Dachshund puppy obedience training tests your patience in a way that training a more naturally eager-to-please breed doesn’t. Dachshunds are smart, there’s no question about that, but they’re also independent thinkers who will absolutely decide a command isn’t worth their time if you’re not consistent.
We’ve trained enough of these dogs to know exactly where new owners tend to get stuck. This guide walks through the core commands every dachshund puppy should learn, using methods that actually work with this breed’s personality instead of against it.
Why Dachshund Puppy Obedience Training Looks a Little Different With This Breed
Dachshunds were bred to work independently underground, hunting badgers without a handler directing every move. That same independent streak shows up in obedience training today, often as a dog who understands a command perfectly well and simply chooses not to follow it.
This doesn’t mean dachshunds can’t be trained well. It means dachshund puppy obedience training needs to lean heavily on motivation and consistency, rather than repetition alone.
Setting Up Dachshund Puppy Obedience Training for Success
A few foundational habits make everything else in this guide work better.
Positive Reinforcement Works Best With a Stubborn Breed
According to the Croney Research Group at Purdue University’s Center for Animal Welfare Science, positive reinforcement means rewarding a behavior right after it happens, which helps a dog connect the action to the reward and makes them more likely to repeat it. This approach tends to work especially well with independent breeds like dachshunds, since it makes training feel worthwhile to them rather than something being forced.
Find out what actually motivates your individual puppy, whether that’s a specific treat, a favorite toy, or enthusiastic praise, and use that consistently during training.
Keep Training Sessions Short
According to Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, home training sessions can be as short as five to ten minutes, done four to five times a week, and basic obedience classes typically run six to eight weeks.
Short, frequent sessions keep a dachshund puppy engaged instead of bored, which matters more with this breed than almost any other command technique.
Teaching Sit
Hold a treat close to your puppy’s nose, then slowly move it up and back over their head. As your puppy’s nose follows the treat, their bottom will naturally lower into a sit.
The moment they sit, say “sit” and immediately reward them. Repeat this several times per short session, and your dachshund puppy will start associating the word with the action within days.
Teaching Stay
Once your puppy reliably sits on command, ask for a sit, then hold your hand up like a stop signal and say “stay.” Wait just one or two seconds before rewarding, then gradually increase the time.
Dachshunds often test this command more than others, since staying still goes against their natural curiosity. Keep early sessions short and build duration slowly rather than expecting long stays right away.
Teaching Come (Recall)
Recall is one of the most important commands for any dachshund puppy obedience training routine, since a dog who comes when called stays safer around traffic, other animals, and general hazards.
Start in a low-distraction area like your living room. Crouch down, say your puppy’s name followed by “come” in an upbeat tone, and reward enthusiastically the moment they reach you, even if it took them a while to get there. Never call your puppy over for something unpleasant, like a bath or nail trim, since this can make them hesitant to come when called in the future.
Leash Manners for a Small Dog With a Big Personality
Dachshunds may be small, but many of them pull hard on a leash, driven by their strong hunting instincts and general confidence. Start leash training indoors or in a quiet yard, rewarding your puppy for walking calmly beside you rather than pulling ahead.
If your puppy pulls, stop walking immediately and wait for slack in the leash before continuing. This teaches them that pulling actually slows the walk down, not speeds it up.
How Long Does Dachshund Puppy Obedience Training Take?
Timelines vary by dog, but here’s a general framework based on typical training class structures.
| Stage | Typical Timeline | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Basic commands (sit, stay) | 2–4 weeks of consistent practice | Foundational obedience |
| Recall reliability | 4–8 weeks | Coming when called, even with distractions |
| Loose-leash walking | 6–10 weeks | Calm, controlled walks |
| Basic obedience class | 6–8 weeks | Structured group training environment |
Because of their independent streak, it’s realistic to expect dachshund puppy obedience training to take a bit longer than the timeline for a more naturally compliant breed.
Common Training Mistakes With Stubborn Dachshunds
A few mistakes tend to slow down progress more than anything else. Inconsistent commands, like alternating between “come” and “here,” confuse a puppy who’s still learning the association. Training sessions that run too long lead to boredom and disengagement, especially with an independent breed like this one.
Giving up too early is probably the biggest mistake of all. A dachshund who seems to “ignore” a command during an early session is often still learning, not being defiant, and consistency over several weeks makes a real difference.
Combining Obedience Training With the Rest of Your Puppy’s Routine
Obedience training tends to go more smoothly when it’s layered on top of an already-established routine. If your puppy is also working through crate training or potty training, keep sessions for each separate and short, rather than combining everything into one long, overwhelming block of time.
Puppies Ready to Start Their Training Journey
If you’re preparing to bring home a new dachshund puppy, here are a few currently available.
Royce — Male, 9 weeks — $700 Royce is confident and food-motivated, a great combination for early obedience training. See Royce and our full current litter →
Bella — Female, 10 weeks — $700 Bella is already comfortable with routine, making her a strong candidate for structured training. View Bella’s listing →
Simba — Male, 9 weeks — $700 Simba’s playful, engaged personality tends to respond well to positive reinforcement methods. Check Simba’s availability →
Every puppy comes with a 1-year health guarantee. Reach out through our contact page with any questions before bringing your puppy home.
FAQs About Dachshund Puppy Obedience Training
Why are dachshunds hard to train? Dachshunds have an independent streak from their history as hunting dogs, which means they sometimes choose not to follow a command they understand perfectly well. Positive reinforcement and consistency work better than repetition alone.
What is the best method for training a dachshund puppy? Positive reinforcement, rewarding desired behavior immediately with treats, praise, or play, tends to work best with this breed’s independent personality.
How long should dachshund puppy training sessions be? Around five to ten minutes per session, done four to five times a week, keeps a dachshund puppy engaged without becoming bored or overwhelmed.
At what age should I start training my dachshund puppy? You can begin basic commands like sit as early as 8 weeks old, using short, gentle sessions appropriate for a young puppy’s attention span.
Why won’t my dachshund puppy come when called? This is often a motivation issue rather than defiance. Make sure recall is always rewarded enthusiastically, and never call your puppy over for something unpleasant.
How do I stop my dachshund puppy from pulling on the leash? Stop walking the moment the leash goes tight, and only continue once there’s slack again. This teaches your puppy that pulling doesn’t get them where they want to go faster.
Do dachshunds need professional obedience classes? They’re not required, but structured classes, often running six to eight weeks, can help with consistency and socialization alongside home training.
Is punishment ever appropriate in dachshund training? No. Punishment-based methods tend to backfire with independent breeds like dachshunds and can damage trust. Positive reinforcement is both more effective and more humane.
Does Elite Dachshunds start training before puppies go home? Puppies from Elite Dachshunds come already started on foundational routines, giving new owners a head start on formal obedience training.
How do I ask Elite Dachshunds about a puppy’s temperament for training? The easiest way is through our contact page, or by emailing elitedachshundpups@gmail.com directly.
Ready to Start Training Your Own Dachshund Puppy?
With patience and consistency, dachshund puppy obedience training builds a foundation that lasts a lifetime. 🐾
Take a look at our current available puppies, read what past families have said on our reviews page, or reach out with any questions before bringing a puppy home.
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