How to Potty Train a Dachshund: The Ultimate Guide for Success

Potty training a Dachshund can be both a test of patience and a rewarding, proud experience. These adorable sausage dogs are known for their loyalty, energetic and independent personalities. However, they also have a reputation for being stubborn, especially regarding potty training. Don't be afraid! With the proper technique, consistency, patience and plenty of positive reinforcement, you can also help your Dachshund puppy (or even an adult Dachshund) become fully potty trained.

In this comprehensive guide, we will talk about how to potty train a Dachshund by steps—from crate training to avoiding accidents indoors—along with advanced tips and common pitfalls to avoid. Let's get started!

Understanding Dachshunds: Why Potty Training Can Be a Challenge

Dachshunds are a quite unique breed with their distinctive look and quirky personalities. Although Dachshunds are smart dog breeds, they have challenges—especially regarding potty training. The wiener dogs have a few characteristics that make the potty training process trickier than other dog breeds, but it is not impossible! It is rather enjoyable if you know the proper technique.

Independent and Stubborn

Dachshunds were originally hunting dogs, specifically obsessed with badgers! This means they are naturally independent and used to working alone rather than herding dogs. While this independence makes them smart, determined, and fast-thinking, it can also make potty training more challenging, as they often prefer to do things on their terms.

Small Bladders, Frequent Breaks

It is hard to ignore the fact that they are cute with their short legs and long bodies. But because of their small size, Dachshunds have equally small bladders. This means they need more frequent potty breaks than larger dog breeds. Dachshund puppies, in particular, can only hold their bladder for about an hour or two at most. Even adult Dachshunds may need to go out every few hours.

Potty Training Regression

Another challenge is that Dachshunds are prone to potty training regression. This means that even if you think that your Dachshund is completely potty trained, you may still experience setbacks, especially during times of stress or changes in routine. This is part of the potty training, and staying consistent with the training process is key to preventing long-term issues.

How to Potty Train a Dachshund: The Step-by-Step Process

If you are more clear about the challenges you may face while potty training your Dachshund, let's get into the proper technique of how to potty train a Dachshund; with the right approach, you can teach your dog to do their business in the right place and right time. Here are some helpful tips;

Crate Training: The First Step in Potty Training

The crate training is a huge help when it comes to teaching potty training. The wiener dogs are naturally clean animals and don't like to soil the area where they sleep. Using a crate; you can teach your Dachshund puppy to hold its bladder until it's time for a potty break.

How to Crate Train Your Dachshund

• Choose the right size crate: Yes, Dachshunds are tiny, but the crate should be large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. A large crate may encourage your dog to use one corner as a bathroom and another for sleeping.

• Create a positive association: Who doesn't want a comfy and soft bed? Dachshund would, for sure! Make the crate a comfortable space with soft bedding and toys. Your dog mustn't hate the crate, so encourage your dachshund puppy to spend time in the crate with the door open before you start using it for training.
• Use the crate for breaks: When you can't supervise your sausage dog, place them in the crate. Take them out for potty breaks every 2-3 hours, immediately after meals, and first thing in the morning.

Establish a Consistent Potty Routine

Consistency is critical when dealing with Dachshunds—independent from the activity. Dogs, especially young puppies, need heavy routines. Set a regular potty schedule and stick to it every day. Here's an example of what a consistent potty routine might look like:

• First thing in the morning: Take your Dachshund outside or to their designated potty area right after they wake up.

• After meals: Always take your Dachshund puppy outside immediately after they eat, as eating stimulates the digestive system and increases the urge to go potty.
• After naps and playtime: Both sleeping and playing can trigger the need to go, so take your Dachshund puppy outside for a bathroom break after these activities.

• Before bed: Always give your puppies a chance to go potty before bedtime to avoid accidents during the night.

By following a consistent potty schedule, you're setting your Dachshund up for success.

Choose a Designated Potty Spot

Picking up a specific spot in your yard or outdoor area for your Dachshund's potty break is extremely important. Using the same spot each time helps your wiener dog associate that with potty time. If you live in an apartment, you can also use potty pads in a specific indoor location so your Dachshund knows where to go when the time comes.

When you take your dog to their designated potty spot, give them time to sniff around and do their business peacefully. Of course, stay with them, but avoid distractions like playing or talking too much. Once they are done, give them lots of praise and maybe even a treat to reinforce the behaviour for the future.

Use Positive Reinforcement

To be clear, you can not teach anything to your dog by yelling or forcing. Hence, it can harm the learning process and trust between you and your lovely dog. So, that's why positive reinforcement is essential for potty training. Your Dachshund wants to please you, so reward them for a well-done job. Each time your dog successfully goes potty in the right place, celebrate the moment together!

How to Use Positive Reinforcement:

• Praise: Use a cheerful, excited voice to tell your dog they did well.

• Treats: Give a small, tasty treat immediately after they go potty in the right spot.

• Playtime: Some dogs are more motivated by play than treats. If this sounds like your Dachshund, reward them with a short game of fetch or a favourite toy after a successful potty break.

Supervise to Prevent Accidents Indoors

Accidents can happen—with everything, anybody, any time. Dachshunds are intelligent dogs; however, they might need more repetition for some skills than other dog breeds. If you want to avoid accidents indoors, supervision is crucial—especially during the early stages of potty training. When your puppy is not in their crate, make sure you're keeping a close eye on them. Take them outside immediately if you notice signs that they might need to go—like sniffing the ground, circling, or heading toward the door.

If you can not supervise your dachshund puppy, putting them back in their crate or in a confined space like a playpen where accidents are less likely to happen is a good idea.

Gradually Increase Time Between Potty Breaks

As your Doxie gets older, they'll be able to hold their bladder longer, as expected. For most puppies, a potty break every two hours is ideal, then you can gradually increase the time between breaks as they become more reliable.

By the time your little Dachshund buddy reaches six months old, they should be able to hold their bladder for about four hours. However, taking them out frequently is always a good idea—especially after meals, naps, or long playtime sessions.

Avoiding Common Potty Training Mistakes

Potty training a dog is teamwork. Our four-legged friends are doing their best on their own. As a Dachshund owner, you should avoid some common mistakes that can sabotage your potty training efforts. Avoiding these pitfalls will help you and your Dachshund stay on track toward success.

1. Punishing Your Dog for Accidents

One of the biggest mistakes new Dachshund owners make is punishing their puppy after they have an accident. Punishment doesn't teach your dog what to do; it only teaches them to fear going potty around you. If your Dachshund puppy has an accident, stay calm, clean it up carefully, and return to your consistent potty training routine.

2. Not Cleaning Up Accidents Thoroughly

When your sausage dog has an unfortunate accident indoors, cleaning it up correctly is crucial. If the smell remains, your Dachshund may not hesitate to use the same spot for the same purpose again. Use an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet stains to remove both, the odour and any trace of the accident.

3. Not Using the Crate Correctly

Create training is a powerful and helpful tool in the potty training process, but only if used correctly. Ensure the crate is a manageable size, which may encourage your Dachshund to use part of it as a bathroom. On the other hand, never leave your puppy in the crate for too long—doing so could result in potty accidents inside the crate and cause stress or anxiety.

4. Inconsistent Potty Schedule

Consistency—yes, this is critically important. Skipping or delaying a potty break can confuse your dog and lead to accidents. Stick to the regular schedule, even if it's inconvenient. Eventually, your Dachshund will adjust to this routine, and success rate will increase.

Advanced Potty Training Tips for Dachshund Owners

Dachshunds have special characteristics as their appearance! Once your Dachshund is on their way to being potty trained, it's time to step up your game with some advanced tips to help fine-tune the process and avoid potty training regression.

Transitioning from Puppy Pads to Outdoor Potty

Although there are so many criticisms about puppy pads, there is nothing wrong with their usage if you know how to use them correctly. However, transitioning to outdoor potty time can be challenging if you've been using puppy pads for your young puppies. To make the process easier, start by decreasing the number of potty pads (in case multiple ones are used in different rooms), then move the potty pad closer to the door. Eventually, place the potty pad outside to help your dog understand that they should go potty outside.

Watch for Potty Training Regression

It is common for many dog breeds to have potty training regression, and dachshunds are no exception. Once you are convinced that your lovely Dachshund is fully potty trained, there may be times when they experience potty training regression. This can happen due to stress, changes in the environment or routine, or boredom. If you notice your sausage dog starting to have accidents again, go back to basics—reinforce the consistent potty schedule, praise good behaviour, and consider whether anything in your dog's routine has changed.

Set Up for Success in Cold Weather

Usually, Dachshunds, like other small dog breeds, don't enjoy cold weather, stormy and snowy days. They are too close to the ground—yes, beauty comes with a cost— and they don't want it when their fur gets wet and muddy. These short-legged dogs can be hesitant to step outside in the winter months. To make it easier for them, keep their trips outside brief but productive. Consider dressing your Dachshund in a warm sweater or coat to help them brave the cold during potty breaks.

Potty Breaks Before and After Bedtime

Preparing your Dachshund puppy for overnight success means giving them one last potty break before bedtime. Ensure they've gone potty at least 30 minutes before bedtime to minimize the risk of nighttime accidents. Additionally, a quick potty break in the morning will prevent them from starting their day with an accident.

Potty Training for Apartment Dwellers

Potty training a Dachshund puppy can be more challenging for apartment dwellers because they might not have easy access to a yard. However, many apartment dwellers use puppy pads or indoor potty systems to solve this problem.

Regarding the usage of puppy pads, please place them in a secure spot where your Dachshund puppy can access them easily and keep the same spot for consistency. Follow the same rules as you would with outdoor potty training, and once they start using the potty pads, reinforce the behaviour with positive reinforcement like treats and lots of praise.

What to Do if Accidents Happen Indoors

Even if you are a professional dog trainer with the best potty training schedule, indoor accidents are inevitable—especially in the early stages. Here's how to handle accidents without confusing your Dachshund:

1. Don't React Harshly

If your Dachshund has an accident indoors, avoid scolding them. Negative reactions can create anxiety and slow down the training progress. Instead, stay calm and clean up the accident.

2. Clean Thoroughly

After an accident, clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner to remove any traces of smell. Dachshunds are naturally gifted in terms of smelling skills, so this will prevent your dog from returning to the same spot and going potty again.

3. Reinforce the Schedule

If accidents are becoming more frequent, go back to the basics: reinforce the potty schedule and supervise your puppy more closely. Consider taking them outside more frequently for potty breaks.

Recognizing When Your Dachshund Needs to Go Potty

Another important factor in potty training a dachshund is recognizing the signs that your Dachshund needs to go potty. By learning your wiener dog's body language, you can anticipate their needs and prevent accidents.

Sniffing the Ground

Most dogs will start sniffing the ground when they need to go potty. If you see your Doxie doing this, it's a clear sign that it's time to head outside.

Circling

Another sign is that dogs will circle or pace when looking for a spot to go. If your Dachshund starts walking in circles or sniffing around, immediately take them to their designated potty area.

Restlessness or Whining

A restless Dachshund pacing or whining may be trying to tell you they need to go potty. It is a usual pattern, especially at night or early in the morning, when your Dachshund puppy tries to avoid an accident.

Heading to the Door

It is a universal sign! If your Dachshund has learned to go outside for potty time, they may go to the door and wait when needed. Watch for this signal and be ready to take them out as soon as possible.

Potty Training Regression: What to Do When Accidents Return

Even if your Dachshund seems fully potty trained, it's not uncommon for them to experience potty training regression. This is quite normal for many dog breeds and can happen at any stage. It is often triggered by stress, changes in routine, or even health problems.

How to Handle Potty Training Regression

If your dog is experiencing a setback, here are some steps to get back on track:

• Re-establish the schedule: Go back to the consistent potty schedule you used during the initial training stages.

• Reward success: Praise and reward your dog for successfully going potty in the right place.

• Look for triggers: Identify any changes in your dog's environment that may have caused the regression, such as moving to a new home, a change in routine, or a new family member.

Common Health Issues That Can Impact Potty Training

Sometimes, potty accidents aren't a sign of poor training or unintelligent dogs but are caused by underlying health issues. Here are some common Dachshund health issues that could interfere with potty training.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

If your Dachshund starts having frequent accidents indoors, it could be due to a urinary tract infection (UTI). Dogs with UTIs may struggle to hold their bladder and may urinate more frequently than usual. If you suspect a UTI, take your dog to the vet for a checkup. The sooner, the better!

Digestive Issues

Diarrhea or gastrointestinal issues can make it difficult for your dog to control their bathroom habits. If your Dachshund has been experiencing stomach problems, consult your vet.

Back Problems (IVDD)

Dachshunds are prone to back problems like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). If your dog suddenly starts having accidents indoors and shows signs of back pain or difficulty moving, they may be experiencing an issue related to their spine.

Conclusion: Potty Training a Dachshund Takes Time, but It's Worth It!

Potty training a Dachshund will take time, consistency, and patience, but your lovely dog will learn where and when to do their business with the right approach. Let's not forget that every dog learns at their own pace—like us— so be patient with your Dachshund (puppy) and keep things positive.

By establishing a consistent potty routine, using crate training, rewarding success with positive reinforcement, and supervising your new puppy closely, you can help them become fully potty trained.

Don't be discouraged if you face setbacks along the way—potty training regression is quite ordinary, but by sticking to the basics and maintaining your schedule, your Dachshund will get back on track shortly.

With the right combination of love, patience, and positive reinforcement, your Dachshund will soon be an accident-free, potty-training pro!