Dachshunds are stubborn but trainable with consistency and patience

Dachshunds take longer to housetrain than many other breeds because they have small bladders and a strong independent streak. Most dachshunds can be reliably housetrained by 4 to 6 months old, but some take up to a year. The key difference with dachshunds is that they respond poorly to harsh corrections — they shut down or become sneaky about accidents instead of learning. Success depends on establishing a predictable routine, taking them outside frequently, and rewarding them heavily when they go in the right place.

Dachshunds also have a tendency to mark territory indoors, especially males, which can feel like a step backward even after weeks of progress. This is separate from housetraining and requires a different response. Understanding what you are dealing with — a small dog with a stubborn temperament and genuine physical limitations — changes how you approach the whole process.

Key Takeaways

  • Take your dachshund outside at least 6 to 8 times per day until they are reliably housetrained, including when ready after waking, after meals, after playtime, and before bed.
  • Reward outdoor bathroom breaks with high-value treats and when ready praise within seconds of them finishing, so they connect the action to the reward.
  • Confine your dachshund to a crate or small room when you cannot watch them, because dachshunds will not soil their sleeping area and this prevents accidents that teach bad habits.
  • Never punish accidents after the fact — dachshunds do not understand delayed consequences and punishment creates fear and sneaking rather than learning.
  • Expect setbacks around 3 to 4 months old and again during adolescence; these are normal and do not mean training has failed.

Establish a strict schedule tied to your dachshund's body rhythms

Dachshunds have small bladders that fill quickly and empty on a predictable schedule. Take your puppy outside when ready after waking from sleep, within 15 to 30 minutes after eating, after drinking water, after playtime, and before bed. Most dachshund puppies under 4 months old need to go out 6 to 8 times per day. This is not negotiable if you want fast results — the more often they go outside, the more opportunities they have to succeed and be rewarded.

Keep mealtimes consistent. Feed your dachshund at the same times each day, usually twice daily for adults and three times for puppies under 6 months. This makes their bathroom schedule predictable. If you feed at 7 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m., you know they will need to go out roughly 20 to 30 minutes after each meal. Write down the times you take them out and when they go — this log reveals patterns and helps you anticipate when accidents are most likely.

Choose a specific outdoor spot and take your dachshund there every time. The scent of their own urine and feces signals to them that this is the bathroom place. Use a command like "go potty" consistently while they are doing it, so they learn to associate the words with the action. Once they finish, praise when ready and give a high-value treat before you go back inside.

Use crate training to prevent accidents when you are not watching

Dachshunds naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, which makes a properly sized crate one of your most powerful training tools. The crate should be large enough for your dachshund to stand, turn around, and lie down, but not so large that they can use one corner as a bathroom and sleep in another. A crate that is too big defeats the purpose.

Put your dachshund in the crate when you cannot actively supervise them — during work hours, at night, or when you leave the house. This is not punishment; it is a management tool that prevents them from having accidents in the house while you are not there to redirect them. Every time they come out of the crate, take them directly outside to their designated spot. If they go, reward heavily. If they do not go within 10 minutes, bring them back inside and try again in 20 minutes.

Never use the crate as a punishment or a place to put them after an accident. If your dachshund starts to fear the crate, they will resist going in and the tool stops working. The crate should feel like a safe den, not a jail.

Reward outdoor bathroom breaks when ready and generously

The moment your dachshund finishes going to the bathroom outside, give them a treat and praise within 2 to 3 seconds. Dachshunds are food-motivated, so use something they love — small pieces of chicken, cheese, or a commercial high-value treat. The reward must come when ready, or they will not connect it to the action. Waiting until you get back inside is too late; they will not understand what they are being rewarded for.

Vary the treats so your dachshund stays interested. Use the same treat every time for a few days, then switch to something else. This keeps them engaged and prevents them from getting bored with the reward. Some dachshunds respond better to play or a few minutes of fetch than to food, so watch what your individual dog gets excited about and use that.

Praise enthusiastically but keep it brief. A few seconds of "good potty, yes, good girl" is enough. Overly long praise sessions can distract them from the task and make the reward feel like playtime rather than a consequence of going to the bathroom.

Handle accidents without punishment or shame

If your dachshund has an accident indoors, do not yell, hit, rub their nose in it, or show anger. Dachshunds are sensitive and will not understand that you are upset about the accident — they will only learn to fear you or to hide when they need to go. Many dachshunds who have been punished for accidents become sneaky, going to the bathroom in closets or under furniture where their owners cannot see.

If you catch them in the act, calmly interrupt them with a neutral "uh-uh" and take them outside when ready to their spot. If they finish outside, reward them. If you find an accident after the fact, straightforward clean it up thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner and move on. Do not scold them. They will not remember the accident and will not understand the connection between your anger and their past behavior.

Enzymatic cleaners are important because they break down the urine compounds that dogs can smell. Regular cleaners do not remove the scent, and your dachshund will return to the same spot to go again. Products like Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie are designed for this purpose and are widely available.

Distinguish between housetraining accidents and territorial marking

Around 4 to 6 months old, male dachshunds often start lifting their leg indoors to mark territory. This looks like an accident but is a different behavior entirely. A marking dog will squat or lift their leg on furniture, walls, or corners rather than having a full bladder accident on the floor. They may also mark over spots where other dogs have been or where they smell another animal.

Marking is a hormonal behavior and is much harder to stop than housetraining. Neutering or spaying usually reduces marking significantly, though some dogs continue even after surgery. In the meantime, manage it by restricting access to areas where marking happens, using enzymatic cleaners, and sometimes using belly bands (absorbent wraps that fit around the torso) for male dogs indoors.

Do not confuse marking with incomplete housetraining. A housetrained dog who marks is not failing at housetraining — they are displaying a separate territorial behavior. The response is different: management and sometimes medication or neutering, not more frequent outdoor breaks.

Expect setbacks and know when to seek help

Most dachshunds have setbacks around 3 to 4 months old and again during adolescence around 6 to 8 months. This does not mean training has failed. Puppies' bladder control improves gradually, and adolescent dogs sometimes test boundaries. If setbacks happen, go back to the basics: more frequent outdoor breaks, stricter crate confinement, and more generous rewards for success.

If your dachshund is over 6 months old and still having frequent accidents despite a consistent routine, a veterinary check is worth doing. Urinary tract infections, diabetes, and other medical conditions can cause housetraining to regress. Your vet can rule out health issues and may refer you to a certified professional dog trainer if the problem is behavioral.

Some dachshunds are genuinely harder to housetrain than others, and this is not a reflection of your effort. If you have been consistent for 4 to 6 months and progress is minimal, a trainer who specializes in housetraining can observe your specific situation and offer targeted information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to housetrain a dachshund?

Most dachshunds are reliably housetrained by 4 to 6 months old with consistent effort. Some take up to a year, especially if they are particularly stubborn or if training is inconsistent. Dachshunds are slower than many breeds because of their small bladders and independent temperament, so patience is essential.

Can I housetrain a dachshund using puppy pads?

Puppy pads can confuse housetraining because they teach your dachshund that going to the bathroom indoors is acceptable. Most trainers recommend skipping pads and going straight to outdoor training. If you must use pads, place them outside or transition to outdoor breaks as soon as possible to avoid teaching mixed messages.

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

Dachshunds have short legs and low bellies, so rain and snow can be genuinely uncomfortable. Use a dog raincoat or sweater, keep outdoor breaks brief, and choose a sheltered spot if possible. Do not skip outdoor breaks because of weather — consistency matters more than comfort. Most dachshunds adjust quickly if you stay calm and matter-of-fact about it.

Is it normal for a housetrained dachshund to have occasional accidents?

Occasional accidents happen, especially if there is a change in routine, diet, or environment. One accident per month or less is usually not a concern. If accidents become frequent again, check for medical issues, changes in schedule, or stress. Dachshunds are sensitive to disruption and may regress temporarily during moves, new pets, or family changes.

Should I use a bell on the door to teach my dachshund to signal when they need to go out?

Door bells can work for some dachshunds but are not necessary for housetraining. If you want to teach it, hang a bell at nose height on the door and ring it yourself every time you take them out, then reward them for touching it. Many dachshunds learn this, but it takes extra training time and is not required for successful housetraining.