Training a Dachshund: what works and what to expect

A Dachshund learns fast once it sees a reason to cooperate. Sessions of three to five minutes with food rewards work far better than long drills, which this breed finds boring. Expect selective hearing outdoors once a scent grabs its attention: a long line of 5 to 10 meters lets you practice recall safely in open spaces.

House training is the breed's most famous difficulty. Many dogs are only reliable at 6 to 9 months, and plenty refuse to go out in the rain. Take the puppy out after every meal, nap and play session, reward within two seconds of it finishing, and consider a sheltered toilet spot in the garden. Barking needs early work too: reward the first pause after a bark and pair it with a quiet cue, rather than shouting, which the dog tends to hear as you joining in.