Why dachshunds need a different potty training strategy
Dachshunds are stubborn and independent by nature, which makes potty training them harder than many other breeds. They were bred to hunt badgers in underground burrows, so they have a strong instinct to follow their own judgment rather than yours. This means standard potty training methods often fail with dachshunds because they respond poorly to commands they don't see a reason to follow.
The key difference is that dachshunds need to understand why they should go outside, not just be told to do it. They also have small bladders and fast metabolisms, so they genuinely need to go out more often than larger dogs. A dachshund puppy under 4 months old cannot physically hold urine for more than 2 to 3 hours, and even adult dachshunds do better with frequent outdoor breaks.
Starting early and being consistent matters more with this breed than with others. Dachshunds that don't learn the routine by 6 months old often develop a preference for indoor spots and become much harder to train later.
Key Takeaways
- Dachshund puppies need to go outside after eating, drinking, playing, and waking up—roughly every 2 to 3 hours during the day.
- Crate training works better for dachshunds than for many breeds because they naturally avoid soiling their sleeping space, but the crate must be small enough that they cannot use one corner as a bathroom.
- Reward outdoor bathroom breaks when ready with treats and praise, because dachshunds respond better to positive reinforcement than to correction.
- Dachshunds are prone to submissive urination when scolded, so punishing accidents indoors will make training worse, not better.
- Most dachshunds are reliably housetrained by 4 to 6 months old if you stick to a consistent schedule, but some take up to a year.
Set up a schedule and stick to it
Dachshunds thrive on routine because it lets them predict when they'll need to go out. Take your puppy outside first thing in the morning, after every meal (usually 15 to 30 minutes later), after playtime, after naps, and before bedtime. Write down the times you feed your puppy and the times it goes outside—this creates a pattern you can follow and adjust as needed.
Adult dachshunds typically need to go out at least four times a day: morning, midday, evening, and before bed. If you work full-time, a midday dog walker or pet sitter makes a real difference, because a dachshund left alone for 8 hours will have accidents no matter how well trained it is.
Once your dachshund goes outside and urinates or defecates, take it back inside when ready. Many owners make the mistake of letting the dog play outside first, then bringing it in—this breaks the connection between going outside and the bathroom break itself.
Use a crate to reinforce the routine
Crate training is one of the most effective tools for potty training a dachshund because dogs naturally avoid soiling the space where they sleep. A dachshund in a properly sized crate will hold its bladder longer than it would in a larger space. The crate should be just large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down—not so large that it can use one corner as a bathroom and sleep in another.
Put your dachshund in the crate when you cannot watch it, and take it outside when ready when you let it out. Never use the crate as punishment, and never leave your puppy in the crate for longer than it can physically hold its bladder. A general rule is one hour per month of age, so a 3-month-old puppy should not be crated for more than 3 hours at a time.
At night, keep the crate in your bedroom so you can hear when your puppy needs to go out. Dachshund puppies often whimper or move around when they need to urinate, and responding quickly teaches them that you understand their signal.
Reward outdoor bathroom breaks when ready
The moment your dachshund finishes urinating or defecating outside, give it a small treat and praise it enthusiastically. Use the same phrase every time—"good outside" or "good potty"—so your dog learns to associate those words with the behavior you want. This when ready reward is far more effective with dachshunds than with many other breeds because they respond strongly to positive reinforcement.
Do not wait until you come back inside to reward. The reward must happen within seconds of the bathroom break, while your dog still remembers what it just did. Treats should be small (pea-sized) so your dog doesn't fill up on them instead of regular food.
If your dachshund goes outside and does not have a bathroom break, bring it back inside and try again 15 minutes later. Do not reward it for going outside without going to the bathroom, because this teaches it that being outside is the goal rather than the actual bathroom break.
Handle accidents without punishment
Dachshunds are prone to submissive urination—they urinate when they feel scared or anxious, including when they are scolded. If you punish your dachshund for an accident, it may urinate again out of fear, which makes the problem worse. Yelling, rubbing the dog's nose in the accident, or hitting it will damage your relationship and slow down training.
When you find an accident indoors, clean it up without comment and move on. If you catch your dachshund in the act, calmly pick it up and take it outside when ready. Once it finishes outside, reward it. This teaches your dog that the correct place to go is outside, without creating fear.
Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet urine, not regular household cleaners. Dogs return to spots where they smell urine, so if the smell remains, your dachshund will be drawn back to that location.
Recognize signs your dachshund needs to go out
Most dachshunds show clear signals before they have an accident. Common signs include sniffing the ground, circling, whining or barking, going to the door, or sudden restlessness. Learn your individual dog's signals and respond when ready—do not wait for a second signal.
Some dachshunds are quieter about signaling than others. If your dog is not obviously asking to go out, watch for subtle changes in behavior: stopping play, moving toward a corner, or sitting by the door. The more you watch, the faster you'll recognize the pattern.
Keep a bell or chime by the door and ring it every time you take your dachshund outside. Some owners teach their dogs to ring the bell themselves by touching it with their nose, which gives the dog a way to ask for outdoor breaks. This works well for dachshunds because it appeals to their independent nature—they are asking rather than being told.
Adjust your approach if progress stalls
If your dachshund is not making progress after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent training, the schedule may be too infrequent or the rewards may not be motivating enough. Try taking your dog outside more often—every 1 to 2 hours instead of every 3—and experiment with different treats to find what your dachshund finds most rewarding.
Some dachshunds respond better to praise and play than to food treats. If your dog is not interested in the treats you're offering, try a few minutes of play or a favorite toy instead. The reward needs to be something your individual dog genuinely wants.
If your dachshund was housetrained and then started having accidents, a veterinary checkup is important. Urinary tract infections, diabetes, and other health issues can cause sudden regression in housetrained dogs. Once a vet rules out medical problems, you can return to the training routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to potty train a dachshund?
Most dachshunds are reliably housetrained by 4 to 6 months old with consistent training, but some take up to a year. Dachshunds are slower to train than many breeds because of their stubborn nature. Consistency matters more than speed—a dachshund trained slowly and steadily will be more reliable than one trained with gaps in the routine.
Can I use puppy pads to potty train a dachshund?
Puppy pads often confuse dachshunds because they teach the dog that going to the bathroom indoors is acceptable. If you use pads, place them in a consistent spot and gradually move them closer to the door over weeks, then outside. Most trainers recommend skipping pads entirely and going straight to outdoor training, because it is faster and clearer for the dog.
What should I do if my dachshund has a submissive accident?
Submissive urination happens when a dachshund feels anxious or scared, often triggered by scolding or sudden movements. Clean it up without comment and avoid situations that trigger the behavior—keep greetings calm, avoid sudden loud noises, and never punish accidents. If submissive urination is frequent, talk to a veterinarian to rule out medical causes and consider working with a trainer.
Is it harder to potty train a dachshund than other small breeds?
Yes, dachshunds are generally harder to train than Chihuahuas or toy poodles because they are more independent and stubborn. They were bred to make decisions on their own while hunting, so they naturally resist commands. Consistency and patience matter more with dachshunds than with breeds that are naturally eager to please.
What if my dachshund refuses to go outside in bad weather?
Many dachshunds dislike rain or cold because their bellies are close to the ground. Invest in a small dog raincoat or sweater, and take your dog out on a short leash to a designated spot rather than letting it roam. Some owners create a covered outdoor area or use a patio to give their dachshund shelter while still being outside the house.