Protect the back, always
Long-backed breeds are prone to disc injury. Teach ramp use instead of jumping off furniture, and support the whole body when lifting.
Hound Group
Dachshund
A badger dog on short legs. The courage that made the Dachshund useful underground shows up at home as a dog that barks first and reconsiders later.
BoldTenaciousAlert
What to work on first
Three things that matter more than the rest
Work on the doorbell early
Alert barking is bred in and self-reinforcing. Teach a 'go to mat' routine tied to the door long before the habit hardens.
House-training needs a schedule
Small bladders and a dislike of wet grass make this breed slower to house-train. Frequent, boring, on-lead toilet trips beat free access to the garden.
Where it usually goes wrong
Common challenges with the Dachshund
- Barking at the door
- Slow house-training
- Jumping off sofas
Behaviour that involves biting, real fear, or a sudden change in an adult dog is not a training problem until a vet has ruled out a medical one.
Recommended equipment
What our guidance for this breed calls for
Chosen against the training plan above, not against a supplier's bestseller list.
Most recommended
Also in the Hound group