Wiener Dogs Learn Faster With Frequent Outdoor Trips and Consistent Rewards

Dachshunds—wiener dogs—can be potty trained, but they need more frequent bathroom breaks than larger breeds because of their small bladder size. A young puppy cannot hold urine for more than two to three hours, so you will need to take yours outside at least six to eight times a day: first thing in the morning, after meals, after playtime, before bed, and whenever you notice sniffing or circling. Adult wiener dogs can typically hold it for four to six hours, but many owners find that five outdoor trips per day works best.

The core method is straightforward: take your dog out on a schedule, reward when ready when they go in the right spot, and confine them to a small space (a crate or pen) when you cannot watch them. Wiener dogs are stubborn and food-motivated, so high-value treats—small pieces of chicken, cheese, or commercial training treats—work better than praise alone. Consistency matters more than any special technique; if you skip days or let your dog roam unsupervised, progress stops.

Key Takeaways

  • Wiener dogs need six to eight outdoor bathroom trips daily as puppies because their small bodies cannot hold urine for long periods.
  • Reward your dog with a high-value treat within two seconds of them finishing outside, so they connect the action to the reward.
  • Confine your wiener dog to a crate or small pen when you are not actively watching them, because they will not soil their sleeping area.
  • Expect the process to take three to six months for a puppy and longer if your dog has already developed indoor habits.
  • Never punish accidents after the fact; punishment teaches fear, not bladder control, and wiener dogs are already prone to anxiety.

Set Up a Bathroom Schedule and Stick to It

Write down the times you take your wiener dog outside and the times they have accidents indoors. After three to five days, a pattern will emerge—most puppies go within 15 to 30 minutes after eating, drinking, waking from a nap, or playing hard. Use that pattern to plan your trips. If your puppy eats at 7 a.m., take them out at 7:15 a.m. If they nap from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., take them out at 3 p.m.

Set phone reminders if you live alone or work from home. If you work outside the home, hire a dog walker or ask a neighbor to let your puppy out midday—skipping that trip will set training back by weeks. Wiener dogs are small enough that some owners use a dog door to a fenced yard, but this only works if your dog already understands where to go; a young puppy will use the yard as a bathroom and a bedroom indiscriminately.

Nighttime is separate from daytime training. Puppies under 12 weeks old cannot hold urine overnight, so expect nighttime accidents. Move your puppy's crate to your bedroom so you hear them whimper when they need to go out at 2 a.m. or 4 a.m. By four to six months, most wiener dogs can sleep through the night without an accident.

Reward the Right Behavior Within Seconds

The moment your wiener dog finishes urinating or defecating outside, say "yes" or "good potty" in a happy voice and give them a treat. The timing is critical—if you wait until you walk back inside, your dog will not connect the treat to the outdoor bathroom trip. Carry treats in your pocket every single time you go outside.

Use treats your dog loves but does not get any other time. Small pieces of cooked chicken, freeze-dried liver, or soft training treats work better than kibble or hard biscuits because your dog can eat them fast and you can give the next reward quickly. Rotate treats every few weeks so your dog stays interested; if you use the same treat for months, they stop caring.

Do not rely on praise alone. Wiener dogs are food-motivated, and a treat creates a stronger memory than a pat on the head. Once your dog is reliably going outside (after two to three months), you can gradually reduce treats and switch to praise, but during the learning phase, treats are non-negotiable.

Confine Your Wiener Dog When You Cannot Supervise

Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, so a properly sized crate is one of your strongest training tools. Your wiener dog's crate should be large enough for them to stand, turn around, and lie down—but not so large that they can pee in one corner and sleep in another. A crate 24 inches long and 18 inches wide is typical for an adult wiener dog; a puppy needs a smaller one or a divider panel.

Put your puppy in the crate whenever you cannot watch them: when you shower, when you run errands, when you sleep (at night), or when you are cooking dinner. Do not use the crate as punishment. Your goal is to create a space your dog sees as safe and clean, not a jail. Leave the door open during the day so your puppy can nap there voluntarily.

If your wiener dog has an accident in the crate, it usually means the crate is too large, you left them in too long, or they have a medical issue like a urinary tract infection. A healthy puppy will hold it for one hour per month of age (a three-month-old can hold it for three hours), but wiener dogs are small and may need shorter intervals. If accidents happen in the crate regularly, take your dog to a veterinarian to rule out infection.

Clean Accidents Thoroughly to Remove Scent

When your wiener dog has an accident indoors, do not yell, hit, or rub their nose in it. Punishment teaches fear and does not teach bladder control. Instead, interrupt the accident if you catch it happening ("hey" or a clap), take your dog outside when ready, and reward if they finish outside. Then clean the spot.

Use an enzymatic cleaner—not ammonia-based cleaners or vinegar, which can smell like urine to your dog and encourage them to go in the same spot again. Enzymatic cleaners break down the uric acid crystals that create the smell. Spray the area generously, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and blot it up. If the accident soaked into carpet, you may need to soak the padding underneath as well.

If your wiener dog keeps having accidents in the same spot, move their food and water bowl there temporarily—dogs rarely soil the area where they eat. Once the spot is clean and your dog stops going there, move the bowl back.

Recognize Signs Your Wiener Dog Needs to Go Out

Wiener dogs usually show the same signals before they go to the bathroom: sniffing the ground, circling, whining, scratching at the door, or standing by the door and staring at you. Learn your individual dog's signal. Some wiener dogs pace; others sit and stare. Once you recognize the signal, you can take your dog out before an accident happens.

If your wiener dog starts signaling reliably, you can begin to loosen the schedule slightly. Instead of taking them out every two hours, wait for the signal and reward heavily when they go. This teaches them that signaling gets them outside, which is the goal of potty training—a dog who tells you when they need to go.

Some wiener dogs never develop a clear signal. If yours does not, stick to the scheduled trips and do not expect them to tell you when they need to go. This is normal and does not mean your dog is failing; it means you will need to manage their bathroom trips for life.

Handle Setbacks and Stubborn Behavior

Wiener dogs are notoriously stubborn, and some will refuse to go outside in bad weather or will hold their urine for hours and then have an accident indoors. If your dog refuses to go outside in rain, try a dog raincoat or umbrella, or take them to a covered porch. If they hold urine and then go indoors, they may have anxiety about going outside—try shorter trips, less stimulation, or a quieter yard.

If your wiener dog was already housetrained and suddenly starts having accidents, see a veterinarian first. Urinary tract infections, diabetes, and other medical issues cause sudden regression. If your vet rules out medical problems, the accidents are usually caused by stress, a change in routine, or a change in diet.

Some wiener dogs take six months or longer to housetrain, especially if they came from a breeder or shelter where they were not trained early. Do not compare your dog to others. Consistency and patience work; frustration and punishment do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to potty train a wiener dog?

Most puppies show reliable progress after three to four months of consistent training, but full reliability—no accidents for several weeks—typically takes four to six months. Adult wiener dogs or dogs with previous indoor habits may take longer. Age, consistency, and individual temperament all affect the timeline.

Can I use puppy pads instead of taking my wiener dog outside?

Puppy pads teach your dog that indoor bathroom trips are acceptable, which can confuse them later when you want them to go outside only. If you must use pads, place them by the door and gradually move them closer to the outside exit, then remove them once your dog is going outside reliably. Most trainers recommend skipping pads and going straight to outdoor training.

What should I do if my wiener dog refuses to go outside?

Some wiener dogs are anxious about going outside or dislike certain weather. Try shorter trips, a quieter location, or a dog raincoat. If refusal is severe, consult a veterinarian to rule out pain or medical issues. Anxiety-related refusal may improve with time and patience, but some dogs need professional behavior help.

Is crate training necessary for potty training?

A crate is the fastest and most reliable tool, but you can housetrain without one by using a small pen or confining your dog to one room with a baby gate. The key is preventing unsupervised access to the whole house. A crate is straightforward the most practical way to do this.

My wiener dog goes outside but refuses to go to the bathroom. What do I do?

Some dogs get distracted by smells, sounds, or play and forget why they are outside. Take your dog to the same spot each time, use a command like "go potty," and wait patiently for 10 to 15 minutes. If nothing happens, bring them back inside and try again in 30 minutes. Do not let them play until after they go to the bathroom.