How to Train for the Weiner Dog Races

If you've ever been to a dachshund race, you know how entertaining they can be. The field is 25 to 50 yards long and the average height of the racers is about 18 inches. The Dachshund Club of America opposes races out of concern about potential back injuries, but dachshund people say they take extra good care of their hot dogs and even train for the wiener dog races ahead of time.

Instructions

1. Practice using a word for treats, such as "yummy" or "cookie," make sure your dachshund knows that word well and gets excited when he hears it and of course, gets rewarded with a treat every time you say the word. Repeat this word for several weeks prior to a race, if possible. At the race, simply stand at the end of the track and call out, "Hans, cookie!" You should then see those little legs come running straight for you.

2. Start slow and go small distances. Place one person at one end of your home track and another at the other and toss out a ball or squeak toy. The person at the start should then run alongside the dog. If/when your dachshund runs for the object, praise lavishly, using their name a lot and if they make it from one end to another, give them a favorite treat.

3. Increase the praise and treats if your wiener dog starts to trot. And if he/she makes it from one end of the track to the other, provide more praise and more treats. You won't normally give them this many treats, of course, so they'll understand this is a special activity. Dachshunds are highly motivated with food and they'll "get" the game quickly and should run well if they know it's for a treat.

4. Let your dachshund run around alone in your (fenced) backyard; then you should suddenly appear on the back porch. Stand and call them and every time they come, give them a treat. For some dogs this will be sufficient, so when you're at the races, place yourself at the end of the track and call to them in the same fashion.

5. Slip a treat into your pocket right before your wiener dog is placed into the "race box." Make sure she sees you do it and then walk the length of the track and make sure they see you moving forward. Shake your pocket every once in a while and say the word, "Treat. Yes, Gretel, a treat."

6. Keep your hot dog going to the races, if he seems to enjoy them and if surroundings are safe. There are races across the country and some people even train for and enter their dachshund in the Wiener Nationals in Los Alamitos, California.

Resources

• 2007 Wiener Dog Races to benefit Dachshund Rescue NW
• Dachshund Club of America