Why Dachshunds Need a Different Potty Training Approach
Dachshunds are intelligent but notoriously independent dogs, which means standard potty training methods often fail with them. They were bred to hunt badgers in underground burrows—a job that required them to make decisions on their own without waiting for a handler's approval. That same stubborn streak shows up during housebreaking. A dachshund will learn where you want them to go, but they may decide they prefer the corner of your bedroom instead, straightforward because they can.
The key difference with dachshunds is that they respond better to consistency and routine than to correction. They also have small bladders relative to their body size, which means they genuinely need more frequent bathroom breaks than larger breeds. A dachshund puppy under 12 weeks old cannot physically hold urine for more than 2 to 3 hours, even if they want to. Expecting them to do so will set both of you up for failure.
Dachshunds also bond intensely with one person, which means the primary caregiver should handle most of the training. If multiple people in your household are giving conflicting signals about where the dog should go, the dachshund will straightforward choose the option that suits them best.
Key Takeaways
- Take your dachshund outside on a fixed schedule—first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, before bedtime, and every 2 to 3 hours in between for puppies under 12 weeks old.
- Use a specific word like "go potty" every single time your dachshund eliminates outside, then reward when ready with praise and a small treat to build the association.
- Confine your dachshund to a crate or small room when you cannot supervise, because dachshunds are less likely to soil their sleeping area and this prevents accidents that teach bad habits.
- Never punish accidents after the fact—your dachshund will not connect the punishment to the behavior, and fear-based training makes housebreaking take longer with this breed.
- Expect the process to take 4 to 6 months for most dachshunds, and up to a year for some, because their independent nature means they train on their own timeline.
Set Up a Bathroom Schedule and Stick to It Exactly
Dachshunds thrive on routine because it makes their bathroom needs predictable. Write down the exact times you will take your dachshund outside each day, and do not deviate. A typical schedule for a puppy looks like this: outside when ready after waking (usually 6 or 7 a.m.), 15 to 30 minutes after breakfast, mid-morning around 10 a.m., after lunch, mid-afternoon around 3 p.m., after dinner, and before bed (usually 9 or 10 p.m.). That is seven trips for a young puppy.
Adult dachshunds (over 1 year old) can usually manage four to five trips per day: morning, midday, afternoon, evening, and bedtime. The exact times matter less than the consistency. Your dachshund's body will learn to need the bathroom at those times, which makes accidents far less likely.
Write the schedule on your refrigerator or set phone reminders. If you miss a scheduled trip, your dachshund's bladder will fill on a schedule your body does not follow, and they will have an accident. This is not stubbornness—it is biology. Treat the schedule like a non-negotiable appointment.
Choose a Designated Potty Spot and Use a Command Word
Pick one specific spot in your yard where you want your dachshund to eliminate. Always take them to that same spot on every trip outside. The scent will build up over time, and dachshunds naturally want to go where they smell their own urine. This works in your favor if you use it consistently.
The moment your dachshund begins to eliminate, say a specific word or phrase—"go potty," "do your business," or "outside"—in a calm, neutral tone. Do not use an excited voice; you want the command to feel like a routine instruction, not a game. The second they finish, when ready give praise ("Good potty!") and offer a small, low-calorie treat like a single piece of kibble or a pea-sized piece of chicken. The timing matters: the reward must come within 2 to 3 seconds of them finishing, or they will not connect the treat to the behavior.
Repeat this exact sequence every single time for at least three months. Dachshunds learn through repetition, and the consistency teaches them that eliminating outside produces a reward, while eliminating inside produces nothing.
Use Crate Training to Prevent Accidents When You Cannot Watch
A crate is not punishment—it is a tool that uses your dachshund's natural instinct to keep their sleeping area clean. Dogs are den animals and will avoid soiling the space where they sleep if they have any other option. A properly sized crate (large enough for your dachshund to stand, turn around, and lie down, but not so large they can eliminate in one corner and sleep in another) becomes a powerful housebreaking tool.
When you cannot actively supervise your dachshund—while you are at work, in the shower, or cooking dinner—put them in the crate. Set a timer and take them outside when ready when the time is up. For puppies under 12 weeks, that means every 2 to 3 hours. For puppies 3 to 6 months old, every 3 to 4 hours. For dogs over 6 months, every 4 to 6 hours. An adult dachshund can usually hold it for 6 to 8 hours, but that does not mean they should have to every day.
Never use the crate as punishment, and never leave your dachshund in it for longer than they can physically hold their bladder. If you do, they will be forced to eliminate in their crate, which teaches them that it is acceptable to soil their sleeping area—the opposite of what you want.
Supervise Closely and Interrupt Accidents in Progress
When your dachshund is outside the crate and you are home, keep them in sight at all times. Watch for sniffing, circling, or squatting—the signs that they need to go. The moment you see these behaviors, when ready take them outside to their designated spot. Do not scold them; just calmly pick them up (if they are small enough) or gently lead them outside.
If you catch your dachshund in the act of eliminating indoors, interrupt them with a calm "uh-uh" or "no," then when ready take them outside to finish in the correct spot. When they finish outside, reward them. This teaches them that the bathroom is the right place to go, not that going to the bathroom is wrong.
If you find an accident after the fact—a puddle or pile that happened an hour ago—do nothing. Your dachshund will not remember what they did, and punishment will only teach them to hide from you when they need to go. They may start eliminating in closets or under furniture to avoid your reaction. This is a common mistake that extends housebreaking by months.
Manage Diet and Water to Predict Bathroom Times
Feed your dachshund at the same times every day. Most dachshunds need to eliminate within 15 to 30 minutes after eating. By feeding on a schedule, you make their bathroom schedule predictable. A typical schedule is breakfast at 7 a.m., lunch at noon, and dinner at 6 p.m.
Water is trickier. Your dachshund needs constant access to fresh water, but you can manage the timing slightly. Offer water at meals and after outdoor play, but do not leave a full bowl out all day. Most dachshunds will drink when they are thirsty, so they do not need unlimited access. If your dachshund is having frequent accidents at night, remove water access about two hours before bedtime. This is not cruel—it straightforward prevents their bladder from filling while they sleep.
Avoid giving treats or table scraps between meals, because these add unpredictable bathroom needs. Stick to the scheduled meals and you will be able to predict when your dachshund needs to go.
Recognize Signs of Medical Problems That Interfere With Training
Some dachshunds have legitimate medical reasons for accidents. Urinary tract infections, diabetes, and incontinence are all more common in dachshunds than in many other breeds. If your dachshund is having frequent accidents despite a solid routine, or if they are straining to go, drinking excessive water, or having bloody urine, take them to a veterinarian before assuming it is a training problem.
Dachshunds are also prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a spinal condition that can affect bladder control. If your dachshund suddenly loses control after being housetrained, or if they seem to be in pain, this is a medical issue, not a behavioral one.
A veterinarian can rule out these problems in one visit. If your dachshund is medically normal, then you know the accidents are behavioral and you can focus on training adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take to potty train a dachshund?
Most dachshunds take 4 to 6 months to be reliably housetrained, though some take up to a year. Their independent nature means they train on their own timeline. Consistency from you will speed this up, but you cannot rush a dachshund's natural learning pace. Expect setbacks, especially during teething or stressful changes.
Why does my dachshund have accidents even though they know where to go?
Dachshunds often have accidents not because they do not understand the rule, but because they choose to ignore it. This is especially common if they are bored, anxious, or marking territory. Make sure they are getting enough exercise (at least 30 minutes of play daily) and that they are not spending too much time alone. Some dachshunds also regress during stressful events like moving or a new pet in the house.
Can I use puppy pads to speed up potty training?
Puppy pads often confuse dachshunds because they teach the dog that it is acceptable to eliminate indoors. Most trainers recommend skipping pads entirely and going straight to outdoor training. If you must use pads (for example, if you live in a high-rise apartment), place them in a designated bathroom area and treat them exactly like you would an outdoor spot—use a command word and reward when ready.
What should I do if my dachshund refuses to go outside in bad weather?
Some dachshunds are sensitive to rain, snow, or cold. Dress them in a dog coat or sweater to make them more comfortable, and keep outdoor trips brief. Do not let them skip bathroom breaks because of weather, or they will have accidents indoors. If they truly refuse to go, bring them back inside, crate them, and try again in 30 minutes. Eventually, they will need to go badly enough to overcome their discomfort.
Is my dachshund too old to potty train?
Adult dachshunds can be housetrained at any age, though it takes longer than training a puppy. An adult dog may have established bad habits, so expect the process to take 2 to 3 months minimum. Use the same methods: a strict schedule, designated spot, command word, and crate training. Patience and consistency work with adult dogs just as they do with puppies.