with us by calling 020 8819 7374, drop us an email at [email protected] or get in touch via our contact form to find out more about what we can offer. We have both in-person and virtual options to suit everyone!