How to Potty Train a Dachshund Puppy
Dachshunds' intelligence and stubbornness can make potty training these dogs a bit of a challenge. With a good plan, consistency and perseverance, you and your new puppy can conquer this behavior. Don't expect results overnight, and prepare to have minor setbacks. Patience is a must with dachshunds. While they do learn quickly, dachshunds still will try to make their own decisions on how and when to do things. Be flexible in your planning and execution of potty training your new puppy.
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Things You'll Need
- Comfortable dog crate
- Blanket or puppy bed
- Puppy training pads
- Enzyme-based pet stain cleaner
- Paper towels
- Treats
Instructions
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Show your dachshund the area outside you want it to use as soon you bring it home. Do this even before entering the house, since the puppy soon will become interested in exploring its new home. Put the dachshund down in the area and use the word or phrase you plan to use whenever it's time to go potty. If the puppy relieves itself, reward it with praise and a small treat.
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Feed your puppy on a regular schedule. Dogs almost always feel the urge to relieve themselves after they eat. As soon as your doxie finishes eating, take it outside to the potty area. Dachshunds are notoriously stubborn, so stick with this step until the puppy produces results. Stay for a longer period of time if the dog is distracted or not ready to go. If you rush this step the dog likely will go once back inside, and then will associate that spot with where to potty. Dachshund puppies often take longer with this step than other breeds, so be prepared to be patient and don't give up.
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Watch your dachshund for signs of needing to go. Sniffing the floor, walking in circles, sitting hunched or other behavior specific to your dog. Dachshunds often like to hide when going potty, so be sure to keep the puppy in sight when in training mode. Take the puppy out as soon as it exhibits any potty behavior. Always reward the puppy when it relieves itself outside.
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Limit access to the entire house when the dachshund is not yet potty trained. In the beginning, make a small enclosed area covered in puppy training pads if the dog is very small. Take it into the other areas of the house regularly to play, but never leave the puppy unattended until training is complete. Due to their stubborn nature, dachshunds have been known to take months to potty train, while other breeds may take weeks. This will be a factor in allowing your dachshund full access to the house for the first few months.
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Surprise the puppy if you catch it relieving itself inside. Startling the puppy interrupts the process long enough for you to scoop it up and rush it outside to the potty area. Be careful not to hit or harm the puppy, as dachshunds are a sensitive breed in this area. A simple loud word or clap of the hands should be enough to accomplish your goal with a dachshund as they respond easily to most correction. Praise and reward the puppy if it completes the job in the proper spot once you have taken it outside.
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Clean any accidents as soon as they happen with an enzyme-based cleaner. This removes odors and keeps the dog from thinking this area is an acceptable potty location. Dachshund puppies are strong on scent association, so this is an important step for this breed. Any location that is soiled in the house will trigger the puppy to connect it to a potty spot, so removing these with a dachshund is especially important.
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Crate the puppy during the night or when you are not at home for short periods of time. Do not leave the dog in the crate for extended periods, it may have accidents inside the crate. If that happens, the puppy will think the crate is also an acceptable place to go if it is left too long unattended. Dachshunds are very social dogs and yours will want be in your presence as much as possible, so only crate the dog when necessary and for as short a time as possible. Always take your dachshund outside as soon as it comes out of the crate so the puppy associates going potty outside with your return home.
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Tips & Warnings
Consistency and patience is the key, especially with a dachshund. Their stubborn nature may make you feel as if the puppy never will be fully trained, and this breed is notorious for testing your limits as a dog owner. Training any new puppy takes time; expect it to take just that much longer with your doxie. Sticking to the plan and repeating the same actions over and over eventually will get your puppy to follow along. Once potty trained, a dachshund will stick to the plan.
References
- Photo Credit daschund dog image by Sergey Kolesnikov from Fotolia.com
