The short version
Long on looks and short on training time, Dachshund puppies are fast learners. This determined and highly intelligent hound will follow your instructions, especially if you motivate them to follow your direction, and positive lessons speed the process.
Walter Jones, First Vice President of the Dachshund Club of America, remembers George, his family’s first Smooth Dachshund when he was a youngster. As an adult, Jones couldn’t wait to acquire Sebastian, his own Smooth Doxie.
Key Milestones: Birth-7 Weeks
Dachshund school starts early under the breeder’s guidance. Here’s how a responsible breeder preps puppies for early training.
To start on the right paw, newborn pups require plenty of handling from the minute they enter this world. Breeders pick them up and weigh them daily to ensure they are gaining weight and hold them if they need supplemental bottle feeding. When the breeder cleans the whelping pen, the pups go into a crate.
“At 2 to 3 weeks, I handle the pups’ feet and begin clipping toenails,” says Deneice Van Hook DVM, Board Member and Companion Events Chair of the Dachshund Club of America. “At 3 weeks, I blow a whistle when I feed them, so they associate coming to me with getting something wonderful.”
Key Milestones: 8-12 Weeks
“Start housetraining on the first day,” says Jones. “Maintain a regular schedule and praise a lot.”
Choose a designated potty area for your Doxie and take your pup to the same spot each time.
Some Doxies think they should be able to relieve themselves wherever they choose, but it’s your job to convince them otherwise in a positive way. Here’s where patience comes in handy, but eventually, even the most strong-willed long and low dog will go to the appropriate spot.
Key Milestones: 3-4 Months
Continue your breeder’s bathing, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and oral care routines.
Doxie pups have short attention spans so limit your sessions to five minutes. Begin with teaching:
Key Milestones: 5-9 Months
Despite its near-grown-up appearance, your Doxie is still a puppy and needs supervision.
It’s natural for a Doxie to search underground for hidden treasures, but if you take pride in a manicured lawn, designate a separate area to excavate.
Because some Doxies are prone to developing intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), or slipped disc disease, restrict your dog from jumping off furniture.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule
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Frequently asked questions
How to train a dachshund puppy?
The AKC walks through this step by step — the key points are covered above, sourced to the AKC article linked on this page. Long on looks and short on training time, Dachshund puppies are fast learners. This determined and highly intelligent hound will follow your instructions, espe…
How to train a dachshund puppy to potty outside?
The AKC walks through this step by step — the key points are covered above, sourced to the AKC article linked on this page. Long on looks and short on training time, Dachshund puppies are fast learners. This determined and highly intelligent hound will follow your instructions, espe…
How to train a dachshund puppy not to bite?
The AKC walks through this step by step — the key points are covered above, sourced to the AKC article linked on this page. Long on looks and short on training time, Dachshund puppies are fast learners. This determined and highly intelligent hound will follow your instructions, espe…