Small, lively and full of personality describes Dachshund very well! Affectionately known as the Dashy or Sausage Dog, this is a breed that is very well suited to apartments and small homes, however, this doesn’t mean they don’t need plenty of exercise! In this blog post, we’ll go through everything you need to know about this breed before you make the commitment, with a focus on Dachshund training. As with any breed, good training can lead to a rewarding relationship with your dog and help them avoid behavioural problems down the line.
This is a breed that happily lives well with other dogs, though they often preferring the company of other Dachshunds or small dogs. They can be very playful and love to have a playmate around, however, if they get bored or lonely they can become destructive.
Dachshunds come in smooth, wirehair and long hair varieties, and miniature and standard sizes with all three coat types. The smooth coat, in particular, is very low shedding and requires minimal brushing. The long hair and wirehair varieties will need regular grooming to keep their coats healthy. Also, bear in mind that their characteristic low to the ground body will pick up all sorts of dirt so remember a good towel down after a muddy walk!
Don’t be fooled by the Dachshunds innocent looks. Underneath that sweet exterior is a feisty little dog with the attitude of a terrier! They can be vocal and often bark at approaching people or dogs. As a result, it is an important part of Dachshund training to socialise them effectively while they are young and ensure this doesn’t turn into aggression. They do like to chase and nip too, so watch their play with dogs who can’t handle their exuberant natures.
It is very important to choose from a good breeder. Dachshunds are known for having spinal problems and reportedly 1 in 4 Dachshunds have these irreversible problems. Buying from a good breeder who health tests all of their puppies will help reduce the likelihood of your dog developing any issues, which can even include becoming paralysed.
Overall, this cute breed has a loyal following of fans that adore them for their unique looks and bright personalities! They can make a great pet for all sorts of situations, as long as the owner knows how to care for and train them properly. Now, let’s take a look at some of our top tips to help you along this journey!
Dachshunds come in three different coat types
Our Top 10 Tips for Dachshund Training
This breed needs to be socialised
It is important to socialise your Dachshund at an early age, especially with strangers, bigger dogs and different noises. They can typically be anxious of 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 really nothing to fear in situations such as these is a great way to help their temperament and behaviour down the line.
A barking Breed
As an owner, bear in mind that they have been bred to bark. So, Dachshund training with guests coming to the doorbell is a must if you want a quiet house. This can be build up gradually by changing the association your dog has 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!
They may be small, but they need exercise
It’s a common misconception that small breeds such as the Dachshund don’t really need that 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 well as nose work games such as sniffing out treats. This will not only provide exercise. It will also give your dog the mental stimulation that they need to keep as relaxed and calm as possible.
Don’t pick them up too much
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 doesn’t allow them to learn 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 to develop positive behaviours and lead to them knowing that these situations aren’t actually that bad in the future.
They can be stubborn
This breed is stubborn and can be difficult 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 in order not to discourage yourself or your dog when they cannot achieve the targets you have set. 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.
They love to sniff
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 help them to be better behaved in all sorts of environments, including those that they tend to find stressful.
They are known for health issues
Unfortunately, Dachshunds typically have health issues with their backs. So, if you do want to commit to buying one, it’s really important that you look for a reputable breeder who undertakes comprehensive health tests on all of their dogs. Also, you should keep 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.
Watch their weight
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. Or, you can even use part of their food for their training sessions. You can read more about using your dog’s daily feed as an effective part of their training in this blog post. Toys are another option to reward you dog with when performing the right behaviours if you want to move away from using food as a reward.
Keep an eye out
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 life. If you want to buy a Dachshund puppy, you must look out for dogs which are PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) clear, to help reduce these risks.
They’re bred to dig
As this breed was bred to dig, it may be useful to have a dog sand box where they can dig appropriately without digging up your flowers in the garden! Encouraging positive behaviours taking place in the right area can definitely help the harmony in your home with an energetic Dachshund that loves to dig.
Dachshund training videos
Take a look at the videos below to find out more about this breed and what good training looks like!
In this overview video, we take you through all the basics you need to know about Dachshunds, whether you are considering adding one to the family, or simply have a love for this cute breed! As with any breed, there are certain things to bear in mind before you get one. We hope that this video and blog post will help you to make an informed decision about whether this breed is right for you.
In this video, meet Arnold the Dachshund. When he came to us, one of the main concerns Arnold’s owners had was his excessive barking. Arnold is quite a nervous dog and would bark at people entering the house or passing by. In order to tackle this problem, we worked on building his confidence and pairing positive associations with people. Arnold had also learned that he could get attention from barking, so we taught him that when he is quiet and gives eye contact, he will then be rewarded with either a toy or some fuss. Using positive training methods is always the best way to get results, no matter what behavioural concerns your dog may have!
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 come up with a training plan that works well for them. If you need support or advice with your dog, please visit our website or get in touch to find out more about what we can offer. We have both in-person and virtual options to suit everyone!
