Train a Dachshund – How to do it Right!In a perfect world, each one of these fearless dogs would come with their own personal guide to help you train a Dachshund. Of course, this would only be helpful if each of the “How to Train a Dachshund” manuals were specifically created for that particular dog, according to his life story. Dachshunds are certainly a species that have a wide variety of personalities based on how he has been treated, socialized, etc. Despite the many behavioral variations though, there are a few consistent similarities and rules to follow when training a Dachshund. Understand the Breed The first step to take to train a Dachshund is to understand the breed you're dealing with. Sure, they're small and cute but their personalities are larger than life. Training a Dachshund should be easy based on how incredibly smart that they are however, these dogs are equally as stubborn. This means that just because your four-legged friend knows what is expected of him, doesn't mean that he's going to do it. When you attempt to train a Dachshund, you need to establish yourself as the leader, especially because this is such an independent breed. Being firm, calm and in control will go a long way with these dogs. Losing your patience or getting upset will get you nowhere when you train a Dachshund. These dogs are clever, there's a good chance that yours knows what you want, he just has to respect your enough to obey. Helpful Tips to Train a Dachshund Puppy If you have decided to bring a puppy into your home, you have the opportunity to mold your Dachshund's personality from an early age. Keep in mind though, a large percentage of adult Dachshunds in shelters make exceptional, obedient, loving pets and are only there because of a deceased owner as these are a popular choice for the elderly. When you're learning how to train a Dachshund puppy, patience and persistence are key. These dogs are highly stimulated by rewards, make sure you only reward desirable behavior and keep your training sessions short. You should aim to train a Dachshund several times per day for no more than a few minutes at a time, working your way up to longer sessions. Dachshund training should be fun, you should both look forward to it yet you want the time to be productive. This means eliminating distractions and being consistent. Use commands and stick with them, changing them can cause the dog confusion and leave you both frustrated. Basic Commands The use of basic commands is essential when you train a Dachshund and although you're probably familiar with No, this is a word that can get grossly overused. When you start using No constantly, it loses its power and when that happens, your independent Dachshund will show that he has a mind of his own. • Sit – Training a Dachshund to sit is extremely easy because they're so low to the ground. You will find that saying the Sit command while gently pushing their rump to the ground and then rewarding with a treat works fast, this doesn't work with most other dogs. Alternatively, when you train a Dachshund to sit, you can use the traditional method of making eye contact and walking toward the dog while saying the command. When he sits, he gets rewarded. • Leave it – The best way to avoid overusing the No command is to anticipate your dog's actions and offer the Leave it command before they act undesirably. This is an important command when you train a Dachshund because these dogs are curious, independent, fearless and love to bark. Telling your dog Leave it before he goes to check out that snake that has slithered up on your deck could save your dog pain and you a huge emergency vet bill. • Stay – This is a great safety command to teach when you train a Dachshund. When your dog knows to Stay rather than run to the road when he sneaks away from you after you open the car door, it could just save his life. Stay could also be replaced with Wait if you prefer. A good way to constantly instill your leadership role is to require your dog to Stay or Wait a few seconds before being permitted to attack his food bowl. When you're trying to learn how to train a Dachshund, keep in mind, constant reinforcement that you are the leader is key! Socialization One of the most important aspects of training a dachshund is proper socialization. A dog that is well socialized won't feel threatened by new environments, animals and people. Socialization is one of the most important things to be consistent with when you train a Dachshund because they are so loyal to their owners, they are known to be snappy to strangers or animals who approach because they feel the need to protect them. A well socialized Dachshund will be able to recognize the difference between what is a threat and what is not. Related Articles: Do Dachshunds Shed? Yes, But Not Much What is the Dachshunds Life Expectancy? Dachshund Temperament – Is This the Right Dog for You? Dachshund Health: Information You Need to Know
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