Dachshund Training Tips
The Dachshund was officially recognized by the AKC in the early 1900s, and today is one of the top five registered dog breeds. With their short legs, long backs and “big dog” attitude, Dachshunds are very unique. When it comes to Dachshund training however, owners can find themselves faced with a strong willed, tenacious opponent. Is a professional trainer needed for Dachshund training? Let’s take a closer look.
How Are Dachshunds Different
Dachshunds are very independent and strong willed dogs, traits that can be traced back to the role they were bred for – hunting badgers. They know what they want and will show great persistence waiting for a chance to get it.
The most important thing in owning any dog is that you should handle them fairly, train using positive methods, and remember that they are still dogs. If you see your Dachshund as a human being and allow them to behave as if they were, you lose your authority and training becomes much more difficult.
Not training your Dachshund may prove disasterous as their tenacity and strong will can get them into trouble. Also remember that one of a Dachshunds weaknesses is their back, which is prone to injury, especially if they climb or jump up too much. These are injuries that may be prevented with training.
The Essentials of Dachshund Training
The ideal situation is that you get your dog as a puppy at around eight weeks of age and start training on the day that you bring them home. This does not mean that adult or rescued Dachshunds can’t be trained, you may just need to be more persistent. In addition to regular training, Dachshunds need a lot of exercise. They were bred to hunt badgers and have a lot of energy. Lack of exercise can lead to unwanted behaviors including chewing, barking, and biting. A well exercised Dachshund will be easier to train, but you still have to be firm, persistent and have a training plan of action.
Dachshund training sessions should be short, often only 5 – 10 minutes in length. You need to keep them interested and wanting to learn, and stop the session on a positive note when you see them lose interest and stop listening to you.
Your Dachshund should be taught the basic commands: “sit”, “stay” and “down”. You should also train them not to try to jump or climb onto the furniture, to reduce the risk of a back injury.
One method of Dachshund training that works well is clicker training. Clicker training basically involves the use of a small box with a metal plate that when pressed makes a clicking noise. You click and give a treat as a reward at the instant your dog performs the behavior you want. Your dog wants to learn and work because they connect the click with getting a treat. Clicker training is great for Dachshunds as sessions are kept short, making it easier to keep their attention.
Punishing a dog is never a good way to train, and with a Dachshund can be ineffective given their independent nature. Punishing a Dachshund can make them even more strong willed and can result in them becoming aggressive. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your Dachshund. Dachshunds love attention and treats and being intelligent dogs will quickly learn what behaviors will get them!
Dachshund training can be difficult and frustrating at times, taking a lot of time and effort. Whatever you do don’t give up and let your dachshund think he is top dog. If he does it will be much harder for you to re-train him later.