Dachshunds are harder to housetrain than most breeds, but consistency and patience work

Wiener dogs—dachshunds—take longer to housetrain than larger breeds, often 4 to 6 months instead of 8 to 12 weeks. This is not because they are less intelligent. Dachshunds were bred to hunt alone in burrows, which means they are independent thinkers who do not naturally defer to a pack leader. They also have small bladders and fast metabolisms, so they genuinely need to go out more often than a Lab or Golden Retriever. The combination of stubbornness and biology means you cannot rush the process—but a dachshund who understands the routine will be reliable for life.

The core method is the same as for any dog: take your dachshund outside on a fixed schedule, reward heavily when he goes in the right place, and prevent accidents indoors by confining him when you cannot watch him. The difference with dachshunds is that you need more patience, a tighter schedule, and a willingness to accept that he will test you.

Key Takeaways

  • Dachshunds need to go outside at least 6 to 8 times a day until they are 4 to 5 months old, including when ready after eating, after naps, and before bed.
  • Crate training is the fastest way to housetrain a dachshund because dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping space, but the crate must be small enough that he cannot eliminate in one corner and sleep in another.
  • Reward with high-value treats (small pieces of chicken, cheese, or hot dog) the when ready he finishes going outside, not after you come back inside.
  • Accidents will happen; clean them with enzymatic cleaner so the smell does not draw him back to the same spot.
  • Dachshunds often regress during adolescence (4 to 8 months) and may test boundaries even after months of success, so consistency matters more than perfection.

Set a schedule your dachshund can actually follow

A young dachshund (under 4 months) cannot hold his bladder for more than 2 to 3 hours, so a schedule of 6 to 8 outings a day is not excessive—it is necessary. The schedule should include: first thing in the morning, after breakfast (15 to 30 minutes later), mid-morning, after lunch, mid-afternoon, after dinner, before bed, and once in the night if he is under 3 months old.

If you work outside the home, a midday potty break is critical. A dog walker, pet sitter, or trusted neighbor who can let him out at noon makes an enormous difference. If that is not possible, consider a dog daycare two or three days a week, or take your lunch break to go home. Leaving a young dachshund alone for 8 hours will set housetraining back by weeks.

As your dachshund ages, you can gradually extend the time between outings. By 6 months, most dachshunds can hold it for 4 to 5 hours. By 12 months, they can manage 6 to 8 hours. But until then, the schedule is not negotiable.

Crate training prevents accidents when you cannot supervise

A crate works because dogs have a natural instinct not to soil where they sleep. When your dachshund is in a properly sized crate, he will signal that he needs to go out rather than eliminate inside. The crate should be just large enough for him to stand, turn around, and lie down—not so large that he can eliminate in one corner and sleep in another.

Introduce the crate slowly. Leave the door open, toss treats inside, and let him explore on his own. Once he is comfortable going in and out, close the door for short periods while you are nearby. Gradually extend the time. Never use the crate as punishment, and never leave him in it for longer than he can physically hold his bladder (a rough rule: one hour per month of age, plus one—so a 3-month-old can manage 4 hours maximum).

When you let him out of the crate, take him directly outside to his potty spot. Do not stop to play or let him wander the house. The moment he finishes, reward him heavily and then he can have supervised playtime indoors.

Reward the behavior you want to see repeated

Dachshunds are food-motivated, which is your advantage. The when ready your dog finishes eliminating outside—while he is still in the act or within seconds of finishing—give him a small, high-value treat and praise enthusiastically. "Good boy!" and a piece of chicken are far more motivating than a pat on the head five minutes later when you are back inside.

The timing matters because your dachshund needs to connect the reward directly to the act of going outside, not to coming back inside or sitting in the house. If you wait until you are indoors to reward, he may think he is being rewarded for coming inside, not for eliminating in the right place.

Rotate treats so they stay novel and exciting. Pieces of cooked chicken, small cubes of cheese, or tiny bits of hot dog (appropriate, given the breed) work better than kibble or generic dog treats. Save these rewards for outdoor potty breaks only, so they remain special.

Clean accidents with enzymatic cleaner, not ammonia

When your dachshund has an accident indoors, the smell matters more than you might think. If you clean with ammonia-based products, the smell actually resembles urine and can draw him back to the same spot. Instead, use an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie, which breaks down the urine at a molecular level and removes the scent entirely.

Soak the area thoroughly, let it sit for the time the product recommends (usually 10 to 15 minutes), and then blot it up. Do not just spray and wipe—the enzyme needs time to work. If the accident was on carpet or a rug, you may need to treat it multiple times or consider replacing the section if the smell persists.

Never punish your dachshund for an accident. Rubbing his nose in it, yelling, or hitting him teaches him to hide and go in corners, not to go outside. If you catch him in the act, calmly interrupt him, take him outside when ready, and reward if he finishes there. That is the only correction that works.

Expect regression during adolescence and stay consistent

Many dachshund owners report that their dogs were housetrained by 4 or 5 months, then had accidents again at 6 to 8 months. This is normal adolescent behavior—your dachshund is testing boundaries and asserting independence, not forgetting what he learned. It is frustrating, but it does not mean you failed or that he is not housetrained.

The response is to tighten the schedule again temporarily, increase outdoor time, and continue rewarding heavily. Do not assume he can hold it for longer just because he did for a few weeks. Go back to 6 to 8 outings a day if needed, and gradually extend again as he proves he is ready.

By 12 to 18 months, most dachshunds are reliably housetrained and can manage a normal adult schedule of 3 to 4 outings a day. Some remain stubborn about it into adulthood, especially males, but consistency will get you there.

Watch for medical issues if housetraining stalls

If your dachshund is older than 6 months and still having frequent accidents despite a solid routine and consistent training, a veterinary checkup is worth the cost. Urinary tract infections, diabetes, and other conditions can cause accidents that have nothing to do with training. A vet can rule out medical causes and give you confidence that the problem is behavioral, not physical.

Dachshunds are also prone to incontinence as they age, particularly spayed females. If your adult dog suddenly starts having accidents after years of being reliable, mention it to your vet. There are medications that can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it actually take to housetrain a dachshund?

Most dachshunds are reliably housetrained by 4 to 6 months, though some take longer. Expect accidents to continue occasionally until 12 to 18 months. Adolescent regression between 6 and 8 months is common and does not mean you are starting over.

Can I use puppy pads to speed up the process?

Puppy pads often confuse dachshunds because they teach the dog that it is acceptable to eliminate indoors. If you use them, place them outside near the door so the dog associates them with going outside, not with going in the house. Most trainers recommend skipping them and going straight to outdoor training.

What if my dachshund refuses to go outside in bad weather?

Some dachshunds are sensitive to rain or cold. Create a covered potty area if possible, or use an umbrella. You can also train him to use a specific indoor spot (like a litter box or designated pad) as a backup during extreme weather, though this may slow outdoor housetraining slightly.

Is male or female housetraining easier?

Males often take slightly longer and may mark indoors, especially if not neutered. Neutering or spaying before 6 months helps both sexes housetrain faster. The difference is not huge—consistency matters more than sex.

My dachshund goes outside but refuses to go in front of me. What do I do?

Some dogs are shy about eliminating while watched. Step back a few feet, look away, or go inside briefly. Once he goes, reward when ready. Over time, he will become comfortable going while you are present. Never force him to stay outside longer than he needs to.