Are Dachshunds Easy to Train?

Dachshunds are a very popular dog breed due to their distinctive appearance, sporting short legs and a long body that nicely suits their nickname of ‘sausage dog’, these dogs are a firm family favourite. But, are dachshunds easy to train? Well, while dachshunds are loving and loyal dogs, they certainly have an independent personality that can class with training. Experienced owners who are used to – or even expect – their quirks will have an easier time with training than a novice who hasn’t owned an independent breed before. 

However, their playful nature means that there’s never a dull moment when you own a dachshund. They are mischievous and they love their owners to the point where they can become obsessive and dislike being away from them for even short periods. They also have a lot of energy considering their small size, meaning your dachshund can run and play for hours before getting tired out. 

At Perfect Pooches, we provide a range of dog services, including dog behaviour training, breeding, studding, and fertility services. Dachshunds are one of our most popular breeds, and we have spent years getting to know these funny little dogs – as well as spending time understanding the unique quirks and personalities that make them an irresistible companion. 

For more information on the dachshunds we have available, get in touch with Perfect Pooches now! If you would like to know more about dachshunds as a breed, keep reading below!

Like all dogs, dachshunds have a specific set of personality traits and characteristics that can make them hard to train, also their biology adds several factors to this. Dachshunds were originally bred in Germany to be hunting dogs – specifically they were bred to flush out, and hunt badgers which is why their name actually translates to “badger dog”. The short legs helped them dig out their prey and go inside burrows; this use of dachshunds is how there came to be a variety of sizes in the breed as larger dachshunds would chase deers and foxes, while smaller variants would hunt hares and ferrets. 

Due to their history, they are very stubborn dogs who are prey motivated, so owners need to be patient when dealing with their temperament. Toilet training will also be difficult for an inexperienced dachshund owner to tackle so it’s usually a great idea to begin dog training sessions as soon as possible to start encouraging good behaviour. The key to training your dachshund is consistency and patience, and the motivation to keep going even when your dachshund is being stubborn. 

Training is a big part of dachshund care as proper training can keep them safe both when you’re out and about, and also inside the home. Dachshunds can be prone to digging and have a reputation for being reactive to other dogs and strangers when outside of the home, especially smaller dog breeds. Some of the important ways you can care for your dachshund include:

For a small dog, dachshunds have a big voice and they’re very talkative. This is primarily due to being bred as hunting dogs, with their mighty bark designed to alert hunters to their location once they have found prey. Nowadays, dachshunds typically live a more relaxed lifestyle. However, they can still be very territorial and as any dachshund owner will tell you, their barking can be set off by the postman, passersby, or even just out of boredom. 

While dachshunds are just naturally vocal dogs, there are steps you can take to reduce the amount of barking they do throughout the day, such as:

• Rewarding treats or toys when quiet
• Creating distance during bouts of excessive barking
• Keep them busy to prevent boredom 

If you’re considering a dachshund, it’s important to remember that barking is just something that you’ll have to live with, and if this isn’t ideal for you it may be time to explore other breeds that are better suited to your needs. 

Many new dachshund owners don’t realise just how reactive dachshunds can be towards other dogs and often ways to prevent aggression can be overlooked as they are so small. However, dachshunds should be properly socialised and trained to prevent them from hurting other dogs, or being hurt by other dogs. 

There are many ways to make sure your dachshund is a social, friendly, and well behaved dog. To start, allow your dachshund to meet other dogs while out and about on walks and don’t be shy in letting them play as it teaches your puppy manners when interacting with other dogs. If you’re nervous about any of this, reach out to a friend or family member who has a well trained dog to provide a playmate for your dachshund without worrying about reactivity from an unfamiliar dog. 

Many new dachshund owners wrongly believe that because they are a small dog breed, they’ll be lazy and require little exercise, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Dachshunds were bred to hunt, and they require a moderate level of exercise everyday to keep boredom at bay. A fully grown dachshund needs at least 50 minutes of exercise a day, but this can change depending on the type of dachshund you have – with miniature requiring less exercise than a standard dachshund. 

Outside of walking, there are ways to keep your dachshund active and entertained while in the house too – something important for anyone who works from home or needs distance from their puppy to complete chores and other household tasks. Some great toys you can get include: 

Snuffle Mats:
These interactive scent games put your dog’s senses to the test, providing long lasting enrichment and stimulation while rewarding your dachshund with treats. 

Interactive Treat Dispensers:
Working for their reward is a great way to keep your dachshund mentally stimulated, and interactive treat dispensers come in a range of different styles and designs. 

Chew Toys:
There are many different types of chew toys that can keep your dachshund entertained, from ones that squeak, to ones that are made out of strong rubber, the options for chew toys are endless. 

For more information about keeping your dachshund entertained, get in touch with Perfect Pooches today! 

If you’re looking for a purebred, KC registered dachshund, the best way is to approach a reliable and reputable breeder. While they aren’t cheap, choosing a breeder who is experienced means your puppy will have received health checks and their parents will be perfect examples of the breed. For more information on breeders, check out our blog! We have created numerous blogs highlighting reasons to choose a certified dog breeder, including ways to find a reputable breeder and how to avoid a backyard breeder. 

If on the other hand you’re interested in adoption, it’s important to remember that you may not get exactly what you’re looking for. Dogs in animal shelters typically have a spotty history genetically and dachshunds in shelters who don’t have registration could have unforeseen health issues. However, adoption is very noble and a great option for those who are looking for a family pet and aren’t concerned about their genetic background as such. 

To find out more about this fun, active, and vocal dog breed, get in touch with the team at Perfect Pooches today! We’re here to help and we have years of experience providing puppies to families and individuals. We offer many different breeds, so if a dachshund isn’t what you’re looking for, reach out to us to find out about our cockapoos, cocker spaniels, maltipoos, toy poodles, and more! 

At Perfect Pooches, the health and happiness of our dogs is our top priority, so choose us for reputable and reliable dog breeders now!