Why Are Dachshunds So Hard to Potty Train?

If you own a Dachshund, you’ll need to begin training them as soon as they step into your home! But as time goes by, you probably noticed something: They’re EXTREMELY stubborn! Because of their stubbornness and will to think on their own, it makes them difficult to train.

I’ve had people ask me, “Why are Dachshunds so hard to potty train?” This particular dog breed is known for how difficult it is to train them, especially when it comes to doing their business. But are there any other reasons besides their in-born attitudes?

I researched all about it, so read on! I’ll show you why it can be difficult potty training a Dachshund puppy and a few bonus tips to help you out.

why are dachshunds so hard to potty train
Dachshund sausage dogs being punished for pee at home.

Why Are Dachshunds So Hard to Potty Train?

Every Dachshund owner complains about how difficult it is to housetrain their Dachshund. There are various reasons as to why it happens:

The Dachshund Demeanor

As I mentioned before, Dachshunds are notoriously known for their slightly stubborn attitude. Again, they are very intelligent and have their minds, though compared to other dogs, they like to do things their way.

That’s why it takes patience and persistence to potty train them well. If not, then expect them to defy your commands and training sessions!

Unfortunately, Dachshunds become difficult to housetrain because of this idea that it’s impossible to do so with the way they think. However, you can do it with the right tips and attitude.

Read more: Why Do Dachshunds Bark So Much? The 5 Interesting Reasons Why

They Aren’t Trained Enough

This especially goes for Dachshunds who are adopted at an older age, or if you ignored housetraining while they were puppies.

Most of the time, it isn’t even the dog’s behavior and in-born attitude to blame. It’s lack of housetraining and potty breaks! If you’re always too busy to train them or ignore training completely because you think they’ll learn it naturally, don’t expect an accident-free home.

For those who continue postponing potty training, the more difficult it is to teach your Dachshund!

You’re Not Aware of Proper Housetraining

A lot of dog owners are guilty of not being able to housetrain their Dachshund due to lack of knowledge. It isn’t just about placing newspapers or pee pads around the house, or even letting them wear diapers! That’s not housetraining and if you think it is, that’s what makes it even more difficult to potty train your Dachshund.

Learning how to properly train your Dachshund, as well as giving the time and effort for it, is crucial if you want to teach them. If you don’t train them enough or with the right steps, then they’ll grow accustomed to doing their business everywhere.

Read more: German Shepherd Potty Training Problems and How to Fix It

Bonus Tips to Potty Train Your Dachshund

Now that you’re familiar with why Dachshunds are so difficult to train, what are ways to help make the process easier? Here are some helpful tips you can follow, though do not take this as an extensive step-by-step process!

  • For starters, you have to learn what the basics of housetraining are. This calls for monitoring the way your Dachshund acts when he wants to use the restroom. Watch out for the obvious signals, such as scratching the doors, looking uneasy, or twirling around in preparation to urinate or defecate.
  • Create a proper schedule on when to take your dog out for potty breaks. It should be a set schedule you can stay consistent with, aligning it with work and other daily activities. Ideally, you’ll want to take them out for a potty break after waking up, after eating, walks and playtime, as well as right before you sleep. This has them know it’s time to do their business, also knowing where they should do it.
  • If you’re unable to take them out for potty breaks throughout the day, consider having a relative or trusted friend do it for you to prevent any messes. Just make sure they know the schedule and the exact spot where your Dachshund is used to doing their business in!

For more tips on how to potty train a Dachshund properly, check out this helpful video:

Wrapping It Up

Potty training your Dachshund doesn’t have to be impossible, nor would you have to constantly adjust to them. As long as you know the reasons why they act up and learn how to start training properly, you can have them potty trained in no time. It takes patience, but it WILL be worth it all.

I hope this article answered your question, “Why are Dachshunds so hard to potty train?” Now that you know the answers and where to begin, follow these tips for a successfully potty-trained Dachshund now!

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