Dachshunds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, thanks to their wiener-shaped body, clever eyes, and friendly demeanor. These dogs are lively and friendly, yet they may be headstrong. If you’re thinking about obtaining a dachshund puppy, you might be wondering if they are easy to train.
Why are dachshunds not easy to train ?
Are dachshunds easy to train? The answer is no, but if you put in the effort and try to do it on a regular basis, it will be a lot easier. Dachshunds are known as being difficult to teach, but with patience, they can be easily trained. Your dachshund needs to recognise that you control and he has to listen to you. Once he’s got the idea, training is such a simple thing. The question here is why people find it hard to train dachshunds. Here are some reasons you may need to know:
1. They are easily distracted.
Dachshunds were bred as hunting dogs hundreds of years ago. Of course, some of those genes have been passed down to the Dachshunds of today. As a result, you may found that a bird or a tiny animal outdoors quickly distracts your dog when you are attempting to train it.
Because of this, these dogs are known for having a short attention span. Furthermore, this type is a superb manipulator who will get away with anything unless strict limits are established.
2. They are stubborn.
When start your Dachshunds training, you may notice that your pup can be quite headstrong, refusing to obey your command. Despite this, dachshunds are famous for their intelligence and for being hyper-alert that make them good watchdogs.
It’s possible that we’ll have to blame this one on its ancestral hunting genes once more. To effectively pursue a badger or other small creatures in the past, this kind of dog required to be tenacious and independent.
This obstinacy has been passed down the generations. So much so that if you ask your dog to learn something new, he or she may violently object and turn away. Even when taught, these dogs may be stubborn and defiant when it comes to obeying directions.
Read more: Difference Between Dachshund and Mini Dachshund
Can dachshunds be trained?
Yes, dachshunds can absolutely be trained. It is a lot easier to train them when they are puppies, but if your dachshund is fully grown-up now, you still have a chance to make progress with a positive and consistent approach. There are 2 most challenging areas of training: potty training and excessive barking. Leaving an adult dachshund alone for more than 4 hours at a time is not the right thing. Every few hours, they need to go to the toilet and daily exercise is recommended as well. As draft animals, dachshunds can be bored, lonely and stressed by themselves.
Read more: Why Are Dachshunds So Hard to Potty Train?
Dachshund Training Secrets
1. Start training your dachshund at 8 to 12 weeks.
8 weeks of age is the time that a puppy will usually be weaned at about. At this point, your pup is ready to explore the world around him and interact with you and your household.
Starting training a dog at a young age is usually a good idea, but this is especially true for Dachshunds. This is due to the fact that as they grow older, they become more stubborn.
Furthermore, if your puppy is under the age of eight weeks, it may lack the intelligence to understand some basic training. Give it time to settle down and be comfortable with you and your household and then start his training process.
2. Be patient and consistent:
Dachshunds are famous for their intelligence and ability to get away with anything through their cunning. Do not let them fool you. If your dog is playing tricks on you and not listening to your commands, you must be hard. Give safe, steady, and consistent instructions that show your Dachshund that you are the one in charge.
You must also be patient with Dachshunds since they are difficult to teach. Don’t give up easy, but don’t put too much pressure on your dog to learn quickly. It’ll happen when it’s supposed to.
3. Keep your training sessions short
Because Dachshunds are quickly distracted, it is not a good idea to train doxies for long periods of time. Allow them to take their well-deserved rests before continuing the program later in the day. A Dachshund’s optimal training session should last no more than 15 minutes.
Of course, depending on how far advanced your dog is in learning new instructions, you can repeat the lessons 4 or 5 times a day.
4. Use positive reinforcement training:
While training your Dachshund, use food and praise to encourage excellent behavior. Doing so will encourage your dog to do the correct thing, and over time, it will only perform the things you want since it will anticipate a treat.
At the same time, maintain your composure and dismiss any unfavorable actions. Do not yell or reprimand your dog at any moment, since this will just make it more obstinate and aggressive.
Read more: How to Discipline a Dachshund: The Easy Steps to Follow
5. Use treats they can’t say no:
Positive reinforcement treats for your Dachshund must be ones that your dog enjoys. Food treats are usually sufficient to stimulate them, but you may need to test a few different ones to figure out which ones your dog prefers.
When selecting food treats, use tiny food items that will appeal to your dog while also being beneficial to its health. Also, make training sessions entertaining and energetic for your dog so that he looks forward to them.
6. Get rid of other distractions from the training environment:
The intelligent, manipulative sausage dogs are easily distracted. So, when you are newly training a Dachshund, a close, quiet room is the best environment they need. It is the best to choose a space where the dog will not be distracted by a bird sitting outside the window.
As your dog learns the fundamental instructions, you may gradually transfer the training sessions outside, such as to a nearby park or the beach.
Train Steadily and Slowly
Dachshunds are fun-loving, witty, and loyal friends. All they need is a little bit of time to adjust to the loving life you want to give them. It may appear like training a doxie is difficult, and it most likely is, but with patient and consistent sessions, your pet may master practically any command.