Dachshunds have a well-earned reputation for being stubborn. That’s not a character flaw—it’s a byproduct of what they were bred to do. Dachshunds were developed to hunt badgers alone, underground, out of sight and earshot of their handler. That required a dog willing to make its own decisions rather than constantly look to a human for direction. The same independent streak that made them excellent hunters can make them a challenge to train with conventional methods. Here’s what actually works.
1. Keep Sessions Short and Frequent
Dachshunds lose interest fast. Five to ten minutes, two or three times a day, beats one long 30-minute session every time. End on a success so training stays associated with winning, not frustration.
2. Lead With Food
Dachshunds are famously food-motivated, which is actually good news for training. Use small, high-value treats (a fraction of their normal kibble size to avoid overfeeding) and reward immediately—timing matters more than the treat itself.
3. Make It a Game, Not a Command
Because dachshunds don’t naturally aim to please the way, say, a Labrador does, framing training as play rather than obedience gets much better engagement. Tug, hide-and-seek recall, and scent games tap into their natural hunting instincts and hold their attention far longer than repetitive drilling.
4. Nail Down Potty Training Early
Dachshunds are notoriously difficult to housebreak, partly due to stubbornness and partly because their small bladders need frequent trips outside. Use a consistent schedule (out after waking, eating, and playing), crate train to leverage their natural instinct not to soil their den, and never punish accidents after the fact—it teaches fear, not the right behavior.
5. Manage the Barking
As scent hounds bred to alert hunters, dachshunds bark—a lot, and loudly for their size. Rather than trying to eliminate barking entirely, teach a “quiet” cue: let them bark once or twice at a trigger, then reward silence. Punishing barking outright tends to backfire with this breed.
6. Socialize Early and Often
Dachshunds can be wary of strangers and other dogs if not exposed early. Positive, low-pressure introductions to new people, dogs, and environments during puppyhood (and continued through adulthood) heads off fear-based aggression later.
7. Protect the Back During Training
Avoid training exercises that involve jumping, standing on hind legs for extended periods, or repeated up-and-down movement—all put unnecessary strain on a spine already prone to injury. Keep training exercises low-impact and floor-based.
Consistency beats intensity with this breed. Dachshunds respond best to owners who are patient, upbeat, and willing to make training feel like a game rather than a chore.